45:blood in the rain

The rain had slowed to a drizzle, clinging stubbornly to the air as aiden trudged through the empty streets. The silence between the group was suffocating, broken only by the sound of his boots splashing through shallow puddles.

"They are close," Mephisto said lavishly, leaning heavier against Eri than he wanted to admit. His tailored coat disheveled, but his grin never faded. "The church isn't far… I can feel them."

Rowan threw him a glance, unimpressed. "Yeah? You sure he's not playing you like this whole apartment?"

Mephisto chuckled but said nothing more.

Aiden said nothing either—his focus locked on the car just ahead. He staggered the last few steps and gripped the door handle like it was salvation.

"Everyone calm down, we are on the same side now, right?," he muttered. "Just… everyone get inside."

His fingers pulled the door handle once—twice. Locked.

Frowning, he patted his pockets—chest, jeans, jacket—then froze.

Lila was the first to notice. The squirrels cleaning their ears in sync on her shoulder. "What? What is it?"

Aiden's throat worked, but no sound came. Finally, he forced the words out, hollow and strained. "I… I don't have the keys."

Lila's brow furrowed, her voice tight. "What? No. You—check again—"

"I did," Aiden whispered. "They're not here. Garrison… he had them. Right before—" His voice solemn. "Before he disappeared."

Rowan slapped her forehead breaking the silence, "Ugh, otherworld one us zero..."

"Tch." Eri crossed her arms, eyes darkening. "Pointless. Arguing won't change it. We don't need the car. If we move fast—jump rooftops—we can reach the church. There's still time."

Rowan shot her a look. "Yeah? And what about him?" She nodded toward Mephisto. "You think he's in shape to play otherworld rush?"

"Sounds like a fun time," Mephisto gave a strained smirk. "I'm flattered you care."

Rowan ignored him. "And Lila?" Her voice sharpened. "She's pregnant, remember? She's not doing that."

Lila's arms instinctively cradled her stomach. "Maybe I should stay behind... I dont want to slow us down."

"Yeah not happening," Rowan was quick to retort.

Aiden nodded his head siding with Rowan. There was no way he would risk leaving them even now.

Eri sneered. "Then what? Sit here and wait and see if the otherworld changes its mind?"

Aiden's hand tightened around the door handle until his knuckles went white. "come on aiden think."

Shariff's voice cut through the rain like a gunshot. "Hey guys need a lift."

They turned—suddenly aware of the black sedan rolling to a stop. Shariff and Detective Carter sat inside, windows lowered. Carter's gaze swept over the group—then locked onto Mephisto's uncanny silhouette.

Shariff spoke first. "We figured we'd find you here."

"Wait, who's watching Chang?!" Aiden shot back, concerned . "And how did you guys even find us."

"We were tracking the car's GPS," Shariff explained, voice low, cautious. "Turns out, was alot harder with all the tech guys gone."

"As for Chang he's six feet under," Carter answered, hand resting on the wheel as they approached. "Who the hell are all these people, and where's Garrison?"

His eyes never left Mephisto.

Mephisto smiled—slow, sharp, almost taunting. "We are but humble guest to your little set, but well be done here shortly, I assure you"

Carter's jaw flexed. "little set? Done with what?"

Shariff shot Mephisto a warning glance but turned to Aiden. "You good?"

"Yeah they're on our side for now..."Aiden sighed before answering, "This is mephisto and eri. The other two are my wife and best friend."

Shariff got out of the car, taking a slow step forward. His eyes locked on something that looked like blood seeping through his jacket. "Hey are you okay —let me take a look."

"I… I'm fine." Aiden's voice cracked. His hand drifted toward his chest pocket, fingers brushing against something damp and warm.

Shariff's gaze narrowed. "Aiden—what is that?"

Slowly, almost like it hurt, Aiden pulled out the blood-soaked handkerchief. The crimson had darkened, nearly black in the dim light.

Shariff swore under his breath. "Whose blood is that?"

"Its marisols." Aiden's eyes were distant, haunted. "I was tending to her wound with garrison right before… everything."

Shariff's lips pressed thin. He pulled an evidence bag from his coat, snapping it open with trembling fingers.

"Give it here."

Aiden hesitated, knuckles white, before surrendering it.

Shariff sealed it quickly, voice lowering. "Chang said… there was something about her blood. If there's even a chance—" he started to scratch his beard, "—I'm gonna find it."

Mephisto laughed low, a sound like velvet over knives. "You think you can cure what this is? Adorable. Go ahead. Get messy. Break things. That's what humans do best."

Carter bristled, eyes narrowing. "You keep running your mouth, freak, and I'll put a bullet through it."

Mephisto just grinned wider. "oh so dramatic."

Shariff broke the tension, voice steady. "Carter knock it off. We need to move. This blood has to be analyzed and fast."

Carter nodded once, still watching Mephisto. "I've got a place. Off-grid. I say we lay low, figure out our next move."

Lila didn't hide her disbelief. "and what about Marisol?"

"What about her?," Carter answered flatly. "Garrison's dead."

His gaze flicked to Aiden. "I'm sure he would want us to save the world from these freaks if he had known."

Lila's voice shook. "That's horrible, how can you say that."

Carter shrugged, but his voice softened. "Look we stayed, but we both talked. We didn't sign up to go monster hunting."

Eri shot a look that could kill, "Careful, detective. Say her name like that again, and I'll show you what a real monster looks like."

"He didn't mean it like that," Shariff let out quickly. He checked Aiden over for any wounds, before joining in. "We are no good to you guys here, but with this we can save lives."

Mephisto gave a low, mocking laugh. "Safe. There is no safe as long as carlos has her."

Aiden stared at the sealed evidence bag, his voice barely above a whisper. "You guys actually worked with Garrison. You know this isnt what he wanted… but please can you give us a ride at least, before you guys take off."

"We will," Shariff sighed before promising. "But first—you need to breathe. Get your head straight father to father dont make lila go in there."

Rowan's hands curled around the shadow cat. "Stop trying to manipulate him."

"Besides its not like he didn't already try," Lila spoke out placing the baby in shariff's lap. "You guys can be on babysitting duty until we figure this out."

"Fine," Carter finally looked away from Mephisto. "We still owe you, so tell us where to go...but I'm driving."

Shariff blinked down at the toddler squirming into his chest, small arms wrapping around his neck with surprising strength.

He adjusted his grip, mindful of the baby bag slung over his shoulder now, and let out a slow breath.

The toddler leaned back just enough to look him in the eye—wide, trusting, unaware of the storm gathering around them.

Shariff's throat tightened. For a second, he saw his own twins, not yet born, waiting for him back home.

Get Carter to pick them up. Get them to the cabin. Get them safe.

The thought thudded in his chest like a second heartbeat.

His fingers tightened slightly around the evidence bag tucked into his jacket—Marisol's blood.

Chang said becoming one of them healed everything...

Hope flared—sharp, traitorous—before he shoved it down hard.

Not like this.

He forced himself to meet the toddler's gaze again, managing a rough-edged smile.

"Hey, buddy," he said, tapping the kid's nose lightly. "Stick close, yeah? We're gonna get you somewhere safe."

The toddler giggled, innocent and bright. Shariff tucked the child closer against his chest, shielding him from the rain.

The rain continued to fall—soft, steady—washing the blood from their hands, but not their hearts.

And together, they piled into the waiting car.

Toward whatever came next.