The three of them look around the hotel room.

  It’s small and simple—two beds with soft, mismatched quilts, a wooden nightstand squeezed between them, and pale yellow walls that have seen better days.

  A faded painting of a lighthouse hangs crooked over the desk, and the hum of the old AC unit fills the room with a low, steady rhythm.

  The carpet is worn but clean. The air smells faintly of fabric softener and lemon cleaner.

  A coffee maker sits on the dresser beside a boxy old TV, its screen dusted over like nobody’s bothered with it in years.

  “I kinda like this,” Markus says, scoping out the room.

  “It’s like my old apartment—but cozier. And, y’know… not falling apart.”

  His eyes drift to Alexia, who stands at the window, arms crossed as she stares out at the fading sky.

  The light catches in her damp hair, and for a moment, she looks far away—like her mind is somewhere else entirely.

  She sits on the bed, her movements slow, almost mechanical. Her face gives nothing away.

  “Hey, Markus… can I look at your hand?” she asks calmly.

  Markus doesn’t answer. He just holds it out.

  “I know, I know. I was being reckless,” he says, breaking the silence.

  Alexia doesn’t respond. Her hands glow faintly as she works, quiet and precise.

  “If something’s bothering you—”

  “I’m fine,” Alexia cuts in, sharper than she means to. She doesn’t look up, even as the light fades from her palms and the cuts close clean.

  Markus studies her for a moment, then exhales softly.

  “Thanks. My hand feels great.”

  She doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t move. Just lets out a quiet sigh and turns her gaze back to the window, as if the world outside might give her an answer.

  Outside, the streetlights flicker to life one by one, casting long shadows across the parking lot.

  “I don’t know about you, but I need a shower,” Markus mutters, pushing himself to his feet. He walks to the door and pulls it open—bracing for that familiar sting in his hand.

  But this time… nothing. No pain.

  Once Markus is out of earshot, Alexia finally speaks, her voice low.

  “Liddle… I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what I was doing. I thought I was protecting people… but I was hunting you.”

  She shakes her head, her voice trembling.

  “And now…”

  “Alexia,” Liddle says softly, stepping closer to the bed. “Thank you… for getting me out of that place. The Alien Department… I didn’t think anyone would ever help me.”

  “Markus is the one you should thank,” Alexia answers gently. “He never saw you as a demon. Not for a second.”

  “I was sleeping in your home. If it weren’t for you, I’d still be on the street. And now… you’re looking at me like I’m more than just a demon. Most people don’t. Most people can’t.”

  Alexia wraps her arms around Liddle, pulling her into a careful hug. Liddle leans into it, her small frame trembling, like she isn’t sure if it’s real.

  After a moment, her voice comes out soft against Alexia’s shoulder.

  “I… I don’t know when I’ll get another chance to ask. But if you’re okay talking… could I ask you something? About Markus?”

  “Oh?” Alexia raises a brow, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. “You want advice on how to keep him from throwing himself into danger again? Good luck with that.”

  Liddle shakes her head quickly.

  “Is he… a cute boy?” she mumbles, poking her fingers together.

  Alexia blinks—then lets out a short laugh.

  “Because when I’m around him, I feel all… fluttery inside. It’s weird. Is that what happens when you’re with a cute boy?”

  Alexia presses a hand to her mouth, trying not to laugh too loudly.

  “Yeah, that’s a crush. And no, you’re not subtle.”

  “A crush? But I’ve never hit him with a hammer,” Liddle says, blinking in utter confusion.

  Alexia can’t hold it in anymore—she bursts out laughing, shaking her head as she squeezes Liddle tighter.

  “Markus is a good guy.” Alexia smiles—just a little. “You know him better than most. You’ve got this. He’s stood up for you over and over, Liddle. If it came down to it, he’d charge into the Alien Department and take on every cop there just to keep you safe.”

  “He would’ve done that for anybody,” Liddle murmurs.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  “Well, yeah. That boy would throw himself into traffic for a stranger.” Alexia’s smile softens. “But he didn’t do it with anybody. He did it with you.”

  They both laugh just as Markus walks out of the shower, wearing his old clothes.

  “Oh, heya Markus! We were just laughing about that time you asked me to prom,” Alexia says with a sly grin.

  Markus raises an eyebrow, smirking as he heads to the counter. He busies himself with the coffee maker.

  “Well, glad to see you two are smiling about something,” he says.

  “Think we should grab some new clothes tomorrow?” Markus asks through a yawn, pressing the button on the hotel’s ancient coffee pot.

  “Just so we’ve got something clean to wear. I’d go now, but…”

  Another yawn interrupts him. The smell of brewing coffee fills the air.

  “How are you the tired one, sleepyhead?” Alexia teases.

  “I don’t know… maybe because taking a bullet kinda drains the life out of you.”

  Liddle stretches with a tiny squeak of a yawn, mimicking him.

  “Guess it’s my turn in the shower,” she mumbles, padding toward the bathroom.

  “How are you doing?” Markus asks, sitting down beside her before she can leave.

  “I’m still feeling the mana, but… I think I’ll be fine.”

  He looks down at her, his voice quieter now.

  “I’m sorry about your father.”

  Alexia doesn’t answer right away. She just stares at the floor, her fingers curling slightly around the blanket.

  “It’s not your fault,” she says finally. “I’m just… trying not to think about the whole ‘my dad pointed a gun at me’ thing.”

  Markus nods quickly, letting the silence settle between them.

  “I followed every order. I did everything right. And somehow, this is where I end up.”

  She grabs a pillow and hurls it across the room. Her breath comes sharp and uneven as she fights to lower her voice.

  “You’re not going to tell me to calm down, are you?” she asks, bitter and shaky.

  Markus shakes his head.

  “Nope. Say what you need to say. That’s what I’m here for.”

  “I fought a lot of battles for them,” Alexia says, her voice rising. “Like—seriously, is it normal to hand a thirteen-year-old a magic rock and send her off to fight?”

  Her words tremble. “Maybe my low-rent dad could’ve stepped in for once!”

  Markus leans in, steady, his voice low.

  “I get it. You didn’t deserve to carry that alone.”

  Her breath catches. She looks down, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite the tears in her eyes.

  “You know, Markus… you’ve always stood by me. No matter what. Even before you knew I cared about magic, you were there.”

  She squeezes his hands, holding them between hers.

  “I should’ve said yes when you asked me to prom.”

  Markus exhales, shaking his head.

  “You always know how to hit me with that one.”

  “I’m not joking about it this time,” Alexia says softly. “I know I’ve got Sid now, so I can’t say I regret things… but I can’t take you from Liddle.”

  Markus freezes. The words hang in the air, heavier than he expects.

  “Wait—you think Liddle and I are… dating?” he asks, blinking.

  He looks away, his voice dropping, brittle and uncertain.

  “Why would she ever want someone like me? I’m a mess. She deserves better.”

  Alexia crosses her arms, giving him a look.

  “Oh, come on—you’re basically her knight in shining armor. What girl wouldn’t want that?”

  Markus opens his mouth, then closes it again. His brows pull together, unsure.

  Alexia’s expression softens.

  “You’ve been there for her more than anyone. Don’t act like that doesn’t mean something.”

  Markus doesn’t answer. Not right away.

  He just stares at the floor… thinking. Not even realizing he is.

  Before the silence can stretch too far, the bathroom door cracks open.

  Liddle marches out wearing one of the hotel’s oversized robes, the sleeves flopping well past her hands. She gives a proud little twirl.

  “I have become one with the fluff.”

  Markus blushes and shoots a glance at Alexia.

  “She’s too good for me,” he murmurs.

  Without missing a beat, Alexia finishes for him.

  “Way too good.

  Before Markus can respond, Liddle points at the counter.

  “You haven’t even started your coffee yet.”

  Markus blinks, then stands with a sigh.

  “Guess I forgot.”

  As he moves toward the coffee maker, Alexia stretches and heads for the bathroom.

  “My turn,” she says, giving Liddle a quick wave before disappearing inside.

  Markus flops back onto the bed, getting comfortable. He exhales through his nose, rubbing the back of his neck, eyes flicking away from her.

  “Are you okay? I mean… being kidnapped must’ve been horrible.”

  “It was scary… really scary. But when you showed up, I just—knew it’d be okay. I wasn’t alone anymore. Now… now I actually feel safe.”

  “Oh… well, I’m glad you feel that way,” Markus says, his voice soft.

  Liddle steps closer, hesitating for only a moment before climbing onto the bed beside him. She nestles gently into his side.

  Markus blinks, startled.

  “Hey… do you mind?”

  “No. I… like this,” she murmurs.

  Markus opens his mouth, then closes it again. He wraps an arm around her, his heart beating a little faster.

  “If there’s anything you want to talk about…” he says quietly, pulling her just a little closer.

  “No… I feel comfortable,” Liddle says softly. “I’m not used to it, but… this is nice.”

  Alexia steps out in one of the hotel’s robes, a towel wrapped snug around her hair.

  She takes one look at the two of them on the bed—still curled up together—and grins, giving a quiet thumbs-up.

  “You know,” she says, stretching her arms overhead, “I think this might be the first time you and I have ever left Ohio City.”

  “Yeah,” Markus says with a small nod. “Just wish it had happened under better circumstances.

  “Still feels weird… being hunted.”

  Liddle peeks out from under the blanket, her voice soft but steady.

  “It’s going to be okay,” she says. “Being hunted here is the same as being hunted There… just, y’know… different weather.”

  She gives a little shrug and pulls the blanket back up to her chin.

  Alexia sits cross-legged on the bed, thumbs moving quickly over her phone. Markus glances over as she types, her face unreadable.

  The message on her screen reads:

  Long story. Dad wants to kill me. I’ll call when I can… I miss you.

  “Hey, Alexia—mind turning off the light?” Markus asks, finishing the last sip of his coffee.

  She clicks the lamp off, and the room sinks into shadow.

  Markus lies back, staring at the ceiling, trying to will himself to sleep. But the image of the rat’s body creeps in—ugly, sudden, too fresh to forget.

  Then Liddle stirs, shifting closer without a word.

  And just like that, the noise in his head… begins to quiet.