“Free! Free at last, free at last, god almighty free at last!” Scott sang, throwing his hands up in jubilation. It was noon, the day was bright, and the school year was officially over. He began dancing down the front steps, to Amber’s embarrassment.

“Simmer down, boy. There’ll be plenty of time for that tonight.” she said grimly.

It had been a week, and the preparations had been made. The Beat Factory had announced the end-of-year party, and it was the hottest ticket in town. If there was any better opportunity to sell Taboo to teenagers, they didn’t know about it.

“Pshaw, you worry too much! We’re gonna get ‘em for sure.” he grinned, then sobered up. “I mean it though, thank you. If it was just me, I’m not sure I could pull it off.”

“Anytime.” Amber said, then frowned. “Although I hope we don’t have to do this all break.”

“You’re telling me. I’ve had to slow my research to a crawl while I’ve been working on this. But I can’t be too mad, I’m actually on the clock. For money. I’m actually a professional necromancer!” he beamed, and Amber couldn’t help but smile back. It must be nice, to realize your dream. She glanced back at the rapidly-emptying school. There were only two more years before graduation left. She’d have to knuckle down and seriously consider what she wanted to do with life.

“You’re lucky you already have a passion you’re willing to work for.” Amber said.

“Ha. I’m not only the best at what I do, I’m the only one at what I do. I’ve cornered the market.” he said, puffing his chest up, making her roll her eyes.

“Amber! Hey, Amber!” They turned and saw Joy waving at them, Chelsea and Brianna close behind. “We’re out! Are you coming to the party tonight?”

“We’ll be there, don’t worry about that.” Amber said, forcing a smile. Though she knew how important the mission was, she’d much rather have fun with her own friends.

“We?” Chelsea asked.

“That’s right. Me, duh.” Scott said, stepping up. “What, a guy can’t go to a dance with his girlfriend, hmm?”

“Nah, just figured she’d want some girl time with us. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” she said. Scott snorted.

“Well that’s fine, but save the slow dances for me. I happen to know Amber absolutely doesn’t swing that way.” Amber slapped a hand to her cherry-red face, and he leaned onto her shoulder. “Unless you wanted to attend with us both. That’d be hot.”

“In your dreams.” Amber said, pushing him away.

“Yes, quite often! I need to change my sheets every time!” He wagged his eyebrows at her as her friends burst out laughing. She started to say something, realized it was futile, and turned back to Joy.

“Yeah. Me and the lunkhead’ll be there.”

“Great! Seven, eightish?”

“About then. See you later!” She waved and they left, Scott humming happily along.

“Okay, I gotta head to the secret lab, have to get ready for tonight. And after this, I leave for the Einstein Engineering and Physics Summer Academic Program, so the next three weeks will be free.” After her giggles stopped, Amber asked a question she’d been meaning to.

“So, where are you going to stay during those three weeks?”

“Oh, I plan to camp out in my lab. I was offered a room in Crenshaw’s hotel, but this way I can work on both the case and my research as much as I like.”

“…Um, I know there’s a bathroom, but there’s no shower there.” Scott froze. He pointed his finger up to argue, and immediately deflated.

“I’ll call Cross and let her know I’ll take the hotel room.”

“Good boy.” She patted him on the back. “I’m going to get ready for tonight. When’re we leaving?”

“Around six-thirty, Crenshaw wants to go over everything again.” The necromancer rolled his eyes. “As if fifty times wasn’t enough. But, now that you mentioned it, did you tell your parents about this?” Amber chuckled and looked away nervously.

“Eh heh…not exactly.” At his raised eyebrow, she continued. “I know I should’ve, but honestly, I don’t think they’d approve. I know I barely do. I mean, I know no one’s supposed to get hurt, but that’s no reassurance to mom and dad. I know I’m just a human again, and I know you can revive me if anything happens, but…I believe this is the right thing to do. They’d try and stop me, rightfully so, so I can’t tell them. I know it would just hurt to see me in danger. But I’m also in danger if people keep taking Taboo, so I might as well try and stop it.” she said determinedly, standing straight and chin up. Her ponytail swayed in the breeze, and he could see her shaking, even if only a little. “So…so do you think you could save me, if anything goes wrong?” There was only one thing he could do.

He grabbed her and pulled her close to his chest, hugging her close to his heart.

“I promise. No matter what happens, if you’re in trouble, I’ll save you. I promise."

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The long grass rustled in the golden sinking sun, shifting to allow two bodies to pass. The children were crawling commando-style through the overgrown and abandoned yard, the ancient manor looming ahead ominously. Riley narrowed her eyes. After a bath and some research on her dad’s computer, she had come prepared this time.

“Are you sure this’s going to work?” Connor whispered to her. He was dressed normally, but he shook his head and wondered where she got camo pants, a black muscle shirt, a red headband and camo facepaint.

“Positive, private. I got all the info I needed from the internet. Google was a help. Too bad the Ghostbusters aren’t real.”

“You know, people can lie on the internet.” he said, then sighed as she stared straight ahead, not acknowledging him. “I mean Captain.” Now she turned to him.

“Steady on, soldier. I cross-referenced this stuff. I’m prepared.” Connor sighed.

“Sir yes sir.” he deadpanned. They crawled up to the side door this time, where they crouched low to the wall. Riley gingerly tested the ancient doorknob, and was relieved to find it opened with only a minor creak. They crept in, nearly on all fours. They had entered the kitchen, with a stove and a fireplace. They hurriedly scrambled underneath the huge oak table.

“Okay, where to from here?” Connor whispered.

“Well, that ghost was on the top floor. We should try to get there, I guess.” Riley said. He nodded, and they started to move out when they heard a loud noise from the ceiling. They froze instantly. It seemed to be…opera music?

“The heck is that?”

“I don’t know, it sounds kinda creepy. But it’s loud enough that it should cover our movements. Stay close to the walls, though.” Riley said, and they sneaked forwards down the hall. They were almost to the living room when Riley flinched and flattened herself against the stairs. Connor was confused until he saw something glowing approaching and followed suit.

The ghost of the woman floated from the parlor, and she wasn’t covered in blood this time, to their puzzlement.

“Al!” she called from the foot of the stairs. “Al, hurry up! You said we’d go to the lake to watch the sunset today!”

“Coming!” Riley’s eyes widened and they backed into the hall as another glowing ghost floated down from upstairs, a man in an older pressed suit, complete with handkerchief. “The Captain was having trouble with that newfangled record player, I was giving him a hand. It may be easier for him to press buttons, but it’s easier for me to do it for him.” He was descending through the bannister and floor, to their horror they realized he would come down right next to them.

“Alfred! You are going to go back up and take the stairs like a person! We are deceased, not uncivilized!” the woman scolded.

“But dear-” he started.

“Civilized!” With a sigh of defeat from him, and relief below, he went back up and took the air over the stairs.

“Yes, Judith.” he said, pulling out a pipe form his pocket. “Although we’ll have to see if Scott could get any more of those new records next time we see him. Opera all day can get dull.” Unseen, Riley stuck her tongue out and nodded.

“Dear, they’re not records. It’s called a CD player.” Judith said as they went through the door. They waited fifteen second for them to be gone, then Riley let loose.

“Yessss!” she hissed in triumph, pumping her fist and vibrating in excitement. “They do know him! I knew it! Woo!”

“Keep it down.” Connor said, casting a glance to the ceiling. “It sounds like there’s another one here, so we could be careful. But now we know he’s named Scott. I bet we could find out where he is, now that we have a name and rough description, so we should go now.”

“Hmm.” Riley pondered, hand on her chin. Connor did not like the look in her eye. “Yeah, I guess we could. Buuuut…”

“Buuuut…?”

“We’re here, right now. The ghost who wanted to scare us off is gone. And we got his first name, not last. We could save ourselves a whole lotta trouble if we just go and ask this Captain guy about him. This guy brought ‘em a CD player, they can’t be too bad.” Riley said.

“Are you sure we should ask him? What if he doesn’t wanna talk?” Connor said.

“Ah, it’ll be fine, really. I’ll just talk to him Captain-to-Captain and we’ll work it out!” She began giggling.

“You’re not a real captain, you know.”

“Maybe, but if you don’t like it you can go home.” she said, then started determinedly up the stairs.

“No, wait-aargh!” There was no way he could let a girl even younger than he was face a ghost all alone. “Hold on, I’m coming!”

They slowly stalked to the source of the noise, the volume so loud the floorboards were vibrating. It was coming from what looked like a conservatory, high-ceilinged and decorated with faded purple carpet and drapes. In the middle of the room, in front of a small, beat-up CD player and speaker, was a portly ghost dressed like a late nineteenth century naval officer with an enormous walrus-esque mustache overpowering the song with his own notes. The music swelled for the final reprise, and the ghost drew a saber at his side, pointing it up in the air as he bellowed the finale.

At long last the music ceased, as did the specter. Riley fingered the salt and cross in her pocket, but narrowed her eyes. She had a better idea.

“Bravo!” she cheered, clapping enthusiastically and nudging Connor to do the same. “Wonderful, just wonderful! Whoo!”

“Uh…fantastic! Encore, encore!” Connor said, joining in. The ghost wheeled around and upon seeing them, swept his hat off and bowed low.

“Thank you, thank you! I had not realized I was performing for an audience! So glad you enjoyed the show! HO HO HA!” With a flourish, he sheathed his sword and placed his hat back, floating over to them. And what have we here, hmm? A couple of young scallywags, here for merriment and mischief?”

Connor wiggled a finger in his ear, not used to the Captain’s…volume. Riley spoke up.

“Uh, we’d love to stay and chat sir, but we’re actually looking for someone. Do you know anyone by the name of Scott, by any chance? Works with zombies?”

“WHAT HO!” They clapped their hands to their ears, but it didn’t help. “Do I know young master Havenbrook! Pah, a mere trifle! He and his Lady Amber are always welcome in the house of Blackwell! So says I, the Right Honorable Captain Phineas Thaddeus Blackwell of Her Majesty’s Royal Navy, humble servant of the Crown and Lord of Blackwell Manor! But,” he said, peering over his generous stomach and stroking his mustache, “I heard the lady Simmons chased a couple of who might you two be?”

“Forgive us sir, I’m Connor McLaren, and this’s Riley.” Connor said, clumsily bowing.

“Hmm HMM.” The ghost’s bushy eyebrows bristled. “So, young master Connor and mademoiselle Riley, is it? What brings you to my humble abode on this eve?”

“Uh…we were looking for Scott?” Connor asked.

“AH! SO IT IS! INDEED! Would forget my own head if it wasn’t safely in my coffin, ha ha!” He slapped his jiggling belly, and Riley giggled. Connor remained stoic. “That’s some gallows humor, lad. Chin up, what what! You’ll never win the heart of any fair maidens, not if you can’t raise your head and laugh! Why, in my sailing days I went from France to the Orient, and every stop on the way! I earned a smile form every lady there was until I met my dear departed Esther, who while wasn’t much to look at, cooked the finest steak and stew in all the seven seas! Not only that, she did this amazing trick under the sheets where she-”

“I’m ten.” Connor cut off flatly. Phineas blinked, then realized he was in mixed company.

“Ah lass, forgive my blue tongue, and not just the glow! A sailor’s life is a harsh one, even if rewarding, and we’ve got language to match. But you my boy, when I was your age we had to work. There was no time to dilly-dally or waffle about! No, we had to become MEN as soon as possible, and we were grateful for it! And many a young flower in spring was grateful as well!” He winked, and Connor sighed, massaging his temples against the headache.

“Anyway, Mr. Blackwell sir, we would appreciate it if you could tell us where we could find Scott. It’s kinda important.” Riley said, getting back on-track.

“Ho, yes. But I must ask mademoiselle, why do you wish to find young master Scott? Though I don’t doubt your intention, I shouldn’t divulge his whereabouts unless he says so, says I. Quite right!”

“Well, y’see…he doesn’t know it yet, but he’s gonna teach me how to raise zombies. He saved my life last fall with ‘em, I wanna learn how to do it myself and repay the favor. Plus zombies are the coolest!” she said, eyes sparkling. Phineas rubbed his chin, his mustache waving back and forth.

“I see, I see…’tis a prenticeship that you seek. Hmm. While ordinarily I would refuse outright, not wishing a fair young maiden such as yourself consort with dark forces beyond the ken of man, the young master does so responsibly, so I believe the decision should fall to him. And you, lad? What do you seek?” the captain asked. Connor shrugged.

“I’d at least like to thank him, I guess. I’m really just helping her out. Although if he does decide to teach her, I’m not averse to picking up a couple things along the way.” he said, folding his arms.

“Ah, a scholar and a gentleman! I do indubitably believe I like you, lad!” the captain said, slapping him on the back. “VERY WELL! In honor of your great determination, I shall tell you of young master Scott’s location, and give his head for washing! It’s…hrm, let me see…” Phineas muttered, scratching his head. He flew up through the roof, then came down grinning and pointing his saber. “BEHOLD! Across the river, two blocks east of here and four blocks south, as the crow flies! I know I’ve seen him come from that heading! But the Simmons are more mobile than I am, I am bound between these walls. If you like, ask them and they shall give you more to go on, what what!” he said, puffing his chest.

“What?” Riley said, tilting her head. Connor did some quick mental calculations.

“Uh…Elm Street?” he asked.

“By Jove, I believe that’s it! He resides on Elm Street!” Phineas said, stroking his mustache. He peered down at the children. “Incidentally, my dear, whatever is on your face? War paint?”

“Oh, this?” She rubbed a little of her facepaint off. “It’s camo paint! Camouflage, to help me be harder to see.” she said proudly, and the captain let out a jovial bellow of laughter.

“I see! A clever tactic, little saucebox, and you’d need every ounce of courage and cunning you possess if you want entry to this house unobserved! We didn’t have need for much of that in the Navy, but it’s like a tiger’s stripes! Incidentally, have you ever heard the story of how I captured a Bengal tiger singlehandedly while I was in India?”

“Ooh, no! Tell us! Tell us!” Riley said, eagerly sitting down.

“Well, it all began back in ’98, we were there to oversee the Queen’s trade routes along the Ganges…”

Connor groaned and practically fell over as the captain and his enthralled audience settled in for a long, long tale.

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While the children were being regaled by a long-winded ghost, it was time for the operation to begin.

“Everything set? Are your mics on properly?” Agent Crenshaw asked, checking the sound levels.

“Testing, one two, testing. How’s that?” Scott said to the small button on his shirt, and Crenshaw nodded. He handed them their earpieces, the size of a ladybug.

“These are some of the military’s latest covert tech. When placed in the ear, they’re small enough to be practically invisible. In the dark, they won’t be noticed. We’ll deliver instructions to you from here. Don’t lose them, they’re very expensive.”

“Noted.” Amber said dryly, fiddling with her tube top, Cross helping her. It wasn’t her usual style, but it would be certainly enough to distract teenage boys. Scott had been glancing at her all the while.

“So you all know the drill. Get in, find the person selling the Taboo, and discretely let us know. We’ll handle it from there. Simple, right?” Cross asked, brow furrowing. This was the third time she’d had to send these kids into danger; her entire body cried out against it, instincts revolting. But the rational part of her insisted that this was the best chance they had, and no matter how much she went over it there wasn’t a better option.

“We get it.” Amber gave her a thumbs-up.

“Good. Move out, and good luck.” The doors to the van slid open, and they started towards the Beat Factory, half a block away.

“Nervous?” Scott asked Amber, and she nodded. “Me too. But don’t worry; I’ve never done this either. I’m right here for you-and I hope you’ll be there for me. This’s scary, but we can get through it together.” he said, looking shaken but grasping her hand in his. She smiled, then tilted her head.

“Wait…but you’ve done stings before.”

“Huh? Oh, I was talking about the party. I’ve never danced before, and all the YouTube videos were about classical ballroom…” he trailed off, looking defeated. She sighed and shook her head.

“You are dumb. Adorably dumb, but dumb.”

“There was a compliment in there, so I’ll take what I can get.” He opened the door, and they went inside.

The enormous room was dark, loud, and hot. Multicolored lasers played a lightshow on the ceiling as the packed bodies shuffled and swayed to some kind of techno-industrial beat, the only solid light from a stage where a DJ nodded along. The music cut, then the bass dropped and echoed in their bones.

“Uh. Dubstep.” Scott muttered as they passed someone doing tricks with a glowstick. People bumped into him, so he had to constantly adjust his mic. “I’ve been here two minutes, and I already had enough. This beat sucks.” he said to Amber over the crowd.

“What?” she said loudly.

“The beat sucks! It’s too slow! I need shredding guitars to headbang to!” he shouted back.

“You’re not here for the ambience, you’re here for the drugs.” Cross said in his ear. “Now get on it.”

“I’ll go over to the refreshments, I said I’d meet the girls there. I’ll see if they know of anything.” Amber said.

“Okay!” He watched her go off, then slid through the crowd until he was near the wall. Scanning the room best he could, there was nothing out of the ordinary for a teen party like this. If he couldn’t find the seller, and if the music didn’t make him feel like dancing, what the heck was he doing here? He spotted a girl gyrating a few feet away.

“Hey there, having fun? D’you know where a guy could get something to, y’know, enhance the experience?” he said, trying to smile disarmingly. Back in the van, Crenshaw and Cross both slapped their heads into their palms, as the girl gave him a weirded-out look.

“Sorry, addict.” She danced away, and Scott ground his teeth.

“Smooth. Very subtle.” Crenshaw said, dripping with sarcasm.

“Suddenly, the unarmed, untrained civilian’s stock shoots straight up. I’m so glad she decided to do this.” Cross said.

Amber had made it to the refreshment table, where Chelsea, Joy, Brianna, and a guy next to her were chatting.

“Hey, everyone!” she said, taking stock of the chips, pretzels, and soda.

“Amber! Glad you could make it.” Joy said, hugging her. She eyed the top. “And showing off the goods a bit more than usual, huh?”

“Eh heh heh, kinda. Tonight’s special, y’know?” she said, blushing lightly. Joy and Chelsea grinned knowingly.

“We bet. So where is mister Scott? Decide to stay home, or you finally get tired of the guy?” Chelsea asked.

“Actually, he’s off over there. This’s his first wild teen party, so he can’t cling to me all the time. I’m forcing him to talk to people.” Amber said, mentally apologizing to Scott, and her friends for lying.

“I’m amazed he could tear himself away from you, looking like that. Or is there a private afterparty?” Joy grinned. Amber sighed and shook her head. Just because she was the only one with a boyfriend right now…

“I just felt like a change. Speaking of which, who’s this?” she asked. Brianna noticed her companion’s eyes rolling out of his head and huffed.

“This’s Dean. He’s my date, right Dean?” she said, elbowing him in the side.

“Oh, right! Yeah, I’m Dean. Pleasure to meet you, Amber.” He was taller, with the latest haircut and a blue shirt that showed off his chest. He stuck his hand out, and she shook it, but he held on just a little too long when she pulled it back.

“Pleased to meet you. I’ll go grab my boyfriend and come back, I’m sure he’s getting into trouble.” she demurely, bowing out and cutting through the crowd quickly. She could feel Dean’s eyes on her as she left.

“Ho boy.” Joy muttered.

“Yeah.” Chelsea said.

Back on the dance floor, the necromancer was floundering trying to get drugs.

“All I want to know is where I can get some party favors!” he called out to a guy walking away. A hand laid on his shoulder, and he turned to see Amber shaking her head.

“How ‘bout you let me take the lead on this one.” she said.

“Thank you.” he said with heartfelt relief. “This? All of this? Not my element.” As they went back, Scott frowned. “I know how this stuff’s supposed to go down, I’ve read plenty of books and comics and watched tons of TV. But every time I actually try, it doesn’t come out the way I want to. Guess stings and blending in’s harder than I thought.”

“Of course. They wouldn’t have specialists it was easy.” Amber said. “Remember, we’re not exactly here to have fun. If we didn’t have a job to do, you’d probably have a better time. But anyway, I need you to ward off Brianna’s date, he’s been eyeing me up.”

“Huh? You said someone wants his ass kicked? ‘Cause that’s how you get your ass kicked.” he said darkly, his eyes flashing green.

“Down, boy.” she said, rolling her eyes. “He hasn’t really made any moves, and I don’t particularly care for him to. I don’t think he’s a keeper, so all you have to do is hang around and he’ll get the message.”

“Hmm.” Scott hummed, narrowing his eyes.

When they got back, Brianna and Dean were gone.

“Bri took him somewhere to chew him out.” Chelsea said upon seeing her quizzical expression. “Ugh. Don’t think he’ll last the night.”

“I figured as much.” Amber said. “Speaking of things you don’t want around, I’ve been hearing stuff about some kind of pills going around parties like this. Hear anything about it?”

“Well…” Chelsea glanced around. Joy was talking to another friend of hers, and Scott appeared to be listening but tight-lipped. She waved her in closer. “I hear there’s supposed to be this new drug called Taboo. My sister’s boyfriend’s brother supposedly got his hands on some. He said it was a completely mindblowing experience, like he could see the future. Story goes he predicted rain and a minor crash on Maple Street, and they came true.”

“Wow.” Amber said, wide-eyed. And the Oscar goes to… “That’s nuts. I heard about weird stuff happening if you take it, think it’s true?”

“Dunno. But hey, if it really does let you see the future, I think I’d like to give it a try. See if the lotto numbers are there.” she said, sticking her tongue out.

“Eh, I don’t know. It sounds kind of dangerous. Who knows what’s in it?” Amber said.

“Please, don’t give me the goody two-shoes routine. You wouldn’t have asked if you didn’t wanna try it.” Joy called her over, Brianna was back, pouting.

“Humph. That wasn’t exactly useless, but not helpful.” Scott said, getting them both drinks.

Across the darkened room, Dean pulled his best friend Jake into an empty corridor, away from the crowd.

“Listen man, I just saw this smoking hot chick with the girl I was with. I know I can get her, all I gotta do is get her in a good mood and she’ll forget all about her boyfriend. Can you help me out?”

“Again?” Jake sighed, exasperated. “This’s the third time in as many weeks. I’m starting to run low myself.”

“Then get some more where you got ‘em from.” Dean said, slipping him a wad of twenties. “I am a paying customer, and you know what they say about the customer being right, right?” Jake sighed again and dug a small pharmacy bottle of red pills out of his pocket.

“Here. Just make sure to only use one this time, I hear they still haven’t found your ex.” he said, handing them over and getting a high-five.

“Yes! No worries bro. Besides, this chick’s gonna love it, I know it.”

“Not like she’ll have too much choice.” Jake muttered. Dean was eyeing the pills.

“You want a go when I’m done with her?” he asked. Jake snorted and shook his head. “Your loss. See ya.” He went back to the party, opening the container and palming one. Amber was still by the refreshment table, drinking a soda and chatting with some skinny dork. He smiled; if that was her boyfriend, he was doing her a definite favor.

“So, Amber, right? How’s your evening been going so far?” Dean said, sliding right next to her and getting a soda himself.

“Uh, okay I guess?” she replied, taking a step back from him. Jeez, way too close. He took a step towards her, and noticed the skinny guy staring at him over the rim of his cup.

“Hi. Who’re you?”

“Scott, Scott Havenbrook. Amber’s boyfriend. Pleased to meet you.” he said flatly, stepping between them and forcing his hand into Dean’s for a shake. He raised his eyebrow as Scott had a boney hand, but a much firmer grip than he expected.

“Ah. Boyfriend, huh?” Dean was at least six inches taller and forty pounds heavier, all muscle. Scott looked like a twig next to him. “That’s-That’s cool and all, but…you’re not exactly the shining specimen of masculinity.”

“How fortunate that Scott has more than enough personality to make up for any physical deficiencies.” Amber said snidely. Her creep senses were tingling in overdrive.

“Aw c’mon, don’t be like that.” Dean said as charmingly as possible, spreading his warms out wide and smiling. While both of them were frowning at him, he dropped the pill into her drink, unnoticed.

“How about yes?” Scott said, glaring.

“At least have enough class to try to hit on a girl not in front of her boyfriend.” Amber added. Dean shrugged and smiled helplessly.

“All right, all right. Can’t blame a guy for trying. Knew it was a long shot, but damn girl. Ah well, if you ever change your mind, look for me.” With that, he retreated.

“What an asshole. I should’ve decked him.” Scott said, clenching his fist.

“Good thing you didn’t, we’ve got a mission.” Cross reminded him in his ear. "We don’t need either of you getting kicked out before we find a seller. But Amber? Watch your back. I knew plenty of guys like that in college, wouldn’t take no for an answer. Try not to be alone in the building.” Amber’s skin crawled at what Cross was implying.

“That’s awful. How’d you deal with it?” she asked.

“Oh, I didn’t. Most of the frat boys left me alone after I threw one who was getting too handsey through a third-story window.” Cross said proudly. There was silence on the end of the line, and Crenshaw raised an eyebrow at her. “What? You couldn’t even see the scars a couple months after he healed, it was fine.”

“Ooooookay.” Amber said. She could still feel Dean’s eyes on her, and she hugged closer to Scott.

“Let’s get out on the floor. I don’t like just waiting around, but it beats the absolute nothing we’re accomplishing here.” he said, and she nodded. At the far wall, Dean watched eagerly as she raised the cup to her lips and downed the rest of her drink.

“Yeah, maybe we can spot something out there.” she said, tossing the cup and moving on. “I think I-I think-I…I…ugh.” She wrapped her arms around herself, breaking out into goosebumps.

“Amber? Everything okay?” Scott frowned, and she silently shook her head. “Amber, c’mon. Look at me, what’s wrong?” She was sweating profusely. He tilted her chin up, and her blue eyes were wildly twitching, the iris shifting back and forth from feline and normal.

“I-I don’t…I feel weird.” she moaned, heart throbbing.

“Oh my, having trouble little lady?” Dean said, sauntering up and slinging an arm around her shoulders. She shuddered then leaned into him involuntarily. Scott’s eyes darted from her to him, then started flickering.

“What did you do to her?” he rasped.

“Kid? Kid, what’s going on?” Cross said.

“Answer, Havenbrook. We need details. Do you need extraction?” Crenshaw asked, but Scott didn’t even hear them. Dean leered.

“Oh, nothing. Yet. I promise to show a woman a good time, they can’t resist.” Amber could barely make any words out. There was a thudding in her ears, her head, her entire body. A red haze clouded her vision, casting everything into blobs of dark shadow. Where she was, who she was, why she was, all were slipping away.

“You bast-” Scott’s fist clenched and so did his teeth, but Dean quickly kneed him in the gut, still smiling and holding Amber. No one saw, and he doubled over in pain.

“Hmm? ‘Fraid I can’t hear you over the sound of you being such a loser. Seriously, you, with a chick this hot? No way. If you think about it, all I’m doing is correcting the natural order. Right?” He laughed and hugged Amber closer, her hand coming up to his chest. Scott growled, flaying spittle from his mouth.

“That’s it. You’re dead.” He rose, incantations on his lips, black magic in his hands ready to rip through the poor mortal he unleashed it upon, necrotic energy starting to build into a veritable whirlwind around him. He could feel the deadly power roiling around him, through him. He hadn’t ever been this angry, and hadn’t had to use this much necrotic energy in a while. It felt good, like working a muscle he hadn’t used much. He focused his mind to throw a curse upon the pathetic, unwary fool trying to steal his girlfriend. “Astzgam sehk hnimph-urk!” His body began shaking, cutting his power out. Waves of nausea rolled through his stomach, and it felt like his lungs just imploded. He dropped into a coughing fit, hacking something up into his palm. When he looked at it, he saw it was covered in sticky crimson blood.

“So later, loser.” Dean tossed at him, having eyes only for his prize. He turned to lead her away, Scott unable to move.

“W-Wait, no…don’t, don’t go…” He reached out a blood-soaked palm towards her, willing himself to move. He just felt too weak.

“C’mon babe. Let’s go somewhere a little more…private.” Dean said, caressing her back. “Yow! What?” He pulled his hands away as she radiated heat, pulling her arms in closer.

“Burning…up.” she moaned.

“Oh crap, oh crap! What’s wrong? You should be warm, not feverish! Uhh, uhhhh...” Dean looked around, unsure of what to do. “Damnit Jake, this Taboo’s supposed to help me, not kill her!” he snarled, throwing the pills on the ground.

“I heard him say something about Taboo, and they’re not responding. We move in.” Cross said to Crenshaw in the van. He nodded and drew his gun.

“Let’s go.”

Back inside, Amber shuddered helplessly as her insides churned and her body felt like it was melting. Everything was going fuzzy and dark. Someone was saying something, but it was like calling to someone on a busy street. Her head swam as every cell turned into lava.

“Don’t…feel…guud…” she slurred, swaying back and forth. She could feel a presence in her body, black and sharp, trying to crawl up her brain from her stomach like a scorpion. She groaned and swayed, trying to stay on her feet. If she fell, she couldn’t keep the spikey thing from getting into her head, and then…and then…

Release, my child.

Scott barely heard the screams of the crowd as Amber shot up straight, a golden sunlight glow emanating from her body, bursting a hole in the ceiling. No rubble fell though, a strange-scented wind sprang from nowhere, a gust of sage and cobwebs and cinnamon and old houses to whip around her, tugging at her clothes and carrying the debris up into the sky and far away. Her ponytail shook and jerked as her hair tangled and untangled, finally breaking free from the tie and falling around her shoulders. Her mouth opened and guttural, unknown syllables poured out, her skin color draining away to a pure paper white, muscles twitching and rearranging underneath. At last, her weight shifted onto her feet again, and the glow faded. The party was over, all eyes on her as she reached a hand to her chest…and blurred.

Suddenly, she was holding a darkly-glowing mass of writhing, spiked tendrils that quickly ceased and faded to nothingness. She turned her glowing, ethereal blue eyes on a trembling Dean.

“Defiler.” she said, an odd reverb in her voice. “Infector.”

“W-W-What? N-No, I-!” He turned and ran, pushing his way through the mass of people as fast as he could.

“A-Amber…what’s going-hurk!” Scott’s hand flew to his mouth, practically vomiting blood. She glanced at him, then turned back to the fleeing boy. She raised her hand.

“Avesh.” There was a distortion, like the air had turned in on itself, a long thread of it shooting out to tag Dean on the back. She tugged, and he flew backwards to land in a crumpled heap at her feet.

“N-No!” he gasped, hyperventilating. “I-I didn’t mean it! I just wanted to have some fun with you! I thought you’d like it! Please don’t hurt me!” he cried, waving his hand to ward her off. She bent down and looked at him blankly, observing him from side to side, like a child examining an insect.

“You will never do this again.” She caught his wrist, and crushed it in a grip like a pneumatic press.

“AAAAAUUUGHHH!” he howled.

“Understand?” He nodded weakly, whimpering. “Very well. You have no value here. Leave.” He scrambled away like all the forces of Hell were at his back. She regarded the onlookers, trying to back away from her. “My time here has reached its’ end. Farewell.” She started chanting, and another distortion shot up into the sky. She raised her hand, another incantation to transport her, but something clamped down around her ankle.

“W-Wait.” Scott gasped, wiping his face off. Amber saw a trail of blood behind him. He’d crawled as fast as he was able to reach her. Now despite the horrible fatigue draining the strength from his body, he struggled to his feet. “Wh-What’s going on? What did he do to you?” She tilted her head.

“There was some kind of magic inducement pill in my drink. The chemicals would have had an adverse reaction with my body, though it would have felt pleasant. The magic would have been drawn into my mind as well. Fortunately, I removed it before it could cause permanent damage. The magical inducement merely triggered a hidden genetic marker, activating this unit. I now see my true purpose in life. Thank you for your hospitality, but I must join the uylata now.” She bowed her head, and turned to leave the stunned Scott. Before she left though, she paused, as if uncertain. “Though…the time spent with you, while brief, was…pleasant. I shall remember you. Please have a good life, though it appears you will not have long as it is. Your body has absorbed too much of the power of the dead to live properly. Goodbye. Avsn-ach akjhuimno! Haa’vah-annath!” She raised her hand, and the distortion stretched way, way out into the heavens above them. She grabbed it and started to climb.

“N-No! Amber! Wait!” He scrabbled after her, she was only four feet up.

“The hell’s going on? Where are you going?” He saw Cross had entered the building, holding Dean face-down on the ground, gun to his head.

“It’s Amber! S-Something’s wrong, she just turned into this all of a sudden! Amber! No!” He tried to grab her, but her sneaker slipped just out of reach. Suddenly the nitro button was hit, and she started to rise incredibly fast, ascending into the evening sky. With a fading twinkle, she was gone. Scott froze in shock, hand still outstretched. Helpless. He stared into the darkening golden sky, the full moon taunting him with its beauty.

“A-Amber…Amber…n-no! Amber! Amber! AMBER! AMBER! AAAAAAMMMMMMBEEERRRRRR!”