I took another step back, my eyes snapping back and forth between the two officers.

“Would you just calm down?” one said, smiling at me as he stepped forward slowly. “No one’s going to hurt you, all right? What’s your name, son?”

The sound of a door shutting drew my attention back to their car. A third officer - a third man in an officer’s uniform stepped out, his eyes fixed on me.

“Look, I’m fine,” I said, shaking my head. “I just want to go home. Sorry to- I didn’t mean to waste your time. Thanks. Bye.”

“Just slow down,” the newcomer said, chuckling. “Why don’t we just talk a minute, then you can go?”

“We don’t have to go anywhere if you don’t want,” the first said, sliding his hands into his pockets. That dumb smile was still spread across his face “We just want to know what happened.”

“What happened?” I said, spitting the words out. “That asshole pulled a knife on me, that’s what.”

“Who?” the third man said. His eyes were a bright, piercing blue as he looked at his friends, as though seeking confirmation.

“Why would he do something like that?” the second said, leaning back against the car as he yawned. “Do you know where he went?”

I glared at them, still feeling the cold ice of adrenaline in my veins. This was wrong. This was all wrong, and the fact that I didn’t know any of the rules they were playing by made it all the worse. “I have no fucking idea why he’d do something like that. He probably wanted my wallet.”

Mr. Smiles shook his head, stepping closer. “That’s not what you said earlier.”

I could feel the last of the blood drain from my face. “I-I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on, all right? Just- stay back.”

They stopped obediently, although I saw them exchange tolerant smiles.

“So where’d he go?” Blue-eyes said, chuckling. “Where’d he run off to?”

A bit of the tension slid from my shoulders as the trio of men relaxed imperceptibly. Something had changed. I’d passed some test, clearly. Said the right words, had just the right amount of fear in my voice. Whatever had convinced them to leave off, I didn’t care.

“I don’t know,” I said, frowning. “He took off back there.” I pointed quickly, gesturing back towards the dark woods. It was a small town, nothing to write home about, and you didn’t have to go more than a few blocks in any direction to wind up outside the city. “If you hurry, you can probably still-”

A harsh, strident ring cut me off. I stopped almost by habit, falling still as the first man dug in his coat pocket. “Yeah, it’s Matt,” he said, rolling his eyes as he lifted the phone to his ear. “What do you need?”

I stayed right where I was, resisting the urge to kick the pebbles covering the asphalt parking lot as the silence dragged on.

“Uh-huh.”

Whoever he was talking to, I wished they would hurry up. I just wanted to go home, to be done with this already.

“You’re sure?”

It was cold, too, halfway through fall and too frigid to be standing out in the night air. There were a few people passing by, sliding out of the McDonalds and looking towards the lights of the police car, but the wind was too brisk for them to do more than cast a curious glance our way.

Swallowing a sigh, I turned back towards the three men. “Is this going to take-”

I blinked, shocked into silence. They’d already crossed half the narrow distance separating us, eyes fixed on me and accelerating rapidly. I didn’t even have the time to cry for help before their meaty hands were wrapped around my arms, pulling me forward.

For the second time that night, I hit the glass window of the car with a grunt. “W-What the-”

“Where is it?” Matt said, his tone all business. Not smiling anymore, I noticed through the haze of terror sweeping across my mind.

Squirming desperately, I shook my head. “I have absolutely no idea what you-”

An arm slammed into the back of my neck, pinning me in place. “Search him. It’s on him somewhere - it wasn’t Aedan. Recon’s sure.”

“What do you mean, se-” I gasped, my words dying as the one of them punched me in the eye. Dots flew across my vision.

Someone was pawing at my ears - at the piercings going up and down my earlobes, I realized. They’d probably been a bad choice for my career prospects, but I liked them even still. I yelped, flinching away as they grabbed one of the spiky, metallic studs and yanked. They’d pulled hard enough that I was pretty sure I was bleeding.

Rough hands tugged at my jacket, my scarf, the pockets of my jeans. I twitched, unsure if I should struggle for all I was worth or let them look. I didn’t even have anything. They could rifle through my pockets all day, it wasn’t going to change the outcome.

One of them made an irritated noise in the back of his throat, clearly reaching the same conclusion. I managed a smile, relief coursing through my veins.

His hand grabbed mine a moment later, settling around my little finger. I froze.

“Where is it? Stop playing games, kid.”

I shook my head desperately, straining against the man even then holding me down. “I-I don’t even know what you want.”

The crack of bone snapping echoed in the frigid night air. I screamed, the sound vanishing as one of the men covered my mouth with his hand. My hand was on fire, my finger pulsating with heat.

Where were the people, dammit? There had to be someone around, someone to come and help. They couldn’t all have vanished. Something like that wouldn’t-

“It’ll be easier if you just tell us,” Matt murmured, his voice low. “No one wants to drag this out.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, still gasping from the waves of agony radiating off my broken finger. What the fuck was happening?

“There’s no time, Matt,” the man gripping me said. “There’s only so long I can hold it.”

“Fine,” Matt said, sighing. Whoever was holding me eased up enough that I could straighten, looking around.

Matt was staring at me, his face long. One hand was sliding down to the gun holstered at his side.

“We don’t have it yet,” the man behind me said. “Checking the body will take time, and we won’t know. Recon won’t like it. And I can’t hide a gunshot.”

“He was resisting arrest,” Matt said, looking at his partner with a crooked grin. “That’s all anyone will see. Isn’t that how it works? The rest is just noise. It’ll be fine.”

I flinched, my breath freezing in my lungs as the barrel of his pistol swung up. It was too dark to be more than a black mass of metal, but that was plenty.

“Recon’ll still be mad.”

“Recon’s mad at everything, Dan,” the third man said, turning back to us with a chuckle. “Doesn’t mean a whole lot anymore.” He’d been staring off into the woods, letting his friends do their thing. I stared at them, feeling my hands shake.

“I don’t want to transport him still fighting us if we don’t know what he is,” Matt said, stepping closer. His eyes flicked down to mine. “Sorry, kid.”

I should have kicked the man holding me - Dan. I should have tried to pull free, to fight, to throw him off and get clear. But all of the common-sense options available to me drifted away, evaporating in the face of the pistol still pointed at me.

Shit.

With my pulse thundering in my ears, adrenaline shooting through my system, I saw it all happen in slow motion.

I saw Greg come running out of the woods, still wearing his red and black crew member uniform. His teeth were gritted, his eyes wide with fear, but the knife in his hand was steady as he swept it out to the side.

I saw Matt flinch, half-turning despite himself as the blue-eyed man bellowed something completely inaudible. The barrel of his pistol dipped, turning away from me at last.

I saw Dan move, following behind his two friends as Greg launched himself at the trio of police officers. The arm pinning my neck slipped free. His hand fell away.

Reality returned in a flash as Greg slashed down hard, catching the blue-eyed man across the face. The not-officer shrieked, slapping a hand up as blood dripped down from the fresh cut on his cheek.

“No! Get him- Don’t let him-” Matt yelled, stumbling over his words as Dan grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, pulling him backward as easily as he’d manhandled me. Greg’s knife split the air where he’d stood.

I could hear Greg mutter something dark and foul from across the fight. And then his green eyes fixed on mine, red hair flying.

“Run.”

One word - that was all. And it was a good word. Running was a good plan, really. But with as much adrenaline working through me as I had right then, running just sounded...cheap. There were three of them, and only one of Greg. And Greg had a knife, while they had guns. If I left, if I ran, Greg was going to die.

The guy was an asshole. I still had absolutely no idea what his problem was. But right in that moment, he was fighting the guys who’d been about to shoot me. If that didn’t make him an ally, it came pretty damn close.

I straightened, squaring off against the three faux policemen just in time to see one of them take a swing at Greg. He ducked the blow like a championship prizefighter, rising again with a lunge and a stab that sent Dan stumbling away.

Matt’s eyes were on me, though. I could feel it, could see him staring at me from the corner of my eye. I faltered, seeing the determination there - a determination I had no rational explanation for.

His arm dropped, the gun sliding down to his side as he leapt for me again. I shuddered, my arms coming up to a ready stance. I’d never fought a day in my life, but if he was going to start one, I’d-

Greg’s fist slammed into Matt’s cheek, hard enough that I saw blood and spittle spray from his mouth. Matt stumbled, on the verge of losing his balance. The crazed man’s knife swung around as Greg spun. Matt was expecting the follow-up, though. He swiveled just in time, robbing Greg of the solid blow he clearly wanted. Even still, his arm erupted in red from where the knife had torn a gash from bicep to wrist.

Greg’s fist buried itself in my scarf a moment later, pulling me close enough that all I could see were his eyes, burning green and furious. “Did I ask for your help, asshole?” he hissed. “The longer you hang around the more likely you get shot. Run. The fuck. Away.”

When he pushed me away, his lip curling in a sneer, I didn’t wait. I’d seen enough. I was done. It wasn’t like I could help, anyway.

My shoes slapped hard against the pavement as I took off running, heading straight for where Greg had vanished mere minutes before. The woods. Whatever was going on, the three imposters didn’t seem to be worried about people interfering - people who had mysteriously vanished, anyway. I needed distance, I needed somewhere to hide. I was safer out there than hoping they wouldn’t find me in the gas station bathroom.

As I turned, I saw Matt’s eyes fix on mine. His mouth opened, like he was yelling something to his colleagues. Greg was there to cut him off, his foot sliding out just as casual as could be. Matt went flying, tumbling to the asphalt.

The pavement under my feet vanished, giving way to hard-packed dirt and dead leaves. I grinned, hearing my breath come ragged in my ears. Nearly there.

They were still bellowing. I could see Dan and his blue-eyed friend staring after me, making as if to follow, but my new ally was relentless. None of the fake officers seemed badly hurt, but even still, his knife glistened red. I smiled over my shoulder, even as the trees began flying past me. I was well out of the dim glow of the street lights by then - completely invisible to them, I knew. Nearly there.

My steps slowed as I glanced back. Greg was still fighting. He was holding his own, and he’d certainly been firm enough that he wanted no part of my help, but even still-

A low chuckle rippled through my form as I saw him duck again and again, pressing in ever-closer on Matt. The fake officer looked terrified. Good.

I blinked. No. He didn’t look terrified. He looked like he was trying to wave someone off.

My eyes widened as I saw Blue-eyes rise up behind Greg - gun in hand. My feet were frozen, pinned in place. Maybe if I ran, I could- I could do something. Maybe I could-

The crack of the gunshot echoed across the block, loud enough to make me flinch. I stared, open-mouthed.

Greg fell, streaming red from his- from where his head had-

My stomach churning, I turned and ran. All of my earlier hesitation had disappeared. Fuck. Fuck that. They shot him. I wasn’t looking to see if they were following, or if they were lingering to clean up the person they’d just killed. I had no idea where I was going - I just needed to get away. Anywhere.

The sound of twigs breaking underfoot rang in my ears. It was pitch black, once I’d gotten away from the rest of the town. More than once I stumbled, falling headlong as a log or stump caught my leg. Here and there I could see the distant outline of a house, a glimmer of light peering from a window. I didn’t care.

I ran. I ran, feeling blisters form with every step as I pushed my feet far beyond what they’d experienced in years. I ignored the screaming complaint of my legs, pure terror keeping me going long after my strength had worn itself out.

When I could go no further, I collapsed, dragging myself over to hide behind the broad, sturdy trunk of an oak.

And I waited.

The seconds ticked as I gasped for breath, a hand pressed over my mouth to dull the noise. I strained for the slightest bit of noise, the faintest indication that someone was following me.

I heard only silence and the distant sound of a bird crying in the night.

The seconds melted away into minutes. I have no idea how long I sat in the cold, trembling and listening for the tiniest sound of pursuit. As the excitement dwindled, the pain in my hand returned in full, my broken finger screaming extra-loud to make up for the time it had been quiet. My legs were blocks of lead, my muscles completely frozen as I closed my eyes and waited, teeth gritted.

I should call the police. I should tell them what was happening. Someone probably already had, but even still, maybe they could come get me.

The screen lit up, bright enough to blind me. I shoved it back down into my pocket, swallowing a curse. Again I waited, listening. I was an idiot. If someone saw, if they were looking, I’d just made myself a beacon in the darkness.

More carefully, I tabbed the screen on once I was confident I was alone.

A heartbeat after I turned it on, though, I was greeted by the familiar sight of an empty battery.

Fuck. I was supposed to charge the damn thing while I ate. I’d-

I sighed. I’d been so distracted by the asshole staring at me that I’d totally forgotten.

Sliding it away, I glanced around carefully. I’d lived here for years. The woods on the edge of town were laced with trails, forming a network of paths that’d take you most anywhere you wanted to go in the park, if you were patient. I’d been in the forest hundreds of times. Even if I’d gotten myself a little bit lost, I’d probably find a landmark if I just kept going.

My legs had stopped their shaking enough that I could stand, if a bit unsteadily. Bracing myself against the tree with my good hand, I gave one last furtive glance around.

And then I started walking.

My confidence grew with every step. With the cold night air on my face and the stillness of the woods around me, it was almost like being in a different world. Everything that had happened back at the McDonalds - it was just a bad dream. Something like that. Yes. I’d just head back, and everything would be fine. I’d head to the emergency room, get a cast or something, and-

The sight of Greg falling hard to the asphalt rose up in my mind, bringing me back down to reality in a single sickening heartbeat.

Nothing was fine.

My head hanging a little lower, I trudged onward. Somewhere around here, I’d find the way out, and I’d find my way home - and then I’d have to explain. Would they still be looking for me? Would they know where to find me? What were they looking for in the first place - and why did they think I had it? Why had-

Lost in thoughts, I didn’t hear the footsteps in the leaves behind me until it was too late. My head snapped up, hearing someone crashing towards me, but every muscle in my body ached. I couldn’t run. I could barely walk.

A pair of hands latched around my shoulders as someone launched themselves into me. The start of a yell slipped from between my lips- right up until a hand slapped over my mouth. I twisted, fighting, but they wouldn’t let go.

“Fucking stop already.”

I froze, the blood draining from my face. I knew that voice, even if I’d only heard it a few times before. They leaned closer, until their face was just a dark mass in front of my own.

“I swear to god, if you say a single word, I’m going to kill you myself,” Greg said.