It was raining outside. Tap-tap-tapping against the windows, echoes permeating the whole building. The clouds swirled overhead, dark even though it was mid-afternoon. Lightning flashed off in the distance, the echoes of thunder several minutes away. But for once, I wanted to outside, anyways. And I couldn’t.

The door at the top of the stairs was locked. The door at the bottom of the stairs was locked. From the outside. Why was that a thing? I’d tried the windows. They didn’t open. My imago couldn’t open it. My glaive couldn’t cut through it. “Just what is this made of?”

“Spider silk and diamonds.” At least Vespa was here. Said nobody.

“Ha. Ha.”

“Look, just give up on getting out of here.”

“They locked me in here! I can’t even... I can’t believe it. Why would they do that? They’re going to... they’re—”

“Calm down, Quinn. They’re tackling the problem. You might be in danger if you go out, and they don’t want that.”

“That didn’t stop them before.”

“You don’t understand, Quinn. This is way, way bigger. Nep’s been watching you two for a long time, you know. She’s been aware of what’s going on, but she waited until you found out enough for them to take action accords to regulations.”

“Take action?”

“You’ll see soon enough. For now, why not do some homework?”

I slammed my hands on the table. “Vespa!” But she refused to answer, instead flying up out of reach. “Vespa?” I sighed. I supposed there really wasn’t anything else I could do. The stack of unfinished work on my desk seemed higher than ever. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Don’t worry.” Of course she answered now. “You made the right choice.”

Right choice? “Angelica is going to kill Thea.”

“She’s going to try to kill Thea.”

“As if that makes a difference! Thea can’t hurt anyone. She doesn’t even want to fight.”

“Is that what she said? How interesting.”

“Can you just like, go away, please?”

“Someone’s at the window, you know.”

Knocking. I hadn’t noticed it over the sound of rain. Someone was standing on the windowsill, barely hanging on as she hit the glass harder and harder.

Thea?

Her suit was soaked, her hair drenched, but she didn’t seem to care. Instead, she slammed her fist against the glass over and over again. Flanking her were several echoes, the dog-like one and the bird with a curved bill that sat on her shoulder.

“Give up,” I shouted. “Get away from here! Angelica is going to... ah, whatever.” She couldn’t hear me through the glass. What was the point? She’d give up sooner or later. I could see her mouth move through the glass, her words equally lost between the downpour and the window between us.

The Echo on her shoulder opened its mouth and began to sing. The melody was a deep, droning sound, musical, yes, but not quite that of any instrument I recognized. The sound harmonized with itself, pulsing, rising and falling in pitch, the melody haunting, a ghost worming its way through my ear and into my head.

The window shattered. Shards of... glass? showered the room, thankfully breaking into tiny particles instead of remaining large and jagged. Thea stepped in through the window, dripping water all over my blankets and the floor. I hurried to the bathroom, fetching a towel and draping it over her.

“Oh my,” she said, examining the soaked purple fabric. “Yet another suit ruined.”

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“First things first,” she said. “Vespa,”

“Thea,” hissed Vespa. “So you’re—”

“Quiet, Vespa,” said Thea. “Don’t talk about that. I’ll let you tag along, okay?”

“Don’t talk to me like that, Demon—”

“I’ll talk to you as I want. Let her make her own decision, okay? Or do you just want to brainwash her like all the other symbiotes? I just want to let her choose.“

“As if I’d let a demon gain equal voice in—”

“Stop, Vespa,” I said. “Let her speak.” The Echoes around her approached me, nuzzling my leg and landing on my shoulder. I pet them. Somehow, their rocky, distorted skin was softer than velvet.

“Thanks, Quinn.” Thea hugged me. Her sleeves and shirt were still wet, soaking my clothes as well. “I knew this would happen. I told you so. I told you not to tell anyone.”

“I’m sorry, I—“

“Shh... shh... it’s okay, Quinn. But I kinda figured you’d tell them anyways. This is the perfect opportunity for it, anyways.”

“Opportunity for what?”

She grabbed my hand. “To show you paradise, of course. Ecto is busy. Your angel ‘friends’ are out and about looking for him. And so...”

“Nobody’s at my house.”

“Nobody’s at your house! Exactly. We can get you onto his computer, show you everything. And then, you’ll be convinced. Trust me. You’ll work with me, we’ll stop the fighting. We’ll stop Ecto before he can finish his plan. Everything will tie up nicely.”

“Fine. I’ll take a look.”

“Hold on, Quinn.”

“What’s your problem, Vespa?” I moulted into my Imago, stretching all four arms, warming up my wings. The rain outside had not quieted, still falling in sheets.

“Can I have a lift, please?” asked Thea.

“I’m going with you.”

“Of course,” said Thea. I wrapped my arms around her and stepped up to the window. The rain pelted my carapace, making it slick and slippery. My feet gripped the windowsill as my wings began to vibrate. We took off and headed towards my house.