It’s been several hours, five at that. Jack and Eric were on their way to a nearby town, one that Eric used to do early business with. The area isn’t crime written as it used to be in his youth, rather it’s become a starving tourist attraction for the locals and out of state commoners. They walked for what felt like miles on end, but thankfully they reached a small town with a hotel in it. They smiled knowing they’ll finally sleep with no worries this time. Arriving and eager to check themselves in the hotel, Jack and Eric walked along the sidewalk, looking like homeless bums. Their clothing was torn, stinky, and had stains of blood and dirt. At last they were at the front entrance and opened the door to be welcomed with air conditioning and a nice scenery of cleansing furniture for once.

“Finally, a clean ass place. Damn does it feel good to be in here.” said Eric as he made his way to the lobby desk.

Jack glanced around and smirked. “Yeah, no kidding, what a feeling.”

Both men were at the front desk, the front clerk was a woman in a white flowery sundress with a bright welcoming smile. “Hi, what can I do for you two gentlemen? I’m assuming you made enough money to stay for a night judging by your appearances.”

Eric cringed his eyes hearing her jab at their clothes. “Damn, that kinda stung.”

Jack didn’t help the cause by shrugging and saying, “I mean, she’s right. We look like bums.”

Eric stared at Jack in anger. “Dumbass…”

The lady got up and shook her hands to ease the tension. “I should’ve kept my mouth shut, I'm so sorry!”

“You’re good, no hard feelings. Anyways can we get separate rooms?” said Jack.

Eric crossed his arms, looking away. “Agreed, that way I don’t have to be beside your stinky dog ass.”

“Why of course! Follow me gentlemen. I’m sorry for ever speaking in such a—”

“Hey.” said Jack abruptly.

The lady stared at the young man, mesmerised by his mysterious bad boy nature from his appearance. “Ye-Yes?”

“You don’t have to apologise for anything. I’m just glad we were treated with kindness by such a beautiful woman like yourself.”

The clerk lady froze and grew red like a thermometer. “Ri-Ri-Right this way! Hehe!”

Eric chuckled as Jack raised a brow in confusion. She walked the two to their designated rooms now and both men didn’t say a word as they’re being guided to their deserving comfort. While walking up the stairs, the hotel, though rather small, felt very comforting from it’s antique stature, soft carpet, and mellow colours setting it’s cosy mood. When they reached their rooms on the top floor, they were handed the keys to their respected privacy.

“Thank ma’am, and Jack. I’ll be back in a bit, I’ma explore the rest of the town and see how much things have calmed since its been a long time I set foot here.”

Jack nods, “Fine by me, be careful.”

Eric grinned, “Well I also wouldn’t be lying if I wanted to buy some new clothes and man! It’s been a mad while since I had me something good to eat! So I’ll be back my guy.”

Jack stretched, and let out a deserving yawn of relief. “Yeah yeah, go enjoy yourself. I’m going to take a well deserved nap since we’ve walked till the morning sunrise.”

The nice clerk lady, who stood by listening to their nice conversation seemed fond of Jack because she was standing next to him the entire time.

Eric had a smug grin and watched what his nephew might do or perhaps read the air between them. Jack instead rubbed an eye and continued stretching, ignoring the lady.

She giggled and tapped the young man’s arm, turning his attention to her. “Will that be all gentlemen… or um, do you need more help, sir?” she said in a cute flustered tone.

Jack pats her shoulder, “Nah, we’re good. Thank you for your generosity, here.” He reached into his pocket, grabbed her hand, and placed a couple hundred dollars onto her palm. “Keep the change.”

Her eyes glistened, and she couldn't help but hug Jack. “Oh my god! Thank you handsome man! Wait… oh no! I just—Eeek!”

Jack’s eyes were wide and both his eyebrows were raised while his uncle laughed behind him in silence.

“Ca-Ca-Call if you need anything else!” The poor woman stormed off with a red face, almost tripping on her way down the stairs.

Jack shrugged, and Eric pats his back. “She wanted you my guy, I noticed when she kept staring at you, bwhaha.”

Jack smacked his lips, feeling insulted for some reason. “Hmm, I don’t know what you mean by that, but whatever.”

Eric sighs, “You dense ass psycho. Alright I’m leaving now, be careful and don’t do anything stupid.”

“How about you be careful. Even though we’re out of those walls that doesn't mean we’re in the clear, we’re still in Michigan.”

Eric chuckles, walking off. “Smartass, duh, peace.”

Jack grinned and stretched again as he walked to his room and stuck the key in, opening the door. He went inside and tossed his bag on the bed. The first thing that came into Jack’s mind was his hygiene, and he was desperate for a proper shower. He removes his clothes and walks into the bathroom, taking a look at the mirror to stare at himself to really observe his new look. Staring at each individual scar on his chest and arms, Jack can’t help but feel he looks like a murderous monster who’s made others suffer besides himself.

Jack stared menacingly at himself, feeling self hatred. “Look at me, I’m a mess… Each of these scars are a reminder of my mistakes, and I hate it.”

He slams his fist on the counter, making the hygienic utensils rattle. Jack smacked his hand on his forehead, dragging it down his face.

The young man placed both hands on the counter, shaking his head in disappointment. “Damn! What has become of me? Does God love watching me suffer? Or was this the life I was destined to live, fuck all…”

Letting off the counter, Jack lifts his hands to stare at the tools he’s used to take the lives of others. His palms represent the person he’s become today, a murderer, a menace to society, and having innocence stained upon them. It made his blood boil, he felt betrayed by himself over the future he always seeked, and that being a person against crime. Sighing the representation of his failures, he went to the shower, turned it on, and took a long hot steamy shower. When he finished and grabbed a towel, the moment he walked back out of the bathroom and into the room, the girl in white was sitting on the bed, reading something.

She heard Jack come back in and stopped reading and looked at him with a soft gentle smile. “Hey, I see that you’re all cleaned up.”

Jack brushes the towel on his head, and likes seeing that smile he secretly missed. “Yeah, it’s been awhile since I’ve had a rinse.” He walks over to her side and sits next to her, “Whatcha reading there?”

She giggles, shutting the book close. “Oh this? It’s the bible, I’m just laughing at how ridiculous these statements are, that’s all.”

“Hm, this is strange…”

“Why do you say that?”

Jack lets out a long breath, “Why am I not as angry as I should be over the fact you killed me. Is it because my mind knows that I deserved it, is guilt this strong?”

She leaned closer, and felt bad again. “Don’t say that, it’s my fault too, don’t just endure guilt all by yourself.

Jack couldn’t help but stare at her beauty, her pale skin, her long black hair and those eyes, eyes as purple and as mesmerising as ever. “Hey? How old are you now? Sorry if it’s rude of me to ask, I’m just curious that’s all. Or do you even have an age?”

She lays against his arm and grabs his hand, “Well… Being dormant for a long time, being the entity that I am; if I had to say in your years as humans, I’m basically eighteen, why do you ask?”

Jack scratched his chin, and his eyes took a glimpse of her exposed cleavage. “Well it’s just that you’ve grown and gotten more attractive since the last time I saw you. Your dress isn’t the same as before, I mean your hair, height, not to mention there’s probably more that’s grown but that’s where I’ll stop…”

She looks at Jack and blushes, “My… You’ve never been this nice to me, it’s making my heart race so much faster than it currently is.” She giggles as she caresses Jack's arm, purposely edging her chest against it. “You’re so dense when it comes to love yet you understand beauty and seemingly, lust? You’re such a weird guy, you know that?”

“Shit… not my fault. Anyways, I still feel guilty though, regardless of what anyone says. Just hearing your cries of horror and sadness every night for the past two years… it really made me feel like such an asshole.”

She interlaced their fingers, and felt his warmth even more as he felt her cold touch freezing his bare skin. “You may be, but I’ll always be by your side regardless of what anyone says.”

Jack turns to her with a serious look, “But can you answer my question from earlier, why did you kill so many people in those two years?”

She stares at him for a moment without saying a single word.

She lets go of Jack and stands up. “Because…” she said in a regretful saddened tone.

“Because what?” replied Jack.

She walks over to the window and opens the curtains, “Without her… I have nothing to—well I’d rather not say that now, but what happens is I go out of control and crave attention. So I start consuming the souls of those who’ve caused no one harm just to lure out the one I seek, that being you, Jack.”

“Why though? Why kill the innocent over something so ridiculous?!”

“That’s something much deeper that I wish not to tell you at this time, perhaps never, but without Angela’s soul, without you especially… I roam wild and cause utter destruction… for the sake of my own pleasure and selfish desire, one I hope comes true—someday.”

Jack looks down and clenches the bed sheets, “An...gela… So what was your true connection to her if you craved her soul and my attention? Is her soul enough for you to remain sane, and I guess me being here is a placeholder of that?”

She closes the curtains and walks back to Jack, “She’s more than just some Girl, Jack. I needed her for my ultimate goal; a goal I’ve pursued for however long I can remember…” She sits next to the young man again and sighs, “But it’ll be a while till I reach that goal and when that happens, then I’ll chase my dream.”

“So what’s this goal then?”

She only smiles and lays on Jack’s lap, “That’s for another discussion for another time. Let's just go to sleep and look forward to our new lives.”

Jack still had anger towards her, but he couldn't resist not touching her.

He gently pats her head as he stares at the ceiling, “So many questions, so little answers. But tell me something, what part do I play in besides your stupid attention. Why are you so obsessed with me?”

She grabbed his pampering hand, and caressed it with those soft cold fingers of hers. “You’re part of that dream, that’s why. When that day comes Jack… I’ll be sure to never make the same mistake as I did because this time—” She sits up and points at Jack’s face, puffing her cheeks out adorably. “I’ll make you fall for me with no problems!”

Seeing her act this innocent felt insulting to Jack, never has he seemed so confused until now. However, watching how she’s acting this different, the way she’s speaking, it brought a grin out of Jack, making him forget she’s the very reason why he lives in shambles. Then Jack questioned himself if it’s truly her doing that did make his life a hell, for now he’d rather think about it some other time, he liked this side of her so he didn’t want to ruin the moment.

Jack scratches his head and drops her finger, poking her nose. “Well, I don’t know what you mean by that but there’s one last thing I always wanted to ask you.”

“Oh? And that is, my Jack?”

Jack points at her, “What’s your name?”

She stares at him, confused, blinks a dozen times, then giggles, closing her eyes while covering her mouth. “Mallory! Mallory’s my name.”

Hearing her say her name with that gentle tone of hers, the expression she made, had Jack flustered behind the curtain of his emotions. He gasped beneath his breath and stared at her as she opened her eyes again.

“Mallory huh? I’ve never heard such a name. It sounds nostalgic for some odd reason, but it’s cute I suppose.”

She lays back on his lap, her eyes glistening and softly blinking. “I don’t know what happened to you in those two years, but I like this new you. You don’t seem as heartless and scary anymore.” She closes her eyes and yawns, “Goodnight Jack.”

Jack frowns, but not in anger, annoyance, rather without a single emotion behind it. “I don’t know if I should take that as an insult or compliment, but whatever. Goodnight… Mallory.”

***

The next day came by, the sun’s shining, the small town where the two men had seeked refuge brought morning traffic on foot and cars. Birds chirped, the grass green, it’s been awhile since both men had a nice morning than the usual shade of grey and being hunted. They enjoyed it with small talk outside the hotel with seatings in the front, drinking coffee, eating their deserved meal, it felt almost like a dream to them. They finished their morning by wandering around the town and checking out every corner, inche of it to ensure their safety.

As the morning faded and the midday came, Eric and Jack were enjoying a nice lunch at a local diner at the edge of town. The town so far was lovely, peaceful, and the people here were so nice. Just today, at the beginning of the afternoon, Jack came across two children who desperately wanted ice cream from a local store. Seeing them drool over that tasty frozen treat reminded him of his dear lost sister. In an act of kindness, he bought the two what they wanted and both kids hugged him, thanking him for a wonderful gift. Back at home when that did happen, usually someone would always end up either hustled or mugged by either those kids asking for something or older folks using the kids as tools for their dirty criminal bidding.

Eric finished his meal and let out a loud burp. “Damn that shit was good.” He grabbed a toothpick and started picking leftovers in between his white teeth. “So whatcha want to do later, my guy?”

Jack was drinking the last of his coffee. “Eh, I don’t really know, I kinda just want to relax and bask in silence.”

Eric licked his teeth and the waiter came to drop off their receipt. “Lame ass fool, thank you sweetheart.”

“Hmph, whatever, what are you about to do after this?”

“I’ma buy me some new clothes, you need some too right?”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind. I think a couple of pants, shirts, perhaps a nice jacket too?”

Eric chuckled and got up. “You sure love wearing any type of jackets don’t ya? Aight, I gotchu.” Eric raised his hand to his nephew and waved. “I’ll be back at the hotel later, peace.”

Jack waved two fingers at Eric as he left the diner. “Wait, hold up?”

Jack then remembered who was going to pay the bill. He chuckles and angrily slams the money on the table realising Eric just played him into paying it.

“Asshole…” Jack gets up and walks out afterwards.

Walking out to the clean sidewalk, and wandering down this peaceful, clean environment, Jack quickly spots a smoke shop down the block. He's eager for a smoke so his objective now is to get himself some sticks to smoke away his past stress. Jack made his way to the smoke shop, and stopped in front of it upon arriving, nodding to it.

When Jack walked in and walked up the counter. “A box of cigarettes, please.”

The clerk had a bored face and sighed. “I.d. please.”

Jack smacks his lips and walks away for a second, but then remembers the large chunk of money he’s carrying.

Turning round to the clerk, he throws some money at the cashier, making the clerk’s eyes explode. “That enough? Or do you want more?”

The cashier’s mindset quickly changed and was more than willing to give him not one or two, but all the cigarettes he could grab with a giant smile on his face.

“My sincere apologies, have em all my good man. Is this enough for your selfish needs, hehe!”

Jack rolled his eyes. “Guess we’re both on the same page. Yeah, that’s enough, thanks.”

No matter where we are, money always changes people's minds, hmph… That’s anyone I suppose regardless of their status in life. Jack thought.

Jack grabbed as much as he could carry from the counter in his bag and walked out with a disappointed look on his face, knowing that money would overpower the law.

The young man sighs and makes his way down a busy street, “Honestly, all it took was a couple of hundred dollar bills and the fool didn’t mind me grabbing whatever types of cigs I could get, even the expensive ones. I basically ripped him off.”

Mallory giggles out of nowhere inside his mind, “Just goes to show how weak minded humans are!”

“Oh, you heard me?”

“Yeah, good afternoon, Jack! How are you doing on this lovely evening?”

“Not too bad, I just finished eating. Hold up!”

“What?”

“Don’t think I’ve forgotten about your whole consumption thing!” She began whistling, “Hey! You’re listening right?”

A couple of strangers looked at Jack as if he were crazy, watching him speak to no one around him.

Jack felt their gaze and looked at them with an angry look, “What are you looking at?” The folks shrugged and walked away while whispering something to each other.

Jack continued walking until he led himself to a small park that’s smack dead in the middle of the town. He decided to walk in and stroll through it to ease his sanity. To Jack this is the perfect opportunity to relax, rethink his strategy on living, and to resolve the issue of Dr. Cato’s actions. As he’s pacing through the park glazed by pure greenery, life, and happiness, winter is edging its end, he spots families enjoying themselves, engaging in activities that make their bonds unbreakable.

Lucky… But I’m glad others don’t have to suffer and succumb to darkness like I have…

Watching all these definitions of unity, and happiness made Jack feel a little gloomy, reminding him of the times he used to do stuff like that with his parents. The same thoughts came in when he did the same with Angela and his two uncles along with other members of their gang who brought their families.

Jack shrugs and says, “Can’t be helped.” and continues walking.

The young man decides to sit down on a bench and admire the scenery, laying back to stare at a clear blue sky, still wondering if he and Eric are truly out of harm's way. Jack yawns and stares at a huge statue of the founder of this town who’s riding a horse and holding a musket.

Seeing the scenery, gazing at peace, the people, plant life that bloomed the environment brought a sudden thought into Jack’s cramped mind. “Say Mallory? Ever thought about doing more than just staying inside my mind?”

She thought for a second from the sounds she made with a shut mouth. “Hmph, easy for you to say, but it’s complicated. Like I said last night, I need Angela for that very reason to do More than just be Inside of you.”

Jack deeply sighs, “Oh yeah, that’s right, she isn’t here with us… Yeah, she isn’t.”

“Jack?”

The young man brought his eyes to the people enjoying themselves. “Mallory, are there more people like Mathew out there, you know? Like people who could possess power to that of yours? I suppose or anything that defies the laws of physics or throws science out completely from the tallest skyscrapers window.”

“Hmm? Wait a minute?! I remember! Yeah there are, now that you mentioned it, thanks for reminding me sweety.”

“Oh? And what made me remind you of such a thing?”

“When you came to me that night, just before that day, I fought someone on a more extreme scale, well it was because we were fighting in another dimension or actually it was my world if I had to be honest.”

“Dimensions? World?! What’s with all this crazy talk?”

Mallory giggled, “Yeah, the darkness that I summoned and glided through the years, once entered, puts you into a different dimension; one in which I can do my dirty deeds without affecting reality.”

Jack placed one of his hands on his face and groaned. “Hold up, so what you’re telling me is that when I fought that fatass we were fighting in a different dimension too? That’s why we were having a fight that defied the laws of physics and such?”

“No no no, that’s not it at all. You guys were fighting for real! That’s why the pain was so horrendous for someone who’s inexperienced with that type of stuff, but it’s no match for the real deal.”

Jack face palms, “I’m so confused… I have no clue what’s real or not anymore, so what you’re saying is that he has powers and shit?!”

“Nah! His was borrowed, it was that stupid dreaded cross that gave them those abilities but It’s okay! You’ll learn as we go on this journey together!”

She stops talking for a second and hums a song. The sound of fingers snapping inside Jack's mind echoed, and then two hands clapping together made him jump.

“Yeah! Like I was saying, the person I fought happened to be a Witch.”

Jack began laughing hysterically, “A Witch?!” he shouted, scaring nearby people who were either casually walking by or enjoying time with loved ones or friends.

The young man chuckled for another moment until he stopped and shook his head.

“Hold up, hold up! So what you’re telling me is that Witches are real now too?! Nahh! Get the fuck outta here—first ghosts, spirits, then dimensions, now fucking Witches? Oh my god! What the fuck’s going on?”

“No, I'm serious! To be honest she wasn't bad, her spells along with her powers were enough to possibly if used in the real world/reality, it could level an entire continent, easily!”

Jack groans, “You mean destroy our world?! God my head… this all sounds too stupid and unrealsitic to be truthful…”

“I can tell she’s still getting used to her mana. To be honest if she were more serious she could even blow up our world with ease! But the powers are far greater in our own worlds than that of here because of our restrictions to not bring harm to reality.”

“Oh my God, all this is so dumb. Okay, restrictions, then what would happen if it would get out of hand out here? What, like the same level of destruction both me and Mathew did three years ago?”

“Who knows, most likely it’ll result in the end of humanity, possibly the outer stars that twinkle the night or our universe as we know it. I can even say as far as wiping reality out all together!”

“Oh fuck, just stop… I-I can’t.” replied Jack, letting out air.

“Yeah, if someone tries to—nevermind I don’t want to get into more details about this world's past… The more I speak of it, the more perplexed you’ll get.”

Jack rubbed his forehead, feeling dumbfounded. “Whatever, lets just change the subject before I completely loose my fucking mind here.”

“Okay, oh! One more thing to mention, she's someone that you may know too, the Witch I encountered.”

Jack laughed for a second but quickly got serious. “What are you talking about? Someone that I know? Are you screwing with me now! Don’t think that I’ve forgotten about you killing me here.”

A random person walks up to Jack, interrupting his monologue with Mallory. “Sorry to be an intrusion, I’m not sure if you’re high on drugs or mentally ill but you’re scaring nearby folks sir.”

Jack turns to the guy with an angry face, “Mind your own damn business and get the fuck away from me.”

“Wow, no need to be a grumpy bastard, fuck you.” The man walks away feeling a little creeped out from Jack’s crazed eyes.

Mallory picked up where the conversation was cut off by that stranger. “Yeah, you heard me! Someone that you may know or remember!”

As Jack’s about to respond to her statement, he felt some weird presence nearby. “What the hell’s this feeling? It’s almost the same feeling as when I fought Mathew… but in a different way, as if this sensation’s making me feel nostalgic, dark, no wait! Wicked?”

Jack stands up and looks around, Where’s this wicked feeling coming from?

Mallory knew exactly what he’s sensing and sounded serious. “Speaking of the devil, it looks like you might get your question answered.”

Jack got up, started to wander around to figure out where this strange sensation was coming from. Prowling around, peaking over buses, looking behind trees big or small, he made his way near the edge of the park. It's getting much stronger, this feeling of abnormality. Walking near a pack of thick trees, bushes, he peeks behind them, and spots someone standing on a lone tree stump.

Hmm, what a weird place to stand on, what could they be doing? Jack thought.

The stranger appeared to be basking in the environment and seemed to be focused, their gaze being up to the branchy, green covered sky. It’s a girl with black hair with a shine of brown to it beneath the sunlight in a ponytail. She wore gothic clothing, preferably short shorts, leggings, a tucked in long sleeve shirt, and a necklace to finish her unusual outfit.

Her outfit… it's cool, I dig it.

She was pale, and was a tad short on her end, making Jack question her age. “Most likely she’s still a teen, best not to do anything rash to get me in trouble.”

Jack decided to stay back, watch her on what she’ll do and why she’s just standing there seeming all mysterious-like. Patiently he waited for her to turn around, but he’s interrupted by a frisbee hitting his head.

Feeling angry now, he turned round, shouting at the direction it came from. “Whoever threw that! I'll beat your ass!” The moment he looked back at his original sighting, that girl’s looking in his direction now. “Uh oh…”

Staring eye to eye, the two stood there confused, the girl blinking, comprehending, Jack showing a single drop of sweat on the side of his face. The young man can feel her wide eyes stare deep into his soul, dazzling in crimson red, swallowing him up in a mysterious gaze. They stared at each other for quite some time, five minutes at that. It’s beginning to feel awkward for Jack, mainly due to the fact he felt that strange sensation coming from her, making him feel funny inside. Finally there’s a response from her, but in the form of her hopping off the stump and suddenly walking towards Jack with a serious look on her face.

Oh shit, what now?

The sensation grew stronger, heavier the closer she got. Jack seemed serious as well and placed his hand behind his Jeans where his gun was hidden.

“Better safe than sorry, even if she might be a young teen, we’re still in Michigan…” muttered Jack.

She stopped her approach, being a foot from him. “You! Are you the one that I was sensing closeby?”

Jack’s shocked hearing that, and grips his gun, getting more than just a confirmation about the sensation. So it’s definitely her that made me sense this and she said she also can—sense me

“Mallory, what is she?” said Jack beneath his breath.

Jack remained quiet while she grew impatient. “Not gonna speak huh? Well then, I might have to retaliate.” She began to collapse her hands until Jack stepped out of the shadows, revealing himself to her in daylight.

He stands beneath the sunlight, fully showcasing who he is and speaks to her in a dead tone. “How will you re-taliate, little one?”

She smacks her lips and crosses her arms. “I may be short but don’t get it twisted. I’m seventeen and a half you know?”

“Like I give a damn about your—Woah…”

“What?” she replied with a jolt of confusion.

“Nothing, you’re just short, that’s all.” replied Jack, scrunching his face in confusion.

Her eyes twitched and she knitted her brows. “Hmph, asshole… I turn eighteen in a week, I know I’ll grow taller.”

“Enough of this, now tell me how you’re going to retaliate? Or should I show you how I would to someone who seems so confident.”

Jack gripped, pulled on his gun, but quickly glanced at her legs, noticing a slight sign of shaking, that being fear.

“What’s this? You’re afraid, aren’t you?”

She steps back and grunts, “I’m serious! I’ll-I’ll even call the police if I have to!”

“And you think I’m afraid of them?! Ha! You must be joking.” Jack examines her even more and notices something right away, the strange lightning mark on her left arm. “Say, nice tattoos.”

“Tattoo? What do you—?” she looked at her right arm and saw her marking visible to him, trickling out a gasp.

Why did it appear?! Or perhaps it was in retaliation, knowing that I might be in danger from this mysterious stranger. She thought.

He scanned her hair, posture, and looked away from her. She does remind me of someone, but who?

The girl shook her head, “Never mind, hey creep! You may be all scary and big and tall! But I’m tougher than I look, you know!” She readies herself in a standard fighting pose but with a weak stance. “I mean it!”

Red eyes red eyes red eyes? They’re extremely rare in people and I knew someone with them. Black hair.... That skin, gargh! Damn my clouded mind, shit.

Jack gazes back at her, crazy eyes. “Drop your ponytail!”

Mallory was silent until now because she started giggling. “Oh this is too good! Oh Jack you’re so goofy!”

“Hey, shut up…” said Jack.

She tilts her head in confusion, “Drop my…? Okay you’re really a creep aren’t you? And why are you talking to yourself and why am I feeling such horridness from within you!”

Jack twitched an eye, “I’m not a creep alright. No need to drop insults like that.”

“Really… that’s what you responded with? It offended you that much? Huh, okay.”

“What? Don’t blame me, I know a creep when I see one, I ki—you know what, never mind.”

Their conversation was interrupted by movement in the bushes coming from behind the girl. The two abruptly turn to the noise and a nurse walks in out and to the girl.

“I’ve been looking for you young lady!” said the nurse. “And are you okay! Shall I call the police? Who’s this man!”

The girl sighed, “That won’t be—”

“What were you about to do to my patient!” the nurse pointed at Jack, reaching into her pocket for her phone.

Watching the nurse be protective of her patient reminded Jack of his own personal nurse back at the facility, that being Carolyn. It brought out a grin, and the girl raised her cheek, feeling confused as to why he’s grinning.

Turning around to walk the opposite direction, Jack raises a hand to them. “I’m sorry, I was just leaving.”

As Jack walked back into the shadows he came out of, the girl shouted, “Hey you!” stopping him in place.

Jack looks over his shoulder, “What?”

She clenched her tiny fists, and sighs deeply. “Nothing, I was just about to ask you a stupid question, nevermind it.” The girl hopped off the tree stump and walked beside the nurse as the two walked away out of the forest.

Jack watched the two walk away and still feels as if he knew the girl from somewhere. It made the young man think twice about the situation, even feeling the temptation of following them just for his growing curiosity. For now he shrugs it away, spits, and finally takes his leave as Mallory finally breaks out in laughter annoying Jack.

***

Jack finally returns to the hotel, walks upstairs and returns to his room. “Time to relax, I’m fucking beat…” He lays on the bed and turns the television on.

Jack drags his hand over his face in frustration. Man what a strange experience that was.

Feeling more complexities brewing in his cramped mind, he still had questions for the girl in white. “Hey Mallory.”

Humming inside his mind in peace, she answered. “Yes Jack?” But when she did answer, it sounded as though she was beside him.

When Jack turned to his right from the soft tone her voice let off to that ear, he was actually spooked but in a way that only made him hurtle away mildly. There she was, staring at him on the bed with him.

“Jesus christ, don’t pull crap like that. It almost gave me a heart attack, if you were someone else you’d be dead… wait, actually why don’t I just kill you now?”

“Oh haha, very funny! Sorry, what did you want, my love?”

Jack sat up, and blinked. “To the topic about beings from fairy tales such as there being witches and spirits or whatever, if all that’s real… Then how, going back to what I was saying about the whole power crap; how could people have such supernatural strength if that’s the case? Like all that destruction Mathew and I caused back then.”

She sat up, stared at the ceiling in silence, off the bed to her feet and waved her dress around in front of Jack. The young man watched her do a little dance of waving that elegant dress that showed off her long smooth legs, making him fluster. She finished with one last twirl and bowed to him, expressing a subtle smile to him.

Mallory stood in front of Jack, leaning towards his face. “Well, that’s because most were born with such abilities like witches and such, but some were gifted at birth, others were handed like you and Mathew.”

Jack can’t help but stare deep into her eyes but his manhood forced the young man to bring his eyes to her exposed cleavage. “If that’s the case, could I possess strength of that magnitude? Potentially if that’s remotely possible.”

She winked at Jack and leaned closer. “Of course, you may not know it Jack but you could be really strong!”

She sits on his lap with her arms over his shoulders and ease towards his face. Jack gulped and trickled a breath.

“I can help you unleash that hidden flame in you, I’ve done it before, there were times that you did go too far but hey! Who cares about that when you can possess the strength to do anything.”

Jack looked down, “That’s a little scary to think about, I don’t remember those past actions. I only noticed after I’ve caused that destruction, and here I thought that was you doing that.”

“Nah that was all you darling! Well, maybe like ten percent heh and the other ninety was me hehe.” Mallory caressed Jack’s cheek and blushed, “I can’t wait till the day comes when I can finally be by your side, physically.”

Jack wraps his arms around her waist, feeling her coldness. “Well, aren’t you already doing that? I mean I am touching you right now.”

“This is different, what I seek is for us to be able to actually touch each other without the restrictions that the world has set.” She embraces Jack and rubs her face against his, “You could tell how cold my skin is, right? I want us to feel each other's warmth, the bond between our flesh, and to be able to embrace each other for real, and much much more.”

Jack didn’t mind her new attitude, rather it’s very relaxing, especially how she’s comforting him right now. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, you’re literally touching me right now.” chuckled Jack.

Mallory stops and pouts her face adorably, “Wow, you’re such a lost cause. Honestly, you freaking psychopathic densed jerk!”

“Whatever you psychotic murderous female.”

She giggles, “Oh Jack, but that’s what I always found most attractive about you.”

“Huh? I guess we’ll just see how things will turn out for us.” As the conversation seemed to drift to something else from their apparent touching, a news report came on the television, stopping their lustful actions.

The two watched as a reporter was standing next to Dr. Cato and beside him was the dreadful Mathew. They seemed to be near the entrance to one of the zones and looked to be mysteriously excited. Jack’s already displeased, just hearing those two speak, stare into the camera made his blood boil. Mallory got off of Jack’s lap and sat next to him to watch as well.

The reporter with a smile on his face spoke into his mic. “Coming to you live from zone one! I’m standing next to Dr. Cato who has finally found the cure to this illness and beside him is his partner Mr. Mathew.”

Dr. Cato had a grin, and it seemed forced from the small twitch Jack saw. “Thank you! Yes it is true that we did find a cure and we’re ready to deconstruct the entire zones and bring all those people's lives back to normal.”

Mathew pats Dr. Cato’s back, “That’s right! And soon, everyone can go back to doing all the things they onced loved, I must say my friend we have come a long way haven’t we?”

“That’s correct Mathew! Now you may be asking, how did we manage to start deconstruction so quickly without testing this drug? Well that’s because we’ve already cured most of the people with that!” Dr. Cato suddenly points at the sky as a plane flies past the zones dropping some sort of yellow sparkly vapour in the air.

“What’s that?” asked the reporter in a surprised awed state.

“That is the drug! We are here to report that we’re the first to come up with an airborne cure!”

Jack and Mallory could smell the bad breath of his lie through the screen. The two said “bullshit,” in unison. Their hatred for the two grew even more as they continued watching them explain how they did the impossible. Mallory had enough of their circus act and wanted to change the channel. Grabbing the remote, once she’s about to change the channel, Mathew pulls his cross out and shines it at the camera, harming her. She covered her eyes, starting to cry, and Jack grabbed her, comforting the girl as she quivered with pain.

Mathew shines it with a sadistic smile, “With this—I knew that God was aiding us. You may think you’ve run, but the truth is, we know where you’re at, and we’ll be waiting…”

The reporter seemed a little afraid and began backing up once he saw Mathew furrow his brows. “Uh… who are you—”

Mathew laughs and places his fists on his hips, “That’s what I said to my buddy here as we were approaching to cure this illness!”

Dr. Cato also stares at the camera, but with a frown. “I want to shout out to my good friend Jack really quickly. I want to say, ``I hope you’re doing well, and I’ll be waiting for you, my old—friend.”

Jack’s had enough, he stands up and punches the television. It cracks and zaps him a bit. The young man growls in anger at the fact that Dr. Cato’s manipulating people and tricking the public once again. Jack seemed even more worried with those last two statements they said, he definitely feels less safe knowing that they probably knew he’d escape. The young man sits back down on the bed and worries if that hole Eric found for their escape was actually those two’s doing.

“Huh, wait, Mallory?” He notices that Mallory’s gone all of a sudden, he sighs and lays on the bed.

This fucking day and those two bastards ruined it, great… Jack has no clue on what to do next, but he remembered that Candy’s still keeping his promise.

Jack stands up and walks to the window and stares out of it, embracing the view. “Well, I think that it’s finally time.” He rests his arms over the window and gazes at the sky, “Hopefully you’re not too mad at me old buddy, because I’m coming back…”

Jack brought his gaze to the city of Detroit that’s blooming in eeriness from afar. Candy, don’t let me down because I’m finally coming back to face my past.

Jack stared deeply at the city, wondering if Candy’s actually keeping his promise, and not making him feel false hope. Most importantly, Jack wondered if he’ll have the courage to face the past he’s run from three years ago. The courage to seek a conclusion to it and feel the burden of his own guilted sigh leave through his damned mouth.