The devastation is hard to fathom, but they’re alive. The news stations, the reporters are going to go haywire trying to figure out how such a disaster could spring out of nowhere. They’ll put it down to a crazy, sudden shift in the atmosphere, cold and hot air mixing together to make a hurricane. A cyclone, something logical and expinable to the masses. Vukosava knows the truth, right now she’s got to take care of Amber and get her somewhere safe.

  They cannot afford to sit on their haunches for long. “Easy now, Amber, I’m taking you to my pce.”

  “How on earth are we going to expin any of this?” James shakes his head furiously.

  “We don’t.” John takes a long look around, the residence is completely ft, bricks, mortar, paneling, tiles and gardens strewn in all directions. A peaceful nd cast into a vicious war. It’s like everything went up to the air and is thrown back down with shattering force.

  “We’ll need to make some calls. We don’t have much time.” Vukosava is walking back to John’s car.

  “Slow down, Vics, slow down. What’s the pn?”

  “A pn?” Vukosava whispers, drifting off for a moment. “Of course.”

  John can see the uncertainty sinking in. “Right now, we have to get patched up. We can’t do anything right now, not in this state. Amber needs a pce to rest.”

  Harley and Nathen gnce at each other briefly.

  “Can we close the one there?”

  “I think that ship has sailed. Besides, if we try doing that, we'll be on her doorstep.” Harley dismisses the point out of hand. “Unless you want to test another entity, Nathen, I suggest we stay calm.”

  “If you’re the one asking for calm, that’s concerning.” Nathen snorts wearily.

  Harley scowls at him. “Hold onto that point. We wait for Amber to recover, then we come up with some miraculous pn, sound good people?”

  Everyone gives their consent. “Well, now with that over, I need to get home. If this storm didn’t kill me, my parents definitely will.”

  “Speak for yourself.” James flops into the boot of John’s car.

  “There’s a lot of things we should be discussing.” Vukosava starts. They don’t have time to waste. If there’s another problem they need to deal with it now.

  “Did you hear me, Vics, we’re discussing all this nonsense ter.” Harley guides her towards the front door before shoving her in like a police officer does to a victim of the paparazzi. “Get your head screwed on straight, then we deal with everything.”

  Amber is trying to get the words out, but she’s struggling.

  In reality Amber should go to the hospital where they can administer proper care. It wouldn’t be too out of the ordinary, especially with this disaster running rampant throughout the state. But Vukosava couldn’t let her go, leaving her in some cold room whilst they come up with a pn. It feels wrong. Her brain is a piece of steak on the barbeque at this point, it’s completely shot.

  “You need to stop worrying about it.” John says, turning the wheel.

  “I’m that easy to read?”

  “Let me put it this way, we’re all on edge. We survived something that a lot of people didn’t.”

  “How are you staying so calm about all of this?”

  “I don’t have much of a choice. You can either ugh or cry – and I’m done crying.” John licks his lips. “You got to look after yourself too. I’ll drop you and Amber off first; you got a good excuse for looking like a drowned rat?”

  “My folks are blood hounds; they’ll sniff out a lie fast.” Vukosava starts to reel in her frantic mind. Her database is clogging up; she needs to deal with one issue at a time. That’s easier said than done – but she grits her teeth when her eyes wander to Amber. “Maybe I’ll be lucky this time, and they’ll jump to our rescue.”

  “Best of luck.” John stops just off from Vukosava’s doorstep.

  As Vukosava and Amber shuffle out of his vehicle, the security light overhanging the garage flicks on. As they walk up the front stairs, Vukosava can hear cries of pandemonium erupt from the living room over the television.

  “Vukosava, where on earth have you been?” Mum runs down full pelt, almost tackling her daughter off her feet. “Thank goodness. We thought we had lost you – Amber.”

  She takes Amber in a hug, making sure she’s alright too.

  Dad arrives on the porch, his eyes completely bloodshot, zeroing in on Vukosava’s. “You have a lot of expining to do, young dy, a hell of a lot.”

  “We’re not doing an interrogation right now, dear, we need them to rest first. Then they can expin everything. What do you like, Amber dear, some nice tea, coffee?”

  “I’d like a coffee, please.”

  As they walk through the front door, Vukosava can see the level of panic that’s overtaken her parents. A wave of guilt crashes against her conscious mind. “I’m sorry.”

  “You can give your heartfelt apologies ter, Vukosava. For now, you two dies need to rest.” Her dad replies evenly. Though the use of her full name doesn’t stop his daughter from wincing. It’s a w of nature when a full name is uttered that things are going to go drastically wrong.

  It’s going to be a long night. There’s no way she can tell them the truth.

  As Amber and Vukosava sit down to enjoy their hot beverages. They watch Mr. and Mrs. Stevanovic run about calling the family – letting them know that their daughter is safe and sound. Afterwards they start chatting with Amber’s folks, who are crying over the phone with relief.

  “Quite a night, wasn’t it?” Amber manages.

  “I don’t want another night like this one, Amber, I really don’t.”

  “It’s not a case of wanting or not wanting anymore. We’re stuck in it.”

  Vukosava smirks. “Yeah, something that we can’t get out of our shoes.”

  “I don’t think I can do that again.” Amber is struggling to keep her eyes open, despite the strong punch of caffeine from the coffee. What she did earlier goes beyond expnation.

  “You’ve done so much already. I’m not losing anyone else.”

  “I want to be there with you – standing at your side. Charles and I – we’re not done with this yet.”

  “Charles Derhert has plenty of fuel, that’s not the problem. It’s your body, Amber.” Vukosava is going factual now. “If you end up like that again, on another sidewalk, it could be way worse. You’re not a medium, or someone that has a natural connection to the paranormal, that’s what Nathen and Harley have.”

  “Then why didn’t they get this power, or the mark?”

  “Do you think anyone else would suit Charles as well as you did? I don’t think so.”

  “What’s going to happen now?”

  “Victor Alberius told us what would happen. We can’t sit on our haunches for long.”

  “You think we can stop them?” Amber enquires.

  “I don’t know. The best I can think of right now is trying to reason with her, the Red Queen.”

  Amber nods slowly. She’s completely spent. The couch is comfortable enough.

  Vukosava gives her a bnket and pillow, within the minute Amber is out.

  “So, do you want to expin what just happened?” Dad scowls deeply. “Or do I have to pull it out of you?”

  “Honey, being out there was extremely dangerous. You could've been killed.” Mum tries to take on a more reasonable tone but she’s angry too. “We were ringing our hair out, calling you once the storm hit. We got no texts, no calls back, not even voice mail.”

  “I know, and I’m really sorry. I was with Amber and the others, visiting Marcus.” Vukosava didn’t like doing this, not one bit. To emotionally manipute is something that she finds deplorable, but depending on what lies ahead in her future, she might need to do this again with the Red Queen. “We wanted to make sure that he was safe and give his headstone a good clean.”

  “I understand your sentiments, dearie, but so much could’ve gone wrong. How did Amber end up this way?” Dad leans forward intently, trying to sus out if there’s a lie on the way.

  “She didn’t want to leave him.” Vukosava’s voice shakes, and that’s enough for her mum to surrender. Despite all the time that passes, Marcus’ death still strikes her deeply and with the insane events that went down – it’s very easy to summon emotions.

  “That’s enough for tonight, get some rest, we’ll figure it out in the morning.” Dad folds, but it’s far from over, he’ll raise the point again and again. He doesn’t give up easily – Vukosava is the same way, daughter like father.

  Vukosava takes the other couch. Is life going to get crazier than this? This is her new normal, a paranormal investigator doesn’t have a normal existence. They’re busy chasing ghosts and mysteries, speaking to people from ages past through a machine. Her mind is racing with these thoughts, delving into the past and wondering that if things went differently Marcus is still alive and kicking. Why did she even pick this? Why? Because this is who she is – this is her passion in life.

  She’s a noisy sleeper. Amber is stirring slightly due to the racket she’s causing.

  “Night, Amber.” Vukosava closes her eyes.

  The sun trickles in and is irritating Vukosava, she groans loudly. “Can it stop producing light – for just a day?”

  “The sun isn’t a light you can flick off, Vics.” Mum sits down at the end of the couch. “Are you feeling better?”

  “I don’t know. I’m just trying to keep going.” Vukosava sits up into the crook.

  “You’ve been thinking a lot, haven’t you?”

  “I can’t help it – I always wonder that if I did things differently that none of this would’ve happened. He’d still be here – with us right now.”

  Mum pauses in reflection. “You’re right. That would be the case. But something tells me that Marcus wouldn’t want that. He’d want his journey to be real. If a journey is not authentic and fake, then is that something to cherish? I don’t think so.”

  “Will it get easier?”

  “It does – scars fade, but the memory remains. The only way to make it easier is to cherish what made them so special. Marcus will always be the kindest, most knowledgeable man we’ve known. He had the patience to put up with you and the rest of you crazy girls.” Mum smiles warmly. “That’s a skill in itself.”

  Vukosava puts her arm over her mother’s shoulder. “It is. It really is.”

  Amber is still asleep, snoring gently. The home phone is ringing.

  “C’mon, c’mon, answer me you dumb bitch.” As Vukosava picks up the call.

  “Hey, Harley.”

  “Finally. How is Amber doing?”

  “Is that the reason for the call? Have you figured anything out yet?”

  “What do you think, Vics?” Harley snorts derisively. “I’m a dy of my word.”

  “Did everyone else make it home safe?” Vukosava is twisting the cord around her hand.

  “Yeah. John said he was deying the inevitable as much as he could.”

  “He got a thrashing?”

  “A pretty big one – his family isn’t happy about losing a car, but they’re relieved.”

  “I suppose it’s not that bad, when compared to everything else.” Vukosava paces back and forth a bit. “I’m ready to tackle the problem.”

  “Are you? You sound half dead; you probably look like a car wreck with your hair going everywhere.”

  “Thanks, Harley, is there anything else you want to say?”

  “Take it easy – otherwise you’ll be the one ending up in hospital or a lunatic asylum. Not Amber.”

  “How are you taking all of this then – are you chill with it?”

  “Hell no, I’m not chill with it. But I can’t do shit about it right now.” Harley’s voice pitches slightly.

  “What if we miss our chance – while we’re taking our break?” Vukosava couldn’t stop her words from spilling out. It’s stress and desperation that is overtaking her, and at this rate the neighborhood will be at her doorstep with pitchforks and fming torches because of all the racket she’s making. “The Red Queen could stroll right in.”

  “She’s able to do that anyways. If Sir Bend-over-for-a-bitch-a-lot is true to his word, he’ll be telling her to go ahead with it.”

  “You do realise what she’ll do, right?” Vukosava barks back.

  “I do.” Harley’s earlier tone drops completely, her words soft and gentle. “I understand, Vukosava, I understand what’s on the line. I have been thinking about it, and honestly all we can do is talk with her. Then stuff her back through the ancient city portal and close it properly.”

  “She won’t let that happen.”

  “Well, life’s a bitch, isn’t it?” Harley sighs wearily. “We have Charles on our side at least.”

  “You think he could convince her to change her ways?”

  “It’s hard to say. But at this rate it’s better than nothing. Once our precious Amber wakes up, we’ve got a lot of questions in store.” Harley pauses for a moment. “If anyone can find a chink in the Red Queen’s armour it’s them.”

  -

  The afternoon is a pretty thing, a dashing of red and gold going across the sky. It's been a long day.

  Amber is still asleep, thankfully the color is returning to her face. Vukosava feels a sense of relief, she’s not going to lose another friend. She will never accept it - she’ll fight to the bitter end to prevent any further pain. The camera they left behind at Duskenveil before they ran into the suit of armour and the dogmen should hopefully have some valuable intel, maybe not to the level of Charles Derhert but still plenty to have a strong basis.

  “Okay, what do you have for me?” Vukosava whispers as she jumps onto her computer.

  There’s more dots moving across the scene, but this time it’s like a river. There’s so many entities going past in the initial stages. Sir Victor Alberius for all his strength couldn’t be at two pces at once, nor could Charles Derhert. This opening is intentional, Vukosava reflects quietly. If there’s some pyer in the shadows, they’re doing a great job at dividing the attention of the Red Queen’s two men. The Lady of Mist is another distraction.

  Whoever is pying the game is damn good at it. Eventually, the battery runs out. Even if the intel is vague in parts, it’s still invaluable. There’s going to be a big clean-up afterwards, perhaps Carlos and Alexi can take care of it. They’re all lunatics - just in different get-ups.