The pale man turned to Dex and spoke weird words very fast. None of them understood except for Dex, who, reluctantly nodded his head a few times. The man left and Dex stood at the entrance of the door. Michelle, Justine, and Zeke looked on at him, wondering what his next move would be. Dex finally swiftly spun around and spoke a command to the monsters. They hissed but soon started to follow Dex down the narrow hallway. Nothing was heard except for the creature’s claws clicking and Justine occasionally gasping for air. Every time she did so the monster who held her made a barking sound and jerked his tail. When this happened, Zeke struggled but didn’t prevail. Michelle only kept her eyes on Dex. They turned down into another hallway when, finally, Michelle made a sound. She breathed deeply and caused Dex to slightly look back. She saw that he noticed.

“Dex?” she asked.

The monster wrapped his tail tighter around her abdomen. She gasped in pain. He kept walking.

“I… know that-” she began but the monster tightened his tail even harder.

Michelle let out a slight cry.

“Don’t speak.” Dex said roughly.

“Heh… yeah, Michelle. Didn’t you know that he hates talking?” Zeke breathed.

The monster carrying Zeke didn’t seem to mind his voice.

“Why?” Michelle coughed.

Dex said nothing but Zeke kept going.

“That’s easy. Because he hates us. He hates every single one of us.”

Michelle looked at Justine who’s eyes were getting bloodshot.

“He… but?” Michelle uttered.

“I…” Dex mumbled.

Michelle tried to move but her body was frozen.

“I was trying… to protect you guys…” he said quickly.

They all looked up. This was the most that he had ever said to them. Aside from the explanation about demons and angels, but this was in front of all of them.

“How?” Michelle asked.

Her monster shook her angrily but Dex turned around and it stopped.

“I… knew something like this would happen. I didn’t want to… become attached to any of you.”

The three looked on. Dex’s eyes were deep and looked sad.

Zeke tilted his head to the side and said, “Dex… then your plan is ruined. You screwed up.”

Dex looked at Zeke in pain. Zeke continued.

“We all care about you and we know you feel the same… and… damn it… you’re, you’re my brother for god sakes no matter what the hell you or I am. And we can… all be there even if we are differ- AHG!”

Zeke cut off with a loud yell. Dex got into a defensive position.

“What? What is it?” he asked.

Justine inched her head back.

“It’s… the bite isn’t it?” she wheezed.

“IT’S BURNING!” Zeke yelled.

Dex stood there.

“Do something!” Justine pushed the last of her breath out.

“I can’t move!” Michelle shouted.

“IT HURTS!” he screamed this time.

“I can’t!” Dex yelled back.

“I can’t get loose!” Michelle said as she looked over at Justine, who’s, head was flopped to the side.

“Sh… She’s…” she breathed.

Zeke noticed too and screamed again, “PLEASE!!!”

“but…” Dex mumbled as he eyed Justine with fear.

“DO SOMETHING! LET US GO! SHE’S DYING!” he raised his voice.

Dex raised his hand and a huge black electric orb emitted from it and he yelled even louder than Zeke.

“I WON’T BE FREE!!!”

He released the ball and it split into three smaller orbs. Michelle closed her eyes as Dex sent them off. Zeke just spoke.

“I’m sorry Justine… and… I’m sorry for you too, Dex.”

Dex’s eyes widened as the three small balls shot off towards the targets. They exploded and made the small hallway fog black. Dex stood above the fog looking. There was a coughing noise. Dex rushed over and picked Justine up. She wheezed harshly. Soon, Zeke got up shakily and limped over, stepping over a dead monster.

“Here… let me see.” he said as Dex handed her over.

Dex shot his wings out and blew the fog away and uncovered Michelle who was also getting up awkwardly. He reached down and grabbed for her. He was strong and he pulled her up and into his arms where he just kept her. She was so surprised that she didn’t know what to do.

“He… he’s hugging me. Why?” Michelle thought.

Even in the midst of joy she had, she couldn’t avoid the searing pain that his skin brought to hers.

He held tight as he just said, “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry.” over and over.

He slowly let go and looked over at Zeke.

“Is she alright?”

“She’s fine… just outta’ breath.”

Dex walked over.

“Here, we need to get out.”

“Nice plan… oh… but she came here to get Kove.” Zeke said quietly.

“No problem. If we hurry we could make it out of here alive.” Dex said quickly.

Michelle still stood there. She was blushing. She looked down at the skin that touched his and it looked sunburned red. It hurt a lot.

“Let’s go.” Zeke called to Michelle.

She snapped out of her trance and ran over to them. They were already on their way. With Dex in the lead, Michelle, and Zeke carrying Justine followed quickly behind. The twists and sharp corners made Michelle feel sick and like a lab rat in a maze. Finally, he stopped at a large wooden door and they ran in, slamming it shut behind then. The moment the door closed, a large amount of hissing and muffled barking echoed through the place. Kove looked up, startled. Dex swerved around and faced Zeke.

“He knows!” he yelled.

Zeke frantically looked around. “Who? What?”

“You need to get out. He and I will get out by ourselves but for now…” Dex said as he raised his open hand to the three.

“Dex! Wait!” Michelle yelled.

“Later.” he said calmly.

Then he spoke a command and Zeke, Justine, and Michelle disappeared. He ran over to Kove.

As he un shackled his tight chains he said, “Looks like you’re getting out of here early, you stubborn bastard.”

Kove smiled as he fell to the ground.

“I knew I would. Love is too powerful, my friend.”

Dex smiled weakly. He helped Kove up and they ran up to the door and stopped.

“Alright, now… can you show me what a half-breed can do?” Dex said as he shook his wings.

Kove stretched his out and cracked his neck to the side. “Will do.”

Dex smiled. “Alright… let’s go!”