Evelyn’s phone started vibrating. She picked it up, seeing Tyler calling. She swiped her phone.

“Sorry, did I wake you?” Evelyn asked.

“Surprisingly, no. I was already up.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. And, um… what? What happened?”

Evelyn’s throat closed. She tried clearing it, but it hurt. “I… don’t know.”

Tyler sighed on the other end. “Alright. So, it actually happened, then? Nick’s at the police station.”

“Yeah. My dad’s getting ready to pick him up now. Something about… about finding something he did in town? Maybe?”

“This makes… absolutely no sense at all.”

“I know. I don’t know what’s going on.”

“Keep me updated, please. If Nick’s in trouble, I need to know everything, and something tells me he won’t have his phone on him.”

Evelyn glanced at her door, dropping her voice just in case. “My dad takes it every night.”

“Hey, are you okay?”

She held the phone a bit from her to make sure Tyler couldn’t hear her make a noise that sounded an awful lot like a sob.

“I… I’m okay,” Evelyn said once she placed the phone against her ear again.

“You don’t have to pretend.”

Hot tears fell down her cheeks. She didn’t hold the phone away from her this time, but she still tried to keep her cry as quiet as possible. “What’s my dad going to do to him?”

Of everything, this fueled her fears. She needed to know Nick would be safe, and Walt had already accused Nick of being worthless.

“Grizzizzik must be behind this somehow. Whatever it is, I hate it. I don’t have to get back to Tucson until later today, and I’ll pay him a visit before I do.” She heard some shuffling around. “No better time than the present, actually.”

“You sure I didn’t wake you up?” Evelyn asked.

“Nope. My reoccurring nightmare happened, and I unfortunately woke my parents. I rarely scream, but I did this time. My mom made me some chamomile tea, and I feel about seven years old.”

Evelyn smiled, surprised she felt like doing so.

“What better way to feel like an adult than to go check in on a rogue? I am far more likely to believe that Grizzizzik did something than Nick.”

“Yeah. Yeah, me too.” She felt the shift almost immediately. She was terrified that Nick was slipping into some bad habits, but with this realization, she was far more protective of Nick than before. Grizzizzik had to be behind this.

Tyler sounded like he was ready to hang up, but Evelyn wasn’t ready yet. She needed someone who understood. “I… didn’t know you had a reoccurring nightmare.”

“Yeah, well, it’s pretty stupid. Usually starts with some variation of fighting a gigantic monster with everyone before discovering I’m not wearing a stitch of clothing.”

Evelyn felt her face flush with that mental image. “Oh?”

“Yeah. Except this time, it… it was a full-blown apocalypse. Buildings collapsing, monsters roaming, and I’m running away from a group of orcs when, once again, I realize I’m naked.”

“Dreams are wild.” Evelyn didn’t know why she said that.

“I looked it up while my mom was preparing chamomile tea. Apparently, my dreams have something to do about a fear of being judged, or anxiety about change and my insecurities. Also losing control or a huge life change was possible in my future. And honestly, my dreams need to stop telling me what I already know.”

Evelyn couldn’t help it and chuckled. This is what she needed, even as her face was flaming red. Someone to talk to. Someone to ease her uncertainty.

The heavy footsteps of her father came toward her door. “Oh, just a sec,” Evelyn whispered before stuffing her phone under her pillow and pretending to be asleep. Her door squeaked open, and Evelyn couldn’t help it. She opened her eyes, glancing at Walt.

“What’s happening?” Evelyn asked.

“Nothing you need to worry about. I’m bringing Nick home soon, and you will stay in here until I’m done talking to him,” Walt said.

Evelyn sat up, her brows furrowing. “No, dad. Leave him alone.”

“Leave him alone? After he woke me up at four in the morning? By sneaking out of my home and vandalizing something? The police had to hunt him down, Evie. He will be punished, whether by the police or by me. Go back to bed.”

Like that would comfort her enough to go to sleep. Evelyn let out a breath as the door closed, then she reached under the pillow to grab the phone.

“Tyler? I… should go. I’ll keep you updated.”

“We’ll sort this out, Evie.” Tyler’s voice sounded softer, like he’d heard the entire exchange. “Grizzizzik has to know what’s going on, and it will stop today.”

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Let me know what Grizzizzik says,” Evelyn said.

“I will. And let me know what your dad does. It’ll be okay. We’ll get answers soon.”

“Okay.”

She hung up, then leaned against the wall. She brought her legs against her chest, burying her head in her knees, and tried to process what happened.

***

After fighting a minotaur, running from the police, and being up all night, Nick was exhausted when they placed him in the holding area of the police station. They had taken his black hoodie when Officer Roberts saw the blood on his sleeve. Once they saw the extent of the road rash on his arms, a first aid kit was brought in. Nick let them wash his arms and put gauze on them, but he refused to say a word. Maybe they were attempting a sympathetic angle, but he refused to talk. It didn’t help that his arms looked pretty scratched up. They also assumed he pulled a muscle when he fell off his bike. As they healed him, Nick went through the options of a second level warlock and made his choices because he could. Grizzizzik wasn’t stopping him, and his character had delayed leveling up enough.

Nick was asleep the moment his head was on the bench. A part of him was terrified of Walt coming to pick him up, but he’d been awake for almost twenty-four hours. The exhaustion was too much for him to stay awake worrying.

He felt like he’d barely closed his eyes when someone gently shook him.

“Nick? Your father’s here to take you home.”

Despite thinking his exhaustion was enough to help him sleep, now that Walt was actually here, all sleep fled. Nick tried to get up, but his body reminded him he was injured and stiff. He was not used to that much running and biking. His thigh was smarting, and as much as he didn’t want to, he had a slight limp as he moved out of the holding area. Walt was there, signing something. They hadn’t found what Nick had vandalized, because he hadn’t done it. Nick was happier he got caught before he got to the high school, but he wasn’t about to tell that to anyone.

Nick forced his heart to stay calm. Forced himself to not show any fear at all on his face. He wanted to keep walking without a limp but couldn’t bring himself to do it. He knew from the look on Walt’s face that he had spent his time being angry at home. Now it was time for Walt to strike Nick right where it hurt.

Nick still kept up his silent act. Said nothing as he gathered his things from the front desk. Held the bag of spray paint, helmet, and hoodie in his arms as he headed toward the door. Walt grabbed his shoulder, and Nick froze, his heartbeat in his throat as he made eye contact with his dad. Walt’s face was calm, but his eyes were burning with anger.

“What do you tell the police officers?” Walt asked.

Nick said nothing, staring at the anger in Walt’s eyes. Refusing to say anything. The silence stretched, and the anger grew. “What do you say to the police officers who wasted their time and energy tracking you down? Wasted taxpayers dollars to keep you in line. When you should have been in bed. When you should have listened to me.”

Nick’s lips disappeared in a tight line. Walt wanted him to apologize. It wouldn’t happen. Nick refused to talk in the police station. However, Walt was stubborn enough to keep him there until he said something. Nick tried moving again toward the front door, but Walt’s hand tightened over Nick’s shoulder.

“Say it, Nick,” Walt said.

He stared right back at his father. “Nothing. I’m saying nothing.”

He pushed his dad’s arm from his shoulder and left the police station.

***

Someone was knocking on Rafael’s door. Rafael sniffed, trying to wipe the sleep from his eyes as he simultaneously shoved some clothes on. There was a chance it was his mother. She sometimes forgot her house key, but that hadn’t been for a while. Not since she’d stopped drinking.

Rafael opened the door, surprised to see Tyler. “Good morning?”

“Morning. Where’s Grizzizzik?” Tyler asked, moving into his house.

Rafael was pretty sure he passed Grizzizzik when coming to the door. He and Hraktar usually slept on the couches. But from the urgency in Tyler’s voice, it didn’t seem like he was really waiting for Rafael to respond.

“Grizzizzik?” Tyler asked.

Rafael closed the door and followed Tyler. “What’s going on?”

“Check your messages,” Tyler said.

Rafael was not prepared for that response. He was also not prepared for the gut punch that it was, despite not knowing what was happening. He grabbed his phone from his room as Tyler found the half-asleep rogue.

“What is it?” Grizzizzik asked.

“What are you doing to Nick?” Tyler asked, arms folded.

Grizzizzik rubbed his eyes. “What?”

Rafael felt a weakness in his knees as he read the simple response from Evelyn. Despite how devoid of emotion it sounded, Rafael could almost feel her terror. Nick was at the police station. Walt was going to collect him. Now waiting for him to come back.

Hraktar stood up. “Would you like me to hold him for you?”

“Tempting,” Tyler said.

Alejandra’s door opened. “Is everything okay?”

Rafael gave a small shake of his head, which made Alejandra’s eyes widen. Rafael wasn’t about to lie to her, though. This was bad, and he wasn’t going to hide it.

“Tell me what happened last night,” Tyler said.

“Nothing,” Grizzizzik said.

“Oh, really? Nothing? Wanna tell me why Nick’s at the police station right now?” Tyler asked.

Alejandra gasped, then covered her mouth. She looked at Rafael, as though begging him to contradict, but Rafael didn’t. Instead, he pointed to his own phone, and Alejandra pulled out hers.

Grizzizzik remained silent, watching Tyler with his snake eyes. Tyler folded his arms, the anger filling his gaze. “Don’t make me do it, Grizzizzik.”

“Do what?” Grizzizzik asked. “Act your age? The age you want to be? Or the age you’re too scared to be?”

“You’re not getting under my skin,” Tyler said. “And I won’t have you tormenting Nick. You leave him alone.”

Grizzizzik’s smirk appeared. “What makes you think I’m doing anything?”

“He told me he needed space from you. He’s been struggling. You know why he’s struggling. Tell me,” Tyler said.

Grizzizzik said nothing, the smirk growing as he stood up. “Feels good, doesn’t it? Having power? Responsibility? Terrifying, too. So much on those young little shoulders of yours.”

Tyler lifted a finger, glaring at Grizzizzik. “You will tell me what you’re doing to my friend.”

Grizzizzik’s smile remained. “And what exactly makes you think I’m doing anything?”

“God, you can be obnoxious,” Tyler said. “This is Nick’s life you’re playing with. Leave him alone. Do you understand?”

Fangs started poking through Grizzizzik’s lips. “Stop making such childish assumptions that I’m hurting him.”

“Ezekiel!” The fighter’s voice echoed through the house as Alejandra stared at her phone in shock.

Ezekiel walked in from outside, rubbing his eyes. Clarissa enjoyed sleeping outside, so they slept under the stars often. “Hey. Tyler, this is a welcome surprise.”

“Grizzizzik’s up to something,” Hraktar said.

Ezekiel studied Grizzizzik, who was watching Tyler. “What’s going on, Grizzizzik?”

The rogue tore his gaze from Tyler to rest on Ezekiel. “I might’ve decided to do a little extra combat to keep leveling up last night. The boy must have gotten caught by local law enforcement when we split ways.”

Rafael covered his face with his hands. Oh, this was bad. He did not trust Grizzizzik in the slightest. There had to be more than that.

Tyler studied Grizzizzik closely. “No. That can’t be right.” Grizzizzik stared right at Tyler again, and Tyler pushed through. “You’re forcing him to level up with you. Nick was… he said you were getting to his head. Why would he go with you to level up. Unless you were forcing him to do this.”

Grizzizzik kept his mouth closed, even as his snake fangs kept growing. Rafael was glad Hraktar and Ezekiel were there. Grizzizzik looked ready to bite Tyler.

Tyler’s sigh seemed to break the tension before the game master sat down on the couch. “If it’s alright with you, Rafael, I’d like to stay. Nobody text this story to the group chat. I’d like Evelyn to ask Nick what happened, and she’ll update us, eventually. I’d like to see if the two stories match.”

“And if they don’t?” Rafael asked.

Tyler’s gaze shot to Grizzizzik, who had his arms folded. The suspicion had never left Tyler’s eyes. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”