The sun was dipping low in the sky as Zack headed toward the ION train station. His heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of anxiety and adrenaline fueling his every step. He knew he needed to get to Ahmed's before Ethel did. They knew Ethel had been waiting for another chance to kill him, and with his entire family away at a basketball tournament, tonight would be her chance.

Turning a corner, Zack found himself face-to-face with Kristian, he stood like a wall in front of Zack, blocking him from his destination. Kristian was taller and broader than Zack, an imposing figure that would make most people think twice about engaging him in any sort of conflict.

"Kristian," Zack began, his voice steady despite his racing thoughts, "I don't have time for this right now."

"Make time," Kristian replied, a smug grin on his face, "You know I can't let you go to Ahmed's, Ethel says she needs you out of the way to deal with the problem."

Zack smirked, using Kristian's underestimation of him to his advantage. In one swift movement, he sidestepped and hooked his leg behind Kristian's, sending the larger boy crashing to the ground.

"Please just stay down," Zack said, but his triumph was short-lived.

"Enough!" a voice called out, and there stood Ethel, the glow of the setting sun behind her made her seem even more imposing them usual. Her brown eyes were filled with anger, clearly unimpressed with how quickly Kristian was taken down.

"Ethel," Zack pleaded, "let me handle Ahmed, I know we can save him if he is a familiar. You know better than all of us that there is always some kind of spell or ritual or artifact that can undo a curse."

"If Ahmed is the familiar then he has killed innocent people," she said dismissively. "In his familiar form, he will be unstoppable, we need to kill him before he gets any stronger."

"Please, just listen to me," Zack insisted, desperation creeping into his voice. But before he could continue, Ethel cut him off.

"I'm sorry we don't see eye to eye on this one Zack," she said, her voice carrying some sincerity with it. "But it is already being handled."

Zack knew what she meant, there was no sign that Olivia or John were anywhere close by. Panicked, Zack tried to dart past Ethel and Kristian, but the latter quickly recovered and slammed a well-placed fist into Zack's side. The impact sent him sprawling onto the ground, gasping for breath.

"Ahmed doesn't have to die," Zack choked out, fighting through the pain. "Even if he is the familiar we can save him."

"Not everyone can be saved Zack," Ethel explained, her tone almost bored. "You can't just wish a solution into being. Sometimes you have to make the hard choices."

"If you kill him, then I will never forgive you!" Zack shouted, picking himself off the ground.

"And I will learn to live with that," Ethel shrugged, her apathy unnerving. "All that matters now is stopping him from causing any more deaths."

Zack clenched his fists, anger, and frustration bubbling within him. His blue eyes shifted to their dim pink, his muscles becoming more pronounced and he started to sprout fangs and claws. If it was a fight Ethel wanted, then he was going to give it to her.

"Ethel," he said, his voice firm and resolute, "If that is how you see it, then there is no point in talking it out."

"Please Zack," she challenged, her eyes narrowing in defiance. "You really think you can take on a Supreme?"

"Ethel," Zack said, his voice distorted by the demon within. "I am willing to die to protect my friends, are you?"

"Don't test me," Ethel scoffed, crossing her arms. "You and I both know Ahmed isn't human. You saw how he reacted to the palm ash."

"Not being human doesn't mean he's the familiar," Zack countered, recalling his own experience with Gluttony. "He could be a vessel just like me."

Ethel looked momentarily taken aback, but her expression quickly hardened once more. "That may be true, but I can't risk being wrong, not with Pablo out there hunting us. I need to solve this problem fast so I can take care of the other."

"Then I'm sorry Ethel," Zack said, his voice firm. "for what I am about to do."

Before Ethel could react Zack lifted Kristian into the air using his telekinesis and threw with immense force toward her. Think quickly Ethel froze time with Kristian mere centimeters from her face. She moved aside and released Kristian from the freeze, who flew by and slammed into a tree with a thud. Ethel turned back to find Zack gone, vanished from view and concealing his aura.

-----

As Zack raced across campus, having missed his train, he almost slammed into Sarah as he looked back to see if Ethel had followed.

"Hey watch it!" Sarah yelled after him but he didn't have time to acknowledge her. She huffed and turned her attention back to Leona on their video call. "Any luck with the video?" Sarah asked, trying to ignore the fact she was almost run over.

"Almost done," Leona replied, her gaze fixed on the progress bar inching across the screen. "Just a few more minutes."

"Good," Sarah said. "Oh, I also sent you some pics of the Basketball game for the school paper."

Leona then opened the file, starting to look for some good ones to include in the story. She looked through them until she got to a close-up shot of Zack, his eyes a dim pink color. "What's with Zack's eyes in these pictures? It's kind of creepy."

"Beats me," Sarah shrugged, swiping through the images on her camera. "It happens every time I take a picture of him."

"Maybe it's just a weird coincidence," Leona suggested, though she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to it. She couldn't take her eyes off the photo and wondered what secrets lurked behind those eyes.

-----

As Zack raced toward the bus stop, he called Deb and Rob. "Where the hell are you?" Rob asked when he popped into the frame.

"I was held up by Ethel and Kristian, but I am on my way. Also, Olivia and John might already be there. Get Ahmed somewhere safe until I get there.

"Aye, Aye, captain," Rob said, giving Zack a little salute.

"be safe and get here soon." Deb said, "I Love you."

"Love you too," Zack said with a warm smile, they pair hung up and Zack refocused on getting to them before Ethel did.

As he watched the bus come into view, Sarah emerged from a corner and snapped another picture of him. The telltale pink lens flare appeared around his eyes again.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"What are you doing?" Zack asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Just taking a candid for a project," Sarah affirmed, her expression troubled.

"I'm pretty sure you have to ask my permission to use that photo," Zack said, trying to keep his frustration under wraps. "And you don't have my permission."

"Fair enough," Sarah agreed, pretending to delete the photo. "Some people have no chill" she muttered as she wandered off down the street.

Zack's clamored onto the bus as his phone buzzed, he quickly read the message from Deb. "Zack, we need you now!" Deb wrote. "Olivia and John are waiting outside."

"Damn it," Zack muttered under his breath, his mind racing to process the information. "Stay inside and keep Ahmed safe. I'll be there as soon as possible." he texted back.

He looked up at the bus driver who was still waiting for him to tap his student card, but Zack stepped back out of the bus. There was no way he would get there in time if he took the bus. He would have to use his vessel speed to make it.

-----

Deb paced in Ahmed's room, her dark eyes flicking to the door every few seconds. Rob sat at the edge of the bed, his hands clenched into fists as he contemplated their next move. The tension in the air was thick, and even Boon and Ahmed could feel it as they huddled together near the window.

"Maybe we should call Jessica," Deb suggested, biting her lip. "She might be able to help us."

Rob shook his head resolutely. "No. We can't afford to get the exorcists involved in this. What if Pablo shows up with her, then everyone is dead."

"Then what do you propose we do?" Deb snapped, frustration edging her voice. "Take on two vessels all by ourselves?"

"We can try," Rob said, rummaging through a duffel bag on the floor. He pulled out a small pistol, loaded with tranquilizer darts. "I took this from the police station. I figure it should buy us some time at the very least."

"John's not outside," Ahmed pointed out, peering cautiously through the window blinds. "I can only see Olivia. Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on here?"

"Latter," Deb muttered, her brow furrowing in concern. "I have to go make sure he didn't find a way in."

Ahmed rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed that his friends were keeping him in the dark. As Deb left the room and Rob stood guard at the door, Boon turned to Ahmed, green eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Give me my key back," he demanded, holding out his hand.

"Your key?" Ahmed asked a little confused as to why Boon was bringing this up now. "You guys show up to my house and say Olivia and John are after me, and my key to your place is what you are concerned about?"

"I need it," Boon growled. "Some broke in and messed with my stuff so I am making sure no one can get in without my permission ever again."

"You think I messed with your stuff? Fine take your stupid key back," Ahmed relented, reaching beneath his shirt to unclasp the chain around his neck. He handed the key over, clearly hurt that Boon could think he would do that. "I can't believe you think I would do that."

"I am just being careful," Boon scoffed, pocketing the key. "You don't exactly keep track of your things"

"If you have something to say then just say it," Ahmed replied, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. "Clearly you think I did something wrong. At least have the balls to tell me what it is you think I did."

As they stared each other down, Boon couldn't find the words he wanted to say, a look of discomfort crossing his face. Ahmed was too upset to notice, that the left side of Boon's neck seemed to shimmer and fade, becoming almost translucent.

Suddenly there was the sound of shattering glass echoed through the house, followed by snarls and shouts. Ahmed's heart pounded in his chest as he raced out of his bedroom, leaving Boon behind. Boon's body began to twitch and spasm, his mouth opening as he attempted to call out for help but no sound left it.

"Deb! Rob!" Ahmed called, as he walked down the eerily quiet hallway. He rounded the corner to find Deb and Rob held up behind the couch as John launched tiny balls of energy their way. Deb removed a blade from her guard and sent it flying towards the man. John leapt out of the way just in time as the blade embedded itself in the wall where his head once was.

"Ahmed, get back in the room with Boon!" Deb ordered between clenched teeth, as Rob handed her the tranquilizer gun. "We can handle this!"

Ahmed hesitated for a moment, torn between helping his friends and following Deb's command. But one look at John's glowing silver eyes and he knew that he couldn't fight him or anyone for that matter. Reluctantly, he turned and sprinted back towards his room.

"Boon, we have to—" he began but stopped dead in his tracks when he realized the room was empty. His drapes danced in the breeze coming from the now-open window. As he approached the window to close it, he found claw marks marking its edges.

"What the hell?" he muttered under his breath, his mind racing as he scanned the room for a possible attacker. No longer feeling safe in his room, Ahmed locked himself in the bathroom and dialed the police, praying that they would be able to help before everything spiraled out of control.

Meanwhile, Deb burst into Ahmed's room, slamming the door shut behind her and twisting the lock. Her heart hammered in her chest, adrenaline coursing through her veins. She scanned the room, taking note of the claw marks on the window frame.

"Ahmed, we have a serious problem," she panted, trying to catch her breath. Before Deb could recover, the door shuddered under the force of a powerful blow. Olivia burst into the room, her eyes now glowing a baby blue.

"Get out of my way, Deb!" she snarled, her gaze fixated on the locked bathroom. "You don't have to die protecting him."

"I don't plan dying here," Deb retorted, her hand darting to her pocket and withdrawing a small knife. With a flick of her wrist, she sent the blade flying towards Olivia, who caught it with ease, a smug grin playing on her lips.

"Really, Deb? You think that's going to stop me?" Olivia taunted, but her triumphant expression quickly dissolved into one of shock as she realized the knife was coated in a fine layer of palm ash. She dropped the weapon, gagging and coughing, her body convulsing in pain.

"Seems like it did," Deb replied coolly, her body shaking as the adrenaline began to wear off. With Olivia down and out, she hoped she bought them enough time for Zack to get here before she got up again. She moved to the window to get a better look at the claw marks and her heart almost skipped a beat when something came crawling in threw it. Deb readied another knife, and prepared for another fight, but Zack raised his hands in surrender.

"Deb it's me!" He said, Deb raised forward embracing him.

"Thank God you're here, I don't know how much longer we could have held out."

Zack gave her a small peck, "You did great, Where are Rob and Ahmed?"

"Rob is holding off John downstairs and Ahmed is in the bathroom," Deb explained.

-----

Outside the house, Ethel and Kristian stepped out of her Jeep, the cold night air greeting them. The sounds of struggle and chaos echoed from within the home, drawing their gazes toward the entrance.

"Something's not right," Kristian murmured, his brow furrowed in concern.

"I can feel it too," Ethel agreed.

Suddenly, the door to the house burst open, and Olivia and John were sent flying onto the lawn. John lay motionless, unconscious with a tranquilizer dart in his shoulder, while Olivia continued to cough violently, unable to catch her breath.

With a mixture of triumph and weariness, Zack, Rob, and Deb emerged from the doorway, standing united against Ethel and her covenant. The trio were breathing heavily, clearly exhausted but unwilling to give up. Their eyes met, and Ethel could see the unwavering determination in Zack's gaze.

"Of course," she whispered to Kristian, realization dawning. "He never needed a covenant because he already had one."

"How is that possible," Kristian muttered, studying the trio with newfound respect.

The wailing sirens in the distance signaled the approaching police force. As Ethel and Kristian. As Kristian gathered up Olivia and John, a strange sensation filled Ethel's body. Her eyes were drawn to the roof of the house. Even though she couldn't see it, she could the dark aura of the familiar. She could see Zack's eyes also following the aura as it moved off the roof and disappeared into the trees, leaving only a lingering sense of unease in its wake.

Ahmed exited his house in confusion, taking in the tense scene before him. "Can someone please explain to me what is going on!" he asked, his voice shaking slightly. Seeing Ahmed still a human, Ethel realized she had been wrong, she got back into her Jeep as Kristian laid Olivia and John across the back seats. Then they drove off into the night.

"Boon," Zack said quietly, his eyes still locked on the spot where the Familiar had vanished. "He's the Familiar."

"Makes sense, there isn't much he wouldn't do to get power," Deb said, her heart sinking at the thought of Boon transforming into a monster.

"The question is how, Ethel wouldn't have done it and Gluttony is sealed away so how did he get cursed?" Zack asked, his voice heavy with sorrow. The trio looked at each other knowing in order to save Boon they would have to find who cursed him.

-----

Meanwhile, on a deserted street, the Familiar approached a parked PT Cruiser. He crept cautiously closer, his hand reaching out to touch the window. A gloved hand from within mirrored the gesture, separated only by the thin barrier of glass.

"I have a new target." a muffled voice called from inside the car.

The familiar hissed in response, no longer human enough to use words.

"Excellent," the voice replied, knowing their familiar knew the target. "Now go. We'll meet again soon."

With a final glance at the car, Boon scampered off into the woods, leaving behind nothing but an eerie silence. The car's engine roared to life, and it peeled away into the night, carrying with it secrets yet to be discovered.