Slowly, Frank began to move—reluctant, rippling like a resentful shadow, wrapping around Sarge like a spectral cloak. Sarge shivered under the weight of the darkness, his confidence seeming to melt away beneath the magic that engulfed him.

“Frank?” I whispered, barely a breath.

Sarge let out a low, uncertain bark. His posture changed—awkward, almost human, each step shaky as he tried to adjust under Frank’s embrace. He made his way over to me, each movement a strange, disjointed dance, like a puppet on tangled strings.

He got close enough for me to lift my shoulder to him, and Frank slid off of Sarge—a liquid shadow, oozing away from him, and wrapping around me instead, sliding down over my arms to the ropes. His essence seeped between my skin and the bindings, the power surging through me raw and electric. But beneath it all, I felt Frank's pain—each tendril of his form screaming exhaustion and strain. He was in rough shape. I knew that, without him, I’d be nothing but a lifeless corpse on this cold floor—instead of a living one. He’d carried me through hell, and now, he needed me just as much as I needed him.

The ropes didn’t just loosen—they snapped, shredded by Frank’s fading strength, and I fell forward, catching myself before I hit the ground, gasping as Sarge nosed against me, his loyalty a comfort in a chaotic world. “Good boy, Sarge. Such a good boy.” My voice broke as I petted him, my gratitude spilling over, beyond words, into a quiet bond that couldn’t be spoken.

And then, as if on cue, Frank’s voice echoed in my mind, seethed with all the disdain he could muster. Do you have any idea how demeaning that was? A dog, Jack. Really?

I almost laughed, the sound catching in my bruised ribs. “Frank!” I said aloud, half-giddy with relief. “It’s good to hear you again.”

Oh, is it? You’re welcome, sure. But listen, Jack—never again. To be inside the mind of this... creature. Do you have any idea what dogs think about? No? Well, I do now. And it is astoundingly impolite.

Sarge barked, almost in protest, his floppy ear twitching.

“Come on, Frank. He’s a good boy,” I said, my hand resting on Sarge’s scruffy head. I felt Frank’s lifeforce twine with mine, pulsing with that familiar hum. Even beat to hell as I was, I managed to send a little healing his way. Somehow, when we combined, it did more than just patch up the damage—it made us both sharper, stronger. We were like two broken pieces fitting together, each of us better than the sum of our busted parts.

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You know you secretly love him, Frank. Sarge is a good boy, I thought.

Sarge barked, his tail wagging in a blur of pure happiness.

That's odd, I mused. It’s almost as if he heard me.

Sarge barked again, more insistent this time.

That’s because he can, or rather, I can. And for some reason, we’re still connected.

Frank said dryly, irritation dripping from every word.

I’d been worried something might go odd with this. Frank had never been connected to an animal before, and I knew there was no telling what might happen because of it.

When we… merged… I could hear his thoughts, and he could hear mine—like usual, Frank grumbled, the disdain clear. Ugh, I don’t know how, or why, but… it didn’t shut off afterward. I’m still connected, Jack. I can still hear him. And let me tell you, I don’t like it. Not one damn bit.

“Fascinating,” I said, my grin crooked as I looked at Sarge. “Is he saying anything to you now?”

There was a moment of silence.

“Well?”

He says… that he thinks he deserves a biscuit, Frank said, each word bristled with reluctance. Ugh, Jack. No. I refuse. I will not be your messenger. This is too much. Worse than that time you tried to have me dry-cleaned.

“You were getting very ripe, Frank.”

He used fabric softener, Frank snapped, his tone practically bleeding with indignation. Jack, we’ve been through war, together. But this… this is where I draw the line.

Sarge barked again and wagged his tail, as he nuzzled Frank's sleeve.

I sighed, a smile creeping onto my face despite myself. “I think you deserve a whole bag of treats. Come on, let’s go find you some.” Sarge's tail wagged like crazy as I reached over and ruffled his fur.

Frank made a noise that might’ve been a groan if shadows could groan.

“Alright, let's get out of here,” I said, my voice dropping to a more serious note as I looked at the exit. We left the place together, stepping over the broken fragments of what Kane and Aylin had left behind, Sarge at my side, Frank draped around me like a cloak of living darkness. The air outside tasted like freedom—sharp, cold, and exactly what I needed.

The night was old, beat to hell, hanging on by a thread. I needed a shower, maybe a whole damn fire hose, and about a week’s worth of sleep.