A fresh set of clothes rests in Elias’ hands as he approaches the cell doors. My brow furrows, wondering what our plans are for today but continue to avert my gaze from his, keeping my eyes on my feet. I’ve worn nothing but his oversized shirts and gym shorts since I arrived. The clothes swallow me whole; the gym shorts being held up with the strings tied tightly. These clothes appear to be smaller, more feminine. Where did they come from?

He turns his back to me, allowing me to change in somewhat privacy. I undress hesitantly, keeping my eyes glued to the back of his head in case he turns around to sneak a peek. Honestly, he’s never tried to do anything inappropriate so far but my guard is still way up. Who truly knows what he’s capable of.

I slip on the new clothes and am surprised by how tightly they fit. They’re very simple- just a plain white tanktop and tight black biker shorts but it's the complete opposite of what I’ve been sporting the entire week. When I toss the dirty clothes toward the entrance to the cell his attention is grabbed. He glances down at the pile before slowly turning to face me and I’m almost floored by what I notice. His mask is missing, for the first time ever I’m finally allowed to see his face.

Just like the other two, he’s gorgeous. Long, chocolate brown waves fall into his face as he crooks his neck to view me. When he finally turns to face me I look like a deer caught in headlights. All of the horrible thoughts I had regarding his identity are washed away with one glance. There was nothing wrong with his face at all- so why has he hid it until now?

“Trust me now?” He asks, a little smirk curling at one end of his full lips.

My cheeks heat, stinging my skin.

Not really- I think to myself. As handsome as he is, nothing can erase the fear that I’ve felt since being brought down into that bunker. He’s dangerous, which means the rest of them are too.

When I don't answer, he doesn't press the issue. Instead, he unlocks the cell door using his key like he always does and steps out of the way to allow me through. It takes a few seconds for my feet to register with my brain but I finally press forward through the fear of walking past him and exit the cell. This hasn't gotten any easier, and I so badly wish I was back home. As horrible as it was there, at least it was mine.

This time, he cuts in front of me as if to guide me in a different direction. I’m so used to heading straight for the kitchen to make myself food that I’m a little thrown off when we actually exit through the front door.

I havent seen the sun in days, so when it's rays finally beam down on me I’m almost blinded by them. When my eyes finally adjust I spot three motorcycles parked beside a detached garage next to the house. That must be where the rumbling sound came from. There’s a sign hung just above the door, “D.E.M Cycles” in bright red font. This must be some sort of business.

The heat of the sun feels nice against my skin and I absorb as much of it as I can while we walk. I haven’t had an ounce of freedom since I was brought here- making me miss the moments I was able to sit out on my front porch and enjoy my coffee while I sketched. I’ve missed walking barefoot in the grass, something I’m taking advantage of right now. The breeze is humid and thick with heat but I suck in as much of it as I can regardless. I listen to the cicadas song, raspy and distant but bringing back memories of my meadow back at home.

I’m grabbed by the wrist, catching me off guard and I attempt to snatch it out of the harsh grip but it's no use. Elias guides me inside the garage where the scent of motor oil and gas permeates the air. Theres a loud shop fan blowing at one end of the garage but it hardly does anything for the stagnant heat inside the building. All the chatter stops immediately once we walk in and I feel multiple sets of eyes all focus on me.

Feeling uncomfortable, I fold my arms across my chest to hide the lowcut nature of the tanktop I’ve been forced to wear. While I don't have much cleavage, I’d rather not draw anymore attention to myself than I already have. I shift behind Elias, hiding from the group that’s huddled in the middle of the shop but he steps out of the way. His hand ushers me forward against my will as we walk toward the group.

“Who’s this?” An olive skinned girl chimes in first, practically glaring at Elias. She’s very pretty, which makes me more uncomfortable.

“Probably just another flavor of the week, right David?” A young man, probably early twenties, chuckles beside the tattooed man I’ve only ever heard referred to as ‘Dad’ until now.

“Something like that.” David’s eyes roll as he continues tinkering with a motorcycle lifted in front of him. His top half is shirtless and glistens with sweat, revealing all of his tattoos. He’s practically covered in them.

“What’s wrong Macy, don’t like a bit of competition?” One of the boys teases.

Something metal clangs in the background, followed by cursing that pauses the conversation. Micah’s head pops up from the group of parted out motorcycles sucking the end of his thumb. His face is beat red, eyebrows scrunched together in pain as sweat drips down into his eyes and soaks through his sleeveless shirt.

“It would be great if you could unwedge your head out of this girls ass long enough to come help us, asshole!” Micah snaps, flicking his injured hand to release some of the pain. “We’re backed up, in case you haven’t noticed.”

The others laugh, causing me to shrink down in embarrassment. Micah has made it very obvious that he doesn't want me here. He scowls in my direction, eyes burning with resentment.

“Dude, she looks just like-” One of the boys starts up humorously but immediately stops mid sentence. I glance up from the floor, confused, and shoot a look over to Elias who stands like a statue beside me. His jaw clicks shut, nostrils flared as he stares daggers at the boy who just spoke. Even angry, he’s handsome.

Macy glides over our direction, each movement soft and elegant like she’s floating on a cloud. Her movements are serpent-like, with an energy that sinks bricks into the pit of my stomach. She’s vicious, but hides it well. “She smells like her too.” She coos, breezing past me while taking a piece of my golden waves and bringing it to her nose. I have no clue who they’re talking about, or why she’s smelling me, but I don’t like her already.

“How does it feel to be second best?” She smirks while whispering into my ear. I’m quickly yanked away from her by Elias, and for once I appreciate the gesture. This girl is out for blood and doesn't even know my name. What the hell is she talking about? Second best to who?

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I'm ushered behind him at first, being hidden away from the rest of the group, finally. I remain silent, not wanting to ruffle anymore feathers. My eyes flicker over each person in the building, paying special attention to David and Micah who look like they’ve seen a ghost. Their eyes are wide, locking in on Elias whose chest is puffed out with anger. Macy finally backs off and retreats back to the group of boys, but not before winking menacingly in my direction.

His hardened glare softens a bit as his attention turns to me. “Tell them your name.” He instructs, stepping out of the way so I have the floor.

I swallow hard. Speak? Now? I think I’d rather explode. I’m sure the others would love that. Elias cocks his chin, nudging for me to speak. “Um-” my voice cracks. I haven't used it since my first day here, and it was mostly spent on crying and screaming.

“Poor thing, acts just like her too. Not a backbone in sight.” Macy mumbles amongst the group but loud enough for everyone to hear. One of the boys sort of scoffs, acknowledging the joke that wasn't very funny. I don't know who she keeps referring to, but I’m growing sick of being compared to someone else. Micah apparently is too, because he finally takes up for me.

“Shut up for once.” He barks, cutting his eyes at her. She flips him off, never looking back at him. His outburst gives me the confidence I need to finally speak.

“Salem.” I speak loud and clear. “My name is Salem.”

Micah chews the inside of his cheek as he stares at me with his head cocked to the side. He studies me for a moment before focusing back on his brother. David finally puts his tools down and rises to a stand and acknowledges me for the first time. We lock eyes and this time I don't break our stare. My heart races but I stand firm, not giving into the crushing weight of embarrassing fear. I hate being the center of attention, but I won't let this Macy girl bully me into submission. David’s lips curl into a proud smile. It was faint but I know what I saw.

I watch Elias’ hands as he signs very carefully to the group. “She belongs to us now. Which means we are all responsible for her.”

“Oh, not this sign language shit again.” Macy groans while crossing her arms across her chest. “What did he say?” She snaps at the group, demanding a translation.

“She’s our problem now. Not just his.” David summarizes flatly.

“Well, what the hell does that mean?” Macy’s pitch elevates with each question she asks.

“He kidnapped her ass and now the cops are out looking for her and her dick-head husband.” Micah chimes from his same position across the garage.

Elias ignores his brother and continues, “I need your help deterring the police.”

“So… make their death look like an accident?” One of the boys in the group confirms, seeming to understand sign language.

Elias nods once. “Or a murder-suicide.”

The room goes silent for a moment before one of the more quiet boys asks hesitantly, “Does she know?” He sounds serious, which peeks my interest.

I glance up innocently at Elias who avoids eye contact with me, then David, then Micah. All of them avoid looking at me until I fall victim to Macy’s evil smile. My stomach drops, feeling an unusual sense of dread wash over me just from one look.

“She doesn't have a clue. Look at her!” Macy sneers. “Well, I think it’s time she found out-” The words hardly leave her lips before she vanishes from plain sight. Before I can blink, she’s standing not even a foot from me. How did she get across the room so fast?

The mood in the room shifts from calm to panic and two of three boys that accompanied her begin scrambling. Elias’ knife has already been plucked from its holster at his side and secured in her tiny hand by the time I blink again. I stumble backward in shock by her sudden inhuman speed but she catches me before I fall.

My wrist is yanked forward, the blade of the knife grazing my skin while effortlessly slicing it open in a matter of seconds. I gasp, but don't have time to cry out in pain before Elias pounces on me instead of Macy. I fall back and my head bounces against the concrete.

I feel my vision blur from the impact. Macy backs away quickly with a sinister smile. As my vision returns I swear I see her licking the blade of the knife. Once my eyes re-focus I watch in horror as Elias morphs into a creature I’ve never seen before and I scream in shock, scurrying backward but going nowhere. His shirt bursts into tiny pieces from the instant size change, along with the majority of his jeans. I’m pushing and kicking him but it does nothing. He’s too powerful.

An inhuman roar escapes the creature pinning me down by the arms and I screw my eyes closed, turning my head away from it as my arms struggle to hold it at a distance. Whatever it is, it’s covered in black feathers with a wing-span big enough to knock the pictures off of the walls on either side of us. Glass shatters as the frames hit the concrete flooring.

As it huffs aggressively above me like an enraged bull I manage to peek out of the corner of my eye to see if any of this is real. The face I’m met with is human like- but morphed into something sinister with two black orbs reflecting my own frightened reflection back at me. Fangs protrude from it's gaping mouth as it exhales forcefully and growls above me. The uncanny familiarity of Elias still lingers behind the monster, but I’m too terrified to even reason with the thing.

It’s head shakes like it's trying to fight against something, almost as if it's in pain when another, larger creature bombards us both. I scream again, whimpering and covering my face with my arms instinctively as the unfamiliar one hurls Elias off of me. The two growl and fight like a pack of wolves, ripping into one another while the others in the room look dumbfounded except for David who’s already stomping toward the fight.

Loose, black feathers flutter around the room and gradually find a resting spot on the ground as the fight continues outside. I scramble to my feet, standing frozen for a moment in awe of the two creatures that have fought their way out of the open garage without tipping over a single bike. They look weirdly human despite the changes. Everyone’s attention is on the creatures deadly fight except for Macy, who is still facing me with that same sinister grin from before. Her eyes have changed, just like the monsters outside.

She’s one of them…

Panic induced tears stream down my face as I clamp a closed hand over my bleeding wound. I pant uncontrollably, every cell in my body screaming at me to run but it takes a moment for my brain to catch up. With everyone else distracted, I could see how far I can get on foot. Anything is better than this.

“Take your chances, girl-” Macy nudges toward the door. “It might be your last.”

Was she doing me a favor just now? My eyes flicker between the fight outside and the girl standing in front of me. I could die in the forest alone, I’m aware of that. But I can also die here in this house a lot faster.

I take a few hesitant steps back toward the door we entered through, never taking my eyes off of Macy. She nudges for me to leave once again and I don't waste another second. I bolt out the door like a bat out of hell, never looking back as I enter the treeline close by. My bare feet trample through the leaves and branches littering the ground, crunching under my weight. The raw earth under my feet stabs into my soles but I’m too numbed with terror to feel it.

I don't think I’ve ever ran this fast in my life, but I’ve also never had to run away from a God-damn family of demons! Every flashback of what happened moments ago sends my feet forward that much faster. My heart pounds and my lungs ache, but I persist on. Never letting exhaustion get the better of me. I’ll keep running until my body gives out. Until I’m so far away they’ll never find me.