“Eleven dead in tragic house fire.”

It wasn’t even the headline for the local news. That position went to the mass shooting that had happened earlier in the day. There had been fewer casualties, but it took place in a prominent shopping mall. Greg wasn’t sure how he felt about the discrepancy. He didn’t want to disparage any deaths, but he felt that his friends had deserved at least some attention. The news agency wasn’t to blame, they had to prioritize what would get them more clicks, more views. Between eleven relatively unknown persons dying in low-income housing, and two dead and five injured in a crowded mall, it was not difficult to determine what would draw in more readers.

Greg read all of this on his phone on the way to Waffle House.

As he ate, he tapped on the house fire story. He wanted to know what investigators had determined, if anything. Were they looking for him? What did they think caused the fire? Did he have to go into hiding?

As it turned out, he was in the clear. Probably.

“Investigators determined the source of the fire to be the same room where the deceased were found. Despite the extent of the damage to the scene, evidence points to a number of candles being knocked over being the origin. As for the bodies, there were no signs of struggle or foul play. It is unknown why the victims did not flee, and due to lack of interest both for the victims and a lack of motive, there will be no further investigations.”

Greg’s face scrunched up, his heart in an almost physical pain.

Lack of interest for the victims…

No one cared.

Well, Greg did. But no one cared if he cared.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Greg finished his breakfast and returned to the motel.

---

Taz could tell something was bothering Greg, but didn’t press him. Instead, he asked where they should start with apartment hunting.

After a few quick internet searches and some back-and-forth discussions, they had a rough idea of what they were looking for and their budget. Half an hour later, they had a route planned out. Greg took his wallet and phone with him, while Taz stuffed his pockets with plastic baggies of spices, jams, and several empty plastic baggies. Greg raised an eyebrow, and Taz added that he wanted to stop by a pet store. Greg frowned and opened his mouth, only to be cut off by Taz. “I’m not skinning cats, jeez. Do I look like a psychopath? No, I’m going to pick up some insects and a couple of small reptiles. Newts have quite a few components that are integral to a number of rituals.”

“Fine. But I’m not carrying anything for you.”

Taz nodded.

---

Taz was worried for the human. Greg was not in a good headspace, that much was apparent. Beyond his recent traumas, Taz could see a looming miasma in Greg’s psyche. It was in the background, like a subtle haze that shaded the halo of Greg’s subconscious. There was no method, no magic that could help with that. That miasma was the kind that took time to heal. Time, and a lot of introspection. Taz could help with the former by being there for Greg.

Taz would not be of any use for the latter. Stones and glass houses, and all that.

As for the recent traumas haunting Greg, he was already taking steps to combat that. In the mystical department, the tea had soothed his soul, speeding up the natural recovery process for dealing with trauma. Rather than take years to work through the emotional baggage, he might not even take a single year to overcome it. As for mundane means, Taz was going to suggest Greg see a therapist.

Taz did all of this for two reasons. One, Greg was a lot like him. And if he did nothing to help, when he had the means to do so, then there would be no way he could do the same for himself. Again, stones and glass houses.

And second, Greg was his summoner.

Taz hadn’t been entirely forthcoming with the human. He had an idea of why Greg’s friends had died, and why the ritual hadn’t summoned a demon with the power to grant wishes. Theories, but no evidence to back them up. And until he knew more, he wouldn’t risk the possibility that Greg might send him back in anger.

For now, Taz would tag along, help his summoner, and try to find his own place in his new life.