Missy didn't have to wait long. Within moments, a rushed and frazzled Jezel appeared, her eyes wide with panic as she frantically scanned the area. When she finally spotted Missy, a wave of relief washed over her face, and she hurried forward, her concern evident in every step. Her heels clicked rapidly against the pavement, echoing her urgency.

Missy felt a pang of guilt, seeing the worry etched on Jezel's features. She wanted to reassure her, but as Jezel drew closer and reached out to touch her, Missy couldn't prevent the involuntary flinch. The movement was subtle, but in the charged atmosphere between them, it felt as loud as a thunderclap.

Jezel noticed the reaction immediately and stopped short, her hand falling limply to her side. The light in her eyes dimmed as she took a step back, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible, as if she could barely muster the strength to speak. The words hung in the air, heavy with regret and unsaid emotions.

Missy had thought the moment in the club had been the worst experience of her life, but seeing the bright and vibrant Jezel fold into herself, trying to hold back tears, made her feel as if her heart had been ripped out. Biologically, she was incapable of crying, but in this moment, she wished she could. She felt utterly at a loss, desperate to fix the situation but unsure of how. The weight of her inability to express her emotions physically only added to her frustration.

As she floundered, Jezel spoke again, her voice thick with emotion. "I really screwed up. I understand if you won't give me another chance. I knew you were uncomfortable with being touched, but I misjudged things. I'm just going to go before I make things worse." Her words tumbled out, each one laced with self-recrimination and sorrow.

Jezel made a choked noise, and turned away, her movements heavy with sorrow. But before either of them could take another step, the dramatically lit street was suddenly plunged into darkness. Jezel stumbled, her eyes struggling to adjust, and she tripped on the uneven pavement. The sudden blackout caught them both off guard, adding a layer of disorientation to the already tense situation.

Without hesitation, Missy rushed forward, catching Jezel before she could fall. She ignored the discomfort that flared up where their bodies touched, focusing only on steadying Jezel. Once she was sure Jezel was stable, she gently released her.

"Thank you," Jezel managed, her voice still trembling with emotion. She was off balance and her voice was full of uncertainty tinged with gratitude.

They stood there in awkward silence, the tension between them palpable. Missy's heart ached, wanting to comfort Jezel but not knowing how. The darkness around them seemed to mirror the uncertainty of their situation. Just as she was about to speak, she caught a faint, unfamiliar sound in the distance. It was barely perceptible, a whisper on the edge of hearing, but it immediately set her on edge.

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Before she could make sense of it, the surrounding buildings began to disgorge their occupants, spilling people onto the darkened street. The growing crowd only added to Missy's unease, and she looked to Jezel, who returned her gaze with uncertainty, offering a defeated shrug. The sudden influx of people brought with it a cacophony of confused voices and nervous energy.

"Should I go?" Jezel mouthed, clearly unsure of what to do. Her expression one of resignation she braced herself dreading Missy's answer.

Missy shook her head. She knew they needed to talk, to clear the air between them, but now was not the time. Whatever was happening required their immediate attention. She jerked her head in the direction of the strange noise, silently urging Jezel to look. The gesture was quick and decisive, conveying the urgency of the situation.

As they both turned to face the source of the commotion, it became easier to see the faint, eerie glow that was steadily growing closer. Due to the crowd, it was difficult to make out exactly what was coming, but the panic spreading through the throngs of people suggested something unpleasant. The air seemed to thicken with tension, a collective sense of dread building among the gathered masses.

They didn't have to wait long. The crowd in the direction of the light began to panic, shouts and cries filling the air as people tried to flee. Missy flashed back to when she had seen Jezel injured and unconscious after Razuroc's attack. She needed to protect Jezel, she braced herself against the discomfort she knew was coming. In one swift motion, she scooped Jezel into her arms and leaped toward the nearest building, they were propelled several stories up. The wind whistled past them as they ascended.

Jezel let out a scream as they shot upwards, her arms instinctively wrapping around Missy in terror. Missy ignored the discomfort that flared where they touched, focusing on landing safely on the rooftop. The city lights blurred around them as they climbed higher. Once they were securely on the roof, Missy held onto Jezel for a moment longer, giving her a chance to calm down before gently setting her on her feet. The rooftop gravel crunched beneath their shoes as Missy carefully released her hold.

Jezel was trembling, her eyes wide with fear as she looked around, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Her breath came in short, rapid gasps as she struggled to process their sudden change in location. Missy gave her a moment to collect herself before turning to the direction of the commotion below. From their vantage point, they could see the source of the eerie glow that had spooked the crowd. The city spread out beneath them, a tapestry of shadows now marred by the otherworldly spectacle unfolding on the streets.

Amidst the panic and chaos on the street, skeletal rodents scurried in all directions, their bones glowing with a ghostly light. Above the crowd, skeletal birds swooped and darted, their hollow eyes glowing with the same unnatural light. The sight was surreal, as if the dead had risen and were now descending upon the city in a macabre display as the skeletal creatures attacked, harrying and harassing the crowd. The air was filled with screams and the clatter of bones against pavement, creating a nightmarish symphony that echoed through the night. Missy and Jezel watched in horror as the scene unfolded, their personal troubles momentarily forgotten in the face of this inexplicable threat.