"NO!" Linda shrieked as she flung herself at the men. She was caught by the third man. Linda fought with the wild vigour and desperation of a cornered animal. She kneed him in the groin, and while he was recoiling, she threw a punch at one of the men holding on to Lily's arm. She bit another man who tried to grab her in a strangle-hold. With the distraction, Lily dug her heel into the sheriff's instep and then drove her elbow aimed at her solar plexus.

Layla stood apart from the action, watching it unfold while maintaining her own inner tranquillity. There would be a time to act, and from Cyrus's growing agitation, that time would be soon. But she needed to take stock of the entire situation, including viewing all the possible paths of retreat. Her eyes glanced over all the moving parts of the action, as if standing in the eye of a storm.

Jay stood apart from the action, looking deeply conflicted. But everytime he appeared as though he might move to try and help Lily, his face wrinkled with abject disgust and he turned away. Lily broke away and made a run for the door, but she was tripped by Madam Gold's cane. This meagre contribution to the violence was enough for Sheriff Black to recover and pin Lily down. The two remaining men had to work together to hold back Linda, who cussed and struggled madly.

"It's like they forgot who the real monster is. Shall we remind them?" Cyrus whispered. Although outnumbered, the mortals would be easily subdued. Layla used the chaos to back away until she could fade into the shadows, sparse as they were in the diffuse light. Cyrus picked up a metal chair and charged, cracking one of the men over the head with a resounding gong. "A new contestant enters the ring!"

Cyrus specialised in creating chaos. He was agile and adaptive, changing direction easily and rotating through targets to grab the ire and focus of multiple combatants. Layla circled the outside, keeping to the shadows, her presence only betrayed by occasional flickers of darkness and shadows that did not coincide with the bodies in motion. Sheriff Black was constantly looking up at the fight as she bound Lily's wrists behind her back. With Linda free of her captors, she lunged at the Sheriff to knock her off of Lily's back. Linda mounted the burly woman and began punching her repeatedly, while Sheriff Black struggled to get her revolver out of its holster. Madam Gold was backing away from the fight towards the side entrance. Two more men came in through the front doors. One of them held up a shotgun, pumping it, while the other uttered a cry of bewilderment at the scene before them.

Just as the man was pointing the gun at Cyrus who had tossed one man into the other, Layla materialised behind him, pressing a knife to his throat. No words needed to be spoken, her threat was clear. The man's hands trembled and he lowered the shotgun. The man beside them took a quick step away from both, holding up his hands to appease Layla.

Jay was a quick study, and while Cyrus was focused on two combatants, he snuck up behind him armed with a metal chair. Just before he swung it at Cyrus, Lily called out for him to duck, which he did so. The metal chair was swung with such force that Jay lost his grip on it, sending it flying across the room. One of the men Cyrus had knocked down had just risen only to take a chair to the face and stagger back, trip on the edge of the stage, and tumble down.

There was a click and Linda's raised arm paused, as she stared down at the gun barrel pointed at her face. Her clenched fist shook in the air, but she slowly lowered it.

Madam Gold saw the two men effectively being held hostage by Layla. Layla caught her eye and nodded to her, a grim command to stand down. Madam Gold scoffed and shook her head, insolence drawing her lips closed and chin out.

"We're just messengers - we have no idea what's going on." Layla held the knife closer to her hostage's throat. The man who spoke kept his hands out. "Spare us."

"Turn away, say nothing, and you will live," Layla said quietly, her eyes darting from the frightened messenger and the fight. Another chair went flying, but the fighting was slowing down as everyone realised there was a gun trained on Linda's head. Sheriff Black wriggled out from beneath Linda, but always kept her fun pointed.

"But... there's a raid..." the messenger stammered.

"Raid? Here?"

"No, Fisham."

Layla's eyes widened. Suddenly, their fight seemed petty and inconvenient. With her other hand, she grabbed his gun from him, which he gave up with hesitance. Her blade was very persuasive. Slowly, she released the hostage and held the gun, pointing it at the ceiling. With a loud boom, the entire room froze and turned to her.

"Enough." Layla said. "Speak," she commanded to the messenger. Keeping his hands up and eyeing her gun he cleared his throat, looking at his dishevelled and bloodied audience.

"Fisham radioed us saying they were under attack. But they're not respondin' no more. What d-do we do?"

All of the combatants looked at each other. Cyrus put down the nightstick he had stolen from one of the men. Sheriff Black started to lower her revolver, but seeing a movement from Linda caused her to raise it again. Madam Gold, who had found herself a corner to hunker down in, slammed her cane on the floor and stood up tall. Jay dropped down to the ground.

"Nothing. Fisham sent us monsters. We are done with them," Madam Gold said, eyeing the room.

"They didn't send monsters. Lily is one of yours! And she got bit before she even arrived in Fisham!" Cyrus blurted, the heat of the battle betraying his better senses.

"Impossible!" One of the men shouted.

"She'd be one of those things by now!" Jay insisted.

"Well... no. We've been giving her blood transfusions to delay her transformation," Cyrus admitted, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Is that how you have hidden the signs?" Madam Gold rasped.

"No! I'm not one of those things!" Cyrus said, the disdain in his voice amplified by the wrinkling of his nose.

"But you..."

"Look, dearies, I've been around for almost five hundred years. Those things haven't even existed for two centuries. I don't know what they are, and I intend to find out."

Madam Gold tapped her fingers on the brass cane head as she stared long and hard at Cyrus. "Then what are you?"

"Oh, they call me a vampire. And really, I do put the ire in vampire." Cyrus swept his arms out ina theatrical flourish as he nodded his head. "You two lugs, come here."

"...No." One of them said, the other shook his head.

"Come on, I won't bite."

"Why should we believe you?" Jay asked, crossing his arms and keeping his distance from both Cyrus and Lily. Lily squirmed, as she was still prone on the floor with her arms behind her back. Linda, who had been caught off guard, slowly moved to assist her sister. Sheriff Black pointed her weapon at the sisters, whispering something to them. But she did not show anymore hostility as Linda helped Lily upright, holding her close.

"Because he ain't like them. He's strong and fast. You all saw that just now. I ain't got any strength from being bit," Lily peeped.

"I thought there was something wrong about you..." Sheriff Black murmured.

"Ah, yes, I remember you. You made me strip in your little office." Cyrus snorted. "Mind lowering that weapon? Those sisters are under my protection, and I really can't have you executing either of them. And... as much as I love having the spotlight, could someone please tell me more about this raid on Fisham?"

All eyes went back to the messenger. He coughed and held up his hands again. "Nothing to tell. Like I said, they said they was bein' attacked. Didn't say who or what. Then there was a crash, someone yellin', and it all went quiet."

"Bother. Looks like our mission will have to go on hold while we go bail out Fisham yet again." Cyrus said, wiping his hands off.

"No!" Lily interrupted. "We don't got time to be goin' back!" Lily rolled her shoulders back ant looked pleadingly at Madam Gold. "Please, let us go. Banish us if that'll make everything right. And don't turn your back on Fisham. They are good folk and don't know about me being bit." Lily shook her head. "Please, I needa try'n find a cure."

From the distance, it was hard for Layla to read Madam Gold's expression. But gradually, her long sigh and bowed head said enough. Steadying herself with her cane, the Goldilocks leader gestured to the scattered chairs and disarray of the room. "Long as you're not a threat to us, we don't care where you go. But we ain't gonna keep quiet. The rest of the Ward will know what you are."

Cyrus crossed his arms and muttered something under his breath. Layla surrendered the shotgun, as she felt it was no longer needed, and strode across the hall. Without a word she began cleaning up the mess, starting with righting the tossed and toppled chairs as she listened.

"That's only fair, I guess," Lily said. She shook her head to get some hair out of her face. "...Could someone untie me?" Linda quickly freed Lily's wrists, and she brought them around, massaging them.

"No one's gonna trade with us if they know Lily's bit." Linda frowned, wiping blood and sweat from her forehead with the back of her sleeve.

"They got a right to know. 'Sides, it'll stop things from turning out like this," Madam Gold said, gesturing to the mess that Layla was working to rectify. Seeing her take initiative, the less injured of the two men Madam Gold brought with her began to help. He kept glancing up at Layla warily.

"What about Fisham?" The messenger asked.

"Send a small scouting party. We don't know if they been taken over or burnt to the ground. If they're still standing, then we'll figure out what help we can give." The two men who had come with the message nodded and left.

Cyrus strode over to Madam Gold, standing with his hands on his hips. She looked down her nose at him, but Layla knew that was all he needed. The moment she saw Madal Gold swaying on her feet, it was evident Cyrus was up to his tricks.

"Madam Gold, I do sincerely apologise for what happened here, and the loss of Beth. It was a desperate situation. We all do what we can to survive," Cyrus clasped his hands together. Layla stopped watching, but listened closely as she started a pile for broken items.

"Which is why I never want to see you here, again." The sharpness had fled from Madam Gold's voice, leaving a rubbery croak in its wake.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"This is fine. You shall not. But even though you cast us out, if we do find a cure, we will be sure that you get it. We bear no ill feelings." Layla knew he was lying. She would hear all of his ill feelings in a buffet of diatribes later. Cyrus paused as if to give Madam Gold the chance to speak, but she did not. "Could you not, at least, bare to part with a sled cart? Perhaps a few provisions for those two unfortunate ladies? They also are just doing their best to survive. After all, our success is in everyone's best interest, even if we have made some mistakes along the way."

"More than mistakes..." Madam Gold responded sluggishly. Her long, rattling sigh was audible. "But I see your point." There was a pause, and Layla glanced over as Madam Gold gestured to Sheriff Black. "See that they have whatever we can spare."

"That's not my job," Sheriff Black barked.

"You can't be serious!" Jay protested. "It's bad enough you are letting them go, but giving them supplies!? After what they've done?"

"I won't be told what I can or can't do by a hawk!" Madam Gold sputtered, raising her cane and flailing it. "This is my huddle!" Madam Gold snapped her fingers. "Run along, boy." She then made a sweeping gesture to Sheriff, who grumbled and turned to head out.

Jay looked as though he might explode at the Goldilocks leader, but he reigned in his temper after looking around. His gaze lingered on Lily, who looked over at him. She reached out to him and took a step forward, only for him to turn quickly away. "Jay, please don't... I'm not a monster."

Jay took a few more steps towards the exit, but then stopped, his clenched fist trembling. He looked over his shoulder at Lily. "No, Lily, you're the sweetest girl I met. But I don't believe there's a cure. And I won't watch you become one of those things. Goodbye."

Lily gasped and began to rush over to him, but Linda held her back. Her eyes grew even redder. Layla observed that the young woman had no shortage of tears, or occasion to deploy them. She tried to recall the last time she cried. Catharsis takes different forms for everyone.

"So that's Lily's sweetheart who she all too readily cheated on," Cyrus remarked quietly as he stood beside Layla. She did not avert her gaze from Lily who turned and began to sob into Linda's shoulder. Madam Gold looked uncomfortable with the display of emotion, clacking her cane as she hurriedly strode across the platform.

"Cheated on, with you. Did she have a choice?"

"Of course she did." Cyrus tilted his head to the side. "The first time, anyway. After that she needed a bit of a nudge. Don't tell Rena."

A whisper of a sigh, the budding of a groan were in Layla's chest, but she dared not release it. She remained as inert as ever, patiently waiting for the next call to action.

"It'll take a few hours to get you your ill gotten gains," Sheriff Black informed Layla and Cyrus. She then turned, whistling sharply at one of the ailing men who got the worst out of the fight. "Come on, let's get some ice on that. No short supply of that, at least."

"So... we're not going to go check on Fisham?" Cyrus shifted his weight from one foot to the other as he continued to watch Linda try to comfort Lily.

"By the time we arrived, there would be little for us to do. Moving forward is the best option," Layla observed.

"True. There wouldn't be time for me to swoop in for an epic save when all has turned grim. Chances are we'd just arrive in time for the clean up instead, which is boring." Cyrus glanced around the room. "Assuming we don't get run out town before then, I guess we'll be leaving tomorrow evening."

"We leave as soon as they return with the supplies."

"Eh!?"

----------------------------------------

Nel laid on her bedroll, petting Maple's hair, listening to her deep breathing. It was a relief that Maple was no longer crying, but Nel wished there was someone to hold and comfort her as well. Peter's life hung in the balance. She'd heard he continued fighting valiantly even with an arrow in his neck, but the removal of it was not as clean as it could have been. And Rena failed to bring Ash back.

Nel's eyes brimmed with burning tears as she thought of Cat. They should never have trusted her. They should have turned all of them out. Sniffling, and still with her heart racing as rage rebelled in her chest, she kissed Maple's forehead to try and soothe herself. It did little for her, but it was enough to stop her from storming off to find Ash herself. She had Maple to take care of, and another life growing inside of her to nurture. Still, Nel was sceptical that it would come to term. Would it be worth babying herself just for another disappointment?

Nel swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat. Running out of the village in a vain search would help nobody. But there was one thing she could do that would certainly help her feel a lot better.

When Nel heard the door, she got up and immediately met Jillian in the entryway. "I'm going out." Nel grabbed her parka, her chin thrust out and a gaze as hard as flint. Jillian looked somewhat bewildered but then nodded.

"Where's Maple?"

"Asleep in my bed." Nel said coldly as she went out the door.

Nel trudged through the village, trying to ignore the scorches and disarray left from the raid. In the morning light it looked even worse, and they were down manpower to set everything right. Nel walked up to one of the few stone buildings where a man was standing guard. He nodded to Nel, but stood in her path.

"No one enters or leaves; you know that, Nel."

"Move aside, Trent."

"No."

Nel glared at the rugged man. "That woman turned on us and took Ash!"

"I know. I know you're hurt, Widdo Nello..." Nel drew in a sharp breath at the irritating nickname, "...but trust me, I'm doing you a favour by not letting you go in there."

"Why? What, do you think I'd kill her?" Nel challenged.

Trent shrugged. "I would want to."

"If she's dead she can't tell me where Ash is. I just want to get her to talk," Nel argued.

"Hmmm, well, I suppose for old time's sake, and if you can snag me an extra ration of the GOOD pork..." Trent said, rubbing his chin and looking around.

"Done." Nel thrust out her hand and Trent shook it. He lowered his spear and stepped aside, unbolting the door.

Nel slid the door panel open and peered into the cell of their jail. Without her leathers and winter gear, Nel could see scars all over Cat's exposed arms. Only seven toes remained on her bare feet. Nel remembered her own close call with frostbite when she was adrift. Cat looked up at Nel briefly, then hung her head again.

"Look at me." Cat did not move. "I demand you look at me!" Still nothing. Nel shut the panel and unbolted the door, swinging it open forcefully. Nel stormed over and crouched in front of Cat, grabbing her dark hair and forcing her head up. She stared straight into the brown eyes of the woman who had taken her son. "Where. Is. Ash?"

As the silence from Cat grew, Nel forced her head back more and more. Finally, in frustration, Nel jerked her head to one side and let go. Cat put a hand down to steady herself and went back to staring at the floor. Nel stood and kicked Cat in the face. "I want my son back!"

Nel took in a deep breath as she watched Cat pick herself up off the floor and wipe her mouth with the back of her hand. Nel reeled back her arm to strike at Cat again, but hesitated. This caused Cat to look up and tilt her head, a question in her eyes. No. A challenge. Cat's lower eyelids trembled as she stared with fierce intensity. Nel's hand shook and she stepped back. She had killed the man who threatened her children. But there was nothing to gain from his life, and much to preserve by ending him. Scavengers were a tough lot. Nel knew from experience. The amount of pain she'd have to put Cat through would not go unnoticed. She didn't wish to cause Trent any trouble. Nel huffed angrily, and then sighed in defeat.

"At least tell me what will happen to him," Nel pleaded.

"As I thought, weak." Cat spat at Nel's feet. She stepped back, nose wrinkled in disgust.

"We drove your lot back."

"Hmph." Cat rolled back her shoulders and shifted until she was sitting cross-legged. "No one expected to be attacked by wolves." Cat narrowed her eyes. "You have one among you, don't you?"

Nel met Cat's slivered eyes with a glower of her own. But the question worried her. Nonetheless, she claimed ignorance. "One what?"

"A shifter."

Nel was taken aback. She had recently learned that vampires existed in addition to the infected. Even in her earnest shock, Cat seemed sceptical as her lips curled contemptuously.

"Don't play dumb."

"I'm not. What is a shifter?" Nel placed her hands on her hips.

"Just as it sounds," Cat responded unhelpfully. Nel crossed her arms and lifted her chin, staring down her sloped nose at the prisoner. Neither woman spoke for a time.

"Where's my son?" Nel asked again, this time sounding more exasperated than menacing.

Cat lifted her scarred eyebrow and laced her fingers together. "Safe."

"Safe? You took him by force!" Nel's hands flexed, imagining herself strangling Cat. The only thing holding her back is that choking did not help communication. "Why did you take him!?"

Again the prisoner was silent, and Nel was getting ready to deliver another blow, calculating where there would be the least evidence when Cat lifted her chin and spoke. "So he won't share our fate - prey for a monster!"

A chill ran down Nel's spine. Nel took a step back, and a smug expression came over at's face. Nel's fingernails dug into the palm of her hand and she glared at Cat. "I would NEVER let that happen!"

"Don't be naive. He sings praises of that girl, Rena. But she has a taste for blood, doesn't she?"

Nel swallowed hard, but kept her glare intact, trying to hide her growing unease. She wondered how Cat figured out Rena's secret, and then began to wonder who else might be able to discern her true nature. But then, wasn't it Rena's plan to reveal the truth to the other wards soon? With a deep breath, Nel calmed her nerves. She didn't need to guard this secret any longer. "Yes. But... I have no idea what you mean when you talk of a shifter."

Cat narrowed her eyes, and Nel detected the first sign of uncertainty. Cat cleared her throat, dabbing her lip again to check if it was still bleeding. "So you admit to Rena being a monster, but still deny that she is a shifter?"

"I don't know what that is!" Nel said with exasperation. "She drinks blood, but she doesn't shift anything!"

Cat's eyebrows furrowed. "...She does not turn into a wolf?"

"Why? Do you know someone who does?" Nel blurted.

"Not a wolf. A bat. You are telling me she's kept that side of her hidden?" Cat asked, cocking an eyebrow.

Nel took in a deep breath. Had Rena been hiding even more from her? From everyone? Or were there other things out there besides vampires? Walking over to the wall, Nel leaned against it and crossed her arms. "I don't know. But I would never allow Rena to feed on Ash. Please, he's safe with us. If you think you are protecting him, you are not!"

With a derisive snort, Cat stood up. "With shifters, no one allows them to do anything. They just take what they want. Choice is an illusion. If she wants him, she will take him, and there is nothing you can do about it. There was nothing we could do - which is why we fled."

The words that Nel had always thought were being spoken out loud, and they were more horrifying given voice. Nel's heart began to race as the fears she'd been trying to overcome were let out to play. What could she do if Rena turned on them? But Rena allowed herself to be exiled. Perhaps Rena was simply not as strong as some of the other vampires, or shifters, or whatever these creatures of the night were.

"I just want my son back," Nel said tiredly. It was too much to contemplate who the real threats were. All she knew was that no matter what happened, she would do her best for her children.

"It's out of my hands now. My band keeps on the move. We take what, and who, we need, then move on, lest the Baron find us."

"The Baron? Is that your... bat shifter?" Nel asked.

"That's what he calls himself. At first he promised us protection and prosperity. But in the end we all became his slaves." Cat crossed her arms, dipping her chin and staring hard at Nel. "Whatever promises she made, I'm sure they come at a cost."

"And he'd drink you blood?" Nel asked, wanting to clarify the similarities.

"Yes. His appetite grew over the years, and he became careless as to how much he took from any one person. And if any of us became too weak, he'd throw us out like trash."

"It's unfortunate you encountered such a fiend. But Rena has been straight forward with us," Nel wasn't feeling confident as she said this, and hoped it wasn't noticeable in her voice. "I will bring my son back home, with or without your help."

"As I said, I don't know where they are heading," Cat said, sounding faintly apologetic.

"Not even a direction?"

"Anywhere but south."

"Where did you come from?"

"The west, maybe a little south as well," Cat shrugged. "I don't know why I even am telling you that much. You got another child, don't you? What about her?"

"What about her? I'm taking care of her too."

"You can't think you can take care of her and find your son. Either you leave her to find him, or you stay and cut your losses."

Nel sighed and shook her head. "He will be found." Aggravated by the truth of the matter, Nel left, slamming the door shut behind her. As she put the deadbolt back in place she sighed. Cat was right. She either had to leave Maple behind in the care of someone else, likely her mother-in-law, or stay behind to care for Maple while hoping someone else could rescue Ash. But she worried no matter which decision she chose, the other child would feel less loved or abandoned. What should I do?