What You Don't Know Can't Hurt You

25

Bill motioned everyone around to keep quiet. It was midnight, and pitch black outside. Jill and Mabel were to his left, against the siding of the house, and Will and Gideon were to his right. Bill took a deep breath before stepping in front of the door. He threw his arm out in front of him, and the door fell backward off the hinges.

The group ran inside, quickly checking every room to find it empty. Bill and Gideon walked to the second floor, looking around frantically for any clue but finding none.

The group gathered in the living room. "No one's here." Mabel pointed out. "They found out, and they're gone."

"No, they're not." Jill forced. "They're close. They have to be. I can feel it."

"But where? We already checked everywhere."

Will turned to Gideon. "Is there a basement? Or an attic?"

Gideon nodded. "We have an attic, but we never use it."

Suddenly, a scream came from upstairs. "Let me go!"

The group raced upstairs to the end of the hallway, where Gideon pointed to a trapdoor that blended into the ceiling. Mabel pulled it down, and everyone scrambled up the steps that unfolded, freezing in their tracks when they got up.

Mason and Cole were in the agents' grasps, pinned against them with a hand clamped over their mouth. Each agent pointed a gun at the kids' head.

"Move, and the kids die." Agent Powers forced.

Bill put his hands up. "We come in peace. We don't want to cause any harm. Just give us back Mason, and we'll go."

"In exactly eight minutes, a helicopter will arrive to take us back to D.C.. We're not leaving any of them behind."

"Unless," Agent Trigger started. "You want to trade."

Bill paused, an idea forming in his head. "Give us a minute." He turned around and motioned everyone to come closer.

"What are you doing?" Mabel whispered harshly. "We're not trading!"

"I have an idea." Bill looked at everyone. "Try to get Mason angry."

"Won't that make matters worse?" Gideon asked.

"No. Mason said his powers really come out when he's angry or upset. So, let's make them come out."

Jill grinned. "I like this idea. It just might work." Jill broke off from the group, looking at the agents. "Take him, then."

Gideon followed her, followed by everyone. "Yeah. We weren't really in on saving him, anyway." Mason stared at the group, his eyes wide.

Mabel shrugged. "Our great uncles wanted us to come get him. If if weren't for them, we wouldn't be here." Mason looked at the ground solemnly.

Bill smirked. "It's a good thing you grabbed him at the wedding. It spared the heartbreak of me leaving him at the altar."

Mason quickly looked up at him, glaring. He pushed against Agent Power's arm, making himself free, turned, and punched his jaw. He then marched over to Bill and smacked him.

"If you even think of leaving me at the altar, you're dead, Cipher."

Bill grinned, looking at his soulmate. "It worked!"

Agent Powers rubbed his jaw, looking at Mason and smirking. "You're forgetting something, Pines." He gestured to Cole. "We still have the kid."

Bill motioned to Jill, who was standing behind Agent Trigger. She punched him, knocking him out. Cole scrambled away, running to Mason, who quickly hugged him, holding him tight.

Agent Powers growled, raising his gun at Cole. "No, you won't win, demons!"

"Yes. We. Will." Bill glared at the agent, who pulled the trigger just before falling to the ground.

It was as if everything was in slow motion. Mason saw the agent raise his gun, and spun him and Cole around, pushing the kid aside. Mabel widened her eyes and reached out to her twin, but it was too late- the bullet struck Mason from behind.

Mason fell to the ground, looking up at the ceiling. Mabel and Bill were immediately at his side. "No, Mason, please!" Bill cried out to him. "You can't die!" Bill turned to Will. "Help him! Please!"

Will kneeled down next to his brother, holding his hands above Mason's chest. They glowed blue for a moment, then stopped. "I-I can't. Not without getting the bullet out."

"Then do it!" Bill began to cry.

"If I do, then he will die."

Mason looked at Bill, taking his hand. "Hey. I'll be okay." He smiled weakly. "I'll see you on the other side."

Bill widened his eyes. "Mason! Please, don't leave me!" Mason's eyes began to flutter close. "Mason, please... I can't lose you again..."

Mason closed his eyes and took one last breath before passing out.