Run

V

Two days. Two days of non-stop driving and consistent driver switches for them to reach the middle of fucking nowhere. Alex swore his mom was going crazy as she drove down the wisteria-lined road. Just as Alex was about to voice his thoughts, his mother took a left turn, and he saw it. A large traditional-style house painted beige surrounded by a forest of wisteria trees. Double french doors marked the entrance—a large circular window beside the door on the second floor with a figure standing in it. The house was gorgeous, elegant and straightforward. It was indeed a sight to behold. His mom pulled to the front of the door, putting the car in park before undoing her seatbelt and speaking.

"You guys stay here; let me talk to him first." She headed towards the front door, and the kids watched as she knocked three times. They waited with baited breaths as the figure in the window retreated, and a few moments later, the door opened to reveal a man. Not just any man; this guy was built like a fucking brick wall. He stood at maybe 6"2 with a sculpted moustache and long brown hair peppered with gray. Based on appearance, Alex guessed he was around his mid-fifties to early sixties.

The four watched as Mariah seemed to argue with the man before he eventually relented, and she ran back to the car."Okay, he's agreed to see us now; let's go." She returned to the house and began walking towards the still-open door. The four kids rushed to unbuckle themselves, Fallen grabbed hold of Emily, pulling her into his arms, and they ran to catch up to Mariah.

============

As Mariah knocked on Elijah's door, she was expecting the look of disdain he had on his face as he realized who was at his door.

"Gates," For someone who was her best friend all those years ago, to address her so formally stung a bit.

"Come on, Elijah, are you still mad at me for what happened all those years ago?" She knew her face looked pitiful; she knew he was still mad; she was lucky he even opened the door.

"What are you doing here, Gates?" His tone towards her was cold and calculating.

"Right, I have something-er someone you might want to see." she corrected herself.

"Gates, I don't think you have anything I want to see! You think my research is inhumane and creepy, remember?" He was angry, but they needed answers, and Falren needed medical attention.

"Yeah, I know what I said. But I believe you now! I've seen it myself; I saw a demon, Williams!" She wasn't done. "I have an elven child in the back seat of my car, and a demon attacked us on our way here. We almost died!" Her eyes filled with tears again, but she was desperate and refused to let them fall.

"Shit! Bring them in; I want to see the elf." He finally relented, making his way back into the house. She wasted no time and ran back to the car, telling the kids to get into the house before holding the door for them. She wouldn't give Elijah any time to change his mind.

============

Falren couldn't do this. It hit too close to the way those scientists treated him. The man, Williams, was close and had the same obsessive, curious face as the scientists. Falren was trying so hard to do this for everyone, but he was on the verge of another panic attack. He could feel his eyes filling with tears, and his breathing picked up before he felt both his hands be grabbed and squeezed in comfort. When he looked to either side, he saw Alex holding his right-hand and Nick holding his left; they both gave him comforting smiles.

"It truly is fascinating. By all counts, your existence in this world simply isn't possible." Williams sounded fascinated. "If my theory is correct, the barrier between our worlds closed ages ago."