Zodiac

13

I rushed up to Willow's side, putting an arm around her. "Willow? Are you okay?" Instead of responding, she threw her arms around me and sobbed into my shoulder. "Hey. It's okay. You killed it." I looked to her parents for support.

But they both stared at us as if we were alien. "What... what was that?" Her dad asked, holding a frying pan as a potential weapon.

"That," Aaron stepped inside, blood trickling from his mouth, "was a Hala. A female storm spirit. They love chaos, in case you couldn't tell." He examined his arms and hands for injuries.

"Why was it here?" Willow's mother speaks up.

"Presumably, it was sent by someone, though we have no idea who." He went on to count the rips in his clothes.

Willow's parents looked at each other before looking to me. "Jackson, please tell us how you did that." They looked more worried than ever.

"How I did what?" I think over most of the things that took place in the last ten minutes. "If you're asking how I survived, I don't know either."

Willow stepped toward her parents. "Look, I know that seemed strange, but it's fine. See?" She showed them how little injuries she had. As she stepped closer, they retreated. "Mom? Dad?"

Her dad swallowed and shook the pan. "Willow... no... whatever you are... you need to leave." Willow stared at them, shaking her head slightly.

"Now." They took a step closer to her, but she stood her ground.

"M-mom... dad... please!" She took a step closer too fast, and her father swung the pan. Willow crumpled to the ground.

Aaron's hands ignited. "Stay away from her." His horns materialized again. "If you don't want her, then you don't deserve her." He gestured for me to pick her up, and I complied. "Gemini, I think we should leave."

"But-"

"Shut up and try not to drop Taurus." He hissed and turned to leave.

I've never felt worse than when I followed him.