"This is getting scary," Alex says.
"Getting? Where have you been?" Evan asks.
Jeff shoots him a look, and Evan looks away. I notice that there has to be something underlying going on. I try not to think about it. They're still strangers, after all. I don't really know them.
But yet, I feel like I do. Somehow.
"What do we do right now?" I ask, trying to break the tension.
"We need to figure out a game plan," Vinny says. "I just don't know what to do."
Mom paces. "What exactly did he say to you?"
"When? He talked throughout my dream, a villain saying his monologue," I say.
Evan snorts. Mom ignores him. She instead turns to look at me. "So does he know where you are?"
I think for a minute. Does he? No. If Habit knew where I was, he'd be here too. I have no doubt about that.
"No," I say.
"What's his plan?" Jeff asks. "Like, what's his endgame?"
"Convert me to be like him, or kill me. We are the only things in existence that can kill each other," I explain.
"Well, that sounds promising," Evan mutters.
"He knows I'm not alone too. His weakness is that he is, and my strength is that I am not," I say. "So as long as I am with you guys, I should be safe."
"Are you sure about that?" Vinny asks. "I mean - we kinda attract trouble."
"Yes, you do, but I believe you are Pandora's best shot at life," Mom says.
"What are you saying, Mom?"
She smiles sadly. "I have to protect you." She then turns to the boys. "Take care of her for me, all right?"
"Mom, where - "
"You do realize that we aren't even technically adults yet?" Alex says.
"Yes. But I believe wholeheartedly that you can keep my daughter safe. If not one of you, then all. But I must go. I will keep him distracted by me for as long as I can."
"Mom, please don't go," I cry.
Jeff comes over and holds me as I cry, and as my mom leaves me behind.
