"And that's exactly why you should join our super amazing team! Don't you see all the benefits you can receive?"
The three of us are surrounding Dylan, though I realize the proximity might make him uncomfortable so I take a step back.
"She got you guys to agree to this too?"
He looks between Max and Jeremiah, almost dumbfounded. Was our idea really that bad? And does that seriously mean he must think I'm the one that created it?
"Hey, it was originally their idea! I just wanted to help…"
Because I don't want to hurt the people closest to me ever again.
"'Well, I don't see why not… maybe it'll be fun?"
Of course, being good at business I deal with all of the boring paperwork. Somehow, all of them seem shocked when I drive them to the warehouse.
"Clarissa-"
"Why do you guys look like that? I thought we were going to take these people down!"
"With an… empty warehouse? That you've somehow tried to repurpose into a makeshift gym-"
"Well, it's nice to have! Alright? I know we might not get together often, since we all have work and lives and such. But I have spare keys for each of you."
Dylan still looks uneasy. Has nobody tried to contact him yet, like they did to me that one night?
"Dylan?"
"Do you get paid to do this? Are Max and Jeremiah getting paid too?"
"Uh… no?"
It takes a minute for the gears to turn in my head, and I think I realize why he's asking.
"We're not working with any humans, since they wouldn't be able to see our powers. Would definitely be nice if there was compensation for this, though-"
"This is worth something, at least to me. Getting rid of whoever's behind this will lift a weight off my chest, I want to be sure that the people I care about are safe!"
"Jeremiah's right! We should all have his enthusiasm, guys!"
Both Max and Dylan literally stare at me like I've grown a third head. Didn't they agree to this? Willingly?!
However, the actual logistics of the plan are worse than I thought, Everyone is busy, including me!
"Guys, when do you think we can all meet up at the warehouse?"
Our new group chat has been painfully dry since its creation. But at least we haven't been caught yet.
"Max and I try to go during the later half of the week- we've been practicing boxing and stuff."
"What about you, Dylan?"
"I didn't think we had to go there on our own time…"
Oh, brother. Does he think this is a game?
"If you don't send me a picture of you at the warehouse tomorrow I'm not giving you kisses for a whole month."
"Okay, okay- I'll go! Don't threaten me with a punishment worse than death, I beg of you!"
He's pretty funny when he's sarcastic, if I'm being totally honest. Yet we still have no solution to our dilemma.
I'll have to take some matters into my own hands.
"I know you're out there!"
A chill runs down my spine. Gosh, why did I decide to go out near an alley at three in the morning?!
Well, it made sense to me. It's an evil hour, and they're evil people…
"Ah!-"
My leg feels really warm right now. And wet.
"I told you not to intervene… didn't I?"
Blood drips onto the sidewalk as I fall over. It's dark, and I'm wearing long pants- so I pat my leg with my hand and bring it up to my lips.
Metallic.
"Why won't you explain yourself then?! What have any of us done to you?"
I wish there was some sort of school yearbook so that I could identify every cupid and anti-cupid. Unfortunately, everyone learns to disguise themselves so well at a young age, and there's no such thing as a family reunion in our world.
"You're the one that gave birth to the monster- shouldn't you pay the price as well, then? Even though I warned you to stay away…"
"Ugh!"
Trying to limp away from her doesn't seem to help anyone in this situation, and I can hear the faintest shatter of glass as my phone falls out of my pocket.
My fear might seem like it makes no sense, but being immortal doesn't mean we can't feel pain- and ugh, my leg hurts like hell right now…
"Clarissa…"
There's a ringing in my ears, and it only gets louder as my own name echoes in my head. Do I have to tell them I'm not showing up to work tomorrow?
"Clarissa! You were looking a little sleepy, so I got you an extra shot of caffeine in your espresso!"
Unlike my usual chatty self, I simply stare at Seraphine for a long moment. This doesn't feel like my own body. My own reality.
"Clarissa…? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine- thanks for the coffee."
I don't remember ever going home last night. Or coming here. What about-
My gaze drifts downward to a completely bandaged leg under a different pair of long pants.
So it wasn't a dream, huh?
Nevertheless, I show up at the warehouse later that day to see Dylan. I won't tell the others what happened. I shouldn't worry them more.
"You punch hard for someone who seems so soft."
A quiet chuckle escapes my lips, and he finally turns around. A cocky smirk crosses his own expression, and I have to hold back my scoff.
"That was just a warmup- but I'm glad I gave you something to ogle, cupid."
He continues hitting the punching back, so I creep up from behind him and whisper in his ear.
"Come on… I'm here now. Take a break, just for a bit."
Is it bad to want a little attention now? We've been apart for a few days… I place a hand on his chest, to use some of my powers to entice him a little-
"Ow-"
He flinches back like he's been burnt, and my own eyes widen.
"Dylan! What happened?! Is something wrong?"
"I…"
A loud thud sounds on the warehouse floor as he collapses. Dread consumes me.
Is he sick? Did I do this? Has he been overworking himself?
It might be the adrenaline, but I'm able to lift him to my car as we drive to the hospital.
"Clarissa? Are you guys at the warehouse?"
"No- something happened to Dylan, I'm taking him to the emergency room."
Then, a thought pops into my mind, and I can't help asking Jeremiah.
"Which one of your parents is an anti-cupid?"
"My dad doesn't approve of me joining the team."
"You've been doing this behind his back? Why wouldn't he want to help?"
Yet in the back of my mind, I understand. I don't want my own kid getting hurt either- but if I could just talk to Alphonse…
The hospital seems unbearably far away, maybe because I'm so anxious. But we get there, and I'm forced to stay in the waiting room.
"Dylan!"
If it was possible, I think Max would've opened the door with full force (though the entrance had automatic doors), because he runs inside the same way Dylan ran for him when he was found.
After the receptionist tells him the room number, my gaze follows him as he speed walks down the hallway.
I feel a tap on my shoulder, and Jeremiah is sitting next to me. He looks just as worried as me.
"My dad drove us here… what happened at the warehouse?"
"I just used some of my powers, and he fell!-"
His expression seems like he's trying to process what I just said, when Alphonse enters as well.
"What did you do, Clarissa?!"
"Huh-"
He grasps onto my shoulders, eyes wide with frustration and anger. I'm at a loss for words.
"Dad! Dylan might've just been tired, or dehydrated."
The grip on my shoulders loosen, but I'm still bewildered. What just happened? After a moment, Max is walking back towards us, quieter than before.
"The doctor said he has a fever of 105 degrees... it could be fatal. But he's just unconscious right now."
105 degrees?! Has he been sick this entire time? I feel horrible now, since I forced him to go to-
"Clarissa."
Alphonse's gaze is dark, and I can't feel like it really is all my fault. Tears well in my eyes, and his next words don't help.
"We need to speak. Privately."