Regret.

So much regret.

All the regret.

Nothing, but the regret.

Every time I closed my eyes, I felt his lips against mine. My own body rebelling against my mind as I felt myself react and return his kiss. Damn, that was a good kiss. And damn, if I didn't want it to continue. Luckily, I had stopped it. But was it really lucky? I'd kissed him. Might as well have gone all the way. Wouldn't have made me regret it any less. But now that I was regretting it, I'm sure the post-sex fog would have helped dull some of it.

I closed my eyes anyway, feeling a phantom warmth against my lips. My hands shook I raised them, pressing my palms against my eyes till all I saw were oddly-coloured orbs instead of green eyes. Nothing to escape them. No sleep, no drink. I had tried to drink... but I couldn't force myself to do anything with the glass of scotch in front of me— apart from fill it, and raise it to my lips. Great. Thanks. Now that's a waste. And it's good scotch too. Should've handed it over to one of them.

I looked up as my phone buzzed loudly on my glass table. The screen lit up with one word from the current bane of my life.

Tonight.

I ducked my head back behind my hands. It was almost morning again. I'd been hating myself for a solid few hours now. Nothing like a good, old self-loathing session before a good, old betrayal session. Funnily enough, it's the only thing I don't seem to have feelings about. I mean, I might die again tonight if it backfired. Which it might. The Hunters are well prepared but... the others are stronger, faster, immortal, more experienced.

I looked up again, the sudden realisation hitting me that this might actually be my last day.

My eyes went to the sunrise. Seen it way too many times. It's getting boring. Food? Yeah, food is good. Last meal type of stuff. We can order pizza for lunch. I can make myself a giant breakfast right now, and then I should be able to move by the time I have to leave for work.

Yeah. That sounds good. That sounds... distracting.

I hopped up from the couch, in the mood for something crunchy and something sweet. The chicken and waffles from Antonio's cafe came to mind. I can make that. I have his recipe, and I have the ingredients.

I pulled out the chicken, letting it defrost on my counter as I made the waffle batter. Then I placed it in the microwave because it wasn't defrosting fast enough and left to take a shower. If this is going to be my last day, I'm going to look good. Not going get caught off-guard like the first time around again.

I started a new show as when I started cooking. The waffles were good, the chicken was spicy. I placed some more pieces in the marinade, placing it inside the freezer to eat later. The show was interesting too, I might be able to catch a few more episodes of it when I got back home after my shift tonight. The glass of scotch had been placed in the fridge too. There is a plan for tonight- a good plan, with good food, a good show, and a good drink.

I got dressed, looking at myself in the mirror and wishing I could wear something more glamourous. The ripped t-shirt dress was cute, but I wanted more than that. I still had all the dresses from when I used to go to nightclubs almost everyday. But again, those are nightclub dresses. Maybe I'll hit one up on my day off soon. The makeup was fine, it would last the day. I was using a new bag.

This attempt at rekindling some excitement in my life on the day of what might possibly be my last was rather grim. A part of me just wanted to give in to the dread lurking in the back of my mind. The anxiety, the fear and the worry had formed a soup of emotions I couldn't actually explain.

Exhaling softly, I slipped on a pair of new sneakers, tapping them against the ground to break them in before heading out. I didn't want to sit at home. I didn't want to think. It's a bit early in the month to do inventory, but with Christmas and New Year lurking, it wouldn't really be out of place.

My gaze was purposefully glued to the ground as I left my building. I didn't want to see who was following me today. I didn't want to chance the fact that it might be Tr-Wi-Asshole.

Dottie's eyebrows shot up into her hairline the moment she saw me walk into the restaurant. She quickly turned back to her customers, but I did see some curiosity cross through her eyes.

Her question came the moment she got a free moment.

"You got a date today?" She asked excitedly, hopping up behind me as I worked in the storeroom. I smiled to myself as I felt her warm aura encompass me.

I laughed. "No. I just felt like dressing up."

"Oh, so you're not meeting Trace?" She sighed as my gut reacted violently to that name. "What a shame. He is nice to look at now and then."

"Yup." I gritted out, irritation leaking into my voice.

"Have you met any of his friends?"

"A good amount."

"Do you think you could set me up?" I glanced at her sideways to see her dramatically drape herself against the doorsill. "The market isn't very big for single moms out there."

"Most of them are tied up." I replied blankly, hoping to discourage her.

"Any of them single dad's with kids?" Oh my god. "I don't mind having another little kid."

I took a moment to reply as I counted something out in my head. "You sure you can handle it?"

"Yeah, I could." I could hear the wistfulness in her voice. "I've always wanted two kids."

"Did you now?"

"Yeah." She chuckled. "Even thought I wasn't in the best place when I got knocked up, I was secretly hoping for twins."

My mind automatically went to Sarah and Sylvia. "Get it all out in one go, eh?"

"Yeah. It wouldn't make Miranda feel lonely, you know?" I felt Dottie's fingers run through my open hair. "I mean, she's home by seven, and I usually get home by eleven with the commute so... I think it would do her good to have someone around."

I chewed the end of my pen. Should I stock up on more vodka? "Get a dog. It's a..." But spiked eggnog tastes better with darker drinks. "... a lesser investment than an entire kid."

Dottie gasped, whacking my shoulder before resuming combing her finger through my hair. "You're awful. A dog is no replacement for a kid."

"Some people do talk about them as their kids."

"And good on them."

"I agree with them." I looked up, scratching down the bottles of brandy we had remaining. "They are quite expressive. And I won't need to disfigure my body to get one."

"Disfigure?" She tugged my hair, making me chuckle. "I did not 'disfigure' my body! Miranda is the best thing that happened to me!"

"I believe you." I replied through a sigh. "But I'm not having kids."

"Missing out."

"Not according to me."

"Is this because you were abandoned as a kid?"

I stopped working, turning my head to throw her a glare. She gave me a sheepish smile. "Too much?"

"Yes." I hissed, narrowing my eyes at her. "I wasn't abandoned. My women who gave birth to me died."

"I know, I know." She sighed, raising her grey eyes to meet mine. "I'm pretty sure she would have wanted to raise you if she had the chance. You're an amazing woman, and I'm sure she'd be proud of who you are."

I haven't ever talked about this. And I don't think I ever would have until Dottie spoke up. And that asshole psychic in that Hunter cafe who brought it up to emotionally blackmail me.

"Sure." I replied vaguely, turning away as I decided to let sleeping mothers lie.

"Sorry I brought it up." She sighed again, ruffling the hairs on the back of my neck. "My neighbour is preggy and she's been asking my help with things and it just... makes me nostalgic, you know?"

"Uh huh." I wasn't enjoying this conversation.

"Maybe Trace will be the one for you, you know?" I stiffened, my fingers tightening on my pencil. "Get married in a year or two, have kids in three, get that dog you wa-"

"Uh, hey, Dottie– I'm kind of busy here." I twisted to throw her a tight-lipped smile. "So, can you..." I trailed off. The sentence was obvious.

"Right." She looked away from me, her hands dropping away from my hair. "Sorry... I clearly crossed a line and... sorry." She nodded once, eyes down as she turned to leave. The murky look of her aura was similar to what Asshole had around me these days. "Tie your hair, or the braid will unravel."

I didn't reply, turning back to the shelves as I struggled to forget about the bomb that had been dropped on me. Dottie has good intentions for me, but seriously- she should butt out of things that aren't her business.

I groaned to myself, raising a hand to rub my eyes but stopping an inch away. Makeup. Right.

It doesn't matter right now. What she said doesn't matter. I hadn't even considered marriage when I was dating that guy, so it doesn't actually affect me as much as hearing his name does. It's just... distracting. I felt sick to my core just imagining being tethered to life with a liar.

Dottie didn't make eye contact with me for the entirety of the day till lunch time. Sasha complimented my look when he stepped out, noticing the tension-filled air between his other co-workers right after.

"Did something happen?" He asked, eyes wide as he met both our eyes.

"Nah." I waved it off, swiping through pizza options on my phone. "Do you guys want pepperoni?"

"You decide." Dottie mumbled absently.

I looked up from the phone. "So you don't mind if I add jalapenos?"

"No." Liar. She has a horrible spice tolerance.

I smirked, meeting Sasha's eyes. "Extra extra jalapenos?"

Sasha smirked back, brown eyes twinkling as he understood what I was getting at. "Super extra ja-lapenoz."

"O-okay." She was sounding more and more hesitant.

"Actually..." Sasha's smirk got wider. "Let's just orders some spicy chicken sandwiches!"

"Sp-spicy?"

"Sounds great." I nodded enthusiastically. "Extra spice for all of us, of course."

"Of course." Sasha echoed gleefully.

"Uh, Ryleigh?"

I looked up with a wide grin. "Yes, Dottie?" She opened her mouth, letting it fall back shut over it. "More spice?"

She turned slightly white. "No... uh... let's get pepperoni."

"No spice?" Sasha pouted mockingly.

She grimaced, starting to recover from this morning. "Please?"

I laughed at her soft mew. "Yeah. Don't worry. No spice."

Dottie finally cracked a smile at that, recognising our rubbing and shaking her head. "You two are awful. I'd be breathing fire if I tried to keep up with you two."

"The spice of the life is in the spice." Sasha shrugged, leaning on the counter. I heard it creak.

"The more spice, the better." I agreed with a chuckle, placing down an order for two large pepperonis with extra cheese. The second one was for Sasha. "My treat." I called out easily.

"You're in a good mood." Sasha grinned widely.

"Yeah. I am." I looked up, flashing them both a crooked smile. "Felt like living today as my last."

The two chuckled innocently at my joke, no idea that I might really mean it. If something were to go wrong tonight, it would seem like I had vanished into thin air. I had no doubt both organisations had the resources for that.

The rest of the hours till Sasha and Dottie and left passed by smoothly. The lunch rush tips were good, for once. The dressing up really did magic on the office workers' wallets.

I watched the two leave, waving wistfully as they stepped out the front door. The sadness at watching them go faded away, replaced by a dull sense of danger. My hand slipped inside my bag as I passed by it, taking an odd sort of relief from my constant metal companion these days.

Less than ten minutes later, I got a text from the same hated number.

Backdoor.

They were here.

I leaned over my phone, reading the one word over and over to let it sink in. It's happening. It's really happening. It's happening now.

My phone dinged with another impatient text a few minutes later, breaking me out of the haze I'd fallen into. I nodded to myself, reaching for the backdoor keys Sasha placed on the ring beside the kitchen doors. Not a lot of customers as usual, but I put up a 'Be Right Back' sign anyway.

I didn't turn on the lights as I walked in you the kitchen. I could see well enough, and I knew the layout like the back of my hand. The backdoor was used to supply groceries when Sasha came in early every morning. It opened out into an alley we shared with the other businesses.

The lock click echoed off the kitchen tiles and the door was pulled open the moment it did. Asshole stood on the other side with five other people and a grin.

I ignored him, looking over his entourage and their auras, subdued with tension and worry. "That's it?" I asked slowly, voice low and sceptical. "You said thirty."

"We're here to prep for the rest." I stepped aside as he moved forward to let them in. "We need to hide our presence from those creatures till it's peak hours."

"I... see." I replied slowly, watching him move around the kitchen. I grimaced as he dropped his bag and pulled out markers. "These signs won't be visible right?"

"No. They're only visible under UV lights." Grey walked past me, throwing me a nod with Sara and Sylvia trailing after them.

I raised an eyebrow as I met their similar eyes. "And kids are good idea to get to a bloodbath?"

"We're not kids." Sylvia sneered as usual.

Sarah shook her head. "We're just here to monitor the place. We'll leave as soon as the bar is at full capacity."

"Okay." I threw Harry walking in last a worried look. "You can ensure that?"

"Children have no place in a massacre." He replied grimly, stopping in front of me and placing a hand in my shoulder. "Ryleigh, what you're doing here is right."

I was busy staring down at his hand as if it a piece of dead fish. "Okay..."

"These demons and angels need to wiped out. They roam around on earth like it's their playground, using and throwing humans aside like they're broken toys." I looked up as his voice started rising. "Today, we deal a huge blow against them. Thanks to you."

"Uh, yeah." I took a step back, letting the back door swing shut. "Sure. Just don't make a lot of noise in here, or touch anything, or eat anything. This place is soundproof, but not very. And Sasha will get mad at me if something is missing." I took a step back, shrugging again. "Uh, good luck or whatever. Don't shoot me this time."

"Gerheart didn't shoot you." Sylvia hissed.

"The five bullets I caught are a good reason for me to deny your denial." I snapped at her, walking past the seething teen.

"Hey, Ryleigh." Sara smiled at me. I returned her smile with a stiff one. Nice kid, but I don't want to see her either after the next few hours.

Grey had already set to work, scrawling something in invisible ink on the floor. Asshole looked up at me expectantly as I approached him, standing up with the clear intention to talk. I'd only intended to walk past him. "Hey." He gave me a soft smile. "How are you doing?"

"Fine." I nodded at the door, the one he was blocking my path to. "Got customers."

"I know. Just wanted to ask how you felt. You look nervous."

"Oh gee. I wonder why." I replied dryly, placing my arms across my chest. "It's not like I'm facilitating the massacre of other species in my bar. A substantially stronger, and long-lasting species."

"We can cut them down." Asshole patted his side. It was just now that I realised he was carrying. "Don't worry about it. You'll be free after today."

"Uh huh." I nodded vaguely, eyes glued to the bulge at the side of his waist. I caught the dull glint of leather in the weak light streaming through the kitchen door windows. "That should do it."

His smile faded a bit, eyes shifting to the other Hunters in here. "I wanted to ask about last ni-"

"Isn't your wife coming too?" I cut him off on purpose. "This seems like an all-hands-on-deck kind of situation."

Sharp pink crossed through his aura. Still had to figure that out. Brown is very clearly guilt. "Yeah, she's... at one of the exit points."

"Nothing but the best surrounding me." I nodded vigorously, moving to step past him. "Colour me reassured. See you."

"Listen, Ryleigh. Wai-" I took a large step to get away from him, but he jerked me back with his fingers wrapping around my bicep.

My reaction was immediate, almost caveman-like in performance. My hand immediately flew up to grab his wrist, yanking it off me and throwing it back to him like it was a wet noodle. I saw Grey and Harry shift out of the corner of my eyes, hands moving towards the side of their waists. "Don't touch me!" I hissed, voice low, anger high.

"Fine." Asshole took a step back. Hurt crossed through his eyes as he raised his hands in peace. "I won't. Just have a few more questions."

"Shoot." No pun intended.

"What's the peak hours for the dem-"

"Ninety minutes to two hours after midnight."

"Right. How many de-"

"Fifteen to twenty."

"And ang-"

"Ten to fifteen."

His brow twitched at being cut off for the third time. "We might outnumber them. What's your maximum seat-"

"Thirty to forty. Maybe 50-55 with the standing space."

"The counter?" Harry chimed in from the back as Asshole seethed.

"Ten." But only two ever sit there. However, my chances are better if they come into this hoping to overachieve.

"Thanks." Harry muttered gruffly, turning back to writing on the walls around the door.

I turned away as well, mumbling out a 'good luck' and walking through the kitchen doors. I had my best poker face on as the customers looked up at me. Someone waved to me for a refill, someone waved to me for the bill. I willingly obliged in order to not think about the tiny militia in the back.

I checked in on them again as the time for Lou to arrive got closer. It seemed like thirty. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to count because I was highly distracted by all the guns suddenly pointing at me.

I stepped back out very fast. My heart was beating out of my chest. It was very quiet in there. They were ready.

While I was still trying to calm my racing heart ten minutes later, the bell above the door dinged and a family voice spoke up.

"Good evening, Ryleigh. Great weather out there."

Despite knowing what was going to happen a few hours from now, I felt a weird calm settle over me just from hearing his voice. I looked up as he settled on his seat. "Wouldn't know. It's been a busy night."

He chuckled easily, black eyes roaming over my figure. "Clearly. You look great today."

"Thanks."

"Had a date?"

"Nope. Just felt like it."

"It suits you." He continued as I poured out some whiskey in a glass. "However, I would like to see you in a bit of a... slinky number."

The bell dinged again, and my angelic househelp walked through the door. "Slinky? Like the human toy?"

I groaned to myself. He was getting more and more oblivious by the day. "Mike, it's not midnight yet."

"Who cares?" He replied, oddly out of character. A groan escaped him as he took a seat. "I'm exhausted."

"Really?" Lou scoffed. "Breathing down the necks of demons all day is tiring?" For fuc-

"No. I got a lovely break from watching your kind." Mike replied easily. "The work Ryleigh set out was really... something."

I stiffened. Lou continued without noticing my reaction. "You're just a lackey after all. I have others do my grunt work for me."

I chewed my lip worriedly as I placed a glass in front of Mike. They'll give it away at this rate. "Guys, wait till midnight." I hissed under my breath.

"Fine." Mike wrapped his fingers around the tumbler. "I could do with some peace and quiet anyway."

"Something that's quiet lacking when the two of you are around." I retorted, returning to my end-of-day tasks.

"That's not true." Lou smiled at me. "You enjoy our company."

"Pure speculation." I couldn't help the smile crossing my face as I looked down at the bills.

"Our?" The angel scoffed. "You're the rudest company she has to bear." Surprisingly, not true since last night.

"Like you aren't?" I could hear the eyeroll in the that. "'humans are stupid', 'humans are dumb', 'why do humans use money', 'ooga-booga humans ew-"

"Guys." I cut Lou off in the middle of his mockery. As hilarious and as accurate that was, I had to. The suspicious looks from the human customers were returning, and I didn't want anything to slip out in the middle of their pointless arguing. "Kindly zip it till midnight if you want another drink tonight."

I looked up, giving them a sweet smile. Lou frowned, the most affected by my threat with his glass almost empty already. Pressing his lips together, he grumbled something to himself and turned away from me. Mike smirked to himself, letting his eyes fall shut to enjoy the quiet. I returned to work.

The clock struck midnight and the veil came down. My paranormal customers started walking in through the doors in their usual upbeat mood. I watched them order, take a seat and relax in the booths as they finally let down their guard after a long day. I watched them interact with what probably counts as colleagues in their world, friends even if demons considered such a concept.

The angels always arrived a little later. I always figured that they enjoyed debating against it before eventually turning up here because it's a regular haunt. They rarely let down their guards. I hadn't seen angels relax here to the extent the demons did. The laughing, the casual ribbing and flirting they did with me- none of it. It was just their way. Quiet, cautious, and sophisticated.

It felt almost abnormal to be navigating through this like it was just a normal night. I was breaking up heated banters between angels and demons, managing the thermostat couple that liked to sit at my bar, and overall, enjoying the vibe of the place as I did every night. It was like... nothing was going to happen. Like I hadn't planned to betray everyone on this place.

I felt my phone buzz at the counter. My heart sank to my gut.

Full?

I sighed to myself, looking up at the bar. It was full. About as full as it got most nights, but a bit more so today, now that I looked it over. Some of the standing tables were occupied.

"Slacking off, Ryleigh?" Lou called out, breaking my thoughts.

I shrugged easily at he said that. "You would know, wouldn't you."

"I mean, you seem like you could use a drink." A slow smirk formed on his face. "Did you enjoy the one I made you last night?"

I could see a twinkle in his eyes. "Actually... I didn't drink it." I shrugged, looking down at my phone as I started typing. "Couldn't bring myself too."

"Extending your sobriety?" Mike asked. I nodded once as I sent the message. "Your restraint is commendable."

"Thanks." I replied easily, looking up with a smile.

My eyes went over the bar once again, memorising the camaraderie, the faces, the black white wisps of essence that occasionally darted out... I might lose it all after today.

I heard the kitchen door get pushed open. The sound of the boots on the wooden floor was like that of an army. They moved quick, quickly surrounding my bar and aiming their guns at the rest of my customers. Lou and Mike got the honours of having their own dedicated set of guns.

The place had fallen silent. Everyone in here obvious recognised the humans... the Hunters.

I had to applaud their confidence. Staring down a bar fill of supernatural beings without flinching, ready to rain lead and end them. They seemed to have no idea of what they were up against. The anger of demons and angels first-hand was terrifying to behold.

"What... is the meaning of this, Ryleigh?" Mike spoke up first, glass paused midair, glowing blue eyes glued to me.

I could feel the heat radiating off of him.

I sighed, meeting his eyes as I spoke. My voice was loud. It was an announcement to everyone in here.

"I'm sorry."

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AUTHOR'S NOTES
Tonight.

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