I was falling and falling fast clutching Rameses to my chest as concrete and debris rained down around us. I saw Jasper's face for only a moment before the world around me swirled is fire and dust. I hit the ground hard, at least I wasn't falling anymore.

I had landed on hard rocky ground, looking up I could see a thousand stars above as the last light of day was washing out of the sky replaced with an inky black. I sat up before surveying my surroundings which seemed to be riddled with thorny bushes, rock, and sand. Then I spotted something that definitely shouldn't be in Chicago a massive spiny cactus, where was I cause it sure as heck wasn't Chicago.

Aside from the full moon up above there was only one other light source a small flickering orange ember. I took me a moment to realize it was Jasper, I released Rameses to pull twigs and branches off of the bushes placing them carefully on top of Jasper who quickly tried to spread and consume the twigs with some difficulty. Rameses dark fur nearly disappeared into the darkness surrounding us, I really only saw him because of the clumps of dry grass he had in his mouth.

Rameses dropped the bundle directly onto Jasper who I worried would be smothered, I was happy to be proven wrong as he flared up into a small flame devouring the kindling. Rameses ran off into the darkness again while I found larger branches for Jasper. I could hear a dragging sound and when I stood up to try to locate it I saw Rameses or rather I saw a log being jerkily moving towards us, I went to help him grabbing a hold of one of the branches. Together we dragged the log over to Jasper who climbed up on top of it as he started burning it.

"Let's never do that again." Jasper's voice rung out from the fire as he went from orange to a pale blue color.

"What even happened? one moment the building was fine, the next it was coming down around us." Rameses asked settling next to where I had sat down near Jasper since it was really cold out right now.

"I don't know, what about the others?" I asked since I hadn't seen them since I fell.

"I'm sorry Morgan they were too far and I didn't have the strength to take everyone." Jasper replied sadly.

"You shouldn't worry Morgan, Maya is a powerful witch I highly doubt she couldn't get your mother and sister out of harms way." Rameses reassured pushing his head under my hand.

"Where even are we?" I asked petting Rameses, none of our surroundings looked familiar but there did seem to be a town way down the ridge if the pinpricks of light were to be believed.

"I have no idea, I was trying to take us back to the museum but I don't think we are even in the same state anymore." Jasper replied with a crackle as the log split.

"We shouldn't stay here who knows what's around here." Rameses said standing up.

"Are you good to go Jasper?" I asked, the sooner we got to town the sooner I could call Mom and make sure they were all alright.

"I'll be fine." Jasper said before changing into a five year old version of himself. The three of us set off towards the lights careful to avoid the sharp thorn of cactus and brush. I needed to get a better flashlight as mine barely lit the path and only reflected eyeshine when I pointed it in the direction of things moving through the underbrush. Getting to the town was scary like being in a real life horror movie Jasper would flare every time Rameses started growling at something he would see but never tell me what it was.

We finally got to the town but it wasn't until we got into what I assumed was the main part of the town as we found a superstore with a massive parking lot. The back half had RVs and cars parked in it while the half closer to the store was practically empty aside from a blue SUV.

"Let's go in, worst comes to worst I can buy a phone and call Mom." I said as we started across the parking lot. Jasper went back into his lantern while I put Rameses harness on as we got to the doors. I was about to go in when a blonde man ran into me as he came out the wrong door a bag of groceries probably having made it so he didn't see me.

"I am so sorry, I didn't see you there." The man said as he steadied me before I fell.

"It's alright no harm done." I said as he released his hold on me.

"You're not from around here are you?" The man asked with a tilt of his head.

"How do you figure that?" I asked a chill running up my spine.

"I think I'd remember such a pretty face, and you have this darling little lady." The man said looking to Rameses who's gloom I could feel nagging at my mind.

"Actually he is named Rameses." I told him trying to alleviate Rameses despair.

"My apologies, how about I treat you to dinner since I did run into you and misgendered your cat." The man asked as I could feel Jasper's lantern heating up.

"Yeah, no. I don't get into stranger's cars." I replied hoping that would shut down the conversation.

"Oh no worry about that there's a restaurant just down the street you can see the top of it from here." He replied pointing out a restaurant sign that poked up above other buildings maybe a five minute walk. I didn't get the chance to reply as he grabbed my wrist gently but firmly and led me towards the restaurant groceries in the other.

"If he tries anything I'm going to kill him." Rameses growled in my mind obviously upset at the situation and given how hot the lantern was getting Jasper agreed.

"Go for his crotch first then his eyes, but wait until he actually does something. There is a small chance he is just a nice guy." I replied causing Rameses to quiet his growling. The man brought us into the restaurant before letting go and chose a table near the door, I sat at the table but chose the seat nearest to the door and Rameses settled near my feet but remained sitting in case things went bad.

"My name is Damian, Damian Whiteman." The man told me as a waitress brought over a couple of menus. I tensed as a hand landed on my shoulder my fear must have reached Rameses as he jumped up hissing only to stop a moment later.

"You really should be going pup, there is no reason for you to linger here." A familiar voice said coldly from behind me, taking a look confirmed that it was Seth and he was staring down Damian.

"The little lady can decide if she wants me to leave or not." Damian replied looking Seth up and down as if evaluating him.

"The little lady is with me, so why don't you run along and find something else to occupy your time, your brother's could use some help." Seth replied tossing a necklace onto the table, Damian's twisted from calm to shocked and then fearful as he snatched the necklace and bolted for the door. With Damian gone Seth took his seat across from me looking briefly into the grocery bag Damian had left behind before dismissing it.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as Rameses hoped up into the seat next to me.

"Well after your performance in Chicago I tracked you only to find you in danger. You really shouldn't let someone bully you into doing something you know you shouldn't." Seth replied.

"We could have handled it we had a plan." I replied looking over the menu briefly before deciding to just get a dessert.

"That man wasn't what he seemed, he was a creature who could have ripped both Rameses and your little wisp to shreds. One day such beings will be no more than ants to you but for now they are too much for you to handle." Seth replied boredly.

"What did you mean by my performance?" I asked, he couldn't mean the building collapse right? Maybe he meant our run in with Akinyi and the lions.

"Well bringing down a whole building does tend to draw attention, don't worry about that though I threw the witches who came looking off your trail. Do try not to do such things again though or do but I'm not cleaning up the mess next time." Seth told me as the waitress brought over a coffee and a cup of hot cocoa even though we hadn't even ordered yet. She pulled out her notepad only for a confused look to cross her face as she started scribbling before walking away.

"I didn't make the building fall." I told him a little angrily.

"Yes you did, maybe not intentionally but you did." Seth replied.