Kendall shut one eye, picking up the cold, smooth handgun. It was too small and light, compared to the long sniper rifle she usually had. Breathe in, breathe out. She didn't like the fact that there wasn't a scope. She breathed out and pulled the trigger--

"I didn't know you could fire Desert Eagles too." Blake said. However, this caused a misjudgement, and Kendall missed the target. "Oops. I take it back." (A/N: Desert eagle is the name of a gun)

Kendall reloaded. "Go away, bastard." Blake's snarky confidence was back. Then again, it wasn't like him to be so apologetic, like he was that day.

Blake scoffed. "You can't tell me what to do." Just then, Jacob entered too. He wore a smug grin on his face.

"Don't listen to him. At bowling, he kept missing too." Mocked Jacob, who juggled a handgun in his hand too.

Blake rolled his eyes. "It was only two times."

When Kendall turned, her heart warmed up instantly. "K8!" She smiled, squatting down to pet the dog that was trailing behind Blake. Kendall was really happy to see K8, whose name was a twist on K9, what police dogs were called.

"That cruel traitor. He always liked Blake more."

Blake reached down to pet K8, too. "Perhaps it's because he knows who's been buying his food."

Jacob reached down to unleash the dog. He was well-trained and didn't actually need one. K8 barked, nudging Kendall softly.

"Looks like he's close with Kendall too. I'll leave you two to talk." Jacob said, leaving the room for the other practice range.

Once out of earshot, Blake hissed, "You should be more careful! You can't just yell his name, giving away the fact that you knew him before! It's bound to raise suspicion, what if more people know that you can travel back in time? You can't have people finding out the truth, like how I did!" He chided.

"I can't believe you're telling me this. You're even more reckless than me!" Kendall complained, standing up to shoot again.

Blake ruffled his hair, slightly irritated. To him, she was frustrating. Why couldn't she keep quiet and stay low? If she keeps up at this rate, she might get hurt...

"By the way, what was our relationship back then? Were we friends?"

"Enemies." Kendall lied through gritted teeth. K8 barked at that, as if he was faulting that.

"Really? That's a pity then." Blake shrugged, pulling out some files. "I did some research about your family. You told me you came back to 2016 to solve the Bloombury murders, so I checked on that. Next year is when they kill off someone, right. By any chance, was it you?" He said with a softer voice. He actually seemed pain, wishing that the answer would be a clear 'no'.

Kendall finally dared a look up at him. She felt her feelings rush up, and brushed it off as hatred for Blake. He was truly someone that she no longer knew. What he did at the ring, and at the rooftop was horrible. Silently, she wished that she could tell him the truth. No, it was you. You died trying to save me and despite what you're doing, I can't stand that. That's why I can't tell you the truth. I want you to be in the same place, the same time, not knowing anything so that the killer would come as he did, and I can pull you out in time. She thought to herself about the words she really wanted to say. Instead, she lied mockingly, "If I was dead, how could I come back here? No, it was just... someone I cared about."

Was that a sigh of relief from Blake that Kendall heard? Blake took a gun too, and aimed at the target range. He chose the lane next to Kendall. "I got Jacob to hold an hourglass too. He didn't get any pain or remember anything, so I guess it's just me."

"It's my investigation. You don't have to help."

"Silly. You should just say 'thank you'. Moreover, I'm just trying to ease your burden. Having the task force, the science stuff you do and this investigation all on your plate is too much."

"I thought you believed that I was strong." Kendall asked in return. Her aim wasn't as good as before. Was it because of the change in weapon? Or was it just because Blake was here?

Blake wasn't doing so well either. He locked eyes with Kendall for a brief moment. "Okay, okay. I was just trying to help. You can't tell me what to do -- if I want to help, I will."

Kendall brushed it off, aiming once again. "No doubt about it, you always have a mind of your own. However, I must admit, I do have a mind of my own too."

Just then, they heard some scuffling on the other side. Come to think about it, the room was suddenly too quiet -- lacking Jacob's normal huffing and chatter. Oh, my god. Blake and Kendall exchanged looks, knowing too well what was coming ahead of them. Without a word spoken, they raced to the room next door.

In the training room, Jacob was lying on the floor, three men standing over him. They looked at the two when they joined them. Blake immediately reached for the handgun, shooting one right in the chest. Kendall wasn't so quick, trying to take it all in. Jacob was shot badly and she couldn't tell where, but blood was spilling all over. He was desperately trying to drag himself out of unconsciousness. Two men were already dead, one in the head and one in the heart. It was an amazing-enough feat that Jacob could do that, considering it was a battle of five-against-one.

"Snap out of it!" Yelled Blake. Kendall did, and reached for a blade. Blake was fighting two men, while one came out of the battle and headed right for Kendall. Kendall purposely aimed for the head. Judging from his stance, she assumed that he would head for the left. Thus, she threw slightly more to the left, getting him squarely in the eye. She needed at least one of them alive to get the information she needed, but she wasn't trusting Blake to aim to miss.

Blake swung back, getting one onto the ground. He quickly disarmed the other. The one on the floor aimed for Blake and shot, but he fled in time. He used the other as a shield, who took the second bullet fired. Kendall got another knife. Looks like throwing knives were still her best weapon for hand-to-hand combat. She aimed for the one on the ground, who rolled away on time. Stepping towards him, she reached for the gun below but he quickly pulled her, wrestling her onto the floor. She kicked him, trying to get him away, but he had her pinned too tight. He fished out a syringe.

"Get away, Kendall! It's you that they want." Jacob said, getting up slowly. He still grimaced when he moved and stars clouded his vision, but he was firm. He aimed and fired, getting the guy who was against Kendall in the neck. The man yelled, landing onto the floor.

Blake had finished off the other one, kicking him aside. He suddenly realised that the guy who was stabbed in the eye was still alive. He quickly rushed forward. Meanwhile, Kendall hit the one she was facing off with and stabbed him in the heart with the knife on the floor. Just as she turned, the one who was stabbed in the eye aimed. Blake tried to stop him, but it was too late. He flung the syringe out and Kendall was stabbed in the chest with the syringe. It auto-injected the liquid into her system.

"Kendall!" Blake fired his last bullet at the man's head, finishing him off. Whereas Jacob caught Kendall as she fell. Blake rushed to her side, instantly horrified. "Kendall, oh my god, Kendall." He leaned over her, terrified.

"Blake." Kendall responded, but she could barely see. The light on the ceiling seemed to become brighter and brighter. Everything else was hazy and the room was spinning. "You're moving, side to side." Kendall laughed at Blake, her laugh sounding more like a cackle. She couldn't think and suddenly, she never felt so happy. She felt warm hands guide her hands around a neck--Blake's. He placed one hand under her upper back and another under her legs, lifting her up swiftly. They were moving out of the room, as fast as Blake could.

"What did they inject her with?" She only heard fragments of their conversation and couldn't hear Jacob's reply.

She lifted a hand, reaching out to touch his face with it. "Blake, I'm here..." She muttered, dazed. The world was swarming in and out. Everything was in black and white, then coloured, then faded. She could feel herself fading in and out, but she was in pure bliss. She was dizzy with happiness. "I never felt so... happy."

Blake looked at her, full of concern. "Shhh, you're going to be okay."

Kendall tried to reach for him, but once again she couldn't quite reach him. "That's you. You're always cold and out of reach..." She didn't even know what she was saying, and started laughing again. It was almost as if a spell was casted on her. She lost consciousness, but felt Blake tug at the necklace and look at it.

"She still has a long way to go. Is someone coming?" Blake shouted, frustrated. He was losing his cool. He always failed to save her out of her misery. Blake uttered something else, but Kendall couldn't hear. He was giving instructions now.

Kendall was awake again and burst out laughing. Jacob was frustrated too, making his own calls. "Calm down, Blake."

"Not when the thing could kill her!"

Kill me? Kendall snorted. "It can't... I'm invincible."

Blake was horrified and afraid. "Are those really her inner thoughts?"

"No one can kill me, I'm Kendall Bloombury..." She laughed some more. Even in her current drowsy state, she recognised the road they were taking. She pointed in the direction they were walking. "Oh! Your house."

"Stop squirming, please." Blake said softly, his lips close, just inches away from brushing her forehead. It would only increase the rate that it would spread, and it made it hard to carry her. Kendall flicked her hand, brushing the comment off. Kendall leaned her head against Blake's chest, feeling the warmth that comforted her.

"You're so distant..."

Jacob ran ahead, unlocking the front door and leading the way to Blake's room. It was a big house, funded by his parents. They had so much money to spend. They couldn't give him love, but they could provide for him to stay in a luxurious penthouse. "Shh, biscuit. You're safe."

"You're naming me after food?" Kendall retained some of her fiery disposition and laughed it off. If only Blake could be at ease, too. They reached his room and Blake set her down. Kendall couldn't tell if she was imagining it, or did he really brush her hair out of her eyes? She continued muttering, "Then again, you never really cared, did you?"

"You're repeating what you're saying. You keep telling me that, but it's not true--"

"It is." Tears were brimming in her eyes now. She no longer felt any bliss, only felt as if she was fading into a nightmare. She could almost feel a hand tugging her in, sending her into a dark abyss...

"Where are they?" Blake said harshly, directing his question at Jacob, who was pacing around the room.

Kendall didn't care about his reply. She tried reaching for Blake again, but she had double-vision. "There's two of you..." The bliss was back again, and she couldn't reach to him.

She was shocked, but couldn't move. A hole opened in the ground, and it was swallowing Jacob in. It was getting to Blake too. "The pit!" She tried to warn Blake, but what she said seemed light and she felt like she was flying.

"The hallucinations started." Blake stated, looking behind him yet finding nothing.

"Oh my god, oh my god. It's coming..." A weird demon of some sort was pulling Blake in, snarling at Kendall. "Watch out! Please, please don't die." She was weeping, feeling lost and empty. She could see it now, the scratch marks across Blake's cheek. He was bleeding all over, bleeding onto her and staining everywhere. The whole room was filled with Blake's blood, as if it was a fresh coat of blood. "--NO!" She bolted forward, sobbing.

The demon spoke to her. "Kendall, can you see me? It's me, Blake."

"Liar." She spat, but she was already losing consciousness. The pit that opened unleashed an army of ants, and they were crawling all over her. She tried to shake them off, but she couldn't move. It was as if she was in another soul. "You murderer. Don't act like you don't know, I saw you kill those people too--"

Blake looked to Jacob in confusion. Jacob shrugged, still pacing and looking at his phone. "She can't lie. Those are her inner thoughts. Maybe it's the people she saw you kill during missions."

"Blake?" Kendall cried out quietly. The demon she saw now morphed into Blake, but it didn't look like him. She felt an arm grab her hand and put it against Blake--the demon's--cheek. She was repelled by this, but couldn't get control of her body. She couldn't move her arm down, so her tears kept flowing. "It's you. You're the monster. It makes sense now, why I was hunted. Give and take. You were the one who took that innocent life..."

"Innocent life? What are you talking about..." She started crying out a name. "Listen, Kendall. I'm not very sure what they injected in you, it might be drugs. Anyway, it gets you high and makes you hallucinate. But the killer must have some sort of other purpose..."

"The killer is you!" Kendall screamed.

It pained Blake to hear that. In her deep thoughts, was he really such a monster? What did I do in the previous 2016 timeframe? Or was it because he nearly dropped her at that rooftop? Or the fighting ring..? "Kendall, focus. Whatever you see, it's not real. You're strong. You can fight it. Don't trust anything, even if you see an image of us." Blake's talking was pointless. Kendall's eyes were fixated on a little girl behind him, who he killed mercilessly.

Blake called out again. "Kendall!"

Even in this madness, her heart reached out to him. She fought desperately to keep her eyes open, to try to save that girl, but she couldn't. Her eyes were closing--

"They say the ones you're closest to hurt you the most." She whispered, losing her consciousness. "Still, promise me... promise me you won't leave."

"Never."

Then she passed out.

When she woke up, she was in a field of roses. There were white ones, red ones, pink ones, a huge variety. They were always her favourite flower. It was one that others were afraid to seek, but she liked it. She was wearing a long, white dress, adorned with other flowers. She was holding a bouquet herself. Firstly, she saw her dad emerging from afar.

"Papa, is that you? Dad!" She squealed, running towards him. He swept her off her feet, spinning her around.

"My Kendall."

"Dad, I missed you." She pulled him into a tight hug, tears spilling out of her eyes.

He held her back a little to look at her. He touched the back of his hand to the side of her cheek and she turned into it. "Hey, what did I say? I told you, no crying, right? Don't worry, you're with me now. There will be nothing to cry about."

Someone joined them, hugging both of them tight. Her father opened the circle, pulling her mother in. "Sara." He kissed her, just as Kendall's mother planted a light kiss on Kendall's forehead.

"My darlings. Together at last." She said, and they were laughing happily. Somehow, Jo crawled from underneath and got inside the circle too. She was smiling and her parents pulled her close. Jo wasn't adopted. This was the real Jo, with her jet-black hair and sweet eye-smile.

"'Sup sister." She said.

Kendall held Jo close. "Oh my god, Jo."

"Yeah whatever, cut the cheesy talk for him. He's better at tolerating it than me." She nodded her head in the direction of a boy with bright eyes and slight swagger as he walked.

"Blake."  She breathed, flinging herself onto him. He laughed and they stumbled onto the ground.

"99 roses. Here's the last one." He said softly, putting the last rose that he held into the bouquet.

"It's a beautiful bouquet."

He kissed her lightly. "Not as beautiful as you."

"She got the genes from me!" Kendall's mother called jokingly. Her three family members held their hands out, motioning for Kendall to join them. It would be the perfect family picture. Kendall rolled off Blake, who was dressed smartly in a suit and tie. She led him into the family.

"Since you don't have a family that treats you well, we'll be your family..."  She told him, adjusting his tie.

Kendall realised with a start that Blake wasn't the kind to wear a suit and tie. It was just a dream, but it was so real and so beautiful. So real...

Blake was in a chair beside her bed, unaware that she could see and hear him. He raked his hands through his hair. Laura sat close to him, her hand on his lap. "Don't worry, honey..."

Honey? This wasn't a world she wanted to be in.

"Honey?" Blake asked, confused about why she was so upset. Kendall could no longer remember what she was upset about.

"Oh, it's nothing. I'm just so happy..."

Blake flashed a dazzling smile.

Kendall woke again. It was a dream: Blake didn't smile like that. It wasn't his actual smile. If it was bliss, he wouldn't give his fake smile, the one that he did simply to impress other people.

"Kendall, can you hear me?" Blake said. Laura wasn't beside him now, so time must have passed. Kendall tried to nod, and couldn't tell if it was successful. It sounded as if she was underwater, and the light was dazzling, luring her in.

Laura was beside her, holding her hand. The same one that had a tube in it, connected to an IV drip. "Kendall, it's not real. Hold on--"

Laura. She was too perfect and Kendall couldn't stand it. She was lured into that perfect image.

"Can I join?" Macy laughed and Kendall nodded. She rushed forward, joining the massive hug. It slowly built up -- filled with the people Kendall liked and trusted. Her friends from college, even those from high school. Evan, Diana, Leslie, Charles, Frank, Melissa, Noel, Brian... the list went on and on. However, this all comforted Kendall. They were people that made her happy in their own small, special ways.

"Kendall, Kendall." They were calling out for her. They have her back now. She was safe from the nightmare that was in the other world she saw...

"It's all perfect, isn't it?" A man in a dark hood, his facial features hidden and his voice low, walked towards them. Kendall tensed, but her family held her, signalling that it was okay.

"You can have it all..."

"Tell me what you want. What you want in exchange." Kendall replied. She didn't mean to actually respond to his requests, but it was so tempting.

"It's so simple. You're simply giving away what you never really wanted, anyway." His voice was low and smooth, tempting. "You can have all of them, safe, supporting you. You never wanted powers, right? They just jumped onto you and ruined your life." He held his hand out. "Give your family's powers to me, and I will set you free." Kendall looked around her, comforted, but...

"Tessa isn't here. It's a dream." Kendall loved Tessa too, but she wasn't to be found in that crowd of people.

She was pulled out of the dream again. Blake had his hand on her cheek, the other holding her hand. "You're cold..." She pointed out, sniffing. She didn't like this place too.

"That was from one of the enhanced. Mine can control time, Nikki can convince people and whoever gave you the poison gave you the blood of a mix of Nikki's family and the one that can conjure up dreams. He is giving you an offer, isn't he? Don't take it. Or he will take your family's powers. If he gets too many, he can be a real threat." Laura warned. "Don't do it."

Blake's fingers caressed her cheek. That light, feather-like touch. "Stay strong."

"It's too much of a burden. If I take the offer, they can be safe..." Kendall replied, lured into the dream again.

"Not again!" Laura exclaimed.

She was in that field, but lightning was flashing across the sky. It got closer as they spoke. "Make the wise choice, Kendall! If you give them to me, the hourglass will be gone! You no longer have to make that stupid choice between your life, his life and theirs. You will all live happily together. You won't be trapped in equilibrium, or be in limbo, having your soul not in rest. They won't die even if you don't save Blake, and you won't have to save him, because he'll never be in danger."

"How can I take your word for it?"

"It's true." Her family replied. Anything they said, she would believe. They held her, looking at her with love. "We're gonna be okay."

"Look. You got your dream job--in the science field! You'll no longer go on those dangerous missions that put your life or others' at risk."

Kendall snapped awake. It wasn't true. Her dream job was going on those missions as well. Blake changed clothing. How much time has passed? But he kept his word. He was always there...

"Kendall, fight it. I'm here. We're here. We're real, and they aren't."

"But in here, it's so much worse. Dad's dead, mom's gone and doesn't want me, Jo's someone I need to take care of alone, you're cold, and all of you are in danger. Every single person." She said through gritted teeth, and sunk into the dream again.

Now, the storm was raging above them. So much for the dream, it was now turning into a nightmare. Those she knew were lined up in rows, neatly. A noose was placed in front of each row. A few people she knew from class went up first. They were cruelling strangled. They flailed, their legs above the ground. The others recognised Kendall now.

"Please." They were pleading, their eyes tearing and in desperate need of help.

Macy's sister, Katie, wrapped her arm around Kendall's leg, begging. "Please save me."

The people lined up were handcuffed from head to toe. They wore heavy metal chains, slouching, filled with fright. They were helpless and Kendall yearned to do something. Suddenly, people grabbed her family members, Macy and Blake. The man must have heard him, for he included Tessa into the list. They were screaming and a knife was put at their neck.

"Make a choice." The man commanded, gliding about. "Kill them slowly." He put emphasis to the word 'slowly', licking his teeth.

"No!" Kendall yelled, running blindly. However, she bounded and hit a wall. It flashed purple then disappeared again. When she tried to move, she was cornered by that invisible wall.

"You're never get to them, not without my help. So what choice would it be?"

The ones she loved were screaming out, and their necks were being sawed. Bit by bit. It was a slow and painful process and she couldn't stand the sight of it. They were begging for her help...

The man was right next to her, reaching out his empty hand. On her left, on a purple cushion, floating, was a lever. He explained, "Taking my hand and pulling that lever would make you live in that peaceful world you saw earlier." He snapped his fingers, and a vision that her family and friends were safe and laughing popped out. "Do it. You don't have much time left. Tick tock."

Kendall felt for her hourglass necklace, but it wasn't there anymore. She had no other reprieve, other than to give her powers up. They were crying out, and their voices flooded her head. She put her hands to her ears. "Make it stop..." She cried, her world spinning around. They were hurt, because of her. How could she just stand around, when they were getting hurt? What's the point of those abilities anyway? She never wanted to be one of the enhanced. She didn't like superhero movies and only believed in winning fights due to intelligence. However, when Kendall dared a look at the torture tables, with blood all over and them writhing in pain, she saw a weird sight.

Something isn't quite right. Amidst the screaming and their heads half off, she noticed that Tessa wasn't the right Tessa. She wasn't wearing her Madame Tessa get-up, her long coat, or anything like that. This isn't right.

"Choose. I will not ask again." He repeated. It was ending. The moment she didn't give up her abilities, she would lose them forever.

What choice will it be?

///

Blake wanted to pace around as Jacob did, but he kept himself glued to the chair. He promised Kendall that she would stay, so he did.

"You should eat." Pointed out Laura. "Do I really have to go to the extent of feeding you? Like a baby?" She was looking at the piping hot pasta on the side-table.

"She's right. You missed quite a few meals, Blake."

Blake cradled Kendall's hourglass necklace. It was flowing so slowly. "I don't understand."

"The more she's in here, the more her worlds merge. Now, this is almost like her real world. If she stays any longer, she'd be stuck in limbo, her soul going through the repeat motion. It's called equilibrium."

"She casually missed out the parts that involved her getting hurt." Blake scoffed. "Traitor."

"She didn't want you worried." Laura gave a comforting smile. She took a spoon filled with food. "Feed yourself, or your girlfriend's going to get jealous."

"She's not my---- save it." Blake glared, taking the spoon himself. He ate quietly.

Jacob broke the silence, wheeling around in his chair. "You really can't get Nikki?"

"Yeah, she's on the other side of the planet now. We're enhanced, but we can't teleport. Nikki can't control dreams, but she can convince Kendall to wake up. Only if she's stronger than whoever put the poison into her." Laura touched Kendall's wrist. Kendall was very pale and squirmed a little here and there. "Whoever did this is extremely strong. He's definitely the killer. He's got a whole army doing his dirty work. The killer spent years collecting abilities from the enhanced."

"So why does he have other abilities too?" Jacob questioned. They had only just filled him in about the whole enhanced people concept.

"Maybe he kills others." Laura speculated.

Blake shook his head. "I don't think so. I think it's a whole range of them that collect these different abilities, one assigned to each family's ability. Only Kendall's family's one was noticed. Maybe they report back and transfer their powers to the leader."

"You can't do that. Unless the leader kills them and harnesses their power." Laura said.

"That's it, then!" Blake snapped his fingers. "The leader only does it once every decade, right? Just enough to replenish his powers, but not too much such that he loses too many followers. Laura, do you know of any more deaths?"

Laura gasped. "My family's. They weren't once every decade, but they were always one year before or after Kendall's family's." She said, referencing the enhanced memory she had of her family's deaths. "I'm quite sure there are other deaths. The Cashmeres, all the way in Londo, had deaths two years before and after Kendall's family's."

"I'm on it." Reported Jacob, who started searching. "I'll get the Bloomburg Investigative Department to work on this new lead, too. Don't worry, I won't reveal a single bit to them."

Laura stood up gracefully, gazing at Jacob. "And we can trust you?"

"Yeah. I knew him for as long as I can remember." Blake assured. Jacob nodded half-heartedly, leaving the room to make more calls.

Laura smiled. She leaned in close, whispering into Blake's ear. "He's cute."

"And painfully single. That works for you." Blake whispered back, laughing.

"Let's talk about your life, instead. So much drama." Laura shook her head sadly, looking over at Kendall, who was sound asleep. "You keep staring. She's beautiful, isn't she? I don't think she realised how pretty she is."

Blake shrugged, shoulders sagging. "She's not. She hates me. We hate each other."

"Hate each other? After what I've seen today, I would like to doubt that." Laura beamed. "Now if you excuse me, I'll go find Jacob."

Once Laura was out of the door, he glanced down at Kendall. Her blonde hair was spilling out beneath her. Her skin was soft and had a nice half-tan to it. It looked like that of an athlete who was out in the sun. At the same time, she was so smart. So incredibly smart. Even when asleep, her features were sharp, just like how she always had her way. Yet, she had a soft side. Pretty? Blake denied it. He was afraid of his own feelings now.

///

Kendall had a decision to make. It was her battle.

This isn't right, it's a dream.

"You're right, random killer." She put her hands up. "I lost, you win. You can let down your hood now and whisk me away."

The killer laughed bitterly. "In some ways, this is your subconscious. I can't conjure up images you've never seen before. You never found me, so you will not remember a trace of what I look like. Besides, you need to take my hand..."

This isn't right.

It's a... it's a dream!

Kendall imagined for a gun appeared, and it did. It replaced the lever on that floating cushion. Unlimited ammunition, just like how she wanted it to be. She placed the gun on the killer's forehead, pulling the trigger. He faded away. She killed all the people at the scene, one by one. It was fake anyway...

She bolted away.

"Kendall, you're awake." Blake heaved a sigh of relief. He had dark eye circles and was in a bad condition.

"Were you here all day and night? How long has it been?" She asked, still a little drowsy. Yet, her fiery temper returned. What did she say? What foolish things did she say that day..?

"Almost two days." Blake replied, stifling a yawn. It was dark outside, with the others gone. They didn't have the same commitment to stay awake as Blake did.

"Well, thank you." Kendall said softly.

Blake shifted awkwardly. This whole 'thank you' thing was weird and new. Still, he flashed a smile. Not one of those fake ones, it was a real one. "And now she says it."

Kendall smiled back, but she was still a bit scarred from the whole experience. "It was so real. I couldn't believe I actually did it. Got out of there, I mean. I nearly did the trade, it was so tempting."

"We got some new leads while you were out cold. I called Laura, the task force's lead medic, and some other medics, some other doctors specialising in poison too. When I saw that Laura was enhanced, like you, and that she could control time, I sent the rest away. She tried to weaken the poison a little. I'm not sure if it worked."

Kendall stretched a little. She was changed into a warm oversized sweater, probably Blake's. She secretly really hoped that Laura was the one that did it. "I couldn't feel it." She replied bitterly. It would have been better if he actually thought of calling Jo or Macy.

"I'll give Jo and Macy a call later. Just get some rest, for now." He said, as if reading her mind. He let go of her hand, and only now she realised that he was holding it. He looked down at the previously-intertwined hands. "Don't look at me. You reached for mine first." He claimed, awkwardly.

"I'm fine now. You can go. You should get rested, I'm really sorry for troubling you."

"No trouble at all." He replied, suddenly too polite. He stood up to leave. Just before he left, Kendall stopped him in his tracks.

"I was really scared..." She said quietly. "What if it wasn't a dream and I really shot y'all? Or what if I did the exchange? I wouldn't be able to live with myself..."

Blake was suddenly at her side. "Shh... You survived it. You were brave and you did it. I'm here now..." He reached his hands out awkwardly, but Kendall crashed onto him. She leaned onto him, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. Since when did she cry so much?

"I don't know what you dreamed of, but I'm here now. I got you. I know you don't ever let your guard now, but just do it. Just cry to your heart's content for the night. I promise I'll forget it all after that. Let me be your pillar of support."

And so Kendall did.