Johnny's House — Continued
Johnny crouches down and opens the first aid kit.
"Here — hold still."
He works on Andrew's arm carefully. Andrew hisses through his teeth.
"You okay?" Gowin asks.
"Yeah," Andrew says. "You good though? That's what matters."
"Yeah. Thank you."
"How'd you even see him in the dark?" Leo asks.
"I felt him," Andrew says. "And Son was right next to me. When Gowin said 'is that you Son' — I already knew it wasn't. So I moved toward the voice and pushed him back. That's when he caught my arm."
"Smart," Leo says quietly.
"Alright guys," Andrew says, standing slowly. "I'm gonna head out."
"You sure you don't want to stay?" Son asks.
"Nah, I got a lot going on. Sorry Son. I'll see y'all."
"See you," everyone says.
"Take care of that arm," Johnny calls after him.
That Night — Son's House
Son pushes through the front door.
"Mom?"
Mai appears from the kitchen.
"Yes, baby?"
"You won't believe it — I ran into Andrew today. He's transferring to my university."
Mai's face shifts.
"Andrew Cain? Really?"
"Yeah."
"...Did you two make up?"
"Mom, it's done. That was a long time ago. We're good."
"Okay, baby."
Son smiles and turns —
A shadow moves behind Mai.
Son's face drops.
"Mom—"
"What's wrong, Son?"
"NO—"
Moster rises from behind her and drives the blade into the side of her neck.
Mai's mouth opens. Blood spills over her lips.
"MOM—" Son's voice breaks completely. "No — no — MOM—"
Moster pulls the knife out and drives It in again.
Again.
Again.
Ten times.
Mai slides to the floor.
Moster drops her and turns toward Son.
"I'll never forgive you," Son says, voice shaking, eyes burning. "You hear me? NEVER."
Moster moves toward him fast —
Son runs. Kitchen. Now.
He yanks open the drawer and pulls out the longest knife he can find.
"You want me?" He turns around, chest heaving, blade in hand. "Come get me."
Moster appears directly behind him —
Son spins and DRIVES the knife into Moster's stomach.
Moster grabs his abdomen with both hands.
And vanishes.
Son stands alone in the kitchen, knife in hand, blood on the blade, tears running down his face.
Son's House — After
Son stumbles out of the kitchen and falls to his knees beside his mother.
"Mom — no — no, please — please don't go — please—"
He holds her, shaking, sobbing, the knife still in his hand.
She doesn't answer.
The Next Day — University
Son sits at his desk, pale, hollow-eyed, staring at nothing. The professor's voice Is somewhere far away.
Andrew leans over quietly.
"You good? I know that was a lot."
Son stares at the desk.
"...I don't know."
Andrew says nothing else. Just stays close.
After Class — Outside
The group gathers around Son. Gowin looks at him carefully.
"Son. You don't look okay."
"I'm fine. Don't worry about it — these are my problems."
"...Okay. Whatever you need."
Jason appears from around the corner, spots Son immediately, and grins.
"Aww. Look at Son, all sad. What's the matter — did you cry, little boy?"
Andrew steps forward before anyone else moves.
"Don't talk to him like that, you punk ass."
He draws back and hits Jason twice across the face. Clean, hard shots.
Jason stumbles, blood from his mouth, eyes wide.
"What the—how—"
He reaches for his knife —
"Jason, NO—" Taiga grabs his arm.
"Get OFF me — not today, Taiga—"
Jason yanks free and swings the blade toward Andrew —
Andrew sidesteps it effortlessly.
In the same motion he appears behind Jason, wraps one hand around his throat, and starts squeezing.
Jason claws at the hand. His face goes red.
The whole group stares.
"Please—" Taiga steps forward, hands up. "Please let him go. That's enough."
Andrew holds for one more second.
Then releases.
Jason drops forward, gasping, grabbing his throat.
"Get out of my sight," Andrew says quietly. "And don't let me see that face again."
Jason goes. His whole crew behind him, silent. Jason keeps one hand on his throat the whole way.
Andrew turns back to Son.
"You good?"
"You didn't have to do all that," Son says. "He's out of his mind. Don't waste your energy on him."
"Anyone who messes with you," Andrew says simply, "I'm not letting It slide. That goes for all of you." He looks around at the group. "Son's people are my people."
He places a hand on Gowin's shoulder.
The group nods.
"Yeah."
"We got you."
Gowin looks down at his hand on her shoulder — and quietly lifts It off.
"...Yeah," she says softly.
Outside — After Class
Gowin's phone buzzes. She steps aside and answers.
"Hello?"
"Gowin! It's Talia."
"Hey Talia, what's up?"
"Hey girl — just confirming, there's a party at my place next week. You're coming, and bring everybody you know, okay?"
"Yeah, for sure. Thanks for the invite."
"I'll be waiting for you!"
"I'll be there, definitely."
"Perfect."
She hangs up.
Leo raises an eyebrow.
"A party? Next week?"
"Yeah," Gowin says. "And she said bring everyone I know — so y'all are coming."
"Obviously," everyone says.
Son shakes his head.
"I can't go."
"Why not?" Gowin asks.
Andrew puts a hand on Son's shoulder.
"Bro. If you stay home like this you're never gonna heal. I'm coming too. Come on, man — let's go."
Son looks at him for a long moment.
"...Fine. I'll go."
"That's what I'm talking about," Andrew says.
That Night — Gowin's House
Gowin sits on the edge of her bed, quiet.
She reaches up slowly and touches her shoulder — the exact spot where Andrew's hand had rested earlier.
A small smile crosses her face.
"...He's kind. And brave."
The lights go out.
Gowin stands up immediately.
"What the—"
The TV turns on by itself.
A music channel. Upbeat songs filling the dark room, the screen glowing.
Gowin stares at it.
"How is the power out but the TV is working—"
She looks at the screen —
And in the reflection —
A single red eye. Glowing. Right behind her.
Gowin SCREAMS —
Moster appears.
The blade goes Into her shoulder.
Then her side.