**Content/trigger warnings: drug use and abuse. Proceed with caution.**
Cita stared at the puny fire. Its meager light glinted off the stubble of the harvested field and warded off the deeper shadows of the too-close forest.
After Bilal's cat led them from the forest, she turned and ran back into the trees in the dying light. Cita was left to pick his way across the barren field and build a camp. With sweat-slicked hands, he'd stripped harness from Aspen, laid Rashida on a makeshift pallet, and raided the edges of the forest for fallen wood.
Cita glanced at the healer, now curled mutely next to the flames; she hadn't spoken since regaining consciousness. He checked Aspen, tethered safely away from the fire. Then he turned back to the blaze and the memories.
Distant voices arguing brought him back to the present.
"I can't believe we're following a black cat through the dark. She's gotten us lost! They're in the forest, not out here!"
'That's … but what is he doing here?' Cita stared into the darkness.
"That creepy thing wouldn't leave Bilal. You saw her. If she's leading us out of the forest, they're not in there. That's probably their fire."
'What are they both doing here?' Cita scrubbed a hand over his face. 'Whatever. It doesn't matter. But they don't need to insult Bilal's cat.'
"The fire said—"
"The fire disagreed — like it always does!"
The voices ended in a rush of muffled thumps.
"Aria's not creepy."
Rashida started at Cita's loud monotone. She glanced at him. Then she turned to her packs and began pulling items out.
"Cita?" Kody called from beyond the firelight. "Is that you?"
Kody and Ash rushed forward. Kody's smile faded as he entered the light and looked around.
"Where's Bilal? And the children?" He frowned at Cita. "Were you crying?"
Shaking his head, Ash settled his pack on the broken stubble and sat next to the fire.
"Gone," Cita rasped.
"Gone? Gone where?" Kody asked.
"The thing in the forest — Tobias called them demons. It … she … took Bilal and … Zara. Ryka ..." Cita shuddered. "I'm not sure."
Kody and Ash exchanged confused looks. Dropping to the ground next to Ash, Kody shrugged out of his pack.
"The boy … Jay. He's gone. I shot him. And he fell off the cliff." Cita laughed bitterly. "I'm not sure he wasn't gone before that. But he couldn't have survived."
"Cita … that doesn't make any sense," Ash said. He frowned at Cita and then cocked his head toward Rashida.
The healer was setting a tripod over the fire and hanging a small kettle.
"You haven't eaten since you left this morning, have you?" he asked. He rummaged in his bag and pulled out a few pieces of dried meat. "Here. Eat this and start at the beginning."
Rashida accepted some and gnawed it.
Cita stared at the meat before accepting it with limp fingers. He held it to his nose tentatively. 'Ashes. Always ashes now.'
"We got to the forest," Cita mumbled. He scrubbed his free hand across his face. "We stopped at the edge. Then … Ryka and Zara. They ran into the forest. And turned into wolves. Is that normal?" He tore a tiny piece of meat off. 'Tastes like ashes, too.'
"... No," Kody answered. "None of our records say anything about that, at least."
Ash shifted uncomfortably.
"What?" Kody asked.
"There's the elder's sealed records."
"You don't know what's in the sealed records!" Kody shoved Ash.
"I know more than you," Ash challenged, shoving back. "There's … things in there. Bad things," he concluded in a whisper, dragging his pack closer to him.
Kody stared at his brother.
"Jay didn't turn into a wolf," Cita continued eventually. "He … snapped. Started laughing like a maniac. Ran after his sisters. He … he would have killed them if he caught them." Cita shuddered at the memory of elongated, clawing fingers.
"We chased them into the forest. But it's not a forest! Then it … really wasn't a forest — not even for pretend."
Brow furrowed, Ash stared at Cita while Cody shook his head.
"The ground climbed up," Cita continued, "like a mountain hiding inside the forest. They never fit, you see. When the trees opened up, I … remembered. I'd been someplace like that before."
Rashida passed cups around and poured tea.
Cita stared at the brew. 'Wonder what this one does?'
"What happened next?" Kody pressed.
Cita shook his head and closed his eyes. It didn't stop the images from replaying over and over.
"Ryka was trying to hold Jay off," Rashida spoke in the silence. "Cita told us not to go past the trees. Jay … went for Ryka. And Cita shot him. He wasn't dead, though."
'Too bad. It would have been amusing to break her toy in front of her.'
The thought whispered through Cita's brain, and he shuddered again.
'That's not me. That's not me. That's not me.'
He sucked in a shaky breath, trying to slow his racing heart.
"Bilal stepped out of the trees. Something … something hurt him. But Staryu couldn't see it. How can Staryu not see something?" Rashida broke off with a choked sob.
"The demons live in places like that," Cita said. "Places that … don't fit. They're weaker past their inner boundaries, but if you set foot on their ground, they own you. If they want you."
"What do you mean, demons?" Kody asked.
"I told you, that's what Tobias called them. Tobias's people have been bargaining with them for centuries — sacrificing one to the demon so that the rest can live in peace." Cita shrugged. "It's as good a term as any."
"Okay. So Bilal went past the boundary and the demon got him. And the girls. Did you … why didn't it get you?"
Floating above the snapping fire, Kody's question hung, waiting.
After sucking in a deep breath, Cita said, "She … claimed the wolves … the girls. Bilal … she didn't want him. Something about Staryu owning him, so he's worthless. She … said I could have him back if I delivered a message."
"A message?" Ash sounded skeptical. "What sort of message?"
"She wants Baron Dorf to … send more snacks." Cita's gorge rose. He looked at the barely touched jerky and set it aside with the untouched tea. He felt Rashida's angry eyes flay his skin.
"Snacks?" Ash echoed.
"Lord Baron Dorf? That's … not good," Kody said.
Cita scowled. 'Lord Baron? Isn't that a bit much?'
"Are you going to do it?" Ash asked.
Cita's head whipped around at Ash's urgent tone.
"Why won't you drink the tea?" Rashida interrupted angrily.
Ash glared at Rashida.
Cita shook his head, opened his mouth, and shut it again. His head throbbed, not quite drowning out the weakness inside whispered to take the tea — it would make it all better.
He focused on the fire instead.
"About … four years ago … Mr. … someone …" Closing his eyes, Cita heaved a sigh and started over. "He gave me drugs … mixed with a drink. He liked to — nevermind."
Cita refused to meet their stares, preferring the darkness within to the disgust that would inevitably rot his budding friendship with the Peacefallows.
**
"If he lashes out again, we're going to have to look at placement options." The light voice of the social worker carried clearly out the open door.
"If he breaks another window, or damages another locker, he'll be facing more than that," the resource officer's deeper voice answered. "He needs to count himself lucky the boy's family doesn't want to press charges. This time."
"He tries, " Mr. Smith answered, his voice tinged with sadness. "But I can't help but think he'll do worse if you take him away from his grandmother. All they've had is each other."
Akicita's muscles clenched and unclenched against his volition. His fingers wrapped around the front edge of the hard wooden bench — the designated spot for students waiting for disciplinary hearings. He focused on eavesdropping instead of the hazy, insubstantial hands that stroked his back and legs.
"Look, I'm not happy about it," the social worker sighed. "I don't want to break up his family any more than you do. But he can't keep doing this." The click of nails on a tablet screen echoed into the hall. "I just don't get why he's acting out all of the sudden."
"Puberty." The smirk in the officer's tone made Akicita's skin crawl. "I'm not so old that I don't remember how much that messes with your brain."
Chuckles floated through the air like cinders on the breeze, biting at Cita's skin.
"Puberty or not, if his grandmother cares so much, why isn't she here yet?" the social worker asked. "We've been waiting for a half-hour!" A faint buzz announced an incoming message, and she swore.
"That's all I need — another 'situation'. Look, I need to get over to Sycamore Street to deal with this." A chair creaked in protest. "Tell the grandmother I'll be in touch."
Her shoes clicked crisply as she strode out of the office.
"I can't believe she doesn't have a phone that can video conference in this day and age," she muttered to herself as she left without a glance at Akicita.
He watched her, hidden in the darkness of his hoodie. Some of the hands followed her, tugging at the strands of hair that escaped from her bun.
"I'm sorry. His grandmother doesn't have a car, and I'm sure no one has to tell you how broken our public transport system is," Mr. Smith told the officer.
"It's fine," the officer sighed. "I'll just drive him home. Could you call her and let her know?"
"Ah … well, yes," Mr. Smith answered. "But … she's got a weak heart. I'm not sure she would survive having her beloved grandson dropped off by the police …"
"Are you suggesting I let him walk?" The officer sighed.
"No, no — not at all. His grandmother knows me, though. I can drive him home and tell her that the social worker will be over to discuss the situation."
"That … might work. But he'll have to go in front of the judge for this. After the last time ..."
"I'll tell her. I'll even offer to give them a ride to the hearing."
"Fine, Bob. But you owe me a drink for this one." The officer stepped out of the office and frowned at Akicita. "If he hadn't passed the tests, I'd think he was high on something."
"But he did pass the tests, right? All except the first one. And that was inconclusive." Over the officer's shoulder, Mr. Smith's smile glittered in the fluorescent lights. "Will you collect that drink tonight, or over the weekend? We could barbecue."
"Oh, that's an idea. How about Sunday night? I could bring Sandy and the kids over."
"Sounds like a plan, Mike. I'll text you later."
The officer walked down the hall without looking back.
"At least you left the patch on this time," Mr. Smith whispered. "If you test positive, there wouldn't be anything I could do to save you. Now, what is this — salvia flashbacks?" He tsked. "So weak. But don't worry — I'll adjust your dosage. A little extra GBH should smooth things out. Although ..."
White teeth flashed.
"You may need something on more of a day-to-day basis. Don't worry. I know someone who can be bought for a few … favors." Mr. Smith patted Akicita's shoulder.
Dread pooled in Akicita's belly, and he dry-heaved between his knees.
Mr. Smith spoke louder so that his voice echoed down the hall. "Come along then. Let's get you home. Your grandmother's got to be worried sick."
**
The fire crackled in the still night and the neglected tea grew cold.