Rafael forced his aching body up, Tyler was looking at him with a tired expression and they both sighed.
"How long?" Rafael asked
Tyler answered, "An hour. Go back to sleep."
"We can't. We need to get out of here." Rafael groaned
"Why?" Paisley frowned "You're body needs to rest...."
"They're coming for us...." Rafael told
Tyler understood and asked, "Where to?"
".....The Forest" Rafael answered in half a daze
"NO!" Paisley reacted
"Okay," Tyler answered
"TYLER!" Paisley yelled
Tyler looked at his friend closely, the children had mumbled about going into the forest as well and he wondered what was in there. It was like they were drawn into it but why now?
"Don't scream in my damn ear, Pais-ley. I want to continue using them." Tyler laughed
"Where are you going!!" she shrieked
Tyler raised his brow, "To pack. You don't need anything in a forest?"
"Why on earth is Kate? I need a voice of reason." Paisley groaned
Rafael picked himself up and absorbed the energy around him. Paisley froze as the wounds closed up into scars.
"Aren't you relying on that too much?" Paisley said seriously, "Are you giving up your humanity for some random kids?"
Rafael's eyes darted at her with a hint of annoyance in them.
"What does it matter to you? How much time must I spend with them to want to help them?" Rafael frowned
Paisley went, "You don't help people."
"I want to help these children. Come hell or high waters, so you just continue watching as always." Rafael replied
"They're just worried about you, Rafe," she admitted
Rafael didn't answer and went to where the children slept peacefully. He sighed as Delmira rubbed his legs in comfort.
"We all have problems I suppose." Rafael smirked "I hope you kids don't get problems too soon. Maybe don't get any at all"
Tyler was with the ally named: Megan and she looked at the children.
"I can't believe it," she mumbled
Tyler happened to hear her, "Can't believe what? Just tell me."
"How can you breathe in the same room as them? Monarchs." Megan marveled
Rafael suddenly got on his feet with the kids in his arms. Tyler grabbed Megan, the briefcase, and the bag with all the clues they gathered.
"Pais. Double time!!" Tyler yelled
A car bumper crashed into the living room with Paisley at the wheel. Megan was surprised and with the help of Tyler was shoved into the boot.
"Hey! Wai-" Megan exclaimed before he shut her in
Tyler smiled, "Well, that's that. Luggage's in."
Rafael got into the back seats with Delimira as Tyler leaped onto and sat on the car roof. Paisley drove forward into the empty road and Police cars were behind them. Tyler's eyes glowed and triangles appeared around him.
"I always seem to be on the run with you Rafe." Tyler grinned
Rafael smirked, "You knew what you were getting yourself into."
The triangles sped forward and popped their tires as Paisley drifted into the forest. Claws started to come out of the shadows and aim toward the car. Rafael placed a barrier over the car as Tyler attacked them quickly.
"A PLAN, RAFE!!" Tyler frowned
Rafael's eyes glowed brightly, "Turn left!!"
Rafael directed Paisley and helped Tyler attack the shadow claws.
"STOP!" Rafael yelled
The shadow claws didn't pursue them and slowly disappeared. Rafael came out of the car and looked ahead with his green eyes. Slowly the ground started to shake slightly and started to become vigorous.
A building came out of the soil. A three-story house with a garage and both front and back yards. Rafael let out a sigh, returned to grab the kids, and entered the house with Delmira behind him. Tyler popped open the trunk and looked down at the human being.
"Get the hell out of my car if you want to barf." he snapped since the twins had helped him fix his car
Megan fell out of the car as Tyler took the bag and briefcase. He entered the house with Paisley as they engaged in unimportant conversation. Megan felt a choking force from the house and unconsciously started to shake in fear.
Vines from the trees grabbed onto her limbs and pushed her toward the door. Megan tried to resist but to no avail, was thrown in, and the door shut. Megan managed to walk down the hallway to the living room where Paisley was.
"What's wrong with you?" she sighed
Megan couldn't open her mouth and looked around with confusion. Meanwhile, The kids were put in a room with three beds inside.
"I can see why you wanted to come here." Tyler smiled
Rafael sighed, "Nosy."
"You know I'm not just your friend, right?" Tyler asked, "I'm honestly offended."
"....I don't know what to do." Rafael admitted "If only your girlfriend was here. We'd brainstorm better."
Tyler shrugged, "She didn't want to come to the middle of nowhere."
They laughed and the twins opened their eyes. They looked around and looked at the men with blank expressions. Rafael forced a smile.
"We're in the forest. The Police won't catch us." Rafael told
Alexander went, "We...we remembered something...."
They stayed silent waiting for them to say something.
"Um...mum..." Alexandra stuttered as her eyes began to water
"Dad killed Mum." they said
Tyler pushed Rafael to the crying kids.
"I need to make sure, Megan is mentally stable." he lied and closed the door as he left
Rafael held the twins gently and let them cry. Rafael saw Lucielle looking at them and spread his hands wider as he tilted his head. She came and he hugged them all.
"You've worked hard. It's going to be okay, but forgive me I might mess up sometimes." Rafael told
They looked at him with doubt and hope. Rafael kind of understood why and held out his pinky finger.
"Promise?" he smiled
The children connected their pinky fingers to his and Rafael gave a gentle smile.
"You'll need to help me too. So I don't mess up too much...together," he said pulling the three to himself
He lay down on the bed and looked at the children. He honestly didn't want them getting her too much but he knew it would be hard. He cursed their tragic fate in his head.
"We got away?" Lucielle finally said
Rafael smirked, "Very....far away.."
The house in the forest that they were in started to slowly disappear into the strong winds. And it was gone. The tension within Rafael and the kids faded and they fell asleep.