Bad news.

“Hey, Isaac, it’s Tyler. Sorry to interrupt your morning. I’m not gonna be able to swing by today, we’re really busy up at the office, I hope that’s okay.” Tyler’s voice came through more distorted than Isaac was used to, and as a result he couldn’t pick out any nuance in the other man’s tone.

“Yeah, that’s alright. Mind if I ask what’s got you so busy?”

“Just swamped with work, right now. Honestly, it’s really bor-” Tyler’s voice was drowned out by interference for a few seconds. “I’d suggest you relax today, though. Hang out indoors, looks like it’s about to rain.”

Isaac meandered to a window. The sky was clear. The AWIO office was in another part of town, sure, but he couldn’t see any sign of rain. “Does it, now?”

“Yep.” Tyler’s voice was clearer, now, and Isaac could easily read the tension in it. “In fact, and I’m sure Ophelia would like this one, you should stay in bed all day. Nice and quiet.”

“Tyler, I don’t know what’s going on.” Isaac’s heart was starting to beat faster. He wasn’t stupid- he figured he knew why Tyler was talking like he was, but he needed to know for sure. “Please be clear with me.”

Tyler sighed. His next words came in a whisper after a few long moments of silence. “I forget you don’t know any of this… Right. Uh. Just… stay home. Stay safe. If anything happens, Ophelia can probably protect you and herself, but still call the cops, then me.”

“This is moving concerningly fast… is that guy back looking for her?”

“...in a sense, yes. Two guys, one of them the guy from last time. Seems they located her last night, from what I’ve gathered.”

“This is bad, isn’t it?”

“Yep.”

“Should I tell Ophelia?”

The woman in question stood up, brow furrowed as she took a step closer. “Tell me what?”

Tyler was quiet for a bit before replying. “...probably.”

“I have a friend over. Should-”

“Do not send them home until I give you the all clear. I know this is a lot, and I am so sorry, but you have to trust me.”

“I do.”

“Thank you.” Tyler was quiet for a bit, then the distortion returned. “Gentlemen! What can I do for you? …Sorry, I can’t do that… Yeah, no problem, let me just finish up with my brother here.”

“Who’s talking to you?”

“Oh, just some prospective sponsors, Dave.”

“Do they have weapons?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay… okay.”

“Yeah, see you soon, dude. Say hi to Jenna for me.”

“No, wait-”

“Peace.”

The line went silent. Isaac pulled the phone away from his ear and just… stared at it. He really didn’t know what to do next. Someone was probably coming to hurt Ophelia, because life could never truly be easy. He’d never had to deal with something like this before. It was… to put it lightly, very discomforting.

Ophelia appeared in front of him, taking his phone and replacing it with her hand, holding his softly. “What is it, love?”

“Tyler says we should stay inside today.” Isaac replied, voice neutral.

“...and?” She gently hooked a finger under his chin to turn it up, looking into his eyes.

“And someone might be coming. Here.”

“Did he say a name? Anything identifying?”

“No.”

“Fuck. Well, hope for the best, plan for the worst.” Ophelia squeezed Isaac’s hand, then let go and cracked her knuckles. The tone shifted in the room instantly, the air growing tense as the demoness drew her shoulders back.

Jade stood up. “...I feel like I’m either being pranked, or I’m in deep shit.”

“You are an unfortunate bystander,” Ophelia replied. She started circling the house, checking locks and dropping shutters over windows. Her stance changed, straighter and stricter. Her brow furrowed and her eyes darkened. “We’re gonna hole up in the master bedroom for now and hope that this passes quickly.”

“What’s going on?” Jade asked just before Isaac could. “Tell me, now.”

“Could be anti-monster or anti-demon sentiments who found out where I live now and want to cause problems. The AWIO warned me about that,” Ophelia said, grabbing a chair and jamming it against the front door knob. “Or it’s a man named Declan Grimm.”

“And how do we deal with this Declan Grimm?” Jade asked. She was defiant, confident. The two women were both far more confident than Isaac was.

“Hope it’s not him. If it is, we hope he gets bored and leaves. If he doesn’t, hope he’s alone. Anything else? Hope that the cops or Tyler can help.” Ophelia pointed up the stairs. “Let’s go.”

Isaac wasn’t about to argue. He followed her instruction, but stopped as she grabbed his arm. Ophelia kissed him once, strong and deep, then nudged him up the stairs.

“We’ll be alright,” Isaac said, projecting more strength than he felt.

Ophelia grinned. “Damn right.”