After Ever had paid the ransom, the time remaining in the day melted away at a glacial pace. He got no more messages from the unknown number, nor from Zoe. The second it hit closing time, he hurriedly packed up and went home. He slept fretfully in the treehouse; it didn’t help that the wind blustered, seeping through his skin and gnawing at his bones. He dreamt that the words in the messages app slithered out, binding him around the ankles before winding their way up, gradually squeezing the life out of him.

  —--

  The next morning, he did something different. Instead of waking up earlier to get to Mimi’s house to feed her, he flew across there in reaper form. He stayed in this form, flying straight to work, only slipping into the alleyway to turn human again before opening up as per usual. It wasn’t just about being not late. Being in this state dialled sensations and emotions down to virtually zero. Ever felt that by staying in this form for longer, it would help him manage his anxiety as well.

  “Logan!”

  “Hey mate,” the boss said. He looked up at the cheerful bell irritably, closing the door. “Thanks again for covering for me.”

  “That’s alright. Hey, is Taylor alright?” He clasped the fingers of his other hand in a vice-like grip.

  “What?” Logan rubbed the 5 o’clock shadow on his face and chin.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  As her uncle, he deserved - no, he needed - to know what had happened to his niece. Ever bustled over, tapping open the message chain, scrolling through with his finger.

  He took one look at it - and scoffed.

  “She’s fine.”

  “She was captured!” Ever spluttered.

  It seemed like he was trying to hold more laughter back. How could he be laughing in a situation like this?

  “Trust me,” he said, eyeing Ever with a raised eyebrow. “She’s fine.” He brushed past him into the serving area, yawning.

  “Could you give me her phone number?” Ever asked. “I want to call her and see if she’s OK.”

  “No.”

  “Why not?” Ever softened his tone at the last second; it would have come out sounding like a demand otherwise.

  “Because,” Logan said. He was facing away from Ever and looked like he was shaking his head. “She’s fine. She’s a strong girl. And if she wants me to give you her number, I’ll let you know.”

  “Why don’t you care about her?” Ever’s hands were balled at his sides, nails biting into his palms.

  Logan became very still. He drew himself up and turned around on the spot. The older man regarded Ever with a strange mix of emotions. Ever held the older man’s gaze, too angry to be able to properly analyze what his boss’ face was telling him.

  “Taylor is all the family I have left,” he said softly. The words didn’t reflect Ever’s fire, yet they smouldered with an intensity that he’d never heard in his boss’ voice. “When I say that she’s OK, I mean it.”