Why You Should Never Rescue Stray Demons Chapter 87

**KACIA**

Oz and Elias linger quietly by the front door, both trying not to look uncomfortable. It’s not exactly going smoothly with the emotionally charged reunions and small children. Elias looks like he’s holding his breath. Oz looks like he’d rather be stabbed again. So I leave them to it. Someone should make sure Mandy isn’t having a full blown breakdown or, I don’t know, climbing out a window with her kid in a pillowcase. I slip down the hall and gently peek into the first open door. Mandy’s in there, crouched beside a small bed, helping a sleepy toddler into a jacket that’s clearly not cooperating. The little girl’s arms are flopping all over the place, and she’s grumbling under her breath in that groggy, half conscious way that only toddlers can manage.

“Why’re we getting dressed?” She mumbles, rubbing her eyes with a pout. Mia, I think Elias said?

“Because we need to go out for a little bit, sweetie.” Mandy answers softly, tugging the sleeve into place. I clear my throat so I don’t startle them. Mandy glances up immediately. Mia blinks over at me, then points, her eyes lighting up.

“Purple!” She squeals excitedly. Mandy smiles, brushing a hand through her daughter’s hair.

“You’re right. Her hair IS purple.” She agrees. Mia beams and holds out her arms toward me like I’m a cartoon character she’s just met in real life.

“Pretty!” She declares. I laugh and kneel down by the bed in front of her without thinking. Mistake. Big mistake. She immediately grabs two fistfuls of my hair and holds on. Hard. Okay. Ow. Ow! This child has the grip strength of a raccoon in a garbage fight!

“Whoa, Mia!” Mandy scolds, gently prying her fingers off me, though I’m pretty sure a few strands come with them.

“Sorry, uh, I didn’t catch your name.” Mandy says, suddenly awkward.

“I’m Kaci.” I reply, rubbing my scalp.

“And it’s totally fine. She’s sweet. And at least I know she REALLY likes my hair.” I joke. Mandy nods.

“Purple’s her favorite colour. I’m fairly sure she’s going to be convinced you’re from one of her shows. You know, the ones with the magical girls and rainbow hair?” She comments. I grin.

“Well, I’m glad she approves. I’ve had worse first impressions.” I point out.

“Okay, Mia, go get your shoes.” Mandy says gently.

“’Kay.” Mia says brightly, slipping off the bed clumsily and toddling off toward her tiny closet. Once she’s out of earshot, Mandy sighs and leans back against the edge of the bed. She looks tired. Not just tonight-tired. Bone-deep tired.

“You alright?” I ask carefully. She shrugs, smiling without much enthusiasm.

“Big night, I guess. A lot of… Feelings.” She explains. That makes two of us. I offer a nervous half-laugh.

“Yeah… Honestly, I’m surprised you agreed to all this so easily. I thought it’d take more convincing.” I admit. Mandy tilts her head.

“I trust Elias.” She says confidently. That makes me blink.

“He broke up with you… In a text.” I remind her bluntly. That might have been a little harsh. She sighs.

“That’s true. He did break up with me. And maybe that makes him kind of an ass. But he’s not a liar. He wouldn’t make up something like this.” She responds, sounding completely sure. Huh. That’s either incredibly naive or… Surprisingly perceptive. I can’t quite tell. But Mandy doesn’t seem delusional. She seems like someone who knows that people aren’t perfect and chooses to believe the best in them anyway. Which says a lot about her. And maybe a bit about Elias, too. Maybe it IS worth me salvaging this situation a little bit after all. I study her for a moment. Then, almost without thinking, I lean in and offer a little truth.

“Look… I don’t know what things were like between you two. That’s not my business. But once this is all sorted… Maybe ask Elias why he broke up with you. It might change things.” I tell her awkwardly. Mandy blinks, lips parting slightly in surprise. Then she gives a small, quiet smile.

“Thanks.” She responds. I feel weirdly awkward, like I’ve just participated in some accidental moment of feminine solidarity and now don’t know what to do with myself.

“Right. Uh… I’ll go check on the guys.” I mumble, backing up toward the hallway.

“I’ll meet you out front.” I add. She nods, still smiling softly. I turn and make my escape before the emotions get any bigger.

When I get outside, the first thing I see is Oz and Elias locked in what looks like a very intense argument. Over… A car seat?

“No.” Elias is saying, clearly exasperated.

“Mandy will need to take her car. It has Mia’s car seat. But someone needs to go with them to keep them safe!” He argues. Ah. That makes more sense. Still funny, though.

“Well, Oz can go with them.” I say casually, walking up like it’s the most obvious solution in the world. He’s the most qualified to keep them safe, and Mandy probably isn’t going to stab him in the heart with a fruit knife. Probably. She doesn’t seem THAT angry. Oz frowns immediately, I can see the tip of his tail twitching beneath his hoodie.

“What? But… I need to keep an eye on you. I’m supposed to be keeping you safe. I can’t watch them if you’re not-” He cuts himself off, already realising that his argument is not going to work well on me. I roll my eyes.

“You’re sweet Oz. And I really do appreciate it.” I say, stepping in close and lowering my voice so it’s just for him.

“But you worry too much. I’ll be fine. We’re literally just driving to the police station. You’ll be following me the whole way. I won’t be out of your sight.” I promise. He doesn’t look convinced. His jaw is tight and his eyes flicker for half a second, the telltale sign of anxiety he’d never admit to. And if he knew that his eyes were flickering he would be absolutely HORRIFIED. So I grab his hand. Squeeze it, then tug him a little closer until I can feel his warmth through his hoodie.

“I need you to watch them.” I say quietly.

“Elias is holding it together, but barely. If we leave him alone, he might bolt. And Mandy needs backup, real backup. You’re the safest person I know. Please help me with this?” I ask softly. He sighs heavily, dramatic as always.

“Fine. But if you get yourself killed while I’m out babysitting, I’m going to be very upset with you.” He grumbles. I smile and squeeze his hand a little tighter.

“Noted.” I answer. I let go just as the front door creaks open behind us.

“Lias!” A little voice squeals. We all turn. Mia is squirming wildly in Mandy’s arms, her little legs kicking as she tries to wriggle free. Her tiny arms reach out like she’s launching an aerial attack on her favourite person in the universe. I glance sideways at Elias. He’s not breathing. Mandy sighs in resignation and kneels to set Mia down. The moment her feet touch the ground, she bolts, a little blur of pink sneakers and energy she certainly didn’t have a minute ago. Elias catches her automatically, arms closing around her in one fluid motion. He lifts her up like he’s done it a thousand times and hugs her close, burying his face in her shoulder.

“Hey, munchkin.” He says softly, voice muffled and just a little raw.

“Long time no see.” He adds. Mia wraps her arms around his neck, her voice small.

“Mummy said you weren’t gonna visit anymore.” She complains. Elias flinches.

“I… Had to go away for a while.” He says awkwardly, glancing at Mandy with an apologetic look, not quite meeting her eyes.

“But you’re back now, right?” Mia asks innocently. He pauses. Looks at her, clearly not sure how to respond.

“Uh… I need to talk to your mum about that.” He replies. Mandy, standing behind him, sighs.

“We can talk later.” She says, walking past us toward her car. Under her breath, just loud enough for me to catch, I hear her muttering.

“If he breaks her heart again…” She trails off and doesn’t finish the sentence. She doesn’t have to. Ouch. So yeah, maybe she is mad after all. And honestly? Fair enough.