The group made haste as they packed everything to leave the apartment. Danae was afraid of what would unfold. She couldn't shake off the feeling that the siren would find her wherever she went. If that were the case, the rest of her friends would be in danger. When she was done packing on what she thought was necessary, Danae contemplated whether or not it was a good idea to go along with her friends. She and everyone went through a lot after witnessing innocent people being murdered, and the thought of her friends being killed became too much for Danae. Her thoughts were interrupted when there was a soft knock on her door; it was Makoa. "Hey Danae, we packed everything that we needed. Akamu is still making some phone calls but I think that it won't be too long until he finds one."
Danae nodded as she said nothing. However, she looked toward the window where it was dawn, which made her feel slightly at ease. "C-Can we really escape from them?"
Makoa flinched, raised an eyebrow, and slowly walked toward Danae. He noticed how tense she was. She was scared, he knew, but Makoa couldn't shake off the feeling that Danae was going to say something that would cause a stir. He slowly sat beside her and looked at her. "Danae, what's in your mind? I can't shake off the feeling that you are keeping something."
It was silent between the two. Danae knew that she wouldn't be able to hide anything from Makoa. He was a man of the heart and could read people. "We all have seen the dark side of humanity and have seen things that we thought were just stories. Why did it have to be us to see these realities?"
"I don't know, Danae. Sometimes, I can't help but feel that things happen for a reason. It sucks that we were the ones who have to deal with this but I know that we will overcome this."
"You sound so sure, Makoa. I've always admired that about you, but I'm unsure if we can overcome this this time. We have never dealt with this kind of people before. Let alone creatures that kill." Danae shook her head as she clenched parts of her hair. "I made the situation worse by letting out those creatures, that siren."
Makoa knew that Danae felt that she had a blame for releasing the creatures. "You released those creatures because you felt their pain and sadness. Those things suffered at the hands of those psychopathic killers. Those people are the true monsters; they're worse than those creatures."
The two remained silent. Makoa hoped that he had lessened Danae's fear and guilt. "Thanks, Makoa."
"Hey, it's no problem. You know that you could always talk to me. If I am to be honest, I also feel guilty for making us go with Kahlua to that circus. I always tried to see the good in everything and everyone; I guess you could say that I used my past to try to help fix people."
Danae knew about Makoa's past; he grew up with alcoholic parents who neglected him. Makoa had to fend for himself in his childhood. He worked since he was ten to earn money for food, but there were times when his parents would take his money to feed on with their addictions. He couldn't take it and ran away from home when he was thirteen. Makoa was fortunate to find a shelter for run-away teens, which helped him get through his education and a job. She couldn't deny that she and everyone were angry with Makoa for making them go to the island, but Danae couldn't entirely fault him. Makoa was a man with a heart of gold who just wanted to help those in need. "I'm not going."
Makoa's eyes widened, and his lips trembled as he tried to find the right words. "Wh-What?"
The young woman stood from her bed as she paced back and forth. "I can't help but feel that the siren will find us. It wanted me to go with him, which made me think that he wouldn't stop until he has me in his sights. I'm putting you guys in even more danger than we already are."
Makoa also stood; his heart raced, and his mind blurred. "A-Are you trying to say that you want us to leave you behind? Th-That's crazy! You know that we're not going to do that!"
"I made up my mind, Makoa. You know you guys are at risk if I tag along. We are surrounded and are being hunted by different killers, but there's one who knows where I live and will follow me." Danae wrapped her arms around herself, trying to comfort herself. "I'm more terrified if something were to happen to you all rather than myself."
"You're talking crazy, Danae! We got in this together; we will get out of this together! There's no way in hell that we'll leave you behind!" When Danae was about to talk back, he didn't let her. Makoa grabbed onto her arms, making her let go of herself. Then, he wrapped his arms around her, forcing Danae to get closer to him. Using one of his hands, Makoa motioned her face closer to his; their lips touched.
Makoa kissed her. Danae's eyes widened as her mind tried to process what was happening. However, she couldn't deny that his kiss was soft and warm; his tongue was on her lips, trying to ask for entrance. The young woman slowly opened her lips, letting his tongue sliver inside her mouth. Makoa's tongue was on hers and intertwined. Danae didn't respond, although she slowly tried to comprehend what was happening.
Makoa liked her?
For long?
She had many questions since Makoa never indicated his feelings for her. As the two embraced, a loud crash made the bedroom window break, breaking their kiss. Glass flew everywhere in the room; Makoa shielded Danae as they both fell on the floor. While on the floor, a growl was heard in the room. Danae immediately got out of shock when she recognized the growl. Danae immediately looked up and saw the siren, Keanu. His eyes looked almost bloodshot red from the rage he felt. His arms were now wings, his legs were bird-like, and his body was filled with feathers. Danae couldn't help but feel in awe that Keanu looked almost like an angelic demon and that even god and the devil were in one.
The commotion made Akamu and Malia enter the room, and they saw the siren. Malia wanted to scream, but the fear and shock made it impossible. The siren noticed the two but focused on Danae, who Makoa protected. The siren eyed him and growled at him; he slowly showed his teeth at him as if he wanted to cut his neck open. When Danae noticed that siren growling at Makoa, she got out of his grip and knelt before the siren. "Keanu, please don't! Don't hurt my friends!"
"He no good! He no good!"
Danae felt his anger and intent to kill Makoa; her fear intensified. "Take me if you want! I will go with you!"
Makoa's eyes widened, but he couldn't speak through the shock. Keanu eyed Danae; he understood what she said. The siren didn't hesitate as he went to Danae, used his bird-like claws, held onto one of her arms, and dragged her. Malia was the first to get out of shock as she saw what the siren was about to do. "N-NO! D-DANAE!" She ran to her friend, who was slowly dragged out of the room. Before Danae could be dragged through the window, Malia could get a hold of Danae's right foot. Malia tried pulling her friend away from the creature, but the siren's grip was immense. It pulled onto Danae so hard that Malia was dragged out of the room, losing her grip and falling a couple of feet on the ground.
The impact made Malia dislocate her shoulder, but she looked up and heard Danae's scream as she was flown into the skies.
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