THE HOUSE BRAWL

Rachael was the first through the door, followed by Jacob, Darcy, Vironica, Vivian, Mikayla, Chloe, Nicola and Sienna. "What the fuck," whispered Sienna as they slowed their pace. The house was destroyed. Walls were dented, glasses smashed, blood and gore on the floor and some foot-long spikes impaled to the far staircase. Whatever happened here, it has been an absolute slaughter. "There are no bodies," whispered Chloe as she looked around, inspecting what looked like a tuff of hair that lay upon the floor. Jacob agreed, "There should be bodies. There's too much blood for even a single person. Luke must have put up a fight before they took him." Darcy spun to Jacob, eyes wide, "What do you mean took him?" Jacob splayed out his hands and indicated to the mansion, "Do you see him anywhere?" Slowly, Darcy nodded, and Rachael stepped forward. "I'll check outside!" she suggested, and Darcy nodded.

They watched Rachael turn and run to the glass doors out the back, and then turned back to one another. "What do we do?" asked Jacob, and Vivian shrugged. "We could call the police," suggested Nicola, and Darcy shook his head. "Andrew went to the station for backup remember. He said it will take him time to convince enough people to come. We just need to find out what happened until they arrive." They nodded, and Sienna linked arms with Jacob. "What have we gotten ourselves into?" she asked quietly, but before anybody could respond, a scream came from out the back. They turned as Rachael smashed through the glass doors and skidded along the floor, glass cutting at her skin and making her bleed as she came to a stop. "Huffle, what happened?" Jacob asked, referring to her nickname as Vironica helped Rachael to her feet.

Shakily, she pointed toward the smashed doorway, where Turk, Danny and Oscar emerged. Jacob locked eyes with Danny and felt his flesh crawl with nervousness as Danny chuckled. "Sup, dickhead," he said, bowing his head toward Jacob as Jacob began moving the others towards the front door, even though the outnumbered the three. "Not running away, I hope?" came a voice, and they spun around to find Livia, Olivia and four other large men standing by the front door. Livia grinned manically as she stared at Rachael, who stared back in fear. "Come on, let's break them like we broke their friend," Livia said, her eyes glowing with excitement. Slowly, Rachael and Jacob moved to stand back-to-back as Jacob faced Danny, Darcy faced Turk, Mikayla faced Oscar, Sienna faced Olivia and the other four faced the four strangers. "Chloe, I think they have more of them outside," Jacob whispered as he caught movement at the windows.

Chloe nodded next to him, and he leant in to whisper, "I know I've always warned you not to. But this time I mean it. Go crazy." A grin came to Chloe face as more men burst in through the windows. "BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!" Chloe screamed, and she broke away from the Family to attack several men at once. Livia and her gang ran forward, and the Family ran in separate directions to greet them. "Come on then," growled Danny as he and Jacob approached one another. "As you wish," replied Jacob, and they finally clashed. Jacob ducked a swung, blocked a second assault and then landed s swift and firm hit against Danny's stomach, making him stagger back as Jacob advanced. The two moved aside as Vivian and Vironica almost collided with them, fiercely battling two each. Vivian ducked as Vironica kicked through the air, the foot passing over her head and swiping into one of their throats.

Vivian rose and kicked one directly in front of her in the kneecap, making him drop to the floor in pain before jumping up and plating her foot squarely into his face. "Nice job, Viv!" shouted Vironica as they swung their fists through the air in a perfect sync. Behind them, Oscar and Mikayla danced aggressively. At least, that's what it looked like. Every time Oscar punched or kicked, Mikayla spun away, and whenever she returned the favour, Oscar managed to duck aside at the perfect moment. They had both found their match as they grunted in effort. Next to them, Sienna ducked and dodged as Olivia screamed in frustration, trying to lay a hit against the former. "Stay still you bitch!" Olivia shrieked, her eyes wild as she spun and kicked, putting her all in as she finally managed to land a foot against Sienna's shoulder.

Nicola kicked one of the men in the stomach, grabbed his back firmly and slammed him against a wall, only for a kick to land hard against her side and make her sprawl against the floor. Nicola rolled onto her back and began scrambling away, staring up at the man who snarled and raised his foot to strike her again. The blow never came. Chloe leapt forth and punched the man across the face, then elbowing him in the chest and finally sweeping his feet from under him, watching as the man flipped backward and smashed onto the hard floor. Nicola panted, and Chloe outstretched a hand. Nicola took it, allowing Chloe to drag her to her feet. "You alright?" whispered Chloe, and Nicola nodded, grinning slightly. "Well don't stop now," she panted, and Chloe flashed a grin back before turning and charging into a crowd of men from behind, snarling as she punched and kicked wildly, each hit counting.

Darcy threw Turk into a glass cabinet, both of them bleeding at the mouths as Turk pushed away and charged back, slamming Darcy against a wall and landing blow after blow against Darcy's chest and stomach. Darcy grunted in pain, taking the hits until he finally managed to hook his arms underneath Turk's armpits and then spun him away. Turk panted, and Darcy threw his fist forward at the same time as Turk, both their fists smashing together. As the fists collided, Rachael was slammed up against a wall on the other side of the mansion by Livia, their faces inches apart as they glared at one another. "You should have been on my side!" hissed Livia, the hate between them at its breaking point. "So you can still be the psychopathic twat you are?" Rachael breathed back, a thrill of excitement shooting through her as Livia's expression only grey more furious.

"Well, let's get this on with," Rachael added before kicking Livia in the thigh, stepping forward and lining up a punch, which Livia easily dodged. The two spun around one another, and the fight continued. On the other side of the large living room, Jacob swung his right leg through the air, aiming for Danny's head. Danny easily raised his left arm, blocked the hit, punched Jacob across the face with his right hand, spun and landed a finished blow to Jacob's chest. Jacob fell backward and hit the ground, quickly getting to his feet as Danny continuously indicated toward his body. "Call that a kick?" he growled, and Jacob spun the other way, swiping his foot through the air. Danny braced himself, grabbed Jacob's leg and swung him through the air before smashing him back-first against the coffee table in the centre of the room.

In the bloodied kitchen, Turk managed to shove Darcy up against the back benchtops. Darcy arched his back in pain, grabbed the closest thing to him, a frying pan, and threw it through the air. The frying pan bounced off Turk's arm and sent him staggering back, but then Turk began laughing. "Come on cunt, let's go!" he yelled as Darcy threw his fist forward. Turk ducked aside, brought his knee up into Darcy's chest, gripped onto his back and then tossing him along the ground. Darcy slid to a stop and got to his feet as Mikayla passed behind him, ducking a strike from Oscar, backhanding him across the face, kicking him in the stomach and then tackling him against the wall. Sienna fell forward, caught herself and moved back swiftly as Olivia kicked through the air. Olivia pushed Sienna back until she hit a wall, pulled back a bit and swung her leg through the air again.

This time Sienna shoved the leg back and kicked out, hitting Olivia in the chest and making her trip back in surprise. "Come on…come on!" shouted Sienna, and Olivia snarled before charging yet again. Olivia threw her fist forward, and Sienna parried the hit whilst throwing her own fist. It smashed into the side of Olivia's head, and Sienna grabbed Olivia by the back, turned and threw her forward, watching her skid and tumble onto the ground. Behind them, Chloe pulled Nicola back and kicked an attacker in the groin, watching him drop to the ground in pain as Nicola thanked her yet again. "Anytime," panted back Chloe, and Nicola dragged her to the ground as a man kicked over her head. Nicola rose when the foot passed and cracked her fist forward, hitting the man in the face and sending him sprawling. "Now you get to thank me," breathed Nicola, and Chloe winked, grinning.

Vivian and Vironica both struggled backwards as they faced another two men. Vivian pulled Vironica aside and kicked out, catching one of the men in the side and watching as he fell to the side but sprang up again almost instantly. "There are too many of them!" shouted Vironica as she jumped, turned in mid-air and kicked behind her, hitting one of them in the chest. "Keep fighting!" shouted Vivian in reply, sweat dripping off her forehead. Whilst the two fought in the hallway, Jacob was shoved against a wall by Danny, the two locking eyes once more. "Why do you still fight when it's hopeless?" Danny growled as Jacob struggled. "Because we have one goal...One that you of all people should share with us!" Jacob hissed back, and Danny's eyes narrowed. "What goal?" Jacob let a small grimace onto his face before whispering, "The bastard who killed your sister! Who do you think leads this little gang you're in?"

Danny's eyes widened, and he let go before taking shaky steps backward, "I…I had no idea," he murmured. Jacob slowly nodded, reached forward and gently patted him on the shoulder. "Fight for the right side," he said gently, and that fierceness to Danny's side returned. "I've already made my choice," he growled as a man rushed at Jacob from the side, and Danny spun, kicking the man in the chest and sending him flying through the air. Jacob stared in surprise as Danny turned back to him, the cocky smile returning to his face just as Jacob once remembered. "Look man, I'm so sorry. For the university and everything…but do you want to win?" Danny asked, and Jacob grinned back as he and Danny slapped hands together. "Yeah," said Jacob, and the two turned back-to-back as several more men ran towards them. "Just like old times, brother," said Danny, and Jacob nodded, "Just like old times."

On the other side of the room, Livia grabbed Rachael and shoved her stomach-first against a wall and then repeatedly slammed her fists against Rachael's sides. Rachael grunted and cried out in pain as the fists repeatedly bruised her ribs. Time seemed to slow down as she locked eyes with Jacob and Danny, who stood back-to-back and faced down several advancing men. Something arose inside Rachael like a snake poised to strike, and she pushed off the wall, jamming her elbow out behind her as she did. The elbow caught Livia in the chest, and she stumbled away as Rachael turned to face her, fists raised with her hands flat. "What kind of Neo shit are you doing?" shot Livia venomously, and Rachael glared at her. "The kind that's going to plant your dumbass six feet under," she shot back, and Livia hissed like a snake.

Rachael threw her arm forward, and Livia caught the blow before striking her fist forward. It hit Rachael in the chest, and Rachael stumbled, tripped and fell on her ass, coughing blood as she staggered to her feet. "Come on, bitch. Fight me!" screamed Livia before charging forward yet again. This time, Rachael stood her ground. She raised her right leg and spun, kicking Livia cleanly across the face. Livia fell back, using the wall for support as Rachael spun again and this time kicked out behind her with her left foot. It struck Livia in the stomach, and she hit the wall, panting and wiping blood from the side of her face. "You prick," she snarled, and Rachael laughed amid her panting. "Go to fucking hell," she whispered before jumping up and swiping her leg across the air, smashing it against Livia's head. Livia crumpled, unconscious, and Rachael staggered back, spitting blood out the corner of her mouth.

Another two men came forward and joined by Livia's side, and Rachael raised her fists. Livia stepped forward, spun and kicked twice through the air. Rachael blocked both attacks with her right hand. Livia spun again and punched several times, her fists blurs through the air as Rachael continued to block and parry at an intense speed. Rachael parried again with her hand and threw her left fist forward, which Livia caught easily. "Hm, not bad," murmured Rachael, and the other two ran forward, one on each side. Rachael punched Livia across the face and stepped back, raising her palms and blocking a punch to each side. "Come on, break her!" Livia shouted as Rachael moved back, hands flying through the air as she repeatedly blocked. A spark had risen within her, and now Rachael was fighting like never before. She jumped up, flipped through the air and struck her foot through the air.

One of the men caught the hard boot to the face and flew backward, hitting the wall and crumpling to the floor as Rachael landed and immediately raised her arm to block a kick from Rachael. Livia kicked Rachael in the side, and Rachael absorbed the attack, moving to the side with the kick and then darting back, striking Livia in the throat. Livia stumbled back, a squeal of pain escaping her as Rachael ducked a kick from the side, turned and returned the kick, striking the man in the side of the head and watching him spin away and collapse onto the hard floor. Livia ran forward, punched Rachel in the stomach and shoved her back. Rachael ducked another swipe and began stepping back quickly, moving her body aside of the punches and kicks as Livia's attacks grew wilder. Finally, Rachael ducked under Livia's outstretched right arm, twisted her body around and kicked with her left foot.

It hit Livia in the side with an incredible force, and Livia flew through the air before hitting a wall and falling to her knees. Rachael panted and then stepped forward to where a panting and broken Livia knelt. "I told you it was a mistake, picking a fight with me," murmured Rachael as she crouched beside Livia, holding her gaze firmly. "You picked the wrong side in this fight…. he'll come for you!" hissed Livia, and Rachael shook her head firmly, turning her back to Livia and shaking with rage. "No…NO YOU'RE WRONG!" she screamed, turning back to Livia with her fists clenched. "ALL OF THIS IS WRONG!" Livia flinched at the yelling, but only stared up at Rachael. "YOU WERE EVERYTHING I WANTED TO BE! YOU STOOD BY MY SIDE! YOU WERE THE REASON I KEPT GOING!" Rachael shouted, finally admitting everything she had been forcing herself to keep hidden.

Then she nudged one of the unconscious men with her foot before screaming, "AND YOU JUST THREW IT ALL AWAY! FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN YOUR SHITTY VIEWS ON OUR SOCIETY!" Livia looked down, but still remained quiet. "I was trying to protect you," she whispered, yet Rachael glared at her, her killer gaze making Livia shut up. "Don't even dare use that excuse. The only person you were trying to protect was yourself!" Livia looked back up, her eyes blazing as she began getting to her feet. "I'll show you," she murmured as she reached behind her slowly, making Rachael cock her head to the side in confusion. Then, Livia withdrew a knife that was flecked with blood and gore. "I'll make sure that no one is ever threatened by you again!" Livia screamed before rushing forward and hacking the knife through the air. Rachael dodged backward, eyes tracking the knife's fluid movements.

Livia spun and slashed the knife through the air, laughing manically as she did so, and Rachael cried out in pain as the tip scratched her cheek, blood immediately bursting from the wound as Rachael staggered backwards. Meanwhile, Chloe was separated from Nicola as she fought three at once, her fists flying through the air and dodging the hits as Nicola spun nearby and kicked a man across the face, watching him hit the ground. Another man came from nowhere and struck her across the face, and Nicola's legs buckled. She hit the ground hard and began crawling away as the man kicked her again and again. Nicola whimpered, and her eyes found Jacob amidst a crowd of fighting men, and the thought came to her. Years ago, he forced her to promise that if, in any way she was in trouble, she was to use the phrase that would turn him into an insane killer. She just needed to point at whoever was attacking her.

"CHARLIE DEMANDS IT, AND YOU SHALL DO IT!" Nicola screamed as the shoe continuously smashed into her stomach and back, and Jacob snapped his attention toward her, eyes strangely blank. Desperately, she pointed at her assaulter, and Jacob's eyes snapped toward him. The man hadn't noticed, and Jacob began his approach. He punched several men aside, not caring if they went down or not as he reached forward, grabbed the man's right arm, twisted it back and then snapped it firmly. The man screamed and dropped to his knees, his right arm broken, and then Jacob grabbed the man's head. The man struggled, yet Jacob firmly snapped his neck before dropping the body. "You alright?" he asked as he stood over Nicola, his eyes still blank, and Nicola nodded. The blankness vanished, and he returned to normal, looking down at the body with wide eyes.

"Sorry…I didn't have a choice," groaned Nicola as she sat up, holding her aching sides, and slowly Jacob nodded. Then, he looked up, and his eyes grew wider still as his mouth fell open. Nicola turned to see what he was looking at, and her own mouth fell open. It was him. Standing by the front door, staring at the scene with considering eyes as the brawl continued. The killer. Then, his eyes found Rachael, who was ducking away from the blade that Livia held, and he started forward. "I'll be right back," murmured Jacob, but Nicola grabbed him firmly by the shoulder and murmured the phrase into his ear. Jacob's eyes once again turned blank, and she pointed at the killer. "Go get him," she whispered, and Jacob nodded before walking forward. The kill dropped his coat and knives when he saw Jacob approaching, and he too began the approach.

Jacob charged and the two grappled onto each other's shoulders. "Remember that fire…when you were in high school? The one that was supposed to kill you?" hissed the serial killer through his gasmask, and Jacob's eyes narrowed. "I watched you burn…how did you survive?" whispered the killer, and Jacob glared at him. "It will take more than a little fire to kill me!" Jacob shouted before ramming his fist into the side of the killer's head, uppercutting him in the stomach, turning and elbowing him straight in the gasmask. The killer stumbled back and laughed manically as he ripped the mask from his head and dropped it carelessly onto the ground, grinning from ear-to-ear with his destroyed lips. "Come on then…let's see how good you really are," the killer said, his voice barely a murmur, and Jacob sprinted forward and kicked through the air.

The killer ducked beneath the leg and dodged in front of Jacob, quickly punching him thrice in the chest, backhanding him across the face and advancing further, his fists raised and his eyes calculating every movement Jacob made. Jacob growled fiercely, swinging his fists through the air whilst the killer move back, unphased by the attacks. "Is that really all you got?" asked the killer, laughing manically as he parried a punch and retaliated quickly, smashing his fists against Jacob's face twice, spinning in a blur of movement and striking him in the chest. Jacob fell and landed on his back, absorbing the impact, pushing off with his hands and flipping back onto his feet within seconds, panting but remaining strong. Out the corner of his eye, Jacob spotted Darcy ramming Turk's head straight against a wall repeatedly until Turk dropped, unconscious. "DARCY!" shouted Jacob as he dodged a second kick, and Darcy looked up, locking eyes with the killer.

The killer snarled and, whilst Jacob was momentarily distracted, he charged into Jacob, picked him up the window, and kept running until he smashed Jacob through one of the remaining glass doors at the back of the mansion. Jacob groaned in pain as he hit the concrete, and his eyes widened as the killer kicked him hard in the side. Jacob rolled, and then the ground left him as he fell down the large stone steps that led to the lower area of the backyard. He bounced off each one, twisting and churning through the air before coming to a stop at the bottom, unmoving. The killer panted and turned back toward the house, only for Darcy's fist to collide with his face. The killer stumbled aside, and Darcy grabbed his waist before throwing him forward. The killer hit the concrete hard, and Darcy bent down, picked him up and threw him again.

This time the killer landed right at the edge of the pool, struggling to get up as Darcy knelt next to him, grabbed his head and shoved it into the water. The killer struggled and gurgled as Darcy slowly drowned him, his grip firm and unrelenting. The killer brought his knee up, and it clipped into Darcy's side, making Darcy wince in pain, and the killer wrapped his arms around Darcy's large frame before twisting his entire body. Now Darcy was in the water, and the killer was above him, grinning as he forced Darcy's head under. Darcy kicked beneath the water and struggled, the air pouring from his mouth in bubbles as he screamed just beneath the surface. He looked up, and atop the water, the killer grinned back, eyes alive with insanity and cruelty. Then the killer fell to the side, and Darcy rose, panting and taking in the air as Sienna stood over the dazed killer.

It seemed they had won. Then, the killer spun and elbowed Sienna across the face, making Sienna drop like a fly. The killer picked her up and tossed her across the rough floor like a ragdoll, unbelievably strong as he approached. Darcy crawled out the pool, trying to catch his breath as he watched the killer strike Sienna across the face. "I'm going to enjoy this," rasped the killer as he raised his fists again. Darcy used his remaining strength to throw himself forward and tackle the killer down the steps. Sienna followed as the killer grabbed her arm, and all three came to a stop on different steps. The bastard had already leapt to his feet and was smiling as Darcy and Sienna slowly scrambled to their feet. "Finally, two who won't scream as I kill them," he hissed, only to stumble forwards yet again. He turned, and Rachael stood behind him, fists raised.

Darcy groaned, "Rachael…go…run!" Rachael looked like she was about to argue, but she caught the killer's grin….and understood. The killer had revealed he wanted her in particular, that was probably why he had decided to come himself. Rachael turned, and fled, running into the house and ascending the staircase. The killer shot one last look at Darcy and Sienna, shouted something and then gave chase. The two went to follow, and then more men came from inside. Darcy and Sienna ran to greet them on the steps, swinging their fists through the air as, at the bottom of the steps, Jacob's eyes snapped open.

***

Rachael sprinted through the mansion and mounted the steps, quickly hurrying up to the second and finally top floor. Footsteps were coming from behind, slow and deliberate. He realises I have nowhere to go, Rachael realised as she spun around near the staircase to find the killer just arriving at the top, his grin never leaving his cruel face as he stared at Rachael. "Why don't you just come quietly? No screams, no pain. Just simply accept your fate," the killer whispered as he drew closer, and Rachael shrank back, eyes wide in fear as the killer growled dangerously. "Just leave me alone!" Rachael shouted as she stumbled backward, and the killer cackled. "Never," he whispered again, snapping his hand forward and gripping Rachael's throat. Rachael struggled and gasped, but the killer's grip was firm and unrelenting, not letting her escape as darkness already began creeping in at the corners of her vision.

The grip tightened as Rachael choked, and then the hand was ripped from her neck as Darcy shoved the killer away and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You alright?" he murmured as Rachael coughed, and she shakily nodded. Darcy turned his attention back to the killer. Darcy ran forwards and slammed him against the wall, and the killer laughed as he was pinned back. "Protecting your friend. An honourable thing to do…and stupid," the man chuckled, and then he punched Darcy across the face as hard as he could. Darcy staggered to the side, spitting blood from his mouth before the killer kicked him in the gut, jumped up and kicked him again, this time across the face. Darcy was dazed and wildly threw his right fist forward, only for the killer to grip the arm and spin Darcy chest-first against the wall. Darcy struggled as the killer cackled.

"Won't be needing this anytime soon," he rasped, and then he brought the arm down as he smashed his kneecap against Darcy's elbow. Darcy screamed in pain as his right arm broke, and the killer gripped him around the neck, slowly choking the life from him. "LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Rachael bellowed as she desperately kicked at the killer's back, and the killer released Darcy, turning and returning the kick into Rachael's stomach. Rachael doubled over, and the killer jumped up, smashing his knee into Rachael's face and watching as she tumbled backwards. "Pathetic!" snarled the killer as he walked forward and grabbed Rachael by her hair and tugging her to her feet. "Piss off," murmured Rachael, and the killer slapped her across the face, hard. Rachael whimpered in pain, and the killer laughed in her face. "Now, come quietly, or else I'll make sure that your death is slow and painful," he whispered. Rachael caught movement from the corner of her eye, shook her head and spat in the killer's face.

The killer released his grip and let her slide back to the floor, wiping the filth from his face. "You're definitely a fighter. I enjoy a fighter," he said, his voice maniacal and full of death. "Then you'll enjoy my company," came a growl from behind, and the killer spun as Jacob kicked, the foot striking him full in the face. The killer stumbled backward, chuckling as he brushed the blow off and raised his fists. "Back for more?" he hissed, and Jacob nodded, raising his own fists. "I'm here to end this," he whispered, and the killer dashed forward. Jacob ran to greet him, and at the last second the killer dodged around Jacob, withdrew a long knife from his sleeve, took aim and threw it. It speared through the air and impaled into Jacob's left side, a gasp escaping him as he stumbled back to lean against the wall.

Blood dribbled out Jacob's mouth as he stared down at the blade that skewered him, and the killer cackled as the rest of the Family darted up the stairs and skidded to a surprised halt, having finished their fights, to stare at the killer. The killer shrugged, grabbed Rachael from the floor and dragged her kicking and screaming to the window nearby. One kick and he smashed the window open before standing on the ledge and turning to face the Family, withdrawing another knife to hold by Rachael's pulsing throat. "Now then. If any of you come any closer, I'll slice her throat. Right here, right now," the killer whispered, his words deadly as he stared at the Family. To his right, unnoticed by the killer, Jacob was slowly and painfully removing the blade from his side and then gently placing it onto the ground, gritting his teeth in the agony as he looked up to stare at the killer and Rachael.

Rachael's eyes were wide with terror, and the killer spoke again, "You will let me take her, and you will not tell your precious police officer friend of this. If I find out you have…that he knows I have his daughter…then I will hunt you all down. One by one. Do I make myself clear?" Before anyone had time to speak or so much as nod their heads, Jacob dashed forward and tackled the two out the window, the three of them disappearing from sight. Chloe screamed as she ran to the edge and found Jacob gripping on the edge with a single hand, holding Rachael's hand with his other. Nicola leaned out next, and she and Chloe reached out. Taking Rachael's hands in their own and pulling her up. Once she was safely inside, Sienna appeared next to bring Jacob up, but she froze. The killer was climbing up Jacob's back, shouting in fury and holding on tightly.

I love you mouthed Jacob, and then he let go and pushed off from the wall. Sienna screamed, and it happened in slow-motion. Jacob was on top of the killer as they plummeted, but then the killer jammed his foot into Jacob's stomach, flipped them through the air and held on tightly as the ground rushed up to greet them. There came a cloud of dust that obscured the two, but minutes later it cleared. Jacob lay dead on the grass, the serial killer nowhere in sight. He had escaped, and Jacob was dead. It took the Family barely a minute to rush through the house of bodies and out onto the front lawn, where police sirens and ambulances began pulling up. The whole of the Family, Rachael, Darcy, Nicola, Chloe, Mikayla, Sienna, Vironica and Vivian, stopped beside the body.

Jacob's chest was moving up and down impossibly slow, and Sienna dropped to her knees beside Jacob. His back was definitely broken, and one of his legs was bent the wrong way. It looked horrible. "J-Jacob?" whispered Rachael as she crouched down on his other side, but Jacob didn't respond. He opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, as though trying to speak but lacking the ability to. Rachael leaned in close while the others watched and caught the words of what he was trying to say. "Keep…fighting." Rachael's eyes widened as she glanced up at Sienna, and when she looked back down, Jacob was still, his eyes staring up at the starry sky, but no life behind them. He was really gone. And there was nothing they could do.