Night slowly settled over the city again.
This time, the group wasn't relaxing.
They were preparing.
Jay stood near the hotel entrance, adjusting the strap of her bag. She looked calm on the outside… but inside her heart was beating faster than usual.
Behind the glass doors, Percy, Aries, and Keifer watched her carefully.
Jane leaned against the wall beside them while Keigan and Keiren waited across the street, pretending to look at their phones.
Everything was set.
The trap was ready.
Percy spoke quietly.
"Jay walks down the street like she's going to a café."
Aries nodded.
"We follow at a distance."
Keifer crossed his arms. His eyes never left Jay.
"If that guy is watching, he'll move."
Jane looked at him.
"You're tense."
Keifer didn't answer.
Because he was.
Very tense.
Jay pushed the hotel door open and stepped outside.
Cool evening air brushed against her face as she started walking down the sidewalk.
She forced herself to act normal.
Hands relaxed.Steps calm.No looking back.
Behind her, Percy and Aries exited the hotel quietly.
Keifer followed last.
Across the street, Keigan whispered to Keiren.
"Operation Ate Jay begins."
Keiren nodded dramatically.
"May the stalker be stupid enough to show up."
Jay walked down the block slowly.
One minute passed.
Then two.
Then five.
Nothing happened.
No footsteps behind her.
No suspicious movement.
Jay frowned slightly.
Did the plan fail?
She kept walking anyway, pretending to check her phone.
Behind her, Keifer watched every person that passed.
Still nothing.
Percy sighed quietly.
"Maybe he's not here tonight."
Aries nodded.
"Could be."
Keifer didn't relax.
Something still felt wrong.
Jay reached the corner of the street.
She slowed down slightly, starting to turn back toward the hotel.
Maybe the plan really didn't work.
Then—
A hand grabbed her arm suddenly.
Jay gasped.
"What—"
The man pulled her roughly toward the side of the street.
"Don't scream," he hissed.
But Jay had already reacted.
She tried to pull away.
"Let go!"
Before the man could say another word—
A fist slammed into his face.
Hard.
The man collapsed against the wall in shock.
Keifer stood over him, furious.
Jay had never seen that look on his face before.
Pure rage.
He grabbed the man by the collar and shoved him back against the wall.
"Touch her again," Keifer growled, "and I swear—"
The man barely had time to react before Keifer punched him again.
Percy ran forward quickly.
"Keifer!"
Aries grabbed his shoulder.
"That's enough!"
But Keifer didn't stop immediately.
Jay stepped closer, shocked.
"Keifer!"
His fist froze in the air.
He looked at her.
Jay had never seen him this angry.
This protective.
Slowly, he released the man's collar.
The stalker slid down the wall, groaning.
Jay stood there for a second, heart racing.
Keifer turned toward her quickly.
"Are you okay?"
His voice had completely changed again.
Concern.
Real concern.
Jay nodded slowly.
"I… I'm fine."
Keifer looked her over carefully anyway, making sure she wasn't hurt.
Jay stared at him quietly.
Because something had just become very clear.
He hadn't hesitated.
Not even for a second.
He had attacked the man instantly.
For her.
Jay spoke softly.
"You really would have destroyed him."
Keifer shrugged slightly.
"He grabbed you."
Jay looked at him for a moment longer.
Then she smiled faintly.
"…Thank you."
Keifer looked away slightly, suddenly less comfortable with the attention.
But Percy was already grinning.
"Oh he definitely would have destroyed him."
Keigan and Keiren ran over from across the street.
Keigan looked at the guy on the ground.
"Wow."
Keiren nodded.
"Golden boy turned into a demon."
Jay laughed softly.
And for the first time since the threats began…
She felt safe again.
Because Keifer was there.