The safehouse was finally quiet.
Everyone had gone to their own rooms after dinner, exhausted from the day's chaos.
Jay tried to sleep, but the thunder outside rolled in heavy and loud. The flashes of lightning made her heart race.
Where is Keifer's room again? she thought, groaning as she got up to look. She had no idea where he was staying in the sprawling house.
The halls were dark, and her footsteps echoed.
She paused at a corner, feeling the panic rise.
Suddenly, from the other side of the house, Keifer's eyes snapped open.
A loud, terrified scream pierced the quiet.
"JAY!"
The sound was unmistakable.
Keifer jumped out of bed. His chest pounded.
"Jay!" he yelled again, his voice filled with something rare—fear.
The siblings stirred. Percy groaned and rubbed his eyes.
"What the—?"
Jane shouted, "What's happening?!"
Aries stood, tense, scanning the dark hallway.
Mir Keigan Watson and Mike Keiren Watson followed, grabbing anything they could use as lights.
Keifer's usual calm composure was gone. For the first time, everyone saw the fear in his eyes.
The siblings quickly grouped together, moving through the hallways with Keifer at the front.
"Jay!" he called out repeatedly.
Thunder crashed again, startling him, but he pushed forward.
Finally, in a small corner of the hallway near the library, he saw her.
She was crouched low, hugging her knees tightly. Her body shook slightly, and she whispered over and over:
"Keifer… Keifer…"
Keifer's heart broke in an instant.
He ran as fast as he could, ignoring Percy yelling, Jane asking if he was crazy, and even the thunder crashing around them.
He scooped Jay into his arms effortlessly.
"Shhh… it's okay, Jay," he murmured, his voice soft but steady.
Jay clung to him as if he was the only anchor in the storm.
Her face buried in his chest.
Keifer held her tightly, rocking her gently.
"You're safe now," he whispered. "I've got you. I'm not letting anyone hurt you."
Jay tightened her grip on him, her voice trembling.
"I… I was scared…"
"I know," Keifer said quietly, brushing her hair back. "I know. But I'm here. I promise, I'll never leave you alone in this."
The siblings watched from the hallway, staying silent but aware.
Percy muttered, "Wow… that's… intense."
Jane nodded, smirking slightly. "And hot. Not that I'm jealous or anything."
Aries just shook his head. "Keifer… controlling himself like that normally… never."
Keigan whispered to Keiren, "First time I've ever seen him scared."
Mike Keiren grinned. "And Ate Jay is the only one who can do it."
They stayed quiet, letting the moment unfold.
Keifer finally sat on the floor, keeping Jay in his lap, still holding her tightly.
Jay's eyes slowly closed, exhausted, but safe in his arms.
Keifer looked down at her softly.
"You're okay now," he murmured, almost to himself.
And for the first time in days…
Jay allowed herself to feel completely safe.