A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps by Kit Bryan
Rule 34- Don’t go to bed unhappy, you never know if you’re going to wake up.

The mood in the car is very different to how it was when we left home this morning. It's more serious. No more snacking and no more music. For the first few minutes the only sounds are the engine, the airconditioner, and the occasional monotonous voice of my phone GPS lady. Actually, this is the most quiet Ashton has ever been. Usually he maintains a near constant stream of questions. He can't have run out of things to ask about already, can he? Something must be bothering him.

"Are you alright? You're very quiet." I break the silence. I expect him to either tell me what's wrong or just do the typical 'i'm fine' and move on thing. But instead he just says something that seems completely out of the blue. "You know, you are a very useful person to have around." He comments. Uh what? Where did that come from?

"Thanks? What do you mean though?" I ask. What was he thinking about to just suddenly say that? I don't think I've particularly done anything other than drive him around which pretty much anyone could do. I mean, if i taught him how to call a taxi and to search the internet properly, it would make me essentially useless.

"I doubt that any of the humans we spoke to today would have said nearly so much to me. Actually, I doubt that any fae would be so open with me either. People like talking to you. You make them comfortable." He observes. I flush red from the compliment and try to just shake it off.

"That's just because I'm smaller than you and not as intimidating. It's not anything special that I'm doing.” I argue. Ashton shakes his head in disagreement.

"Making people comfortable is a skill like any other. You know when to share information, when to speak and when to hold back. You also come across as genuine, even when you are withholding information. It is a commendable skill. You made me comfortable enough to place myself in your care within moments of meeting you. You cannot say that is not a respectable talent." he insists. At this point my face must be crimson and it probably clashes awfully with my blue hair. "Well... Thank you I guess." I mutter uncomfortably. I've never been great at accepting compliments.

"I should be the one thanking you for your help.” He responds. I don't think I can actually go any more red, but if I could, I definitely would. I adjust the air conditioner vent to blow straight in my face, needing it to cool me down a little bit. I want to hide my face, but I feel pressured to answer since he is being so sweet.

"You're welcome. I actually have enjoyed helping you so far. It's been... interesting." I answer honestly while keeping my eyes staring straight ahead at the road. Ashton doesn't say anything, but I swear I can feel his eyes on me for the rest of the drive.

The location of the most recent reported fire is actually not all that different from the last house we visited. It's a pretty old building that looks like it's seen better days. It's a quiet area and I bet if we came here at night the street would be dark and quiet. Exactly the kind of place you might go if you were trying to avoid drawing attention to yourself. No one answers when we knock on the door, but that's not exactly a surprise since there is a for sale sign out the front. I doubt anyone is even living here right now. I can't immediately see where the fire was even set. It's not until we walk around the entire building that we spot signs of fire which Ashton confirms were magical. The back door is badly burned, but there is a security screen door inside. It looks like the fae tried to enter the house through the back but was delayed by the door. One of the neighbours probably saw or smelled the fire and called it in.

"Do you think he was looking for somewhere to hide? He could have gotten food at the bakery, and both of the houses we've looked at have been old. This one was empty, it's possible that he thought that Gregory's house was empty too. W didn't check the others, but if they were residential too, it would make sense." I suggest.

“Yes, but where did he go from here?” Ashton looks around the back yard, probably hoping for a giant arrow pointing out where to go or something. If only it were that easy.

"Well, if you were hiding from everyone and you were scared. Where would you go from here? Pretend it's dark and easier to hide in the shadows. I think this would be easier for you since you would have a similar level of familiarity to this environment. If I tried to guess I would be distracted by stuff that I know. I want to know what you would do." I ask. Ashton looks around thoughtfully. This isn't going to work, he's thinking about it too much.

"Remember he would be scared and probably in a hurry. Don't think about it. Where are you going? You have three seconds to decide. Three... Two... O-" Ashton cuts me off and points to the right.

"That way." he answers, although he doesn't seem to know why he picked that way. I shrug.

"Okay, let's go that way then." I make my way through the backyard to the fence on the right. It's lower than the other side and even I can jump it pretty easily.

"Keep going, pretend you think someone is chasing you. Where are you going?" I press on.

We continue on this way for about ten minutes, heading through backyards and ducking under and around fences. Every now and then we find signs of singed wood that look just like handprints so we know we're on the right track. Ashton becomes more and more confident in his decisions. We stop at a small house with a messy yard. The back gate is burned just slightly around the lock so we can get in, but the fences are high enough that it would be difficult to jump. The back door also shows signs of damage. We wander our way around to the front of the building, planning to knock and see if anyone knows anything. There is a big window down the side, and I can't help but peek inside on the way past. It takes me a moment to comprehend what I'm seeing, but when I do I stagger back in horror. I find myself bent over with my hands on my knees as I take in deep breaths.

"What is wrong?" Ashton is at my side in seconds. I just point at the window wordlessly. I don't think I can speak. Ashton looks through the same spot I did and he tenses up as he takes in the scene. I can't get it out of my head. The window looks into a smallish bedroom, and in the bed there are two people. At least they used to be people. Now they are just bodies, burned up beyond identification. The bedding is also scorched but the rest of the room is undamaged. The imp must have killed them. I feel sick. I knew that the people we are searching for are dangerous, but I don't think it really sunk in until this moment. When Ashton speaks his tone is commanding and serious.

"Go back to your car and wait for me. I will investigate." It takes a moment for his words to register in my head. He thinks the imp might still be here. Without another word, I turn and run.