The Ironwood Rave Wrap Up Part 4: Bravest Hellhound Ever

“Everyone is afraid of something. It’s not a bad thing. The more you got to lose the more there is to be afraid of.” Vas said as Mathias stalked off, a trail of smoke in his wake.

Serena still hid behind the taller boy. “What are you afraid of?” She asked.

“I don’t remember … But I do know there is something that scares me. You probably know better than I do.” Vas said dismissing it. “How ‘bout we get you home and if you want I can stalk Mathias after and keep an eye on him. So no one has to worry about him?”

“Okay,” Serena replied, her eyes trailing after her brother. “On account of …” she didn’t finish the sentence. It’d be bad if someone tried to jump Mathias right now. Real bad. Not for Mathias, but there would be no way he could keep his abilities under control, not when he was like that. “Be careful,” she warned. “He’s pretty jumpy, an’ I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Vas gave a skeptical look at Serena. “Don’t you know? I’m unfucking killable.” He laughed.

Serena looked up at him, her dark eyes hopeful. “You remember that?” She asked.

“Remember what?” Vas ask tilting his head slightly.

“That you’re unfucking killable,” she repeated, nodding with encouragement.

“Was that something I used to say?” Vas said now filled with curiosity.

Serena’s shoulders dropped, and she shrugged. “Yeah. Something you said to me a couple of times. I thought… maybe you remembered.”

“Oh.” Vas said feeling suddenly awkward. “No … just … I dunno, seem right.” He shrugged and he ushered Serena to the door.

“You did, on account of you were, are,” she said. “But we’re not supposed to talk about it.”

“Right …” Vas said with a deep sigh. “ … let get you home. Maybe we can have ice cream tomorrow.”

“Maybe,” Serena said. “But I’ll prolly be grounded a good long time.”

“Well you know Cyd and Mathias are heavy sleepers … or I could just bring you the ice cream.” Vas suggested as the duo ambled home.

“This is why you’re my best friend ever.” She told him, leaning against his shoulder, stifling a yawn.

Vas brightened. “You want me to carry back? It’s been a crazy night.”

Serena nodded. “But when Mathias isn’t mad no more… he likes to do it.” She told him.

“Sure well make it just for tonight then. He can’t be mad forever.” Vas said bending down so she could hop on his back. “Though if the guy show there faces around here I’ll be the least of there worries.” Vas chuckled darkly.

Serena climbed on his back, leaning her head down against him. “I’m a bit bigger than I was last time. ‘Course, you are too,” she told him.

“Yea? So I guess it kinda equals out.” Vas reasoned. “Hey can I ask a question … you don’t have to answer but just in case you can … can I ask?”

“Course, like I said, you’re my best friend ever.” She reminded him.

“It’s … cool me hanging around right? I mean you said some bad stuff went down and I made you promise not to talk about it so … it must of been pretty bad. I just don’t want to b e bringing it to you. You know since I know I might have trouble seeing it coming or something.” Vas said taking the most familiar route home.

“You won’t let anything happen to me, so even if it comes, you’re here, like you were then.” She said sleepily.

“Your right I won’t. If your not worried then neither am I.” Vas said feeling the matter settled now.

“Nope. You took on a whole base of hounds,” she said through a yawn. “An’ you saved me. I don’t gotta worry about anything.”

“Yea … I’m more badass then I even know …” Vas said though he knew better then to press otherwise she would clam up. “... do it all over again if I had to.”

Serena hugged around his neck. “Even if you don’t remember why?” She asked.

“Don’t matter. I got plenty or reason here and now.” Vas said with a smirk and he walked up the steps to the house. “I don’t have the keys …” He added standin in front of the door.

Serena slid the flower chain knot necklace from around her neck, the key dangling from the center, and handed it down to him. “I need my necklace back though” she reminded him.

“Duh …” He said fiddling with the key as the door popped open. He closes it with a foot and went to deposit Serena in the closet bed, tucking the necklace in her hand. “... It’s a cute necklace. A little worn out though.” He said working her shoes off.

“Made it when I was ten,” she mumbled. “You showed me how to make the knots. Mathias, watch out for Mathias.”

Vas has so many questions but he held them back and tucked Serena in. “Don’t worry, I’ll watch over him.” He promised quietly.

“You’re still the bravest Hellhound ever,” she whispered, drifting off.

Mathias had no clue what time it was. He genuinely didn’t care, he was too tired, too high and he was positive he was going to go to sleep and wake up still half in the bag. He rubbed his eyes yawning. Upside he made some good back. Downside, the sun was up and he was hating every second of it. It wanted to find a cold dark place ideally under a rock and pass out. He more or less stumbled his way home and to the door fumbling for his keys.

Serena heard the door open and close, covering her head with a pillow. Mathias could be mad just as easy later on in the day.