Nate looked horrified.

"Lunet, I...!" he stammered.

"Are you suggesting what I think you are?" he asked.

"You... you really don't have to put yourself in harm's way for this..." he went on.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Because... I... they..." he then stammered further, before sighing.

"Lunet, what, exactly, are you thinking will happen?" he asked her.

Nate gritted his teeth and grimaced slightly.

"...I..." he stammered.

"I cannot endorse or encourage this plan." he told her. "...but I cannot stop you." he continued.

"Do what you think is best." he went on.

"Just... if you DO do this... please try to not get seriously hurt." he pleaded.

"I know what you are. It's difficult to forget." he then commented.

"Still doesn't change the fact I don't like the thought of you being hurt."

Nate suppressed an exasperated sigh.

It was now clear that she had been wanting to do this, and he had stood in the way of her... even though he was not trying to implicitly do so. He now wondered if he'd done the right thing, made the right choice, voicing his opinion so honestly and frankly.

He just shook his head and they left, telling security on the way.

"...so how are we getting back?" he asked her when they were outside.

"Cab? Ride with someone? Something else?" he asked further.

"Anything works for me." he said.

".........." Nate was silent as he heard that.

"Literally...?" he asked.

"Wait, right. She's the zombie." he then remembered. "You told me that. And his Dad's the demon." he said further.

He then paused again.

"...and those words just exited my mouth." he realised and vocalised.

"My life is absurd now, it seems." he commented.

"Though I get the feeling I'm saying that FAR to prematurely." he then added.

Nate looked at her and sighed heavily.

"I am sure I'm ready? No." he said. "I have no idea what I'm getting myself into, and that scared the crap outta me." he admitted. "And a lot of my body is screaming at me to figuratively turn and run." he continued.

"...but I've learned that I'm not a freak. That there are others like me, or even more different, and such." he then went on.

"I CAN'T go back to my old life. Not any longer." he told her.

"So I have no choice. Step into the deep end? I get the feeling I'm already in the deep end, but I'm floating in a life ring." he said further, continuing with her water analogy.

"So am I ready to let go of the ring? Probably not. But I'm doing it anyway." he finished, and she heard the quiet conviction in his tone.

"....shouldn't...?" Nate asked, as the cab suddenly pulled up.

"Oh, dear..." he mumbled.

"Well... in for a penny." he sighed, as they both climbed in.

Once the cab was on its way, he looked at her.

"This common for you?" he asked.

"Make decisions and let other things sort themselves out?" he asked her.

"What happens if your Dad DOES have an issue with this, for... whatever reason?" he then asked further.

"...fair enough." Nate replied.

"Also, Liv?" he asked.

"Who's that?" he asked her.

"Friend, relative, other?" he asked further.

"I've heard you mention the name a few times, but it's always been in passing, relating to another story." he then commented.

"She a big part of your life?" he inquired.

"...oh!" Nate replied.

"I getcha." he said.

"Well... I mean... kudos to the woman for trying." he said further.

"Seriously. That couldn't have been easy." he went on.

"At least it all seemed to work out." he then continued.

"And I assume you and Liv are... pretty close." he went on.

"I mean, she WAS your sister for a bit, you said."

"It's good she's doing what she wants with her life." Nate agreed.

"At least you get to see her from time to time, I assume." he went on.

She nodded.

The rest of the ride had idle chitchat, before the cab came to a stop.

"And we're here." the driver informed them.

"Time flies." Nate commented.

"And speaking of time, time to get inside." he added.

Before Nate could answer, there was a chime on Lunet's phone, indicating she had a text.

"Guess you wanna check that soon." he said.

"And yeah, sure, a drink'd be nice." he told her.

"Uhhh... root beer if you have it." he went on.

"Otherwise, I'm not too fussy. Anything with flavour." he added.

When Lunet was able to check the text, she would see it was from her dead.

Was feeling sore when I got back, decided to deal with it the old fashioned way, by soaking in a hot tub. Let me know if you need anything. it read.

And it was clear he was unaware they had sudden company.