"Woah, woah, woah." Ryker then said.

"Hold up." he said further.

"I know you're independent and all, and that's great and stuff, but you do NOT get a burn from just going for a walk." he commented, seeing Eke's hand.

"And my companion's alarms are goin' off, too." he went on.

"Some serious stuff went down, didn't it?" he asked.

Ryker was silent, and merely pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Ugh." he grunted.

"Of course." he said.

"And it's clear that THAT didn't go so well." he went on.

"I'd ask if you care to reveal any MORE info, but I can tell you're about ready to pass out." he continued.

"So let's get you to bed." he insisted, lifting Eke up in his arms.

Ryker just sighed.

"Yes. Yes, you do keep making things worse." he said.

"But don't dwell on that." he told him. "That's part of growing up and figuring things out." he continued. "Life is about trial and error, and mistakes need to be made to move forward." he went on.

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to talk to your father. And there's no way we could have known that the course you took would end up that way." he assured him further.

"However, want to know something?" he asked.

"I'm not mad at you. And Aly won't be, either." he said. "We're here to help you pick yourself back up, so you can move forward and learn from this." he explained.

"You're not alone. We're here for you, and we'll help you through this." he went on, before the demon took over.

"And if that necromancer sends anyone here, or comes here himself, then I'll make sure to send them back!" he declared with a dark and hardy laugh.

"Mad's a strong word." Ryker replied.

"I'm unimpressed, definitely." he said, as they entered the bedroom that Eke and Aly shared, where Aly was sitting by the window, looking worried.

She looked over and saw them before starting to race towards them, only for Ryker to stop her.

She then sat on the bed, which Ryker walked up to, and set Eke down on it.

"What's done is done." he said.

"You and Aly worry about making sure you're all right." he told them.

"Meanwhile, I need to keep watch, and make sure to spot any problems that might be coming our way."

Aly placed her palm on Eke's cheek, genrly cupping it, but didn't force him to look at her. Instead, she merely leaned in and gave him a light kiss on his other cheek.

"I will." she said.

"I promise." she whispered.

"I love you, Eke." she then said.

"Always remember that. No matter what, I'll always love you."

Aly was silent, and returned the embrace.

"I know, I know." she said, rubbing his back.

"But listen, we'll worry about that when the time comes." she told him.

"For now, you're feverish, and you're shaking." she continued.

"You need rest, medication, and fluids."

"......." Aly was silent as she saw Eke's malnourished body, and sighed.

She then went and got a salve, bringing it to him and starting to rub it into his skin.

"This will help." she said.

"It will warm your body and help loosen up your sinuses, so you can blow your nose and clear your system out." she explained.

"Tissues are on the endtable beside you, as usual." she added.

"I'll make up some tea for you as well."

"I love you, too." Aly replied as he fell asleep.

She then sighed, as she continued to apply the salve. She applied several of them, before making sure he was changed out of his wet clothes, and she put him in comfortable PJ's. Once she had, she covered him up in the blankets, and rubbed his forehead.

"....oh, Eke..." she said quietly.

She then sighed, and looked out the window, wondering what was coming next.

Meanwhile, on the roof, Ryker had a pair of binoculars, and was scanning the skies and surrounding area, on the lookout for anything suspicious or concerning.

Eke's sleeping problems did not go unnoticed by Aly, and she was trying all he could to help him.

But it seemed like nothing was working.

"Eke!" she finally said.

"Eke, wake up! Please!" she pleaded.

"Eke, come on, wake up!"

Aly looked to be immensely concerned right now, but she nodded in response.

"Of course." she replied.

She then raced out of the room, and was gone for only about 30 seconds, before returning with a bottle of cold water.

"Here." she said, unscrewing the top and handing it to him.

"What's wrong?" she asked. "Are you all right?"