When Sara and Kate came to the cafeteria the next day, many heroes were already awake before them. Sara and Kate had slept over in Sara’s bedroom but were awaken by the chattering of angels walking back and forth the hallway from their bedrooms.

Sara rubbed her crusted eyes with a yawn, still in her pajamas, but Kate had quickly slipped on her clothing from yesterday before they left Sara’s bedroom. Sara looked out at the lounge area and saw that the sun was peaking up from the sky, casting out magnificent colors of hot pink, bright orange, and dark blue turning into lighter azure.

Kate was about to ask what was going on, but an angel responded as he saw her questioning look, “Thomas Pitch was spotted in the Bad Lands which is in South Dakota.”

Kate huffed, putting her hands on her hips, “At the Bad Lands? Why would he do that?”

Sara muttered tiredly and stretched out her arms, “Probably to taunt us.”

“Yeah, probably,” agreed a hero.

A whistle came to Michael’s office and everyone turned, Michael pointed his fingers at Kate and Sara, “Come.”

Kate and Sara obeyed as they went inside Michael’s office, Sara sitting down in pure exhaustion, lying her head down, and Kate the opposite, energy flowing through her in wonder and dread leaked inside of her like a crack through the concentrate and water spraying out of it.

Michael watched Sara as she yawned, closed her eyes, and turned to Daniel, his sidekick, “Can you get Sara an iced caramel latte?”

“Grande,” Sara muttered.

Daniel nodded, “Of course.” He walked to the door.

Michael turned to Kate, “Oh, do you want some coffee, Kate?”

Kate shrugged, “Um, I get a chai latte please.”

Daniel nodded again and left the office, the door closing on itself slowly and quietly.

Michael put his hands on his desk, staring at Kate and Sara, “Everyone else already been up since four. You guys are the last to report. Pitch has been spotted in the Bad Lands, and there’s evidence, not a rumor, but an angel had taken a photo of him and a hero was killed. The point being, you have less than two hours to pack, and I don’t know how long we will be gone, but…he let the angel go and ridicule us. Pitch was this to be some sick game. We have no choice but to follow him, and I know we will eventually catch up to him. It’s a matter of time.”

“So,” Kate crossed her arms, her thinking gears on, “We are going to follow around the world until we capture him...kinda seems like a waste of time.”

Sara lifted her head with another yawn and said, “Let him come to us. He probably wants to gut you out, no offense, and will lose his patience if we wait him out.”

“John said the same thing, but we can’t afford him killing heroes and angels left to right, and only God knows how many humans he will kill waiting for us to wait for him.”

Sara said with a sigh, “It’s obvious he’s going to lead all of us into a trap.”

“With all of us?” Michael shook his head with a scoff, “He may be powerful Sara, but all of us with him, there’s no chance he can kill each of us.”

Kate said, “We don’t know what’s he’s planning or...and Michael,” she stated, “He has the sword. He can kill you.”

Michael bit on his bottom lips and shook his head, “That’s the least of my problems.” He tapped his finger on the desk, eyeing his assassin and sidekick, “I am here to save the world, not to face the problem that my life is at stake. My life always has been at stake, but I can’t afford to worry that has something that can kill me.”

Sara looked away at her father, jerking up to her feet, and couldn't help but lash out, “So you don’t care if you get killed and leave me all alone? All the heroes alone, all the angels alone that depend on you?”

Kate couldn’t help but feel the same thing.

Michael said calmly, “Many magical creatures have stolen the sword before from me through countless years. Do you think now I let Pitch get to me? If no one else has, then he can’t, right?”

Sara was still glaring away, with crossed arms, “Sure.”

Kate nodded in agreement, “Well...yeah.”

Michael went to Sara and whispered, “I’m not going to have a warlock kill me, Sara, darling. There’s no need to worry. He’s not a warrior like me, just a messy fighter.” The Archangel winked at Kate, “And I have your friend to protect me. And she has you to protect her.” Michael leaned his head down at Sara who was looking up at him with a glistering gaze, “We all protect each other.”

“When are we leaving?” Kate said, trying not to feel envy throbbing inside of her.

“We leave at ten, but I need all of my sidekicks to round up in the map room to discuss what I plan,” Michael pulled away from Sara, “I have a feeling we are going to be gone for probably a month or so...hopefully I’m just being cautious and be less than that.” He handed a slip of paper to each of the girls, “I had an angel type out your packing list.” He moved to his door, “I have…” Michael looked down at his

silver watch, “Four minutes until a meeting. I expect to see you both at the map room at eight sharp.”

Kate and Sara nodded slightly, watching Michael leaving for his next meeting.

“Guess I’ll see you at the map room then,’ said Sara, her mind already focusing on the task at hand with capturing Pitch, “Good luck on packing.” She left Kate in the office, who stood there with a tearful heart reaching out for Michael. She knew Michael could handle himself, but having the responsibility to watch over him constantly was an honor, but also a terrifying job.

Imagine expecting to watch the Archangel of the imperial army of the angels and God’s most trusted angel from someone hellbent on killing him.

Just another thing to bare on Katerina’s shoulder, but she wouldn’t let that weigh her down as she walked out of the office knowing she got this. This wasn’t the time to doubt herself if Kate could protect her leader. Her father figure.

It was time to prove to Michael what Kate was comparable of. That he didn’t have to be still disappointed in her for what happened years ago. To be cautious if his sidekick would make another huge mistaken call.

Her eyes flashed back on the build collapsing and nearly shuddered at the furious look Michael had given her. She pushed that look away and held her head up. Kate had to focus on the present and future not the past anymore. That stated, she kept letting the pieces of the traumatic past hunt her.

Sara pumped in music in her Bluetooth on her dresser, singing the lyrics as she went over the lists, tossing clothing and items, checking them off the list. She laughed as the angel had written down: Bring as much underwear as you desire.

She stretched on the floor as she had gone down half the list, yawning. Daniel had given her a latte when she was headed back to her room. She had already finished her drink and was deciding if she wanted caffeine in her system.

Sara thought to wait until she finished packing to get more and see if the caffeine was in her system.

“Do you need help packing?” Sal asked, sitting across from her suitcase that was white and had golden feathers all spread on it. It was apparent who picked out the suitcase for her.

Sara shrugged and tossed the list to him, standing up, “I probably should exercise before we leave. Don’t know when the next time I get to train.”

Sal looked over the list, “Hmmm.”

“What does that mean?” Sara asked, getting her toilet tree and putting them in a small bag.

Sal let the list slip from his fingers and crossed over to Sara, “I don’t know. Maybe you should stay here. Like come on, your father already has enough people to kill and go after Pitch.”

Sara grabbed her toothbrush and toothpaste, now brushing her teeth, “I don’t want to miss out on the fun and he wants me by his side.”

Sal smirked, “Or just to make sure you behave.”

Sara couldn’t help but chuckle lightly, “That too.” She spat out and saw some blood. Was she brushing too roughly again? She did feel anxious but wasn’t from the caffeine. Yes, going after Pitch was stressful, but it was more than that. Sara glanced at Sal picking out a song.

And why was she being so nice to Sal? She didn’t understand this as she handed him the paper that was usually on that kind of thing, just ignored him. But she was being talkative to him. Sara guessed perhaps that she was just starting to accept he was in her brain and followed her everywhere, usually not leaving her alone.

Plus, on the bright note, Sara hadn’t had any nightmares for the past week making her feel less grumpy and more gracious towards Sal, even though she knew he gave her those freakish nightmares.

Or was Sal testing her like she always felt like she was some kind of experiment?

Sara shook that thought off as she put her toothbrush and toothpaste in the bag, looking around her bathroom if she needed anything else.

Sara hoped that the more she accepted Sal as part of her and as the weirdo stalker that possessed inside of her; she could be at peace with herself. Sara was slowly understanding that she had to get over this person in her mind and move on.

Of course, these thoughts didn’t come to her this instinct but in the past few weeks as things continued with Pitch. Sara expect Sal to comment on her train of thoughts, but he didn’t.

A knock came at the door.