The stretch of roads transforms into towering skyscrapers, leaving the streets empty. Everywhere, shops and eateries were shuttered, creating a desolate atmosphere. In this stillness, a sense of despair lingered.

On every corner, streetwalkers await their next client while drug peddlers haggle over bags filled with unknown substances. Swaggering gang members display intimidating firearms, but upon spotting a massive dog, they scatter in different directions, forcing Johnny to maneuver around them.

Despite the dwindling fuel in the stolen motorcycle, Johnny reaches the Meatpacking District, but his companions are nowhere in sight.

The twisting lights of the busy district blurred the streets and avenues, making it difficult for Johnny to navigate.

Suddenly, as he takes a swerve to the right, Johnny catches sight of Cricket sitting behind the wheel of a stolen blue Volvo.

What the fuck is she doing? Johnny thinks as he follows her.

He can't help but worry about Cricket steering on the left lane like a drunk maniac while Mateo is sitting in the passenger seat, throwing up in a brown paper bag.

Even so, Mateo manages to get his shit together, tosses his puke bag out of the window, and retrieves his twin pistols from his backpack.

Though her plan is a little off, Cricket presses down on the gas pedal, ramming the car against the hind leg of the demonic canine. Chunks of metal and glass sprinkle themselves on the cracked concrete.

Screeching tires hurt Johnny's ears until Cricket rams the car against the hound's leg, forcefully guiding it into an alley behind a deserted strip club.

After the witch climbs out of the car, Mateo stumbles out of his seat, forcing himself not to dry heave.

Mateo stares at the broken headlights and cracked windshield, then shakes his head in annoyance. "Who the hell taught you how to drive-"

"MOVE!" Cricket yells.

She pushes Mateo out of the way as the snarling canine crushes the Volvo with its monstrous paw.

In the meantime, Johnny leaves the motorcycle and his bag near the front entrance of the strip club. He yanks the machete from the holster and then hurries to aid his friends, who are firing multiple bullets at the injured creature until Mateo accidentally jams his gun.

"Jesus, fuck!" he groans.

While Mateo attempts to fix it, Cricket boldly stands before him. She reloads her gun, discards the empty magazine, and continues firing at the monster.

As bullets graze the black fur, the pain spreads inside its veins, but once again, the hound musters all of its strength to attack the kids at once. Withering smoke crawls out of its broad snout. Strong teeth bear at Cricket and Mateo while Johnny creeps behind the beast with his blade in his sore hands.

Johnny grips the hilt with his fingers and lifts the sword over his head, only to see Cricket shooting lighting from her palms.

Gritting her teeth, Cricket charges towards the monster, but the hound pins her down with its massive paw.

"Oh, God!" Mateo cries out in panic, frantically trying to unjam his gun as Cricket's life hangs in the balance.

The hulking canine had its sights locked on the witch, its drool-drenched fangs ready to strike.

With a stroke of luck, Mateo manages to free his weapon just in the nick of time and fires at the back of the beast's head. While it did focus its attention away from Cricket, the dog is more determined to hunt down Mateo.

Coming to their rescue is Johnny, proving to be a stealthy and cunning ally. He leaps on top of the strip club with sheer agility and trudges carefully along the ledge.

Once Johnny gets closer to the monster, he plummets onto the towering creature's head and drives his machete deep into its skull in a daring feat.

Mateo and Cricket's bodies involuntarily jerk at the sudden transformation of the dog into a pile of ash, leaving Johnny's once-clean shirt now covered in black soot.

Landing on the grimy floor, Johnny brushes off the debris with a quick swipe before rushing over to his friends.

"Matt! Cricket!" Johnny cries. "Are you guys okay?"

"Yeah," Cricket responds, "I wish I could say the same to you. Looks like you could use a shower."

Johnny chuckles as he looks down at his dust-covered attire. "Yeah, but let's get Kenzie first. Wren's counting on me to bring her home."

******
After repairing the car with her powers, Cricket drives to the Upper East Side of New York.

In the meantime, Johnny slips his father's machete into his holster, whereas Mateo marvels at the restaurants and designer shops along Madison Avenue.

Meanwhile, Cricket pushes her disheveled curls from her wounded face, earning a concerned look from Johnny.

A fresh cut stretches across her brown cheek. Cricket's eyes look tired, and though the blood stops trickling down from her bruised knuckles, the filthy stains on her clothes refuse to disappear.

Looks like she needs medicine more than Matt, Johnny thinks.

Speaking of the shapeshifter, Mateo peers through his window and gasps, "Holy shit, is this where Kenzie's friends live?"

Johnny looks at the city briefly, then yawns, "Yeah, I think so."

"I wish I could live there, you know?" Mateo said, and a dreamy smile emerged on his face. "I want to buy a huge-ass TV and a swimming pool in my living room."

Cricket gives Mateo a look. "You want a swimming pool in your living room?"

Mateo tilts his head to the side.

"Oh, please," he scoffs. "It's not like I give a fuck about money."

"You don't?" Johnny asked in surprise.

"Well, yeah," Mateo continues. "I need money for bills, but I don't care about it. You get what I mean?"

Johnny raises his eyebrow. "Uh, no? Why do you think that?"

"Because I don't see the point in spending money," said Mateo. "It's stressful, exhausting, and you'll be broke in three seconds. That's why, from now on, I won't worry about money anymore. I'm just going to focus on the good things."

"Ah," Cricket says, pausing in front of the stoplight. "So, you're into the easy life, huh? Hakuna Matata-style?"

Mateo chuckles. He drapes his arms behind his head and stares at the grayish-brown ceiling.

"Yeah, but I am also into getting my art all over New York, like Basquiat," he yawns. "Oh, and after being big and famous, I will invent thirty different skateboard tricks."

Johnny snorts in disbelief. "That's a pile of horse shit."

This insult earns him an elbow jab from Cricket, whose left-hand grasps the steering wheel.

"Just let the kid dream a little," she pouts. "We are people, after all."

"Yeah!" Mateo agrees. "I mean, I know it's never going to happen, but I want to try doing all the things I love before I go six feet under."

Johnny bows his head in remorse and closes his eyes.

"You're right," he admits. "Sorry."

"Apology accepted."

"So, you want to become Basquiat and the next Tony Hawk. What else is on your to-do list, eh?"

A shy smile emerges from Mateo's lips. He diverts his gaze from the glass and stares at the rearview mirror without blinking.

"Take Nadia out on a date," Mateo confesses. "I mean, I'm broke as hell, but I want to treat her like a princess, you know? Take her on one of those trips to Ellis Island, treat her to a fancy restaurant, and maybe teach her how to tag a couple of buildings."

Cricket smirks at his goal. "You got it bad for her, huh?"

"Yeah, I do," Mateo confesses. "And I don't care if I have to lie or cheat people out of their money. Nadia's going to have the best date in the goddamn world."

Johnny grins. He turns his back to the windshield, gives his seventeen-year-old best friend a playful handshake, and tells Mateo he will have a real chance for her.

"You think so?" Mateo asked, lifting his left eyebrow.

"Yeah," Johnny answers, bobbing his head. "Maybe I can spare you some tips on how to charm the ladies."

"Seriously?" Cricket scoffs. "You know how to charm the ladies?"

"Well, obviously," Mateo replies. "I mean, look at him! Chicks dig dark and mysterious guys."

Johnny rolls his eyes until the lights turn green. The music transitions from Bad Brain to Death as Cricket drives forward.

Johnny winces at her song choices. He isn't too big on hip-hop like Mateo or punk like Cricket, but he lets them listen to whatever song they want on the radio. Besides, he has his CD player with him.

Opening his front backpack pouch, Johnny pulls out his device, dons his headphones, and bobs his head to Pharaoh Sanders. He turns his attention back to the posh neighborhood when he sees his sister Kenzie storming away from an angry, dark-haired boy who looks three years older than him.

"Shit," Johnny murmurs, yanking his headphones from his ears. "Christy, stop the car. I found her!"

Cricket slams the brakes while Johnny unbuckles his seatbelt and vacates the Volkswagen Beetle. He doesn't know what the boy and Kenzie are fighting about, but he is determined to return his sister.

"Kenzie!" Johnny shouts. "Mackenzie!"

Kenzie turns around and swears under her breath as Johnny approaches her. Her friend, Zack, on the other hand, stares at Johnny like he is some alien or something.

Tilting his head to the side, Zack's black, bowl-shaped haircut flaps in the breeze. His skin is darker than Johnny's, but there are a couple of acne patches on his forehead and chin. He wears this red letterman's jacket that matches his Ralph Lauren dark blue polo shirt, Chinos, and boat shoes.

"Kenzie, who the fuck is this freak?" the boy laughs.

Kenzie rolls her eyes and turns her back to Johnny. Her curly brown hair drapes over her bare shoulders. She wears a flower-printed white tube top and denim shorts that expose her slender legs. Johnny stares at her sandals and shakes his head in dismay.

"Jesus Christ, please tell me you brought a jacket," he groans. "Or a sweater to keep you warm."

"Fuck you, Johnny!" Kenzie shrieks. "It's like eighty degrees outside!"

"It's sixty-two!" Johnny corrects. "But, of course, you don't know that because you haven't watched the weather channel!"

"Leave me alone!" cried Kenzie. "Why the fuck do you care about what I do?"

"Wren is all alone in that house because of you! You're damn lucky Grandma is asleep because-"

"I am sorry. Who the fuck is this guy?" Zack asks, interrupting the siblings' squabble. "And who are these people in the car?"

Johnny doesn't answer. He grabs Kenzie by the arm and instructs her to get in the car until Zack steps before Johnny.

"Haven't you got the message, weirdo?" Zack snaps angrily. "Kenzie doesn't want to come with you."

Johnny says nothing to the older boy. He avoids Zack and approaches his younger sister.

"Come on, Kenzie," he urges. "Wren and Abuela are worried about you-"

He is immediately interrupted by Kenzie's friend, who grabs Johnny by the arm. His brown eyes glare at the monster hunter's stoic face.

"Say, are you Kenzie's secret boyfriend?" he inquires, a sneering grin stretching across his face. "Or are you just some fucking queer?"

"Hey!" Kenzie growls. "Johnny is my brother! So don't call him that!"

Zack's face drops. "Your brother, huh?"

Johnny glares at him. "Yeah. She's my sister, and I am taking her home."

Shoving past Zack again, Johnny is about to take Kenzie to the car when Zack steps before him.

"You? Taking Kenzie home?" he scoffs in disbelief. "Is that a joke?"

"What are you talking about?"

"According to Kenzie, you were a shitty brother. You dropped her and Wren on your granny's lap and took off without saying goodbye-"

"Shut up, Zack!" Kenzie snaps.

"Hey! What the hell is going on here?"

Johnny, Kenzie, and Zack turn to see a Hispanic police officer approaching them.

He gives his black mustache a good scratch. His uniform matches the night sky. His walkie-talkie and equipment are tucked away in his belt. The second Zack sees the cop's golden badge, he hightails out of there, whereas Kenzie nervously takes a step back.

"Hi, officer," she greets sheepishly.

"Hey," the cop greets back. "How are you two? Are you okay?"

Kenzie nods while Johnny stares at him cautiously.

"Uh, yeah," he says carefully. "How did you know-"

"Come on, you two." urged the cop. "Let's go home."

Kenzie scoffs at this. "Really? You're not going to run after Zack? Question me if I have been drinking?"

"Not really, no."

"Why?"

The cop pinches the nose bridge and whips his head to glare at Johnny and Kenzie.

"I'm not going to do that," he said. "Because I'm sick and tired of waiting in Seph's car."

Johnny drops his jaw. "Mateo? Is that you?"

The cop rolls his eyes. He pushes the siblings towards the Volkswagen Beetle, opens the car, and shoves them in the backseat.

Johnny grunts as the cop slams the door in his face. He feels uncomfortable being squished with his sister and crawls in the front passenger seat.

In the meantime, Kenzie reluctantly sits behind Cricket, who is busy rolling a blunt. She straps in her seatbelt and glances at the Hispanic officer, who makes sure everyone is seated before stepping inside the car.

Kenzie cocks her head to the side. Her lips twist into a shocked frown. She doesn't understand why the cop is sitting in the car with them until he morphs into a seventeen-year-old teenager.

"What the fuck?" Kenzie screeches. "Who the fuck are you?"

The boy removes his beanie and scratches his upper lip before glaring at her.

"My name's Mateo De La Cruz," he introduces impatiently. "I'm Johnny's best friend and the real reason you're not in prison right now."

He jerks his thumb at Cricket, who is smoking a rolled blunt.

"The girl sitting behind the wheel is Cricket Phillips, who, like me, wants to go to bed," Mateo adds. "Now, do you have any other stupid questions you'd like to ask me, or can we get a fucking move on?"
© kstorm68q