“So Thomas, what time period are you from?” Ren asked, glancing in the rear view mirror at him.

“Oh, early colonial.” Thomas told him simply. “I died in the Witch Trials.”

“Oh really? Heidi and I are studying those in class right now.” Ren said with a smile.

“Yeah that’s what she was telling me.” Thomas said simply. “It still feels like it all happened only yesterday; I can’t that it’s been so long.”

“You don’t know shit about ‘a long time’.” Pharaoh said flatly. “It’s been so long that half of my history is a myth to people.”

“When are you from?” Thomas asked, curious to know what happened in the young man’s past that would make him so entitled.

“I was the 10th King of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt!” Pharaoh exclaimed, turning around in the front seat. “Egypt had never seen more power or wealth when I was King!”

Thomas looked over to where Heidi sat next to him looking out the window as the scenery flashed by. He noticed that she was smiling as the young man spoke.

“My Familiarity councilor told me that Familiars are usually people who have a deep regret in life. What is it that you regret that brought you back into the world again?” Thomas asked, watching the Familiar’s face closely. Pharaoh’s smile faded as Thomas’s question brought down his high.

“That’s none of your damn business.” He said quietly as he turned back around to face the front. The car grew awkwardly quiet as Ren pulled into the small parking lot near The Book and the Bean.

Heidi opened the door as soon as the car parked, happy to be outside of the awkward space. The four of them walked up the sidewalk quietly with Pharaoh ahead of the group as Thomas fell into time next to Heidi, not saying a word. The little bell above the door rang as they stepped into the shop. They were greeted by the heavy scent of coffee in the air that made Heidi smile as she breathed in deeply.

“Oh, my God Heidi!” Hiro exclaimed as he dropped a coffee cup on the floor as he ran towards the group, wrapping his arms around her, hugging her tightly. Heidi winced as a sharp pain shot through her shoulder, sending Hiro jumping back and Thomas stepping forward.

“I’m ok!” She said holding her hands out, assuring Thomas that Hiro hadn’t hurt her.

“Heidi, I saw the news. What the hell happened, are you ok?” Hiro asked as he placed his hands on her shoulders. “I was so fuckin worried about you.”

“Hiro, I’m sorry to worry you, but I’m really ok. Thomas saved me.” She told him, looking back at her Familiar.

Hiro looked from Heidi to the young man who stood protectively next to her.

“You saved her? Are you her Familiar?” He asked as Thomas nodded. “I’m Hiro, we’re coworkers. I can’t thank you enough for saving her.”

“I’d never let anything happen to her.” Thomas said quietly.

“But anyway, are you sure you’re alright? You can take a few extra days off work if you need, I’ll work your shifts, you just let me know.” Hiro said frantically.

“Honestly Hiro, I just need some normalcy. I really appreciate it, but I just want everything to be like it never happened.” She told him with a smile.

“Yeah, I understand that. So can I get you guys something to drink? Do you drink coffee Thomas?” He asked looking up to his friend’s Familiar.

“Yes, I’ll just have black coffee please.” He said with a smile.

“Yeah, sure thing.” Hiro said with a smile as he looked to Ren and Pharaoh. “Anything for you guys?”

“Nah man, we’re good.” Pharaoh answered for the both of them.

“Alright, by the way, I saw that you're on the schedule, congrats on getting the job man!” Hiro said to Pharaoh as he made his way back to the coffee bar.

“Yeah, thanks.” Pharaoh said quietly.

“That’s actually why we're here.” Heidi told him as they followed him to the counter. “I lost my phone so I couldn’t call in to ask.”

“Oh, sure, go on back.” Hiro said as he poured a cup of coffee for Thomas, placing it on the counter. Thomas spun in place as he looked up at the walls of books that surrounded him.

“You alright man?” Hiro asked as he watched the young man.

“Yes, I’ve just never seen so many books.” Thomas answered. “And here I thought that Heidi had a lot.”

Hiro laughed as Heidi and Pharaoh stepped through the swinging doors that led to the back of the small cafe.

“Are you alright?” Heidi asked as they approached the schedule.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Pharaoh said flatly.

“Well you haven’t said much since the car.” Heidi noted.

“Yeah, you can thank your nosy ass Familiar for that.” Pharaoh sneered as he walked ahead of her.

“”Pharaoh, please at least try to be nice to him.” Heidi asked, grabbing a hold of his shoulder, turning him to face her. “It’s the only thing ill ever ask of you.”

Pharaoh let out a sigh as he scratched his forehead, looking everywhere other than her.

“Please.” She said once again. Finally he looked down at her, hesitating a moment before he spoke.

“Fine. I guess I can understand why he’s so stuck up. We didn’t exactly get a great first impression of each other.” He admitted. “I’ll try to get along with the guy. It’s not like he’s going anywhere any time soon.”

“Thank you, Pharaoh.” Heidi said with a soft smile.

“Yeah, sure.” He said as he turned, looking at the schedule that hung on a cork board, a smile creeping across his face.

“Well look at that, looks like you're training me on day one, Wendy's.” He said with a chuckle. “And I’m free to help you move, it’s a double win.”

“You do realize that this means that you have to do what I say, right?” Heidi said with a laugh as she made a mental note of her shifts for the week.

“That is where you're wrong Wendy’s, you just used up your ‘do what I say’ chance.” He said with a grin as his voice changed into a high pitched impersonation of Heidi. “Please Pharaoh, be nice to Thomas.”

“That is not what I sound like!” She said with a laugh as she popped him on the arm.

“Oh, yes it is. You can’t command the King!” Pharaoh boasted as he turned to rejoin his Ward out in the cafe.

“Yeah, well we’ll see how long you last when you don’t know what you're doing.” Heidi said with a smile as she followed him.

When they returned to the cafe, Heidi smiled as she watched Thomas pick a book from one of the many shelves that filled the cafe, skimming through the pages.

“You can take it with you, you know? That’s how this place works.” She told him as he looked from the open pages to her.

“This place is amazing.” He said quietly, making Heidi laugh.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Hey!” Pharaoh called out, waving at them from the worn leather couch that they had claimed the last time that they were there. “You two care to join the group?”

“Come on.” Heidi said with a smile, leading Thomas to the couch where Ren and Pharaoh already sat waiting for them.

“So Heidi, we still have this project to finish. It's due next Friday, who do you want to do the research on?” Ren asked, leaning back on the couch.

“Well, I was thinking we could do the report on Thomas.” Heidi said with some hesitation, turning to her Familiar. “If that’s ok with you.”

Thomas looked from his Ward to the others in the group, unsure of what they were talking about as Heidi explained.

“We have to do a report on one of the victims of The Salem Witch Trials. I wanted to do the report on someone who wasn’t as well known to history. Thomas was killed along with his father during the Trials, but Thomas wasn’t recorded because he didn’t have a trial.” She explained, looking to her friends.

“Yeah, I think that’s a great idea.” Ren agreed, “If you’re ok with that, Thomas.”

Heidi watched as Thomas looked down at the floor, his jaw clenching as he hesitated.

“Sure, I don’t mind.” He said quietly. “What would you like to know?”

                                                              ~

The four stayed there for several more hours as Thomas told them all about his short life, explaining the charges that he and his family had against them. He told them of the paranoia that took over Salem as the fear of Witches spread like wildfire. Ren took detailed notes as Thomas spoke, wanting to represent the young man’s life well. After the story was told, they finally stood, saying goodnight to Hiro as he closed up shop. A strong feeling of dejavu washed over Heidi as she stepped back out onto the sidewalk outside the Book and the Bean as the sun set. She looked across the street to the bench where she first saw the scarecrow almost a week before. She shivered as the cold November wind blew against her, raising goosebumps on her arms.

“Hey.” Pharaoh said quietly as he noticed her watching the spot. “He’s not gonna hurt you again. Don’t worry.”

“I know, I just can’t help but remember how his hands felt.” She muttered as she ran her hands over her arms, trying to smooth down the hairs that stood on end. Thomas shrugged out of his jacket, quietly placing it over his Ward’s shoulders, shielding her from the brisk wind.

“Come on.” He said, offering her a smile. “Let’s go home.”

Ren watched as Heidi closed the door to her home behind her, locking it and turning off the front porch light. He let out a sigh as he pulled back out into the street, steering the car towards their apartment. He glanced over to his Familiar who sat in the passenger seat, looking out the window as they rode through the night.

“What's on your mind?” He asked, looking back to the road.

“I’m wondering if he can keep her safe.” He said simply.

“I’m sure he’s plenty capable.” Ren assured him. “He was enough to save her in the first place.”

“Right.” Pharaoh said shortly. Ren looked down at his phone in the cup holder as the screen lit up, revealing a text message from Kate.

“Are you going over to Kate’s tonight?” Pharaoh asked without looking away from the window.

“Yeah.” Ren said quietly.

“Have fun.” Pharaoh said through the dark.

“Are you mad at me?” Ren asked as he slowed the car, the red glow of a stop light illuminating his Familiars face.

“Yeah, kind of.” Pharaoh said sharply, turning to look at his Ward in the face. “Heidi is a good person. She's one of the first people who I feel like is friends with us without any kind of hidden agenda and I don’t want you to screw that up.”

“If she really wants to be friends, then me getting with Kate wont change that.” Ren argued back, feeling the sharp pain of guilt in his stomach. The light turned green and they drove on, the route to his apartment almost muscle memory.

“You know, back before, I didn’t have friends.” Pharaoh said quietly. “I had subjects. I had all these people kissing ass to me because they were afraid of me, or wanted to share in the power that I provided. Here it’s been no different. People ask us to hang out so they can be seen with us. You’re the first person who I've ever considered a true friend. You should value the people who like you for you and not your social status.”

“I do value her.” Ren told him. “Hell, I even thought I may have wanted more. But you know what Kate means to me. If she wants to try again, that’s not an opportunity I want to pass up. I have to know where that will lead.”

“Just be prepared to risk losing that same opportunity in Heidi.” Pharaoh told him. “While you're exploring this thing with Kate again, she might decide that she should explore other opportunities herself.”

Ren let out a deep sigh as he pulled into their parking lot.

“I know.”