Alex scrambled away from Zac, clutching his wrist against his chest. Jacob slid around the wall next to him, so that there was as much room as possible between them and this new danger. Zac pressed against the door, scrambling for the doorknob. The room was tiny; it would be too easy to brush against someone and harm them. Alex, well, he didn't mind having hurt him but he hated the thought of whatever that was happening to Jacob or, Creator forbid, Skye.

Naturally, the girl showed no signs of fear or even basic self preservation. She moved right into Zac's reach, heedless of the potential for injury.

“It's okay,” Skye said. “I know what this is. It's... well, normal? Normal doesn't really work in your case but, kind of expected? Yeah. It's expected.”

“I did not expect that!”

“No, you wouldn't.” Skye rested her hand over his. And despite his strong flinch, kept it in place. Nothing happened to her. “It's okay. You cannot hurt me. Not with my own power. It's fine.” She glanced over her shoulder at Alex. “He'll be fine, too. If he lives the night I mean. I'll explain later.”

“You'll explain now! What did that freak do to me?” Alex waved his injured hand.

Skye looked at Zac. Then back at the two Hunt Initiative members. She was clearly debating with herself.

Zac said, speaking softly, “It would mean a lot to me, to know what just happened.”

All his life he'd had to be cautious, so cautious, not to trigger the Blood Trance and murder everyone around him. Yet still, as himself, he was safe to be around. So long as he maintained that constant control. Now? Now somehow his very touch burned a man! He shuddered at the thought of the level of isolation this could mean. He would have to leave the university; he could not stand the risk he might extend a hand to help one of the young ones and harm them instead.

“I'll explain this.” Skye said with determination. “Just this, for now. I'll tell you everything, later, but only you.” Skye jerked her head towards the others. “They don't deserve to know.”

Zac nodded slowly.

“I deserve to know if this is gonna kill me!”

“It shouldn't. But, he is... different, slightly. Hm.” Skye turned and examined Alex. “Interesting. My death touch looks like a bruise... this looks...” She reached out and took Zac's hand, bringing it closer. The burns where the chains had held him remained, livid red against pale flesh. And painful. Though, oddly, where her slender fingers wrapped around his wrist, some of the pain numbed. He wondered if that was some magic of her Aspect or just a sign of extreme nerve damage.

“Death touch?” Zac asked at the same time Jacob and Alex shrieked the words.

“That's what I call it.” Skye looked up at Zac. “It's really okay. You can control this. I'm the same way. You have to mean it, first off. You have to want to hurt someone, for the touch to activate.”

He nodded. Control. He could do that.

“You have to hold it a while, too. To actually kill with it. For me it's... about thirty seconds? Depending how angry, or scared, or hurt I am.”

She looked back at Alex. “If Zac wasn't in so much pain, you'd be fine.”

Alex crossed his arms, hugging his injured wrist to his chest. “And you freaks wonder why we think you're so dangerous. Whole lot of you should be put down for everyone's safety.”

“The only person in this room who has intentionally harmed anyone else here is you,” Skye pointed out. “Zac literally had no idea that could happen, and he stopped when he realized he was hurting you. I'd've held on.” She grinned. “Call him a freak again, and you'll see what my touch can do.”

Alex paled. “You wouldn't.”

“Test me.”

Alex was quiet for a moment, then said, “We should find a first aid kit. This hurts.”

“Have you looked at Zac's back? Or any of him?” Skye shook her head. “He's not complained once. You're fine. Besides...” She shrugged. “I don't think anything in a first aid kit will help that.”

“What?” Alex yelped. “Is—is it going to be like this forever?”

Skye shook her head. “I don't think so?” She looked to Zac, head tilted. “It looks like the wound iron leaves on Elvin flesh. That heals eventually, right?”

Zac nodded.

“I'd guess, and yeah all I can do is guess but most likely it'll heal at about the same rate as Zac's injuries.”

“Why is all you can do guess?” Jacob piped up.

Any answer Skye might have given was interrupted by a panicked scream in the distance.

“It found someone,” Skye said conversationally.

“We have to help him!” Alex yelled, shoving Zac aside to get at the door.

“Rushing out there won't help anyone,” Skye said.

“I can't just wait here,” Alex snarled, “It's killing him!”

“This thing doesn't kill quickly,” Skye pointed out. “It needs the fear and the pain of its victims. It'll draw this out, use him to lure the rest. We need to breathe, and come up with a plan of attack.”

Alex grumbled, but waited.

“Are you armed?” Skye asked the two men. “Your guns won't hurt it, but they can distract it, maybe.”

“I fired every bullet I had,” Alex admitted.

Jacob shook his head, “I... I don't have a carry permit yet.”

Skye turned to Zac. “How do you feel? Are you up to running, if it comes down to it?”

Zac took a deep breath. Nothing shifted that he didn't think should move. “I can keep up.”

“Are you sure? Healing isn't exactly my domain, you realize.”

“We don't have time for this!” Alex shrieked, finally managing to pry the stubborn door open. He ran out before anyone could stop him.

Jacob looked from Zac to Skye to the door, obviously hesitant.

“Let's go,” Skye said with a shrug. “I guess our plan is you hide behind Zac while I stab the slasher a lot. And Alex runs around like an idiot.”

“He's not an idiot! He's trying to save someone!” Jacob protested.

“With no weapons. No plan.” Skye pointed out, stepping outside the room. “Just stay behind Zac and keep quiet.”

Jacob's shoulders slumped, but he apparently had no argument against Skye's statements. Zac followed Skye out into the hallway. He was just glad she hadn't asked him to stay behind. He wasn't sure what use he'd be fighting the creature in his current state, but he was not waiting in a closet protecting one of his captors while a child ran into danger!