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before finally turning her attention back to the group, “It may not be that bad, actually. Think about it: they can help us and that way we have a lighter workload. That lighter workload means you have more free time; free time that you can use to work on tracking down Kristine.”
    “And Zane,” both Serena and Raith chimed in before looking at the other with a startled-but-appreciative stare.
    Nikki bit her lip, “Do you really think that he’s still… y’know, around?”
    Raith nodded, “I really do. It’s hard to explain, but being ‘tied’ to a person like we were for so long creates an undeniable bond.” He shrugged, “I can’t say how he’s still alive, or where he is, but I know he’s still with us and that the key to finding him is with that Kristine-twat. It would be nice to see my buddy again and actually have a chance to hang out like we used to, rather than just swimming around in his head.”
    Nikki bit her lip and looked away.
    Though Serena wasn’t happy about Nikki’s reluctance to help them find Zane—to restore the proper owner to the proper body—it wasn’t something she couldn’t bring herself to understand. Though the details of their history were still unknown, Nikki and Raith were , at one time, very much in love, and though circumstances had removed Raith from his body and, Serena was sure, even seen an end to that body, they still had feelings that transcended the flesh. Though the turn of events were like something from a bad 70s sci-fi movie, the aura of Nikki’s dead lover was now in control of the body of Serena’s disembodied lover. Though everyone’s effort to find and return Zane to his body was an undeniable priority, it did force Nikki to worry about what would happen to Raith’s mind when things were restored.
    And, though Serena was eager to have Zane returned to her—mind and body—she couldn’t shake the crippling empathy of what it would do to Nikki.
    “You alright over there, Ink-Doll?” Serena asked, giving Nikki a gentle shove.
    Nikki smirked at the nickname and nodded, “Doing great, Goldi-fucks.” She smiled and returned the shove, “Hey! Why don’t you visit the clan tomorrow, Serena? You know, bring them some baked goods and introduce yourself. And by ‘baked goods’ I mean your typical snark and by ‘introduce yourself’ I mean remind them not to step on any toes.”
    “That’d probably be a good idea,” Serena nodded and turned to the others, “I’m calling it a night for now though. See you all tomorrow!”
    With that, she turned from the group and headed to her room, closing her inside her solitude and the only time she could ever let herself remember…
     

     
    “Do you think she’s going to be alright?” Zoey frowned, turning to the others as soon as Serena was out of earshot.
    “She will be. It’s going to work out. I know it.” Nikki smiled, though Zoey could see the shift of pain clouding her aura. “Hey, I’m going to go take a shower and get some rest as well.”
    Raith grinned and started forward, “You want me to join you?”
    Nikki noticeably wavered at the offer, but finally shook her head and took a step away from him. “I… We can’t. It wouldn’t be fair to Serena and Zane.”
    Raith’s excited eyes sagged and he looked at his hand as remembering that he wasn’t in his own body, “Oh… right.” He shook his head, “Sorry…”
    Zoey frowned and offered Raith a pat on the shoulder, “We’ll figure this out. No matter what, we will make things right.”
    Raith nodded his thanks to Zoey before smiling at Nikki. “See you in the morning, luv,” he leaned in and kissed her cheek—the only gesture they seemed to allow themselves—and headed towards his own room.
    Zoey watched the two part ways, feeling an immense weight of sadness grow greater with every step that divided them. They had finally been reacquainted after such a terrible tragedy—a tragedy that even she had not been able to get Zane