Lilith was a woman of peace, her entire house burnt down but here she was completely fine. Her husband died last month and yet she held no tears, she kept going like she always did. When she learned she couldn't have children, she kept going. No matter how hard her life turned out, she always kept going.

She liked to believe Jane learned that from her and while Randy sorta did, he was more sensitive. He cried when he accidentally killed a frog once, when he spilled orange juice on his new shoes. When he watched Jane play tag without him, all those tears and Lilith wiped them away herself.

Randy called her late in the night, she could barely hear his voice over his ugly sobs. All she knew was that she needed to get to him before it was morning. She wasn't someone who enjoyed driving but she did it anyway. The police sirens were loud and muffled as she parked outside of Simon's apartment.

She saw all the reporters surrounding the building and watched as a body was rolled out of the building. She felt her heart ache as she quickly got out of the car and ran forward. Randy looked like a mess, his hand was in Maias as they walked outside.

Simon trailed behind them and he looked far worse, the blood on his face was smudged from his tears. He was shaking and on the verge of vomiting as he sniffled. Lilith tried to pass the police tape but she was pushed back "this is a restricted area ma'am, you can't pass!". She pushed forward again "those are my sons! I'm passing!" She ran through the tape.

She hugged Simon so fast the boy relaxed into her arms as she looked towards Randy. "What happened?" Randy sighed "it's a really long story, but... I think we're all going to die". He smiled awkwardly as Lilith glared at him "you smoking pot again? What did I tell you about that stuff, it's bad for your brain".

She pushed her hands onto her shoulders and gosh that mother stance was terrifying up close. "No mom, I didn't take anything. I hate the way that stuff smells anyways, tastes like dirt". She grumbled "now you boys get in that car, we'll figure this out".

Randy sighed as he climbed into the back seat, Maia followed after him. Lilith turned to face Simon, the boy tense as he watched them drive Timothy away. She placed her hand on his shoulder "I know, but it's not safe out here. Come on, get in the car".

Simon sniffled as he looked up at Lilith "I loved him... and I didn't even say it". He pushed his hands into his face as Lilith smiled "you think I didn't know that. I'm sure your friend felt the same way, I saw the way you were at the party. You were in love".

Simon cried and Lilith hugged him, she rubbed his back as he sunk into her arms "what if what Randy said is true. Are we all going to die?". Lilith held onto Simon more "I won't let anything happen to you boys, and that's a promise I'll keep".

Randy leaned back inside the car, his head hurt and he felt lightheaded as he sunk into the chair. He groaned as he held his head, slight drops of blood running down his nose as Maia looked at him with fear.

Simon wiped his eyes as he walked with Lilith towards the car. He gasped as he looked up and saw bright headlights heading straight for him. "Simon!" Randy screamed out as he tried to climb out the car but the door wouldn't open, he was stuck.

Simon let out a breath as he walked into the road, maybe this was always his fate. He closed his eyes and he heard the loud engine getting closer. Lilith looked at Simon and then towards Randy. The boy was sobbing as he tried to kick the window out.

"Is the boogeyman real?" Simon sat on the ground as Lilith combed his hair out. "If he is, I won't ever let him get you. That's why I always check the closet and under the beds when you're over". He smiled "to make sure we're safe?" Lilith smiled "yeah, Randy and you both deserve to always feel safe".

Simon giggled as he stood up "you're like a superhero, Randy your mom's so cool!". Randy giggled as he looked away from the television "mama always fights monsters, she's so awesome". The boys both giggled as they ran out of the living room towards the yard. Lilith smiled "be careful boys!".

Lilith liked to believe she was put on this earth for one purpose. To take care of kids, to raise them to their full potential. While Simon wasn't hers, she had seen that boy grow and he was family. He went through all the phases, all the issues that she helped him solve.

She helped him get over break ups, held his hand when he went under surgery. Kept him fed and loved when he came over. She even watched him graduate, he wasn't hers but god it felt like he was.

None of them were hers but deep down they would always be. Her heart burned, her eyes were full of tears as she ran forward and pushed Simon out of the way. She would always protect her babies, even if it meant she couldn't do it anymore.

Simon smacked into the road groaning at the impact, he felt the warmth of blood mending into his face as he watched Lilith disappear. He screamed out as he watched the woman who always kept him safe die. Randy cried out as he ran out of the car, the door opened after the fact and he hated himself for not trying hard enough.

The truck kept driving off and Lilith laid on the road, her face completely crushed inwards as blood surrounded her body. Randy fell towards the road sobbing as Maia gasped and covered her mouth.

Simon breathed heavily as he whimpered and moved backwards. "It was supposed to be me..." he felt the tears running down his cheeks as he stood up. He looked down at Randy "what the fuck is going on".

Randy couldn't sleep, after he watched his mother's body get dragged away he couldn't shut his eyes. He sat on his bathroom floor, Simon had showered and crashed on the couch. He stood up and walked into his bedroom searching for a piece of paper.

Maia let out a soft breath as she sat up from the bed "what's wrong?" she rubbed at her eyes as Randy grabbed a pen. "It's going in order" he quickly drew a line. Maia frowned as she climbed out of the bed "what do you mean? Are you talking about what you saw at the party?".

He let out a heavy breath "it was Timothy first,  then Simon. But mom pushed him out of the way and she died instead". He groaned as he rubbed his head "then it was Jane. But Simon's gotta go first right?....". He cursed as he tried to remember "it was either Claire or Alicia after that. Then it was you? Carter after that and then me...". He finished drawing the map, his head hurt just looking at the names.

He sat down on the bed "we gotta get everyone together. There's no way they're gonna ignore me this time. I mean they can't, two people are already dead". Maia sat down beside him "so that means Simon's next?" Randy nodded "I think so, I mean my mom saved him but he was before her. So maybe it'll go after him again. We should watch him".

Maia pushed her hair behind her ear slightly "he's sleeping, nothings going to happen tonight, you should sleep. I'll call everyone in the morning, get them over here". He groaned as he laid down, he looked at the ceiling "Claire's in New York, Alicia went with her to help her unpack. There's no way they're coming all the way here for something they wouldn't even believe".

"Lilith died, they would come for her wouldn't they?" Randy sighed "yeah maybe... but I don't think they'd want to know they could be next. I'll call at least in the morning, but I don't think they'll hear me out".

He stood up off the bed and Maia sighed "you don't have to sleep on the floor". She pushed her hands together slightly as she looked at him. He was really bad at reading signals, she was wearing his shirt that alone should've been the big push he needed.

"You have the bed Maia, I know you'll be able to sleep better than me". She climbed off the bed grabbing his arm "why do you keep doing that". He tensed as he looked down at her, gosh she looked oddly attractive in his shirt.

"Doing what? I'm just trying to be nice here. I know for a fact you hate the guest bedroom, the mattress is hard and even I hate it. Simon's on the couch, so you can have the bed and I'll take the floor".

"Not that, I mean pushing me away" he frowned "what, I'm not pushing you away. I'm trying to keep you safe". She smiled slightly "I know that but you're confusing me. And I don't think I want to wait".

Randy went to respond but she was standing on her tippy toes and kissing him. His eyes widened slightly before he let himself relax. He let out a breath as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer.

He deepened the kiss as he held her head and pushed her against the edge of the bed. Maia gripped his shirt tightly, this felt like a dream and she didn't want to wake up. She ran her hands through his hair as he lowered her into the mattress.

He let out a shaky breath as he looked down at her, his lips were red and slightly swollen "I won't let anything happen to you. Please stay here Amaia". His voice cracked and she smiled "I won't go anywhere".

It was eight in the morning when Claire woke up to her phone ringing. She had never felt such dread in her life, hearing about Liliths passing made her head hurt. She had never packed a bag so fast in her life, she didn't care if she had to drive all damn night.

"Alicia, get up!" she moved around the apartment throwing things into her purse as the girl laid on the couch. "What?" she grumbled out as she sat up and rubbed her eyes. "It's Lily" Alicia frowned "what happened is she alright?". The girl stood up and quickly grabbed her bag "she died".

She paused, her hand tensing as she looked at Claire "what do you mean she died? Randa would've called me" she grabbed her phone and saw the ten missed calls. "CJ just called me, they're all meeting at Randy's place. He says it's really important and that we need to get there right away".

"We can just take a flight over" Claire sighed "no way, that's way too expensive for one trip. We can just drive, it'll be long but we'll take turns driving, a road trip. Maybe two days and we'll get there".

"Two days, but they won't wait that long to hold her body. What if we miss the funeral". Claire put her shoes on quickly "we can speed a little bit, it's not a big deal. I know Randy will make them wait".

"Alright so a road trip, right after we just got here..." she sighed as she grabbed her jacket "I hope I don't regret this. Gosh I can't believe Lily's dead". They quickly left and Claire looked down at her phone "holy shit, Timothy's dead too".

"That guy that Simon invited to the party? Yeah he was wasted when I saw him there". Claire felt anxious all of a sudden as she started her car "something about this doesn't feel right. First Randy freaked out at the party about how he saw us all dying. Now Timothy and Lily are both dead within twenty four hours of it happening".

Alicia scoffed "yeah that was just a coincidence. I mean just because two people died it doesn't mean anything. If you ask me Randy was just drunk and probably just smelled the gas from the grill. I mean CJ probably just accidentally left it on without realizing. Accidents happen all the time".

Claire gripped the steering wheel tightly "yeah, maybe I'm just being paranoid. Let's just focus on getting there first". She turned the radio on to help ease the awkward silence inside the car.

"Somebody call 9-1-1, shawty fire burning on the dance floor.... She gon bring the roof to the ground"

It was early morning, Randy had a major headache the second he opened his eyes. He groaned as he shifted to his side and rubbed at his eyes. He felt like he was hungover as he pushed his face against his pillow.

He felt warm hands touching his back slightly, he tensed before he turned and saw Maia. Her hair was frizzy and covered her face slightly as she smiled. He probably looked way worse given he couldn't sleep that well last night. "We should get up and shower, everyone's going to start showing up soon".

He sighed as he turned to his back "right, how do I even get them to believe me? They're gonna think I'm just being paranoid. Simon's next and I'm scared he's gonna do something stupid if he believes me".

He sat up and climbed off the bed sighing in frustration as he grabbed his clothes off the ground. "Maybe seeing is believing, Simon saw what happened twice. He's thinking about it for sure. I mean, I read your future and it's the same as mine".

Randy pushed his hair back "don't talk about the future, we're going to figure out how to beat this. A stupid card isn't going to decide my future or some lines on my palm. We just have to be careful and when everyone shows up we can plan".

He walked toward his dresser and looked at his notes "Simon's next but maybe if we keep him here with us,  he'll be alright. No one else has to die". Maia climbed off the bed, pushing the blanket around herself.

"What if it's not that simple. I mean Timothy died in Simon's apartment, Lily died outside. What if nowhere is safe? Simon's clumsy and your house is full of so many dangerous things. He could choke on air for all we know, or get kicked by one of the horses".

Randy huffed "he hates my horses, I don't think he'd willingly go out there to pet one. Besides, we can baby proof the house? Keep him in one place and watch him and hope this stops". The knock on the front door made Randy look away from the piece of paper. "I'll get that, you go ahead and shower".

Maia nodded before she walked off into the bathroom, Randy quickly threw on some clothes before he left his room and pulled open the door. Carter and Jane both hugged him as he let them inside.

He let out a shaky breath as he hugged them tightly Simon grumbled as he joined the hug "this would've been way more sweeter had I not been traumatized by Randy and Maia having sex last night. I don't think I'll ever sleep again man... the things I heard".

Randy laughed awkwardly "alright! Enough of that, come inside and have a seat". Simon let out a protest "it was four fucking hours, I felt so unsafe man".

Carter fist bumped Randy before he sat down on the couch. Jane rolled her eyes "you guys are such dogs, I just got a text from Claire. They're gonna be here by tonight or early tomorrow. It depends on if they stop".

Simon sighed as he sat down "shit I wish I was with them, better than being traumatized at three in the morning. As if that hour wasn't terrifying enough, I mean I saw some shit once. Never again". He relaxed when Jane grabbed his hand and smiled at him "we can still go on that date Saturday".

He felt lightheaded almost because he should've felt more happy for this moment. All he could see was that damn knife in the back of Tim's head and those bright ass headlights. "Yeah, maybe we go somewhere fancy and order something expensive and then ditch".

"Absolutely not, I will literally make you walk home if you try that. Maybe we just go bowling or something? We could all go". Simon leaned back into the couch "better than being stuck in this place, we do have a few hours till they get here".

Randy looked stressed out "or we stay here and watch a movie. I mean don't you just love movies" he smiled. "That's lame, we gotta go and get drunk man. Jane back me up here". Jane smiled at Simon "I mean that does sound fun, and we haven't seen each other in so long. Mom would want us to bond, besides we have to wait all day". She stood up from the couch "you know we could go ice skating, mom loved ice skating when she was in high-school".

Randy frowned "she did?" Jane pinched her nose "dude she had like a bunch of trophies in the house. You never pay attention I swear". He shrugged "I thought those were for volleyball. Besides, ice skating is so dangerous, let's stay here".

Jane grabbed her car keys "no, I say we go ice skating" Simon stood up "yeah, you owe me after last night dude". Randy sighed as he looked at Carter for backup but the man smirked "I'm gonna bust my ass but it could be fun. Could be like the old days where we'd get drunk under the school bleachers".

Randy watched as they all began to move towards the door, he was stressed but he had no choice. "Okay, yeah, but I'll drive! And Simon you buckle in extra tight. I just gotta grab my jacket". He ran off into his room and paused as he saw the piece of paper on the ground. A drop of blood fell out of his nose making him quickly cover his nose.

It landed onto the paper and he frowned as he looked down at it. "You okay?" He looked up towards Maia and nodded "yeah, uh they want to go ice skating. So figured we can tell them there". Maia grabbed her shoes "sounds fine to me, I'll sit with Simon".

She left the room and Randy nodded as he grabbed his jacket and followed after her. The piece of paper on the floor floated up when his ceiling fan turned on. It landed against the window, the blood spreading. It covered someone's name completely.

JANE

—
authors notes:
I feel like I need to touch grass with the amount of chapters I've managed to get out. I mean two today alone? Gosh.. I literally napped after the last one and when I woke up I started writing this one right away. I fear im addicted to this story, I'll likely finish it this month lmao.

Also depending on if anyone survives at the end I might make a sequel, would anyone be interested in that idea? It could even be a prequel as well but idk yet, writing for this franchise is fun and I have ideas.

Regardless I'm tempted, also I always planned to have Simon be saved by Lily. He might say he loves his mother but deep down he only ever felt safe with Lily who he wishes was his real mother. Plus the emo character has to survive a little bit longer I feel like. Next chapter is going to be interesting. I also realized Simon definitely has some strong plot armor here but in my defense I'm loving his character.

I did plan on having him die in my original draft of this chapter but then I wanted Lily to be a hero almost. She would die for her kids so fast and they're not even hers, she's a legend bro!

Also long chapter since I work tonight and when I wake up I'm doing homework before I go. (Night shift isn't for the weak I swear lol)

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