DOOM DAYS ✓

Chapter 46: Clairvoyance

Clairvoyance: The ability to gain direct visual information through non-physical means.

The next morning, Josh and Tiana walk side by side to Hayley's studio apartment. Josh is nervous, the book bag that holds his suit weighing an ungodly amount on his shoulders. Tiana is babbling, trying to avoid the topic that they always end up at.

This is their last battle against Alley Cat. Whether they live or die, this is the end of the road.

They arrive quicker than either would've liked, Tyler and Hayley waiting for them on the steps of the building. Tyler makes eye contact with Josh, who forces a small, reassuring smile.

"Hey," he says.

"I'm sorry," Tyler blurts, looking at Tiana as he does. "I didn't mean any of what I said last night. I- okay, I know I said it which means I must've meant it but I was scared and mad and just-"

"Tired?"

Tiana nods.

"Yeah, I get it. I didn't mean any of it either. We good?"

She sighs, obviously relieved. "Yeah. We're good."

The four heroes gather around Hayley's kitchen table, readying themselves for the fight ahead of them. A map is unfurled and flattened against the table, the corners held down by their mugs, three coffees and a tea. Hayley glances up at Josh and Tiana, as if making sure that they want to go through with this.

"You can still walk away from this," she says almost insistently. "Don't feel obligated to have to fight with us."

"Obligated?" Tiana laughs shortly. "He took my fuckin' wing."

"And he threatened my family," Josh adds. "You can't make us turn away even if you wanted."

Hayley nods solemnly. "Okay. Here's the plan." She points to Abercorn Theater, which sits across the street from Piedmont Medical Center. "Tiana, Josh, you two will take cover on the roof of the theater, watching for signs of Alley Cat and Frangipane."

"Gotcha," Tiana says while Josh nods.

"Tyler and I will head to Canopy Hall as you guys do that. If it's clear, we'll head your way. If they're there, I need Josh to be ready to teleport the two of you to where we are." Hayley points to the building three streets over. She's marked a path between the two spots with purple sharpie. "If they end up attacking the hospital first, we'll try to get to you as fast as we can."

"What do we do if they show up?" Josh asks. "Do we stall or just wait for you guys?"

"Fucking hit them with all you've got."

"Then I suggest you hurry the hell up if they do," Tiana says jokingly.

Tyler rolls his eyes but Josh can tell he's trying his best not to smile. "Yeah, you two don't pack that hard of a punch."

"Oh, I'd like to test out that opinion, Natsu."

"Who the hell is that?"

Tiana flips him off, and he starts to laugh.

"It's not the time for jokes. Does everyone understand the plan?" Hayley reiterates. "I know it's not much, but it's all we have to go on."

"It'll be enough," Josh says.

"Yeah. We've got one ghost lady with a lot of issues she's definitely not dealing with, a boy with crippling anxiety, a girl who's literally crippled, and a guy with intense anger issues."

"It's not the times for jokes, Tiana," Hayley repeats.

"It will never be the time for jokes," Tiana responds. "Just like we'll never be ready to probably die fighting this dude. But it's how I'm gonna cope with this shit, so."

Hayley laughs slightly, her head dropping. "You're right, I'm sorry. I've been chasing this dude for what, the better part of six years, and this is the closest I've got to actually finishing this fight. It's just- it's nerve wracking. I'm scared. I'm honestly really fucking scared, you guys."

Tyler frowns slightly. Josh reaches and takes his hand, getting a look of surprise from both him and Tiana. Panicking, he grabbed Tiana's hand, who snickered and grabbed Hayley's. Hayley followed suit by grabbing Tyler's other hand.

"We can do this," she says, but she sounds like she's trying to convince herself more than them. "Make me a promise, you three. Don't- don't die, okay?"

"Promise," Josh smiles.

Tiana nods, grinning so wide Josh can see her canine teeth clearly. "As long as you keep it too."

"Don't worry about that." Tyler raises Josh's hand up and gently kisses his knuckles, making his face flare up in embarrassment. "I've got something new to live for."

"Aw, you saps," Tiana coos.

"Shut up, Tati."

Hayley breaks the circle by dropping their hands and moves the mugs to curl the map back up. She looks up at Josh, though it's hard to tell because her eyes are so empty of emotion and color that he can't tell if she's looking directly at him or just sullenly in the distance. But her eyebrows rise expectantly and he realizes she is looking at him. He knows why, and nods in return.

He has a promise to keep.

"I love you guys," she says, addressing them all now. "You're like family to me. So suit up, kick ass, and don't make me get stuck with your ghost, alright?"