Suddenly remembering the body tethered to her other hand, Xan looked down to the still unconscious Erin. Furrowing her brow with concern, she went to go check for a pulse - realizing she wasn’t sure how to do so.
“I think she’s okay…” Xan whispered, looking back to Nixie. “I swear I didn’t hurt her, or - I don’t think I did.”
Flushed with uncertainty, she looked back to the diner that remained in devastation. She wasn’t very sure of anything at the moment. Even Nixie looked different, her hair longer, her eyes older. Glimpses of what happened inside the diner kept flashing in her mind, Xan trying to piece together the impossible.
“Phoenix-? I mean...Nixie?” She recognized Markus’s voice instantly but the rest of his words were immediately drowned by the shock of seeing Soren beside him. Either this was one hell of a fever dream or the dead were rising. She noticed Markus motion to Erin, Xan looking back at her then giving her a gentle shake. She had to be okay, she just had to be.
A woman stepped out from the police line, signaling to the other police to help disperse the crowd. She approached the group, adjusting the weighted belt and holster around her hips. Xan looked up at her, eyes big as saucers and tears streaking her cheeks.
“Alright everyone, move on. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.” The woman announced to the crowd, glancing back over her shoulder to the group motioning for them to linger.
“It’s okay, it’s alright.” He didn’t know if he was talking to her or himself, trying to steady his heart rate. “We’ll figure it out together.”
The sound of the sheriff addressing the crowd caught his attention, Leo looking over to notice Phoenix, Markus and Soren had joined the group. Whatever was happening, it wasn’t just Elle. He gripped her hands tighter.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but I think we’re supposed to be with our friends. Okay?” Leo asked, not allowing himself enough time to overthink things. “If you get overwhelmed, just squeeze my hand.”
He waited until she confirmed she was on board, giving her a reassuring smile and her hand another squeeze. At first the police line prevented them from walking towards the group, the woman motioning to let them past. Leo looked over to give Elle a reassuring grin.