Morrigan: Year 3101.

Siobhán locked the door behind them and moved to the window, peeking through the blinds. "Looks clear for now. We should be safe here for a wh—"

Before she could finish her sentence, the window exploded inward in a shower of glass. The fedora man burst through and slammed his body into hers with inhuman force, causing them to crash onto the floor. The impact knocked the shotgun from her grip as it skitters across the hardwood, coming to rest near Kazuo's feet.

The man pressed his body against Siobhàn's, pinning her to the ground while his hands wrapped around her throat, squeezing it with terrifying strength. Siobhàn's face reddened as she struggled for air.

"R...Run!" she choked out.

Kazuo stood frozen. Every instinct screamed at him to flee, to save himself. But he couldn't. He couldn't leave her to die.

With shaking hands, he snatched up the shotgun, raised it, and aimed at the man's back, his finger trembled on the trigger.

"Fuck," he whispered, then pulled.

BANG!

The recoil slammed Kazuo back against the wall, knocking the wind from his lungs. But the shot found its mark. The fedora man's body jerked as the shell tore into his side, lifting him off Siobhàn and flinging him across the room.

Siobhàn gasped for air, pushing herself to her feet, then stumbled over to Kazuo and wrenched the shotgun from his grip.

"Nice shot," she said, braking open the gun and loading it fresh shells. "But we gotta move. Now."

"Wait, we have the upper hand, aren't we going to kill this guy?"

"Trust me, we'd be wasting time."

She grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the door. They burst out onto the street and was immediately assaulted by the wail of approaching sirens.

"Shit," Siobhàn muttered, and yanked Kazuo down a narrow alley, away from the flashing lights of police vehicles descending from the sky.

They weaved through a maze of back streets and passageways. Finally, Siobhàn pulled him into the shadow of a doorway, both of them panting heavily.

"How?" Kazuo gasped between breaths. "How does he keep finding us?"

"I don't know," Siobhàn shook her head while scanning the street. "It doesn't make sense. Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Later. We need to keep moving."

She pulled out her phone, quickly tapping out a message. A moment later, it buzzed with a response.

"Morrigan's sending a car," Siobhàn said. "We just need to get to the pickup point without dying."

"Great," Kazuo muttered. "Where's that?"

"About ten blocks from here. Think you can make it?"

Kazuo nodded, though his legs felt like jelly. "Do I have a choice?"

"Not really, no."

They set off again, moving as quickly as they dared while trying not to draw attention. The streets were busy with evening foot traffic, which helped them blend in but also made Kazuo jumpy. Any face could be a threat. Any shadow could hide danger.

"So," Kazuo said as they walked, trying to distract himself from the panic threatening to overwhelm him, "you said you were 'mostly' human. What does that mean?"

Siobhàn glanced at him. "You really want to do this now?"

"Humor me. It'll keep me from screaming."

She sighed. "Fine. Short version: I come from a long line of witches. Did a ritual that bound me to Morrigan. Gave me some perks, extended lifespan, that sort of thing. But I'm still human. Just... enhanced."

"Witches. Of course. Why not? We've already got vampires. What's next, werewolves?"

"Don't be ridiculous," she scoffed. "Werewolves aren't real."

"Right. Silly me. Vampires and witches, totally normal. But werewolves? That's crazy talk."

"You're taking this better than I expected," she said.

"Oh, I'm definitely in shock. I'll probably have a complete breakdown later. But right now, I'm just trying to stay alive."

They turned a corner, and Siobhàn suddenly tensed. "Fuck," she hissed, pulling Kazuo back.

"What is it?"

"Cops. Two of them, about half a block ahead. They're questioning people, showing pictures. Probably of us."

"What do we do?"

Siobhàn's eyes darted around, searching for options. "We can't go back. And we can't stay here." She checked her phone. "The pickup point is just three blocks past those cops. We're gonna have to risk it."

"Are you insane? They'll spot us for sure! You're holding a freaking shotgun!"

"Not if we give them something else to look at," Siobhàn said, grabbing Kazuo's shirt and pulling him close. "Just follow my lead, and try to look like you're enjoying yourself."

Before Kazuo could ask what she meant, Siobhàn pressed her lips against his in a passionate kiss. His eyes widened in shock, but he quickly caught on to her plan. He wrapped his arms around her, returning the kiss with equal fervor.

They stumbled down the sidewalk, locked in their embrace, looking for all the world like a couple too caught up in each other to pay attention to their surroundings. As they neared the police officers, Siobhàn giggled loudly, playfully pushing Kazuo against a storefront.

"Oh, baby," she said. "We should really get a room."

Kazuo played along, nuzzling her neck. "Your place or mine?"

They passed within feet of the officers, who barely spared them a glance, too focused on questioning an elderly couple about the "dangerous fugitives" they were seeking.

Once they were safely past, Siobhàn broke away, grabbing Kazuo's hand again as they hurried down the street.

"That was quick thinking," Kazuo said.

"One of the oldest tricks in the book," she replied. "People tend to look away from public displays of affection. Makes them uncomfortable."

They reached the pickup point with no further incidents. A black sports car pulled up moments later, its windows tinted so dark they were almost opaque.

The rear door swung open. "Get in," Morrigan's voice called from inside.

Kazuo hesitated for a split second, then climbed in after Siobhàn. As soon as the door closed, the car accelerated smoothly, merging into traffic.

Morrigan sat across from them, glancing on Kazuo. "I trust Siobhàn filled you in on the basics?"

"Vampires, witches, and a psycho in a fedora who wants me dead. Yeah, I'd say I'm up to speed."

"Good. Because things are about to get a lot more complicated."

"Great, just great. That's exactly what I want in my life, more complications."

The car sped through the streets, weaving between autonomous vehicles and dodging pedestrians. Kazuo's stomach lurched with each sharp turn while gripping the leather seat.

A dull thud resonated from above, followed by a metallic screech.

"What the fuck was that?" he looked up.

Before anyone could respond, the roof caved in with a sickening crunch, then a pale hand burst through the metal, immeditately curling around Kazuo's throat. He gasped, clawing at the iron grip as it yanked him upward.

"Shit!" Siobhàn lunged for Kazuo, grabbing his legs.

Morrigan sprang into action, vaulting over the center console. "AI, manual drive mode. Now!" The car's system chirped in acknowledgment as she seized the wheel. "Hold on!"

"I can't..." Siobhàn strained against the man's supernatural strength. "He's too strong!"

"Us...Use the fucking gun!" Kazuo choked out, his face turning purple.

Siobhàn released his legs then snatched up the shotgun. She aimed at the hole in the roof then pulled the trigger.

BANG!

The blast tore through metal and flesh, eliciting an inhuman shriek from above.

The hand suddenly released Kazuo, who fell back into the car and gasped for air. "Holy fucking shit! That was close."

Through the jagged hole, they glimpsed the fedora man rolling across the roof. His fingers dug into the metal at the last second, barely keeping him from flying off.

"You okay?" Siobhàn asked, reloading.

Kazuo rubbed his throat. "Just peachy."

Morrigan floored the accelerator, pushing the car to its limits, rocketing down the streets, narrowly missing other vehicles.

"This asshole just won't quit," Kazuo said, glancing at the back.

Suddenly, a different noise pierced through the frenzied atmosphere - the wailing of police sirens. Flying patrol vehicles swooped down from the sky, their speakers blasting.

"This is the Paris Police! Stop your vehicle immediately! You are in violation of the speed code 347-B."

"Fuck," Morrigan muttered, swerving to avoid a hoverbus. "We don't have time for this."

Kazuo peered out. At least three police cars were in pursuit.

"Maybe we should stop," he suggested. "They might be able to help with our vampire problem."

Siobhàn snorted. "Yeah, right. More likely they'd arrest us and leave us as easy pickings for Fedora Boy up there."

Suddenly, a scraping noise from the roof indicated their pursuer was on the move again.

"He's coming back!" Kazuo yelled.

"I'm aware," Morrigan said through gritted teeth, her eyes never leaving the road.

The police cars were gaining ground. Their amplified voices grew louder, more insistent.

"This is your final warning! Stop now, or we will be forced to shoot your vehicle!"

"They're going to shoot our tires out! We have to stop!"

Morrigan's lips curled into a feral grin. "Like hell we are."

She yanked the wheel hard, sending the car careening onto the highway entrance ramp. The tires screeched as they fought for traction on the curved surface.

"Hold on!" she shouted.

In the rearview mirror, the flashing lights of police vehicles appeared, gaining ground rapidly.

"They're still on us!" Kazuo yelled, gripping his seat.

A loud thump from above signaled the fedora man's continued presence.

"Fuck this," Siobhàn growled as she fired another shot through the roof, tearing a larger hole in the metal. "I'm going up there."

"Are you insane?" Kazuo grabbed her arm. "He'll kill you!"

She shook him off. "Better me than you. You're the one he wants."

Before Kazuo could protest further, Siobhàn pushed herself through the opening, shotgun in hand. The wind whipped her hair as she emerged onto the roof.

Without warning, the vampire quickly lunged at her, teeth bared. Siobhàn raised her weapon and aimed.

"Eat this, motherfucker," she snarled before pulling the trigger.

BANG!

The blast caught the vampire square in the face and the force of the impact sent him flying backward. Siobhàn watched as the vampire tumbled off the speeding car with his body bouncing and rolling across the highway.

Other vehicles swerved to avoid the gruesome obstacle, horns blaring. The vampire's form disappeared under the wheels of a massive truck, leaving nothing but a smear on the asphalt.

Siobhàn ducked back into the car, her face flushed with adrenaline. "I think we're clear of that asshole for now."

"Nice work," Morrigan said, her eyes still fixed on the road ahead. "But we've still got cops to deal with."

Kazuo twisted in his seat, watching the police cars weave through traffic behind them. "Any bright ideas?"

"One," Morrigan announced, checking her side mirror. "AI, switch to manual shift mode."

"Understood."

A stick shift emerged from her side panel, which Morrigan promptly grabbed and began using.

"Are you serious?" Kazuo exclaimed.

"Don't worry, I know how to use it," she replied while shifting gears.

The whine of engines grew louder as a police vehicle swooped down from above, its side door sliding open. An officer in black armor leaned out, rifle aimed squarely at their car.

Morrigan's eyes flicked to the side mirror. "Hold on!" she yelled, downshifting and cranking the wheel hard.

The car lurched, tires squealing as they swerved. A sharp crack split the air, and Kazuo felt the rush of wind as a bullet whizzed past.

"Holy shit, that was close!" he yelped, ducking lower in his seat.

Morrigan then slammed the shifter up and floored the accelerator. The engine roared, and they shot forward, putting distance between them and the cops.

"They're not giving up easy," Siobhán said, gripping her shotgun tighter.

"Neither are we," Morrigan replied, her eyes never leaving the road while shifting up again. "Siobhàn, you know what to do."

"Right," her finger flew over the button on the small control panel at her side, causing the back to open with a hiss.

Kazuo's eyes widened as he took in the sight. "Jesus, what is all this?"

"Insurance," Morrigan said.

Siobhàn grinned as she pulled out a large rocket launcher. "Oh, baby. That's what I'm talking about."

"You guys are fucking insane!" Kazuo shouted, backing away. "You can't just blow the police away!"

"Yes we can," Siobhàn declared, climbing onto the roof of the car and aiming the rocket launcher.

"What's this gonna do?"

"With any luck, buy us some time."

The police car was gaining on them again.

Morrigan swerved between lanes, narrowly missing a truck before she shifted up then flooring it.

Siobhàn locked on the approaching police car. It was too far away for a clean shot.

"Boss!" she shouted. "Slow down! They're not close enough! Can you do something about that?"

"Got it," Morrigan replied.

She shifted down and pulled up the brakes. The car decelerated rapidly, tires screeching against the asphalt.

The police vehicle closed the gap quickly and was caught off guard by the sudden change in speed. As soon as they were within range, Morrigan released the brakes and floored the accelerator, stabilizing their speed.

"Now!" she yelled.

Siobhàn didn't hesitate and squeezed the trigger, and the rocket launcher kicked back against her shoulder and the projectile streaked through the air, leaving a trail of smoke in its wake.

But something went wrong. Instead of hitting the center of the police car, the rocket struck the side door. The impact sent the vehicle into a wild spin, losing altitude and rolling across the road in a shower of sparks and twisted metal.

"Fuck!" Siobhàn cursed. "That wasn't supposed to happen."

"What? Then, what does it suppose to happen?"

"I don't know. Blew them to smithereens?"

"You're fucking crazy, you know that?!"

"Oh, you don't even know half of my craziness my friend."

Kazuo glanced at the wreckage. "Are they... are they dead?"

"No time to check," Morrigan said, accelerating again. "We need to get off this highway before more of them show up."