My Baby Daddy Isn’t Human

Raelynn didn't know how long they had been running, but she was thankful when they finally stopped. Her heart pounded against her ribcage, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to catch her breath. The warm afternoon sun filtered through the canopy of the large tree they stood under, casting dancing patches of light on the ground. Sweat clung to the back of her neck, her hair sticking slightly to her skin.

Axel stood beside her, hands braced on his knees as he too caught his breath. His dark brown hair was slightly disheveled, a few strands falling over his forehead. He let out a breathy chuckle.

"I... can't remember the last time I ran like that," Raelynn said between breaths, wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand.

"Same here," Axel replied, shaking his head lightly. "Though... I guess I should say sorry for dragging you off like that. But I swear..." He lifted a hand, pointing to the back of his head. "I could literally feel Reinhart's eyes burning a hole through my skull."

Raelynn blinked before letting out an awkward laugh. The image was surprisingly vivid in her mind.

"I didn't know Elion's dislike for you rubbed off on him too."

Axel gave her a crooked grin, wiping the sweat from his temple with the sleeve of his shirt. "Yeah, well... I guess loyalty runs deep in that mansion. Can't blame him, though. He probably thinks I'm trying to kidnap you or something."

Raelynn's smile faltered slightly, her fingers curling loosely by her sides. "He's just like that...well... He must be worried now, looking for us."

"Don't worry about him." Axel's voice was casual as he straightened. "He'll either go back and wait at the car or the library. I'll bring you to him later." His grin widened. "Or... I could take you home myself if you'd prefer."

Raelynn's heart gave a small, uncertain beat. There was nothing wrong with Axel's words—nothing threatening or out of place—but something about the way he said it left a strange sensation lingering in her chest. Still, she forced a smile and nodded.

"Alright... If you're sure."

Axel didn't say anything, just gave her another small smile before unbuttoning the flannel shirt he wore over his t-shirt. He shook it out and laid it down on the soft grass beneath the shade.

"Here, sit down. You need to rest."

Raelynn glanced at the makeshift seat, hesitation flickering across her face. "Oh... That's okay, I—"

Before she could finish, Axel gave her a playful push on her shoulder, making her stumble back onto the shirt. It wasn't rough—more teasing than anything—but the suddenness of the gesture caught her off guard. She let out a small breath, blinking up at him in surprise.

Axel only chuckled before sitting down beside her, stretching his legs out in front of him.

"See? Not so bad, right?"

Raelynn gave a weak smile, brushing loose strands of hair behind her ear. The shade under the tree felt cooler, the distant murmur of the park filling the silence between them.

"I'm really glad you're feeling better, Axel," she said softly. "I was worried when you didn't reply to my messages."

Axel glanced at her, his brown eyes softening. "It was just a cold. Nothing serious."

"Still... It's always sad when someone gets sick."

A small smile tugged at Axel's lips. "So... you really worried about me?"

Raelynn nodded without hesitation. "Of course. You're one of my dear friends."

For a moment, Axel didn't say anything. His gaze lingered on her face, the warmth in his eyes flickering into something more unreadable. Then he looked away, his fingers idly brushing against the grass.

"You really are too kind for your own good, Raelynn... Aren't you afraid? We barely know each other."

Raelynn blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his tone. "Afraid? Of what?"

Axel's smile was faint, almost wistful. "Of me. Of what I could be. You don't know if I'm a bad person."

Raelynn's brow furrowed, trying to process his words. She shook her head slowly. "I highly doubt that. You're not a bad person, Axel."

He let out a soft laugh—low and almost bitter. "You really believe that?"

"Yes... Shouldn't I?"

Axel turned his head slightly, his eyes meeting hers. For a second, there was something strange in his gaze—something darker hidden beneath the surface.

"You're too trusting, Raelynn... You need to be more careful. People aren't always what they seem. You should have a little suspicion... even if it's just a little."

Raelynn's smile wavered, his words leaving an unsettling weight in the air. She shifted uncomfortably, glancing down at her hands.

Raelynn lowered her gaze, her fingers curling slightly against the fabric of her skirt. Axel's words lingered in the air, heavier than she expected.

Why did he say that?

It wasn't like him to bring up something so… serious out of nowhere.

But maybe he was right. Maybe she was too trusting. But...

Her thoughts began to blur. The soft rustle of leaves above their heads sounded louder, almost distant. The world around her seemed to tilt ever so slightly.

Raelynn blinked, her vision swimming.

"Axel... I..."

Her voice trailed off, her eyelids growing heavy. Something was wrong. She could feel it now—the sluggish weight creeping through her limbs, making it harder to keep her eyes open.

Axel kept talking beside her, his voice smooth and even—completely unaware of the battle she was fighting inside herself.

Raelynn pressed a hand to her temple, trying to steady the dizziness clouding her mind.

"Are you okay?" Axel's voice broke through the haze, but it sounded far away... distant.

Raelynn tried to answer, but the words caught in her throat. The edges of her vision blurred, the world spinning in slow, lazy circles.

Something's wrong... Why am I...?

Her heartbeat pounded sluggishly in her ears, the sunlight above them dimming. She struggled to keep her eyes open—to stay present—but the shadows were closing in.

The last thing she saw before the darkness swallowed her was Axel's face, watching her with calm, unwavering eyes.

Then everything went black.