Benji held Willa close and softly stroked her hair as she cried. He was used to looking for scientists and their black vans but human threats that had nothing to with supernaturals wasn't anything he had thought to expect. It was jarring and only reaffirmed his disdain for humanity; they were cruel to his kind and equally cruel to each other. He wanted to able to protect her from things like this, not because she couldn't handle herself in a fight, she was, in fact, stronger than he, but because people like her, people who were categorically kind should be shielded from violence, they were better than it. He gently massaged her lower back, hoping that he was in some way comforting. 

“It'll be okay, we'll look out for each other. We'll be more alert. I'll do better, Sparkie.” He offered, knowing that if he had been more alert he might have sensed the danger. Instead he was distracted by being near Willa again. He reluctantly let her go when as she spoke to the woman from the diner over the phone.

Benji sat close to Willa at picnic table in the park. He was hyper alert, eyeing everyone who wandered too close and ready for fight at a moments notice. He'd been in state of hyper vigilance since the diner, he wouldn't be caught of guard again and he wouldn't let harm near Willa. Every sudden movement and new sound demanded his immediate attention. The park did not feel safe, people were everywhere and if there was danger there was no where to go. He jumped up into a fighters stance as Maren approached. His arms were down but he was ready to act if she was not what she seemed to be. He cautiously sat back down when she sat down and kept careful watch of her hands for sudden movement. He made no effort to hide his suspicions of her but gave a smile at her story about Willa. 

“That sounds like you.” He said with admiration, it made him proud of his people to hear any story of supernaturals fighting to help one another. His had to stifle a snarl when Maren mentioned working at the labs with scientists. Willa grabbed his hand in an attempt to calm him, and it helped some and he quietly watched Maren leave. “I don't trust her, she works for them knows what they do there and lets it happen. It could be a trap too.” He said scanning the area again for any sign that scientists could have followed her to them. Willa mentioned dying her hair to better stay hidden. “I think you should color your hair if that's what you want to do, but don't do it out of fear of the scientists. Don't change for them, don't let them take anything from you and if they come after us it will be the last thing they do.” He said quietly, but with malice near the end. The hand Willa held remained unchanged but the claws in his free hand extended deep into the wood of the picnic table. He had to close his eyes for a few seconds as he could feel them turn bright yellow as rage stirred the wolf within. He he focused on Willa to help calm him, her presence and scent centered him and he repressed the rage and the wolf. His claws retracted, the glow left his eyes, but he remained vigilant of his surroundings. He couldn't let himself calm completely, if he wasn't alert he could miss some sign of danger. 

------------------------------------------

Charlie nodded and wished Maren a good evening as she left. He didn't follow her advice though, he kept working well past dinner time. Eventually though his stomach was growling loud enough to be distracting and he began to pack up his stuff for the night. 

“Working late Mr. Novak?” Asked a familiar voice. Dr. West's tone sounded pleased with Charlie's work ethic. 

“Yeah, I guess I just lost track of time. Did you need my help with something?” Charlie asked. 

“No I am on my way out. Some of us are going over to the bar across the street. Mr. Murphy assures me that they have 'bomb pizza and nachos.'” Dr. West said rolling his eyes referring to a member of the security team who was a year or two younger than Charlie. He paused for a second, bit his tongue a little just to make sure he hadn't fallen asleep at his desk and that this was some weird dream. Nope, he really had just heard Dr. West say bomb pizza and nachos while inviting him to a bar. “Don't look so shocked Charlie, despite the rumors I am not a robot, I go to bars.” Dr. West said slightly annoyed. 

“Right, sounds great, I'm starving.” Charlie replied as he quickly grabbed his stuff and followed Dr. West to meet up with the others who had been working late. Charlie had a surprisingly good time, he ate pizza, drank cheap beer and played a few games of pool with Murphy. 

“Hey did West tell you what's going down tomorrow?” Murphy asked excitedly as he lined up a shot.

“Nope.” Charlie replied, grinning then as Murphy's shot failed and the ball stopped short of the pocket. 

“Dude we are burning a Phoenix.” Murphy said with child-like excitement just as Charlie went to make a shot. 

“What?” He asked as the shock caused him to hit the ball to hard and sent the white ball into the pocket. 

“Yeah, West had one shipped in from a lab in New Mexico just for you. Oh shit I think it was supposed to be a surprise. Well when he tells you act surprised. Man it's crazy I saw one burn up a few months ago, it's like an intense fire show.” Murphy grabbed the white ball and lined up his next shot and made it with ease.  

“You, uh, burn them alive?” Charlie asked.

“Oh dude its cool. You know about Phoenix's right? They like rise back up from the ashes a bit later. It's the only way to get ashes and you usually get a good amount of tears before hand. Anyway afterwords West usually has a barbecue at his house.” Murphy explained as he called the right corner pocket and sank the eight ball. “Added bonus, West's wife is choice.” Murphy added with a whistle just as Dr. West approached to tell Charlie of tomorrow's plans and Charlie pretended to act surprised and excited.