"Julian, you need to stop Josh!" I gasped in horror as his brother started snuck towards the innocent Elmo taking pictures with giddy children.

"It's all right, ma'am. He won't harm Elmo...much," Julian said with a shrug as he maneuvered us through the crowd to catch up to Josh.

The twins had had the horrible notion of going to Time Square to get a treat before heading to my apartment, which was in the opposite direction. I was against the idea from the start, wanting to get back to the mansion, until they told me they would buy me a few croissants. They knew they were my favorite treat and it was getting close to noon.

And who could say no to those beauties?

So, of course, I had to say yes.

However, I was regretting my decision as Josh made a beeline for the poor guy in the Elmo costume. A gasp escaped my lips as Josh launched himself at the red monster, tackling him to the ground. I quickly tugged Julian's hand, bumping into people to get to the scene. The children's parents looked on in horror and the children screamed in excitement, jumping on top of the human pile.

The parents pulled their children away, looking daggers in our direction. Julian helped a happy Josh to his feet, an identical grin on his face. Meanwhile, I helped the traumatized Elmo get his bearings. I didn't need to see the person underneath the costume to know they were looking at the twins in fear. I quickly pulled some cash from my purse and put it in Elmo's furry hand.

"Please forgive my friend, he's a bit excited," I told Elmo apologetically and gave them a small smile. He gave me a large hug, probably staying in character. I hugged Elmo back but began to get uncomfortable as the hug lasted for more than a few seconds.

"Get lost, Elmo– you red furry freak!" Julian said with a scowl, the playfulness vanishing from his face. He and Josh took a step forward before Elmo pushed me aside and took off.

I turned to face the twins, gobsmacked by the events that happened.

"W-what did you– I can't believe you–ugh!" I tugged at the ends of my hair in frustration, stumbling over my words. I took a deep breath and faced Josh. "Why in the world did you tackle the poor guy?"

"We have a thing against the color red," Josh shrugged. At my still confused expression, Josh continued. "Our sister was once attacked by a man whose favorite color was red, hence our despise for the color. The only exception to that rule is blood."

I made a face mixed with horror and disbelief. I looked at Julian, who nodded affirmatively at Josh's statement. I squinted at them both. I didn't know how to respond to that. How does one even respond to that explanation? He tackled Elmo because he was red? Josh finally looked a tad sheepish at his actions though.

"I'm sorry that I worried you ma'am, but I will not apologize for hurting the red monster. Also, the little weasel was holding you for far too long." Josh said with finality.

"He's lucky I didn't cut him out of his costume," Julian piped up, gesturing to Bethany, who was strapped to his belt. Luckily the rest of his knives were hidden. Goodness knows what would happen if the city discovered a man strapped with daggers and knives...which he was. I was surprised no cops stumbled on the scene already.

I rubbed my temples in exhaustion. "Can I just get my croissants now? You boys promised me," I said sulkily, and the boys beamed and hooked their arms around mine.

"The maiden is hungry, let us march!" Julian cried out, causing people to look at us strangely.

"I didn't even know you guys had a sister." I muttered, but the twins heard me.

"Our sister lives in another state with her husband. She claims that we can be overbearing. Can you believe that? We aren't even bears!" Julian said with exasperation.

"Exactly. We love bears." Josh said insistently.

And I wonder why their sister thought that. These guys were a handful.

The three of us continued walking and I looked around Time Square in awe. New York was so different from Los Angeles. There was more smoke, industrial architecture, and crowds here, but it was a welcome change. I was having an easier time adjusting since I had people to accompany me. I probably wouldn't have lasted much longer alone.

Near a coffee shop, I saw a woman waving a can and sign, asking for money. I noticed there were a lot of homeless people on the streets as well, sitting on different corners. Making a decision, I gestured to the boys to stop. Even though I gave a good amount of cash to Elmo, I had some spare coins I could put in there. Every penny counted. I knew from experience.

I was about to drop some change into the can until I saw the woman.

"Jasmine?"

She looked completely different from the woman who was teaching me how to dance. Her clothes were baggy, a blue raincoat and baggy jeans swamping her frame. Her once dark hair was now blonde and put up into a messy bun that was mostly hidden by a dirty orange beanie. Her once hazel eyes were now a dark chocolate brown. She had no makeup on. She would have been unrecognizable if I hadn't recognized her sharp features. The woman's eyes widened briefly before looking at me in confusion.

"Jasmine? My name's Monique. Got any change?" The beggar waved her large can in my face.

My eyebrows furrowed. Even her accent was different, more of a New York one than the strong Middle Eastern accent. I guess I was overthinking it. Déjà vu of some sort.

I put the change in the bucket with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, you just looked familiar."

Monique returned the smile. Her gaze moved to the twins and her head tilted to the side. I turned in confusion as I saw a few businessmen talking at a nearby restaurant, between two buildings.

The twins looked at Monique, a sense of understanding in their eyes before dismissing the woman.

"Well, ma'am, let's go get your croissants," Josh said before the two herded me inside a building. I looked back to see the woman one last time, only to find her gone.

~*~

I happily finished my last pastry with a sigh of satisfaction. We were at the entrance of my old apartment building and I was fishing out my old key. Josh and Julian seemed to be on guard, checking our surroundings.

"Damn, ma'am, you were living in a hellhole," Julian said and I winced as he eyed the rotting wood on one of the support beams.

"It's not that bad," I said lamely as the phone went off. Josh pulled it out of his pocket and read the screen. Julian and I looked at him in curiosity.

"You guys go ahead, I'll catch up." Josh waved the two of us off. We nodded and I guided Julian inside the building. As we passed Mr. Meyers' office, I took a peek inside. It was empty and full of boxes. Mr. Meyers was leaving? I looked at my key and shrugged. I guess I'd have to return it another time.

We finally made it to my door and as I unlocked it, Julian made a disgusted face.

"I've lived in pretty bad places, but you took this to another level, ma'am," Julian eyed my tiny room. Like Damon, Julian made the room smaller. I was silently grateful Josh wasn't here or else we would all be squished.

Feeling a bit defensive, I waved my hands in exasperation.

"It wouldn't be so bad if you were in here by yourself! It's more roomy than you think." I exclaimed.

Seeing a twinkle in Julian's eyes, I decided to change subjects. Who knew what he was going to say that would turn me into a blushing inferno.

"I don't have a lot, just my clothes and some other stuff. You can take the closet and I'll take the dresser. It all fits into my backpack," I pointed to my worn-out gray bag. I began to shove things carefully into the bag as Julian shuffled through my closet. Julian put my clothes in the bag while I put my parent's belongings in between them. It wasn't much besides their wedding rings and some pictures, but I valued them greatly. One was a picture of all three of us and another of just my parents.

Seeing a small pile of clothes in the back corner behind my bed, I crawled underneath the bed frame as Julian's phone beeped. He answered the call as I struggled to reach for the clothes. I heard him talking rapidly on the phone, his tone serious. I turned my head and saw his feet coming in my direction before he kneeled down on the bed, looking grave.

"We need to leave, now," Julian said as he tugged on my leg gently but firmly.

Seeing the serious look on his face, I nodded before reaching to grab the last remaining clothes, revealing a strange object. A sense of shock went through my body as my brain couldn't seem to understand what my eyes were seeing.

I looked at it blankly before turning to Julian.

"Julian...there's this strange box with wires and it's starting to blink–" I gasped as Julian pulled me from under the bed and dragged me from the room. I barely managed to grab my things when Julian hauled me out of the apartment, his shout echoing through the halls.

"Get down!"

Julian shoved me down and covered my body with his as an explosion shook the complex. I covered my face with my arms as dust and wood filled the air. I coughed harshly as Julian sat up, a trickle of blood running down his temple. I reached to check the injury, but he shook his head and his mouth started to move.

My ears rang as Julian tried to talk to me, but I wasn't able to comprehend any of it. I shook my head as tears began to fill my eyes, pointing to my ears. I looked at my old apartment, completely destroyed. Wood was splattered everywhere and there was now a large hole in the wall. Smoke filled the halls and people started to come out of their rooms to see the commotion.

A figure ran towards us and I realized it was Josh. He looked at his brother and they had a quick conversation before Josh picked me up easily into his arms. I let him, my mind going numb as Josh shoved people aside and ran down the steps to the back exit. A car was waiting for us and Julian opened the door for us. Josh plopped me onto the seat and barked orders at the driver.

My ears finally began to work properly and I rubbed them harshly. Josh was on the phone, speaking rapidly and looking at me every once in a while. Julian was going through a first aid kit, my backpack uselessly on the floor near him, covered in dust and soot.

I stared blankly into space, trying to understand what had happened. It almost felt like a nightmare brought to life, something I couldn't stomach.

Why would there be a bomb in my–

My mind froze.

It was a bomb.

Thoughts crashed into me like a tidal wave, the cold realization that that bomb was made for me. It was meant to harm me, to kill me, and there was only one explanation for it. My worst fear that I prayed wouldn't haunt me.

A tear fell down my face as Josh pressed a bandage on Julian's wound. Blood seeped through the cloth.

It felt like the oxygen in the car was sucked away. My head was beginning to swim and bile almost escaped my mouth.

They found me. They won't stop until they have me.

I couldn't breathe, my heart was beginning to race as my hand clawed at my throat. Hands grabbed me, but I fought away their touch. A choked sob escaped me, my lungs screaming for air. Everything began to wash away as my body began to shake. Black spots were starting to cover my vision and I barely heard Josh and Julian. It felt like I was underwater and I closed my eyes as my emotions began to drown me.

I let the darkness consume me, selfishly wanting some peace from my harsh reality.

Just for a minute...