Eliza grimaced but didn’t argue. Since they were going to relocate to Eliza’s house anyways, they all left the motel shortly after. They piled into Mallory’s car for the drive. As they pulled into the driveway, Eliza turned to look at the three of them pressed into the backseat. “I’m not sure how I’m going to explain this to my parents,” she said, looking mildly distressed.

“The best part is you won’t have to,” Sampson said, flashing an impish grin as he vanished.

Samanda laughed at the expression on Eliza’s face. She met Mallory’s eyes in the rearview mirror. “Sorry for scaring you the other day,” she said. “You’re fast on your feet for a mortal.” And she disappeared as well.

Isaac sat in the middle of the backseat, smiling warmly at Eliza. “We’ll do our best to respect your privacy, and won’t enter your home unless you invite us or unless we think you’re in danger. If you need me, open your window and say my name. I’ll be there in a heartbeat.” And then he disappeared as well. Eliza was still twisted in her seat, her lips thinned as she stared at the now empty back seat.

“Do you want me to stay the night again?” Mallory offered.

Eliza sighed. “No, I suppose I’m safer than I have been all summer.” She turned to face Mallory and smiled, lowering her voice. “I’m glad they’re not bad after all.”

Mallory wasn’t sure that she felt like they weren’t bad, but they at least seemed a hell of a lot less threatening than they had the previous day. “Me too.”

Eliza leaned forward and whispered, “He took me to the moon and kissed me.”

“Oh? Way to go, Isaac,” Mallory grinned, but inwardly she was a little shocked. Even despite what they had said about the properties of their alternate dimension, she hadn’t thought that they could travel off world. For a moment, she jealously wondered what the Earth looked like from space, in person – even with the color leached, she felt that it must have been an amazing sight. Perhaps she should have let Sampson pull them along after all. Eliza grinned and reached for the car door handle. “Hey, Eliza,” Mallory said as she started to exit the vehicle. Eliza paused, glancing back at her. “I know you’re in good hands. But be careful.”

Eliza smiled reassuringly at her and nodded. Mallory watched as she went into the house, practically bouncing up the front steps to her door. Mallory wondered how long she’d wait before calling for Isaac from the window.

With a sigh, Mallory backed out of the driveway and drove back home.