The aroma of perfectly done coffee and pastries filled the air. Jenny and Zoe entered the buffet arranged by the hotel for its guests. The first thing Jenny did was scan the room for the certain someone she was looking forward to see.


    And there he was, talking to Noah, probably small talk but Jenny was glad it didn''t look like something serious. Zoe slapped her on the back and skedaddled towards their fried group. Jenny annoyingly rolled her eyes before walking towards the table with Nathan and Noah.


    Nathan seemed to have noticed her from the conner of his eyes. Jenny gave an awkward wave to which Nathan returned the favor. “Hey.” Nathan said when she was close enough.


    “Hey…” Jenny didn''t really know what to say. Noah was quiet, his eyes darting between Nathan and Jenny. The quiet awkwardness was surprisingly loud. “So.. what you guys talking about?” She asked sitting down with them.


    “We were talking about Ivan. You must have heard right.” Nathan said, his brows raised.


    “Oh yeah.. Like why wear flashy clothes and go to a pool?.” Jenny leaned in, amused.


    “Luckily he wasn''t in there for a long time.” Noah chimed in. “Prolonged exposure to chlorinated water has a negative effect apparently.” He added.


    “Yeah… Anyways, what''s the plan for today? I didn''t read anything the teachers sent.” Nathan leaned back on his seat.


    “Well, we''re going to this science museum I think. Mainly focused on robotics and stuff.” Noah said going through his phone trying to find the name of the place. “We''re leaving in like 15 minutes… you should probably eat something before than Jenny.” Noah said.


    Jenny exhaled sharply. “I knew I forgot something.” She paused herself off the chair and went to the buffet to take her pick.


    “So do need like a note book or, anything?” Nathan asked Noah.


    “No. You''ll most likely be fine. And if you do need notes, I got you covered.” Noah said, giving him a thumbs up.


    “You sure? I don''t wanna impose.” Nathan frowned, his voice drenched in worry.


    “Yeah. Don''t worry about it.” Noah said, smiling. Genuinely in fact. Which surprised Nathan.


    ~~~


    The teacher, Mr. Aldrich, started calling the students to get on the bus. The middle aged man had a frown carved into his genetics. Most people would think he''s mad but his students knew him well enough to know otherwise.


    The museum wasn''t that far from the Hotel so today''s work mostly would end quicker than the rest of the week. “Come on guys, we''re tight on schedule. We can''t be late!” And then his eyes landed on Lucian. “Lucian stop pestering the felines and get over here.”


    “Yeah yeah.” Lucian sighed as he got up from petting a sleek black cat. Pulling out a bottle of sanitizer from his pocket, he rubs it over his hands. “Happy?” He said showing his hands to Mr. Aldrich.


    “Very. Now get in there.” He replied, jerking his head towards the bus.


    Lucian walks in and scans the seats for someone he knows. Seeing the seat next to Ryan empty, Lucian plops down. “The hell’s wrong with you?” Ryan asked raising his brows in confusion.


    “What do you mean?” Lucian asked with the same confusion. Both of them remained silent for a moment.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Ryan sighed. “You know what… never mind.” His eyes went back his game. Moving the console and attacking what appears to be soldiers of another team.


    “I seriously don''t get what you find entertaining in playing that.” Lucian commented, looking up at the miniature air conditioner on top of them.


    “Dude. It''s a ranked match. Don''t bother me right now.” Ryan said, his eyes glued to the phone screen.


    “Sure..” Lucian said, his eyes analyzing everything around him. Everyone was involved in something. Mostly idle talk. And some on their phones. Lucian felt empty. What was the point of being here? He wasn''t even interested in coming on this trip. He only came because his friends came.


    The murmurs of students enveloped the vehicle. The dim light of day gleaming over the horizon. The massive towers cast pillars of faint darkness on the city roads. It was quiet, cool and comfortable. Lucian relaxed his muscles, sinking into the seat. They didn''t have giant cushion attached to them, but they weren''t rock hard either.


    His hair, being soft and straight, usually fell infront of his eyes, which Lucian normally found annoying. However today was not one of those days. He''d rather relax on this trip. The stress waiting for him at home was more than enough.


    Lucian opened his eyes to the sight of Nathan walking in with Jenny and Noah following them behind. Instinctively Lucian’s eyes squinted at him. ‘What are you planning this time?’ His jaw clenched just seeing the sight.


    Nathan walked pass him, giving the general smile pouring warmth on the receiver. Lucian raised his brows in acknowledgement. And that was it… the end of their exchange. Like every other time.


    ~~~


    Danny stared at his reflection on the mirror. His hands cupping water from the tap. Washing his face, Danny sighed. ‘I don''t buy it. Of course I don''t. Supernatural beings? Not a chance.’ Wiping his face with a towel, his mind dived into the possibilities of why his partner would lie to him.


    Knock. Knock.


    “I''ll get it.” Danny said walking out the bathroom, tossing the towel on the counter. As he pulled the handle, his immediate attention went to the mesmerizing emerald eyes. And then his neck tightened. His feet levitated above the floor.


    His instinct to survive kicked in a bit slow. He grabbed the hand that choked him. “I apologize for the undignified greeting on my part.” The man stepped in the room, closing the door behind him.


    Danny’s partner, unaware of the intrusion walked over, “Hey, Dan. Everything alright?” His eyes widened as he reached for his handgun.


    “You and I both know that would be irrelevant.” The man said tightening his grip around Danny''s throat. Danny felt his hands losing their will to fight for him. His eyes went towards his partner, begging for help.


    “Who are you?” The officer asked snatching the gun out of the holster and aiming at the man.


    “Sebastian Von Ashford.” He smiled easily, as if he wasn''t choking Danny with his left hand. “Pleasure to meet you. I heard you were looking for me.” He said tilting his head.


    “Never heard of you. Now let him go!” The officer demanded. He could hear the blood pulsing through his body. The rush of adrenaline flowing through his veins. A similar feeling, yet somehow it felt different. It was as if he was being watched by a beast. A hunter.


    The officer never once in his career though of himself as the hunted, except once. A memory that he''d rather forget. But an experience already edged into his mind. permanent.


    The realization hit him like iron bricks launched. He swallowed hard, though his mouth was dry. His breath already gaining weight by the passing second. “You''re one of ‘them''.”


    “I don''t not know what you''re referring to,” Danny''s hands fell as consciousness faded from his mind. The intruder drops his unconscious body to the floor. Stepping over his head, the man walks towards the officer. “But for argument’s sake. Let''s say you''re right. What do you know about me?” He asked, putting hands behind his back.


    “I- I know what you''re capable of.” The officer said, his voice trembling.


    “If you did, you would not hold me at gunpoint.” The man stepped forward, letting the gun touch his chest, smirking.


    The officer’s hands shook with his finger on the trigger. He should shoot right? There''s no way he''d miss. ‘SHOOT!’ He scolded himself, but to no avail. The animal deep within the human mind knows what it''s facing. It''s natural predator.


    “Now, I''m going to ask you a simple question.” The man slowly held the gun and took it from the officer.


    “Where. Is. My child?”