《Elacti Chronicles - Death's Whisper》


 Prologue

    Life was good. She had everything she¡¯d ever wanted. Why had this happened. Why had a greater force cast its shadow upon her.


    From below the door, blood leaked in from the hallway.


    This shouldn¡¯t be happening. This couldn¡¯t be happening. It wasn¡¯t, she tried convincing herself. This was all a nightmare and she¡¯d awaken any moment. She had to. They couldn¡¯t be dead.


    Tears flowed and drenched her cheeks and she clenched her mouth close with both hands forcing every cry or whimper back into the void. Following her father¡¯s final command. Stay hidden, stay alive. Fear consumed her, completely paralysing her body except for the uncontrollable tremble that she begged wouldn¡¯t revealed her.


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    She couldn¡¯t help but watch as the blood flowed into the storage cupboard she was curled up in. Staining every crevice of the wooden floor. She hid in the rooms darkest corner begging that the two walls would embrace her and hide her away. Inch by inch the blood spread out from beneath the door. Her father¡¯s blood intertwined the crimson life force of the woman he loved.


    Then it came. Whistling. Very familiar whistling.


    ¡®Why is this happening?¡¯.


    It¡¯d had all started earlier that week. The first cracks in her the life she loved crumbling away.

 Chapter 1 – Rosa Elacti

    Rosa was just an ordinary teenage, Latina girl. Well she was ordinary enough. She had a loving family, went to school and if you ignored the first six years of her life she was like every other girl in her school, during two thousand and eight. She hated homework, Loved a little gossip, and she¡¯d even tried to speak to a boy she fancied once. It failed miserably and she swore never again.


    It was Tuesday morning and the days first light was reaching across the sky. Rosa released a chilly breath as she embraced the cold day. She tucked her long black hair back and wrapped herself in her thick coat before leaving her house and roaming the streets of Aldock. A neighbourhood found on the outskirts of Liverpool a little before Huyton.


    Like the rest of the city the air and winds had grown icy as they approached winter and Rosa had to add a little more caution in every step she took. Unless she wanted fall flat on her backside or on her face again. It was days like this when she would reminisce about her younger years in Mexico. In the winter, despite being cooler there, the temperatures would be considered summer worthy here in Liverpool. Snow was also very rare if it did ever happen and you¡¯d have to live up north which she never did. She much preferred winters here. The only similarity they shared was they both knew how to properly celebrate Christmas.


    Pulling her backpack tightly she made her way across roads and down streets, towards her school. She was now in year nine or her third year of secondary and it was going well. She hadn¡¯t butted heads with any teacher so far, had a thriving social life, and her grades were increasing with every test. If she kept it up she may be able to match the record her older sister left behind in the family records. The top grade in every GCSE she took. She also got perfect grades in four A-Levels but that was an issue for Rosa¡¯s later years.


    Her school wasn¡¯t far from her home. After twenty minutes of walking she arrived. It was a grand and old structure that showed aspects of gothic architecture. It looked like something that should belong in the city¡¯s centre by the docks that out here in Aldock. Like every school morning she entered under the arched school gateway and into the courtyard. A bland open space with little vegetation and benches scattered around its edges. She¡¯d came to school earlier today and as a result the courtyard was completely empty. She entered the school¡¯s main body and wandered down refurbished and modern looking corridors that didn¡¯t match the school¡¯s exterior, they reminded her of a hospital. Rosa made her way to the west side of the school where its library sat. The library was one of the few places in the school that kept its ancient interior and Rosa felt like she was transported into the past every time she entered.


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    It was a massive one floor, red carpeted room, decorated with tables, chairs, some computers, and not to mention the rows and rows of towering bookcases. It contained knowledge and information so vast that Rosa had never failed to find out what she wanted while here.


    Rosa headed straight to their usual spot. Hidden away between bookcases was an isolated table. Sitting at the table was a golden-haired girl, Rosa¡¯s friend Sam. She was working in a mathematics workbook and scribbling on the paper furiously. Sam struggled a little with her academics, so for the past month Rosa met her here early every morning to help.


    ¡°So what are we covering today¡± Rosa asked while taking a seat across from Sam and placing her backpack on the chair beside her.


    ¡°Trigonometry again¡± Sam grumbled, ¡°No matter how many times we do it, I keep messing up¡±. Sam finished up the question she was working on and then jumped to the back of her workbook to check her answer. She cursed under her breath.


    ¡°Now worries¡± Rosa claimed as she dragged the workbook towards her and analysed Sam¡¯s work. ¡°Ah this is an easy fix. You¡¯re just making a simple mistake¡± Rosa said happily.


    Sam¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Where?¡± she asked and leaned over the table to see the book. Rosa quickly explained her friends mistake and they spent the next thirty minutes working through the booklet and thankfully Sam got every question correct.


    The first school bell rang, calling them to their form rooms. Rosa said her goodbyes and left the library, she wasn¡¯t in Sam¡¯s form nor any classes with her so wouldn¡¯t see her until break and lunch.


    Rosa¡¯s school day went as normal as any other. She attended form, spoke with some friends, then went to all her morning classes which she was able to easily breeze through thanks to the extra revision she¡¯d been doing at home.


    One good thing about having a super genius sister was when you got stuck you could always count on her to help.


    Lunch came and Rosa socialised with Sam and the rest of their friends while eating the lunch her mother made her. After was her afternoon classes which went the same as the morning classes, if not more boring. She always had English in the afternoon and Rosa hated it, essays were the bane of her teenage existence. The one thing she could never figure out how to do. Thankfully essays were also the one thing Same excelled at, so she never asked for Rosa¡¯s help.


    ¡®Maybe I should ask for her help¡¯ Rosa realised ¡®Trade knowledge¡¯.


    At three o clock the last school bell rang, the final class finished and the school day was over. Rosa had no extracurricular activities today and was thankfully free to head straight home. A place were her days always found themselves a little less normal.


    As she headed home there was an extra bounce in step. That same morning her family had told they had some exciting news.

 Chapter 2 - The Elacti Family

    Rosa¡¯s family weren¡¯t exactly the most normal people in Aldock. From their ambiguous jobs to their high income and then came the more personal factor of their relation to Rosa. Rosa¡¯s family were a little different than other kids families at school in the sense that she didn¡¯t share a drop of blood with any of them. Despite what the world thought, she was adopted.


    Rosa didn¡¯t know her biological parents, if ever did the memories were long dead. She spent the first six years of her life roaming the streets of Merida, Mexico. Then one day the man she now called Father James Elacti found her. Saved her. And seven years later here she was, living the life she always dreamed of back when she was a girl.


    She arrived home in record timing. Like always her house sat on the edge of harbour crescent, a large, old, two-story relic of brick and tiles. Just as she walked through the house¡¯s gate a familiar car pulled up on the street. Her mother, Mary Elacti, stepped out of the driver¡¯s seat, her shining, brown hair dancing in the wind.


    ¡°Hi sweetie, how was school?¡± her mum asked.


    ¡°It was alright¡± Rosa replied, ¡°How was work? Boring?¡±.


    ¡°Of course¡± her mother joked as they walked across the front yard. Rosa unlocked the front door and they entered. Instantly voices radiated down the hallway from the corridor. Rosa and her mum removed their shoes and made their way into the kitchen. Sitting at the dining table was her father, a man with short black hair, with a hint of curls, and a well-kept beard. Across from him was her older sister, Emma, a beautiful girl who possessed their mother¡¯s hair and father¡¯s jade eyes. Her dad was the first to notice them.


    ¡°Welcome home¡± he greeted. Like every day, Mary kissed him on the cheek and took a seat beside him.


    ¡°How did it go?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Good. Very good actually¡± James told her.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Rosa asked confused, as she took as seat beside her sister.


    ¡°I am -¡± her dad paused, like he didn¡¯t know how to tell her, ¡°I¡¯m being promoted¡± he told her.


    ¡°I thought you were already the highest rank?¡± Rosa asked. Despite her family¡¯s ambiguity whenever she asked about their work, Rosa knew her father was a detective and to her knowledge held the highest position he could.


    ¡°I am, well technically. I¡¯ve been doing the work of the highest rank for a while now, but today I¡¯ve officially been promoted and awarded the title¡± her dad explained.


    ¡°Does that come with a pay rise?¡± Rosa grinned. Her sister nudged her in the ribs.


    ¡°It does¡± her father smiled, ¡°And as a result were going out to celebrate. Well for that and your sisters good news¡±. Emma glared at her father.


    Rosa¡¯s brows furrowed, she turned to her sister who was glaring at their father. ¡°What news?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you later¡± Emma confessed.


    ¡°Oh come on¡± Rosa said.


    ¡°Later¡± Emma said firmly.


    ¡°Alright, we leave in an hour¡± James announced, ¡°If you want to go get washed and changed, I¡¯d do it now¡±.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°Golden Orchid¡± Emma said. The Golden Orchid is an Asian restaurant and one of the most luxurious establishments in Aldock.


    ¡°Woah, you must be getting a raise¡± Rosa joked.


    ¡°Go get changed¡± her dad ordered, a smile tugging on the edge of his face. Grinning, she rushed away upstairs.


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    She quickly showered in the bathroom. Once in her room she put on some light makeup and changed into her favourite jeans, top and jacket before then grabbing a pair of black boots from the bottom of her wardrobe. She headed back downstairs and left the boots by the front door before then waiting in the living room with Emma.


    ¡°What¡¯s your news?¡± Rosa questioned.


    ¡°Wait until dinner¡± Emma replied, her eyes not leaving the TV. It was showing some documentary that Rosa had no care for.


    ¡°Please¡± Rosa said.


    Emma sighed. ¡°Do you know what, I¡¯ve changed my mind I¡¯m not telling you¡±.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll wait until dinner¡± Rosa grumbled.


    ¡°Good girl¡± Emma smiled victorious. Emma let Rosa switch the channel to something more interesting, cartoons, and before she knew it their father was calling them. Rosa quickly slipped into her boots and they left, but not before she reluctantly put on the coat her mother gave her. Apparently her small jacket wasn¡¯t appropriate for the weather. In teenage defiance she left the coat open, but quickly regretted it when the cold night winds struck her. The Elacti family hopped in their car, a black range rover, and drove off.


    They hadn¡¯t been to the Golden Orchid since Rosa was ten. Its interior had barely changed and was just as lavish as last time. They were assigned a table near the wall. Rosa claimed one of the red cushioned chairs beside the window and a waiter came over and handed out menus presenting the restaurant¡¯s food and drink. Her father instantly ordered drinks for everyone and they were given some time to decide their meals.


    ¡°Should we get some starters?¡± Mary asked looking over the menu.


    ¡°Could do¡± James responded, ¡°I haven¡¯t had edamame since our honeymoon¡±.


    ¡°Can you tell me your news now?¡± Rosa burst out.


    Her family sighed. ¡°Tell her Em. I fear Rosa might blow up if she has to wait any longer¡± her dad said.


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯m going away for a week. I¡¯ve been offered a great work opportunity¡± Emma informed.


    ¡°That¡¯s great Em¡± Rosa said happily, ¡°When do you leave?¡±.


    Emma hesitated. ¡°Tomorrow¡± she said sheepishly.


    ¡°What? When were you going to tell me!¡± Rosa exclaimed, startling a few of the surrounding customers. Her cheeks flushed and she hid down in her chair.


    ¡°Tomorrow before you went to school¡± Emma confessed. Rosa stared at her sister deadpan.


    ¡°Oh come on Rosa don¡¯t be like that. We all know how you can get¡± Emma said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a kid anymore Em. I can handle it¡± Rosa grumbled, ¡°In fact, I think it¡¯s a great opportunity and I am happy for you¡±. Rosa shot a rapid glance at her dad. He gave a small nod and a satisfied smile broke across her face.


    ¡°Thanks¡± Emma said. An awkward silence followed.


    ¡°Alright then¡± Mary interrupted the silence, ¡°What are we thinking, starters yes or no?¡±.


    ¡°Yes¡± James said.


    ¡°I¡¯d like some sushi rolls please¡± Emma said.


    ¡°I¡¯m ok¡± Rosa stated.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Mary asked in a motherly tone, ¡°They have salt and pepper chicken¡±.


    Rosa face lit up, ¡°Oh, then yes please¡±.


    ¡°Onto mains then¡± their father stated, a cocky smile grew, ¡°Let me guess, all ramen bowls¡± he pointed at Emma, ¡°Beef¡±, then at Rose, ¡°Chicken¡±, and then finally at Mary, ¡°Pork¡±. No one objected. ¡°Wonderful¡± he said happily. Like they¡¯d been listening in and wating for the perfect moment their waiter returned and took their order.


    The rest of the night went well, the food was amazing and the family had a great time together. Due to work, it had been a long time since they were all able to all enjoy time together. Rosa hadn¡¯t realised how much she¡¯d missed it.


    James paid the bill and they set off back to the house. It quite late by the time they got back and knowing she was up early tomorrow to meet Sam she decided to call it a night. She wish she hadn¡¯t.


    She wandered home from school, following the same route home as always. The sky was black and no stars could be seen. Why was she walking home so late? She couldn¡¯t remember. She must¡¯ve had clubs after school. Also why did she feel so on edge?


    She turned the street corner, if she kept this pace up she¡¯d be home in around ten minutes.


    ¡®Grrr¡¯.


    Rosa spun. What the hell was that?


    Something was moving in the shadows. Her body moved on its own and Rosa burst into a sprint. Instantly she heard something begin rushing after her. She didn¡¯t dare turn around but whatever it was big enough to make the ground shake. Without warning her foot was pulled from beneath her. She hit that ground hard. With unreal speed something flipped her onto her back. Before Rosa could move something dug into her stomach. She gasped, her body went into shock and she couldn¡¯t even feel the pain. Rosa glanced down to see a machete like claw tearing through her stomach. Above her was a car sized abomination of black fur and muscle. It tore its claws free of her abdomen and began to slash at her body, mutilating her. Blood and her insides flew and the shock vanished. Agonizing pain flared across every inch of her. suddenly long, razor fangs sunk into her neck.


    She screamed.


    Rosa jolted up from her bed, with so much force the frame shuddered. Cold sweat drenched her body. She quickly got hold of her rapid, hysterical breathing. Glancing to the right she saw the morning light leaking through the curtains.


    ¡®It was a dream¡¯ she realised. Relief spread through her body. She fell back into her mattress. It was soaked.


    ¡°I need a shower¡± she mumbled.

 Chapter 3 - Hunted

    After showering, Rosa re-entered her room still a little shaken by her nightmare. She felt more exhausted than before she¡¯d slept.


    ¡®Why had it felt so real?¡¯ Rosa questioned. Even as she put on her school uniform her body trembled and tingled. It was like it remembered the pain and sensations of being ripped apart. It remembered dying.


    She¡¯d put her sweat drenched pyjamas in the washing basket but had left her bedsheets. She didn¡¯t want to explain what had happened last night and instead just prayed they¡¯d be dry by tonight.


    There was a knock on her door and then her sister entered the room.


    ¡°Are you decent Rosa?¡± Emma questioned but she was already inside before she could¡¯ve possibly answered, ¡°Oh good¡± Emma said relieved seeing her younger sister fully dressed.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Rosa asked, grabbing her backpack out her wardrobe. When she was she younger she¡¯d have probably screamed at her sister to get out. Funny how things change.


    ¡°I¡¯m all packed and I wanted to see you before I left¡± Emma told her.


    Rosa stopped, she had completely forgot Emma was leaving for a week. That night terror had really scrambled her brain.


    ¡°Are you going to be okay?¡± Emma asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine¡± Rosa stated as confidently as she could. She didn¡¯t want her sister seeing her like this, especially not before she was leaving. She didn¡¯t need her trip ruined worrying that her sister was going insane.


    ¡°There¡¯s no schoolwork you want help with?¡± Emma asked.


    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m pretty certain I¡¯ve mastered year nine¡± Rosa boasted.


    Emma laughed, ¡°It wouldn¡¯t surprise me. But don¡¯t act so cocky it doesn¡¯t suit you. Only me¡± Emma joked. She then pulled Rosa into a hug. ¡°I¡¯ll see you in a week¡±.


    ¡°See you in a week, Em¡± Rosa said holding her sister tightly and for a moment all her fear disappeared. Once they separated, Emma gave her one final wave before vanishing.


    Rosa sighed, she begged her sister didn¡¯t see through her. The last thing she wanted was her trip being ruined by worrying for her little sister. She glanced at the clock on her bedside stand.


    ¡®Damn¡¯. She really needed to get a move on. She rushed around her room and packed her bag. She then dashed down the stairs and into the kitchen where Mary and James were sitting.


    ¡°Morning Sweetie¡± her mum greeted.


    ¡°Morning mum, morning dad¡± Rosa said. Her eyes locked onto the pile of toast before her dad. ¡°Can I nick a piece of toast?¡± she asked, ¡°I really need to get going¡±. With a curious glance, her dad pushed the plate of toast towards her.


    ¡°Thank you¡± she said grabbing a piece, ¡°I¡¯ll be home a little later today, I¡¯ve got swimming¡±.


    ¡°Alright kiddo, see you later¡± James said. Rosa rushed out the kitchen and put on her school shoes.


    ¡°Enjoy work¡± Rosa called out before slipping into her coat and leaving the house.


    She made it to the school and headed straight to the library. However, when she reached their usual spot, Sam was nowhere to be seen. Strange, she was never late. Rosa sat down and pulled out some of her own work. She guessed she could do some work on her own until Sam got here. More time passed and Sam never appeared.


    Rosa¡¯s phone pinged. It was a message from Sam.


    ¡®Sorry I¡¯m telling you so late, but I¡¯m feeling ill and won¡¯t be in today. Sorry again¡¯. Rosa was a little stunned, Sam was never sick in fact she¡¯d told Rosa she¡¯d never had a day off school.


    Shrugging it off Rosa continued with her work until the first school bell and she headed off to her form room. The school day went as normal and before she knew it the final bell rang. However, she didn¡¯t head home and instead made her way to the gymnasium, more specifically the swimming pool. Every Wednesday she had swimming club, in fact she was on the school¡¯s swimming team. She entered the changing rooms and got ready for the pool as fast as possible. Many of her club mates quickly joined her and they got into the pool.


    Out of all her school clubs her favourite was definitely swimming. It always succeeded to clear her mind. She was also really good at it which helped.


    Swimming club came to an end, for the final length the club always made it a race. Rosa mustered all the energy she had left and secured first place. She clambered out the pool and headed towards the changing rooms, everyone she passed congratulating her on a training session well done. Once in her stall, she looked at the time.


    ¡®Damn¡¯. The club had run over its usual time, she¡¯d be late at the rate. Ever since it had started getting dark earlier her family had started to worry whenever she never got home in time. Rosa was in no mood for a lecture from her dad.


    She quickly towelled down her body and got dressed in the spare clothes she brought, before then drying her hair enough so the weather wouldn¡¯t give her a cold. Satisfied, Rosa quickly gathered her belongings and left, saying goodbye to any club members she passed. Through the hallway windows she could see that the light was already being drained from the sky.


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    The winter air clung hold of her the second she left the building and, as if a god was trying to spite her, rain began pelting down on Aldock. She rushed across the school grounds and entered the courtyard.


    ¡®Grrrr¡¯


    Rosa spun around slipping on the icy stone floor. Nothing was there just an empty courtyard. She could¡¯ve sword she heard a bestial growl. And it sounded familiar, strangely familiar. In the corner of her eye a shadow moved. Her head spun to the right. The shadows on the roof looked completely ordinary, no abnormally large shadow in sight. Rosa let loose a long breath. She must just be exhausted and seeing things. That dream had really shaken her. Chuckling to herself about her own delusions she kept walking and left the school grounds. Then it clicked that growl was the same one from last night. It must just be her imagination.


    ¡®Monsters. What am I four?¡¯. The school faded into view behind her and night consumed the sky as Rosa walked home


    ¡®Grrr¡¯


    The growl came again. On instinct, Rosa¡¯s head spun round. Nothing. Rosa carried on home but with a quicker pace than before. That time it sounded very real and very close.


    ¡®I really need to get home and rest¡¯ Rosa told herself.


    She turned a street corner and then suddenly remembered. This was exactly where her dream started, in fact everything was the same she realised as she looked up at the black, starless sky.


    ¡®Grrrr¡¯.


    Before her mind even realised, Rosa¡¯s body burst in a full powered sprint. She wasn¡¯t in control herself and it was like her instinct had claimed her body. Something pounced behind, striking the ground were she¡¯d once been. Something sharp scrapped the ground and a vicious and demonic bark echoed through the street. Rosa¡¯s body never slowed. What was happening? How had the monster from her nightmare came to life? Unless this was another nightmare she wondered, maybe she never woke up.


    ¡®No¡¯ she thought, she could feel the cold biting against her skin, the rain drenching her clothes and her lungs and muscles screaming. This was real.


    ¡®Oh god this is real¡¯. Fear raced up spine and along every nerve in her body. If she wasn¡¯t running at a maximum speed before she definitely was now.


    The rain battered her body and drenched her clothes and to her horror they soon began feeling like a weight slowing her down.


    ¡®Keep going¡¯ she told herself, ignoring her body screaming for air and her muscles crying as lactic acid filled their every orifice. If she could get home everything would be fine, it didn¡¯t matter if a monster was chasing her because her father would save her.


    Rosa couldn¡¯t explain it but she felt as if the monster was about to attack. She took a sharp right turn into a new street, almost slipping in a deep puddle. The creature pounced, slamming down exactly were she¡¯d have been if she carried on forward. Rosa didn¡¯t dare look back but heard something large skid across the road and slam into a car, setting off its alarms. Hopefully that would buy her even a little bit of time. But it had cost her getting off route. She was no longer heading to her house but to the park.


    ¡®No, this is fine. I can cut through park and try and loose it¡¯ she quickly thought.


    The monster was back on her heels, she darted across the flooded grass field and in a leap of faith hopped the playgrounds fence without hesitation. Her prayers were answered as she splashed down inside the playground with no issues. She sprinted across the wet rubber and once again leapt across the fence. Her feet slammed down into the grass.


    She slipped.


    Fear flooded her mind. She scrambled in the mud and rain but in her panic kept falling back down. She was going to be ripped apart. Every moment she dreaded the feral growl emerging behind her and the machete like claws tearing her body apart.


    But the growl never came. Why was she still alive? Despite every part of telling her not to, she looked back.


    Nothing.


    She was alone in the park. Just wet, muddy, cold and alone. No murderous monster in sight.


    Cautiously and trembling, Rosa stood. She listened but the only sound she heard was the howling of the wind. The car alarm from earlier was no where to be found.


    It must of went off she told herself. This couldn¡¯t have all been in her head. She wasn¡¯t going insane, was she? No that had definitely happened no matter how powerful the human brain was it couldn¡¯t do that.


    She took a step forward. However, if that was true it meant that creature was still out there. She glanced back towards the houses.


    ¡®Should I head back?¡¯ she wondered. Now that she was here it would be faster to cut through the park, but if there was still a creature out there wouldn¡¯t being near the houses be safer, maybe someone would take her in. Her mind raced. But what if the monster is back there waiting for her. She glanced the other way, towards the woods that lay near her house.


    ¡°But what if its in there¡± she whimpered. Growing conscious of the darkening sky and the growing ferocity of the rain, Rosa chose to favour time and sprinted further across the park.


    Without hesitation she dashed into the woods, entering its shelter from the rain. It was pitch black but she knew the way well. She would always cut through here when she was younger, whether to avoid people, find peace and quiet or just play in the woods. However, despite her confidence, the darkness put her on constant edge. It was a lot more terrifying at night and, if you were a humongous murderous monster, the perfect place to ambush your prey. She carried on running, the adrenaline coursing through her veins, keeping her body moving.


    ¡®Not long now¡¯ she told herself, ¡®Almost out¡¯.


    She tripped on something thick and solid. Rosa hit the ground hard and let out a breathless gasp as her body tumbled. She tried to stand but winced as pain radiated from her leg. She didn¡¯t remember any exposed roots around here, what did she hit? Or what hit her?


    Terror struck her like a train and she realised she hadn¡¯t tripped accidentally, she¡¯d been tripped. Fresh adrenaline rushed, and she scampered up, her leg¡¯s pain vanishing in an instant. She spun behind her. Her heart stopped.


    In the darkness between the soft shadows of trees where beaming eyes. Two white glows that hovered ominously in the air.


    Slowly and steadily Rosa tried retreating away towards her house. Something hit her back. Her eyes never leaving it, she felt behind. A tree, she was trapped. Any sudden movements and she knew it would attack.


    The monster stalked forward on all fours and Rosa finally got a true look at the beast. It reminded her of a were wolf from the old horror films she¡¯d seen. Like a wolf had been combined with a giant ape. Black fur, muscular body that rippled with every movement and not to mention long, razor sharp claws and teeth that could quite easily tear Rosa apart. It loosed a guttural growl that shook her core and prepared to pounce.


    She was dead. Rosa closed her eyes, her body paralysed, too afraid to move. If she was going to die she didn¡¯t want to see it happen.


    Something tore through the air.


    Rosa heard metal strike flesh and the monster roared.


    BANG!


    BANG!


    BANG!

 Chapter 4 - Mystery Saviour

    The explosive noises deafened her, and her hands rapidly found her ears. It was as if fireworks had been launched before her.


    They came to a sudden stop and something big shook the ground. Slowly she opened her eyes. They widened in shock at what they seen. She had no idea how it happened but it was dead. Whatever that creature was, it was no more. Now just a bloodied mess of useless muscle, claws and stained fur.


    Her body collapsed against the tree.


    ¡®Good riddance¡¯ was Rosa¡¯s first thought. It caught her off guard, she didn¡¯t think she was capable of such comments. But it didn¡¯t bother her, it felt right for the situation, something like that shouldn¡¯t exist.


    Rosa remained frozen on the cold, wet grass trying to get hold of her breathing. Her heart constantly trying to break free of her chest.


    Someone approached, a pleasant whistling accompanied squelching footsteps. A man in a long black coat emerged from the night¡¯s darkness. He was tall, had a strong build and dishevelled black hair. A deep, aged scar ran from his neck to below his shirt. In his hand was a smoking handgun and strapped to his back was something sharp, which shimmered in the night.


    His blue eyes locked onto her. A small, relieved smile broke across his face.


    ¡°Good, I was just in time¡± the man said, ¡°Thought I might¡¯ve been too late for a second then¡±. His voice possessed a hint of the city, although it had clearly been mellowed by time away.


    The man holstered his gun behind his back and wandered towards her, paying the monster corpse no mind. He offered out his hand and she hesitantly accepted it. With powerful strength he easily lifted her.


    Rosa¡¯s mind felt numb. She definitely wasn¡¯t reacting to this the way she should, in the sense that she wasn¡¯t reacting at all. Is this what people meant by being in shock?


    ¡°Do know where you are?¡± He asked softly.


    Rosa nodded.


    ¡°Do you know how to get home?¡±.


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    She nodded again.


    ¡°Alright hurry home. It¡¯s safe now¡± he told her.


    ¡°Thank you¡± she managed to say still baffled by the situation. Her body then cautiously backed away towards the street and its light, that could be seen through the trees.


    ¡°Girl¡± the man called out like he¡¯d just remembered something important. She shot back round. ¡°I¡¯d recommend you find a way to forget what happened tonight. Everyone will just assume you¡¯re crazy. A teenager like you doesn¡¯t need that ruining her. I know that¡¯s harder said than done but you¡¯ll have to make do¡±.


    She weakly nodded and then rushed off back home.


    She stood before her house, chilled in the cold night air. Still trying and still failing to compose herself, she continued to wait like she had been the last ten minutes. She couldn¡¯t go in like this, her family would instantly catch on that something had happened and then the questions would come. That couldn¡¯t happen. What would she tell them? A massive monster from her nightmare had attacked her and then a mysterious man had saved her. They¡¯d think she was either going insane. She couldn¡¯t lie and say something else, they¡¯d see straight through her like always. Her friend lived nearby maybe she could go there for a little bit.


    The door suddenly opened, light spilled onto the street and her father came into view.


    He looked down at her sternly. ¡°You¡¯re late¡± he said.


    ¡®Here it comes¡¯.


    ¡°Are coming inside? Or do you plan to freeze? You¡¯ve already been stood out there ten minutes¡± her father asked.


    Rosa nodded and entered the warmth of the house. Once the door shut behind her, she placed down her bag and faced her father.


    ¡°Sorry dad¡± Rosa said.


    He glanced at her up and down analysing her condition. A look of bewilderment flashed across his face. He quickly composed himself.


    ¡°We¡¯ll speak tomorrow. There¡¯s dinner in the fridge and make sure you get some sleep you look exhausted Rosa¡± her father said before grabbing his coat.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Rosa asked, confused. He¡¯d not scolded her and was clearly in some sort of rush. That only happened when it came to -.


    ¡°They need me at work¡± he explained, ¡°I¡¯ll see you in the morning¡±.


    ¡®Something has happened again¡¯ she guessed. ¡°Ok dad, love you¡± she told him. It didn¡¯t even surprise her anymore how easy those words came out now. 7 years ago and that would¡¯ve been impossible.


    ¡°Love you too kiddo¡± her father said before leaving and locking the door.


    After watching her father get in his car and drive away, Rosa let out a sigh of relief she¡¯d somehow escaped. Now she could just hide in her room when her mom got back and tomorrow she¡¯d feel better. Hopefully.


    She then followed her usual routine took off her shoes, hung up her coat, unpacked her school bag and stored it away. She then ate dinner, washed up and decided to call it an early night. She¡¯d had a hectic day. Her father¡¯s behaviour earlier never left her mind, but it wasn¡¯t the first time he¡¯d been stressed by work so she pushed it down and forced herself it sleep. She was surprised by how little almost losing her life was affecting her. Maybe it was all in her head.

 Chapter 5 – Ominous premonition

    The nightmares came again. A demonic loop where Rosa was butchered over and over again by that monster. Reenactments of last night, but everything went wrong. She never ran, she didn¡¯t dodge from the creature¡¯s pounce, it never vanished in the park, the mystery saviour never appeared. However it didn¡¯t bother her.


    She awoke with a slight jolt but apart from that was completely fine. No cold sweat, no drenched bed sheets, not even a little tremble. It was like she¡¯d woken up from a normal dream, like her mind and body knew the entire thing was fabricated by itself.


    It still creeped her out how little yesterday was affecting her. It made her constantly question it even happened at all.


    She flung off her quilt and slid out of bed while grabbing her phone off her bedside table. Sam had messaged her.


    ¡®Sorry won¡¯t be in today either, sickness got worse overnight. Probably won¡¯t see you until Monday¡¯.


    She must really have come down with something bad Rosa thought. She replied that she hoped she got well soon and will see her Monday. Rosa then put her phone down and got ready for school.


    She headed downstairs, and like every morning, her parents were sat at the dining table, with cups of coffee and breakfast. Since she didn¡¯t need to get to school early and help Sam today Rosa decided to join them. She brewed herself a cup of tea and made herself some cereal. She sat beside her father, still slightly worried he may scold or for being late and her having to explain last night. But thankfully it never came.


    She stared at them both, they looked absolutely exhausted. Now that Rosa thought about it, had she heard either of them get home last night? Until what time were they working?


    ¡°Not going in early today?¡± her mum asked.


    ¡°No¡± Rosa responded taking a bite of cereal, ¡°Sam¡¯s sick again¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s a surprise she¡¯d never ill¡± her dad said.


    Rosa shrugged.


    ¡°Tell her we hope she gets better soon¡± her mother said.


    ¡°Will do¡± Rosa nodded.


    She enjoyed the morning breakfast with her family. With school, her clubs and their parents work they hadn¡¯t been able to see each other much this month.


    However, it soon became time for her to leave.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you later¡± Rosa said placing her dishes in the sink.


    ¡°On time today yes?¡± her father questioned.


    Rosa firmly nodded.


    ¡°Atta-girl¡± her dad smiled.


    ¡°See you later¡± her mum waved.


    Rosa quickly grabbed her bag, put on her shoes and coat and set off.


    It felt strange walking to school in full daylight and busy street, Rosa had become so accustomed to having Aldock to herself in the morning. Luckily, it didn¡¯t affect her journey and Rosa was able to arrive in form for the first school bell. The school day went as usual, if not more boring without Sam¡¯s presence, and Rosa quickly packed away her belongings as the final bell rang. She did have kick boxing today but decided to not go. She¡¯d never admit it, but today she wanted to walk home in the daylight.


    She left with the rest of the school. To her knowledge not many students lived near her home and that thankfully meant her time manoeuvring around slow-moving groups was cut short. By the time Rosa started getting close the park she was practically alone.


    She came up on the street where it all began. It was considerably less eery in broad daylight and Rosa began feeling immature for ever thinking something like that could¡¯ve possibly happened. It must have all been a trick of the mind. It had to be. Monsters weren¡¯t real, just stories made up to terrify children.


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    ¡®SNAP¡¯


    Rosa jumped. Reflexively she spun around.


    Nothing.


    She glanced down to see a broken twig beneath her foot. She sighed and felt her cheeks flush. Rosa couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at herself. She scanned around making sure no one had seen it. No one had, good. She continued on her way home with no more issues.


    Rosa called out to the house once inside but there was no response.


    ¡®Must be in work¡¯ she assumed. The rest of her day was spent relaxing and quickly completing any of the homework she¡¯d been assigned.


    Rosa waited until late into the evening but her parents never returned home. She then found her dinner already in the fridge with a note from her mother stating they¡¯ll be home late again.


    ¡®Working late again¡¯ Rosa thought concerned. They already looked exhausted this morning. She didn¡¯t want them overworking themselves and getting ill or something even worse.


    She then ate, made sure the house was locked up and settled in for the night.


    There was a constant buzzing in her ear, like static from the TV. Rosa tried to cover her ears but it didn¡¯t help. Suddenly they popped, like she¡¯d suddenly changed altitude, and everything went deathly silent. Where was she? It felt like she was stuck in a dense fog, as if she recognised her surroundings but at the same time had never seen them before. She clamped her eyes closed and tried to shake away the haze and surprisingly it worked. Little by little she began to feel clearer headed.


    She opened her eyes and found herself inside a house. Wait, this was her house. She was sitting in their living room staring at a blank TV and completely in the dark.


    Chilled air escaped her mouth with every breath she took, but the room didn¡¯t feel the slightest bit cold as Rosa sat in her pyjamas. Confused she stood from the couch and turned on the lights.


    Nothing was out of the ordinary, just her usual living room. Well except for the window curtains, now that she noticed it. They were fully drawn, blocking any sort of outside view. They rarely ever used the curtains normally just resorting to the window blinds instead.


    Maybe her and her parents had watched a movie and wanted the room to be as dark as possible? Rosa wondered. She couldn¡¯t really remember anything before waking up on the couch.


    Thinking nothing more of it, Rosa left and entered the hall. Like the living room she found herself in the pitch black and clumsily felt around until she found the light switch. In an instant the hallway was lit up and like the living room everything looked normal.


    ¡°Hello¡± Rosa called out, her breath still visible despite there not being a single chill in the air. There was no response, in fact the entire house felt dead like it somehow wasn¡¯t there even though Rosa stood within its walls.


    Every door in the hallway had been closed tight with no light leaking from beneath them. She glanced up the stairs, but didn¡¯t dare approach. It was like her body refused to act whenever she tried to move closer. She couldn¡¯t see anything at the top, it was as if all light was being consumed leaving only eery ominous shadows that formed a black abyss. She remained motionless staring up the stairs waiting as if something was about walk down the stairs any moment. But nothing ever came.


    The hallway light flickered, it was subtle but enough to draw Rosa¡¯s attention. It flickered again. Rosa took a step back when suddenly a sharp pain radiated across her head. It was like she¡¯d been struck with a sudden migraine. She slammed her eyes shut trying to escape the light but the pain only grew worse.


    She slowly opened them and froze. A thick, steaming. crimson liquid drenched the halls. Blood covered every, now destroyed surface, splattered along the walls like someone had been mutilated.


    Rosa¡¯s knees weakened and she collapsed, falling straight into a pool of blood beneath her. She began hyperventilating, she shut eyes and viciously shook her head before opening them again.


    Everything was normal again. No blood and nothing had been destroyed. Her mind still aching and her body trembling, Rosa claimed control of her breathing and stood.


    The light flickered and the pain became agony, like a blade was being repeatedly stabbed through her skull. Rosa cried out and dropped to her knees clutching her head tightly, begging the world to make it stop. Her vision began to flash, like someone was turning a bright light on and off in front of her. The hallway began to rapidly convert with every flash, changing from normal to massacred. Someone screamed, it was a deep, guttural cry.


    The blood once again stained the wall and floors however, it had somehow become even worse. Every surface had been torn apart, claw marks ran deep and it looked as if a wild beast had rampaged through the house.


    More screams burst from the black abyss. Wait she recognized those screams. Dad and mum! she realised in horror. It sounded like they were being torn apart limb from limb. Rosa tried to run to their aid but a pain she never thought possible overcame her. She felt something warm and sticky drip down from her eyes, nose and eyes joining the pool of blood below and her mind felt like it had exploded.


    ¡°ROSA RUN! -¡± her father roared before something sharply cut him off.


    Rosa was torn from her nightmare. She screamed and practically jumped out her slumber. She felt as if she couldn¡¯t breathe, her body felt lifeless and tears stained her cheeks.


    Her father came rushing into the bedroom. In less than a second he surveyed the room and then saw Rosa¡¯s condition. Without hesitation, he quickly pulled into an embrace, his warmth restoring a sense of feeling inside her.


    ¡°Its alright Rosa¡± he said holding her tightly, ¡°I¡¯m here now nothing is going to happen. It was just a nightmare¡±. Whimpering she melted into his arms.

 Chapter 6 – Going Insane

    After what felt like eternity she began to calm down. Her mother ran into the room. She came and sat down on the bed beside them and gently placed a hand on Rosa¡¯s forehead.


    ¡°You¡¯re burning up¡± her mum said concerned, ¡°You may be coming down with a fever. Have you been feeling ill lately?¡±.


    Her father slowly released her letting Rosa face her mother. She weakly shook her head.


    James rose from the bed. ¡°I¡¯ll call the school and tell them Rosa won¡¯t be attending today¡± he stated.


    Before Rosa could even try to protest her father was out the room.


    ¡°Come down in a little bit and I¡¯ll make you some breakfast¡± her mother told her while gently stroking her hair. Realising she wouldn¡¯t win this battle, Rosa nodded.


    After her mother left, Rosa remained on the bed allowing her time to completely calm herself.


    ¡®What the hell was that?¡¯ Rosa questioned, her recent hauntings still lingering at the back of her mind, ¡®What¡¯s happening to me?¡¯.


    Rosa got up and went into the bathroom to wash up. She splashed cold water across her face and felt her forehead. She had been burning up, it felt like holding your hand against a recently used fireplace. That couldn¡¯t be healthy, what was her body fighting off? Satan itself. Thankfully she could already feel it cooling down.


    ¡®What do I tell them?¡¯ Rosa wondered as she slowly wandered down the steps. She didn¡¯t really want to speak of her nightmares, in fact she didn¡¯t want to think of them at all. But her parents definitely knew something was wrong.


    James and Mary were in the kitchen quietly conversing but quickly stopped when they saw her. Her dad shot up from his seat.


    ¡°Come on kiddo, we¡¯ll sit in the living room¡± he told her, ¡°comfier there¡±. He then guided her away on they sat into the couch in front of TV.


    He felt her head. ¡°Your temperature is already going down¡± he said slightly surprised.


    ¡°Should I head into school then?¡± Rosa asked.


    Her dad gave her an amused look and shook his head. ¡°No, we won¡¯t take any chances. Just rest today and the weekend¡± he said.


    Rosa nodded.


    They sat there silently, and all she could hear was a subtle sizzling from the kitchen.


    ¡°So, do you want to talk about it?¡± James asked.


    ¡°About what?¡± Rosa asked, trying to sound as innocent as possible.


    A small smile cracked across her father¡¯s face. She¡¯d clearly failed.


    ¡°Alright then. But remember whenever you¡¯re ready, you can talk to me¡± her dad stated. Rosa couldn¡¯t bring herself to respond but her father didn¡¯t seem to mind. He picked up the remote off the coffee table and turned on the TV. It was a nice distraction.


    Not long after, her mother wandered in with a plate and cup of tea. Rosa recognised that scent in an instant, bacon. Her mother placed the tea and bacon sandwich on table and took a seat beside her. They all watched TV together.


    Soon after Rosa finished her breakfast, her parents rose from the couch. It was time for work. Rosa trailed behind, deciding she¡¯d see them out.


    ¡°You¡¯re home early today right?¡± Mary asked while putting on her coat.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m coming home to get changed¡± James responded as he finished tying his shoes.


    ¡°Why what¡¯s happening?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°A friend of the family is back in town¡± her father explained, ¡°we¡¯re grabbing a couple drinks and dinner¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m still upset I can¡¯t make it¡± her mother stated, ¡°give Louie my best will you James. Tell him I¡¯ll see him soon¡±.


    Her dad gave his wife a firm nod before exiting the house and heading to work.


    Mary finished putting on her boots and turned to Rosa. ¡°Take it easy today ok. I¡¯ll see you later¡± she told her. Rosa nodded and then watched her mum leave the house.


    Deciding that she¡¯d take her parents advice and relax, Rosa brewed and cup of tea and watched TV. She also got changed out of her pyjamas and showered, in hopes of tricking herself into feeling like she wasn¡¯t being completely idle.


    Most of her day was spent sitting in the living room, flicking through the channels, trying to find something good to watch. It didn¡¯t help that, no matter what she watched, there was a constant ominous feeling in the back of her mind. After going over every channel three times and finding nothing, she decided it was time to do something else. She landed on reading.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Rosa quickly grabbed her book from her room and nestled into the couch. She¡¯d only read the first sentence when it hit her. Like someone had physically smacked the thought into her skull, she remembered this was the exact position she¡¯d been in during her nightmare. An eery chill shot up her spine making her hairs stand on end.


    She slowly put down her book and rose from the couch. Her hand began trembling. Rosa quickly smacked it.


    Why was she scared? It was just a bad dream nothing more, exactly like it was the nights before. She pinned what had happened on the way home from school to nothing but a trick of her mind. She had been exhausted and was already on edge because of the nightmare.


    Rosa began to feel embarrassed, about her own childishness. In a burst of annoyance and confidence she went and turned off the living room lights and slumped down into the couch. Rosa would prove once and for all that it was all in her head. It didn¡¯t matter if her mind was playing tricks, her parents where out of the house, it couldn¡¯t harm her.


    She didn¡¯t know how long she¡¯d been sitting in the dark waiting for something to possibly happen but she soon started wishing she hadn¡¯t. Not only was it unsurprisingly one of the most boring things ever but ¡­ she hated to admit but her mind may have been more powerful than she thought. That arrogant burst of confidence had before slowly decayed as soon as reality began to coincide with the nightmare. The final straw was when it seemed like shadows were darting around the room.


    The living room door swung open and Rosa leapt out her skin. A large silhouette entered from the hall. The lights sprung on, revealing her father.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± he questioned.


    ¡°Reading¡±.


    His face creased. ¡°In the dark?¡±.


    ¡°I was resting my eyes¡±.


    James¡¯s brows furrowed further but he shrugged and left back into the hall.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Fine¡± Rosa said following him out.


    ¡°Have you eaten?¡± he inquired, while heading up the stairs.


    ¡°I ate lunch but haven¡¯t had dinner¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think there¡¯s any dinner in anyway¡± he called down, ¡°I¡¯ll leave you money and you can get a takeaway¡±.


    James came back down the stairs in a new outfit. He was dressed smartly in a nice shirt, jumper and his fancy winter coat.


    ¡°When do you leave?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°Soon¡± he replied enthusiastically, ¡°We¡¯re meeting up in the city centre¡±.


    ¡°Very nice¡± Rosa said. She was slightly taken back by her dad¡¯s eagerness, must be a good friend he was seeing. She wondered if she¡¯d ever get to meet him.


    ¡°So?¡± her father abruptly stated.


    Rosa cocked a brow.


    ¡°Are you finally ready to talk about this morning. Why were you so scared?¡± her father asked, ¡°Must¡¯ve been some dream, takes a lot to frighten you¡±.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t scared¡± Rosa protested.


    James stared at her blankly.


    Rosa gave in. ¡°I¡¯ve just been having some unpleasant nightmares that¡¯s all¡± Rosa admitted.


    ¡°Such as¡± James insisted.


    ¡°Erm well the first one was some big wolf monster attacking me after walking home from school¡± Rosa told him, she then chuckled to herself, ¡°Then the next day on the way home, I must have been exhausted because, I actually thought the monster had become real and was chasing me through park. In fact I even imagined some stranger killing it and saving me. It was why I was late¡±.


    She continued to laugh at her own stupidity. She looked at her father expecting a smile and joke about her needing to get more sleep. But instead he stared with stern, dark eyes.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong dad?¡± Rosa questioned concerned.


    Her father blinked and in an instant was back to his usual self. ¡°Nothing kiddo, little caught off guard, you need to get some more sleep¡± he joked, ¡°What about this morning. Same nightmare?¡±.


    ¡°No¡± Rosa said, the memories instantly souring her mood. ¡°I can¡¯t really explain it, but it was horrible. I just remember pain lots of pain. The house had been completely wrecked and was covered in blood. And I heard ¡­ I heard ¡­¡±. Only a whimper escaped her. She couldn¡¯t say it.


    ¡°What is it Rosa?¡± her dad asked gently.


    Rosa breathed in. ¡°I heard you and mum die. Brutally. It sounded and felt so real. It¡¯s been haunting me all day¡± Rosa said.


    Her father stared at her with calm and calculating eyes. With a soft smile he ruffled her hair. ¡°As you said, they were only dreams Rosa. Don¡¯t let the fear they bring control you¡± he said.


    Rosa nodded, he was right she couldn¡¯t be beaten by some stupid dreams, she was an Elacti.


    ¡°Attagirl. But I would recommend you take one of the blue pills in the bottom cupboard before you sleep. They¡¯ll help get you some proper rest. You¡¯ve been looking absolutely exhausted lately¡± Her father informed her.


    ¡°Thanks dad¡±.


    ¡°Alright I¡¯m off. Make sure you get your food delivered. No going out ¡­ we don¡¯t want to risk your health¡± James said. He opened the front door, exposing the night sky and cold air. ¡°See you later kiddo¡±. He waved and then was gone. Rosa didn¡¯t move.


    ¡®He was worried¡¯. She¡¯d been his daughter long enough now to see through any fa?ade he made, and for a glimpse at the end then, she could¡¯ve sworn it cracked.


    ¡®Great¡¯ she thought. She¡¯d ruined her dads evening, she should¡¯ve kept it to herself.


    A while later, after Rosa had got her food, Mary returned home. She found Rosa sitting in the living watching a movie.


    ¡°How have you been?¡± she asked taking a seat beside her.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been fine¡±.


    ¡°Have you eaten?¡± her mom asked, running a gentle hand through Rosa¡¯s hair, like she would when she was a child.


    Rosa nodded. ¡°Dad gave me money for a takeaway¡±.


    ¡°Did he leave to see Louie on time?¡±.


    ¡°Yes¡±, she hesitated, ¡°But he looked worried¡±.


    Mary¡¯s face creased slightly. ¡°What do you mean?¡±.


    Rosa retold her conversation with her father and explained her nightmares to Mary.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯s nothing¡± Mary said in a comforting tone, ¡°your father just naturally worries for you. You¡¯re his little girl after all¡±.


    Her mother then left her to sort out her own dinner and Rosa finished watching the movie.


    Suddenly the front door flew open, shaking the entire house. Rosa rushed to the hallway to see her mother was already there, a kitchen knife in hand. But they both immediately calmed themselves when they saw it was just James.


    ¡°You¡¯re back early¡± Mary stated.


    ¡°We need go now¡± he ordered urgently.


    ¡°What?¡± Rosa asked puzzled. She then saw her fathers expression. An expression she¡¯d never seen. He looked ¡­ distraught. Scared even.


    Fear began to brew in the depths of her soul. What could possibly make her father like this.


    ¡°In the car now!¡± he commanded even more insistently.


    Without a moment of hesitation, Mary grabbed Rosa¡¯s arm and dragged her down the hall.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Rosa questioned, as she was helplessly pulled along. Her fear reverberated with every word she spoke.


    ¡°I¡¯ll explain later. I promise.¡± Her father stated and pulled her towards him. ¡°Forgot your shoes I¡¯ll carry you¡±.


    He went to pick her up when his head suddenly shot towards the open door. Shadows moved ominously in the black abyss. James slammed the door closed.


    ¡°We¡¯re too late¡± he murmured lifelessly.

 Chapter 7 - Nightmare

    James hastily dragged Rosa away from the door.


    ¡°The wards and seals won¡¯t hold it for long¡± he stated. They stopped halfway down the hall and faced the stair¡¯s wooden foundation which travelled all the way to the ground, making it look like a wall. Mary began fidgeting with a wooden panel and it suddenly opened like a door, revealing a tiny dark room containing nothing.


    Suddenly her mum pulled her into an embrace. ¡°I love you Rosa, remember that. No matter what happens¡± Mary said with a brave face.


    Rosa didn¡¯t understand what was happening and began to panic. ¡°What¡¯s going-¡±.


    ¡°In now¡± James ordered. Scared and confused Rosa quickly crouched and shuffled into the dark space. How long has this been here?


    ¡°No matter what happens, no matter what you hear, you don¡¯t leave. Don¡¯t even make a noise. Your only job is to stay hidden and live. Do you understand?¡± James questioned sternly.


    She didn¡¯t respond. Her fear rose by the second as she failed to make sense of the situation. This had to be some kind of joke right?


    ¡°Do you understand?¡± James insisted urgently, almost shouting.


    Rose jumped startled and quickly nodded.


    A smile small broke across his face. ¡°Love you kiddo¡± her father said softly and Rosa could see her mother holding back tears. James then closed the door and she was locked into darkness.


    ¡°Mary you know what to do¡± James stated.


    ¡°You have no weapons. James you can¡¯t possibly try and fight-¡±.


    ¡°I can buy you time. Now go¡± he ordered, ¡°it won¡¯t be much time¡±.


    Rosa could hear her mother sprint up the stairs, while her father grabbed knives from the kitchen.


    The front burst open with an ear shattering bang. Damn the thing must¡¯ve nearly come off its hinges.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ¡°What?¡± James muttered confused under his breath. ¡°Shit¡± he cursed before charging down the hall.


    Rosa could hear a clash. Something heavy was repeatably thrown around the hall and kitchen. Something wet was being splattered across the walls and every time the projectile landed it grunted. Grunted exactly like her father. Rosa held back a whimper. Suddenly there was a rush of wind and then a guttural gasp. Silence followed. The wind quivered and it began walking. There were no footsteps but Rosa knew it had come closer. She couldn¡¯t explain how but it was like she could sense its movements.


    It headed upstairs, dragging something heavy behind it, every step it took shaking the room Rosa sat in.


    The landing upstairs was torn apart with its movements and it entered her parents¡¯ bedroom.


    ¡°Bastard¡± Rosa heard her mother growl.


    Another battle ensued, but it didn¡¯t last nearly as long. The resultant noises made Rosa¡¯s stomach churn and saliva began to assemble in her mouth. Even after her mother let out her final breath the destruction pursued, like it was enjoying annihilating everything.


    Suddenly the house went silent. It was exploring the upstairs. It stopped in her bedroom. It searched around but then headed back down the stairs. Rosa froze. A shadow passed the hidden room and it searched the downstairs.


    Rosa had never really believed in God, but she began praying. Begging a higher power that this monster wouldn¡¯t find her and that her family were okay. That this was all another bad dream.


    After finding nothing it re-entered the hall. It stopped near her. Rosa¡¯s heart stopped. It hesitated. Suddenly It vanished. Rosa didn¡¯t understand it was gone, like whatever it was had hurriedly rushed away. It must be a trick she assumed. It was trying to lure her out.


    Rosa waited. Terrified and freezing. Eventually it would be day right? Eventually someone would find her? Someone would save. Soon her father would rush down the stairs and carry her to safety like always.


    Time passed and no one came. She was alone.


    From below the door, blood leaked in from the hallway.


    This shouldn''t be happening. This couldn''t be happening. It wasn''t, she tried convincing herself. This was all a nightmare and she''d awaken any moment. She had to. They couldn''t be dead.


    Tears flowed and drenched her cheeks and she clenched her mouth close with both hands forcing every cry or whimper back into the void, following her father''s final command. Stay hidden, stay alive. Fear consumed her, completely paralysing her body except for the uncontrollable tremble that she pled wouldn''t revealed her.


    She couldn''t help but watch as the blood flowed into the room she was curled up in. Staining every crevice of the wooden floor. She hid in the rooms¡¯s darkest corner begging that the two walls would embrace her and hide her away. Inch by inch the blood spread out from beneath the door. Her father''s blood intertwined the crimson life force of the woman he loved.


    Then it came. Whistling. Very familiar whistling.

 Chapter 8 – The Whistling Man

    The whistling grew louder as it entered the house and was quickly joined with footsteps. Heavy and powerful footsteps, that clearly wished to announce themselves to the entire house. It wasn¡¯t the thing from before.


    A slight hope began to ignite inside but was quickly extinguished. What person would arrive at a house after its been attacked and silently search around. She could trust anyone.


    A shadow suddenly appeared in front of the door, completely blocking out any light leaking in and plunging Rosa into complete darkness. Rosa felt as if her life had stopped. Not a heartbeat or breath occurred as she watched wide-eyes in horror at the door, dreading it would open in any moment.


    She was going to die. Despite everything they did for her, despite their sacrifice, she was going to suffer the same fate. Tears streamed. At least her sister would live.


    The shadow moved on. The door remained closed and small rays of light returned. Her life force resumed. The whistling and footsteps returned even louder than before, and with a slight wetness in their step. She listened as they wandered through the house and headed upstairs. They moved efficiently and effectively searching every room with zero difficulty. It was like whoever was here knew the exact layout of the house. Whoever it was reached her parent¡¯s bedroom. Their whistling came to an immediate stop. They cursed.


    The house became silent. No footsteps, no whistling, not even a creak all she could hear was her own heartbeat and shallow breathing.


    Suddenly the wooden panel swung open and blood flew all over the hallway. Her heart didn¡¯t stop this time, no, instead it decided to try and break free from her rib cage.


    A tall man stood before her. He had gleaming blue eyes and thick, dishevelled, black hair. She knew him. It was the same man who saved her the earlier that week. He was real. How hadn¡¯t she noticed the sign. The whistling man.


    A subconscious relief flooded her body. The Killer hadn¡¯t returned.


    Without warning, the man reached in and took hold of her. He was so fast she didn¡¯t even have time to flinch as he gently lifted her off the floor and covered her eyes. Without a word he carried her through the house. She was abruptly released onto a soft surface and now that he was no longer covering her eyes she found herself in the relatively unharmed living room. The only abnormality was the bloody footprints in the carpet. He pulled a large metal flask out of his long coat and placed it on the coffee table.


    ¡°Stay here¡± he said, sorrow pulled on his voice ¡°don¡¯t move until I return¡±, he then went to the living room door. He hesitated and glanced back at her, ¡°You¡¯re safe now¡±. He then left the living room and firmly closed its door, blocking out any sights or sounds from the rest of the house.


    Rosa sat frozen on the couch. She never even tried to touch the man¡¯s flask despite her throat feeling like the Sahara. Instead she listened to the occasional bump upstairs or in the adjacent rooms. There was a phone call at one point followed by the brief mumbles of a conversation.


    The man returned into the living room and Rosa caught a glimpse of the crimson splattered hallway, exactly like her dream. He carried two mugs of steaming tea. He placed both mugs on the table and sat beside her on the couch. His eyes glanced over the unused canteen.


    ¡°Drink¡± he ordered firmly. Panicking she quickly did so. The water was cold and quickly rejuvenated her body and mind. She screwed its lid back on handed it back to the man.


    ¡°Thanks¡± she done her best to say, but it only came out as a mumble. He stored the canteen back in his coat and nodded.


    Now that she saw him in the light she realised how young he looked. He couldn¡¯t have been older than his early twenties, in fact if he told her he was nineteen she wouldn¡¯t be shocked.


    ¡°Drink the tea, it will make you feel better¡± he said as he grabbed his own mug. He let out a long breath ¡°trust me¡±. The man took a small sip and then locked eyes with her. There was a cold, sorrowful look in his eyes but with a hint of empathy. ¡°Who are you?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Rosa¡± she said, her voice slowly returning, ¡°Elacti¡±. He nodded.


    ¡°It¡¯s a been awhile, didn¡¯t recognise you¡± he mumbled while taking another sip.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± She brewed up the courage to ask.


    ¡°Louie Huntor¡± the man said without delay, ¡°I knew your father¡±, his eyes went dark. There was a subtle vibration and Louie checked his phone. He let out a sigh. ¡°Alright, you¡¯ve been through a lot and this is going to be hard to follow but do your best. Soon a group of people are going to arrive and deal with the whole situation. Then me and you are going to go up to your room and you¡¯re going to pack everything you need and come with me¡± Louie explained.


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    She completely failed to comprehend what his said. Her mind felt numb, like it had been injected with tranquilliser, but under his strong gaze she hesitantly nodded.


    ¡°What do we do right now?¡± she sheepishly asked.


    He sat back into the couch ¡°We wait. I don¡¯t want you seeing the house¡± he told her.


    ¡°I want to¡±, she spoke without even realising, ¡°I need-¡±.


    ¡°No¡± Louie said calmly but sternly. ¡°I¡¯d recommend you drink your tea, it¡¯ll make you feel a lot better¡±. Feeling like an empty husk and with nothing better to do she grabbed the hot mug and took a sip. She was surprised, despite everything that happened, she did feel better.


    The house¡¯s door swung open and Rosa almost jumped out her skin. The living room door opened and a woman with short black hair wandered in wearing a black militaristic style uniform.


    ¡°Huntor¡± she greeted.


    ¡°Vanessa¡± Louie replied.


    ¡°Report?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Outside¡± Louie stood and gestured towards Rosa. The woman¡¯s eyes widened a fraction like she¡¯d only just noticed Rosa¡¯s presence. She nodded and left the living-room and Louie followed.


    ¡°Stay here, I won¡¯t be long¡± he said at the door before leaving. This time without closing the door. Rosa took a sip of tea.


    Something abruptly came over her and her body was moving. She sprinted out the living room and for the stairs, not even glancing at her surroundings.


    ¡°Kid!¡± Louie shouted, but she was already up the stairs. This was where she heard the bangs and commotion. She had to know. Rosa followed the bloody trail to a closed door. Her parent¡¯s bedroom. As the sound of footsteps rushing behind got closer she flung the bedroom door open.


    The room was destroyed. Every piece of furniture ruptured and enough blood to fill a fountain painted every surface and object. Rosa¡¯s stomach churned. She entered. Ignoring every squelch her feet made against the floor she walked forward, trapped in tunnel vision. In the corner of the room was two bodies. Mangled and broken, but it was definitely them. Mum and Dad. Dead.


    ¡®They¡¯re actually dead¡¯.


    Rosa keeled over and her stomach¡¯s insides uncontrollably launched out. Her body went to collapse but someone caught the back of her shirt. She was yanked out the room. Louie dragged her back into the upstairs landing and once he let go her throat burnt and she threw up again. Others joined them, including Vanessa, and they glanced into the bedroom.


    ¡°Oh my god¡± she said breathlessly.


    ¡°Close it¡± Louie growled and one of the uniformed officers quickly obliged as everyone else looked away from door. She looked up to Louie¡¯s face creased like he was conflicted. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and guided her into her room. Unable to control herself she threw up again outside the door. He led her to her bed and sat her down. Without delay he knelt and pulled out his canteen as well as a blue, circular tablet. He added it to the water and gave the bottle a firm shake before handing it over.


    ¡°Drink, it¡¯ll help¡± he said. Feeling her stomach churn again she quickly grabbed onto the canteen and downed the water. In an instant her insides settled and her mind even felt slightly more alive. Louie stood and wandered around the room, glancing at every detail. Rosa noted that unlike the rest of the house her room was unharmed, except for freshly made bloody footprints.


    ¡°Do you have any suitcases, bags¡± Louie asked. Rosa pointed towards the cupboard in the corner of the room. Louie walked into the same storage room. He walked back out carrying her black suitcase and two back packs. He placed them on the bed beside her. ¡°Pack your belongings. Make sure it¡¯s everything you think you need, you won¡¯t be coming back¡± Louie said casually.


    ¡°What?¡± She asked quickly.


    ¡°Hurry let¡¯s go¡± he ordered clapping his hands, ¡°there¡¯ll be time for talking later¡±. Her stomach now settled and him leaving her no option she rose from the bed and began collecting belongings from her room. Clothes, books, photos, just like he said, everything she thought she needed. The man waited patiently at the door until she was done packing. He then handed her one backpack while grabbing the other bag and suitcase himself. She stood to leave but the man quickly blocked the door.


    ¡°You¡¯re sure you are ready?¡± he asked. Rosa shrugged weakly, the bag weighing her down into an even deeper hunch. ¡°Sounds about right¡± he mumbled, ¡°I¡¯d recommend you keep your eyes down until we leave. I don¡¯t have another tablet¡±.


    He carefully guided her out the bedroom. Although she didn¡¯t dare look back at her parents, the image still fresh in her mind, she didn¡¯t keep her eyes down.


    Now feeling slightly more connected to reality she took in her surroundings. The house looked like someone had been in a fight with a beast of hell. Every piece of furniture had been destroyed. Deep and huge claw marks were dragged along the floor and walls and holes in the walls lay where it looked like someone had been thrown. Downstairs she could see multiple people in that black military uniform cleaning. They piled all the rubble and furniture in a corner and rubbed some sort of thick liquid on the blood and dissolved it from every surface it stained.


    ¡°Come on¡± Louie said placing a hand on her shoulder and guiding her outside.


    The cold night air hit her like a brick wall and she was quickly reminded that wasn¡¯t wearing a jacket. He led her down her house¡¯s steps across the yard and onto the street.


    They reached a black car. There was a click and the cars light flashed. Louie pulled open the car¡¯s back door and placed Rosa¡¯s belongings along the seats. He then opened the front passenger door and gestured for Rosa to get in. She did without delay, desperate to escape the night air. Louie¡¯s shadow then moved around the car as he sat in the driver¡¯s seat.


    He turned the car on but showed no desire to move. She watched as he glanced back through the rear window. Directly at her house. Suddenly a pained, exasperated sigh escaped him and he faced forward.


    ¡°Off we go then¡± he announced.


    ¡°Where to?¡± Rosa asked quietly.


    ¡°For now my house¡± Louie explained before his foot pressed down on the pedal and they set off on the road. Rosa lent her head on the window. She didn¡¯t feel ill anymore, just lost. She watched her house one last time as they turned into a street and it faded from view.

 Chapter 9 - Lost

    They drove out of Aldock and further into the city, travelling down quiet, dimly lit roads. A sign emerged from the darkness, stating that ¡®Korvas¡¯ was straight ahead. They carried on driving forward.


    Rosa recognised the name. She¡¯d been to Korvas before when she younger with her father. They¡¯d came to look at some sort of academy, but in the end her father decided against her going there. However, that was a long time ago and now all she could really remember was it being a secluded area of Liverpool.


    The car turned right leaving the main road behind and entering a tree covered crescent. Rosa¡¯s eyes numbly wandered around their surroundings. Despite the poor visibility the night brought, the houses where clearly old and grand. She didn¡¯t count many as they drove through the crescent and they each had their own privacy.


    They reached the end of the crescent and the car pulled into a house¡¯s driveway. Louie switched off the engine and exited the car and cold air flooded the interior. Rosa shivered. Louie then grabbed her belongings from the back seat and wandered across the house¡¯s front garden. She watched as he unlocked the front door and the house¡¯s light bathed the street. He then returned to the car and opened her door.


    ¡°Come on kid. Let¡¯s get you inside¡± he said.


    Rosa left the car and wandered down the street and along the front yard. The ground was cold and wet, slowly drenching her socks but she didn¡¯t care. She felt no sadness, no anger, no happiness. She was just numb.


    After Louie locked his car, he quickly joined her inside and locked the front door.


    ¡°This way¡± he stated, grabbing her bags and suitcase before heading up the stairs. Slowly she trailed after him upstairs, they headed down a hall before taking a left through a doorway. Rosa found herself in a bland room, only containing a bed, wardrobe and nightstand. Most likely a guestroom. Louie placed her belongings onto the bed and turned on the light.


    ¡°You can stay here¡± Louie told her, ¡°Bathroom¡¯s the next door over¡±.


    Rosa nodded, weakly.


    ¡°Do you need anything?¡± he asked, ¡°¡­ want to talk?¡±.


    Rosa shook her head. ¡°¡­ I think I just need to get some sleep¡± she told him.


    Louie stared at her for a time before finally nodding. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to it then¡± he said heading towards the door, ¡°if you need anything just call me. I¡¯ll hear you¡±. Then he was gone and Rosa was all alone.


    Instantly, her body began to feel cold. Maybe she shouldn¡¯t have sent him away, his presence strangely brought some kind of warmth. Rosa switched off the light and sat on the bed. She done nothing, didn¡¯t even move. She just stared at carpeted floor, where her eyes had landed when she sat.


    Time passed, she didn¡¯t know how long, but she remained sitting in darkness. Despite what she claimed, Rosa couldn¡¯t sleep. Her mind tortured her, she couldn¡¯t get the images out her head. All she could smell was death, all she hear was their screams, all she could see was ¡­ her parents.


    Rosa¡¯s soul broke, the cracks had grown too deep and it could no longer hold itself to together. It all hit her at once.


    Her body crumpled, collapsing into a ball on the ground and she wept. Her throat burned from the wailing and a constant stream of tears flooded down her burning face, no matter how many times she wiped them away. Her breathing grew erratic and her heartbeat felt as if it had gone into overdrive. Was she dying?


    Suddenly gentle hands held her shoulders and lifted her to her feet. She had no idea when he¡¯d entered but, Louie was back in the room.


    ¡°I know you feel lost but It¡¯s going to be alright Rosa¡± he said softly.


    He pulled her into an embrace and she gladly accepted it, sinking into his coat. His hugs were similar to her father¡¯s. She was guided backdown stairs, her wails slowly subdued to a broken sob. She pulled her face from inside his coat and found herself in the living room, which was being dimly lit by two lamps beside a large TV. The room mainly consisted of a large coffee table surrounded by two couches and an armchair. She noticed the couch facing the TV had been transformed into a makeshift bed, with a quilt and pillows on the arm. Louie pried Rosa off him and placed her onto the couch. Her eyes drifted and she spotted that on the table two steaming cups of tea had been placed on coasters. Louie sat in the armchair and claimed the closest mug while gesturing for her to drink the other. She sat up properly and grabbed hold of the mug, its¡¯ heat restoring a little sensation into her hands. She took a sip and noticed her tears had stopped. Once again a cup of tea seemed to magically make her feel a little better. She really needed to find out what teabag he was using.


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    ¡°We can put something on the TV if you want¡± Louie suggested, putting his tea down and searching for the remote, ¡°It¡¯ll help distract-¡±.


    ¡°This is real isn¡¯t it?¡± Rosa abruptly asked ¡°It¡¯s all real.


    Louie hesitated. ¡°I¡¯m afraid so¡±.


    ¡°Why?¡± she whimpered, ¡°Why has this happened?¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡± Louie admitted, ¡°still trying to figure that out¡±.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± she questioned, ¡°you¡¯ve been there both times now. Today and in the woods when you ¡­ killed that thing¡±.


    ¡°Today was just blind luck. I was meant to meet up with James and when he didn¡¯t show up I decided to check up on him and the family¡± he explained to her. Well explained somewhat, it still didn¡¯t answer why he¡¯d been armed in the woods and killed the creature after her and it certainly didn¡¯t explain what that creature was or what had attacked them today.


    He must¡¯ve picked up on her confusion and scepticism, ¡°How much of the truth do you know?¡± he questioned.


    ¡°The truth?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take that as none. Rosa this is going to sound extremely strange but bear with me. I¡¯m a hunter. Your father was a hunter, and a very important one at that. The detective job is just a cover¡± Louie revealed.


    Rosa didn¡¯t understand what she was hearing. ¡°¡­ hunter? What do you hunt?¡± she asked.


    ¡°You¡¯ve had a first-hand experience. Twice now even. Many names have been given to them throughout history, creatures of Folklore, creatures of mythology, hell spawn, creatures of the night. But, when it comes down to its simplest form, it¡¯s easier just to say monsters¡± Louie replied.


    ¡°So that¡¯s why you were in the woods. You were hunting that ¡­ monster¡± Rosa stated, the cogs in her mind aligning.


    Louie nodded.


    ¡°And my parents hunted like you do?¡±


    ¡°James did your mother no. Mary was an officer, they don¡¯t really hunt much and instead handle a lot of the aftermath and running the organisation¡± Louie answered, ¡°Emma hunts though, exactly like your father¡±.


    Rosa nodded and then it hit her. Emma, she¡¯d completely forgot about her sister. She panicked. ¡°Emma! Is she alright?¡±.


    Louie raised a hand to stop her. ¡°Emma is fine. She¡¯s down south training in the London division, but I imagine after hearing the report she¡¯ll probably make her way back up¡± Louie said.


    Rosa relaxed back into the couch and drank her tea, praying it¡¯d continue to calm her. Despite being overloaded with concepts that should sound absurd, it sat well in her mind. After everything that had happened to her, it made sense, a lot of sense.


    ¡°So we were attacked by a monster¡± Rosa stated.


    ¡°Most likely. What monster, I don¡¯t know yet¡±.


    ¡°It was after me, wasn¡¯t it¡± Rosa said, ¡°Why?¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡±.


    ¡°Will it attack again?¡±.


    ¡°Not here and not tonight¡± Louie told her, ¡°You¡¯re safe Rosa. I promise¡±. He then stood from his armchair. ¡°Be right back.


    Louie headed through a door into the adjacent room. When he switched on the light she could see it was the kitchen. He searched through cabinets until he eventually pulled out a pack of tablets and returned back to her side, along with a glass of water. Removing one tablet from the pack she could see it was the same blue tablet he¡¯d given her earlier. In fact didn¡¯t her parents keep those in the bottom cabinet?


    ¡°This is a serenit tablet¡± Louie explained, ¡°it does a lot of things but mainly it¡¯ll help you sleep tonight. It relaxes you makes it easier to deal with stress and trauma. Why a lot of hunters get addicted¡±. He then dropped it into the water, were it quickly dissolved giving the liquid a blue hue. ¡°Drink it all¡± he said.


    Rosa nodded before taking of the hold of the glass. She¡¯d long decided to trust the man, if he wanted to harm her he would¡¯ve done It a long time ago. Despite the colour change the tablet didn¡¯t effect the waters taste.


    When she was done, a strange calmness flowed through her, the pain she felt began to subdue. Louie swapped the empty glass in her hand for the TV remote. ¡°Put something on the TV to help distract you and then finally get some rest¡± he said.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± she asked, slightly worried.


    ¡°Nowhere. I¡¯m staying right here¡± Louie stated.


    ¡°All night?¡±


    ¡°All night¡±.


    Rosa slid beneath the quilt covers and rested against the pillow before searching through the channels. She eventually found one broadcasting the cartoons she¡¯d watch when she was younger. She put down the remote and settled into her makeshift bed. Despite not caring if he would, Louie didn¡¯t seem bothered about her choosing cartoons. They reminded Rosa of when she was younger when life was great and so peaceful. That comforted her soul.


    As the TV buzzed and she sunk into the pillows, Rosa was eventually able to drift off.

 Chapter 10 – Louie Huntor

    Rosa woke up on the couch, the days light beaming in through the window. The first thing she noticed was how refreshed she felt, that was the most peaceful sleep she¡¯d had in days. She could see why hunters got addicted to those tablets.


    Rosa sat up from her makeshift bed, instantly scents flooded her nose drawing her attention to the sizzling in the kitchen. Saliva built up in her mouth, and Rosa was happy for it not to be a warning for incoming vomit. She knew a full English when she smelt it.


    ¡°You¡¯re up. Good¡± Louie stated as he entered the room, ¡°I¡¯m cooking us breakfast. Remote¡¯s on the table if you want to watch TV¡±.


    Rosa quickly claimed the remote and switched on her favourite shows, cartoons again, although this time of a slightly older demographic. Some may call her childish, but Rosa didn¡¯t care, they kept her calm.


    Soon Louie brought over a tray holding a cup of tea, a full English and utensils. He placed it on the table in front of her.


    ¡°How are you feeling kid?¡± Louie asked softly.


    ¡°Better¡± Rosa answered truthfully. Although the memories were still fresh and painful, it was a lot subtler than last night. She felt better the more she accepted the reality of her life, just like her father would¡¯ve desired. Would he be proud to see how well his lessons had worked?


    ¡°Good¡± Louie said happily before heading back into the kitchen.


    He showed no interest in bringing up her breakdown last night which Rosa was thankful for. She continued to watch TV and eat her breakfast Her mind soon calmed down, and million questions quickly began to burn inside her.


    Louie joined her in the living room taking a seat on the armchair, placing a tray on his lap. His eyes wandered over the cartoons on the TV and glistened slightly with amusement. In the corner of her eye she watched him eat his breakfast and watch the TV. She¡¯d never see a human eat so quickly.


    Once he finished he let out a sudden sigh. ¡°I know you¡¯ve still got questions, ask away. I¡¯ll answer what I can¡± Louie said.


    Rosa didn¡¯t know where start. She eventually decided to jump into it with the one bugging her most.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t people know about this. It¡¯s not like they¡¯re invisible to the human eye, how hasn¡¯t it leaked out into the public eye?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°It does, or it has. Where do you think all the worlds¡¯ myths and legends come from, all history¡¯s folklore¡± Louie stated, ¡°all the terrifying fairy tales and stories children are told, well most of them actually happened in some manner. It¡¯s also the same concept with seeing movement in the corner of your eye, weird shadows and strange reflections, most of the time it¡¯ll be nothing, but then on the odd occasion¡± he shrugged.


    ¡°That¡¯s makes ¡­ surprisingly a lot of sense¡± Rosa admitted, ¡°some of those stories were too farfetched for me to believe someone just made them up. If they are, that person needs to go to an asylum¡±.


    He chuckled.


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    ¡°What?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I had the same thought when I discovered the truth¡± he explained.


    ¡°Is the lock- ness monster real?¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that one?¡±.


    ¡°What about unicorns and dragons and stuff?¡±.


    ¡°Declared extinct a long time ago¡± Louie answered.


    ¡°Damn, I really wanted to ride one¡± Rosa sagged.


    ¡°Really? From the stories I¡¯ve heard, I wouldn¡¯t recommend it¡± Louie told her, ¡°is that really all you want to ask?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got distracted¡± Rosa admitted, her mind now blank.


    ¡°Well you can think of it on the way¡± he announced.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Out¡± Louie said and then headed back into the kitchen, providing her with absolutely zero context.


    Rosa nodded. ¡®Sounds about right¡¯.


    ¡°If you want to shower and get changed, go now¡± Louie called out, ¡°bathroom is the room to the right of yours¡±.


    A shower and fresh clothes didn¡¯t sound too bad she thought. She left the living room and headed upstairs. Thank god he¡¯d told her where the bathroom was, last night she hadn¡¯t realised how many rooms there were in the house. Or how big Louie¡¯s house actually was. She quickly showered and went into her room finding her suitcase exactly where she¡¯d left it last night before ¡­ breaking down.


    Since waking, she was worried about relapsing but luckily it never came. As long as she didn¡¯t think of the scenes back at the house she felt like she could manage. It looked like the lessons her parents drilled into her were truly paying off. Her father and mother had made sure Rosa knew how to accept and death and not allow it to hold one back, which now that she thought about it was quite a strange thing to teach a child. Only making sense now she knew the truth.


    Once fully dressed she headed back downstairs and found Louie standing by the door. He was dressed in a long black coat and the same shirt and pants he¡¯d worn when he saved her in the woods. In his hand was a long black case.


    ¡®Is that his Hunter uniform?¡¯ she wondered.


    ¡°You ready?¡± Louie asked.


    Rosa nodded and they left.


    On the road, the questions began coming back to her. Rosa didn¡¯t know if they were still in Korvas but she noticed they were travelling towards the city centre.


    ¡°Last night, you said my family were hunters but what exactly are the hunters?¡± Rosa asked confused. She understood what the hunters did but not what they truly are.


    Louie drummed his fingers on the steering wheel and furrowed his brows. ¡°Erm the easiest way to explain it ¡­ The hunters are an ancient organisation created to fight off the horrifying creatures you¡¯ve unfortunately came to know¡± he explained ¡°They act as a barrier, protecting the public from the truth¡±.


    ¡°How ancient?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°God knows¡±, he shrugged, ¡°the modern organisation known today around a thousand years probably. But I know for a fact that the idea of the ¡®hunters¡¯ have been going a hell of a lot longer than that. Whether they were called hunters or not I don¡¯t know but, there have always been hunters fighting¡±.


    She nodded.  ¡°So you your technically like a secret service¡±.


    He winced, ¡°erm¡±.


    ¡°You should get tainted windows¡± she suggested looking out the car.


    ¡°Probably not. Hunters tend to want to blend in and be discrete¡±.


    ¡°Then why do you wear those clothes?¡±.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with my clothes?¡± Louie questioned.


    ¡°Nothing¡± Rosa said quickly.


    His eye tightened as he stared at her. ¡°Never caused me any issues¡± he grumbled.


    ¡°Forget I said anything. Where are we going?¡± Rosa asked, observing as they travelled towards the docks and passing Wavertree.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see¡± Louie said.


    He then pulled off the main road into a long, quiet side road. They continued to make a few more turns travelling into an even more isolated area. They pulled into an old and vegetation covered car park holding only a few vehicles. It was as if had avoided human influence for many years.


    She looked forward. Suddenly there was a humongous building. Her eyes went wide, Rosa was certain that hadn¡¯t been there before, surely you would be able to see something so massive from miles away. She analysed the structure it was as if they¡¯d came across an ancient cathedral lost to the city. Forged from old stone, it possessed ancient gothic architecture of towering spires, gargoyles and opaque windows.


    ¡°Welcome to Liverpool¡¯s newly established Hunter HQ¡± Louie announced as they parked up.

 Chapter 11 – Hunter HQ

    Rosa followed Louie out of the car and strolled across the parking lot.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going insane right? That wasn¡¯t there before¡± she stated confused glancing up at the towering building, ¡°was it?¡±.


    ¡°Hmm. Oh, technically no, the entire area it cloaked. You can only see it after coming through those gates¡± Louie explained, gesturing at the car park¡¯s entrance.


    ¡°Cloaked how?¡±.


    ¡°Magic, sorcery, witchcraft. Whatever you want to call it¡±.


    She stopped stunned. ¡°Magic is real?¡±.


    Louie glanced at her amused. ¡°After everything you seen, the concept of magic surprises you?¡±.


    She felt her cheeks flush. ¡°It ¡­ it just didn¡¯t cross my mind¡± Rosa stated before entering a small jog to catch up to him.


    Louie chuckled.


    As they got close, Rosa could see the front entrance had been sealed and boarded off. She thought maybe it was another illusion, but instead of heading up the cathedral¡¯s steps Louie led them around the side of the building. She walked down an overgrown pathway, wide enough to fit a car, and stopped at a small door around a quarter of the way along the building.


    They entered into what Rosa could only imagine to be a humongous lobby. It was filled with wooden church pews, opaque, painted windows and tapestries, depicting what Rosa could only imagine to be the hunter¡¯s history. Artworks of hunters slaying a variety of beasts


    ¡°Wait on one of the benches¡± Louie told her before vanishing through one of the many doors along the lobby¡¯s walls.


    The vast room was completely empty, not another soul in sight. It was honestly a little eerie, Rosa would be scared except for the strange, unexplainable feeling that she was safe here. It felt as if no monster could enter here.


    ¡®Which wouldn¡¯t be too farfetched¡¯ she thought, ¡®It is the home of their enemy¡¯.


    Rosa sat down on a church pew and waited patiently for Louie to return. Her gaze travelled around the room, running over its ancient stone architecture. There were bizarre runes and symbols carved along the pillars and walls.


    ¡®Just how old is this building?¡¯ she wondered.


    ¡°I take it your Rosa¡± a deep, gruff voice suddenly emerged. It almost sounded like a growl.


    Rosa jumped out her seat, she hadn¡¯t heard anyone approach. Rosa turned to see a huge man, even taller than Louie. He had dark skin, short black hair, a thick beard and was dressed loosely in a shirt and tie with a long black coat identical to Louie¡¯s. Rosa glanced up and was caught by commanding brown eyes and instantly felt obliged to nod.


    ¡°John Ruthor, it¡¯s a pleasure to finally meet you¡±, the man greeted, ¡°My condolences for your loss. Your father was a great man¡±.


    ¡®A hunter like dad, maybe a friend?¡¯.


    Despite his frame and voice Rosa wasn¡¯t frightened, she could see kindness in his eyes.


    He offered out his hand, it was covered and scarred by callouses. Rosa went to shake it.


    ¡°Ruthor, the hell are you doing here?!¡± Louie exclaimed as he reappeared. He wandered over and firmly shook the man¡¯s hand.


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    ¡°James asked me a month ago¡± Ruthor informed him.


    ¡°Still, I¡¯m surprised. I didn¡¯t think anything would get you out of London¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯s the least I can do¡± Ruthor said sorrowfully. ¡°Anyway, I could say the same about you. I¡¯d have thought I had a better chance of winning the lottery than you coming back. What happened?¡±.


    ¡°Same as you¡± Louie said.


    Ruthor clapped him on the back and began guiding him away.


    ¡°How long has it been?¡± Ruthor asked as he took Louie away, their conversation fading.


    Rosa sat awkwardly not knowing if she should follow or wait when she quickly caught Louie gesturing for her to join. A small smile formed on her face and she hurried after him. Ruthor began leading them through the headquarters, down old crypt like halls.


    ¡°Are you sure the south is going to be alright without you?¡± Louie asked.


    ¡°They have plenty of capable hunters and officers down there I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll manage¡± Ruthor replied.


    ¡°You hope¡±.


    ¡°I do¡± Ruthor admitted. ¡°But when it comes down to facts they don¡¯t need me. This place does, James did. There¡¯s something brewing up here and I¡¯ll be damned if I let it fester while I still breath. And with you here we have a chance. Hell we may become the greatest division in Britain¡±.


    Rosa trailed silently, trying to make sense of their conversation.


    Louie let out a small chuckle. ¡°We¡¯ll need more than just you and me. But Liverpool definitely has the potential¡± Louie said happily.


    ¡°We do have more¡± Ruthor informed him. But without another word carried on walking.


    Ruthor led them into a nicely furbished room at the end of the hall. All the room contained was a large desk, cushioned chair and some storage units on the far wall.


    ¡®Must be his office¡¯ Rosa guessed, and from the plain walls it hadn¡¯t been long since he moved in.


    Ruthor wandered around the desk where he unlocked one of its draws and pulled out a plain folder. He offered the folder to Louie.


    His face creased. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Louie asked as he took hold of the folder.


    ¡°Your case. Well cases¡±.


    Louie¡¯s brows furrowed further as he glanced over the folder¡¯s contents. The folder slammed onto the desk. ¡°Give them to someone else¡± Louie stated, ¡°I¡¯m going to start working on James and Mary¡¯s murder¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯re not. no one will be currently¡± Ruthor stated, ¡°Jame¡¯s orders¡±.


    ¡°From where, the grave?¡±.


    ¡°Pre-mortem¡±.


    Rosa couldn¡¯t believe what she was hearing. How could they not even be trying to avenge her parents? Especially if her father so important he brought them back together.


    ¡°With all due respect Ruthor, although I¡¯ve been employed under the division I¡¯m still just part time. If I want to work the case I will¡± Louie said bluntly.


    ¡°They¡¯re the cases James told me to assign you¡± Ruthor informed him before slouching into his chair, ¡°He made sure that folder would get to you no matter what¡±.


    Rosa watched as Louie carefully picked the folder back up and flick through the files inside.


    ¡°All of them?¡± Louie asked sceptically.


    ¡°The back one. The others are me asking for your help¡± Ruthor admitted, ¡°Chaos is taking over the city from the shadows. This division needs a jump start¡±.


    Louie let out an exasperated sigh. ¡°Alright¡±. He then turned on his heels and left without a word.


    ¡°Louie¡± Ruthor called out. Louie stopped in his tracks and glanced back. ¡°That case, James was working on it before he died¡±.


    Louie nodded and then kept walking. Rosa quickly followed, giving Ruthor an awkward wave on her way out. In silence they walked back through the HQ and back into the lobby.


    ¡°Wait here a moment¡± Louie told her. He then vanished back into the room he entered earlier and emerged a moment later holding a pile of new documents.


    ¡°What are those?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°Nothing for you to worry about¡± Louie said. Annoyingly.


    He then gently patted her on the back and guided her towards the exit. ¡°Come on let¡¯s go. No point in us staying here¡±.


    They left the Hunter HQ and walked back across the car park. Rosa climbed into the passenger seat of Louie¡¯s car, the conversation earlier still biting at her mind. She turned to Louie.


    ¡°Is no one going to avenge my parents?¡± she asked, her voice breaking slightly as each word left her mouth.


    Louie hesitated, a darkness coated his eyes. ¡°I will¡± he said calmly before turning on the ignition and handing her the folder to hold.


    A smile grew on her face, and it felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.


    She looked at the folder and documents in her lap. ¡°Why did Mr Ruthor tell you that my dad worked that case?¡± she asked.


    Louie went to speak but paused, as if he was considering how to break bad news. ¡°It¡¯s most likely what got him killed. But it also means that the case is important, very important. It¡¯s basically a way for Ruthor to let me work the case without technically working the case¡± Louie explained ¡°If the case and your parents¡¯ murder are connected, then solving it exposes the monster¡±.


    Rosa nodded, she relaxed into the car seat, feeling happiness in the depths of her soul for the first time in what felt like centuries. Her family would be avenged.


    ¡°Can I control the radio?¡± She asked optimistically.


    ¡°No¡±.


    He then pulled out of the car park.

 Chapter 12 – First Case

    The car pulled back into Louie¡¯s house.


    ¡°You should plant some flowers in the front garden¡± Rosa suggested, remembering how her mum would love to decorate the garden with flora. As they wandered across the front yard she noticed, it was coated in plenty of lush grass but was still quite bland.


    Louie gave her a quick glance, a mix of confusion and amusement. He seemed to like giving her that one. ¡°I¡¯ll think about it¡± he said and then unlocked the door.


    Once inside he stuck out his hand for the folder and files and she quickly passed them over. Without a word, Louie then headed down the hallway. Not wanting to be left on her own she trailed after him.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°My office¡±. Louie stopped at a door near the end of hall.


    ¡°Can I come in?¡± Rosa inquired. She remembered how protective her father was of his office, only understanding why now. She imagined the truth would¡¯ve undoubtedly been revealed to her a lot earlier, if she¡¯d seen the room¡¯s contents.


    ¡°If you want to¡± Louie shrugged before entering. She happily followed him in.


    She was hit with a small wave of disappointment. She was hoping for monster parts and weapons to be decorating the walls and displayed on pedestals but instead she was hit with an ordinary office. It contained a desk, chair, some storage units and a tall bookshelf on the right wall. Louie sat at the desk and extracted a pile of papers from the folder Ruthor had given him. As he began shuffling through them, Rosa found herself wandering. She stood in front of the bookcase scanning over the titles. Despite the room not being very supernatural the books did not disappoint. She saw aged books with a variety of bizarre names.


    ¡®Bestiaries, Alchemy, Incantations, Runes, Potions, Cures and Poisons, Witchcraft, Binds and Seals¡¯.


    Rosa¡¯s curiosity got the better of her, she grasped one of the many bestiaries. It was a thick, leather tome and looked ancient however, despite its aged appearance was in surprisingly good shape. She took a seat on the floor and opened the book on her crossed legs. She flipped a few pages into the book and found the index.


    ¡®Avian, Alchemic, Demonic, Hybrid, Ghost, Lycanthrope, Mammalian, Marine, Miscellaneous, Necromancy, Reptilian, Vampire, Voodooism, Witchcraft¡¯


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    Her eyes scanned over the books chapters, identifying the ones she found fascinating.


    ¡°There¡¯s so many¡± Rosa said stunned, as she flipped through book, glancing over the monumental amount of creatures it contained.


    ¡°There is¡± Louie nodded as he peeked above his papers to see what she was reading.


    ¡°How many of you hunted?¡± she asked.


    ¡°A lot¡±.


    ¡°Werewolves?¡±.


    ¡°Yes¡±.


    ¡°Vampires, Demons, Spirits?¡±.


    ¡°Yes¡±.


    ¡°What about¡±, she flipped through more pages, ¡°Hell-hound, Cockatrice, Basilisk, Siren, erm Chupacabra, Skin walker, Wendigo¡±.


    He nodded before returning to his case file again.


    Rosa kept searching through the bestiary. She reached the chapter on Witchcraft creatures. ¡°What about Gargoyles?¡±.


    ¡°Why¡¯d I hunt a gargoyle?¡± he questioned, ¡°They¡¯re on our side. You¡¯d only have to destroy one if it malfunctioned or became corrupted¡±, he paused, ¡°which as happened before ¡­ so actually the answer is yes I¡¯ve killed one¡±.


    Rosa stared at him, confused and stunned. ¡°What do you mean they¡¯re on our side?¡±.


    ¡°Read the page. Gargoyles are made through magic. Although a traditional gargoyle hasn¡¯t been made in over a centuries. They¡¯re protectors of sorts¡± Louie explained.


    ¡°How many monsters do you know?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know¡± he shrugged. ¡°I have a basic knowledge of every book there¡± he said and gestured to the bookcase, his eyes never leaving the case files ¡°Some a little more detailed than others and a few a lot more¡±.


    ¡°Woah¡± Rosa stated, ¡°Impressive¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯s my job¡± Louie stated, ¡°not knowing certain facts can mean life or death¡±.


    ¡°Is every hunter this knowledgeable? Or are you some kind of genius?¡± she questioned.


    ¡°Depends on who you ask. If you question my old teachers they¡¯d disagree¡± he joked.


    Rosa chuckled lightly and closed the bestiary. She stood up and wandered over to the desk.


    ¡°Is that my father¡¯s case?¡± she asked.


    He shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s one Ruthor assigned me¡± he explained, ¡°I haven¡¯t looked at your father¡¯s case yet¡±.


    ¡°How come?¡±.


    ¡°James wanted me to help save the city. So that is what I¡¯m going to do¡±, he stood from his desk holding a case, ¡°starting with this one¡± he stated.


    Guessing they were finished here, Rosa went to return the bestiary into the bookshelf.


    ¡°I¡¯d keep that on you¡± Louie said, ¡°recommend you have a read on Direhounds. You¡¯ll find it under Lycanthrope¡±.


    ¡°Why?¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be useful when we go out later¡± Louie replied.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry we¡± Rosa stated cautiously, ¡°you want to take me on a hunt?¡±. The embers of fear began to spark inside her. She had no desire to come face to face with another monster any time soon.


    ¡°No I don¡¯t want to take you. However, I also don¡¯t want to leave you on your own. At the end of the day, the safest place for you is by my side, so you¡¯re coming with me¡± Louie answered. He then patted her shoulder as he walked passed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry kid, nothing bad is going to happen with me there. You can even stay in the car if you want¡±. She nodded. ¡°Read up, you won¡¯t feel as scared if you¡¯re prepared¡± Louie stated before leaving his office.


    Rosa glanced down at the book in hands, staring deeply into the same strange symbol she¡¯d seen at the Hunter HQ that was engraved into its cover..


    ¡°Great¡± she muttered.

 Chapter 13 – The First Hunt

    Night fell upon Liverpool and an ominous darkness consumed the last drops of daylight.


    Rosa was sunk into the couch, the TV blasting in the background while she read over the same bestiary pages for the seventh time. The Direhound had two pages dedicated to it, filled with information that Rosa assumed was extremely useful to hunters however, all she could interpret was that the monster was huge, strong, had unnervingly big claws and a natural murderous intent towards humankind. Oh and how could she forget, she now knew she¡¯d had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting one of them before, and from that one experience she could verify everything the bestiary claimed. If anything she thought the pages watered the Direhound down. Compared to some of the other chapters she¡¯d read, it was as if the Direhounds were just a common pest, like finding a rat or stray cat in your home.


    ¡®This has to be one of the most horrific decisions in history¡¯ Rosa thought for the hundredth time.


    She closed the book with a heavy slam just as Louie entered the living room.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Does my answer matter¡± Rosa muttered.


    ¡°No¡± Louie admitted. He then picked up the remote and switched off the TV, allowing her to see their reflections in the glassy, black surface. God, she looked miserable ¡­ and slightly terrified. But she quickly decided that was alright, since she was about to have to face a monster whose only desire was to tear her apart and feast upon her corpse.


    ¡°This is an awful idea¡± Rosa grumbled.


    ¡°Probably¡± Louie nodded, ¡°but I¡¯ve not been left with much of a choice. Come on¡±.


    At the front door was a large black rucksack. Louie knelt down and unzipped the bag. He pulled out a short, black cloak made from a thick, aged cloth.


    ¡°Here¡± Louie said passing it to her. It was surprisingly light for its size.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Rosa asked. Holding up the cloak to get a view of its full size, she estimated it¡¯d probably come down to just below her waist.


    ¡°It¡¯s for you¡± Louie said, ¡°put it on¡±.


    Rosa winced, ¡°I don¡¯t ¡­ think it¡¯s my style¡±.


    Louie sighed. ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less. It¡¯s enchanted, put it on¡±.


    Rosa¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Enchanted?¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯ll offer you a form of protection. I¡¯m not saying it¡¯ll be like wearing full mail but it¡¯s better than nothing¡± Louie explained. His brows then shot up, ¡°Oh I guess you should also take this¡±. He pulled out a black leather sheath with an exposed cloth wrapped handle, it looked be about as long as her forearm. Cautiously she accepted it off him and slowly pulled out the handle revealing a glistening obsidian dagger. It had smooth surface and razor-sharp jagged edge. An exotic, ancient scripture was engraved in white along the blade¡¯s face.


    Rosa stared up at Louie, lost for words.


    ¡°You said I wouldn¡¯t be hunting¡± Rosa said in disbelief.


    ¡°You won¡¯t be. It¡¯s just a precaution. The dagger is enchanted, it¡¯ll will hurt anything that tries to kill you. Also it costs a fortune, so make sure you don¡¯t lose it¡± Louie said.


    This was ridiculous, Rosa shook her head and quickly offered the dagger back to him however, he just raised his hand.


    ¡°Take it¡± he said firmly, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t need to use it. I¡¯m just giving it to you so you¡¯re armed¡±.


    Reluctantly, Rosa accepted both the dagger and the cloak. She quickly slipped the cloak over her clothes and slid the sheath into the waist of her pants.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t very responsible¡± Rosa mumbled.


    ¡°I never claimed to be responsible¡± Louie countered, ¡°come on lets go¡±.


    Rosa was sat in the passenger seat, the dagger placed delicately across her lap. They drove silently across the city, Rosa noticed there was barley ever another soul in sight. Her eyes wandered over to the car¡¯s display to see that it was approaching midnight.


    Rosa quickly began to grow to dislike the silence that filled the car. It made her feel on edge, like insects where constantly crawling over her body no matter how much she scratched.


    ¡°Did you ever look over the other cases?¡± she asked after hitting her limit.


    ¡°I did¡±.


    ¡°Even my father¡¯s case?¡±.


    ¡°I have. I¡¯m assuming you want to know its contents¡±.


    Rosa nodded.


    ¡°Fair enough. Hunters have been getting slaughtered across the country. The murders have been forming a sort of trail up country, seemingly heading directly for Liverpool¡±.


    ¡°When will it get here?¡± Rosa questioned concerned.


    ¡°A week ago¡± Louie said gravely.


    Rosa shivered. ¡°What do you think it is?¡±.


    ¡°My guess it¡¯s vampiric¡± Louie said, ¡°Most hunters will probably think it¡¯s some savage beast but the scenes are far too fabricated. I¡¯d say it¡¯s something powerful. Something intelligent pretending to be a mindless monster¡±.


    Rosa stared stunned. ¡®He got all that from a quick glance at a case file¡¯.


    Before Rosa could continue the conversation, they pulled up to the pavement. Her heart began to powerfully thump as she abruptly remembered why they were here.


    Looking out the window at their surroundings, she could see they¡¯d parked up on an empty, isolated street. All that could be seen was a construction site however, it looked to be abandoned like the project had lost funding near its beginning. Rusty, Scaffolding had been left standing, and partly completely floors, walls and stairs had been left to crumble, steel bars peeking out where the workers clearly had yet coat them in concrete.


    Louie switched off his car and stepped out. He opened up the back seat where he¡¯d placed his rucksack earlier. The bag rigorously ruffled as Louie searched around inside, he pulled out the same long black case Rosa had seen him with earlier as well as a small box and what locked to be some kind of whip forged from silver chains. He then efficiently unpacked the cases, revealing a pair of large, silver pistols that vanished behind his back as well as a shinning sword. Rosa¡¯s gaze locked onto the weapon¡¯s guard, it stretched out slightly onto the base of blade and had that strange symbol carved into the steel, the same one she¡¯d seen at both the HQ and on the Bestiary, it glowed subtly white. It¡¯s base resembled a crucifix, with small curves at its centre and sides and two sharp bent lines emerging from the top and bottom.


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    ¡°What¡¯s that symbol?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s the mark of the Hunters¡± Louie informed her. He then sheathed the blade upon his back and attached the coiled chain onto his waist.


    ¡°Reminds me of a crucifix. Are the hunters a religious organisation?¡±.


    ¡°No¡±.


    Rosa frowned, ¡°Just a coincidence then¡±.


    ¡°Not quite, they are related. It¡¯s just the hunters came first¡± Louie stated. He then lowered himself to where she had a full view of his body through the door. ¡°Are you coming in or staying here?¡± Louie asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll stay here¡± Rosa quickly decided.


    Louie nodded and tossed the car¡¯s keys onto her lap. ¡°You can lock the car if you want. I¡¯d just recommend you don¡¯t turn on the car¡¯s radio¡± he told her.


    Louie then shut the door and wandered across the road towards the construction site. Rosa lowered herself down into her seat slightly as she watched him enter the abandoned structure through the shadow shrouded hole it called an entrance. He took a left turn and then was gone.


    Rosa settled into her car seat and sunk into the cloak draped around her upper body. She sat motionless, the dagger heavy on lap as she stared into the shadows in which Louie had vanished.


    ¡®How long did a hunt like this usually take?¡¯ she wondered. She probably should¡¯ve asked Louie that before he left. Rosa continued to patiently wait in an eerie silence. Every moment she expected to hear a fight break out. Expected to hear the roar of a monster, the eruption of gunshots, the cries of a dying beast or even just getting a glimpse of the flashes from gunfire. But there was nothing, only silence, sometimes the occasional howling wind. Rosa continued to wait, her eyes locked onto the digital clock on the car¡¯s display. Minute after minute passed and nothing changed. She glanced back the construction site. The building was big but Rosa didn¡¯t think it so large for nothing to occur.


    ¡®Surely it shouldn¡¯t be taking this long¡¯. Rosa had witnessed how fast Louie kill the Direhound the other day and as a result didn¡¯t believe that something would happen it him. Maybe it¡¯s hiding and he¡¯s unable to track it down?  Maybe it moved territory?


    ¡®No¡¯ Rosa decided. Louie didn¡¯t seem like the type to make such a mistake and he definitely had the capabilities to track the monster down.


    ¡®So why is it taking so long?¡¯ she asked herself again.


    What if the monster is no longer in the building, the thought suddenly burst into her mind. What if Louie actually can¡¯t find his prey because it¡¯s no longer inside and instead out here ¡­ hunting her.


    Fear brewed. Rosa quickly locked the car and huddled down into her chair, her grip around the dagger tightening. Keeping low, she scanned around the car. She didn¡¯t catch sight of anything however, then again she couldn¡¯t see anything anyway. The street they¡¯d found themselves on had extremely sparse lighting directed only near the construction site as a result, darkness consumed anything more than a few metres away from the car. Something could currently be watching her and she wouldn¡¯t be the wiser. Especially to her right, there was a tree line where you couldn¡¯t see anything past their shadowed trunks. Rosa tried to get control of her breathing but it was no use, it grew erratic as her paranoia flourished. The louder the silence grew the further her fright festered. She crouched down even further to the point where only her back was on the car seat. She couldn¡¯t stay here, her fear fuelled mind decided, she was just a lamb waiting for slaughter here. Rosa removed the dagger¡¯s sheath and brandished its blade. She steadily raised herself up to where she could see out the car¡¯s windows. Again there was nothing. She continued to carefully scan around. Her gaze found its way to the back of car where it came to a halt. Her eyes locked onto the darkness and the shadows of trees and shrubbery playing at its edges. This felt familiar. Suddenly her mouth went dry and something overcame her body. Before Rosa realised what was happening she¡¯d unlocked the vehicle and dived across the driver¡¯s seat and out the car. She rolled as she hit the ground and launched herself into a full force sprint towards the construction site. She charged her way inside and instantly spun holding out her dagger towards the entrance, waiting for some kind of monster to walk through.


    Nothing came in.


    Slowly Rosa lowered the blade. Something heavy powerfully dropped down behind her. Instantly Rosa spun around. She was greeted with the ferocious eyes of a Direhound. She pointed the dagger at the monster and a guttural growl escaped from its frothing maw.  The monster slowly began to stalk forward, its gaze locked onto to her every movement searching for an opening around her dagger.


    Well at least she knew it wasn¡¯t outside stalking her.


    ¡®Oh god, I¡¯m going to die because I gaslighted myself¡¯.


    The memory of her hiding under the stairs flashed in her eyes, she remembered the helplessness she felt. No she couldn¡¯t die, not here, not yet.


    ¡°Mierda¡± Rosa muttered as she slowly backed away, never lowering her blade. The bestiary pages she realised, Louie told her they¡¯d explain everything she needed. She felt her fear began to waver, in fact she sensed something new burning inside her soul. Rage.


    Rosa stopped retreating back and stood her ground, she couldn¡¯t risk triggering the monster¡¯s predatory instincts. She¡¯d only carefully step back when the Direhound approached, constantly making sure to stand her ground. The bestiary described them as quite simple creatures, stating they have the potential to be dangerous however, possess a low level of intellect and are driven only by their murderous nature. Rosa could take advantage of that. Soon the Direhound began to grow restless and its movements grew impatient, just likes its pages said it would. It pounced, its jaws open aiming directly for her throat. However, Rosa predicted its behaviour. She managed to move even before the monster, ducking under its bite and thrusting the dagger deep into the creatures neck. Despite the thick muscle and fur the knife tore through it all with ease, Rosa felt like she was stabbing into water. She quickly put all her weight upon the blade, the stab wound wouldn¡¯t be enough, she needed to slice open the monster¡¯s throat. Faster than she could react the Direhound started to back away. Damn, she was too late. The monster recoiled back with such force Rosa was lifted off her feet, luckily the knife slid out before the Direhound could throw her. She landed back on the ground and practically jumped away, narrowly avoiding five razor sharp claws. Blood leaked from the stab wound however, the beast was seemingly unharmed, all she¡¯d accomplished was making the monster furious. Rosa bit her lip, she¡¯d wasted her one opportunity, even if the Direhound wasn¡¯t very intelligent she doubted it would let her do that again. The beast charged, in a panic Rosa held up the knife praying it would just run into it and die. Suddenly she felt something grab the back of her cloak.


    Rosa was dragged away, leaving the Direhound to maul empty air. She turned to see Louie.


    ¡°The fuck happened to you not hunting?¡± he questioned.


    The monster snarled at them and pounced. Before Rosa could even process the situation, she was lifted onto Louie¡¯s shoulder and he sprang across the room. He placed her down on the ground before drawing his sword. Without hesitation, he charged directly at the beast with inhuman speed. The Direhound attempted to tear him apart but Louie weaved between slashes with ease. Rosa stared amazed, she couldn¡¯t believe what she was witnessing. The Direhound couldn¡¯t hit him no matter how many times its swung its claws or snapped its jaws. Louie made the monster look like child play, he practically danced around it with an unnerving sadistic smile, his sword majestically spinning and twirling through the air like it was an extension of his own arm. The Direhound roared as it wound back its arm however, in a silver flash the arm was suddenly severed from its body. Before the beast could even register the pain Louie¡¯s sword tore through the air separating the Direhound¡¯s head from its body. Rosa watched breathlessly as the monster¡¯s limp body slammed into the ground.


    Slowly she stood as Louie gave his sword a fast swipe in the air removing all blood from its blade.


    ¡°That was amazing¡± Rosa stated as she sheathed his weapon.


    He turned and gave her the expression he¡¯d been using all day, a mix between amusement and confusion. Maybe she should give it a name? Amusion possibly?


    She felt her cheeks flush slightly. ¡°I just meant the way you fought ¡­ it was very refined¡±. She winced at her own comment. What the hell was she saying?


    Louie chuckled. ¡°Thanks¡±, he glanced down at the dagger in her hand, ¡°I saw the wound you put in its neck and combined with the fact that you didn¡¯t lose the blade, not bad at kid¡±.


    Rosa felt a small smile grow on her face and Louie walked away and pulled out his phone. She wandered over to the corpse. Even with its humongous frame and weaponry, it looked so pathetic now. She stared into its lifeless eyes that desired to end moments ago and felt nothing. Her eyes found the small wound in the side of its neck. She¡¯d almost done it. All on her own, she¡¯d threw aside her terror and acted, almost killing the monster on her own. Rosa felt a strange sensation in her chest, was she proud?


    ¡°Come on Rosa we¡¯re done here¡± Louie announced.


    Rosa quickly nodded and stood. ¡°Thanks for saving by the way¡± Rosa said, she then offered the dagger back to him.


    ¡°Keep it¡± Louie said, ¡°I¡¯ll need to get you a proper sheath for it though, can¡¯t have you constantly sticking in it your pants¡±.


    ¡°What do we do now?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°We go home and get some sleep¡± Louie said.

 Chapter 14 – Audrey Lelan

    Louie led Rosa out the construction site. She trailed behind him still amazed at what she¡¯d seen. The way Louie had fought, she didn¡¯t think possible, he moved with speeds that no human should be able to reach and wielded a sword as if he¡¯d been training for decades.


    However, what alarmed her more was how little fear and disgust she felt. Even when the Direhound had tried to rip her part she hadn¡¯t flinched and its corpse made her feel nothing.


    ¡°How come you left the car?¡± Louie asked, ¡°you seemed quite content with staying as far away as possible earlier¡±.


    Instantly embarrassment coated her face. ¡°I got scared¡± Rosa admitted.


    He turned to her with her curious glance. ¡°Scared of what?¡± Louie asked, ¡°did you think I¡¯d let the Direhound get out and attack you?¡±.


    ¡°No its not that¡± Rosa said, shaking her head, ¡°I just remembered -¡±


    ¡°Not bad Huntor! Good to see you¡¯ve not lost it¡± a voice spoke from behind. Startled, Rosa practically jumped to Louie¡¯s side. He already had his firearm trained on the voice. Standing beside a lamppost was a woman with silvery blonde hair and a long white dark grey coat. She reminded her of Sam.


    ¡°And why would¡¯ve I have lost it?¡± Louie asked the newcomer.


    ¡°Old age¡± the woman shrugged.


    Louie grumbled. ¡°What are you doing here Audrey?¡± he questioned, holstering his pistol.


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    ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear? I¡¯ve been recruited into the Liverpool division¡± Audrey explained.


    ¡°Great¡± he grumbled again.


    ¡°Who is she?¡± Rosa whispered.


    ¡°Audrey Lelan¡± the woman informed, ¡°Close friend of Mr Louie Huntor¡±.


    ¡®How did she hear that?¡¯.


    ¡°Close is a strong word¡± Louie stated, tilting his head, ¡°we went to school together¡±.


    ¡°The best of friends. With me, you and Zack the old gang is almost back together¡± Audrey said grinning at Rosa completely ignoring Louie¡¯s remark. ¡°But that is enough about us, who is this?¡±.


    ¡°Rosa Elacti¡± Rosa responded.


    The woman¡¯s eyes turned soft. Audrey took a few steps towards her, suddenly Louie moved in front, as if he was guarding her. Audrey stopped in her tracks, she then raised her hands and backed away.


    ¡°Baby steps it is then¡± she mumbled, ¡°The hell you are being so protective for?¡±.


    ¡°Why are you actually here?¡± Louie questioned.


    ¡°Heard you were hunting and I thought I would come see if you needed help¡± Audrey told them. Louie¡¯s face remained blank. She sighed. ¡°Well I¡¯ll see you two around¡± she said and waved, ¡°oh and Rosa, my deepest condolences for your loss¡±. After that she was gone.


    ¡°That woman¡± Louie muttered.


    ¡°So is she your friend or not¡± Rosa asked, ¡°she said something about the old gang getting back together¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, she is¡± Louie admitted, ¡°it¡¯s been years since I last saw her though. Showing up at the blue like nothing, I see she¡¯s not changed at all. Did Audrey say Zack is coming back?¡±.


    ¡°Erm Yes I think so. Do you know him?¡±.


    Louie nodded.


    ¡°Who is he?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll meet him soon enough¡± Louie stated however, showed no interest in elaborating. That was becoming an annoying habit of his. ¡°Come on then let¡¯s head home. I¡¯ve already called this in¡± Louie said headed back to his car. However, Rosa didn¡¯t move.


    ¡°Do you not trust her?¡± Rosa asked. His behaviour had her baffled. If she was an old friend and fellow hunter why did he guard Rosa from her?


    ¡°I¡¯ll always trust her with my life¡± Louie said confidently, ¡°just not with yours¡±.


    Rosa¡¯s face creased but Louie just turned and carried on towards his car.

 Chapter 15

    They settled back into Louie¡¯s house. Rosa glanced at the clock, it was one in the morning, she really needed to get some sleep. But she couldn¡¯t, not just yet. Curiosity burnt inside and her heart demanded answers.


    ¡°Do want some tea?¡± Louie asked, hanging his coat, ¡°help calm your mind¡±.


    ¡°Alright¡± Rosa agreed. She still had no idea what was in them hot beverages but they¡¯d never failed her yet. She took a seat in the living room while Louie made his way into the kitchen.


    What had he meant he doesn¡¯t trust them with her life? Had her father not recruited them just like he had Louie? Why was he trustworthy but not them, what made him different? ¡­ Why had he saved her? Why was he taking care of her?


    The questions took hold of her.


    Louie wandered back in with two steaming mugs. He handed one to Rosa and cupped his hands around the other.


    ¡°Why are you doing this?¡± Rosa questioned abruptly.


    ¡°Hmm¡±. He glanced with a confused gaze.


    ¡°I understand why you saved me, but why take me in? There must be a protocol in place right? People I can be given to. Surely you didn¡¯t have to take me in yourself ¡­ so why?¡±. After she finished, Rosa could barely hold his gaze.


    Stern blue eyes fell upon her and instantly her face dropped. He stared at her silently for what felt like infinity, and she couldn¡¯t decipher his thoughts.


    ¡°I owe your father a debt¡± Louie said calmly.


    ¡°A debt?¡± Rosa asked, her curiosity giving her sudden burst of confidence helping her re-meet his gaze. ¡°What kind of debt?¡±.


    ¡°A great one¡± Louie answered. Rosa thought she heard a hint of pain in his voice. ¡°An unpayable debt¡±.


    Rosa felt lost for words, she took a light sip of tea. ¡°What was my dad to you?¡± she asked carefully.


    Louie¡¯s eyes went soft. ¡°That, is a long story for another time¡± he answered taking drink from his mug. He got up from his armchair and grabbed a photo-frame from beside the TV. ¡°But here¡±, he handed her the frame, ¡°this may satisfy some of your curiosity. Well either that or breed more¡± he joked.


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    Rosa analysed the picture. At a brief glance, It depicted 5 people, all with joyful grinning faces, they resembled a family. She looked closer. She knew this family.


    ¡®Dad, Mum, Emma¡¯. Her parents didn¡¯t look a day different from when she last seen them, youthfully locked into their mid-twenties like always. However, Emma resembled how she did back when she was a teenager, the picture must¡¯ve been taking years ago. However, what stunned her wat that Louie was there, standing with an arm around her father¡¯s shoulder. He looked exactly like he did now, as if he hadn¡¯t even aged a second. Emma stood in front of them all childishly posing and holding an expressionless young girl who couldn¡¯t have been older than six. She had black hair and a clear Hispanic origin. Wait.


    ¡®That¡¯s me¡¯ Rosa realised.


    She could barely recognise herself, but it was definitely her. Comparing that little girl to herself now, it was as if time had allowed her to finally grow soul. Strange though, why couldn¡¯t she remember this? It was true that Rosa struggled to remember her youngest years especially before meeting the Elactis. It was like a great haze blocked her sight whenever she tried to look back, distorting the memories, she knew something had happened but couldn¡¯t make out what. But still, Rosa thought surely she¡¯d still be able to remember an entire person. However, despite clearly meeting Louie she had absolutely no recollection of him. Rosa¡¯s eyes never left the photo. They really did look like a family.


    ¡°Just who are you?¡± Rosa asked stunned.


    Louie grinned, exactly like he did in the photo, he then took the picture back and placed it next to the TV. ¡°A family friend¡± he said.


    ¡°Louie ¡­¡±, Rosa placed down her mug and nervously fiddled her fingers, ¡°I can trust you, right?¡±


    Louie finished his beverage and stood. ¡°The way I see it, what choice do you have¡± Louie stated, before heading towards the kitchen.


    Rosa nodded and stared deeply into her tea. He was right


    ¡°But¡±, Louie stopped at the door, ¡°if it provides you comfort, then yes you can trust me¡± he told her.


    She couldn¡¯t help it, as smile shone on her face and Louie vanished into the kitchen. She quickly finished the remainder of her drink and followed him into the kitchen.


    ¡°Can I ask one more question?¡± Rosa inquired.


    ¡°Go on¡±.


    ¡°You said that you don¡¯t trust them with my life. Why?¡±.


    ¡°Someone has betrayed the Hunters¡± Louie said solemnly.


    ¡°What?¡± Rosa questioned baffled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who, or why, but until then I¡¯m not risking your safety¡± Louie stated. He then sighed. ¡°It¡¯s true that I may have been a little harsh with Audrey earlier. I know she¡¯d never betray us¡± Louie confessed, ¡°but I also don¡¯t trust her to make the correct decisions when it comes to you. At the moment, I trust none of them with your life¡±.


    ¡°Maybe they¡¯ll surprise you¡± Rosa suggested, ¡°my dad brought them all together. Just like he did with you¡±.


    A smile broke across his face and he chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong. Alright I¡¯ll keep it in mind. But it¡¯s also time for you get some sleep¡±.


    Rosa nodded, sleep sounded very pleasant.

 Chapter 16

    Rosa woke in what she now guessed was her room, since Louie showed no intention of kicking her out. But if that was true, she¡¯d definitely need to decorate Rosa thought glancing around at the plain walls.


    Rosa slipped out of bed, feeling surprisingly refreshed, no nightmares or horrors had fell upon her in the night. In fact she couldn¡¯t even remember having a dream. When was the last time that happened? Rosa shrugged off the thoughts, she¡¯d been questioning everything lately. Grabbing herself a fresh outfit she made her way into the bathroom to get showered and washed up.


    Heading down the stairs, she saw Louie standing beside the open front door speaking with someone in the Hunter¡¯s officer unform. She couldn¡¯t make out their conversation but Louie finished it with a nod and the officer then wandered off. His gaze then turned to meet her.


    ¡°Morning¡± he greeted, ¡°sleep well?¡±.


    Rosa nodded. ¡°Kind of felt like I teleported through time¡±.


    ¡°Good to hear¡±.


    ¡°Who was that?¡± Rosa asked, joining him at the door and peaking outside. Parked up on the street was a large black SUV, the officer was searching around the car¡¯s boot. She watched as he pulled an enormous rucksack and heaved it onto his back. The officer then carefully wandered back to the door and handed the bag to Louie, who then placed it beside the stairs.


    ¡°There¡¯s one more¡± the officer stated before heading back to his SUV.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Rosa inquired wandering over to the bag, it was almost as tall as her and twice as wide.


    ¡°The rest of your belongings¡± Louie explained, ¡°well a mix of yours and whatever could be recovered from the house. A lot of your sisters and parents possessions¡±.


    The officer handed over a second bag of similar size and Louie dismissed him with a firm nod.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you unpack later¡± Louie told her as he placed down the second bag beside the other with ease.


    ¡°So am I living here now?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°Pretty much¡± Louie said casually, ¡°Now go get yourself some breakfast. We¡¯re leaving soon¡±.


    ¡°To go where?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been called back to HQ¡±.


    Rosa was just about able to cram in a few pieces of toast before they were on the road. She stared out the window as the scenery once again became isolated and serene as they left the main road and headed down a chain of side roads until they eventually arrived at the car park¡¯s entrance, an aged rusty gate. As soon as they¡¯d drove onto this road Rosa had searched for the HQ, still convinced her mind was playing tricks on her, but no matter how hard she looked or from what angle there was no sign of a towering cathedral.


    They drove into the car park and out of thin air spawned the HQ, standing tall and powerful as if it had for centuries and planned to for the centuries to come. Once again Rosa stared, she didn¡¯t understand how the hunters did it. Louie had mentioned something about magical cloaking but Rosa still couldn¡¯t understand how something so vast could just vanish. They parked up and Rosa¡¯s gaze fell from the HQ, instantly she noticed how populated it had become. Yesterday there¡¯d only been a few cars here, now it looked as if over half the car park was filled, mostly with black cars such as the SUV she¡¯d seen earlier. Louie locked up his car and they wandered across the parking lot. Rosa scanned around their surroundings and something caught her eye. A small streamline silver car. Rosa slowed her pace and maneuvered herself to get a better view.


    ¡®That license plate¡¯. Rosa carefully read over every letter and number, ¡®Em!¡¯.


    Rosa burst into a sprint and rushed across the carpark and down the pathway around the side of the HQ.


    ¡°Rosa!¡± Louie called out but Rosa blocked it out. Not slowing down for a moment as the entrance grew closer. Suddenly someone grabbed the back of her shirt and pulled her to a halt. She was spun around to see a baffled Louie.


    ¡°What the hell just happened?¡± Louie questioned.


    ¡°That car¡± Rosa panted, ¡°Is my sisters¡±.


    Louie¡¯s eyes widened slightly. ¡°Come¡± he said. They headed into the HQ.


    The once eery and empty lobby was now filled with people, most of them in the black officer uniform, travelling across the room back and forth between doorways.


    ¡°Lyn!¡± Louie called out. A tall woman in a black uniform with shoulder length black hair and carrying a pile of sealed folders stopped across the room and turned to them. Her eyes widened at the sight of them and she strolled over.


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    ¡°Louie, Rosa¡± she greeted, ¡°What do you need?¡±.


    ¡°Emma Elacti¡± Louie said, ¡°do you know where she is?¡±.


    ¡°I think she¡¯s in John¡¯s office¡± Lyn answered, ¡°I¡¯m heading there now¡±.


    Louie nodded. ¡°Lead the way¡±.


    Rosa followed Louie and Lyn down the old cryptic corridors until they reached Mr Ruthor¡¯s door. Lyn went to knock but before her knuckle could even reach the door¡¯s surface Louie twisted the doorknob and pushed it open.


    Rosa heard Lyn release a sigh and the door slowly slid open. She could see Ruthor sitting at his desk, his eyes drew up into a dark scowl but softened upon seeing who was intruding. The door continued to swing open and a young woman standing beside Ruthor came into view. Emma. Tears brimmed in Rosa¡¯s eyes. Emma¡¯s gaze locked onto them and she rushed across the room and pulled Rosa tightly into a hug.


    Emotion flooded Rosa¡¯s body, completely overwhelming her. A subtle whimper leaked from her mouth and she sank deeply into her sister¡¯s embrace.


    ¡®And here I thought I was handling it¡¯ Rosa laughed to herself.


    ¡°Thank god¡± Emma whispered. Her sister then released her and took a step back, wiping away the few tear drops that had begun gathering in the corner of her eyes.


    ¡°I hate to ruin your reunion, but I need the room¡± Mr Ruthor announced carefully. Instantly Emma nodded, grabbed Rosa¡¯s hand and led her out the office. Her sister pulled her into an empty room adjacent to Mr Ruthor¡¯s office.


    At the room¡¯s centre was a long table surrounded by chairs. After sealing them inside, with folded arms Emma relaxed against the table, she let out an exhausted sigh.


    ¡°I take it you know everything now?¡± Emma asked.


    Rosa nodded. Emma shot up from the table and paced back and forth across the room scratching her head and constantly muttering under her breath. Rosa stood frozen by the door, she¡¯d never seen Emma like this before and honestly it was beginning to frighten her. Eventually she came to a stop. Her sister¡¯s gaze lifted to the ceiling and she let out a deranged chuckle. ¡°I leave for a week and everything falls to shit, what ¡­ what the hell has happened¡± Emma mumbled, ¡°Our parents are dead, Louie¡¯s back, you¡¯ve been dragged into everything¡±.


    Rosa remained deathly silent, she didn¡¯t know what to say. What could she say? How did you explain your parents horrific deaths to your own sister? However, it didn¡¯t seem like Emma was giving her much of a choice but to answer.


    ¡°I need to know Rosa¡± Emma stated wiping her face, ¡°what happened that night?¡±.


    Suddenly Rosa froze. Her body began to tremble. The last thing she wanted to do in the world was relive that night. But her sister deserved to know, a voice inside her stated. Despite the uncontrollable shivers and sweat which began to drip from her hair Rosa nodded.


    ¡°¡­ Dad was meant to go out and meet Louie but came rushing back to the house. He ¡­ was more stressed out than I¡¯ve ever seen him, terrified even. He tried to get me and mum out the house but then he saw something out there¡±.


    ¡°Saw what?¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know ¡­ I couldn¡¯t see anything in the darkness. But dad did, he slammed the door and put me into the little room under the stairs. I was left in darkness ¡­ but I heard everything¡±, the memories ached in her mind and her stomach twisted. She thought she had this handled but bringing the thoughts into existence was breaking down any form of composure she¡¯d built.


    ¡°Rosa-¡±.


    ¡°It came into the house. It had no footsteps but ¡­ I could feel its movement. I heard the fighting and then the ¡­¡±, the words wouldn¡¯t leave her mouth. They couldn¡¯t. But they had to, the voice spoke again. Rosa let out a deep and controlled breath, just like her father had taught her. ¡°Whatever it was that killed our parents searched the house and then left. Louie arrived a little later and found me. He¡¯s been taking care of me since and letting me stay with him¡± Rosa told her sister, she then hesitated. ¡°But before that, back at the house I ¡­ I had to see. I saw our parents, I saw their bodies¡±.


    Emma¡¯s eyes quivered, she said nothing her mouth agape searching for words lost to it. ¡°Louie let you see¡­¡± she eventually said, angered underlines her voice.


    ¡°No¡± Rosa said quickly, ¡°he tried to keep me in the living room but I rushed out when he wasn¡¯t looking¡±.


    Emma sighed and abruptly pulled Rosa into another hug.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry you were alone Rosa¡± Emma whispered, her voice breaking at every word, ¡°Everything will be alright. I¡¯m back now ¡­ I¡¯ll figure something out¡±.


    Rosa nodded as she sank into her sister¡¯s arms again, accepting her comfort. She hadn¡¯t realised how much she¡¯d missed Emma. It had only been a few days but with everything that had happened it felt as if they¡¯d been separated for an eternity. Against Rosa¡¯s wishes, their embrace was ended by a powerful knock on the door.


    ¡°You guys ok?¡± Louie¡¯s voice asked.


    ¡°Yeah¡± Emma responded. ¡°Are you ready?¡± her sister asked her.


    ¡°Yes¡± Rosa said.


    Louie was stood in front of the doorway, a repressed irritation was hidden beneath his eyes and he was holding a thick envelope that was sealed red with a red wax displaying the hunter¡¯s mark.


    ¡°What¡¯s that¡± Rosa inquired.


    ¡°Nothing for you to worry about¡± Louie stated, ¡°come on lets go¡±. Rosa let out annoyed grumble but followed. However, Emma made no such movements.


    ¡°What about Emma?¡± Rosa questioned.


    Louie glanced back, a flash of confusion washing over his face when he saw her stationary. ¡°She¡¯s coming too. Em Ruthor gave you the rest of the day off, let¡¯s go¡± Louie told her.


    Emma head titled slightly to the right, just like their father when he was puzzled. ¡°John gave me the rest of the day off?¡± she questioned, scepticism lining her tone.


    ¡°He did. Now let¡¯s go¡± Louie insisted. Emma shrugged and followed them down the cryptic halls.


    ¡°So what happens now?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got work to do¡± Louie said, ¡°but you and Em are free to do as you wish. You could start unpacking all your stuff now there¡¯s two of you, you can catch up, Hell get creative do both at once¡±.


    ¡°What stuff?¡± Emma questioned.


    ¡°Everything that was recovered from your house was delivered to mine this morning¡± Louie explained.


    ¡°Why yours?¡±


    ¡°Because that¡¯s where you will both be staying. Well unless you want to go off on your own?¡±


    ¡°No¡± Emma admitted, ¡°Thank you¡±.


    Rosa wandered ahead of them as their conversation converged into topics she didn¡¯t understand. Hunter things she guessed. She found herself back in the HQ¡¯s lobby. It felt so different now that officers and hunters wandered across its floors. It was like it had been gifted a comforting warmth, in fact it was like the entire building had. As she walked across the lobby to the exit, her eyes wandered across the many doors that lines it¡¯s walls. Where did they all lead? They stopped on an opening door to her left, a young blonde girl wandered through. Rosa¡¯s came to an abrupt stop, her face creased and her eyes quivered.


    ¡°Sam?¡±.

 Chapter 17

    Rosa felt betrayed. But frustratingly didn¡¯t feel like she knew why, or more accurately it was like she didn¡¯t feel she had the right to be. Fuelled by everything that had recently happened, it burnt inside her, twisting like a cyclone of indecision and irritation.


    Rosa brute forced herself deeper into the passenger seat of sister¡¯s car as her sulking evolved to even greater heights. Sam was a hunter!? Rosa furiously ruffled her hair. She¡¯d rushed out the HQ before any interaction could ensue, but it was definitely her. Standing stunned in the black officer uniform, mouth agape unable to say anything, a hint of guild in her eyes. She¡¯d clearly not been expecting Rosa there either.


    It was true Sam never had any obligation to say anything about this to her, but it opened up too many questions. Rosa had only just discovered the truth and now she uncovers her closest friend, who was meant to be ill and who had seemingly gravitated towards her all those years ago, was involved with the hunters. It didn¡¯t sit well with her. Sam had come to her house for god¡¯s sake on multiple occasions and her and all of Rosa¡¯s family acted like they had no idea who each other were.


    ¡°So what is she?¡± Rosa questioned.


    ¡°Are you still going on about this?¡± Emma asked in disbelief, ¡°it¡¯s been ten minutes. Let it go¡±.


    ¡°How am I meant to let it go? The person I¡¯ve considered my best friend has been part of a secret organisation that fights the supernatural. She told me she was sick! I didn¡¯t realise she meant in the head¡± Rosa stated, ¡°Was it all fake? Was she just placed in my company as some kind of babysitter. Forced to be my friend?¡±.


    Emma sighed. ¡°Do you know who would be able to tell you? Sam. Ask her¡± she stated bluntly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to speak to her¡± Rosa grumbled.


    They arrived back at Louie¡¯s house and Emma parked up in the street.


    ¡°Just tell me if she was purposely planted into my life¡± Rosa said following her sister out the car and towards the front door.


    ¡°Are you still rambling on?¡± Louie questioned as he unlocked the front door.


    ¡°The whole ride home¡± Emma informed.


    ¡°Let it go¡± he said before entering the house, ¡°So your friend might have originally been ordered to interact with you, it happens. You have to move on. If it¡¯s any comfort whatever, bond you formed with her is most likely real. Audrey¡¯s little sister can¡¯t lie for shit¡±.


    Rosa stormed into the house after him, barley registering any of the words Louie said.


    ¡°Nice place¡± Emma commented as she trailed in after them, her eyes appreciating the house¡¯s exterior.


    ¡°Thanks¡± Louie muttered. As Emma shut the door behind them they entered the room living room passing by the two enormous bags of all the Elacti¡¯s belongings.


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming the bags are ours¡± Emma said.


    Louie nodded before asking if anyone wanted tea. Emma and Rosa accepted his offer before taking a seat on the couch. Rosa searched for the TV remote but her sister was far too fast, snatching it up before Rosa could even spot it.


    A small smirk shone on Emma¡¯s face and Rosa grumbled as she relaxed back into the couch.


    ¡°You always pick what we watch¡± Emma said, ¡°today I am¡±.


    Rosa remained silent as her sister skipped through the TV channels until she landed on the natural geographic channel showing some kind of documentary about primates. Thankfully Louie soon returned to the living room with three mugs, laid them on the table and sat in his armchair. He glanced at the television and his brows compressed into a deep furrow.


    ¡°Do you just watch documentaries in your spare time?¡± Louie asked.


    ¡°Is there a problem with that?¡±  Emma questioned.


    ¡°No¡± Louie said quickly before sipping his tea. ¡°A bit defensive aren¡¯t you¡± he mumbled and gave Rosa a quick confused glance. She hid a smile and shrugged, Emma ignored them both. Reluctantly, Rosa watched her sister¡¯s program in silence and drank her tea. However, it quickly became apparent she¡¯d overestimated her patience, as her body began to jitter and her eyes started to wander around. She turned to Louie.


    ¡°Is there anything we can do?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Erm ¡­ You could start unpacking those bags. Get yourselves properly settled in¡± he suggested.


    She felt her eyes sparkle and leapt from the couch. ¡°Yeah let¡¯s do that¡±.


    ¡°You and Emma can¡± Louie said, ¡°I¡¯ve got to go out¡±.


    ¡°To where?¡± Rosa inquired her shoulders slumping.


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    ¡°None of your concern¡±.


    ¡°Is it a hunt? If it is can I come again?¡±


    ¡°Again? You took Rosa on a hunt!¡± Emma suddenly barked, her attention snapping towards them.


    ¡°That¡¯s my que to leave¡± Louie stated before departing the living room, ¡°I won¡¯t be back till late so don¡¯t wait up¡±. Rosa watched him rush around hallway and after only a few seconds he was gone.


    ¡°Going to kill him¡± Emma mumbled.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get all protective Em. He didn¡¯t want to leave me alone after everything that happened. He told me to stay in the car while he killed the Direhound. It was my stupidity that made me rush in a put myself in danger¡± Rosa explained.


    ¡°Hmmm¡± Emma mused, ¡°What do you mean, you put yourself in danger?¡±.


    ¡°So should we start unpacking the bags then?¡± Rosa asked quickly changing the topic.


    Her sister released an exasperated sigh. ¡°Sure¡±.


    Rosa wandered into the hall and tried to the lift one of the bags by its straps. It didn¡¯t budge. Just how heavy was this damn thing? Rosa felt like she trying to lift a boulder.


    ¡°How did Louie carry it with one arm?¡± Rosa mumbled. Emma joined her in the hall and grabbed hold of the bag Rosa was trying to lift.


    ¡°I¡¯ll count us in¡± she stated. Rosa nodded. ¡°Three, two, one. Lift¡±. Together they pulled the bag up from the ground and carried it into the living room, however Rosa felt like she barley contributed to the bags transport. They pushed the coffee table to the side and placed the bag down at the rooms centre. Sitting back down onto the couch Rosa went to grab one of the rucksacks many zips when she noticed the primate documentary still playing on the TV.


    ¡°Could we maybe put something else-¡±


    ¡°Documentary stays on¡±.


    ¡°Fine¡± Rosa grumbled and unzipped the top of the bag.


    The two of them spent the next hour searching through the two bags. Rosa was surprised at how many items had been crammed into the two bags, it was now no wonder they weighed so much. It was like the hunters had stuffed every piece of their house they could inside. Rosa found herself pulling out clothes, medicine, to small random devices they must have found in the draws, to even all their kitchenware. Emma even found the living room TV packed into one of the bags.


    ¡°Aww look at this¡± Emma said happily as she handed over a safely wrapped photo frame. Peeling away the bubble wrap, she could see the picture depicted an extremely young Rosa, awkward and terrified, standing with her new family. Rosa chuckled at her younger self¡¯s expression.


    ¡°Back from when you were first adopted¡± Emma grinned, ¡°Look at your expression. I forgot how shy you were back then¡±.


    ¡°Can you blame me? I was just a little Mexican girl plucked off the streets by a stranger and brought here¡± Rosa joked.


    Emma laughed and continued to search through the bag.


    ¡°Ahh, all the photo albums are here¡± Emma said enthusiastic.


    Rosa shuffled across the couch to her sisters side and glanced down at the book of memories in Emma¡¯s hands. Together they scanned through its pages. Emma chuckled at a picture of Rosa seemingly baffled at the sight of snow.


    ¡°I completely forgot dad captured it. Your first time seeing snow. Look at your face¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯d never seen or even heard of it before¡± Rosa grumbled.


    They continued to flip through the pages of their photo albums, reliving their life as a family. Rosa¡¯s first day of school, their first time at an amusement park, Emma¡¯s graduation, Easter, a picture of a very stunned Rosa during her first Halloween been given sweets, their first Christmas as a family, Emma¡¯s eighteenth birthday. They moved onto a different album. They were pictures of James teaching Emma how to drive and Mary teaching Rosa had to ride her bike. Photos of her family teaching her how to swim, every single one of her birthday¡¯s. The shy terrified girl slowly vanishing as the years passed until she finally transformed into what Rosa was today. However, despite all the joy and nostalgia the pictures brought, Rosa couldn¡¯t stop staring at her parents, as they shown themselves in every memory doing their upmost best to make sure she lived a fulfilled life and experienced the world to the greatest. A lump grew in her throat as they continued to scan through the album and eventually they reached the end of the final book filled with memories of their most recent years.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe they¡¯re ¡­ gone¡± Rosa said breathlessly.


    ¡°I know¡± her sister replied, her voice breaking at each word. Emma took in a deep breath and placed the album on the pile with the others. ¡°But we can¡¯t let it destroy us¡± Emma stated, ¡°the last thing they¡¯d want is for their deaths to bring our lives to a stop. We need to accept reality and carry-on marching forward ¡­ if not for us at least for them¡±. Rosa nodded in agreement, whether they wanted to or not, they had no choice.


    ¡°Hey, Halloween is only a few days away. Do you remember what we use to do?¡± Emma asked turning off the TV.


    ¡°Horror movie marathons¡± Rosa smiled, ¡°I would always get scared and hide behind a pillow¡±.


    ¡°How about we do one tonight, for old times¡¯ sake¡± Emma suggested.


    ¡°Yeah ok¡±.


    ¡°Alright then, plans are settled. First lets unpack the rest of the bags and get set up in the house, have a quick wash and we¡¯ll start. I¡¯m sure Louie will have snacks in, if not well go out and grab some. Rosa nodded and they both eagerly got to work.


    Long after the night¡¯s darkness had swallowed the day, Louie returned home. It¡¯d took him awhile, but he¡¯d been able to complete everything Ruthor needed of him. It was safe to say Liverpool was now short of quite a few monsters and that their entire community now knew he was back. Louie hung up his coat and weapons and he wiped his eyes. He was surprised, for the first time in a while he actually felt exhausted, well slightly at least.


    He wandered into the living room to see the TV was still on. It was playing some variety of horror film. He had no idea which one, he¡¯d never really gotten into them. When you spent your life hunting the creatures the films try to depict Louie felt as if it took away from the movie¡¯s charm. He wandered across the living room where he found both Emma and Rosa fast asleep on the couch, a peaceful expression on both their faces. A tiny smile cracked across his face. He grabbed a blanket from the corner of the room and lay it over the two of them. Louie then turned off the TV and headed into the kitchen shutting the door behind him. He switched on one of the lights so the kitchen was dimly lit and then searched around in the far bottom draw. He pulled out an old bottle filled to around halfway with whisky and a round, wide glass before taking a seat at the dining table. He poured himself a glass and relaxed by into the chair. Taking a sip of whisky he let the burn run through his body, inspiring all his regret and pain to rise. He glanced to the heavens


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I wasn¡¯t there for your last moments¡± Louie muttered, ¡°¡­ but I¡¯ll make sure your dream comes true and I¡¯ll damn well make sure your avenged ¡­ even if it¡¯s the last thing I do¡±. He took a sip of whisky then chuckled, glancing back towards the living room. ¡°I was able to save your daughter. Gods knows what I am going to with her, as you know I¡¯ve never been good with kids ¡­ But I¡¯ll do my best, with both of them. I promise¡±. Louie raised his glass to the sky and then downed its insides. ¡°Rest well¡±.

 Chapter 18

    The morning had been going well. Rosa had woken up without suffering any nightly horrors, she¡¯d enjoyed a nice cup of tea and breakfast. However like life gained pleasure from kicking her to the curb, Louie had hit her with those words.


    ¡°What do you mean get changed for school?¡± Rosa complained from the kitchen door.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I could be clearer¡± Louie said calmly before sipping his tea at the kitchen table across from Emma.


    ¡°I¡¯m meant to go to school so soon? After everything that has happened?¡±.


    ¡°You are. Oh and take the dagger I gave you. You know just in case¡± Louie said.


    ¡°Ok. Are you sure you don¡¯t want to give me a gun while you¡¯re at it?¡± Rosa scoffed.


    Emma stared daggers into Louie. ¡°No¡± he said, ¡°not until you know how to use one¡±. Rosa squinted at him in disbelief.


    ¡°Fine¡± she grumbled, ¡°How am I getting there? Do you know what bus to take?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ll drop you off. At least until we can get your situation sorted and organise a transfer¡± Louie explained.


    ¡°Wait¡±, she paused, ¡°a transfer? ¡­ You want me to leave my school?¡± Rosa questioned.


    ¡°I do. I¡¯ve got a better place in mind¡±.


    ¡°What about my friends?¡±.


    ¡°You can make new friends¡± Louie stated nonchalant.


    Rosa glowered at him speechless and Emma chose that this was her time to join the discussion.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to excuse Louie. I¡¯m sure that his social skills have just became rusty, during his years of travel¡± Emma stated. Louie muttered something under his breath before his face vanished behind his mug. ¡°What he means to say, is that if were right about this thing being after you then your very presence could put your friends in danger¡± her sister explained.


    ¡°I get that¡± Rosa admitted, ¡°but what¡¯s stopping this thing from attacking me during the school day?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m hoping brain cells¡± Louie said.


    ¡°You¡¯re betting my life on hope?¡± Rosa questioned.


    Louie nodded and then without a word wandered across the kitchen to wash up his mug.


    ¡°Pendejo¡± Rosa muttered before making her way upstairs to get changed.


    Rosa was dropped off down the street from her school. She watched as Emma and Louie drove off in his car. They¡¯d told her they had business in Aldock, but she couldn¡¯t figure out what that could be. She pondered over the possibilities as she made her way down the street towards her school gates. They¡¯d dropped her off early, in fact, it was around the time she arrived when she helped out Sam in the morning.


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    Like always, the school grounds were quiet and empty. Not knowing what else to do with herself, Rosa made her way to the library. As she wandered through the school¡¯s corridors she found herself glancing around the halls and classrooms, almost like she was savouring the sights. If these were going to be her last days as a student here, she wanted to make them count. The thought of leaving her friends came bouncing around her head. It was true Rosa had only known them for a few years but they were the only real friends she¡¯d ever had, Rosa¡¯s social skills had never really kicked in during primary school. As her thoughts grew deeper and threatened to take control, she reminded herself of her sisters words during the car ride here. Even if she did leave school, it didn¡¯t mean the end of her friendships. They all had phones, meaning they could always text and call each other as well as meet up in the city.


    ¡®Yeah, this will be fine¡¯ Rosa thought happily. Even if she moved school everything would be alright. They¡¯d just need to adapt.


    Rosa made her way into the library, taking in its old and gothic architecture. She strolled towards her isolated and empty table. However, as she wandered around a bookcase she discovered her table wasn¡¯t quite as empty as expected. Sitting in the same seat she always did, Sam was working in a schoolbook. Rosa froze, this was the last thing she wanted to deal with. Slowly she tried to turn and leave, but the rustle of her bag and coat were painfully loud.


    ¡°Rosa!¡± Sam called out, ¡°Don¡¯t go, please ¡­ Let¡¯s just talk¡±.


    Instantly there was a series of shushes across the room and Sam¡¯s face flushed. Stifling a smile, Rosa sighed and wandered over the table. Both Emma and Louie had told her if she wanted answers, she needed to obtain them from Sam herself.


    Rosa claimed the seat as far from Sam as possible. ¡°Ok, let¡¯s talk¡± Rosa said, ¡°We¡¯ll start with the fact that you¡¯re part of a secret organisation that kills monsters¡±.


    ¡°Ahh¡± Sam mumbled, ¡°thought you might¡¯ve been curious about that¡±.


    ¡°Just a bit. Who actually are you Sam?¡± Rosa questioned, more aggressively than she intended.


    ¡°My actual name is Sam Lelan¡± Sam stated.


    ¡®Lelan?¡¯. Suddenly Rosa remembered what Louie said yesterday, she¡¯d been so hectic she¡¯d completely skipped over it.


    ¡°You¡¯re Audrey¡¯s little sister¡± Rosa stated. She¡¯d definitely noticed that there was a strong resemblance between the two of them, especially their hair.


    ¡°You¡¯ve met my sister?¡±.


    ¡°Briefly the other night¡± Rosa said, ¡°what else don¡¯t I know¡±.


    ¡°Erm well I¡¯m actually seventeen not thirteen¡± Sam informed.


    ¡°That ¡­ actually explains a lot¡± Rosa admitted. Despite her youthful looks, Sam had always been a lot taller than all the girls in their year and when puberty began to hit them all, it was as if Sam was unaffected. ¡°My only question is¡± Rosa said glancing down at the incorrect answers in Sam¡¯s maths book, ¡°how can a seventeen-year-old be so shit at year nine math¡±.


    ¡°Hey, its hard for some people¡± Sam complained, ¡°Why are you so shit at English¡±.


    Rosa couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°There are plenty people in year nine who are bad at English, they¡¯re also all thirteen like me. Plus I¡¯m Mexican¡±.


    ¡°Really, you¡¯re playing the Mexican card¡±.


    ¡°I am¡±. They both released a small laugh like they always would.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for not telling you Rosa, but I had to follow orders. Despite what you may think, our friendship was never fake. I hope you can forgive me¡± Sam said with pleading eyes.


    ¡°I can. Of course I can¡± Rosa said, ¡°It¡¯s just with everything that¡¯s been happening, I became overwhelmed¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s completely understandable. You handled it a lot better than I did all those years ago. And unlike with me I can help you remedy your confusion. So what do you know?¡± Sam asked, ¡°I¡¯ll try my best to fill in the gaps¡±.

 Chapter 19

    With the school now far behind them, Louie drove further into Aldock. For the majority of the morning they spent their time running errands for John. Not the type of work Louie would usually find himself doing, but with division still struggling in its beginning stages, he didn¡¯t have much of a choice. Not a word has been said since dropping Rosa off. Louie kept his eyes straight ahead on the road, patiently waiting for what he knew was to come.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you took Rosa on a hunt!¡± Emma exclaimed in disbelief. Instantly he felt a glare burning into the side of his head.


    There it was. ¡°I didn¡¯t have a choice¡± Louie said.


    ¡°You did¡± Emma snapped.


    ¡°Not ones I was happy with¡± Louie murmured, ¡°Anyway I had everything under control. It was a fucking Direhound! Rosa almost killed it herself¡±.


    ¡°That brings me to my second point. Why she was she even in there?¡± Emma asked, forcibly calming herself.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡± Louie answered truthfully, ¡°I left her in the car but from what I gathered something scared her. Frightened her enough to enter a building she knew contained a monster¡±.


    He saw her nod in the corner of his eye. ¡°How¡¯s she been since you found her?¡± Emma asked in a gentler tone.


    ¡°Whatever your father and mother taught her works well. She¡¯s successfully grieving and moving on. However, despite that I¡¯ve noticed she¡¯s becoming paranoid developing some kind of trauma. She¡¯s constantly seeing something in the corner of her eye. My question now is, does Rosa actually see something or is it just her mind¡±.


    ¡°We¡¯ll just have to keep an eye on her. John should be able to get her out of school today and then we just need to make sure one of us is with her at all times¡± Emma said. She then fell silent. Louie glanced to the left to see Emma staring intensely into his eyes.


    ¡°What it is?¡± he asked.


    ¡°What are your plans with Rosa? Taking her on a hunt, giving her the bestiary, the dagger. Are you trying to turn her into a hunter?¡± Emma questioned, a depth of concern coating her voice.


    ¡°No ¡­ I - I don¡¯t know¡±, Louie sighed, ¡°All I know is something is after her and that she needs to be able to defend herself. I¡¯m doing what I think¡¯s best Em, I never asked for any of this, just like you. I¡¯m just playing the cards I¡¯ve been dealt¡± he told her.


    Emma said nothing but he caught her nodding again.


    They pulled up onto street, the Elacti¡¯s old residence a few steps away. Louie and Emma exited his car and walked up to the door. Glancing round he could see all the protection wards that had been destroyed that night had been restored and were once again functional. Together they firmly pounded on the door, a moment later it opened and Vanessa¡¯s face came into view.


    ¡°Morning¡± she stated greeting them. Vanessa moved aside allowing them to enter. ¡°Good to have you back sergeant. Congratulations on your promotion¡± Vanessa said to Emma as she passed.


    ¡°Thank you¡± Emma stated, ¡°I just wish I could¡¯ve returned under better circumstances.


    Vanessa nodded solemnly as she closed the door and led them through the house. ¡°The repairs should be complete by the afternoon¡± Vanessa informed, as she showed them around every room. They done their best to not disturb the many officers completing the final touches. The house was unrecognizable from the night of the attack, in fact it had been completely reformed, every surface and corner had been restored to a quality that¡¯d allow the home to be put instantly on the housing market. Even all the furniture, carpets, wallpaper and flooring had been replaced. This seemed to deeply disturb Emma, Louie watched as her dead eyes scanned around everywhere they went searching for a familiarity that no longer existed. After being toured around the entire house and confirming its restoration they found themselves back downstairs in the main hallway.


    ¡°I take it that this is the origin¡± Louie said.


    ¡°Yes¡± Vanessa replied before calling out for everyone to stop working and for someone come to her. Instantly an officer was by her side holding out a steel case. Vanessa unclipped the cases locks and lifted the lid revealing a small gemstone device carefully placed on a cushion. The device was forged from a deep red stone that greatly resembled ruby, it took the shape of a long, slightly flat dodecahedron and had symbols carved into each of its faces. A memoria stone was its name, a tool fuelled by magic that held the ability to capture the conditions and appearance of a given area, for as long as it was stored within its gemstone casing. The first step in its activation was placing in the origin in which the initial capture was taken, it didn¡¯t have to be in the exact spot, just very close.


    Vaness removed both the cushion, still holding the memoria stone, from the case and placed it near the base of the stairs. Everyone took a step back and Vanessa removed her pendant, the same one all officers possessed, and tapped it against the stone¡¯s surface. The unique silver metal, the pendant was forged from, interacted with the magic inside the stone. The memoria stone activated, the symbols carved into each of its surfaces lighting up a bright white as a red glow began to grow inside. The light filled the entire gemstone and erupted out in a pulse of translucent red that engulfed every surface around them. The house began to change, claw marks were cut into the floor and blood began to drip from the walls. In less than a second every aspect of the house, smell, appearance and sound reverted to the way Louie and the officers had seen it on the night of the attack. Louie glanced around, as always they¡¯d produced a perfect copy. He turned to Emma and was shocked to see her hands shielding her mouth and horror-stricken eyes scanning over the devastation. With all his time away Louie had forgotten, despite taking after James, Emma was still just that little girl he knew trying to live up to her father¡¯s name. Louie placed a gentle hand upon her shoulder.


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    ¡°No one will think any less of you if you sit this one out Em¡± Louie said.


    Without hesitation, Emma shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m not a kid anymore Louie. I¡¯m twenty-two and a sergeant with responsibilities I need to uphold¡± Emma stated.


    Louie nodded before leaving her and the officers to their jobs. Passing a few officers who were heading downstairs clearly not wanting to be near the upper floor while the memoria stone was active, he headed upstairs. Louie made sure to take in every detail and aspect of his surroundings, searching for any tiny clue he might¡¯ve missed last time that could aid him in figuring out this enigma. None of it made sense. It was as if a mindless monster had rampaged through the house however, certain rooms and areas were left in unscathed, suggesting a level of intelligence and a goal. Louie¡¯s best guess was an extremely dangerous creature which possessed a strong intellect staging needless destruction to attempt to throw off the hunter¡¯s scent. However, it hadn¡¯t done a very good job Louie considered. Was it in a rush? Or is it an arrogant bastard and underestimating them?


    Ignoring the thick stench of blood drifting from James and Mary¡¯s bedroom the memoria stone was reproducing, Louie entered Rosa¡¯s bedroom, one of the few rooms left completely untouched by the attacker. He walked over to her nightstand the note he found that night sitting unaltered on the corner.


    ¡®Dad, mum just reminding you I¡¯m staying over at my friends tonight.


    Love you and see you tomorrow¡¯


    The note seemed to be wrote in Rosa¡¯s handwriting but the small mark in at the top right corner, which may seem just like a doodle to the unknowing eye, told Louie it was actually either James or Mary who wrote this. Combined with a time constraint, the note was most likely what led to the attacker leaving instead of searching the house more thoroughly. That also meant this creature could read, it could comprehend the human language. Louie ran his hand through his hair and scratched his head. Just what was he up against? It couldn¡¯t be bestial otherwise it¡¯d have found Rosa by scent plus James and Mary would¡¯ve been able to put up a greater fight. It was clear whatever they fought was so powerful they never stood a chance and by the sound of Rosa¡¯s story they didn¡¯t expect to be fighting it in the first place. But what get the could best of James Elacti? It had to be cunning, experienced, it¡¯d have to be ancient.


    ¡°Fucking hell¡± a voice abruptly gasped breathlessly from the upstairs landing. Louie exited Rosa¡¯s room to see Emma frozen in front in front of her parent¡¯s bedroom, staring deeply at the horrors it held. Before Louie could reach her, she entered, her feet treading through the fabricated pools of blood that flooded the room¡¯s floor. Louie and some of the officers, including Vanessa, followed her in. The room was as grim as both the first and second time he¡¯d seen it. The bedroom had been completely devasted and blood stained the walls, like a child had been allowed to play with paint unsupervised, lashing it everywhere and spilling all the cans. Emma stared darkly into the far corner of the room where the mangled and violated corpses of her parents lay, now barely recognisable. Unlike her younger sister, Emma didn¡¯t vomit and begin to hyperventilate instead she remained frozen, her muscles rigid and quivering. In her eyes burnt a wrath and sorrow Louie knew all too well. Her suddenly head snapped to Louie.


    ¡°What could¡¯ve done this?¡± she questioned.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know yet¡± Louie told her before leaving the room, there was nothing in there that could help him. Emma and the others quickly followed him out of the room with the final officer out closing the door seemingly eager to remove the view from their sight. Not that Louie blamed them for being disturbed.


    Louie sniffed the again, ever since the memoria stone activation he could smell it. The same strange thing he¡¯d smelt that night. Looking past the blood and decay there was something hiding. His body recognized the sensation and mind remembered the scent but neither would tell him what it was. A strange, rare smell that altered slightly with every whiff, never possessing one true scent. It was intoxicating like alcohol and perfume threatening to knock you unconscious if you let it grow too intense. Louie had smelt this before, he was certain he had. So why couldn¡¯t he identify it. Irritated he took in another whiff, but it only made his frustration deepen.


    ¡°What¡¯s that smell?¡± he questioned catching everyone off guard.


    ¡°Blood¡± Vanessa answered.


    Louie stared at her deadpan, as if she was an idiot. ¡°Not the blood¡± he muttered, ¡°the other scent hidden behind all the gore¡±.


    They all stared at him confused, some of officers looked at him worryingly like they thought he was going insane.


    ¡°Must be your enhanced senses¡± Vanessa stated.


    He sighed and darted towards the stairs heading backdown to the downstairs hall.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Emma asked trailing behind him.


    ¡°There¡¯s a smell. It was stronger when I was here on the actual night but the memoria stone definitely managed to capture it¡± Louie explained, ¡°I¡¯m certain I¡¯ve smelt it before, I just can¡¯t remember when and where¡±.


    Emma took in a deep breath through her nose but it was clear from her expression she was getting nothing however, unlike the officers she didn¡¯t look at him like he was insane and instead sniffed again searching for the underlying scent. Louie doubted she¡¯d be able to identify it, the last time he¡¯d smelt it, it had been strong and concentrated and that was most likely the only reason he could pick it out today, but still he appreciated her trust.


    Carefully, Louie maneuverered around the memoria stone and reached the hidden room beneath the stairs that Rosa had once hid in. Crouching down and peaking inside, his hand brushed over familiar symbols and markings painted and carved into the wood.


    ¡°hmm¡± he mused.


    Suddenly a device rang behind him. He glanced back to see Emma answering her phone. Her face was creased in confusion as the conversation begin however, in mere moments her expression twisted into worry and fear.


    ¡°We need to go. Now!¡± she stated.

 Chapter 20

    Just like she said she would, Sam explained everything she could to Rosa. She was born into a family of hunters, her parents would hunt together sometimes across the whole country. With Audrey in school for most of Sam¡¯s childhood, she was left alone with her parents providing her a youth of constant travelling. Unfortunately her parents were no longer among them, the injuries from what was their final hunt were just too great to recover from. Sam was orphaned at seven, left with only her eighteen-year-old sister to raise her. They returned to their home city of Liverpool to search out the aid of the hunters. As she grew older, Audrey began to implement Sam into the hunter organization. When she was fourteen she was put through the mutation process, whatever that meant, and was allocated her first assignment. Monitor and guard Rosa Elacti.


    The school morning went as normal, and Rosa found it refreshing after all the chaos that had possessed her life recently. Third period came to an end and the lunch break began. Like always Rosa and all her friends made their way to the canteen and found themselves a table. As Rosa ate the lunch Emma had prepared her, conversation flew across the table but Rosa wasn¡¯t paying any attention. She couldn¡¯t help but watch Sam, who was effortlessly socialising with their friends, all of them none the wiser to the truth. Rosa was impressed, Sam played the part immaculately, you would never second guess her for a seventeen-year-old, but then again was she even playing a part? Is that not just who Sam was.


    ¡°Rosa you ok?¡± one her friends suddenly asked, ¡°you haven¡¯t spoken all lunch¡±.


    Rosa snapped from her daze. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m just ¡­ thinking¡±.


    ¡°Everything alright?¡±.


    ¡°Yes¡± Rosa lied with a forged smile, ¡°Everything¡¯s fine¡±.


    Despite giving her sceptical eyes her friend accepted Rosa¡¯s response and the conversation moved along.


    ¡°So are you guys got any plans for Halloween?¡± one of them asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a party¡±.


    ¡°Same¡±.


    ¡°Taking my little brother and sister trick or treating¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got work¡± Sam grumbled.


    ¡°Same¡± Rosa said and technically she was telling the truth. Everyone glanced at her confused.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you got a job¡± one of them said, ¡°what do you do?¡±.


    Rosa froze up, she hadn¡¯t thought that far ahead. She couldn¡¯t exactly tell them the truth about what she¡¯s been doing, even if Rosa did she highly doubted they¡¯d even believe her.


    ¡°You¡¯re helping out your sister aren¡¯t you?¡± Sam quickly asked.


    Rosa was saved. She nodded. ¡°Yeah, Em and her friend have asked for my help¡±. Their friends offered out their sympathies to Sam and Rosa of their misfortune of having to deal with work on Halloween and their lunch break came to an end.


    As they shared the same lesson fourth period, Rosa and Sam bid their friends farewell and left the canteen together. They¡¯d ended up leaving long after the bell and would probably be late for their lesson but as result the courtyard they walked across was completely empty. A strange peaceful tranquillity hummed upon the wind.


    ¡°Are you actually helping out your sister on Halloween?¡± Sam asked, ¡°I just said that to help you out¡±.


    ¡°Probably. Knowing me, I¡¯ll try and force my way into whatever Louie and Emma are doing¡± Rosa said.


    Sam chuckled. ¡°I still can¡¯t believe you know Louie Huntor. And not just know, you¡¯re also living with him¡± Sam said with childish excitement. Sam spoke as if she was talking about her childhood hero, as if Rosa knew Father Christmas himself.


    ¡°You work with him¡± Rosa stated.


    ¡°Technically yes. But he¡¯s not the type of person to hang around and interact with the HQ or organisation. Louie only comes in to speak with Commander Ruthor or his old friends¡± Sam explained, her voice expressing a slight disappointment.


    ¡°Why do you care?¡± Rosa questioned, completely baffled by Sam¡¯s expression, ¡°It¡¯s only Louie¡±. I mean he was her saviour, but at the end of the day Louie was just another normal man. Wasn¡¯t he?


    Sam stared at Rosa in disbelief, her mouth hanging agape. In fact she almost looked offended.


    ¡®Clearly not¡¯.


    ¡°He¡¯s a living legend. Along with Zack Griffin he¡¯s unrivalled in the hunter world¡± Sam informed, her eyes sparkling.


    Sam¡¯s words left Rosa lost and searching for her own. Curiosity began to burn deep within her. Just who exactly was Louie then? She thought about how everyone had respected her father¡¯s name and memory. Just who were the Elacti¡¯s in this other world?


    Rosa went to bombard Sam with questions however, before she could even attempt to, her friends expression halted in her tracks. Sam had gone pale. Her eyes wide and pupils quivering as they aimed beyond Rosa. Rosa knew that expression. Dread. Fear.


    Rosa spun around and instantly the tranquillity she felt before vanished. Standing upon the tiled roof of the furthest building across the school campus was a beast of nightmares, capable of striking more fear into a soul than a Direhound could ever hope to. A giant muscular figure coated in wild, black fur and wide, pointy ears rose from above its burning crimson eyes.


    ¡°What the hell is that?¡± Rosa muttered. Sam tightly grasped her arm and ragged them both into a sprint across the courtyard. Rosa was dragged inside the closest building. She looked back. The creature was nowhere to be seen. Sam¡¯s grip remaining a steel vice, she led Rosa through the buildings corridor¡¯s. From a quick scan of the halls and rooms, Rosa figured out they were in the English block, which was found near the front of campus and led out onto the school¡¯s entrance courtyard. That was good, they kept the school gates open at all times for sixth formers, meaning they could escape. But then again should they run for it? Rosa thought, would they be able to escape this creature?


    As Sam continued to hurriedly drag her along the corridor Rosa glanced out the windows of the classrooms they passed, searching for any hint of the monster¡¯s location, but there was nothing. They came to a halt inside an open room where numerous corridors joined together.


    ¡°We need to get out of here¡± Sam whispered in order to not alert nearby classrooms, ¡°we can¡¯t risk it attacking innocents¡±.


    Rosa nodded in agreement. ¡°What the hell is that thing?¡± she questioned, keeping her voice low.


    ¡°A vampiric monstrosity called a Camaz, named after the Mayan death bat. For as you can see good reasons¡± Sam informed, ¡°think of it as giant bat mixed with a werewolf¡±, Sam¡¯s voice fell even lower, ¡°this is way out of my league¡±. Rosa heard a metallic clink from Sam¡¯s shoulder bag as she pulled it closer to her side.


    ¡°So what¡¯s the plan?¡± Rosa asked, pulling her own bag closer and feeling the dagger it contained firmly on her back.


    ¡°We make a run for it¡± Sam said.


    ¡°Do you think we can escape?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°Yes¡± Sam nodded however her voice suggested the opposite. Rosa observed as Sam took in a deep breath and let out a long exhale. She turned away from the windows to face Rosa with determined eyes. ¡°Can you call your sister or Louie?¡± she questioned.


    ¡°My sister¡± Rosa confirmed and retrieved her phone, quickly finding Emma in her contacts.


    ¡°Alright we¡¯re going to slowly make our way to the exit¡± Sam told her while the phone buzzed.


    Steadily and constantly keeping an eye on their surroundings they made their way through the rest of the building. By the fourth ring Emma answered.


    ¡°Emma¡± Rosa said desperately, ¡°we¡¯re under attack at the school and need help. Desperately¡±.


    ¡®We need to go. Now!¡¯ Rosa heard her sister tell someone. ¡®We¡¯re on our way now Rosa sit tight. Is Sam with you?¡¯ Emma asked, concern lacing her voice.


    ¡°Yes¡± Rosa replied.


    ¡®Good stay with her. We¡¯ll be outside the entrance soon¡¯ Emma informed before the call ended. Suddenly Rosa was ragged once again and before she knew it they we¡¯re sprinting down the building halls.


    ¡°It was outside the window¡± Sam told her, ¡°It¡¯s getting desperate meaning we need to get away from everyone here unless we want to risk them getting torn apart¡±.


    ¡°We¡¯ll fight it outside¡± Rosa said. Her voice carrying a confidence that she didn¡¯t know she possessed. ¡°Do you have any weapons?¡±.


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    ¡°I have my rifle. But this isn¡¯t a creature we can fight Rosa. Best case scenario it kills us instantly so we not devoured alive¡± Sam said.


    ¡°It wants me yeah?¡± Rosa said ignoring Sam¡¯s pleas, ¡°so I¡¯ll go out first and act as bait. When it attacks you shoot¡±.


    Sam glanced back at Rosa stunned. ¡°I¡¯m not risking your life Rosa. In case you forgot, my whole job here is to protect you¡± Sam stated.


    ¡°You won¡¯t be risking my life. I will¡± Rosa said, ¡°and when you shoot it in the face you¡¯ll also be protecting me. So, no matter what, you¡¯ll be doing your job. Plus you said we can¡¯t stay here, we can¡¯t risk the monster harming any student or teacher¡±.


    Rosa heard Sam curse under her breath but she made no attempt to argue. They reached the end of the corridor, the school¡¯s entrance visible through the window integrated into the door.


    Stopping in front of the door Sam turned and faced Rosa. ¡°You understand failure here means death right?¡± Sam asked. Her eyes were dark and intense, they weren¡¯t of the friend Rosa knew, that was the gaze of a warrior trained to hunt the supernatural.


    ¡°Death is all I¡¯ve been surrounded by recently. What¡¯s one more acquaintance¡± Rosa joked, though she could tell her humour never reached her eyes.


    Sam nodded. She glanced around searching for any students or teachers and then unzipped her bag. She retrieved a number of items, all clearly pieces of some kind of rifle. With no wasted movements and expert speed, Sam assembled her weapon. Rosa stared stunned, before she could even get a good look at each individual section Sam had assembled a sniper rifle. The firearm had a varnished wooden body and dark grey metallic barrel and scope. Rosa glanced up through the door at the courtyard she was about to sprint across. If she was going to enter a battle with a monster she might as well be as prepared as possible. As Sam performed some final checks on her weapon, Rosa unzipped her own bag and pulled out the dagger Louie had given her. A weapon supposedly enchanted so it could harm any monster she faced.


    ¡°Leave you backpack on¡± Sam told her, ¡°although it may slow you slightly it¡¯ll offer some protection and you may be able to throw it as a distraction¡±.


    Rosa nodded and pulled her bag back onto her back. Gripping the dagger tightly she stood.


    ¡°Ready?¡± Sam asked. Rosa glanced down at her friend who was pulling a small vial from her shirt. It contained an opaque and cloudy liquid.


    ¡°Ready¡± Rosa confirmed.


    Sam downed the vial¡¯s contents and readied her rifle. ¡°Go¡± she commanded.


    Without hesitation Rosa burst through the door onto the courtyard, instantly entering a sprint. She pushed her body as hard as possible and blitzed towards the entrance gates. Rosa didn¡¯t dare look back but within moments there was an ear shattering bang. That would surely alert the entire school but hopefully they¡¯d be out of sight by then. Rosa sprinted through the gate and onto the street, not slowing down for a moment. A rifle roared again, this time a lot closer to Rosa than she¡¯d like to admit.


    ¡°Drop to the ground!¡± Sam bellowed. Rosa dived to the ground and the air violently rippled across her back. A large shadow rocketed over where her body once was and crashed down into the road ahead. Rosa stared up into burning crimson eyes. Her body scrambled back and she recovered to her feet. The camaz stood on all fours before her in all its terrifying, vampiric grotesque. Sam was right, its appearance resembled the gruesome birth of a vampire bat and Lycanthrope. Nine-inch razor claws on its hands and feet, long canine fangs sprouted from its bloodied maw and huge, leathery black wings were stitched across its arms and torso.


    The camaz recoiled as something struck its arm and the shot of a firearm echoed through the air. The monster let out a guttural growl and its fur began to stain crimson, it turned away from Rosa back towards the school entrance where Sam was sprinting towards them, her rifle held high. Something was different about her, Rosa noticed, something strange and terrifying. As if she¡¯d sacrificed part of her humanity for bestial power. Sam was moving faster than should be humanly possible all while carrying and operating a sniper rifle. Her eyes where completely engulfed in white, no iris or pupil to be seen, and black veins rose were distinctly visible beneath her skin around her eyes and neck.


    ¡®Just what the hell was in that vial?¡¯ Rosa questioned.


    Sam fired off another shot at the monster¡¯s head, however this time the camaz was ready. It moved with unreal speed, that Rosa couldn¡¯t even comprehend. In the blink of an eye the camaz was in front of Sam its claws raised high. Its arm became a blur as it swiped for Sam¡¯s head. To Rosa¡¯s disbelief, Sam managed to duck and barley avoid being decapitated. With determination in her expression, the hunter advanced even closer pointing up her rifle, giving herself a guaranteed angle at the camaz¡¯s head. However, to even Sam¡¯s surprise the camaz clamped down onto the end of her rifle with its jaw. The thick muscles on its neck bulged beneath its fur and the rifle was torn from Sam¡¯s hands and lashed across the street. Sam let loose a curse but without delay she leapt back and pulled out a mat black pistol. Instantly she began unloading the weapon¡¯s cartridge into the camaz. The bullets struck into the monster¡¯s chest but unlike the sniper rifle had little effect, hindered by the creature¡¯s thick fur and muscle. With an annoyed snarl, the camaz advanced.


    Rosa whistled. ¡°Over here!¡± she shouted before launching herself into a sprint. Like everything recently the monster seemed to be after her, so she placed a strong bet on it focusing her instead of Sam. Unfortunately she was right.


    Before she even ran ten steps, the camaz hit her hard. It felt as if a car had rammed into her back. Rosa went flying across the road and without even giving her a moment to recover the monster was on top her, its hot, foul breath suffocating her. Saliva dripped onto her face snapping her from her pained daze and she felt the dagger fortunately still in her hand. Rosa¡¯s body moved on its own, she plunged the dagger between the monster¡¯s neck and shoulder. Smoke began to leak from the wound and without pause the camaz let out an agonizing roar. Suddenly the monster tightly clamped its claws around Rosa¡¯s hand, threatening to break every bone from her wrist up. With ease it pulled the dagger from it neck and turned Rosa¡¯s body into a ragdoll. She was dragged up off the ground and violently thrown across the road, smashing into a car door. Her nervous system screamed as if it had been set on fire and every molecule of air rushed from Rosa¡¯s body in a pained gasp. Her body slumped to the ground, the dagger clattering down beside her head. She tried to raise head but her body wouldn¡¯t respond to her, all she could manage was to barley open her eye lids, revealing distorted vision. Through blurry eyes she could make out burning crimson above her and the shimmer of claws raised high, Rosa tried to grab the dagger and sit up but no matter how much she strained her body wouldn¡¯t listen.


    ¡°Flare¡±. Rosa just about heard Sam call out through her ringing ears. A burst of flames struck the camaz¡¯s back. The monster snarled and spun away from Rosa towards a blurry figure, that Rosa figured was Sam. There was an orange glow in her raised hand that quickly began to fade. The blurry Sam equipped her pistol once again and began unloading shots at he monster¡¯s head. However, the camaz was too fast, it leapt between the shots and blocked with its body. In an instant the camaz was next to Sam, it pounced and the hunter managed to roll out the way. Slowly Rosa¡¯s vision began to return and she watched as Sam weaved in between the monsters slashes and charges, avoiding each one by a hair. Suddenly the camaz flew high into the air and came plummeting down on top of Sam. Rosa¡¯s body screamed as she attempted to force it to move but the only response it gave her was agony. Her vision became clear as the creature came down on top of her friend.


    ¡°Vis¡± she heard Sam chant. Sam¡¯s hand trembled as it tightened into a fist, like it was struggling to contain a powerful force. The space around her fist began to distort, as if it was being pushed away and Sam threw a punch. Her fist cracked against the camaz¡¯s jaw and suddenly an invisible force erupted from Sam¡¯s fist and slammed into the camaz.


    The monster was launched back, it flew across the road and smashed into a car with enough force to cave in the door. However, unlike Rosa the camaz didn¡¯t seem too fazed by being thrown threw a car. With a rageful growl its hands clawed deep into the car and it pulled itself free. It glared at Sam with murderous intent. Rosa managed to turn her head enough that she could get a good view of her friend. She felt what colour was left in her skin drain. Sam was hunching over and panting like she¡¯d just ran an entire lap of the school. Whatever, she¡¯d done before had taken everything she had left in the tank.


    The camaz charged towards the hunter. Sam tried to leap out the way but to Rosa¡¯s panic she was too slow. The camaz powerfully struck Sam, with such force Rosa heard something crack. Sam was sent skidding along the ground. As she came to a stop the camaz slowly stalked towards her however, friend couldn¡¯t do anything but clasp her ribs and force painful breaths in and out her body. Rose watched helplessly with horror-stricken eyes as impending death approached her best friend. The camaz stood over Sam. The hunter glanced up at the creature a dark, stoic expression masking her face and she stared her death in the face. The camaz raised its claws.


    ¡°No!¡± Rosa managed to scream, the words burning as they left her throat. Suddenly something surged inside, Rosa didn¡¯t know what it was she¡¯d never felt anything like it before, it was like pure heat was flowing around her. Beginning from deep within her chest it rushed around her body like a rampaging animal, filling every space it could find and as Rosa screamed it erupted from her body. The air quaked and it almost seemed like space was bending. Without warning the camaz¡¯s arm snapped backwards and a sharp sound of bones splintering echoed through the air. The monster let loose an yelp and stumbled back from Sam, who just stared bewildered by what had just happened. Which was a very good question, what had just happened?


    ¡®Was that me?¡¯ Rosa wondered, thinking back to that strange power she¡¯d just felt inside her.


    However, despite her confusion and queries she didn¡¯t have any time to think as the monster turned back to her, a hateful, guttural growl burning in its throat.


    ¡®Mierda¡¯.


    Sam, tried to get to her feet and attack but whatever injury she¡¯d gained halted her, a violent pain flashing across her desperate eyes. The camaz grew closer, Rosa cried at her body to move, and surprisingly it listened. She quickly noticed that her pain had been subdued and she could actually feel her limbs, well just about. Clumsily Rosa grasped her dagger and rose to her feet leaning on the car for support. The fact that it had lost an arm no longer seemed to bother the camaz as it charged forward on three limbs and leapt towards her. Rosa raised the dagger, she just needed once hit, she thought. Suddenly there was an ear-splitting screech on the road. A black blur slammed into the camaz, knocking it out the air and down the road. Hands grabbed hold of Rosa and she flinched back into someone. Glancing back she was met with Emma¡¯s face contorted by stress and rage.


    ¡®If Emma is here then that means-¡¯.


    Rosa¡¯s head snapped back towards the monster. Louie Huntor stood before the camaz.


    Like it was all the monster¡¯s only instinct, the camaz pounced at the new combatant. However at even faster speeds, Louie dashed forward and grabbed hold of the camaz. Using its momentum against it, he swung the monster through the air and slammed it down against the asphalt ground. Without delay the camaz sprang back up towards Louie, but the hunter stepped to the side and tore one of the creatures canines from its maw. Not giving the creature a second to even realise what had happened to it, Louie plunged the fang into the camaz¡¯s eye. The monster recoiled back screaming and blood spurted from its burst eye. Without warning Emma claimed the dagger from Rosa¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Louie!¡± her sister called out before launching the dagger at him.


    Louie caught the weapon with ease and stepped into the camaz. He stabbed the camaz through its chest, into what Rosa could only guess was the monster¡¯s heart. The camaz screamed and black smoke billowed from the wound. Suddenly the monster¡¯s body was set ablaze by violent, bright blue flames. The creature let out a few final whimpers before the flames turned its body to ash.


    ¡°Everyone in the car¡± Louie said, before collecting Sam¡¯s rifle and rushing to the girls side, picking her up off the ground. Instantly, Emma began to pull Rosa away towards Louie¡¯s car that was still running in the road behind them.

 Chapter 21

    As soon as they arrived at HQ, Rosa and Sam were taken to the infirmary. They even managed to obtain themselves a private room and, not only that, according to Sam they¡¯d also got themselves assigned the division¡¯s head doctor. Courtesy of Louie and Audrey. The room contained a few beds and some complicated looking machinery that Rosa couldn¡¯t be bothered to try and comprehend, ¡®medical stuff¡¯ she guessed.


    Rosa didn¡¯t know why, but the Hunter HQ having an infirmary never once crossed her mind. The more she was left to think about it the more of an idiot she felt, an organisation based around hunting murderous creatures of hell were bound to get injured and need a place to receive care. It wasn¡¯t like hunters could exactly walk into a normal hospital with the claw wounds of a werewolf. How would you explain that?


    The infirmary was greater in size than the lobby at the front of the HQ, except it was separated into lots of smaller rooms for doctors, patients and storage.


    The room she found herself in had bright white walls enhanced by the warm comforting lights that shone down from the ceiling. Rosa sat was sat on a bed with thin blue covers as she patiently waited to be discharged. She¡¯d told her doctor she felt completely fine many times but Dr Sana wouldn¡¯t be wavered. It was like trying to persuade a brick wall to move aside. After fighting a failing battle Rosa accepted she wouldn¡¯t be going anyway until the doctor had analysed her.


    Sam was laying across bed beside Rosa as Dr Sana performed her final checks. It turned out the camaz had shattered half her ribs, snapped her collarbone as well given her some nasty bruising and cuts.


    The doctor pulled out a tube holding a strange vibrant concoction, that looked as if it came straight from a fantasy novel, from her white coat and fed it to Sam. Despite Rosa¡¯s scepticism, in moments of Sam consuming the elixir the colour had returned to her skin, the grimace and strain faded from Sam¡¯s face and her body seemed to relax.


    ¡°Alright Sam, all you need now is some rest and you¡¯ll fighting ready by tomorrow¡± Dr Sana said.


    Sam smiled weakly. ¡°Thanks Bianca¡± she said before relaxing her head into the hospital pillow. Dr Sana then turned and walked over to Rosa. She was a pretty woman with hazel eyes and smooth, dark brown hair tied back away from her face that looked like it hadn¡¯t aged since her early twenties. In fact now that Rosa thought about it nearly everyone she¡¯d met in this world looked extremely young. Louie, Audrey, Emma, Sam, even her parents who she knew were well into their forties never looked a day past thirty. Why was that? It was like some strange force was preserving their youth and prime conditions.


    ¡°So Rosa I understand your eager to escape¡± Dr Sana smiled, ¡°I¡¯ll make this as fast possible. Lie down please¡±. Rosa nodded with a sheepish smile and then maneuverered herself onto her back. The doctor equipped a pair of new latex gloves and gently applied pressure across Rosa¡¯s entire body, searching for any possible damage. But just like Rosa had been saying, Dr Sana found nothing. Rosa couldn¡¯t explain it but despite being thrown into a car like a pebble she now felt completely fine. After travelling from Rosa¡¯s head all the way to her feet, Dr Sana nodded satisfied and threw away the latex gloves.


    ¡°Just one last check¡± she announced. Carefully, Dr Sana placed her hand onto Rosa¡¯s sternum and closed her eyes. Rosa watched stunned as, a glowing stream of green light began to flow across the back of Dr Sana¡¯s around forming a strange twirling symbol bisected by a straight line. Suddenly a strange warmth spread across Rosa¡¯s body, like she was being gently hugged by an invisible force. It felt as if it was taking hold of each and every one of her cells and analysing their condition. Eventually after the strange warmth was content with its work it withdrew back to Dr Sana and she lifted her hand off Rosa¡¯s chest.


    ¡°You were right¡± Dr Sana stated in disbelief, ¡°I don¡¯t know how but despite slight exhaustion your body is completely fine. You¡¯re fine to be discharged¡±.


    ¡°Thank you Dr Sana¡± Rosa said happily.


    ¡°Hopefully the next time we meet won¡¯t be here¡± Dr Sana said with a smile, ¡°oh and Louie wants you to head to Commander Ruthor¡¯s office¡±/


    Rosa nodded as she hopped off the bed and walked towards the infirmary door.


    ¡°See you later Sam¡± Rosa said. Sam made a weak attempt to wave goodbye but never opened her eyes or moved her head, like she was trying to fight off a migraine. Wanting to let her friend get some rest, Rosa quickly made her exit.Stolen novel; please report.


    Unfortunately due to all the chaos, Rosa hadn¡¯t remembered the way she¡¯d been brought to the infirmary and therefore had no idea how to get back to the lobby, never mind Ruthor¡¯s office. She spent the next ten minutes mindlessly wandering around dimly lit cryptic halls until finally she ran into an officer who was able to guide her back to the lobby.


    The vast room was as busy and filled to the brim with officers as last time, it still completely baffled how different it now was to that silent and desolate room she¡¯d first sat in. Rosa cautiously made her way across the room, trying her utmost best to get in no one¡¯s way. She failed miserably. Red faced, she followed her memories and strolled down the long corridor until she successfully made it to the end where she found Commander Ruthor¡¯s office.


    As she approached she could hear voices booming from inside. It sounded as if an argument was taking place.


    ¡°What the hell is a Camaz doing out of South America and here of all places?¡±. Rosa heard a woman question. That voice. She quickly recognised it from the night of her first hunt, Audrey Lelan, Sam¡¯s older sister.


    ¡°It¡¯s following someone¡¯s commands¡± Emma replied, ¡°otherwise it would¡¯ve butchered every student and teacher it sensed¡±.


    ¡°To control a camaz you¡¯d need to be at least at the level of a vampire prince¡±. She heard Ruthor growl.


    Slowly and silently, Rosa grew closer to the door.


    ¡°So where dealing with a vampire prince. Great¡± Audrey grumbled.


    ¡°Or something even greater¡± Louie stated.


    ¡°What? Do you think we¡¯re dealing with a vampire lord?¡± Emma asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know yet¡± Louie answered.


    ¡°Do you think this creature could be responsible for everything that¡¯s happened?¡± Ruthor questioned. The room went silent and Rosa got the feeling they were all looking to Louie.


    ¡°How long are you going to wait out there?¡± Louie asked loudly. Rosa panicked and leapt away from the door. ¡°I¡¯m certain I asked Bianca to send you into Ruthor¡¯s office, not to eaves drop outside¡±.


    ¡®How did he-?¡¯ Rosa begin to question as she sheepishly twisted the door handle and slid into the office.


    ¡°It sounded important¡± Rosa muttered, ¡°I didn¡¯t want to interrupt¡±.


    ¡°It is important. But it also involves you and therefore you have a right to know what¡¯s happening¡± Louie told her. He stood leaning against the far wall. Ruthor sat at his desk while Audrey sat on crossed legged on the corner of the desk, Emma was leaning beside the office¡¯s door and Rosa quickly took a place beside her, folding her arms identical to her sister. Louie turned back towards Ruthor.


    ¡°No I don¡¯t¡± Louie admitted, ¡°however, I do think there¡¯s a good chance this monster is linked to James¡¯s case¡±.


    ¡°James¡¯s case?¡± Audrey asked.


    ¡°Before his passing, James left me orders. One of those of orders was to assign Louie a specific hunt¡± Ruthor explained. He turned to Louie. ¡°As it¡¯s your case, Louie you have the lead. How do you want to proceed? The division¡¯s resources are at your disposal¡±.


    ¡°Thanks¡± Louie replied plainly, ¡°but for now I need nothing, I¡¯ve got to do something first. Rosa lets go. You¡¯re going to want to get some rest. Tomorrow morning we¡¯re going on a little trip¡±.


    Rosa¡¯s brows furrowed however before she could open her mouth, Audrey jumped off the desk.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re going to organise a meeting¡± Audrey asked ominously.


    Louie responded with a grim nod before leaving the wall. ¡°I¡¯m not left with much of a choice¡±. He then made his way out of the room.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back tomorrow night¡± he called back. Frowning, Emma propped herself up off the wall and trailed him out, Rosa quickly followed suit. As she walked through the door, she gave Ruthor and Audrey a wave.


    ¡°Have fun¡± Audrey grinned and waved back, Ruthor gave her a firm nod as the door closed. By the time she glanced round, Louie and Emma were already halfway down the hall. Rosa entered a light jog to catch up.


    ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± Emma asked Louie. Rosa detected a hint of caution in her voice.


    ¡°I am¡± Louie responded.


    ¡°Should I not come too?¡±.


    ¡°No. The division needs you here. We¡¯ll be fine Em, nothing bad is going to happen¡±.


    Her sister sighed but nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± Rosa asked, struggling to keep up with their walking speed even while maintaining her jog. What the hell was their pace?


    ¡°It¡¯ll be easier to show you then explain¡± Louie stated, ¡°but if it helps we¡¯re travelling inland of the country¡±. It didn¡¯t help.


    They entered the HQ lobby.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got some work to get done, so I¡¯ll see you back at the house later¡± Emma announced before vanishing through one the many doors that ran along the lobby walls. Rosa really wanted to know what was through all of them doors, this entire building was like a labyrinth of mystery and prospect. It ignited her curiosity like wood to a flame. Louie and Rosa carried on forward and left the HQ. She followed him silently all the way down the side road and across the car park. The silence threatened to follow them home but once at the car Louie came to an abrupt stop. He turned to Rosa and pulled something out the inside of his coat.


    ¡°I believe this is yours¡± he said. In his hand was her black jagged dagger. He offered out the weapon and Rosa graciously accepted it.


    ¡°Thank you¡± she said. Her fingers carefully traced over the blade as it filled her with reassurance. Rosa hadn¡¯t realised how much she¡¯d missed having it on her.


    ¡°I heard you managed to stab the camaz¡± Louie said, ¡°not bad. Not bad at all¡±. To Rosa¡¯s surprise, a slight smile cracked across his icy face. Without another word he got into the car.


    Holding onto the dagger tight, Rosa couldn¡¯t help but let a grin shape her mouth.

 Chapter 22

    Another a yawn escaped her body as the car¡¯s engine hummed like a lullaby as they travelled down the motorway. But even with its temptations Rosa couldn¡¯t sleep. Whenever her eyes shit, her thoughts transformed her mind into a warzone, contesting where they could possibly be travelling.


    ¡°I told you we¡¯d be leaving early and that you should get some rest¡± Louie said.


    ¡°I did rest¡± Rosa snapped grumpily, ¡°I just didn¡¯t expect you to wake me at four in the morning¡±.


    Louie chuckled to himself. ¡°Unfortunate¡±.


    ¡®Pendejo¡¯.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it won¡¯t be long now¡± Louie added.


    He flipped on his signals and began to move across lanes. The car then left the motorway and drove down a slip road. She glanced up at the sky, after travelling inland for over two hours, light was finally beginning to crack the night darkness. For the last hour they¡¯d been in areas you could barely consider urban however, now there wasn¡¯t civilisation in sight. They drove down long winding roads through woodlands and fields coated in shadows, never spotting another soul. They entered another forest and accepting that she wouldn¡¯t be able to figure out where they¡¯re going, Rosa relaxed back into the car seat and closed her eyes, hoping to maybe catch a little sleep.


    Her hand brushed down across her leg and landed comfortably on her dagger, which was now strapped to her thigh. This morning Louie had gifted her a sheath, just like he said he would. Bathing in the insurance and safety the weapon brought, Rosa tried to concentrate on the car¡¯s hum and vibrations hoping they¡¯d would carry her to rest. But after ten minutes of failure she accepted her mind was too active, no longer on the possibilities of where they¡¯re going but on yesterday¡¯s events. The day had created too many questions, the hunters organisation and whatever the mutations are, what was that strange surge of power she felt inside her during the battle with the camaz? Giving up on sleep, her eyes eagerly snapped open and she turned to Louie. Like the whole trip he was a statue, Gaze locked forward and his body focusing on nothing but driving. He kind of reminded her of a robot in how once he


    set himself a task, his life would revolve around nothing


    else until said task was complete.


    ¡°Louie¡± Rosa began.


    ¡°hmmm¡± he mused, his focus never leaving their environment.


    ¡°What are the mutations?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°In biology?¡± he asked, clearly confused by her abrupt question.


    ¡°In terms of hunters¡± Rosa specified.


    ¡°Where did you hear about that?¡± Louie asked his eyes leaving the road for the first time to focus on her.


    ¡°Sam¡± Rosa answered.


    He sighed and his head sunk slightly. ¡°It¡¯s a grim process hunters and some officers go through ¡­ It preserves us in our prime condition, enhancing our physicality and senses, making us more equipped to combat monsters and the supernatural¡± Louie explained.


    ¡°Is that why everyone looks so young then?¡±.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Louie nodded.


    ¡°Are hunters immortal?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°No, hunters live just as normal humans. I mean it is possible buy very rare for the mutation to extend life expectancy. Longer life will commonly be due to other aspects¡±.


    ¡°Wait so, this mutation process helps preserve your prime and therefore youth¡±, he nodded, ¡°so how old actually are you all?¡± Rosa asked curiously.


    ¡°I¡¯m Twenty-eight¡±.


    ¡°What?!¡± Rosa asked shocked, she knew he wasn¡¯t twenty like he looked but she never expected he was nearly thirty.


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡± Louie stated and Rosa quickly looked down, stifling a grin.


    They surfaced from the forest and Rosa found herself entering into a lone valley, which was faintly lit by dawn¡¯s navy light. The car took a right turn off the road and onto a poorly made dirt path. They must¡¯ve drove a mile, becoming fully encased by the towering mounds of the valley, when the dirt road came to a sudden end. Louie brought the car to a stop and parked up at the end of the dirt road.


    ¡°You¡¯ve brought me to an empty valley?¡± Rosa asked, confused at their surroundings, there was nothing in sight. For the first time in her life Rosa felt like she could say she was actually in the middle of nowhere.


    ¡°We need to walk from here¡± Louie told her, ¡°around two miles¡±.


    ¡°Two miles! Why can¡¯t we drive on further?¡± Rosa questioned, looking at how flat the ground ahead was.


    ¡°My car¡¯s not made to go off road and I don¡¯t want to damage her. Come on, a walk will be good for you¡± Louie said before getting at the car. Rosa grumbled but still proceeded to out the car, a two mile a walk was definitely on the list of the last things she wanted to do this morning.


    Instantly her body shuddered as a cold breeze bit at her skin. Great, ¡®cold and exhausted¡¯, she felt her teenage angst complain. Thank god she¡¯d brough her winter coat.


    They wandered down the valley for what felt like an eternity and Rosa wasn¡¯t ashamed to admit she sulked the entire time. However, the one thing wouldn¡¯t admit was that Louie was right, After not even a few hundred metres the valley had become a treacherous field of rocks, mud and absolutely no flat land. Louie had tried to cheer her up with conversation, but it was clear that Emma was right, he still hadn¡¯t regained his ability to socialise. It was honestly a little entertaining. He would awkwardly try and ask about the weather and temperature, and despite his efforts the conversations would only last a few moments. But to be fair he had been trying, Rosa considered, she¡¯d just been grumpy and refused to entertain them.


    ¡°Sam drank this strange liquid before fighting the camaz¡± Rosa said.


    ¡°Cloudy and opaque?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah. Do you what it is?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°Noctrm. It¡¯s a serum hunters and any mutated can consume to fully awaken their abilities. For a limited time it further enhances our physicality, senses, reflexes and any other abilities the consumer may possess¡± Louie explained.


    ¡°For the mutated¡± Rosa mused, ¡°I take it that if an ordinary person took it¡±.


    ¡°Death¡± Louie confirmed, ¡°Hunters can also only take one dose at a time otherwise they¡¯ll overdoes and suffer the same fate¡±.


    Rosa happily satiated her curiosity with the new information. She decided to shoot for the biggest question that had been bothering her.


    ¡°What happens during the mutation process?¡± Rosa asked carefully, from his answer earlier it sounded like a sensitive topic. However despite her concerns, Louie showed no sign of irritation or disturbance. But he also gave her no answer.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you another time¡± he eventually said, ¡°We¡¯re here¡±.


    Rosa¡¯s brows furrowed as she glanced around in confusion. Despite the sky almost reaching full light, there was nothing insight. Just grass, mud, rock and the towering valley, they¡¯d been walking through for over a mile. She took another stepped forward and the air suddenly shimmered, as if she¡¯d stepped through an invisible portal. Stunned, her body spun round scanning her new surroundings. The valley had vanished and she found herself in a vast, flat, grassy field. The field was completely empty except for a lone wooden shack that sat in the distance ahead.


    ¡°It¡¯s similar to how we hide the HQ¡± Louie explained, ¡°Just a more ancient method¡±.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Rosa asked. She pointed ahead at the lone shack. Despite being the only thing in sight it looked ¡­ insignificant. Poorly, constructed from old wood, it wouldn¡¯t surprise Rosa if the wind took it down any moment. However, as every moment passed it continued to stand strong, not trembling for even a moment.


    ¡°That is our destination¡± Louie informed, ¡°One of the very few places left that allows you to convene with people elsewhere. Functions off old magic. We¡¯re talking thousands of years old¡±


    ¡°Who are we meeting?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°The Vampire covenant¡±.

 Chapter 23 – Vampire Covenant

    Even now, standing in front of the shack, Rosa¡¯s opinion hadn¡¯t changed. This structure still standing defied all reason of reality. However now that she was closer, Rosa spotted many symbols carved around the decrepit wooden door, some that she definitely recognised. Had they not been at the HQ? And at Louie¡¯s house?


    ¡°What are they?¡± Rosa asked gesturing to the border of symbols.


    ¡°Runes¡± Louie responded, ¡°in simple terms, they channel magic to perform a specific function¡±.


    ¡°What do those ones do?¡±.


    Louie glanced over the runes. ¡°Help maintain the buildings integrity ¡­ as well as keep certain unwanted creatures out ¡­ and in¡±.


    ¡®In?¡¯. Rosa felt the hairs on her arms raise.


    Louie grabbed the door¡¯s rusted handle. He pulled the door open and an eerie squeak screeched across the empty field. Without a moment of hesitation Louie entered and Rosa quickly followed, making sure to stick close to him, she had no desire to be alone out here.


    The shack¡¯s interior was completely barren and shrouded in darkness, the only light leaking in through spaces in the worn walls. The structure had been built on a smooth surface of stone and at its centre, through the gloom, Rosa could see a ring of even more runes had been drawn in chalk.


    Louie placed a hand on Rosa¡¯s shoulder, gesturing for her to remain back. He approached the circle of runes, standing just outside the circumference, he retrieved a small piece of paper from his coat and placed it in the centre of the floor. The paper was completely plain except for what seemed be a crest drawn in deep red that strongly resembled blood.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move and stay calm¡± Louie said. He then pulled out a small leather bag. emptying its contents into his hand, Rosa could see it had held a glistening grey powder.


    ¡°Pactum Upir¡± Louie called out, a strange accent lining his words. He lashed the powder down into the circle. The runes began to hum green and suddenly there was eruption of vigorous emerald flames, bathing the room in an ominous jade light. The flames engulfed the entire circle and towered above her, its fiery tendrils reaching six feet into the air. It took every iota of discipline Rosa held to not leap back in panic. Louie calmly took a step back and quietly watched the flames as they viciously whipped at the air. Worryingly, the flames continued to grow more feral now lashing out past the circle of runes. The fire froze. The once rampaging flames retracted back into the circle. To Rosa watched speechless, they began to contort and merge, constructing shapes ¡­ no silhouettes. The flames were building people. Suddenly the flames extinguished and shadows once again stretched across the shack. Rosa instinctively stood a step towards Louie. Standing inside of the runes where three beings, not forged from emerald flames but from flesh, hair and cloth.


    ¡®How the hell?¡¯.


    ¡°They¡¯re not actually here, think of it like a video call¡± Louie said quietly, ¡°just keep calm¡±.


    Rosa nodded weakly, her gaze not leaving the newcomers. The vampires. So this was the Vampire Covenant.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    The two vampires stood at the back where heavily cloaked in thick black cloth, that revealed no features but their basic outline however, the vampire at the front, a woman, wore nothing to conceal her appearance. Instead she wore an elegant, luxurious black dress, that displayed every aspect of the vampire¡¯s feminine wiles. Almost as tall as Louie, she looked to be in her thirties however her crimson eyes told a another more ancient tale.


    ¡°Louie Huntor¡± the vampire greeted with a small bow, she had a thick Russian accent.


    ¡°Orina¡±. Louie firmly nodded. Orina had pale, porcelain skin with long lashes and vibrant red lips. Her long silky black was decorated with braids and golden jewellery. Rosa couldn¡¯t help but stare at the woman¡¯s beauty, it was almost intoxicating, as if she was being charmed by a magical force.


    ¡°You have a companion¡± Orina stated, seemingly surprised. The vampire¡¯s gaze locked onto her, and under them crimson eyes Rosa was forced to look away at the ground. It felt as if she was in the presence of an ancient queen.


    ¡°Rosa Elacti¡± Louie informed bluntly, whatever spell Rosa was under didn¡¯t affect him in the slightest.


    ¡°I never took you for a guardian¡± Orina said, a hint of amusement coating her tone.


    ¡°Times are changing¡± Louie shrugged and the vampire nodded with a small smile across her crimson lips.


    ¡°You wished to convene with the Covenant¡± Orina stated.


    ¡°I wished to convene with you¡± Louie corrected.


    ¡°The Covenant and I are one¡±.


    Louie sighed as if he¡¯d been told those words a million times.


    ¡°How can we be of aid to you hunter?¡± Orina asked.


    ¡°The vampire whose been attacking England. Who is it?¡± Louie inquired.


    Orina hesitated and Rosa noticed the back two completely freeze up. They were scared ¡­ no they were terrified. Orina¡¯s confident demeanour vanished, her smile was wiped from her face in an instant and her eyes grew dark, like dripping blood.


    ¡°I need a name Orina¡± Louie insisted, ¡°who is the vampire lord¡±.


    ¡°First¡± Orina spoke, ¡°we need insurances. Do you plan to kill this vampire?¡±


    ¡°We do¡± Louie confirmed.


    ¡°Then we can provide what you seek¡± Orina said, ¡°but beware once his name is spoken the hunt begins and can¡¯t be stopped¡±.


    Louie face creased. ¡°Explain¡±.


    ¡°His name is cursed. The vampire lord knows whoever speaks his name¡±.


    ¡°How is that possible? Spell scripters are no exception to any other mage discipline, they died out centuries ago¡± Louie questioned.


    ¡°The vampire lord you seek is centuries old. He survived the Great Hunt¡± Orina informed, ¡°He is among the most dangerous vampires to live today, posing even a threat to our covenant¡±.


    ¡°And so you want him dead?¡±.


    ¡°He is estranged from us, straying from our path and code. The consequences of his actions threaten all vampire life. For the survival of my people, retribution must descend¡± Orina explained.


    ¡°I need a name¡±.


    ¡°He will know of this meeting and when it ends the clock begins. For us both¡±.


    ¡°You have my word. The vampire will die¡± Louie stated, ¡°the covenant will not suffer¡±.


    Orina nodded satisfied. ¡°You seek the vampire Valdosk¡± Orina said grimly. Rosa watched as the cloaked figures flinched at the vampire lords name. Just what manner of monster is this?


    ¡°Valdosk¡± Louie muttered clearly unfazed by the threat of the curse, ¡°Do know where I can find it?¡±.


    Orina shook her head, ¡°I know he¡¯s residing in your city but that is all¡±.


    Louie nodded. ¡°Thank you. We¡¯ll take it from here¡±.


    ¡°The clock has begun Louie Huntor. Do not fail. For the sake of us both¡± Orina said calmly, but her words seemed to carry the weight of thousands.


    The green glow of the runes dimmed and the bodies of the vampires began to crumble to ash on the ground. Louie and Rosa were once again alone inside the dark shack.


    ¡°Until its dead, never say that name¡± Louie stated.


    ¡°Trust me I don¡¯t plan to¡± Rosa replied. She had no desire to meet the monster capable of controlling a camaz and terrifying a vampire with just his name.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t it now know we¡¯re after it though?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°It does. That¡¯s why I spoke Valdosk¡¯s name. It¡¯ll either go into hiding and stop killing hunters or it¡¯ll rampage and try to escape exposing itself¡± Louie said, ¡°either way it¡¯ll lose¡±.


    ¡°What if he now goes after the covenant?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°It won¡¯t get the chance¡±.

 Chapter 24 – Zack Griffin

    A hand gently tapped her shoulder, and Rosa¡¯s eyes snapped open to see the motor way had been replaced with the HQ¡¯s car park. Thankfully the sleep that had eluded her this morning returned in full force on their drive home. Refreshed, Rosa gave her body a big stretch and followed Louie out the car.


    The air was surprisingly warm, well at least compared to where they just were. Rosa wondered if it was a result of the runes that coated the walls of the car park. She glanced around detecting the dozens of runes carved into stone and bark. It was strange before today she¡¯d never noticed them but now it as if her vision had awakened, in fact it was like she could almost sense them, knowing where they were before her eyes did. She¡¯d have to see if she could now spot any at Louie¡¯s house.


    Together they made their way inside the HQ and instantly Rosa felt that something was off. Everyone seemed ¡­ excited, ecstatic even. Confused, Rosa glanced up at Louie for answers but from his creased expression she quickly gathered he was just as baffled as her.


    ¡°Lyn!¡± Louie called out as they wandered across the lobby. The black-haired officer turned to them, a wide grin glued to her face. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Louie questioned, glancing around the lobby his confusion at everyone¡¯s joy almost turning to disturbance. Rosa held back a chuckle at his expression, it was as if he thought everyone had been possessed.


    Wait ¡­ had they? Rosa felt her body tense slightly. Are demons and spirits real?


    ¡°Zack¡¯s here¡± Lyn told them happily, ¡°the commander¡¯s office¡±.


    Louie eyes went wide, and for first time Rosa witnessed shock take over him. It looked strange. Instantly Louie darted off down the long hall toward Ruthor¡¯s office, forcing Rosa into a run to keep up.


    ¡°Wait up¡± Rosa muttered, as she reached his side. She still had to maintain a slight jog to keep up. ¡°Who¡¯s Zack?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Zack Griffin¡± Louie said, his pace not slowing down for a moment, ¡°he¡¯s an old friend¡±.


    ¡®Zack Griffin. Is that the name Sam mentioned?¡¯ Rosa wondered, ¡®the living legend¡¯.


    They reached Ruthor¡¯s office and Louie went straight in, not bothering to knock. Rosa slid in behind him, instantly seeing the commander, her sister, Audrey and even Sam, who was standing beside her own elder sister like a statue in her full officer uniform. Despite only being a day after the incident she looked significantly better, only a slight exhaustion lingering behind her eyes. She glanced at Rosa as she entered flashing her a quick smile before returning to a statue. Rosa noticed everyone¡¯s attention was focused on the corner of the room. She turned to see a stranger.


    ¡®So that¡¯s Zack Griffin¡¯.


    Standing against the wall was, a man in a black uniform not to different from the officer¡¯s except slightly grander and more decorated. His face quickly gripped her attention. He was a handsome man, who like Louie looked to be in his early twenties. Messy, thick strands of hair sat on his head, a bright blonde that burned like the sun. However, what captured her vision the most was his eyes. They were beautiful ¡­ angelic. Two orbs of glowing gold that radiated warmth and power. They were the complete opposite of Louie¡¯s fear striking, cold blue.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Louie strolled across the room and a smile formed on Zack¡¯s face as he left the wall. The two hunters clasped their hands together and pulled each other into a small embrace. It resembled a bond between brothers.


    Zack was slightly taller and broader than Louie and his frame possessed a touch more bulk than Louie¡¯s more athletic build.


    ¡°How long¡¯s it been?¡± Zack asked, his voice was light and friendly.


    ¡°Four years¡± Louie replied.


    Zack¡¯s eyes widened and he chuckled in what Rosa could only imagine was disbelief. ¡°Hell, I hadn¡¯t realised it had been that long¡±.


    Louie shrugged. ¡°We¡¯ve all been busy¡±.


    ¡°Speaking of busy, I¡¯ve been filled in. You went to see the covenant?¡± Zack asked.


    Louie nodded.


    ¡°What did they say?¡±. Audrey joined the conversation wandering closer.


    As her sister left her side, Rosa noticed Sam slowly shuffle towards her. There was now a sparkle in her eyes, Rosa guessed she was thrilled being in the same room as her two heroes.


    ¡°They gave me the name¡± Louie announced, ¡°but I¡¯ll warn you now. Its name is cursed, it knows whoever speaks its title¡±.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Emma questioned.


    ¡°Valdosk¡± Louie informed.


    ¡°Valdosk¡± Ruthor instantly repeated, catching Rosa off guard.


    ¡°Valdosk¡± Emma said.


    ¡°Valdosk¡± Audrey repeated.


    Zack grinned and let out a laugh. ¡°Valdosk¡± he said, his smile not fading.


    A unified front Rosa realised, if the vampire lord wished to butcher them he¡¯d have to slaughter them all. Rosa was almost tempted to join in, but the recent memories of the covenant¡¯s fear and Louie¡¯s warning stopped her in her tracks.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have the search begin immediately and orders stated for no one to mention its name outside us five¡± Ruthor announced, ¡°I predict it¡¯ll go into hiding now it knows the hunt has begun. Hopefully that should reduce the number of casualties we¡¯ve been suffering¡±.


    ¡°And if it rampages?¡± Emma asked.


    ¡°We kill the bastard where it stands¡± Ruthor stated his eyes locked onto Louie and Zack. They nodded in unison.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already told Rosa, but not even you speak that name¡± Louie said his eyes locked onto Sam. She quickly nodded.


    ¡°My sister¡¯s not stupid¡± Audrey glared at Louie.


    ¡°No, but she is brave. And like any hunter has no issue putting her life on the line for the sake of the hunt¡± Louie replied and Rosa could¡¯ve sworn Sam blushed.


    ¡°So what if she said its name¡± Zack smiled, ¡°Sam could take the vampire¡±.


    There was no mistaking Sam¡¯s red cheeks this time. Zack¡¯s eyes suddenly locked onto Rosa.


    ¡°So I take it your James¡¯s daughter, Rosa¡± Zack stated holding out his hand.


    Rosa nodded while offering out her own.


    ¡°Zack Griffin. It¡¯s a pleasure to finally meet you¡±.


    ¡°Nice to meet you too¡± Rosa managed to get out, ¡°I¡¯ve heard great things about you¡±.


    He turned to Louie, ¡°You¡¯ve been talking about me?¡± he asked stunned.


    ¡°No¡± Louie responded, his tone suggesting it was one of the most ridiculous things he¡¯d ever heard. Zack turned back towards Rosa and instantly she was forced to look away from those eyes. This time it was her who blushed. It was strange, they held both beauty and power simultaneously.


    ¡°Stop it¡± Louie said.


    ¡°What?¡± Zack asked innocently.


    ¡°You know what¡± Louie growled and Audrey laughed. Someone flicked the back of Rosa¡¯s head snapping her out her trance. She turned to see Emma grinning, instantly Rosa¡¯s head sunk embarrassed.


    ¡°I hate to ruin this reunion, but while were all together there is a second matter we must discuss¡± Ruthor stated gruffly. Everyone turned to him confused. The commander¡¯s usual stone eyes turned empathetic and fell upon Rosa and Emma.


    ¡°A date has been declared for your parent¡¯s funeral. We travel to Mors Ostium in two weeks¡±.

 Chapter 25 – Secret office

    Over a week later


    The week after the meeting went so fast, Rosa felt it was a blur. A cover story for their parent¡¯s death was finally created and Commander Ruthor was able to take her out of school. Under watchful eyes, Rosa said goodbye to her friends promising to see them soon, which she hoped would be true. Since then, Emma had been responsible of her education where she¡¯d keep herself busy with work either at the house or Hunter HQ. And honestly she¡¯d been enjoying it, not only was she became more accustomed to the hunters and the HQ she also only had to learn the fundamental subjects. Plus Sam had been ordered to continue her assignment to watch over her so they¡¯d constantly been able hang out. She even started introducing Rosa to many officers and hunters throughout the HQ, including Lyn and Vanessa who both went to the academy with Louie, Bianca who Rosa found out is actually Zack¡¯s fianc¨¦, the Commander and even Zack had been making a constant effort to speak with her although Rosa still hadn¡¯t gotten used to being under that golden gaze.


    However, that wasn¡¯t what had her attention tonight. Rosa carefully took her place around the corner of the hall, waiting. Like every night for the past week at the exact same time, Rosa watched from around the corner as Louie entered the room.


    She had no idea what was in there. He locked it in the day and whenever she asked he¡¯d just tell her it was an office. But she knew his office was downstairs. So that meant only one thing, it was a secret office. The idea, the possibilities thrilled Rosa, and tonight she¡¯d discover the truth. While he was in there he never locked the door.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± a voice asked.


    Rosa leapt out her skin. She turned to see her grinning sister.


    ¡°Nothing¡± she snapped, her heart hammering against her chest.


    Emma cocked a brow.


    ¡°I¡¯m finally going to uncover the truth¡± Rosa explained.


    ¡°What truth?¡±. Emma glanced around her and at the room. ¡°It¡¯s his office¡± she said, clearly confused by Rosa¡¯s enthusiasm.


    ¡°His office is downstairs¡±.


    ¡°People can have multiple offices Rosa¡± Emma insisted.


    ¡°Yeah and they can also have secret offices¡±.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    ¡°Is that what you think it is?¡± Emma asked amused. ¡°It doesn¡¯t look very secret. The door¡¯s in the middle of the hall¡±.


    ¡°Hiding in plain sight¡± Rosa shrugged. ¡°But it doesn¡¯t matter because tonight I find out¡±.


    ¡°Fine¡± Emma said.


    Emma strolled down the hallway, Rosa trailing closely behind. They reached the door and Emma twisted the handle and let it swing open.


    Louie was leaning on a large wooden desk at the rooms centre. His gaze left the wall ahead and focused on them.


    ¡°What?¡± he asked, completely unfazed by their intrusion.


    Emma turned to Rosa.


    ¡°Seeing what this place is¡± Rosa said.


    ¡°An office. Like I told you¡±.


    ¡°What do you do here?¡±.


    ¡°I work¡± he said bluntly.


    ¡°On what?¡± Emma asked.


    Louie¡¯s gaze went back to the wall. It had been covered in a large board, which was decorated with files, documents and pictures with pins and strings leading to each one. It reminded her of a detective show or film. At the centre was their parents, James and Mary Elacti.


    ¡°Woah¡± Rosa murmured. He¡¯d been working on their case, just like he said he would, and from the looks of it for a while.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been busy¡± Emma stated, her eyes scanning the board.


    ¡°I was¡± Louie stated.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°I got stuck¡± he admitted sourly.


    Emma forced her eyes away from the board and onto Louie. ¡°What about Valdosk?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Your parent¡¯s case takes my priority¡± Louie responded his gaze never leaving his wall of evidence, ¡°I¡¯ll leave Valdosk to Zack¡±.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you promise the covenant you¡¯d kill him?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°I promised that the vampire would die¡± Louie replied, ¡°nothing more, nothing less¡±.


    ¡°You don¡¯t think Valdosk is responsible for the death of our parents?¡± Emma inquired.


    ¡°Do you?¡±.


    ¡°No¡± Emma admitted, Rosa noticed a darkness in her expression, ¡°Not even a vampire lord could¡¯ve killed my father so easily, even if he was retired from combat¡±.


    ¡°Then we¡¯re on the same page¡± Louie stated, gesturing towards the board, ¡°but something wants us to think Valdosk did. The question now, is what?¡±.


    ¡°What have you found?¡± Emma asked while taking a seat upon the desk.


    ¡°Nothing I can use¡± he grumbled, ¡°I have dozens of pieces but no method of putting them together¡±.


    ¡°Can we help?¡± Rosa asked.


    Louie shrugged. ¡°You can if you want to¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ll grab some drinks¡± Emma announced.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get the snacks¡± Rosa declared.


    Louie sighed and then chuckled as they raced out the room and to the kitchen.


    Despite Rosa and Emma¡¯s enthusiasm, it turned out an extra two brains didn¡¯t contribute as much as she wished. Now there were just three people staring blankly at an unchanging board instead of just one. Dozens of possibilities, numerous culprits each more unlikely than the last.


    Reluctantly they decided to call it a night and Louie locked up the room.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say a word to anyone about what we¡¯re doing¡± Louie said as they gathered in the hall. Both Emma and Rosa nodded. He went to walk off to his room but hesitated.


    ¡°I¡¯m going away for a few days and won¡¯t be back until the morning of the funeral. Will you two be okay?¡± he asked, a strange softness in his icy eyes.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Rosa asked, not even registering his question.


    ¡°My talents are needed up north¡± Louie explained.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be fine¡± Emma cut in.


    A small smile cracked across his face. ¡°Goodnight¡± he said and then he disappeared down the hall.

 Chapter 26 – Mors Ostium

    Rosa¡¯s fingers struggled as they awkwardly fiddled with the black tie. She stared intensely into the mirror, folding piece over piece just like she did for school but unlike then it just wouldn¡¯t work. Instead becoming a messy and feral bundle.


    ¡®Why?¡¯ Rosa questioned, her ire rising as she once again ragged the tie apart. Ever since this morning the day had been ¡­ strange, unnatural, like reality was tilted.


    Emma emerged in the mirror behind her. Softly her sister turned Rosa around and claimed hold of her tie.


    ¡°Calm yourself Rosa¡± Emma said as she folded piece over piece constructing a neat and formal tie.


    ¡°I am calm¡± Rosa snapped, but even she could hear how fake the words were. ¡°It¡¯s just ¡­ I¡¯ve been fine since the day, following exactly what dad taught me. But now it¡¯s the day ¡­ the world feels strange ¡­ it can¡¯t be avoided any longer ¡­ they¡¯re actually gone¡±, she felt her lip tremble, ¡°I-I can¡¯t get a hold of myself¡± Rosa said, adjusting the tie so it sat comfortably below her neck.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good thing Rosa. It means you¡¯re human¡± Emma said pushing her little sister¡¯s hair from her face, ¡°You¡¯re allowed to feel all those emotions, think all those thoughts. Today is a day for grieving. We mourn, we remember and we keep moving forward. Follow the Elacti way¡±.


    Rosa took a deep breath in and nodded. The Elacti way. She took a step back from the mirror. While her sister was dressed in her hunter uniform and a long military style long coat, Rosa wore a different attire. She was dressed in a black overcoat with a white shirt and tie. A long black skirt hung from her waist travelling down to her shins where it met black leggings and boots.


    The stairs trembled beside them as its wood creaked under footsteps. Louie wandered downstairs and joined them by the front door. He¡¯d arrived in the early morning just as he said he would. His attire was almost identical to Rosa¡¯s except he wore pants instead of a skirt and leggings. To her knowledge Louie didn¡¯t possess the black military style uniform the hunters and officers wear. He apparently once had but burnt it many years ago, for untold reasons.


    ¡°Are we ready?¡± he asked, joining them in front of the mirror and tidying his appearance.


    ¡°We are¡± Emma responded.


    ¡°Off to Mors Ostium we go¡±.


    What is Mors Ostium? Had been Rosa¡¯s first question after the meeting two weeks ago. Louie had explained to her that it was the name given to the cemeteries of hunters. An isolated and hidden region where all the hunters of a region are laid to rest. Thousands of years old, the Mors Ostium of the United Kingdom lay at the very centre of the country.


    They travelled to the HQ first where they met up with the rest of funeral attendees. The journey to Mors Ostium took hours however, Rosa found herself lost in thought for most of the drive. In a perfect line, their party of black cars cruised down small smooth roads that cut through vast empty green fields, a grey sky above that gently spat down upon them. Any sign of civilisation had vanished hours ago. The hearse sat at the centre of the pack with Louie¡¯s car driving directly in front like a protective guard dog.


    ¡°Not long now¡± Louie told them.


    Rosa¡¯s eyes scanned their environment searching for any clues of the hunter graveyard, a legion of headstones, a giant monument but all she could see was a vast ocean of green blades that swayed in the wind. However, Rosa had learnt better to just rely on her eyes in this world. Her concept of reality had been shattered far too many times in the recent weeks to keep making that mistake.


    They continued their drive and Rosa noticed two tall, pointed stones placed either side of the road ahead. As they passed through the sky shimmered, as if they¡¯d drove through a mirror.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    The world around them changed. The grey, clouded sky dissolved and was replaced by a clear blue and a calm, gentle wind brushed over emerald plains and ruby roses, that sprouted among the blades. Resting upon the grass fields were grey, polished gravestones, as far as the eye could see. There must¡¯ve been thousands upon thousands. Rosa¡¯s gaze wandered around however, quickly locked directly ahead. At what seemed to be at the centre of the endless cemetery was a towering monument. A thick, tall square pillar of grey and white stone, decorated with gold inscriptions however, Rosa couldn¡¯t decipher them from this far back.


    ¡°It¡¯s grander than I could¡¯ve possibly imagined¡± Emma said from the passenger seat.


    ¡°You¡¯ve never been before?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°No. I¡¯ve never had the reason to¡± Emma replied.


    ¡°What about you?¡± She questioned, glancing at Louie.


    ¡°I have¡±.


    Their travelling party continued down the road where they came onto a large plain of grey brick. To Rosa¡¯s surprise there were already dozens of cars parked.


    After parking up themselves, Rosa exited the vehicle and greeted the cold air, which bit at her skin. The rest of the travelling part parked up beside them, all except for the hearse which carried of forward and then drove down a wide pathway to their left.


    ¡°Is it safe to leave them on their own?¡± Rosa asked, her breath misting in the air.


    Louie nodded. ¡°The Mors Ostium is protected¡±.


    They gathered together with the others and wandered down a pathway towards the giant monument at the graveyards centre.


    Their group consisted of around thirty people, a mix of both hunters and officers ¨C now distinguishable to her through the slight alterations between their uniforms. The hunters wore a more militaristic and combat prepared attire.


    Rosa glanced around to see a number of familiar faces, Lyn and Vanessa leading a band of officers, Audrey, Sam, Zack, Bianca and Commander Ruthor.


    Audrey and Sam wandered over and Audrey placed a friendly hand on her shoulder as she passed by and joined Louie, Zack and the commander up ahead. All three of them wore decorated, militaristic long coats that portrayed their higher rank in the organisation. In fact everyone was displaying their rank and authority in the organisation, everyone but Louie, who wore normal clothes you could buy anywhere. Well normal for him.


    ¡°How are you doing?¡± Sam asked. Like all officers she was wearing a plain overcoat, pulled close to fight off the cold.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. The world feels ¡­ strange. Like there¡¯s a void¡± Rosa said.


    Sam nodded. ¡°I remember well. I wish I could tell you its fades away. But it never does, not truly. All we can do is stick with the people we love and carrying on forward. Do our parents memories proud¡±.


    Rosa cracked a smile as she appreciated her friend¡¯s words.


    As they conversed the two of them joined everyone and they began to walk away from the car park and down a wide grey brick pathway, which headed towards the cemetery monument.


    Rosa glanced up wide-eyed as they reached the base of the pillar, she hadn¡¯t realised how big the damn thing was. It easily stretched ten feet across the ground and soared fifty feet into the air. Across each of its white faces, words were inscribed in gold. Looking more in-depth, Rosa concluded they were names, dozens on dozens of names.


    ¡°Ortus Praedator¡± Rosa muttered. The name was at the very top of the monument on every face she could see and was considerably grander than any other.


    ¡°The original hunter¡± Sam said, ¡°or at least that¡¯s what the legends state. The man who started it all. The greatest in history¡±.


    The group turned left, following the same route as the hearse, Rosa gave the monument one last look before ensuing. There was something entrancing about it, about the history it held, the power contained deep inside. She didn¡¯t understand why but, she knew that was the structure which protected the Mors Ostium, kept it hidden, kept it safe.


    They wandered away from the cemetery¡¯s protection, the wide path soon began to shrink and split off into numerous winding trails that headed off into all directions. The well-kept fields of green and red soon began to be populated with graves, all identical in appearance - a polished grey stone ¨C however each one holding a unique name and story.


    Rosa scanned over the seemingly endless plains stunned. Just how many hunters had there been? Fighting off creatures of the night, giving their last breath to protect the innocent knowing their sacrifice and life would never be truly acknowledged by the world.


    ¡°It can be a lot to take in¡± Sam spoke up.


    ¡°How old is this place?¡±.


    ¡°Couple thousand years give or take a few centuries. All the graves are the same¡± Sam stated ¡°represents the hunter belief of no matter your rank or power everyone¡¯s sacrifice is equal¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s nice¡± Rosa mused.


    ¡°The only exception are the founders¡± Sam added.


    ¡°Where are their graves?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°You walked passed it¡± Sam replied, she then glanced back at the monument in the far distance.


    ¡°They thought highly of themselves¡±.


    Sam chuckled, ¡°In their defence they never built it¡±.


    ¡°Fair enough¡±.

 Chapter 27

    Rosa didn¡¯t think it was possible but after thirty minutes of walking the vast ocean of graves began to grow shallow, soon to the point where the land became empty fields. During their walk, Sam had explained that Mors Ostium was a pocket space, created from ancient magic, that expanded and adapted when needed. The cemetery was sectioned into the many divisions across the United Kingdom and as the Liverpool division had only been newly revied they had to travel to the outskirts of the Mors Ostium.


    As they arrived their group was greeted by another which dwarfed them. All together there must¡¯ve been hundreds of hunters and officers standing around.


    ¡°Are these funerals always this crowded?¡± Rosa asked taken back by the sheer volume of people.


    ¡°No. But your dad wasn¡¯t just anyone¡± Sam said, ¡°James Elacti was an integral piece of the organisation. People from all of the world have come to see him off today¡±.


    Compared to the rest of the cemetery, the Liverpool division¡¯s plot was practically empty looking like a grassy field ready for cattle. There were only eight graves resting in a line at the plot¡¯s origin, and like every other head stone here, they were a smooth polished stone with only a name and date carved into its surface.


    A little further in the distance, Rosa could see the hearse parked up outside a grand church-like structure, built from grey stone. Although not as gargantuan as the HQ back in Liverpool, the church would be able to house everyone here. They¡¯d passed many identical structures during their journey here, Sam had called it an ¡®adytum¡¯. There was one assigned to every division, a building containing a vast room where the funerals of the hunters take place.


    As the two groups began to intermingle Rosa noticed that no one was even attempting to make their way towards the adytum instead remaining stationary outside.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°What is everyone waiting for?¡± Rosa asked as they wandered through the masses.


    ¡°You¡± Sam said, ¡°it¡¯s law that the funeral can¡¯t begin without the deceased¡¯s family. Until you or Emma step through the entrance no one else can, no matter their rank or power¡±.


    They continued their way through the crowds, their path being formed as everyone treated them like royalty, vanishing from their path as they approached. While the crowds attempted to offer condolences to the rest of the group, when it came to her, Rosa noticed everyone¡¯s gaze instead just silently focus on her as she passed, staring intensely although she couldn¡¯t identify what was behind their eyes. Sorrow? Pity? Fascination? Just what was so interesting about her? She began to feel like a caged animal and her irritation soon started to bubble. Forcing her head down, she quickened her pace and ignored her surroundings.


    The adytum¡¯s double door entrance was already opened wide by the time they arrived. Inside she could see, it was exactly like Sam had said a singular vast room, filled with rows of pews and at the back a raised floor holding a podium, three howling wolves carved from a black stone.


    ¡®So this is it¡¯ Rosa thought. She turned around to Louie, hoping he could give her some indication on what to do however, he was nowhere to be seen. In fact everyone had gone missing, Louie, Emma, Zack, the Commander, she hadn¡¯t realised that her and Sam had been left alone.


    Anxiety began to brew in her core as she remained frozen outside the entrance with hundreds of officers and hunters waiting behind. Did she enter? Where there laws and traditions she needed to follow? Did she need to wait for permission? What the hell was she meant to do?


    Her breathing and heart grew erratic. The last thing she wanted to do now was faulter and break laws and traditions, irritating a vast group of people trained to fight off the supernatural. Suddenly a soft hand grabbed her shoulder. Rosa turned to see Bianca beside her, a warm smile beaming across her face.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay Rosa¡± Audrey said, emerging next to Sam, ¡°Go in whenever you feel ready¡±.


    Sam shot her a smile and Rosa nodded. Taking in a deep breath Rosa stepped across the barrier into the Adytum.

 Chapter 28

    His body tireless, Louie kept his hands busy adjusting his cuffs as he took his position beside the hearse. Opening up the back the of the vehicle he could see the coffin was still safe and sound, James and Mary still both at peace. It was a closed casket off course, no matter who they brought in, James and Mary¡¯s bodies couldn¡¯t be recovered to a state that should be witnessed.


    ¡°After everything we¡¯ve been through, I was starting to think nothing would take him out¡± Zack said wandering over. From a quick glance at his ceremonial uniform, Louie saw he¡¯d earnt himself a few more medals and awards since they¡¯d last met.


    ¡°Everyone dies¡± Louie said, ¡°We¡¯ll be no different¡±.


    ¡°Speak for yourself. I plan to live forever. See my great grandchildren¡± Zack joked, but no humour reached his eyes. He always got a little uncomfortable at funerals, well at least when he was close to the deceased. The worse Louie had seen him was back when they where eighteen after the war.


    Emma was standing silently beside them, her hollow gaze remaining frozen on the coffin of her parents. Despite what his instincts urged, Louie resisted saying anything. In his time away she¡¯d matured, she was no longer the child he use to know. Emma Elacti was now capable of handling herself.


    Leaving Emma to her grievance, Louie¡¯s attention travelled to the front of the hearse where Ruthor and Audrey conversed with a group of hunters. He quickly realised calling them just a group of hunters was a considerable understatement. Standing across the hearse was in fact three Knights of Praedator


    The Knights of Praedator are the greatest weapons the organisation possesses against the creatures of the abyss. Originating as the personal fighting force of the founder, they sit at the top of the hierarchy and are few in number, scattered across the world. With their status, it wouldn¡¯t be strange to think they¡¯d wear grand uniforms decorated from head to toe in medals, ribbons, laurels and awards for the accomplishments that earnt them their status. But no. Instead the knights wore a simple black uniform outlined in silver and adorned with a singular gold medallion of the hunters, pinned over their heart, easily distinguishable from the standard silver or grey.


    If the fact that there were three knights present wasn¡¯t enough to freeze a hunter in their steps then the fact that their commander, Roylar Zenlint, was present surely would. Louie curiously eyed the man who sat at the top of their organisation, the head of the council. Since arriving, they hadn¡¯t spoken a word and Louie doubted they would for the entirety of the funeral. Similarly to the rest of the organisation outside of Liverpool, they didn¡¯t exactly see eye to eye. They didn¡¯t really ¡­ well in simple terms, get on. Despite having a close bond with the deceased there was only one thing that ever produced conflict between Roylar and James. Louie Huntor.


    While not decently tall like Ruthor or other high rankers, he had a heavy build and broad frame conditioned by combat and everyone in the organisation knew he¡¯d earnt his position through a sea of blood. Despite his age approaching a century and his well kempt hair and beard falling to a dark silver, his body still confidently held onto its prime condition. Louie had no doubt in his mind that Roylar¡¯s skill and ferocity hadn¡¯t faded with the passing years.


    The commander was locked into converse with Ruthor while the other two knights where talking amiably with Audrey. These two he got on with a lot better. Jesten Ferum, the commander¡¯s right hand, a veteran hunter and master swordsman with piercing, predatory amber eyes and long white locks and a build not too different from Louie¡¯s own. Beside him was a mountain of a man towering over everyone around. In the dark you might mistake him as one the creatures they hunt. Hailing from the motherland of Russia, Louie¡¯s old classmate, squad member and friend, Olsen Brunt, even after all these years was still with his mammoth build, shaven head and thick black beard. A unique and renowned hunter, even back when they were younger for his use of an enormous two handed hammer as well as his unique ability to tap into the realm of gravity magic.


    Louie continued to observe, almost impressed, three of among the most dangerous hunters in the country, it wouldn¡¯t be questioned for someone to state in the world. All here for the funeral of James Elacti, If that didn¡¯t finalise how significant and beloved the man was Louie didn¡¯t know what would.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t believe it when they told me you were back¡± a voice exclaimed from the crowd, ¡°but here you are in the flesh, and employed no less. What happened to Ornae for life?¡±. A familiar face emerged from the sea of black and sorrow. Max Seis, his messy, unkempt black hair and scarred, greyed eye unchanged from the last time they met. He approached with a small smile appropriate for the atmosphere. Louie replicated his friend¡¯s smile as they pulled each other into an embrace. Similar to him, Seis wore no uniform instead opting for casual clothes. However unlike Louie, he¡¯d not reduced his uniform to ashes, it was just a common habit of the Ornae ¨C hunters not under any division and instead what you could consider independent, choosing their own hunts and bounties.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    As Louie and Seis separated he went on to greet both Zack and Emma with an embrace. Like clockwork, he then turned to stand over the hearse and paid his respect to his old instructor and mentor. His dominant hand reached across his body and rested over the silver hunter medallion pinned into his coat and he gave the coffin a slight bow.


    ¡°Look at this we¡¯ve almost got a school reunion¡± Audrey¡¯s voice arose from behind. They all turned to see her as well as Jesten and Olson approach.


    Seis clasped hands with both Olson and Jesten before Audrey pulled him into a forceful hug.


    ¡°How come you¡¯ve haven¡¯t visited in almost a year. Your turning into Louie¡± Audrey complained pushing him away annoyed. A mischievous grin then abruptly crept upon her face. ¡°Max¡± she finished.


    Instantly Seis glared, since the day they met when they were just teens Seis had made it well known he hated his first name, even their instructors and higher ups referred to him by his family name. Everyone but Audrey, who never failed to crack a smile upon her own face.


    ¡°That is why¡± Seis stated irritated. A small bout of laughter and chuckles spread between them, even infecting Emma, taking her gaze away from the hearse. Louie found it refreshing, it uncovered a hope that they might just make it through this still.


    As old friends reminisced old memories and tried to keep spirits high, Louie found his eyes wandering towards then crowds.


    ¡®What¡¯s taking so long?¡¯ he wondered. They had every pallbearer present, the ceremony could begin.


    ¡°Rosa¡± Emma muttered, like she¡¯d read his thoughts.


    ¡®Shit¡¯. They¡¯d just left her completely alone and clueless Louie realised.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go see what the holdup is¡± Audrey said before vanishing into the crowds. It was that moment Ruthor and Roylar decided to join them. The knight commander wandered straight past Seis, only giving him a slight acknowledgment, to Emma.


    ¡°How are you my dear girl?¡± Roylar asked softly and placed a hand gently upon her shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m ok¡± Emma replied quickly, ¡°thank you for attending Commander Zenlint. I know it would¡¯ve meant a lot to my father¡±.


    ¡°Absence was never an option¡± Roylar smiled, ¡°Your father was a dear friend and one the greatest men I knew. And your mother while I never truly knew her, James never spoke nothing but highly of her. They will both be missed¡±.


    A smile cracked across Emma¡¯s face as the commander withdrew his hand and moved onto Zack.


    ¡°Its good to see you again Archknight¡± the Roylar stated, firmly shaking Zack¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Right back at you sir¡± Zack said, ¡°I just wish it was under better circumstances¡±.


    ¡°As do I¡±.


    Realising he¡¯d now already spoken to everyone else, with slight reluctance the commander turned to Louie. He stood slightly smaller than Louie, around two inches, and as a result had to glance up.


    ¡°Louie¡± he acknowledged.


    ¡°Roylar¡± Louie said bluntly.


    Instantly the atmosphere grew stale and everyone remained silent, taking a cautious approach to the situation. The commander¡¯s eyes grew thin and his jaw taut, but he made no move and neither did Louie. Suddenly the sea of hunters and officers outside the adytum began to move, flowing directly into the structure.


    The commander¡¯s posture quickly relaxed and he retreated back. ¡°It¡¯s time for me to take my place. I¡¯ll see you all inside¡± he stated before wandering off. Four hunters who¡¯d been standing far back regrouped with him as he joined the sea of black, his personal guard.


    Not long after, every hunter and officer had entered the adytum, including Seis, leaving only the pallbearers alone outside.


    ¡°You couldn¡¯t behave for one hour¡± Ruthor abruptly snapped, ¡°not even for James and Mary¡±.


    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t expect me to¡± Louie muttered, ¡°nor did Mary even like the cunt¡±.


    Ruthor scowled and he stepped up to Louie. Louie felt his brows rise in surprise. He wouldn¡¯t dare.


    ¡°Its fine John¡± Emma interrupted, ¡°my father was never one for facades, he wouldn¡¯t want them creating some bullshit amiability that would never last. Beside the commander started it, he ignored Seis and then went for Louie¡±.


    Accepting the truth in her words, Ruthor¡¯s scowl faded.


    Olsen chuckled. ¡°You two have always clashed¡± he stated his voice deep and coated with the accent of his motherland, ¡°You¡¯re the only man I¡¯ve seen penetrate his thick skin¡±.


    ¡°My fellow knight is not wrong¡± Jesten stated, while his expression remained cold and stern amusement danced upon his tone. ¡°You¡¯re the only creature I know which can reduce the commander to a squabbling adolescent¡±.


    Zack and Olsen grinned and Ruthor let out and exhausted sigh before backing away from Louie.


    ¡°Alright its time¡± he announced, ¡°Louie and Emma are at the front, Zack and Jesten in the centre and me and Olsen are holding the back¡±.


    Everyone nodded in agreement before carefully and gently manoeuvring the coffin out of the hearse and onto their shoulders. The coffin was wide and sturdy, masterfully crafted from a black wood with the mark of the hunters glistening in sliver across its surface.

 Chapter 29 – A Hunter’s Farewell

    The adytum housed two vast, long rows of dark wood pews, pushed up beside the walls forming a wide aisle in the centre of the room which led up to the elevated dark stone altar.


    Rosa had been seated at the front of the room isolated on her own bench, which appeared very peculiar when every other pew was entirely filled with men and women in black. The hums of chatter echoed around the high walls of the adytum, but Rosa sat silently on her own keeping her gaze ahead on the elevated stand that homed the altar. Behind the altar was a sturdy stone platform to hold the deceased, which was overlooked by a towering stained glass window. Daylight beamed through, illuminating the variety of vibrant colours which made up a picture. The window depicted a man with long black hair and broad angelic wings, standing tall and powerful with five kneeling figures before him, their appearances were reminiscent of hunters.


    Behind Rosa, sat Sam, Audrey, Bianca, a man who went by the name of Seis and a number of other officers and hunters, many who she recognized back from the HQ.


    The noise at the back of the adytum abruptly began to plummet and approach silence, Rosa pulled her attention away from the window to investigate why.


    A man wearing a simple hunter uniform and gold medallion martially strolled down the aisle, with four hunters marching closely behind. He possessed old, dark, stern eyes and greyed hair that betrayed his physique. Rosa quickly noticed that every hunter and officer¡¯s head snapped towards him as he passed and how they instantly ended their talks. By the time he reached the end of the aisle the adytum was silent.


    ¡°Commander Zenlint¡± Rosa caught Sam quietly muttering stunned.


    The commander walked up the steps, his four hunters taking a knee at the steps base, where he then took a position behind the altar. The three howling wolves facing up to him as if he was their moon.


    The commander then claimed an object hidden behind the altar. Raising his hand high, Rosa could see it was a large bell, black as the darkest night sky. He gave it a firm shake and a serene ring danced across the room with such strength it felt like very foundations of the adytum were trembling. A second ring boomed and then came a third. The commander placed the bell back behind the altar and then levelled his posture and waited. The final echoes of the bell faded away and silence returned the adytum. However, the tranquillity didn¡¯t last long, Rosa picked up on a subtle hum. She glanced around it see were the buzzing was coming from but found no answer. It was like the walls were humming. Is that a thing the hunters have? Rosa wondered. Singing rocks?


    Continuing her search for answers, she looked up at the altar to find herself locking eyes with commander Zenlint. It was only for a moment, but she quickly looked away under the strength of his powerful stare. There was no malice and ill intent in his eyes instead it was like a grim and sorrowed curiosity. Many people had been giving her a similar look, Rosa realised. Why?


    Heavy and powerful footsteps emerged from the entrance and everyone¡¯s head turned. Louie, Emma, Zack, Ruthor and two hunters she didn¡¯t know marched into the adytum carrying her parents.


    As they travelled down the aisle capturing the gaze of everyone, the subtle hum sung by the walls evolved. It grew louder, more intricate, developing into a simple melody fuelled by sorrow and loss like it had seen an eternity of violence, grief and death. It crept deep within Rosa with ease, reaching inside her chest and straining her heartstrings.


    Carefully and slowly the pallbearers travelled up the stairs passing the altar and placing the coffin down upon the stone stand. Rosa expected them to then come join her on the empty pew however instead they lined up in front of her parents and took a knee. As the daylight shone through the window upon them, Rosa couldn¡¯t help but notice how similar they looked like the kneeling figures depicted in the window¡¯s art.


    ¡°Today we gather to mourn the loss of James and Mary Elacti¡± commander Zenlint announced, beginning the funeral.Stolen story; please report.


    The commander continued his speech but Rosa never paid attention. It wasn¡¯t deliberate, her mind was just entrapped on the sight behind him, mesmerised by the six hunters kneeling in respect of her parents. She wanted to be up there with them. But here she was like everyone else, stuck doing nothing. However, unlike them she was alone.


    Before she knew it, the commander had finished speaking. Her attention had never really left her parents but the last section of his speech attached to her, burrowing itself thoroughly into her mind.


    ¡®The wolf howls and the raven watches.


    We hunt and are hunted in an eternal war. While your battle has ended we persist in the Reaper¡¯s name, in hopes to one day free the world from the abyss¡¯s touch and finally rest.


    From blood and bone to ash


    Life to death


    Soul to peace


    You have fought, now leave the battle in our hands and discover peace in the beyond. Rest well old friends.


    Sorem¡¯.


    ¡°Sorem!¡± everyone in the room echoed.


    Rosa protected her hair from the wind as the final grains of dirt were thrown upon her parents. Finally they were at rest. The six pallbearers released their shovels and stepped away from the grave. They were only a small group now, consisting of only those who were closest to the deceased the rest of the attendees taking their leave and Rosa was happy to admit she was appreciating the serenity. Her parents never really had a large family, and what they did have were all dead, as a result most of their group consisted of family friends and coworkers. When she was young Rosa did remember visits from an uncle ¨C her fathers brother. But he¡¯d died in a freak accident, but now Rosa wondered if he died during a hunt. Was he buried in this very soil?


    Louie and Zack wandered over to the hearse and withdrew a headstone, while still identical in design to every other, its size was considerably larger accommodating for the multiple name and dates. Together they hauled the gravestone over to the grave and with the aid of the other four hunters, firmly planted the headstone at the top of the grave. The six pallbearers then joined up with their group.


    However, they never stopped when they reached them and instead their group joined them and began to move further away from the grave.


    ¡°I¡¯m needed elsewhere, so I shall take first¡± commander Zenlint stated. Rosa didn¡¯t understand what he meant but no one spoke against his decision. The commander strolled towards the grave and picked up one of the hundred blood red roses and grew across the nearby fields. He knelt in front the headstone and out of ear reach she could see him speak to her parents. Once he was finished he place the rose upon the grave and stood. He turned back towards them delivered a firm nod and then took his leave his personal guard quickly following. Without delay the next member of the group took their turn. Following tradition the closest to the deceased waited until last to pay their respects. Next came Olsen, then Jesten, Sam and Audrey, Seis, commander Ruthor and then Zack. When Zack returned to the group, Emma claimed Rosa¡¯s hand and together they walked forward.


    ¡°Is Louie not before us?¡± Rosa asked.


    ¡°Youngest family goes first¡± Emma explained. Without a second of hesitation Rosa nodded. Together they picked a pair of roses and took a knee over their parents grave.


    While waiting for her turn, Rosa had brainstormed a number of things she wanted to say but now she was here before her parents her mind had been wiped completely blank.


    Plain and simple she thought before her mind began to panic. Just like her father always said. Rosa took in a deep breath and slowly let it go.


    ¡°Dad, mum. Thank you, for everything¡±, her mind travelled back to her younger years in Mexico, ¡°I won¡¯t waste the life you¡¯ve gave me. And don¡¯t worry about me, you¡¯ve left me in amazing hands¡± Rosa said and then placed her rose down alongside the others. It wasn¡¯t until the wind hit her face she notices the two thin, warm trails flowing from her eyes. She didn¡¯t bother wiping them away and instead remained kneeled and turned to Emma.


    ¡°Mum, dad I¡¯m going to make you proud. I promise¡± Emma said happily, a sad smile on her face. Her sister then placed her rose beside Rosa¡¯s and they stood from the grave.


    As they returned to the group they crossed path with Louie who¡¯d already picked his rose and was wandering towards the grave. Like they had every time the group watched in silence as Louie took a knee and spoke his last words to the grave. He stayed their for a while, considerably longer than everyone else. When he finally returned, Rosa¡¯s curiosity took control.


    ¡°What did you say?¡± she asked.


    He struck her with an amused smile. ¡°That is for only me and your parents to know¡±.


    ¡°Aww come on. I¡¯ll tell you what I said¡±.


    ¡°I already know what you said¡±.


    ¡°How?¡± Rosa asked frowning.


    ¡°Read your lips¡± Louie stated casually.


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell if your joking or not¡±.


    ¡°It was a nice message¡± he smiled. He then began to wander away back towards the path and the group soon began to follow.

 Chapter 30 – Enemy in the shadows

    Taking their leave from the Mors Ostium they returned to HQ. Rosa thought a wake or reception might follow the follow the funeral, like with normal society, but wasn¡¯t surprised when everyone instantly returned to work, she¡¯d quickly come to realise that¡¯s just the world they lived in. The world she now lived in. No time to celebrate a life while monsters still roamed.


    While officers paced back and forth throughout the HQ, transporting documents and catching up with the morning¡¯s work, a small number of familiar hunters congregated in the lobby. Unlike Sam, Rosa had been graced with an abundance of free time and comfortably leaned against a bench, carefully listening in on Louie, Zack, Emma, Seis and Audrey.


    ¡°So what¡¯s your plan now?¡± Audrey asked Seis, ¡°Is a hunt across the world calling your name?¡±.


    ¡°No actually¡± Seis responded, his tone surprised. ¡°I was thinking of sticking around for a bit. Help out with your vampire lord pest¡±.


    ¡°Good. You can take point with Zack¡± Louie said.


    ¡°What about you?¡± Zack questioned, his brows creased.


    ¡°I¡¯m dealing with a small suspicion¡± Louie said. Everyone stared, waiting for him to continue but the hunter never did.


    ¡°As untrusting as ever¡± Seis said with an amused grin, like he¡¯d missed his friends antics.


    ¡°You¡¯d think we were his enemies¡± Audrey said shaking her head annoyed. ¡°At least he hugged you lot when you reunited. He pointed a gun at me¡±.


    ¡°Well me and him are meant to be best mates and he barley tolerates me so what do you expect¡± Zack stated jokingly.


    ¡°We believe we¡¯ve zoned in of the vampire¡¯s location¡± a gruff voice emerged, silencing their teasing. ¡°He¡¯s established himself on the outskirts of Liverpool and following patterns it suggests it will advance inwards soon. When it does we¡¯ll be in range for to launch an ambush¡±.


    The hunters all turned and opened up a gap so commander Ruthor could enter their gathering.


    The commander continued his explanation, ¡°We hunt in two days, Halloween night. We¡¯ll attack just as night falls when the vampire exposes itself but won¡¯t expect us. Zack, Louie I want you leading-¡±.


    ¡°Not me¡± Louie cut off the commander.


    ¡°Use me instead¡± Seis said without a second delay.


    The commander gave them a confused and wary stare but quickly snapped back into his usual commanding, demeanour.


    ¡°Fine. Zack you take charge, Seis you¡¯re his second. Have your team ready¡± he ordered and both hunters gave an affirmative nod. The commander turned to Louie.


    ¡°Do what you have to¡± he stated before taking his leave. Emma and Audrey trailed after him and both Zack and Seis went off to scout a team, leaving Louie and Rosa alone.


    ¡°Well that¡¯s the vampire sorted. What¡¯s your plan now?¡± Rosa asked. She turned to Louie to see he¡¯d not been paying attention and instead was lost off in space. Strange, incomprehensible enigmas twirled around behind his arctic eyes.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go¡± he said abruptly and then, without uttering a single sliver of context, darted off towards the exit.


    Their destination came to be back home inside Louie¡¯s secret office and working on his classified assignment. Rosa noticed that Louie was working through his notes and research more vigorously than ever, like a dying flame had been reignited within him.


    Turning out to be completely useless without her sister there, Rosa watched quietly as Louie worked for hours and until Emma returned home and joined them.


    ¡°You should really tell everyone about this¡± Emma stated scanning through a pile of documents filled with images.


    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t like it¡± Louie stated.


    ¡°There¡¯s a reason for that ¡°Emma sighed placing down the pile of papers and jumping off his desk. ¡°I don¡¯t understand the motive behind your actions. You can trust them. My father did¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯s not about trust. If they knew, they¡¯d try and stop me. Say I¡¯m chasing phantoms when there is a real threat in front of us. Nothing would get done¡±.


    ¡°Nothing is getting done¡± Emma argued. ¡°We¡¯ve been at this for weeks and we¡¯re nowhere closer than when we began. All we¡¯ve done is cut off any possibilities and resultingly created an even more complicated and bizarre problem. Louie, we are chasing phantoms when there is a real threat at our doorstep yet you do nothing. A threat that is after Rosa¡±.


    ¡°Zack and Seis can handle Valdosk¡± Louie sighed and turned towards her. He froze, catching both Rosa and Emma off-guard.


    ¡°Those papers¡± he said sternly, ¡°bring them to me¡±.


    Despite her confused expression, her sister complied and brought Louie the pile.


    ¡°What are they?¡± Rosa asked curiously.


    ¡°Documents of possible red alerts. People and creatures in the country who could be a threat to the hunters and civilians¡± Emma explained, ¡°But I¡¯ve already checked it five times. That pile holds no one capable of what occurred at our house¡±.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t possible¡± Louie murmured.


    ¡°What isn¡¯t?¡± Emma asked.


    ¡°It says he was spotted entering the country over a month ago¡±.


    ¡°And?¡±.


    ¡°I killed him five years ago¡± Louie stated coldly.


    ¡°You killed him?¡± Rosa asked, feeling a chill run down her spine. She¡¯d never heard to him mention killing people, the thought had never even crossed her mind.


    ¡°Adler Lam a German hunter. Conflicted man but a skilled warrior¡± Louie said placing down the papers, ¡°but one day, the insanity of the life we live crept inside his soul and like many hunters before, he snapped. Killed eleven hunters and twenty three civilians before I got to him¡±.


    ¡°Then how is it possible he¡¯s here?¡± Rosa questioned.


    ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be¡± Emma stated scanning over the document. Her face paled slightly. ¡°Yet it is. Hell they¡¯ve even got pictures of him entering the country and the recorded date. Your certain this is the man you killed?¡±


    ¡°No mistake. Spread out all the documents¡± Louie ordered, ¡°search for anymore dead men walking¡±.


    Although Rosa couldn¡¯t help identifying the dead from the living, she followed her sisters lead spacing the pile of red alerts around the room so they could all be seen. By the time they were finished, papers ran along the floor and up to walls.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Louie backed up into the centre of the room and his eyes darted around like bullets scanning over every file and document at inhuman speeds.


    ¡°Theres more¡± he commented grimly and then collected five documents. Five more people who¡¯d also been killed by Louie years ago yet had been spotted all over the country during the recent month.


    ¡®Just how many people had Louie hunted?¡¯ Rosa wondered. She¡¯d came to believe that the hunters only hunted monsters but, from Emma¡¯s lack of surprise, it was becoming clear that wasn¡¯t entirely true. Louie carefully scanned over the papers in silence, his eyes ingesting in everything on the pages.


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡± Emma asked, after giving him some time.


    ¡°That I¡¯ve finally realised what that scent was?¡± he growled irritation burning in his throat. ¡°How couldn¡¯t I tell before¡± he spat.


    ¡°Scent?¡± Rosa asked confused.


    ¡°Back when we were investigating the house. Louie kept picking up on a smell¡± Emma informed. She turned towards him ¡°What is it?¡±.


    ¡°Magic¡±.


    Emma¡¯s face creased, ¡°I know the scent of magic¡± she said, ¡°We all do, yet none of us there but you could smell anything unusual? Just the scents of the stone¡±.


    ¡°We¡¯re not discussing standard magic¡± Louie replied, ¡°Unless this magic is fresh, in powerful concentrations or you have previous experience with it, you might as well consider it borderline undetectable¡±.


    ¡°What type of magic are we dealing with? Demonic?¡± Emma asked carefully, like she didn¡¯t truly wish to know the answer.


    Louie shook his head. ¡°A rare, vile magic, coated in the stench of death, long forbidden for over a millennia¡± Louie said before wandering over to his desk and withdrawing a thick, black leather tome.


    ¡°Rosa I know its uncomfortable but I need you to speak of your visions¡± Louie abruptly stated, ¡°specifically the once right before the attack¡±.


    Rosa stared stunned, she¡¯d never spoken of her visions still terrified and baffled to what they are. She was still half convinced she was going mad, preferring that simplicity over the fact she might possess clairvoyance.


    ¡®How could he know?¡¯ she questioned.


    ¡°Visions¡± Emma questioned, clearly lost. ¡°Rosa what¡¯s he talking about¡±.


    ¡°You talk in your sleep¡± Louie explained, witnessing Rosa¡¯s baffled expression. His eyes then softened, it was only slightly, barely noticeable but Rosa saw the steel expression crack and tinge with rust. ¡°I was going to wait until you brought it up yourself but time is no longer a luxury I possess¡±. He walked up to Rosa and bent down to her height. ¡°I need you to push through the pain and terror Rosa. What did you see that night?¡±.


    Rosa looked to her sister but Emma, was stood off to the side speechless. Rosa could see the cogs inside her sister¡¯s mind piecing together the recent events working it together with Rosa¡¯s nightly outbursts the days before their parents passing.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say anything?¡± her sister asked, almost sounding hurt with her sisters secrecy.


    ¡°I thought I was going insane¡± Rosa admitted.


    ¡°You technically are¡± Louie stated bringing her attention back to him. ¡°But we¡¯ll address that another time. Do you think you can do it?¡±.


    The hunter¡¯s determined gaze sparking something hidden within her soul, something primal, powerful. Rosa nodded. With a deep calming breath, she shut her eyes and delved into her mind, reliving the vision. She couldn¡¯t explain how but, on pure instinct and riding that primal spark, she was able to slip back into the fabricated world. It felt like moving a limb or flexing a muscle, unexplainable but natural.


    ¡°The shadows¡± she muttered, not opening her eyes and remaining inside her psyche. ¡°Up the stairs the shadows are ¡­ moving, reaching out. Every fibre of my body is warning me to stay away. Even as our house is turned into a massacred bloodbath those shadows are the only thing my body fears. It¡¯s like a living black abyss¡±. Eventually her mind began to ache and body tremble and soon she was unable to bear the mental strain and was forced to pulled herself back to reality. When Rosa finally opened her eyes again she was greeted with an unpleasant view. All the colour had drained from her sister¡¯s skin although her expression remained fearless as she forced on a brave face. In contrast, a satisfied, psychotic grin spread across Louie¡¯s face. He opened up the black tome he¡¯d pulled out before. She recognised it as the same book Louie had titled ¡®Creatures and monsters you should hope to never come across or pray they are already long dead¡¯.


    ¡°I believe we¡¯ve found our foe¡± he stated placing the book down onto his desk, open on a double page spread.


    Emma looked at him in disbelief. ¡°You can¡¯t possibly mean-¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m certain¡±.


    ¡°What?¡± Rosa asked, worried about her sister¡¯s concern.


    ¡°Necromancer¡± Emma murmured.


    ¡®Necromancers¡¯. During her bouts of curiosity driven research over the last few weeks, like every type of mage Rosa had covered everything she could on them. But then again, there wasn¡¯t much to read in the first place. Following their exile and the ban of their practices nearly all of their records were destroyed to discourage others from following the same footsteps. Only few remaining intact for the use of hunters and others who may have to face their threat. But, despite the lack of information, some things were crystal clear, the necromancers weren¡¯t liked by anyone, so much in fact they were killed on site or if that wasn¡¯t possible a hunt was declared upon them. Their magic and sorcery was considered vile and corrupt, acting too close to the Abyss, granting them domain over both death and the darkness that shrouded this world.


    ¡®Whatever that meant¡¯ Rosa thought. She¡¯d heard that word, ¡®Abyss¡¯, used many times now, however, was still without an answer to what it meant. But there was one more text she read that was definitely significant to their situation. In fact it was probably the most important piece of context she¡¯d read for their situation, simultaneously creating the most confusion.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t the necromancers all dead?¡± Rosa asked, reciting what she¡¯d read. It was said they had dominion over death, could they resurrect themselves like they done others? Other did death just not affect them?


    ¡°Not all of them¡± Louie replied sourly, ¡°one still lives¡±.


    ¡°Why have they never been hunted?¡± Rosa asked. ¡®Guess they can die then¡¯.


    ¡°The hunters didn¡¯t kill majority of the necromancers¡± Louie informed. ¡°He did. Drove his entire race to extinction. The last necromancer. Only known by the name Orus¡±.


    ¡°He killed is entire race¡± Rosa mumbled disgusted. ¡°Why?¡±.


    ¡°For power¡± Louie answered. ¡°With every kill, the necromancer claimed his fellow mage¡¯s power for his own¡±.


    ¡°Just how powerful is he?¡±.


    ¡°He¡¯s a monster¡± Emma stated, ending her silence. ¡°An ancient abomination, over a thousand years old. Wielding unfathomable power, it¡¯s the greatest necromancer the worlds ever known and among the deadliest mages ever recorded. Throughout history it has appeared and vanished wreaking havoc as it pleases across the world never giving the hunters time to form an attack force capable of slaying the beast¡±. Fear began to fester in the corner of Emma¡¯s eyes. ¡°If this monster truly killed my father and is active once again, we must assemble the council and the knights. Pray they can find and kill it before it once again vanishes, or worse slaughters more hunters¡±.


    ¡°There is no need for that¡± Louie said with composure. ¡°In fact I expect you both to continue keeping our activities secret¡±.


    Emma¡¯s head snapped towards him with dangerous eyes. ¡°You can¡¯t possibly thinking of facing this beast alone. Even if it¡¯s you. This is a threat that requires the power of the knights¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I plan to do¡± Louie replied, ¡°I¡¯ll end Orus on Halloween night. Both threats to the hunter will be slayed simultaneously¡±.


    ¡°We¡¯re talking about a Millenia old power which was capable of killing my parents without receiving a scratch or cut¡± Emma snapped, ¡°It¡¯s one of the few remaining mages and said to have killed thousands of us yet you wish to face it alone¡±.


    Louie shrugged unbothered drawing out Emma¡¯s ire and frustration even further.


    As Emma continued to argue and Louie continued to pay no attention to her pleas, Rosa wandered over to the tome. It was the one book records on necromancers she¡¯d not witnessed. On the left page there was a series of roughly drawn sketches of a man. Instantly she froze.


    ¡®I know him¡¯ Rosa realised. The sketch was rough and faded with time but she definitely recognised that face and clothing. Just where from? Her mind instantly went blank. Desperate and pushing through the brain ache from relieving the vision, Rosa clamped her eyes shut. Her face creased with concentration as she brute forced her way through her memories, searching for his face.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong Rosa?¡± Emma asked, breaking away from her conflict with Louie. Rosa never responded, too deep inside her own head to multitask.


    ¡®There!¡¯ Rosa exclaimed within, almost jumping up in excitement. She knew she¡¯d seen him and as it turned out it was more than once, a lot more. For the last month, maybe even longer, she¡¯d passed him the morning on the way to school. He¡¯d never once acknowledged her presence. Not even looked her way. They¡¯d just pass once every morning and carry on with their day, Rosa had just assumed he was a middle aged man on his way to work.


    ¡°It¡¯s him¡± Rosa announced, gesturing to the necromancer sketched into the tome.


    ¡°What?¡± Louie asked with a confused head tilt.


    ¡°He¡¯s been on my way to school for the last month maybe longer¡± Rosa replied.


    ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡±.


    Rosa nodded with all the confidence she could muster.


    ¡°Its stalking her¡± Emma gasped horrified.


    ¡°Well that officially settles it¡± Louie said calmly, in contrast to her sister¡¯s terror. ¡°It¡¯s after Rosa. They both are¡±. He turned to back to Emma. ¡°Are you sure you still want me to wait for reinforcements?¡± he asked.


    Emma¡¯s face creased with conflict, fear and anxiety, producing an expression Rosa had never witnessed. For the first time her sister seemed completely lost.


    ¡°Are you confident you can kill it?¡± she asked softly, attempting to regain composure.


    ¡°I¡¯m confident I am our best choice¡± Louie replied. ¡°If I wait, it has the chance to escape again or worse achieve its goal. I¡¯m not taking that risk. Halloween night, one of us falls¡±.