《Demon Hunt: Revenge of the Orphaned》


 Chapter 1: Appearance of an enemy

    "Hey boss! I''m leaving now! It''s already 6pm." Simon said to his boss. Simon is a six feet one guy, has black hair and light skin tone. His body is fairly large, in fact he was well-built. He wasn''t ugly but not that handsome either. He was just an average guy that you see everyday. He''s 27 years old. He was wearing a dark blue overcoat that matched his white suit with black ties. He was wearing a biker''s glove paired with leather shoes.


    "Yeah sure." His boss said. This boss of his was a rather easy going person. That''s why he just lets Simon do what he wants to do. Well, when not in work hours of course.


    This boss of his was a bit fat. About 45 years old and the normal funny and rich boss who owns a big company that you hear about in the news. Yup, this guy is just like that. But he''s much more kind in person.


    ''Finally, i get to leave! It''s so tiring to work especially if you don''t love your job.'' Simon thought to himself. Simon was a person who graduated in BS psychology. He always dreamt of being a psychiatrist. Someone who could help other people forget their traumatic experiences and help them recover. He was also quite intrigued by the human mind. Unfortunately for him, the money thvat his Aunt had was insufficient for him to go to med school and get a license. He had to stop and be contented with just being a psychiatrist. Now he was working as sort of a counselor in the company that he was in. He was tasked to help ease off stress from the employees so that they could work properly. It was the boss''s secret to succeeding.


    ''I wonder how Aunt is doing? Better call her once I arrive at my house...'' Simon thought.


    Simon grabbed his car keys from his pocket and then opened the door of his black Mclaren Senna. What he lacked in looks, he made up for it using the things that he possessed. A Mclaren Senna car is worth almost two million dollars. Of course, Simon worked a very important role in the company. Ever since his boss thought of the idea of having someone for his employees to talk to, their business skyrocketed. Therefore his income was also raised. Simon is a car addict. He loves this car more than anyone else. That''s why he bought it when he first saw it. It was like love at first sight.


    Simon sat down inside the car and said,


    "Hey Karma, did you miss me?"


    Simon smiled and then he drove towards his city. Simon worked at the heart of London. But he didn''t want to live there since he''d rather want to see a calming and peaceful place. Coventry City was where he lived at present. Coventry is a hundred seven point five miles away from london. It takes more than four hours to travel to and fro. But Simon could easily traverse that distance for an hour and thirty minutes because of his fast driving and high quality car. Coventry was at best a scattered settlement when the Earl of Mercia and his beloved Godiva made a church in 1043. But this city climbed up the rankings and became the fourth most powerful city in England by the end of the 14th century.


    Coventry is famous for being a well known centre of watch and clock manufacturing. It had its own planet, well an asteroid. It was called 3009 Coventry. An asteroid that was discovered by a Soviet Astronomer.


    After one hour and less than thirty minutes, Simon arrived at his house. It was past seven pm. The sky was dark. Only the streetlight lit the streets. His house was as big as any other person that lived in Coventry. He didn''t really pick the best house since when he was finding somewhere to live, he was saving money to buy a car.


    The walls of his house were painted peach and the foundations maroon. It was a two story house.


    It was a very neat house. Simon parked the car in his garage and then opened the door to his house.


    "Phew... What a long day." Simon said and then took of his overcoat.


    The insides of Simon''s house were rather clean. Especially for a male who lived alone with only but a dog as his companion.


    After Simon took of his overcoat, a large beast pounced on him. This beast was color black with a bit of fiery red and it had very long fur.


    "Whoa there buddy!" Simon said. The beast that pounced on him was his dog. The dog''s name is Leo. A male tibetan mastiff.


    "Woof woof!" Leo barked at him excitedly. Every bark that Leo let out was akin to that of a Lion''s roar. Well, the Tibetan Mastiff breed is famous for being called the descendants of lions.


    "You excited to see me bud?" Simon said with a smile. Leo barked at him as if agreeing to what he said.


    Simon smiled and then caressed Leo''s head slowly and then towards his back.


    "Ringggg ringgg riingggg" suddenly Simon''s telephone rang. His telephone was  about 5 meters away from him. He stopped patting Leo and then he got up.


    He walked towards the telephone, grabbed it and said, "Hello? Who is this?"


    "Monnie! Monnie! Something''s here! Please help me!" A familiar voice cried out with fear and anxiety.


    When he heard the tone of the voice, the pace of his heartbeat quickened. It was as if there was a marching band inside his heart. He felt very uneasy. "Auntie?! Auntie what''s wrong?? I''m on my way! Please be okay!" Simon said with a tone full of worry.


    Leo barked anxiously at his owner as if sensing his uneasiness.


    "Monnie, help...." His aunt''s voice became weaker and then softly vanished.


    "Dammit!" Simon shouted. He dashed towards the stairs and then stomped twice with his right foot on the 2nd stair and then retracted his foot. In an instant, the floor behind him started to retract and stairs that leaded down started to appear in his point of view. He quickly ran downwards. Simon was greeted by a wide collection of pistols, rifles, shotguns, knives and any other weapon that you could think of. He quickly snatched a derringer pocket pistol and stored it away. Then he also grabbed a KS-23 shotgun. The derringer pocket pistol and the KS-23 shotgun was already filled with ammo.That''s why he didn''t waste any time on grabbing ammo and just hurried upstairs. Simon also didn''t forget to pick two bottles of holy water just in case.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The floor instantly reappeared and then the stairs leading down were gone as if they weren''t even there. Simon was greeted by Leo''s bark. The dog was wearing a bulletproof vest that had a spot where Simon could put his shotgun in. This vest was customized specifically for Leo so that he could put this vest on without the help of Simon. Of course, Simon trained him to do that. Leo barked at Simon as if saying, "Master! I want to help!"


    Simon nodded at the dog and then put the shotgun on the spot of the vest. The way the duo interacted was as if they had already done this before. Then the duo ran towards the front door. Simon grabbed the car keys, wore his overcoat, locked the door and then entered the Mclaren Senna. Everything happened within just five minutes. Simon had no time to spare. Every second that he wasted made him feel uneasier.


    Simon opened the door for Leo and then leo hopped back in. Leo bit the handle of the car to close the car.


    Simon started the car and then he made his way to Birmingham. Birmingham is twenty one point eight miles away from Coventry. The average time it took from Coventry to Birmingham was about thirty minutes but due to Simon''s skilled driving, they reached Birmingham in just seven minutes. The Mclaren senna was a monstrous vehicle its speed cap was about 340km/h. Calculating the miles and the speed, Simon reduced the average time it takes to travel to more than seventy five percent. Along the way, Simon was filled with countless thoughts.


    ''I hope Auntie is okay, I swear if anything happened to her. The thing that hurt her will have its family reduced to a pile of ashes!'' Simon thought angrily and anxiously.


    He droved at top speed and then after seven painful minutes, he arrived at his Aunt''s place. He got out of his car with Leo in tow. He grabbed the shotgun from Leo''s vest and then rushed towards the front door.


    "Auntie!!" Simon yelled and then he shot the doorknob and kicked the door open.


    There was no noise inside the house and this made him more uneasy. His face was very pale and his brows were so arched.


    Simon silently walked inside with the shotgun tilted diagonally. Leo was behind him also slowly walking while silently growling.


    "Auntie?" Simon said.


    "Mon-monnie help..." His aunt''s voice echoed throughout the room.


    Simon heard his aunt''s voice and then figured out that it came from the kitchen. Simon rushed towards the kitchen and then in the blink of an eye, he was already there. He saw a demon looking at his Aunt with an evil smile. This demon had two long horns. Its face was surprisingly handsome and its eyes were terrifying. The sclera was pure black while the pupil was a line that resembled that of a snake''s. The demon was quite classy, it was wearing a blue suit with leather shoes and a black tie. The demon''s hair was blond and his skin tone was white.


    "Auntie!" Simon cried out. His Aunt was swimming in her own blood. Unconscious on the floor and almost completely lifeless.


    Simon shot the demon.


    In a split second, the demon looked at him and then it smiled. The demon took a direct hit but it didn''t seem to be bothered by it. The shotgun was filled with rock salt that could slow down spirits but not kill them.


    When Simon saw the eyes of that demon, he felt immense rage rise up from him.


    He recognized these pair of eyes!


    "You motherfucker! You''re the one from before! The one who killed my family! The one who started this mess! You''re gonna pay you prick!" Simon yelled and then he grabbed the holy water inside his overcoat and then he splashed it towards the demon.


    The sound of something sizzling pierced through the air. The skin of the demon was getting burned. The demon roared and then he raised his hands and then flicked it. Simon was instantly sent flying across the room. A loud bang reverberated as Simon hit the wall. The walls cracked but Simon was still hung up on the wall like a painting.


    Leo barked at the demon and then when it saw that its master was flung up across the room, it pounced towards the demon.


    "Quiet beast!" The demon said and he also sent the poor dog flying across the room. It hit the wall and then uttered a painful whimper. Then it slipped into unconsciousness.


    Simon coughed up a mouthful of blood and then he felt extreme pain in his chest.


    "Leo!" Simon yelled and then the pain inside his chest started to worsen.


    The demon laughed and then said,


    "Simon Simon... Ohhh Simon. You''ve grown boy! You''ve been raised pretty well by your family! Oh right... You don''t have one." The demon said.


    "I killed them, after all." It said these words slowly as if it wanted to tease and provoke Simon.


    "You also raised quite a brave mutt! How wonderful." The demon said while looking at Leo.


    "I wonder how a dog tastes?" The demon said with a smile while walking towards Leo. It stabbed Leo''s leg with its index finger and then licked the blood from its hands. Leo wallowed in pain but it couldn''t do anything.


    "You pri-prick! Don''t you touch him!" Simon struggled to curse at the bastard.


    "What''s that Simon my boy? Cat got your tongue?" The demon grinned from ear to ear and then said, "I''m just joking with you, I don''t eat dogs." The demon laughed and then it stood up.


    "Although the flavor of the blood of your dog is quite tasty." The demon said and looked at Leo with an insatiable hunger and bloodlust.


    "Fuck you! I swear to God that if you lay your hands on him! You will suffer!" Simon said anxiously.


    "Oh? And what does God have to do with you? Where was your God when I slaughtered your family?" The demon replied indifferently.


    Simon didn''t answer.


    The demon laughed out loud again and then it walked closer towards his Aunt.


    "Ohh Venice... You are quite a fine woman. It''s unfortunate that you''re a Reython. Otherwise, I could have made an exception and took you to hell with me" the demon said while holding Venice''s chin.


    "It''s a pity... A pity..." The demon said while shaking its head as if it were truly disheartened by the fact that Venice was a Reython.


    ''This fucker is gonna pay!'' Simon thought to himself. He tried to struggle free but he couldn''t move. He was after all, just a human.


    The demon let go of Venice''s face and then he looked at Simon.


    The demon walked towards Simon and then looked at him.


    "What a good overcoat, mind if I have it?" The demon said. It took the overcoat from Simon and then wore it.


    The demon didn''t wear any overcoat before but now that it


    "Well, I better go, I might miss the bus!" The demon laughed and then told a joke. Simon fell into the floor with a thud. He then reached into his back pocket and then used the derringer pocket pistol and shot the demon.


    The demon smiled and right before it was about to be hit by the rock salt, it vanished.


    "Too bad Simon..." The voice of the demon reverberated across the room.


    "Aunt! Leo!" Simon yelled. With his right arm supporting his chest, he struggled to walk towards his auntie first.


    "Aunt Venice... Please, please be alive!" Simon said softly while holding his aunt in his hands. Crystal clear tears were falling from his eyes.


    He grabbed her hand and then searched for a pulse. "Thud" he felt a pulse. He sighed in relief and then he layed beside his Aunt. He grabbed his phone inside his coat and then called 911.


    While calling 911, he was looking at Leo sadly and then mumbled to himself,


    "Please be okay buddy..."

 Chapter 2: Black Annis

    Three months later


    "Leo! Now!" Simon shouted while fending off the Black Annis. Leo barked and then he quickly pounced on the Black Annis. Simon used this as an opportunity to get his KS-23 shotgun. He rolled and then grabbed the shotgun in quick succession.


    The Black Annis was given many names over the years.  Black Anna, Black Anny, Cat Anna ang Black Agnes. Her home was in a cave called "Black Annis''s Bower" located in the Dane Hills on the outskirts of Leicester. She was said to have clawed her way out of the cave using only her sharp nails. She was said to also hide in Pollarded oak which she would be later found pouncing on little children. She would carry them into her cave, suck off their blood and would eat their tasty flesh before draping the skin of her victims in the pollarded oak. The Black Annis would often times wear a skirt that was sewn from the skin of her human prey. When she doesn''t feed on humans, she would prey on the animals and the local sheperds would blame her when any sheep was lost.


    In 1942, three children were told by their evil step mother to collect fire-wood. When the sky went dark, they became fearful that Black Annis might come after them. It is said that daylight will turn her into stone. They heard something suspicious and then when they looked at a hole, they saw Black Annis.  They dropped the faggots that they were careying so that they could escape. Annis''s legs were bloodied so she returned to the bower to rub her legs with some salve. She came back for tbe children and caught up with them at the cottage door. However, the father of the three came out holding an axe and hit Annis in the face. She started to scream "Blood! blood!" As she escaped but she soon fell down and died. Her howling  was said to reach five miles and the grinding of ber teeth were so loud. Black Annis would often prey on the babies using her long arms.


    The Black Annis had long and sharp nails. Her skin is a bit gray and her hair is dark blue. She was about seven feet tall and her eyes were just like the average human. But it was filled with bloodlust. Her face and body was so skinny that her bones were visible.


    "Stinky mutt! Get off of me!" The Black Annis cried out. Leo bit her arm and the Black Annis shrieked in pain.


    "Leo get back!" Simon shouted. Leo growled at the Black Annis and then dashed to the side. Simon cocked his shotgun and then aimed it towards her.


    "What do you know about the black and white eyed demon?! Tell me or I''ll shoot your head!" Simon yelled at the Black Annis while Leo was growling and barking.


    "I don''t know anything about a demon like that!" The Black Annis cried out in panic. Her hair was disheveled and her face was unsightly.


    Simon shot the space besides the Black Annis as a warning shot. "Quit lying or I''ll kill you!" Simon said.


    "Okay okay! Fine I''ll talk!" The Black Annis said.


    "That demon that killed your family... He isn''t any ordinary demon! That''s all I''m allowed to say!" The Black Annis stated fearfully. But then she shrewdly said, "But if you offer me some fresh babies then maybe I''ll tell you a bit more".


    She smiled evilly at him. Simon cocked his shotgun and shot the Black Annis in the stomach. The sun was about to rise so they should get rid of the Black Annis so that children wouldn''t die. About a month ago, Simon decided to travel around the world in search for the truth with his dog. He heard the news about a witch-like lady being seen at the Leicester again. He thought that it might be the Black Annis so he checked it out. He figured that  maybe a  creature as old as she was would know about that demon who killed his family and hurt her Aunt. He arrived in the town with Leo a few hours after a baby went missing. He talked to the mother of the child, acting like someone from the police. From there he found the tracks and then went towards the bower. Unfortunately for him, the night was about to arrive. He entered the bower and then saw the Black Annis feasting upon a child. The Black Annis screamed at him and pounced on him. But he shot her using his derringer pocket pistol. But he didn''t expect her to be so cunning. When Simon was about to finish her off that night, he fell into a trap with Leo.


    A few hours later he woke up because of Leo''s barks and then broke free from his bindings. He tried to escape but was greeted by the bloodied Black Annis whom was holding the corpse of a baby. Then the following situation told occured.


    "Leo drag her out!" Simon ordered. Leo bit the Black Annis''s hair and then dragged her out of the Bower. Simon shot her a few times which heavily injured her.


    "No!!!!!!" The Black Annis reluctantly shouted as she became stone. Simon shot the already dead Black Annis and her stone instantly crumbled.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.Simon looked at Leo and then he fell down into the ground. He breathed heavily while Leo was sitting right next to him and licking him in the face.


    When Simon recovered from his injuries, he woke up. He was delighted to hear that her Aunt Venice was still alive. However, he was extremely pissed off because that Demon hurt his family again! Without bidding farewell to her, he set off on a journey and told his boss that he wanted to take some time off, using the excuse of being traumatized as the reason.


    "Alright buddy, let''s go." After a few moments of resting, Simon got up and said to Leo. Leo barked as a response and then he quickly followed Simon. His car was parked in the city so they had to walk.


    After an hour they reached his car. Simon entered his car and so did Leo. Simon patted Leo in the head and said, "thanks for having my back buddy."


    Leo barked and then licked Simon in the face.


    "Ringgg ringgg ringgg" Simon''s phone rang. He grabbed his phone from his right pocket and then said, "yeah who is it?"


    "It''s me Edward" The voice said.


    "Oh Uncle what''s up?" Simon replied.


    "I heard you went to Leicester to hunt the Black Annis?" Edward said.


    "Yeah, I just finished why?" Simon asked.


    "I have something to give to you. Something that your father entrusted to me..." Edward said.


    "My father?" Simon asked.


    ''What is he talking about? Dad died 18 years ago.'' Simon thought to himself.


    "Just, swing by." Edward said.


    "Alright, I''ll call you later." Simon replied.


    "Good. Take care."


    Simon hung up the phone and started to drive.


    His Uncle, Edward King is the brother of his late mother, Elizabeth King. That man was the person who accompanied him when he was training and hunting creatures before he started to work. He was the person who stood as his father. He lived in the outskirts of Liverpool. Just like him, accompanied by a dog. A brown bloodhound. Edward taught him that having a dog was very useful since dogs can track scents, fight with them without questioning orders and a good companion.


    After driving for just an hour, Simon reached Warrington. Warrington is a town between Manchester and Liverpool. A town 99.8 miles away. It is famous for exhibiting artifacts and archeological findings or paintings around the world.


    Simon entered a hotel along with Leo so that they could at least rest for a bit before going to his Uncle''s place. Simon payed the needed money and then entered the room. He took off his clothes and then proceeded to the bathroom. "Leo, guard the room okay?" He said to Leo.


    Leo barked and then he nodded.


    He took a bath for about 30 minutes.


    "Hey Leo! It''s your turn to take a bath!" Simon yelled. Leo growled and didn''t move. Simon laughed and then he carried Leo to the bathroom while wearing only his boxers. Leo is a big dog and he was very heavy too. But Simon carried him with ease.


    He put Leo into the bathtub and then washed him with soap that he bought specifically for dogs. After about twenty minutes, Simon finished bathing Leo. Leo''s fur was so thick that it was rather hard for Simon to clean him completely. It''s a good thing that Leo didn''t come into contact with much dirt in the Black Annis''s cave or else it would take double the time for Simon to bathe Leo. Maybe even thrice the time! Simon wiped Leo with a towel and then combed his hair. Leo was living the life! Simon loved Leo with all his heart. He didn''t just consider Leo as a tool in battle. But also as his bestfriend.


    After another ten minutes, Leo was dried up. Simon wiped off his sweat and then he slipped into the bathroom once more. He wiped himself with his towel and then opened his suitcase. He grabbed a light brown trouser and paired it with a white long sleeve polo and a black tie. It was rather chilly outside so he also paired it with a black trench coat. He wore his shining dark brown leather boots and coupled it with a watch that his Aunt gave him when he was a college student. He took a leather biker''s glove in his suitcase and then also wore it.


    He decided to take a walk and get some fresh air. "Buddy, you stay here alright?" Simon said. Leo whimpered as if saying "I want to go!". Simon shook his head and laughed as a response. "I''m sorry buddy but you can''t come."


    Leo growled and then he lunged towards the bed and made himself comfortable.


    Simon didn''t know whether to laugh or cry when he saw this but he didn''t mind it. He locked the door and then headed downstairs. While walking down the street, he noticed a newspaper rack and decided to take one.


    He wanted to see if there were a few jobs for him to take on in this town as he was already here.


    "A 21 years old female was found stabbed thrice by a man that was described as all black and extremely fast."


    "Couple found dead inside their bedroom. Blood all over the floor. Suspect not identified."


    "A girl''s throat was slit in an alley somewhere in Pasture Drive. Witness claimed it to be a big man with a pair of dazzling and sharp scissors."


    "A man was found dead and mutilated post-mortem at his house. There was no sign of break in and all the doors were locked."


    Simon felt like the last two cases were unnatural but since there were two, he eventually chose the latter one.


    Simon went back to his car and then drove to that man''s house. On the way there, he dropped by a mall and then bought himself a black fedora. He arrived at a street called Salmon Avenue. The house that the man died in was a small house that looked to be more than three centuries old. There were police tapes all over the house that warned one to not enter as this place was a crime scene. Simon looked around and then when he saw that no one was within a 200 meter radius, he approached the house and then easily picked the door knob''s lock. "Clang" Simon opened the door knob''s lock successfully. He opened the door slowly and then searched around the house. There was no broken objects on the first floor. Not in the kitchen or the living room. He made his way to upstairs and then saw that there was blood in the hallway. The blood was coming from the room that was three meters from him. He approached the room and saw a bloodied mess. He took out the EMF meter inside his trench coat and then activated it. A strange high pitch sound was made because of it. An EMF meter is a device that can detect ghosts or spirits. Since these things release electromagnetic force.

 Chapter 3: Investigation

    He pointed the EMF meter to the wall and found that there was nothing wrong. He entered the room and saw blood all over the floor. He walked around but couldn''t find anything wrong. A few moments later, he heard the sound of the cops arriving. He hurriedly stored the EMF meter inside his trench coat and then exited the room. He looked for a window that he could use to escape. After a few seconds, he quickly found one and used it. Fortunately for him, there wasn''t any person who saw him exit the house otherwise he might be considered as a suspect since suspects do intend to go back to the places where they killed.


    Simon strolled around the streets and after the coast was clear, he entered his car. ''I should find more information about this guy.'' Simon thought to himself as he started the engine of his car. He drove to his hotel. Along the way, he stopped at a restaurant to pick up food for him and Leo. After half an hour, he left the restaurant and proceeded towards the hotel. He was greeted by one of the employees that was stationed in the cashier.


    "Ah sir! Might I take a bit of your time? You see, your dog is causing trouble for the other guests. Can you please do something about it? Otherwise, I will rudely ask you to leave." That employee said. Simon looked at the employee and then grabbed his wallet from his trench coat. He took out a hundred pounds and then put it into the small pocket on the chest of the employee.


    "That''s the money for the damage alright? Well, I hope you don''t mind my dog afterwards." Simon said meaningfully.


    That employee was rather quick as he said, "of course sir."


    Simon bade farewell and then he walked to the elevator. That employee took the seventy pounds for himself and then stored away the thirty pounds. ''What a generous man! I have to take care of his dog later on and maybe he might give me more money!'' that employee thought as he smiled cheekily.


    Simon''s room was on the fourth floor but when he was still on the third floor, he could clearly hear Leo''s barks. Simon sighed and then got off the elevator when the door opened. The hallway had a thick red mat that further augmented the beauty of the hallway. The designs, items, and plants placed in the hallway were all refined and beautiful.


    "Hey buddy I''m here!" Simon yelled out. He opened the door and then placed down the food on the table near the door. He found it rather odd since the room was silent and Leo was nowhere to be found. He walked three meters forward and then all of a sudden, he felt that something was behind him.


    Leo pounced on him like he was some cat. Simon hit his head on the floor. He grimaced in pain while Leo licked his face. Simon rubbed Leo''s head and cuddled him. "What did you do when I was away? Why were you barking? You naughty dog!" Simon teased Leo and acted angry. Leo growled at him and then licked his face. Simon laughed and then said, "alright Leo that''s enough. Let''s eat."


    Leo barked in response and then moved out of the way. Simon stood up and then grabbed the food that he bought. Giving Leo his food. The two ate happily. Leo''s plate was unsurprisingly tidy. He''s a trained dog of course. Simon disposed of their leftovers and then he grabbed his laptop from his suitcase. He hacked the database of the police department of Warrington so that he could gain more information about that man who died.


    After a few clicks, he summarized the information that he saw.


    According to the info that he gathered, the man''s name was Damian Hawthorn. A forty five years old man who worked in a factory called Hernandez''s Marshmallow Factory. Worked there for more than two decades. He had black hair, a bit fat, tattoo of a triangular symbol on his left arm and he was white man. He got divorced with his wife three years ago. His wife''s name is Molly Hawthorn. A forty six years old woman who has blonde hair and light skin tone. Apparently, they got divorced because Damian couldn''t leave behind his addiction to alcohol. He had a few friends, but only this name was written in the section ''friends''. A person called John Thompson who worked with him in the same company. Damian Hawthorn died on June 23, 2021 because of multiple cuts on the body, severe bloodloss and he was also stabbed a couple of times in his abdomen. The forensics team''s findings indicated that Damian Hawthorn''s left arm was also broken but it was broken by the killer post-mortem. There was no fingerprints on the body, no sign of struggle or bruises and no sign of someone breaking in as the doors and windows were all locked. He was found by his neighbor two days after he died when his neighbor wanted to visit him and ask him to drink with him. The neighbor stated that he was calling out to Damian but nobody answered. He found it quite odd that nobody answered since the doors were all locked from the inside. He didn''t want to break in. Thus he called the 911.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    There is no current suspect since Damian didn''t see anyone the day that he died.


    Simon''s brow furrowed. "No sign of someone breaking in? No fingerprints? Must be a vengeful spirit. Alright I''ll go talk first to his ex-wife." Simon said.


    He looked at Leo and then said, "Leo, come on. We have a case to solve."


    Leo barked excitedly. The duo left the room and then they headed towards where Molly Hawthorn lived.


    After a ten-minute drive, they quickly reached Molly''s house. Simon pulled up the car at the other side of the street of Molly''s house and then said to Leo, "Leo, stay here in the car. That''s a command. Guard my things."


    Leo nodded seriously as if he understood what Simon said. Simon patted Leo''s head, grabbed his fake FBI ID and then headed towards Molly''s house. Using fake ids was something that his Uncle taught him when he was growing up. It was pretty handy when infiltrating government institutions or getting someone to talk.


    Molly''s house was a two story house, it was colored light blue and the whole house was like the average brittish house. Simon knocked on the door three times. A blonde lady who looked to be in her mid forties opened the door.


    The lady looked at him with fear and suspicion. "Yes? Who might you be?" said the Lady. "Hello Ma''am, I''m Simon from the FBI. Is there a Molly Hawthorn here?" Simon said and then he took out his badge and ID so that the Lady would believe in him. Indeed, the lady believed in him but she was still hostile.


    "Yes, I''m Molly Hawthorn. However Hawthorn isn''t the surname I currently use... Please just call me Molly." The lady said.


    "Ms. Molly, I want to hear your statement about your ex-husband Damian Hawthorn." Simon said seriously.


    "But I already gave my statement to the police yesterday." Molly said.


    "Yeah, I''m just following up, wanting to hear the statement from your own mouth." Simon smiled and said.


    Seeing that Simon meant well, she let him in. Molly''s house was neat and tidy. Molly lead Simon to the living room and said, "Please take a seat agent?..."


    Simon and Molly took a seat. "Oh I''m Agent Simon." Simon said and then shook Molly''s hand.


    "Well Molly, I am sorry for your loss." Simon said.


    "It''s okay..." Molly replied.


    "How did he die?" Simon asked Molly.


    "Well, I got a call from the police that my ex-husband was murdered. That he was stabbed and cut." Molly said weakly.


    "And when did you hear of this?" Simon said.


    "On the 26th of June."


    "Hmmm... How was your relationship with Damian?"


    "Well, three years ago. We...we got a divorce but I still had contact with him every now and then."


    "The reports say that you left him because he couldn''t leave his addiction to alcohol behind?"


    "That''s partly the reason but..." Molly replied.


    "But what Molly?" Simon asked.


    Molly sighed and said, "Damian, he... Whenever he got drunk, he would abuse me physically and hurt me. He even sent me to the hospital once. I got scared. I didn''t want to see him anymore."


    Simon was not surprised by this since from time immemorial, drunkards had a tendency to beat their wife up. Simon nodded and said, "Did you hold a grudge towards Damian after you divorced?"


    "What?! No! Do you think I killed him?! I... i loved the man!" Molly shouted.


    "I left him but I didn''t want him to die! I was just tired and sick of getting beat up. But I didn''t wish for him to die. Not even once." Molly started to tear up.


    "Oh no no Ma''am, that''s not what I meant. I''m sorry if you thought that it was." Simon hurriedly said.


    "But, do you know any person who might have a beef with him? Someone who he got into an argument with or a fight?" Simon asked.


    "I don''t know... I don''t know. Maybe his friend knows. I didn''t have any contact with him in the recent weeks so I don''t really know." Molly replied.


    "Friend? May I know who this friend might be?" Simon asked.


    "John Thompson. He worked with Damian in the factory. He knew him more than me. They were like brothers who were not bounded by blood." Molly said.


    "Noted Ma''am. Thank you for your time!" Simon said and left the house.


    ''So the ex-wife doesn''t know anything huh?'' Simon thought to himself.


    He walked towards his car and opened it. He found Leo sleeping cutely. He chuckled and then took a quick picture of Leo. He started the car and Leo snapped awake. The duo headed towards the Hernandez Marshmallow Company. Simon left Leo again in the car and then he searched for John Thompson. He talked to the guards, "Hello Sir, is there a John Thompson working here?"


    "Yes there is actually and who might you be?" That guard said.


    "I''m Agent Simon from the FBI" Simon said and then raised his badge and ID.


    "Alright. You can enter." Seeing that the badge and id were real, the guard let him in and told him where John Thompson was.


    Simon nodded and then said thanks. He walked towards a big building and then called out, "John Thompson? John Thompson? Are you here? I want to talk to you." Simon yelled out. The workers in front of him stopped working and then they quickly turned to look at him and then to a bald black guy in a sleeveless shirt.


    "Yes? Who are you?" The bald black guy walked towards him. This bald black guy''s body was quite intimidating to normal folks but it didn''t intimidate Simon since he has seen people and creatures whom are far more intimidating than this guy.


    "Are you John Thompson?" Simon asked.


    "Yes I am sir." John said.


    "I''m Agent Simon from the FBI, I''ve come here to talk about the death of your friend, Damian Hawthorn."


    "I''ve already said what I know to the police yesterday..." John replied.

 Chapter 4: Revelation

    "I''ve already said what I know to the police yesterday..." John replied.


    This man looks to be about forty three years old. Except for being bald and black, what captured Simon''s attention was that he also had that triangular tattoo on his left arm. Like Damian did.


    "Yes but I just want to clarify things." Simon said after observing John.


    John looked at Simon strangely but with a little bit of sadness and said,


    "alright."


    Simon felt confused because of how John looked at him.


    John led Simon to a room inside the factory where it was more decent and clean. This place was where the leaders would rest or supervise from. He''s the leader of the group of workers in this area of work so he head access to this room.


    "Take a seat" John said. Simon didn''t reply but instead just took a seat. They both looked at each other calmly. Simon broke the silence and then said, "Mr. Thompson, what is your relationship with Mr. Hawthorn?".


    "Well, I''d like to consider myself as his best friend. We always spent time together inside and outside the factory. I treat him as my brother." John said with a sad face.


    "I''m so sorry for your loss and because we''re talking about this." Simon said.


    "No it''s okay. I want to help out in finding Damian''s killer." John said.


    Simon nodded and then he said, "John, tell me more about you and Damian."


    John sighed and said, "Damian and I were best buddies. Wherever he went, so did I. I met him after I entered the factory. He started to work here a year after I did. We instantly hit it off. I mean, I like the guy. He was kind and honest but not naive. And he wasn''t racist! It''s hard to find a person who''s not racist around this part of England."


    Simon nodded. He understood this. When he was still in college, he could always see black men bullied simply because they were black. They were despised by the world. Despised by the students and even the professors. This was natural since the british folks were also involved in african slavery way back to the 1600s to early 1800s. Although they abolished slavery on 1833, something that happened couldn''t be changed. The disdain of the people towards different races and colors wouldn''t change even after almost two hundred years.


    "Hmm..." Simon clicked his tongue. "Did you have any contact with Damian before he died?" Simon asked.


    "Yes we did actually. Two days before he died, he stopped working. I called him and asked him why but he said that he wasn''t feeling well." John said the last words with a bit of hesitation.


    This couldn''t escape Simon''s eyes.


    ''John definitely knows something about why Damian died...'' Simon thought to himself.


    "Did Damian ever told you any strange things before he died? Like seeing something, flickering lights, hearing noises and something like that?" Simon said.


    John looked at him strangely and then he replied after a brief moment, "I don''t recall him ever telling me anything like that. No. Why do you ask?"


    "Oh nothing nothing. I''m just being thorough." Simin smiled.


    He identified that John was lying but he didn''t want to break all forms of cordiality so he just let it slip. He looked at John, stood up, and said with a smile, "Thanks for answering all of my questions Mr. Thompson!" Simon shook John''s hand and said.


    After they shook each other''s hand, Simon pointed at John''s tattoo on the left arm and said, "What a beautiful tattoo. Hey, i looked over Damian''s files. He too had a tatoo like this right?"


    "Uh..." John said with a pause. "Yeah he did. It''s something that signified our friendship, you know? Something corny like that." John continued with a laugh.


    Simon also laughed and then said as ge walked back to his car, "Well thanks again Mr. Thompson! I''ll inform you when the killer has been caught!"


    ''That guy was extremely suspicious. Something''s not right with him. He seemed to be very nervous and he desperately tried to hide that fact. I could see it just by the way he talked and the way he breathed. It was like he was on a marathon, he was lacking breath. I''ll come back later and follow him when he goes home.'' Simon thought to himself.


    Simon drove to the hotel, left Leo there and then drove to the library. He didn''t want to leave Leo on the car for hours so he might as well leave him in the hotel where there was food and he could walk around the room.


    Simon entered the library and took off his black fedora. He walked towards the librarian and then asked, "can you arrange for me the murders or kidnappings in this town in the the last fifty years?". The librarian was a man who looked to be about sixty years old. He had white hair, glasses and a wrinkled face.


    The librarian looked at him , nodded and then left. After half an hour, the librarian came back with a bunch of newspapers inside a box.


    "These are the killings and kidnappings in the last fifty years. Knock yourself out" the librarian said.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Simon thanked the librarian and then started to read. After an hour or two, Simon had narrowed down all of the cases into one final case. This case was particularly interesting.


    "It''s stated here that six years ago, a girl called Andrea Grey went missing. She  had long black hair and white skin. She just turned 28 years old that year..." Simon mumbled to himself.


    "The only person that people saw her with before she disappeared was a man called Hernandez Klein. The boss of the Lowry''s Marshmallow Factory." He continued.


    "The cops questioned him but since there was not enough evidence, he wasn''t locked up"


    "Bingo!" He quickly got up, arranged the things that he used, bid his farewell to the librarian and then rushed to his car.


    ''So Hernandez may or may have not killed the girl. But I wonder how he''s connected with Damian and John. I guess I''ll have to follow him or maybe even confront him. I''ve still got an hour left.'' Simon thought to himself.


    He drove towards the factory and then sneaked to the back. He jumped over the fence silently. The security inside the factory was not worth mentioning since no one in their right mind would ever think of entering a factory without permission. I mean, there wasn''t even a single thing that could be stolen except for unpacked products that is. Simon entered the factory and then looked around for a few minutes.


    Luck was on his side as the workers were not here and Simon easily spotted a man about fifty years old, wearing a suit and tie along with John enter a room.


    ''I gotcha.'' Simon thought to himself. He silently tiptoed towards the door of the room and eavesdropped on them.


    Hernandez and John sat down.


    "Boss, an FBI agent came over and asked me questions about Damian''s death." John said.


    "And?" Hernandez looked at John and replied.


    "That FBI agent asked me about my tattoo and if John told me strange things before he died." John said.


    "The thing is Boss, John did indeed tell me strange things. He said that he started to see ''her''. He would see flickering lights and the temperature surrounding him would suddenly drop. He would hear the sounds Boss..."


    John lowered his voice but it was still audible to Simon. "The sounds that she made when we raped and killed that girl."


    Hernandez looked at Simon seriously and after a few moments, he broke out into hearty laugher.


    "John my boy! Have you gone mad because of Damian''s death?! Look, I know that he died and It''s been hard on you but don''t turn crazy on me or else I''ll have to spend effort to find a good leader again alright?" Hernandez said and then patted John''s shoulder.


    John also laughed at himself but this laugh sounded more like a forced laugh since he kinda believed in ghosts and spirits. Seeing that something about that was said to him before a man died really creeped him out.


    "Alright John, you can go now." Hernandez said.


    John bid his farewell and then walked towards the door. Simon heard this, so he quickly found a place near the door to hide.


    John exited the door. He felt like someone was there but found no one. He felt shivers down his spine. He quickened his pace and walked towards the streets so that he could take a cab.


    Simon followed him silently.


    On the way there, John saw a figure all cut up and bruised. Her hair was dishiveled and she was wearing a shite dress stained with blood around the abdomen. John''s pupils constricted and he came to an abrupt halt. "Andrea..." John uttered weakly. "You... You killed and raped me John!" Andrea said while walking closer to John.


    John took a few steps back and said, "No! No no no! I was just forced to do so! I''m sorry! Please! Forgive me!"


    "Forgive you?! You''re sorry?!" Andrea shrieked and her face turned that into a corpse. A decayed face filled with worms and dirt. John screamed in fear when he saw this and he suddenly tripped down on the floor.


    Simon saw what was happening, so he took out his derringer pocket pistol and then shot Andrea. The spirit got hit and then dissipated. "Bang!" The sound of the derringer pocket pistol firing reverberated through the air.


    "Wha-what was that?! Did you see that???" John said.


    Simon hid the derringer pocket pistol and then he helped John stand up.


    "Wa-wait! You''re that FBI agent" John said.


    "Well, I''m more like a temporary one depending on the occasion. Ha ha" Simon replied awkwardly.


    "Come on, I''ll buy you a drink."


    ...


    Inside a bar called "Liquid Hot Momma Bar" appeared two men drinking. One was black and one was white. These two were naturally Simon and John. Simon was drinking an alcoholic beverage called


    "Satan''s Whiskers". A drink that was made famous by the Satan''s Whiskers restaurant. The drink had gin, orange juice, sweet and dry vermouth and Grand Marnier mixed in on it. The team who made this also added sugar and a dash of lemon  to lighten the recipe up a bit. It was light brown in color but more vague. With one sip, you would be able to experience drinking with Satan, or so they say. The bartender is friends with the owner of the Satan''s Whiskers bar so he could sell this drink here.


    John was drinking a drink called Campbeltown. It had the same color as Liquor. It tasted peaty and robust while being complemented by vanilla. Its name was derived from a place called Campbeltown.


    "So John, tell me, who is it that you saw?" Simon said intelligently.


    John looked at him trying to avoid the question. He took a shot of the Campbeltown and then drank it in one go.


    "One more please!" He yelled. The bartender poured more of it into his glass.


    "I didn''t see anything!" John said.


    "John, you know what you saw. If you don''t tell me now, I won''t be able to help you." Simon said and then he took a sip off the Satan''s Whisker.


    "She''s Andrea Grey right?" Simon whispered.


    "Shh! Lower your voice." John sighed and said.


    "Well, then tell me." Simon replied.


    John looked at him and then he sighed.


    "That''s right. Her name is Andrea Grey. One day, my boss told us to come with him with her in tow." John said, clearly hiding more crucial information.


    "John, listen to me. If you don''t tell me what happened, more people will die! Damian has already died! You or your boss could be next! John? Do you want to die?!" Simon said.


    Simon had a thing for saving people. Regardless of whether they were in the wrong or not.


    "Me and Damian couldn''t disobey Boss since he was our Boss. So we quickly rode his car. Andrea Grey was tied up and her eyes and mouth were covered by clothes."


    "We drove her to a house at the outskirts of town. There, Boss raped her. And then after he raped her, he told us we could rape her too. Join in on the fun you know?" John said.


    ''Bastard!'' Simon thought to himself. He really wanted to punch John in the facd right now but it would do him no good.


    "I was rather caught up in the moment at that time. I knew that since I was with them, I didn''t have any choice. I got into the tiger''s back and I know I can''t dismount."  John said.


    "Damian and I did her. As well as Boss. We stayed there for about three days. At the final day however, we saw Boss''s true nature. He had this fetish of getting turned on when seeing blood all over the one that he was having sex with." John said.


    ''So that explains all the cuts that Andrea had...'' Simon thought


    "Andrea couldn''t take it anymore so she fought back. Boss got angry when she resisted so he punched her in the face a couple of times."


    "He ended up killing her in the process. Boss got angry when she died, so he vented his rage on her corpse. Breaking her left arm."


    Simon''s brows were very arched at this point.


    "Boss told us to help him dispatch the body. We put the body inside a bag and buried her under the ground." Josh said.