Dark Stranger

Avriel - Part 4

So as I said, this one's a bit later than usual, and no fun times to be had. But you'll be delighted with the anticipation for the next one I'm sure. :)

Case 3 - "Dragonfire"

While Zass and Scott were talking about Zass's life with Nathaniel, something else was happening.

.................

The moon slipped behind black clouds as they scudded across the inky sky then flashed a pure white circle when it came out again. It glinted off a large figure racing across the lawned area of Grand Park. The figure suddenly grew bigger, clothing shredded against stretching skin and bone, which grew a rough, scaled hide. Huge wings spread from massive shoulders and lifted the figure from the ground. From a height it was possible to see what the scaled creature was chasing. A female form was running across the lawn. She halted for a moment to pull one high heel from a long graceful foot. Then began hopping until the other foot was free. Throwing the shoes away, she began running again. Terror sweat dripped from her pores and the flying predator traced her movements easily, closing in quickly.

White hot heat and flame spouted from a widely gaping maw. Dagger sized teeth clamped down on charred flesh as the prey screamed. Then the screaming cut off suddenly as teeth sliced through bone, flesh and cartilage. Blood dripped down from the ravening teeth and large nostrils flared as the screaming had drawn unwanted attention. The large wings flapped again and took the beast from the scene. Sirens wailed in the distance, the sound getting closer and voices got louder as curious onlookers began to discover the mangled corpse. Some clever person kept the most bloodthirsty people back, waiting for the cops.

The uniforms rocked up and lit the scene with large flashlights until the large scene lights could be brought and set up. Chavez and Walker arrived a while later and looked over the mangled corpse. They realized that this was another "weird one" and then started to do the lazy, half-assed job of processing the scene that they usually did.

Kirstie was called in to collect the body and when she arrived on the scene, she noticed a short, red- haired girl who seemed to be staring straight at her. When Kirstie beckoned her over to the tape line, she smiled and ran towards her with almost a skipping step. When she got close, the cute pixie girl spoke so fast she almost couldn't understand her words.

"Tell Zass it was a dragon." She said.

"How do you know it was a dragon?" Kirstie asked then she added, "And how do you know I know Zass?"

"I can smell him on you."

Kirstie made a face before the girl added. "Oh, it's nothing humans can smell. It's purely a Supe thing."

At Kirstie's questioning look, she went on, "Some Supes have extra bonuses right?" Kirstie nodded. "One of ours is a super sense of smell. I know you know Zass, besides you work in the perfect job to meet him."

"OK, I'll tell him. But how do you know it's a dragon?" she reiterated.

"Oh, that's easy, I saw him." she smiled and then skipped away as Chavez and Walker gave Kirstie the nod to come and do the scene processing.

When the body was finally delivered to the Morgue for Kirstie to process, she took extra care of the victim and processed her with respect and concern. When she had completed her tasks and sent the required samples away for testing, she messaged Zass and told him there was another body.

..................

When Scott and I heard the message the next morning, we looked at each other and both said at the same time "Avi?"

We called Kirstie back and got her to describe the new victim and her injuries. When we heard the nature of the injuries and how the victim's throat and a large portion of her chest had been completely torn out, we knew that we were dealing with a large predator. When Kirstie described the girl who had seen the dragon Zass immediately recognized her as Del's cousin Amy. Only he said Am-ee. "Am-ee?" I queried.