The Khigir Hunters

24. Ghosts of The Past Part I

Dionisiy Krasimir took one step out of his vehicle, his shoes crunching in the crisp snow. He sighed. It had been nearly a year since he set eyes on the Khigir household, an entire year. He scanned the large wooden home with narrowed eyes, as if he were waiting for something to jump out and attack him. Nothing. He shook his head and shut his car door.

Dion's mind absently wandered towards the youngest of the Khigirs: Yulia. He couldn't wrap his mind around being sent back home only to live with six older men that happened to be your brothers. And she was only sixteen.... He thought. Dion pittied Yulia. She had lost her mother at such a young age, and was forcibly thrown into a whole new world. Truth be told he did escort her, but that was his job.

Dion threw his backpack over his shoulder and began walking towards the house. His shadow, basked in moonlight, hoovered over the sparkling snow. It was just nearing four in the morning, and Dion was dying to sleep. After his long drive, and previous day spent recording new information, courtesy of Damion Khigir, Dion was simply exhausted.

Finally, the young man stood at the door. Dion raised his hand to deliver three sharp knocks. Just as he lowered his hand, the door opened.

"Dionisiy." Malik greeted with a nod. Dion took one look at his face, analyzing his fading wounds.

"You've seen better days." Dion stated a-matter-of-factly. Mal sorted.

"Look who's talking." Now that made the older man chuckle. Dion was well aware of the dark circles under his eyes, god, if he could just sleep, hell, even an hour.  Malik sighed, "well, come on in."

"Thanks." Dion stepped through the door way, and headed to the dinner table.

"You know, we're conducting our moring drill, if you'd care to join." Malik watched as Dion set his bag on the table and shook his head incredulously.

"Oh, no way Malik, in your dreams." Mal smirked in amusement. "I will be sleeping on a nice soft bed of feathers and silk, preferably for an entire day." Dion elaborated.

"Well, don't get too comfortable, we've only got one spare bed, so you'll have to take the couch." Malik explained, causing Dion to run his hands over his exhausted face with a groan. Dion knew it was reserved strictly for Damion, even though he wasn't here. Goddamn it, he was too tired to argue.

"Works for me." The blonde accepted the offer. With a last nod towards Malik, Dion trudged his way to the couch. He fell on top the sofa like a dead man, landing with a dramatic 'plop'. He let out a long, content sigh. "Finally..." Dion murmured into the cushions, allowing sleep to soon overtake him. The blonde's firm body sunk into the soft couch, and his hair fluttered with every passing breath. He was but a shadow in the dark, barely visible.

Flashes of the previous day played through his mind, almost like a movie reel. He and Damion Khigir had spent months looking into reports of a violent spirit, with five unexplained deaths tied to it. Despite the loss of life, nothing would deter the next new comer from moving in.

"Naive people..." Dion murmured in his sleep. With a work suit, an official badge, and combed back hair, Dion suddenly became the local friendly plumber. He had knocked on the new resident's door with confidence, and assured them he'd be quick as he inspected their pipes. Only he wasn't inspecting for proper ordinance, he was on the lookout for anything... Unnatural.

There were no strange smells or noises noticed by the new comers, but Dion's EMF reader suggested otherwise. To get the residents out of the house was a walk in the park; just your standard issue of forms and a decree of a city authorized out of code water tank and he had the whole house to himself. Damion joined him afterwards to explore the house at night. The entire building was pitch black.