Dragoln's and KZ's Short Stories

His first kill.

He had never seen so many homeless people in one place. Grime, mud and other kinds of worldly debris were dotted among their faces; their clothes were old and weary - almost rotting from the years of use. There they were, destined to lurk in sorrow.

"Try not to stare." His mentor, Graham, reminded him; he had a stern expression. The leathery cloak that Graham wore contrasted greatly with the ripped rags the people had. Johnson had never known what life was like for those less fortunate. He didn't know whether to feel grateful for his situation or pity.

As the two walked through the sullen alleyway, Johnson felt the piercing stares he received. However, whenever he looked at them, they would go back to their own devices as if nothing happened.

"Isn't there anything we could do to help?" Johnson kept his voice down, looking up to Graham.

"Don't be so fooled by their appearance. The moment you let your guard down, they'd devour you like wolves." Graham lectured him while staring into the distance. "Stay focused, we have a mission to complete." His voice was low.

After a few minutes of walking, the number of people crowding the alleyway decreased until it became deserted. Despite this, the uneasy feeling of being watched never left.

Graham stopped at a rusty metal door, almost entirely oxidised.

Raising his fist, he knocked in a particular pattern until the door opened. Unlike the outside, the interior appeared to be lively, colourful and flamboyantly decorated - like a club. Expensive furniture was featured everywhere around the room.

One bulky man stood right behind the door, his hands crossed behind his back as he stared at the two with an intimidating posture.

"We're here to meet Elize." Quick and straight to the point. Graham took the initiative to state his purpose as Johnson shuffled behind him.

The man said something indiscernible into his small microphone before letting them pass. They walked through the room and entered a corridor.

Was it this easy? Johnson couldn't help but think. All this time he had been hyping himself up for a fight so he let out a sigh of relief.

As if Graham read his mind, he spoke, "It wouldn't be like this for other missions. We're lucky I knew her beforehand."

"You were acquainted with a vampire?" Johnson's voice rose slightly. Vampires were extremely rare where he came from. It makes sense that they were much more common in areas plagued by poverty.

"Once. I met her before she turned." He seemed to have a vacant gaze for a second before picking up the pace. There was a sort of bitterness to his voice.

As they continued, Johnson saw glimpses of an extravagant lifestyle through the walls. Painting were hung on either side with masterpiece quality.

Finally, the two made it to the end of the corridor at a decorated red door.

"Wait here for a second." Graham motioned Johnson to stay behind while he entered first. A quiver of anxiety shot through Johnson's spine. He nodded before backing up a little to leave him some space.

As Johnson took a step back, the door slammed leaving Graham alone with Elize. This was his first mission as an 'Awakened' - people with special abilities that hunt down monsters. Today, he had to accompany Graham to eliminate Elize - a vampire who had been stirring up trouble recently.

Johnson anxiously waited at the red door for a few seconds, wondering if he should take action or not.

Before he knew it, the door burst into wooden splinters as Graham crashed through it. He had barely dodged the impact to find Graham crouched on the floor - having just landed.

Step by step, were the clicks of her blood-stained heels as she stalked through the remains of the door. What appeared was a woman with jaw-dropping features; hair white as snow and eyes that glowed a toxic green. She hissed, baring her fanged teeth.

"No wonder you've come. All you Awakened - you're all the same. It seems you're endangering another student, Graham Halcyon." Her words flowed like a river as if they were enchanted.

At once, she leapt at Johnson - claws outstretched and intending to aim for the face. Remembering his training, Johnson raised his ornate dagger as his eyes brightened - turning from brown to cyan blue. Two feathery black wings sprouted from his back, helping him gain the momentum to dodge backwards. Elize missed, leaving her open for attack.

Johnson didn't waste any time to counter. In a single beat, he leapt toward Elize with the aid of his wings, aiming for her heart. His hands gripped the anti-slip handle of the dagger, plunging it forward. Despite the confined space of the corridor, he still had enough space to utilise his abilities.

Sensing the danger, Elize shifted her body in an unnatural way that any ordinary human wouldn't be able to do. Then, pivoting on her right foot she attempted to deliver a roundhouse kick to Johnson's head.

Crackle! The blow never landed. Instead, electrical arcs snaked up her body, causing her to lose control temporarily. Graham had his arm raised and took the shot. Lightning still twitched between his fingers.

Johnson didn't waste this valuable chance. Right through her heart, his dagger sank. It happened in a split second with incredible reflex. The moment it was pierced through, her mortal form started to crumble. All it left was a pile of dust.

His first kill.