Diabolus: The Lethal Hunt

Chapter Twelve

KAI WOODS

"There we are." Daryl glances through the window before the truck door opens.

As the door creaks open, a captivating scene unfolds before me - a towering two-story wooden house nestled amidst a lush green canopy and enveloped by a seemingly endless expanse of dreary gray stones. But what really catches my eye is a shattered window on the upper level, its jagged shards ensnared by tattered curtains that cling onto the remnants of glass. The dwelling appears vacant and forlorn, with no signs of life in sight. Could this be the very place they have taken refuge in?

"Home sweet home." With a sudden burst of energy, Daryl catapults himself out of the truck, inhaling a lungful of crisp air and luxuriating in a slow, satisfying stretch that seems to go on forever. "Well, what are you waiting for?"

"How do I know this is not some kind of trap?"

"You don't." Jesse follows after Daryl.

"But tell me, Diabolus." With a sense of wonderment, Daryl gazes upwards at the sudden clarity of the sky, absently rubbing his prickly stubble. "Where do these trust issues come from?"

"From the taste of many years of betrayal." I gather myself together, holding Brent's arm and taking us both out of the truck.

As much as I yearn to have faith in them, an invisible force holds me back from fully entrusting them. Perhaps it's my trust issues rearing their ugly head once more. Nevertheless, that familiar burning sensation of apprehension lodged in my chest has been a constant companion throughout the years, and the thought of losing it now leaves me feeling vulnerable and exposed.

"You." I glance over at Jesse, and as my gaze grows taut with unease, his posture reflexively stiffens in response. "You're going first."

"What? What for?" A guttural rumble escapes from his throat, causing his brows to furrow in an instant display of displeasure.

"If there's no harm, why are you afraid?"

He sighs as if the oxygen in his mouth would let out the annoyance he is feeling.

"Fine."

With a heavy sigh and a flick of his wrist, he brandishes his gun like a lethal extension of his arm, as he marches towards the wooden house nestled amidst the rugged terrain. The sound of his boots echoes through the rocky path as if announcing his arrival to anyone within earshot, daring them to stand in his way. His determined steps quicken, the gun held steady as if he's prepared to face whatever danger may lie ahead.

"Why do you need the gun, if we're in the right place?" I whisper.

"They have no idea who I am. I don't want to be dead as soon as I step inside the house."

He keeps sneaking towards the double metal door, embellished with what seems to be handmade metal ornaments. It squeaks a little as soon as he gently pulls it towards him, opening a view to the huge living room with a brown leather couch and a sturdy black marble table. The room is shrouded in darkness, except for the dim light that filters in through the dusty windows.

But it helps to see a shadow, quickly coming Jesse's way.

As Jesse stumbled backward, the woman's lithe form clung to him like a spider, her chain whips hissing through the air like deadly snakes as one of them found its mark around his neck, cutting off his air supply and causing him to gasp for breath as he fought for his life.

"What... the..." He struggles to let the words out.

And then she turns to me. The Earthy brown eyes glistened in the dim light behind the curtain of her red strands. Her eyes widen as soon as our gazes lock together and my body relaxes, decorating my lips with a pure smile of happiness. Her grip loosens around Jesse's neck as she keeps staring at me with her jaw dropped and her mimic, full of disbelief.