DEMON HUNT

Chapter 30: A revisit

Charleston is fully dressed in his hunt suit, a superhero-like attire comprising of a domino mask, a fitted shirt- hugging his frame, a fitted pair of trousers, and a cape, all in black, but in different shades. There's a relatively large ''C'' positioned on the chest region of his vest. He's at the dark forest, observantly walking around, while taking an assessment of things. He'd split up with Toro, because Toro deemed it better to cover a wider area than initially intended. As a result of this, Charleston chose to take the dark forest, while Toro took care of other points of interest. All signs of the confrontation that took place have been cleaned up by DDI. All except the cost to the environment as Charleston navigates his way around felled trees. Charleston begins to ponder within himself as he goes on.

Charleston: Nothing seems off...not yet, at least. Lisandro's recording gave the impression of a gathering. I need to find out where that happened. Where could that possibly be...

Charleston continues his pondering, but something eventually makes him stop. He bumps into Sinister, who seems greatly surprised to see him, startled even. Sinister is also dressed in his hunt suit, and doesn't look like he's been involved in any form of combat. Charleston breaks the silence.

Charleston: Strange I'd bump into you here. Seeing how you missed the funeral, I became compelled to believe you didn't care.

Sinister: You wouldn't be wrong to think that. I truly do not care. I hear the funeral went rather well. A shame I was too busy to attend. Never mind that. What are you doing here?

Charleston smiles. He's not wearing a volto mask (as his mask is a domino mask), and so, his smile is evident.

Charleston: Funny you should ask me that. I was just about to ask you the same. However, I know how things work with you, so, I'll just mind my own business, and leave you to whatever brings you here.

Charleston attempts to continue in his endeavours, but Sinister intercepts his motion, bringing him to a halt. Charleston simply smiles as he takes a turn to go around Sinister instead. Sinister takes a step towards him, again, restricting his movement. Charleston smiles again, this time, less cordially. He takes another turn, hoping to circumvent Sinister, but Sinister makes sure to intercept his motion again, ensuring Charleston makes no progress. Charleston smiles while shaking his head slowly in frustration.

Charleston: Is there something you'd like to say?

Sinister: Yes.

Sinister begins to walk around in demonstration as he talks.

Sinister: You see, this is the exact spot where I attempted to discourage Lisandro from listening to the little voices in his head. I believe you're here to carry out a reconnaissance of the area. That wouldn't be necessary. I just concluded that exercise, and I'm pained to let you know that there's nothing here. Time to go home.

Charleston: I appreciate the offer, but I'd much like to see things for myself, thank you.

Charleston gently taps Sinister twice on the right shoulder as he attempts to move past him, but Sinister grabs his hand, preventing this from happening.

Charleston: Woah, easy now, buddy. One might read meaning into whatever it is you think you're doing.

Sinister: There's a reason I'm the longest serving Captain in our assembly. I even served in the immediate past assembly, albeit shortly. These vile creatures have special abilities, and they've somehow been able to conceal this from us all this time. Unless you're ready to believe they all of a sudden just evolved, or got a modification, you'll have to agree that they're up to something. They obviously want us out of the picture. What better way to do that than to pick the highest ranking, and by consequence, the most powerful hunters one by one. They've already succeeded once. I do not think anyone wants them to succeed once more. I've already scouted the area, there's nothing to find here. Time to go.

Sinister stops his random movement as he places his focus on Charleston once more.

Charleston results to replying less politely.

Charleston: Well, you do make a valid point. That would be nice for strategy. Only except, I do not believe I came off as an easy picking to you. You're stalling. I frankly do not know why, and I honestly couldn't care less. Now, get out of my way.

Sinister shakes his head.

Sinister: You see, that's the problem with you, young'uns. You simply never listen. You've only been here for no more than twenty four hours, and yet you argue with me.

Charleston: Of course we listen. Only problem is...who's speaking?

Charleston's cheeks widen slowly as he smiles tauntingly.

Charleston: You see, I can only see two possible reasons for what you're doing. It's either you're afraid that I'll notice something you didn't notice, thus making you feel inferior, or...

Charleston's face suddenly shapes to depict utmost seriousness as he stares at Sinister.

Charleston: ...Or you're trying to hide something.

Sinister takes off his mask, displaying a stern look as he glares at Charleston.

Sinister: Are you accusing me of something...,Charles?

The atmosphere becomes extremely tense.

Charleston: You know I am.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mari gasps suddenly as he wakes up from sleep. He forces himself to sit on the bed swiftly as he clutches his head, a reaction to the slight ache he feels in that region. He's in a neatly arranged and well decorated room, which is obviously not his. He feels exhausted and extremely hungry. The door opens and to Mari's surprise, captain Omero walks in and takes a seat directly opposite him.

Omero: Ahh, you're finally awake. I was getting even more worried. You must feel hungry. Reach for the bowl of cookies by your right. It's not exactly the ideal way to start your day, but for the meantime, it should suffice. Do help yourself. I made them myself.

Mari obeys. He finds himself descending on the cookies unable to restrain himself.

Omero: How does it taste?

Mari responds with his face mouth stuffed with food.

Mari: It's amazing. Thank you.

Omero: I'm glad you like it. It's 0.005 percent more sugary than I'd intended but I guess I'll just have to fix that next time. You passed out after the funeral. I was nearby, and so, I decided to bring you here and ensure you got proper medical care. Welcome to the mansion of purity, my humble abode.

Mari looks around in a fresh sense of amazement. He soon realizes something, promoting him to ask a question.

Mari: If I may, captain...where's O?

Omero: By ''O'' you must mean your roommate. You sure do have a thing for nicknaming people. Young Mario left for Marcella early this morning. He's intent on carrying out the dying wish of your late squad member for operation north sweep by himself.

Mari: Marcella? That's a pretty long trip. He didn't even wait to talk to me before leaving...

Omero: Well, to be fair, I could sense that he wanted you to rest plenty. He probably didn't want to have you tag along either way, but he did wait a reasonable amount of time.

Mari: How many hours are we talking about?

Omero leans forward, adjusting his sitting position.

Omero: You've been asleep for three days, Mari.

Mari's eyes widen in shock and disbelief.