Book I: Near Death Experience (18+) ✔️

7.

I banged on the tavern's front door loudly, screaming out "Franky!" I waited a few seconds before banging again, my voice echoing down the street. My voice was echoing off the walls of the surrounding buildings. I looked back to Xander and Knox, where Xander rolled his eyes before smirking and giving the door a louder knock than I could.

I heard a loud, gruff voice swearing inside the tavern before the door opened. Franky stood in the doorway, looking exhausted and dishevelled. He had a wild look in his eyes like he had not slept in days. He let out a deep sigh before saying, "Christ lass, its 9 in the morning."

"I need to talk to you, now!", I scream through the pouring rain as Franky's eyes look behind to see Xander and Knox.

"Alright...who's these dossers", he asked with a gruff voice making me smile at how protective he could be.

Through a light chuckle, I yell out, "Easy Franky, friends. Let us in."

As Franky let us into the tavern, the air was saturated with a thick, oppressive atmosphere. The room was still in disarray from the incident, with overturned chairs, broken glass, and pools of Finn's blood scattered throughout the area. The tension was palpable, and I could feel the fear and panic that had filled the room just minutes before. Franky's eyes were filled with worry and exhaustion, and he quickly ushered us into the back room, away from the chaos.

"I'm knackered lass, what's wrong? Where did you go off to last night?", Franky asked with a tired expression.

I quickly lied, not wanting to say I stayed with the two men behind me, "To Ms. Landals, how's Finn? Is he alive?"

Knox was looking around quickly, fidgeting, and clenching his fists for some reason while Xander stood stoically unbothered from the chaos. Perhaps Knox was not good with blood? I was like that before I began hunting with Daniel, I could never get past the gutting and cleaning of the animal years prior. It was a horror before, but slowly I became desensitized to it. Only now giving my respect to the animal for its sacrifice to our need for food. Maybe Knox was like that.

"Yeah, he is, brutal but he'll be fine I bet. Doc says that he will have to wait and see, hoping for no infection. He is back with his lady at home right now", Franky answered quietly his eyes wearily watching the two men.

"Oh, Frank this is Alexander and Knox, they'll be staying in town for a bit", I stated quickly trying to ease his nerves.

"We're hoping to join your hunt for the beast", Xander's British accent peeks through our voices deeply making Franky loosen up.

He chuckles lightly, "Aye, we need the men, so I won't turn ye away. Thank you, boys, I assume you'll be taking care of Adelaide here."

"Frank!", I hissed out in embarrassment, but they ignored me as Xander spoke with a laugh, "Yes sir, of course."

"You'll need some firepower then, c'mon lad", Franky ushered Xander who followed while giving me a smirk. I sent one back at him, feeling a blush fill my cheeks at his gaze. But as he left, I turned my attention back to Knox, and he looked...distant.

I stepped forward to him with furrowed brows, "Knox? You alright?" His eyes flickered from the blood on the floor, his throat clenching as he muttered quietly, "I'm alright Elskling, come here."

I felt a bit confused as I walked over to him, but he quickly embraced me into a hug, and I could feel him smelling my hair secretively. I tensed immediately from the contact, but those little tingles erupted on my skin where clothes were lessened. I leaned into him, his chin resting lightly on my hair as I was now surrounded by his spicy scent making me relax instantly. It was an odd feeling, but it seemed we both comforted each other. I was not going to push it away; it truly was the only thing holding me together in these times. In all honestly, I needed this hug too.