Chaser (2nd Book of the Supernatural Hunters)

Unpleasant Surprise

Unlike last time, I'm roughly shoved into the room and fall to my knees. They sting on impact, but I ignore it and scramble to the door only for it to be slammed shut. Unable to hold back the tears, I scream and pound against the wood, but it barely budges an inch. This can't be happening!

"Hey, chill! We're not going to hurt you!"

My shrill screams overpower his voice. The tears flowing from my eyes blind me, making my fists a blur.

"Seriously! Calm down before you hurt yourself!"

With my mind being so muddled, I can barely process what he's saying.

"At least stop banging on the door before you break your hands..."

It takes a while, but I finally calm down and actually try to listen to what Ryker is yelling from the other side of the door.

"Alright, are you good now? Got it out of your system?"

Ignoring his question, I stifle back a few sobs. "Why are you doing this?"

"I told you already, I'm trying to help you."

"By kidnapping me? What kind of sicko are you!?"

"Wha-!?~ I'm not a sicko! I swear, I'm only trying to save your life!"

"If you're talking about the wound I received, it's fine now. You've done your part, now let me go."

From what it sounds like, Ryker slides down the door and plops to the ground. "It's not that simple. Back there, what you saw was a werewolf."

I scoff at that and can't help the laughter that leaves me. "Because werewolves exist, that's funny! Do I really seem that dimwitted to you? I know it was just a trap you set up with your family to lure a victim in. Which happened to be me."

The last part I mutter under my breath.

"You've got it all wrong. I don't know how much you heard back there, but we're not kidnappers. My family and I are referred to as chasers since we hunt werewolves. It's a tough job, but I'm cool with it."

Moaning in aggravation, I knock my head against the wood. "You're all insane. Of course you had to be crazy, just my luck."

"We're not crazy. I'll prove it to you if I have to."

"Then go ahead Mr. crazy kidnapper, prove it!"

He sighs before speaking again. "Do you remember the werewolf?"

My eyes shut as I go back to the old house. The 'werewolf' takes shape into an image and my heart picks up its speed at the memory. "Yeah."

"Good. Do you recall the long claws it had?"

"Yeah, what about them?"

"Don't you think those claws were extremely sharp, almost like knives? It's because they weren't fake. It doesn't matter how realistic fake claws may be, they would never be able to do that much damage unless they were gripped in the hand, which these weren't; they were attached to the fingers where nails would be."

I don't reply this time, my mind refusing to accept what he's saying.

"How about the shape of the body? No costume would ever be able to create something like that. Or the disgusting saliva, jagged teeth, animal-like eyes-"

"Alright!" I shout, interrupting him. "I get it! So that was a real werewolf back there-"

This time Ryker cuts me off. "You still don't believe me."

"....Of course not, you're insane."

He exhales in an exhausted way and falls silent. Through the door, I can hear his deep breathing. His nails scratch against the floor, creating a scraping noise.