Diary of a Demon Hunter

18 - Remember this all

"If you want peace then prepare for war"
-Krisstopher Devoss

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Eighteen – Remember this all

"Did you read through it all?"

The young man's head shot up from the table's surface on which his forehead had rested. He blinked, rubbed his eyes. The various notebooks she had given him lay around, some open, some closed. His brown hair was a mess. Voss combed his fingers through, fighting back a yawn.

"Almost"

"Good" Em stepped over to the table by which he sat. She leaned on the wooden surface with one hand. "The library is about to close."

"Really?" Voss shook his head slowly. "I didn't realise. I guess I lost track of time." His chocolate coloured eyes wandered over Em, for the brief moment he had before it started to look awkward. She was wearing her usual attire, though over it the girl had a black coat, reaching just past her thighs. The collar was put up, and the sleeves were adored with stitched patterns, as well as the sides. The buttons were silver and round. Each seemed to have their own little crest, almost like they were mismatched. The fabric looked comfortable. His eyes ended up at her face. He had already thought about it. Sure, he wanted to become like Em and Marcus because it was a new leaf. Something that felt more important than journalism, something that made a difference. Something exciting. Though he couldn't have said out loud that the other factor which had pushed him to the decision was her. He wanted to get closer to Em. Maybe he wanted her as a friend, or something more. Maybe he was simply infatuated. Whatever the reason was, he was here now. And she was growing on him with every second.
Em tilted her head and smiled.

"So? Should I help you clean all this up?"

"No I'm fine" Voss silently cursed at himself. It ended up becoming an awkward gaze after all. He stood from his seat, and quickly began closing the books, piling them up neatly, one over the other. Em crossed her arms, idly watching him. She fiddled with the choker around her neck.

"There are plenty of tea and coffee houses around here. You're coming with me, and I'm testing you on everything you were supposed to read."

Voss looked up. He frowned. The idea sounded great to him...without the whole testing his freshly gained knowledge which he still had yet to memorise fully.
"But, I didn't know I was supposed to learn it all off by heart!"

"Too bad. This is all stuff you need to know if you want to kill those things and come out with all your body parts." Em shrugged with a playful grin. "So, I'll wait for you outside."

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The elevator whirred and clattered to a slow shaky stop. The gates opened, letting whoever stood inside out into the unauthorised laboratory. At this hour the number of personnel was lower.
Childs pushed the remaining paperwork into his satchel, getting ready to head up and go home. From inside his pocket, the man pulled out a golden watch. With his thumb he pressed down on the small button situated at the top of the small device. He could hear its hands ticking faintly. The hour was late. Childs' eyes glanced to a small photo he kept inside the lid of the pocket watch. On it were two faces. A woman and a small boy, smiling the widest smile. It brought one to Childs' face, every time he looked at that picture. They were all he had.

"Childs"

The scientist turned, witnessing the fuming shorter yet wealthier man approach with clear anger in every step.