Seeing Red

Chapter 2- Hopes for her Future

The Veela responded by throwing herself at Bill, the intent to kill obvious in her eyes. He dodged, and brought his gun up, shooting at the rabid creature. One bullet hit, sending her howling to the ground. She got up and held her claws put in front of her, slowly backing away.

“Well, I see you’re getting smarter.” Bill glanced to the side to check on Joe, hoping that his friend could make it through the pain. Joe groaned and slightly opened his eyes, narrowing them.

“Bill, don’t kill her.” Joe slowly got to his feet, holding his head. He stumbled once, landing on his knee before finally reaching Bill’s side. “We can help her.”

Bill glared at Joe. “You idiot! She’s a monster; vicious, cruel- evil. You can’t even get close enough to her to hit her with the shot!”

Joe smiled and took the syringe out of his pocket and held it at the ready. “Provoke her.”

Bill eyed the creature, nursing her wounds in the corner. “Are you mad?”

“Please.”

Bill shook his head and ignored his friend, moving closer to the creature. She growled, stepping backwards. Bill held out his hand, gun in the other one and grabbed her arm. They struggled, Bill finding it hard to hold on then the Veela stilled. Bill twisted her arms behind her back, causing her to let out an ear splitting scream, before losing all tension in her body.

“I’m not-“

The Veela suddenly moved, catching Bill off guard. She howled, slashing his stomach and stabbing his chest with her claws, and then jumping back. Bill fell to the ground, holding his gut, wincing when he felt stomach acid burn his skin. He fell to the ground, screaming in pain. She jumped in again, raking her claws down his arms and howling when some of them tore off. She leapt back, eyeing the two men, but not making a move against either one.

“Bill!”

Joe ran to his friend, ignoring the Veela and knelt by his side. He looked him over, passing his hands over the injured areas, his hands soon stained with blood and burned by acids.

“Joe-“

“God, Bill! I’ll call the doctor.”

“Joe-“

“Don’t speak, it’ll just be a moment-“

“Joesph!”

Joe looked down at his friend. He put a hand over his wound and lifted him into a half sitting position. “Bill, what is it?”

“Joe, you have to- to kill her.” He sputtered, coughing blood. Joe bit his lip and grimaced. This was not how it was supposed to go.

“But Bill, if we can-“

“No!” Joe stopped and waited for his friend to continue, but no more words came out. He coughed once more, blood pouring from his lips and then he was silent.

Joe stopped, looking up as the light died from his friend’s eyes. He swallowed hard as he heard Bill’s last breath and then- silence. He put both of his hands on his friend’s chest, whispering a prayer and closing his eyes.

He stood up, brandishing his syringe and held it in front of him. He noticed the Veela give him a curious look, then take up her battle stance. A low growl came from her throat, and Joe grew paler.

She was dangerous. She was going to kill him like she killed Bill. He had no chance, he was going to die. Nothing would save him now.

Except the serum.

Joe looked down and sighed.

“I really don’t want to do this to you, but-“

He stopped as she stood up, taking a step forward. Joe paled and took one back before noticing something strange.

She wasn’t making a move to attack him.

Joe’s eyes widened at the sudden display of mercy; maybe she was beginning her transition into the monster that she was made to be, and this was all a trick. Or maybe her human side was taking over.

After all, that was what she was. Human.

She kept advancing on him and Joe stopped. He sighed and held the syringe out in front of him and looked her straight in the eyes.

“I really don’t want to hurt you, honest.” He took a deep breath before continuing on. “I know that you have some human emotion, I know that you really don’t want to hurt me.” He put his gun down on the road and took a step away from it. “I’m harmless. See?”

She took a step towards the gun, her eyes narrowed suspiciously. She looked up at him and her expression softened, almost as if she was sorry that she had killed Bill. Almost.

“See? I’m not going to hurt you.” Joe almost cried he was so happy. He found a way to make her think for herself- talking to her. The image of Bill’s dead body kept flashing in his head. He had to hit her with the syringe.

He took a step towards her, ready to finish everything when it happened.

She hissed.

Joe’s eyes widened and he retreated a few steps. He brought his hand up in front of him, should she choose to attack him now. He wasn’t sure she was going to do it; she was still focussed on the gun.

He watched her take a few steps towards the gun before lashing out at it and knocking it into the alley. Then, she turned on him.

Joe gulped. She could think; she manipulated him. She wanted him to think that he was safe before going in for the kill.

Again, what a clever beast.

She stalked towards him, her remaining claws out at the ready. Joe looked her over; it was amazing what damage she could sustain. She had at least ten different wounds that would make even Bill stop.

Bill. Joe felt a sob rise in his throat and he tried to steel himself. He wished that Bill could have died peacefully, or not at all. Instead he was killed by the thing they were trying to help.

Growling and hissing- that was all that he could hear. He didn’t have his gun, all he had was the syringe. He looked up at the approaching creature and with a quick prayer that it would work launched himself at her.

She clearly wasn’t expecting it; she dove to the side, holding her talons in front of her and whimpering. Joe looked at her arm and smiled.

He had got her.

She narrowed his eyes at him, and launched herself at him for the next attack. Joe ducked, taking the brunt of the attack on his arm and while she was unaware of the position she was in, slammed the syringe into her leg.

She howled, swiping at him with her claws. He managed to dodge most of them and press the plunger. He never saw her next attack- but he sure felt it. He hit the wall of his house, back first, then his head.

As the world faded to black he caught one last glance of her and smiled.

Now all he had to do was make sure she had a future. Not with any political leaders, not with the scientists-

With somebody who cared.

But only if he lived through what was bound to happen next.