Acteon Syndicate

Chapter 14: Crazy Talk

Allis eased open the door of her home, the green liquid that had exploded from the Hell Shadow was almost gone, and the lamp had been picked up. But, it was no longer a home, it was empty, and silent. It was nothing more than a piece of her old life. She found Hadley in his office on the second floor, a drink in his hand, facing the window.
“I'd hoped to keep you from this life.” He said as she lingered in the doorway.
“Dad.” She said.
“I didn't kill her. I know you remember. I had them erase that memory, but it's not her, Allis. It's not your mother. See, the truth is, she left us. Well, I sent her away. That damn Phantom Morph looked just like her.” He turned and faced Allis. “I was never any good at hunting, at first, I didn't believe when your mother told me about it. About that life. I didn't believe any of it. Then, one night, a demon showed up in your nursery. It had real long arms.”
“A Hell Shadow.” Daniel whispered.
“Yeah. Those damn things. It started whispering about the innocent. After she killed it, I asked her, begged her, to keep you, our precious baby, out of that life. So, she agreed. Years later, I found your mother standing over you while you were sleeping. At first, I didn't think anything of it. Then, I saw the glint of the knife. ‘The blood of the innocent.’ She kept repeating, as if she was in a trance. So, I sent her away, I moved here, started over. I didn't see her again until I had to kill the Phantom Morph that looked just like her. That was about the time you met Annalee, now that I think about it.”
Tears stained Allis’s face as he spoke, and Daniel slipped an arm around her shoulder.
Hadley set his drink on his desk. “I know it's a lot to take in, and it's probably the last thing you need to hear. Hell, if I were you, it’d sound crazy.”
“No, no.” Allis wiped her tears and hugged her father. “I believe you. Sure, if I didn't know about this world, I wouldn't believe you. But, I've been attacked by a Hell Shadow, saved by my friends from a Phantom Morph, I've been bitten by a Blood Howler, and faced Ebony. So, no, it's not crazy. Not in the slightest.”
He kissed her on the head. “I love you, Allisaria.”
“I love you too, daddy.”
“I hate to interrupt, but Aristotle is calling us.” Daniel cut in. “Do you have a screen?”
“I have a television downstairs.” Hadley offered. “Tell me what to do.”

Daniel tapped a few buttons on the face of his watch and Rand appeared on the television screen. “Oh, you must be Hadley. I'm Rand, you've met Annalee, Diomedes, and obviously Allis.”
“Rand!” Daniel yelled. “What's the emergency?”
“Oh, right. I traced the dust that Ebony left and it came from an old electricity plant in Oklahoma.”
“Oklahoma?” Daniel groaned. “It couldn't have been Hawaii, or Florida? Somewhere nice?”
Rand rolled his eyes. “I've arranged for the heli to meet us at Ground Zero, but I think Allis should stay behind.”
“What do you mean? I'm not staying back.” Allis pushed Daniel aside. “I can't just wait and watch as Annalee and Daniel leave without knowing whether or not they will come back!”
“Allis, will discuss this further back at Ground Zero. Mr. Grant, you're welcome to come with us, but you'll need a gun.”
“I'm not much for demon hunting.” Hadley admitted, but I can try to help Rand by computer. I've got one upstairs.”
“Dad, leave the doors locked, and keep a gun on you. Who knows what could happen?”
“Come on, Allis. We have to go, now.” Daniel checked the bullets in his gun and started for the door.
As Allis walked away, Hadley placed a hand on Daniel's shoulder. "Keep her safe for me, please, Daniel."
Daniel nodded and followed Allis. But a lingering thought still plagued his mind, How did he know my name is Daniel?

Do you believe Hadley?