Innocents ✓

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Shale walked past the many signs lining the road. Keep out, one read. Stay away was another. Signs put there by Shale himself. In the distance a large house rose up over the hill. It's roof caving in and the paint peeling. It was something straight out of a horror movie. Only he wasn't scared. If anything he felt a bit of comfort in the place. Shale neared the house. He walked up the old, wood steps. The front door looked like it would fall in with one tap. Shale wasn't surprised, however when it didn't. He watched the door open and a woman poke her head out. She was wearing an apron like she had been cooking.
"Oh, it's you. Come in, darling." She said stepping away. The second Shale walked in the house dogs started barking. Three small beagles ran up to Shale. They barked and growled but never got within three feet of him. The woman took her hand and waved it in a brushing motion. Shooing the dogs.
"Don't mind them. Easter won't be home for a few days. He's on some official business. Make yourself at home." She said motioning to a small flowers couch. Shale smiled and nodded at her. Though, instead of sitting down, he followed her into the kitchen. The woman turned around and met his eyes.
"Thanks, Anna, but I can't stay." He said. The old woman, Anna, nodded and smiled.
"You got that girl your watching. I forgot about that, sorry." Shale smiled. He pulled out a chair from a table and took a seat.
"I actually came here to ask something of you." Shale spoke. Anna looked up from her cooking and smiled.
"What can I do for you, dear?" She asked. Shale held out some papers.
"I need these signed by my parent and well, you know. I was wondering if you could sign them. So the girl I'm watching can go to school." He said. Anna laughed and took the papers. She set down the spoon she was holding and sat next to Shale.
"Of course. Now I just sign here and then I'm done." She asked. Shale nodded and waited. Anna flipped through the papers before taking a pen and writing.
"You shouldn't talk about her like she's a toddler. She's your age and you know it." She said finishing up. She handed the papers back to Shale and he stood up. Smiling down at Anna.
"You staying longer? I have a pie cooking." She laughed. Shale smiled and walked over to the doorway.
"No, thanks. I have to get going. See you later, Anna." He said. Anna stood up and walked over to Shale. She blocked him from leaving and narrowed her eyes.
"Stop acting formal. You can call me what you use to as a kid, you know that right?" She said. Shale chuckled and nodded.
"Of course. Bye, mom." With that he opened the door and walked out.

Vixen sat in her room. Shale had left and told her to stay put. She had a bowl of food sitting beside her and a book in her lap. Vixen sighed and stood up. She decided her legs needed a stretch so she walked around the room. It was relevantly empty except for a few boxes and the furniture. A bed, dresser, table, and bookshelf. Vixen opened the door and stuck her head out. No noise. Shale wasn't home. Hesitantly she took a step forward. The whole house was painted a dark shade of blue with a white trim. Vixen walked down the same hall she had before and into the kitchen. She looked around without finding anything interesting. Finally her eyes went to the door. Shale didn't seem to have driven anywhere so he either walked and wouldn't be back for awhile or he only went a little ways and would be back shortly. Vixen's mind screamed at her to make a run for it. After all she was extremely board and Shale wasn't doing anything to help find her identity. Vixen smiled. Her mind had won. She started towards the door and pushed open the screen door and walked out. It was dusk. The sun cast a beautiful shade of pink over the sky. Turning the clouds into rainbows of color. Vixen breathed in. The air was crisp agents her lungs. She walked down the stone steps and out on to the sidewalk. The town was quite and empty. Vixen began walking towards the center of town. The street light flicked on as the sun went farther down. A few cars buzzed past her on the street. No one walked seemed to be walking around. Vixen stiffened at a noise. She turned left and was faced with a dark alley. The sound sounded again. It sounded like metal banging against each other. Vixen took a small step towards it. Her curiosity overtook her making her continue forward. Then she froze and her eyes widened. In front of her was a human body. Blood and limp. Vixen took a step backwards and ran into a tall figure. She turned around to see someone with red eyes and a mouth full of blood. They hissed at her showing sharp canines. Vixen stumbled backwards into another figure. They seemed to be all around her. All their eyes red and hands bloody. They weren't human, that much she knew. Suddenly a large bang sounded behind them. A body fell from the buildings roof into the dumpster below. Vixen looked up and was surprised to see someone standing up there. They jumped down and walked towards her. The 'things' around her parted ways to let him in. His eyes were as red as the others. He seemed to be the leader. A smile appeared on his face when he saw Vixen.
"Who do we have here? What are you doing wandering around in dark alleys?" He mocked. Vixen kept her eyes fixed on his teeth. Those teeth could pierce skin easily. They could pierce her skin easily. He fixed his eyes on her and smiled again. Vixen took a deep breath of air and spoke.
"I was walking and heard a noise. What are you? Who are you?" She asked, confused. The guy laughed.
"We are Messores. Followers of our dear Mors. The true leader of our kind." He whispered leaning close to Vixen. Vixen turned her head. His breath smelled of corpses and rot. The 'things' around her closed in. Vixen could tell how many there were. Only about seven or so. Including their leader eight. The leader grabbed Vixen and pulled her hands behind her back. She screamed in terror. The man's teeth started getting close to her neck. Suddenly car tired screeched. A van pulled up in front of the alley. From the driver side emerged Shale. He carried a gun on his back and a pistol pointed at the leader. 
"I told you to stay put Vixen." He growled. The leader pulled back and laughed.
"This little thing yours? Come get her hunter." He growled. Shale fired the pistol at the man. He fell back but quickly got up. A small hold left in his shirt. He laughed and ran towards Shale. Shale pulled something out from behind his back and threw it at the leader. He fell back in pain and this time stayed down. The 'things' around Vixen backed off.  Shale walked over and grabbed Vixen's arm. Pulling her towards the car. He looked down at the leader, who seemed to be healing. 
"Get in the car. Now!" He yelled and turned to run. Vixen followed him and jumped in the passenger seat. She looked over at Shale, scared.
"What the hell was that? What are they? Who's Mors?" Shale cast her a glance and put the car in gear.
"I'll explain everything once we get home." He said and sped off. Vixen looked out the window in confusion. Finally she would get some answers.