The Hunt

Chapter 6

Darren:

I step into the common room. Room is an understatement for this place. It's a massive hall, stretching almost the full length of HQ. It's underground too, so there are no windows. But it's well lit. The walls are the same rough stone as the rest of the building.

This is where we spend our free time. It has chairs and couches at one side for resting, there's a mini-library filled with books of all kinds. There's a fitness area for those who like to train and build their strength.

I look around, I'm looking for Mike. I see Chuck, the driver, over in the fitness center, he's bare chested. His rippling muscles and dragon tatoo make for an intimidating sight. John's nearby, talking to someone I don't know. I'm still limping and my face is throbbing. I don't want to see him, so I move in the opposite direction.

"Boy, where you going?" I recognise the voice. It's Jack. I look around and see him. I've reached the library section and I can see him through the shelf, sitting at a little reading table. Mike's sitting next to him.

I walk over and join them at the table. The section amongst the shelves is somewhat sectioned off. It feels like a small study or office. The library has four sections like this nestled in between bookshelves. There's no one else in here.

"Hi Jack, Mike." I say. I'm hesitant. It's death for treason and I can't be sure I'm not being tricked.

But my curiosity is strong. I've realised that I need to have more courage. I need to do something. I can't live the rest of my life like this. I hope there's a way to be smart about it and survive.

Mike's smiling at me. It's a mischevious smile. Jack's looking at the ground, solemn as usual. The silence between us fills the air. Despite all the background noise in this place, the library sections manage to dampen it a lot.

"So, Darren." Mike says. "You want to know a thing or two?"

I nod, but say nothing.

"But you're cautious. Good man. You can't be too careful in a place like this."

"How's your face?" Jack interjects. "Dunno what that damn fool was trying to prove!"

"It's ok. A bit sore, but not bad." I say.

I feel better, a little. He'd made the first comment that might get us into trouble, criticizing John.

"So, tell me." I say, looking at them both, one after the other. "Are we doing a good thing?" I've asked it before, but I'm curious what they'll say now.

Mike's smile broadens. "Good question, my boy. Good question."

Mike looks around the space. I assume he's checking for listening ears. He seems satisfied and starts to talk again.

"First, your question is not easily answered. It's not a question of good or bad. Doesn't work like that. We're not getting into that now." He pauses and I nod.

"Second, your boss, John. He's an asshole for sure, but there's a story, like I said. I said I'd tell you, but I'm not going to. Not yet. Just know, he's got reason to hate the vamps."

"How d'you know so much?" I ask.

"I find out." He says. He says it simply, but I can tell I won't be getting any more about that yet. I'm nervous, but curiosity wins out. The face of the vampire girl flashes in my mind. Why did I let them run? Mike pulls me back out of my head by speaking again.

"You wanted to know where the vamps go. I'm gonna show you. But be warned, this is risky. D'you still want to know?"

I nod my head. I do want to know. When I joined up, I joined up to protect mankind, to keep the city safe from the monsters. That's what we've always been taught about the Hunting Corps.