Blood in the rain: Chronicles of the Hunter

Chapter 5

Chapter 5 – No. We Did This To Each Other. 

"It isn't that I am ungrateful, I am. This just is not what I am use to wearing." Harlee spoke as she modeled off her multicolored, flower patterned sundress.

"I see. Well then, how are the shoes?" Father Matthew asked, gesturing towards the silver clasped heels, the clerk had recommended. Harlee looked down the dress, which accented her body wonderfully and passed her long, smooth legs, to the shoes.

"Well they are beautiful, as well but as I said, I am just not accustomed to wearing such things." She spoke as she continued to stare at the two gawking men.

"Shouldn't a woman possess things, which accent her God given radiance?" Father Matthew asked. Harlee stared at Father Matthew blankly.

"Think of it as a disguise." John suggested. "Just while you are lying low, waiting for Dahlia to recover. This way, you will attract less attention if you need to go out." Harlee stopped to consider his proposal.

"This is true. It will be easier to move about if I blend in." She said as she watched herself in the mirror.

"That's the spirit!" Father Matthew spoke joyously as John continued to eye her.

"What is your first move?" Harlee thought to herself, as Maxwell entered the room. In his hands, he carried his axes, which she had only briefly seen, the night they arrived at the cathedral. He sat them down on the table, along with his sliver chain, which she also recognized. Everyone watched as Maxwell came back into the room, sliding into his leather duster, his hat and boots, already on.

"Another hunt, tonight?" Father Matthew asked.

"Yep." He grunted. "John, we will have to talk when I get back. Take your time. Write down what you remember. I need to know everything that happened." John nodded his head and turned to look at Harlee, who realized that Maxwell was not going to notice her change of clothes. She turned to leave the room and change back into her hunting gear, as Maxwell stopped what he was doing.

"You look nice." He grumbled under his breath, taking her by surprise.

"You think so?" She asked as John and Matthew both observed the exchange.

"Wouldn't have said it if I didn't." He resumed what he was doing as she took the compliment and moved back to prepare herself. Once she had left the room, Maxwell eyed Matthew.

"I know what you are trying to do. It won't work." He scolded. Father Matthew smiled as he scratched the back of his head.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." He told him. Maxwell nodded his head irritably as Harlee came back into the room, wearing her tactical pants and a sports bra, her other gear in her hands. John's eyes grew fixated momentarily, until Father Matthew turned him away and Harlee finished dressing.

"What do you think you're doing?" Maxwell asked as Harlee began putting on socks and her combat boots.

"You're going on a hunt, right?"

"That's what I do." He grumbled.

"Well, that happens to be what I do, too. We might as well work together." She responded, pulling on her second sock and boot, tying it.

"I work alone." He growled. Harlee stood up, chest to chest with Maxwell as she stared up into his eyes.

"Suit yourself. You would probably slow me down anyway. All of that talking and Batman bullshit, you pull, beforehand." She said as she picked up her lightweight, long sleeved shirt and tactical vest.