It was times like these that she loved the most. Darkness surrounding her as she crept down the alleyway. The lights of the city shone behind her, causing her to have appeared as a silhouette if she had been out in the open. But she remained close to the walls, careful not to make any sounds. She'd been in situations like this thousands of times, knew what was at stake, but always felt a bit hesitant despite herself. It was irrational to fear being caught; she was a better killer than ever, though it made her stomach drop every time she thought about it.
It was Naomi's fault, she told herself. She made me this way.
But being bitter about the past wouldn't change anything. Naomi had given her a new way of life. A second chance.
A way to get revenge.
The thought heated her anger, and she walked faster. There were some metal stairs on the side of the building. They looked so weak that they would break if anyone tried to climb them. Luckily, she wasn't just anyone.
She jumped up and grabbed the first landing. She hauled herself up and climbed up onto it. Crouching near the edge, she waited.
Some stupid teenagers, drug dealers, anyone would come in here soon enough. That was how it was every night. She picked up an old piece of metal that had long since fallen off of the building and began playing with it aimlessly. The whole charade was starting to bore her, as anything consecutive for four weeks would.
She saw a figure enter the alley and felt a smile appear. Finally. Dropping the rusty piece of metal, she sniffed the air and almost gagged.
This wasn't just anyone. It was one of them.
Snarling, she jumped off of the landing. She landed on all fours and slowly stood up. The person that came into the alley looked in her direction in surprise.
"Oh, yeah," the man said. He sounded, and smelled, like he couldn't have been too old. Not any older than twenty. He must have gotten dragged into this war young, like she had. "I thought I'd find one of you here. What's your name again?"
She growled at him. "This is no time for formalities, Shadow Man." She lunged forward, but he was faster than her. He caught her by both wrists tight, making her screech in both surprise and pain.
"That's Mr. Shadow Man, to you. And I'd be more quiet if I were you," he whispered. "Someone might hear you."
She glanced out at the busy sidewalk. Loud music was playing somewhere nearby. Large crowds of people were walking through the streets, dodging cars and taxis. Laughter and shouting was heard everywhere. "The city folk are so loud, they can't even hear themselves. I'm not worried."
She felt his grip tighten on her arms. "You should be." He abruptly started to pull her towards the street. She wanted to start growling and screaming, but if she did, at least one person would be concerned and look over. They'd think it was a cat at first, but then they'd see her and realize the horrible truth.
Which, she realized, was what he was trying to cause.
He shoved her against the wall, her face just visible in the light of the city. "Let me go!" She hissed at him, looking towards the sidewalk. No one looked at them, but it was only a matter of time.
He tilted his head, examining her face. She let out a low growl. His face softened a fraction and the grip loosened. He let go of her and took a step back. She could have run. She could have attacked him, ripped out his heart like she was supposed to. But she stayed with her back against the wall. Her chocolate colored hair began to fall from the tight bun that was perched on her head.
"You're Morgann, aren't you?"
She looked up and moved back into the shadows. "Yes, yes I am." It didn't surprise her that he knew who she was. If he was really what she thought he was, then he'd probably heard a lot about her. "And you?"
She heard the amusement in his voice. "What happened to 'no formalities'?"
"Just answer the question, dumbass."
Morgann saw his silhouette bow. "Daniel Rein, Hunter, at your service." His shaggy brown hair fell into his face. He looked tall, at least a foot taller than her. But that would mean nothing if they were fighting. He may have had training, but she had instinct, which was more powerful than anything a master could teach.
"Can I ask how you knew my name, Daniel Rein?" Best to act dumb and make smart decisions later, she thought.
"I've heard of you. I've seen pictures. You weren't always like this. You used to be..."
"What? Normal?" Hearing him remind her brought back part of the bitterness she had tried to leave behind. So much for smart decisions. "No, I'm not, okay? I was once upon a time. But I didn't choose to grow fangs. I didn't want my skin to be rough as sandpaper. And I sure as hell didn't ask for all these special animal like perks. You know, a perfect sense of smell and perfect sight? Not to mention slit pupils and red as the pits of hell eyes. I didn't...I didn't want to be a mutant. I never wanted to be a monster."
"You aren't a monster," Daniel said gently. "You don't have to be."
"Like you'd understand the difference between the monsters and the good guys," she hissed. "Do you why I'm like this? It was all started by your boss, the oh-so-wonderful Thadeus Walker. He killed my girlfriend. She was a beautiful, kind, and innocent werewolf. She wasn't hurting anyone. She learned to control herself. But he killed her. He thought she was the monster, but it was him all along." She felt hot tears sting her eyes. It was foolish to cry in front of the enemy, and she was determined not to do so. But thinking about her girlfriend, it was almost too much. "After she died, my father kicked me out for dating a werewolf. Naomi found me, and she took care of me. She turned me into this so I could get revenge on you selfish bastards."
"Morgann, you don't understand," Daniel sighed, putting his head in his hands and then looking back up at her. "I'm sorry about your girlfriend. But you have to understand, Hunters are the good guys. We protect people from the monsters that want to attack them, we make kids feel safe at night, knowing that there isn't anything under their beds to hurt them. Thadeus may have been wrong, but Naomi isn't any better."
"What makes you say that? Have you met Naomi?"
"No, but we know what she's doing. I read your case and other cases like yours. She's making you kill people and take their hearts. And for what? What does she need them for?"
Morgann scoffed. "Do you really expect me to tell you? I should just kill you now."
"But you won't. Because you aren't like her." Daniel took a step towards her. "I can help you, Morgann. If you just let me, we can go to the Hunter base, you'll be safe-"
"No!" She jerked away from him. "I'm not going anywhere near them. Maybe Naomi isn't completely right. But she gave me a home. What you're offering is a prison."
"Morgann..."
"I never wanted to fight," Morgann said, her voice trembling. "But trust me when I say that I, Morgann Walker, have no choice. It's kill or be killed, and I'm not going to die tonight."
