Instincts - c.h.

Chapter 10

The following morning I woke up alone. On the bedside table was a piece of torn paper with a single word on it - work. Obviously it was from Calum. Going downstairs I was met with the silence of the house. The sunlight peaked through the dusty curtains covering the windows, signaling that it must be late morning. I shivered suddenly, not yet used to the draftiness of this old place. My arms went around me and that's when I realized I still wore the faded shirt that belonged to Calum. My heart seemed to double in pace just at the thought of him.

Going into the kitchen, I found nothing but Atticus lounging about on top of the fridge, his emerald eyes following my movements as I searched the cabinets for food. Where had Brody gone? Usually I can hear him doing something unnecessary around the time I woke up like cleaning his car or throwing his blades at empty beer bottles, "target practice" he called it.

Just as I began brewing a cup of tea, the front door opened. The familiar heavy yet agile steps of Brody echoed in the hallway before he walked into the kitchen, Grimiore under his arm. I didn't have to look at him to know something was wrong. I felt it.

"Old witch down the street's dead" he sighed, setting the heavy book on the counter.

"What?" I gasped, finally looking up to meet his tired and solemn gaze.

"Found mauled in her backyard, throat ripped out."

I stared blankly for a moment, trying to create even a glimpse of what that must have been like for her. "That's terrible."

"Did you hear anything last night after I went in? See anything? You had to have sensed something" he inquired.

"I...I didn't hear anything" I stammered. Because I was occupied with other things...

"Well, this bastard is getting stronger" he huffed "I'm gonna follow the prints that were left behind her house, see if I can find anything useful."

I nodded. "I was planning on going into town, did you need anything?"

"Those chips I like" he answered. "Take it easy on Wendy" he called as he was already halfway out the door.

The car being Wendy.

Rolling my eyes, I went upstairs to wash up and change. I decided to just keep Calum's shirt, seeing is it looked a bit chilly outside. Pulling on jeans and jacket, I grabbed my shoes and headed out.

The radio lulled in the background, providing comfortable noise during the drive into town. Until now, I never really paid attention to the actual place we were trying to protect. The worn brick buildings and small-town homey feel. People walking the streets glanced at the unfamiliar car drifting by, some curious, others uneasy. I found a grocery store pretty easily, parking quickly and going in, trying not to draw attention to myself.

We learned a long time ago that it's better to get the job done and leave unnoticed. The people worth protecting were always better off when they didn't know they had just been saved, less involvement, less risk. Going inside, I weaved in and out of aisles, grabbing necessities and Brody's chips. The boy at the register eyed me curiously, his eyes making me uncomfortable as they drifted up and down slowly. He couldn't be any older than sixteen or seventeen.

"H-Have a nice day" he stammered.

"Thanks" I smiled politely.

Taking the bags, I hurried back out to the car, tossing them in the trunk. Just as I was about to slide into the driver's seat, I spotted a sign across the street. Eddie's Auto Repair. I could feel Calum's energy nearby. I got the mechanic vibe from him. Starting the car and going across the street, I pulled into the lot, just outside the open garage door. His energy was stronger here, almost like it surrounded the entire building.