Always Hate Me

40. She Will Always Hate Me

Chloe moved fast, scrambling for her torch and hitting it until it flickered back on – it's beam hazier than before. Chloe directed the light down onto the human remains she'd discovered. Her stomach recoiled but she kept her mouth clamped shut, swallowing the bile that had risen in her throat. Most of the flesh had been stripped away and the scratches of teeth and claw were etched on the fragile bones.

The rats were getting bolder, and swarmed around Chloe in a tightening circle. She crouched down, groping around in sewage and rats' droppings filth for anything that could be used to identify the victim. She found a bracelet and also took the girl's shoes – these being the easiest things to carry. The rats swarmed closer, creeping over Chloe's feet and once again swallowing the body from view. Chloe recoiled.

She turned to leave but froze. There was nowhere to stand that wasn't a writhing entanglement of rats. Cursing, she reached out for the maintenance ladder and pulled herself up – struggling with only one free hand. Beads of sweats rolled down her neck and she grimaced, the sounds of scratching filling her ears as she climbed. 

          A cat froze, its whiskers twitching as it fixed its lamp-like eyes on the road up ahead. A man-hole cover rose up noisily, pushed from below, and Chloe's head emerged – panting for breath. The cat fled – its paws silent as it raced up a dustbin and over a fence. Chloe didn't notice it. She heaved herself onto the road and rolled onto her back, too exhausted to immediacy get up.

Dawn. The stars had gone and the sky was lightening, the dark blue being slowly bled by an orange glow. Chloe kicked her legs against the tarmac. She'd found a body - finally - and in her investigations against vampires – she had somewhere to begin.

Out of view, Frederick observed her – a hand resting on his ear piece. The rising sun glinted against his visor.

"I've found her, sir."

"Is she hurt?" Lucjan's voice crackled over the radio.

"She's unhurt, but..." Frederick watched Chloe shove the manhole cover back into place.

"But?"

"I think we have a problem, sir."

**

Lucjan stood in the doorway of his office. His gaze followed Chloe as, oblivious to him, she crossed the hallway – heading for the main staircase. He knew what she'd been doing all morning – she'd been busy. Liaising with the Day Watch over a murder case must have prioritised over coming home at all – or checking in with him. Lucjan sighed. She looked tired. He didn't want her to be tired.

He heard the pitter-patter of tiny feet and looked up in time to see little Mason, tottering at speed in Chloe's direction. The boy slipped, his socks having no grip against the tiles, and started to fall. Lucjan moved with vampiric swiftness, passing Chloe on the stairs, in time to catch Mason before he could fall down the stairs.

Mason blinked, shocked to find himself suddenly being carried. He twisted in Lucjan's arms, trying to find Chloe.

"We need to child-proof the place." Chloe commented – even her voice lacking energy. She came to a stop at Lucjan's side and ruffled Mason's hair affectionately.

"I'll get Frederick on it, first thing tomorrow."

Mason stuck out his little arms and pouted – wanting Chloe to carry him. She shook her head.