Knights of St. Christopher

5 - Three Cloaked Men

As Rene trotted the woods by herself, she began to notice a foul smell in the distance, "Jesus" She complained. As she got closer, the stronger the smell got. She arrived at a clearance, bodies were piled on top of each other. As she examined the scene, she sensed the wind had shifted. Rene spun around and spotted three men in cloaks, "What the fuck is this?!" She questioned frantically. They waved their hands, and the ground beneath her began to weaken. She fell through and let out a terrible scream as she fell down.

Randall's hairs on his arms stood up, "Woah...somethings not right" He informed. Everyone looked at him, "Like what?" Jack asked. Randall shook his head, "It's Rene, she's in trouble, I can feel it" He informed frantically. Lilith waved her hand towards the door, "Then go get her!" She called. Randall bolted out the door, and Hamish looked at Lilith, "Give me the journal?" Lilith asked. Hamish tossed the book over, and she caught it.

She opened it and flicked through the pages, "Oh shit. Gabs isn't going to be pleased" She stated. Hamish furrowed, "Why's that?" He asked. Lilith looked up from the book, "Because Alpha and Greybeard were close. Alpha is a female hide, and Greybeard is a male...do I need to go on?" She informed. Hamish then realised, "The two hides are in love". Lilith nodded, "This is gonna be fun" She finalised.

Rene pushed herself off of the ground. She coughed from all the dust that floated around her, "I did not sign up for this" She said to herself before looking around. It was dark, but she was able to make out her surroundings. She was in a dark tunnel that stretched for what seemed endless, "Hello?!" She shouted.

Randall jumped over logs and dodged trees and spotted a gate sticking out from the ground. He opened it and entered, "Rene?" He called quietly but got no response.

Rene continued down the dark and dirty tunnel. She looked at her feet and spotted rats running around, "What the fuck is going on!" She shouted. Randall heard the commotion from Rene and headed towards her voice. As Rene walked, she heard chanting coming from behind her. She slowly turned around and saw the three cloaked men speed walking towards her.

She moved in the opposite direction of the men. She ducked into another tunnel that split off from the main. She closed her eyes and held her breath. The cloaked men walked past her, which then she quietly walked back down the other end. She walked down and spotted another figure heading towards her, except this figure didn't seem at all threatening. She stopped and watched at it got closer to her, "Rene?" He spoke. Rene sighed when she realised it was Randall. She hurried towards him and hugged him, "There three men down here in cloaks" She warned. He grabbed her hand tightly and took her to the gate entrance. Once they were safely out, he took a look at her. Her hair was a mess, there was a cut on her forehead and lip, dirt marks all over her clothing and face. "Holy shit" Randall announced. Rene shook her head, "Don't worry about it, let just get to the house" She replied then looked back towards the tunnel.

They got to the garden and heard Gabrielle going off. Rene halted, "Oh shit" She stated once she saw furniture lying broken on the grass. Randall looked at the window, "It's Gabs...shit" He announced. He turned to Rene, "Stay here" He warned. Rene nodded and scoffed, "Wasn't planning on heading inside anyways" She replied. Randall let go of her hand and walked inside. Rene leaned against Jack's truck as she watched the house. Everyone was trying to calm her down, then silence arose, "Randall!" Gabrielle screamed furiously. Rene pulled a face then laughed. Jack walked out of the house whilst holding his head. He couldn't walk straight. shouting arose again. Rene waved whilst Jack leaned against the porch, "Don't go in there!" He warned whilst his finger waved effortlessly. Rene nodded, "Don't worry! I'm not!" She shouted back.
"Gabrielle no!" Lilith shouted. Jack looked back then towards Rene, "I think it's your turn now" He informed. Rene sighed and leaned off of the truck. Gabrielle stormed out of the house and looked at Rene, "You!" She hissed. Rene folded her arms, "What did I do now?" She asked. Gabrielle bolted towards her, "What did I tell you about Randall!" She yelled. She swung her arm towards Rene, but Rene dodged it and moved out of the way, "Calm down!" Rene shouted. Gabrielle swiped her foot, but Rene jumped over it then proceeded to move out of the way, "Listen, Gabrielle. I don't want to hurt you!" She warned.

Gabrielle let out a roar and swung her arm. Rene grabbed her arm and twisted it, throwing Gabrielle to the floor and leaving her winded. Everyone's eyes widened, "Fuck" Lilith stated. Rene placed her foot on Gabrielle's throat, which she tried to push off, but to no avail. Rene leaned in, "I think you need to calm the fuck down, or else we are going to have a serious problem!" She warned then lifted her foot off of Gabrielle.

Gabrielle rushed to her feet and fixed herself. She looked towards everyone who stood silent, "We are done!" She shouted to Randall. Randall's heart dropped. Rene walked towards the house and pushed passed everyone. She walked into the house and let out a frustrated sigh, "Jack...go check up on her" Hamish directed. Jack rubbed his head and nodded. When he walked inside, he saw Rene pouring herself a drink, "All good?" He asked. She slowly nodded, "I'm fine" She answered, then downed the drink. Hamish and Lilith walked into the room, "You handled that pretty well" Lilith pointed out. Rene smiled, "I was always known to handle myself, but I've never done anything like that before. Is she always like that?" She asked. Lilith nodded, "We actually didn't want Gabrielle around, but then she claimed the hide of Midnight, and now we have no choice" She replied. Hamish examined Rene, "How're you feeling?" He asked. Rene nodded "I feel fine. Do you think Alpha has agreed to be my champion?" She wondered. Hamish shrugged, "Well you're not dead" He replied. Lilith jumped in, "Yet" She finalised. Rene furrowed and poured herself another drink, "Bottoms up!" She toasted then downed the drink.