Sixteen Candles Hunter's Agency FOB AU

pt. 168

Pete found himself in a nest. But not just any- the headquarters of his most hated. 

The old warehouse he had visited once, so long ago, was vacant. Windows were broken. The old boxes had gained a few spiderwebs. Despite it's creepy appearance,  it had an oddly comforting aura- the place, which to Pete, smelled bittersweet.

He heard disembodied laughter. He smelled the smoke of a campfire. He saw William, only an arm's length away. Anger at the sight of his face filled Pete. He heard William speak, but it was almost as if his ears had been filled with cotton. 

"Ah, so, you're the 'Pete' I've heard so much about," he said with a wide smile. 

He saw himself standing in the door frame, with Gabe's arm draped around his shoulder.  He looked a bit uncomfortable being there, he thought to himself. Maybe that was a gut feeling I shouldn't have ignored.  

He saw William rise, and saunter over to greet his possibly-not real-past-self. As he and himself shook hands, he felt something sharp pierce in his neck. He cried out in pain, and as he turned his head to find the source, he heard that same "warm" chuckle. 

"Do you honestly think you'll ever track me down? You're all alone in the world. You push away everyone who tries to help. You're nothing."  Pete started to feel woozy as his blood started to leave his body.  Did he even still have blood now that he'd been turned? 

"You'll never find me, let alone- what was it you wanted?- 'get your revenge.'" Pete wanted to say something- anything, even if only to insult his attacker, but he felt as though his lips had been sewn shut. His vision started to black out. 

"Now, die, like the scum you are!" William chuckled. His giggles escalated, and escalated, until he was in hysterics with laughter. 

"Pete, WAKE UP!"