In the aftermath, the police had little choice but to crack down on gang violence, funneling their budget into task forces that were specifically equipped to deal with the rise of organised crime. Fortunately for Sam and his band of misfits, no trace was found of their involvement, or at least nothing concrete enough to incriminate anyone. The images of TJ’s dismembered body were deemed too graphic to be released to the public and were kept under wraps as part of the ongoing investigation, with a couple of the Locos marked as chief suspects.
The story of the brutal fight was dwarfed by news from Canada that still dominated the airwaves after a couple of weeks. Massive explosions and a possible terrorist attack had shaken Calgary to its core, with chaos running rampant in the streets. It had taken a great deal of resources to stabilise the situation and bring some form of order back to the once peaceful city. Clean up crews had already spent days sifting through the rubble as they worked hard to pick up the pieces and yet no one seemed to take credit for the attack. Not one person would have guessed that it hadn't been a terrorist plot at all and that it was just another chapter in the vampire hierarchy's age old war for control.
**********
It wasn't a common occurrence for Tommy to let Aaron drive the truck as it was his baby, but this was one of those rare exceptions. The pair were heading north along the highway, braving the usual traffic as they finally left Miami in the rear view mirror. Even with the visor down, the sun was still causing Aaron to squint as it reflected off the hood and directly into his eyes. The windows were open, but the hot air coming in from outside defeated the point of having them open in the first place and sweat stained shirts had already become commonplace.
Aaron couldn't wait to leave Florida and its humidity behind, and he knew that Tommy felt the same way. The past few months had brought nothing but misery, causing him to doubt his principles and his level of integrity. At times his friendship with Tommy had been placed on the line and thoroughly tested as their differing opinions had left them at odds. Despite the feeling of betrayal that had come from his friend letting Samuel Mitchell get away, Aaron had forgiven him due to the fact that he had been going through a tough period in his life.
Aaron glanced over at Tommy who was beginning to snore in the passenger seat, his chair fully reclined as he had tried to make himself as comfortable as possible in the limited space. He couldn't bring himself to lose faith in someone who had stood by him through thick and thin, but he also couldn't quite fathom what had gone through his friend’s mind as Sam managed to escape unhindered. However annoyed he had been when it happened, trust and loyalty were a rare commodity in their line of work, and Tommy had earned his several times over. The loudmouthed goofball was his blood brother and his closest friend, and he couldn't see that changing at any time in the future even though they had almost come to blows on more than one occasion.
Although his quarry had managed to evade his grasp, Aaron was sure that it wasn't the last he had seen of Samuel Mitchell. He was bound to slip up sooner or later, leaving a trail that would lead them right to him. Tommy had promised that he no longer owed the kid anything and his debt to Christie had been paid in kind. He had sufficiently honoured her memory and claimed that he would kill Sam if he ever laid eyes upon him again. The way he had stated it meant that Aaron was inclined to believe him, as his tone had lacked his usual level of gusto and humour. He still didn't understand why his friend had made the decision to let such a dangerous monster go and probably never would, but he was glad that their relationship was no longer stuck in limbo.
“Where we headin’ next?” Tommy’s mumbled words let Aaron know that he was actually awake despite outward appearances and the fact that his eyes were still closed.
Aaron kept his own eyes on the road, managing to stay calm even when he was cut off by a midlife crisis driving his brand new sports car. “Pennsylvania. There's been a series of unusual murders that have left the locals stumped.”
Pulling himself upright, Tommy raised the back of his chair before adjusting his posture to lean against the door. He used his elbow for support, sandwiching his hand between his head and the truck’s interior. “Unusual how? Don't you dare say bite marks… I'll fuckin’ freak!”
Flashing a smile, Aaron kept both hands on the wheel as he indicated to change lanes. “No. They drowned. Their lungs were full to bursting, but they weren’t found anywhere near water and their clothes were bone dry.”
“A witch?” He caught Tommy glancing over at him with curiosity.
Aaron shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe. That's what we're going to find out.”
Tommy closed his eyes again, shifting his positioning a little as he tried to relax again. “Sweet. Wake me when it's my turn to drive.”
Before he could let his friend return to his well deserved rest, Aaron had to ask the question that had been eating away at him all morning. “Tommy… Are you doing okay?”
His words caused Tommy to open one eye and peer over inquisitively. “Yeah, I'm fuckin’ peachy. Why?”
It was difficult to find a way to phrase the sentence without instigating another argument, but Aaron needed to know what was going on in his friend’s head. “You killed a guy, Tommy. TJ was human, not a monster… and you butchered him.”
Tommy sat up straight again and craned his neck to look directly at Aaron, frowning slightly. “Yeah, he was human, but I don't regret a damn thing. The things he did to people… to Christie… He was still a fuckin’ monster. You don't need to be undead or have powers for that.”
It was a jarring response that came as more than a bit of a surprise. They were hunters, not officers of the law. Hunters were supposed to protect humankind from the beasts that stalked them, not kill the people that they were supposed to protect. They didn't have the right to decide the fate of humans, never mind become their judge, jury and executioner. If Tommy could commit murder without remorse, then perhaps he was capable of becoming what he had so despised in TJ.
Aaron cleared his throat. He could feel Tommy’s eyes upon him, but he didn't know what else to say. Perhaps his friend would come to think differently given time. Unfortunately, the way Christie died would likely act as some sort of morbid justification for his actions, which meant that he was unlikely to change his mind on the matter.
Whatever happened, Aaron would do his best to support his friend and keep him out of as much trouble as possible. He was still concerned about Tommy, but there wasn't much he could do other than keep an eye on him and be there for his friend if and when he needed it. No doubt his feelings would be buried deep down as he lost himself in his work in true Tommy Hughes fashion. There was always the possibility of his emotions building up inside him until he snapped, which was something that Aaron would have to deal with when the time came. Until then, there was no telling what the future held.
Instead of continuing the conversation, Aaron decided to change the subject altogether, not daring to hear what else his friend had to say on the matter. “...Are you hungry?”
The serious look on Tommy’s face was replaced by his usual cheeky grin. “Does a bear shit in the woods?”
Aaron sighed loudly, rolling his eyes in a manner that was all too common. “Let's grab some food then.”
“Hell yeah! Fried breakfast?” Tommy sat up straight and drummed his hands on the dashboard with renewed enthusiasm.
A single nod from Aaron sealed the deal as he looked back out at the lanes of back to back cars stopped ahead and slowed the car to a halt. “Sure. I think I saw a sign for a diner at the next exit. If we ever make it there…”
As Tommy began to sing loudly about his favourite breakfast foods, Aaron did his best to hold back a chuckle. His friend’s ability to pick himself up following a serious discussion, or after such a trying series of events, never ceased to amaze. Pennsylvania could wait another hour until the morning rush was over, and hunting on an empty stomach was never a good idea anyway. Once they had eaten their fill and traffic was movin
g again, they would continue the long drive north and do what they do best, hunt and kill the beasts that preyed upon the innocent. After all, it was their calling in life. It was what they were always meant to do.
**********
“What started as a typical night of gang violence quickly turned into bloodshed and mayhem as an explosion rocked the Miami industrial district in the early hours. Several civilians were caught in the crossfire and at least a dozen people are reported to be dead, with yet more being rushed to the local hospital in critical condition. A number of arrests have since been made, but the police are yet to discover what triggered last night's events.”
Sam felt sick. It had never even crossed his mind that anyone other than TJ and the Huntsman would be dead once the dust had settled, and he was disgusted that he could have been that negligent. Had he already lost so much of his humanity that he had become a monster? The road to his revenge hadn’t ended his misery, it had only led to more pain and suffering, and for what reason? Nothing had changed and Christie was still dead.
The news report continued to blare, but Sam couldn't pay attention to it any longer, instead getting lost in the guilt that welled up inside him. It didn't help that the volume on the television seemed to be stuck on high, with the sound close to deafening as it filled the small area of the waiting room with maddening noise.
Having grown tired of standing around outside as he waited for the others to get back, Sam had made his way into the gloomy room with the aim of making himself as comfortable as physically possible on the plastic formed chairs that made up the rows of cheap seating. However, he soon regretted his decision after his senses were assaulted by the stench of urine and the poor quality, static ridden sound of the old television that sat in its cage in the far corner of the room.
Sam could no longer stomach the images of the atrocities, knowing full well that they had been committed in the aftermath of events that he had put into motion. He had to get out of there and get some air, despite the fact that he didn't actually need it. Rushing towards the exit, he pushed his way out into the night and doubled over a few steps later, resting his hands on his knees as the door slammed shut behind him. The safety glass rattled in the frame, coming dangerously close to shattering as the wire barely held it in place.
Sam wanted to breathe. He felt as though he needed to, but it was all in his head. It felt as though he was suffocating, as impossible as that was. For the first time since he clawed his way up from the earth, he missed being able to fill his lungs with air and had almost forgotten what it felt like. Even though he was out in the open, he felt a sense of claustrophobia kicking in. There wasn't enough space left in the world as the ground seemed to fold in around him in a deadly embrace. However, the difference this time was that Sam had dug the hole himself and there was no hope of getting out unscathed.
“Sam? Is everything okay?” It was Alice. He couldn't see her yet as his vision was spotty from his onset panic attack, but he could recognise that voice anywhere.
A hand lightly touched Sam on his shoulder and everything suddenly stopped closing in on him. He felt calmer somehow as his senses returned, the warm breeze and ever present sounds of traffic letting him know that he was out in the open and he had space to move around if he needed. As he opened his eyes, he looked over his shoulder at the concerned, yet welcoming expression of his oldest and dearest friend. When Sam's eyes met the pale blue of Alice’s he felt calmer still, but he also felt the need to open up to her. It seemed like as good a time as any for confessing his guilt over everything that had happened the night before.
“How could I have been so stupid? Innocent people were hurt! I didn't consider the consequences of my actions and people died because of my lack of responsibility.” Sam paused a moment, his mind beginning to race once more, his thoughts swirling like a tornado inside his head. “The hunters were right, I'm a monster and I should be treated like one...”
Alice helped Sam stand up straight and gently turned him to face her, resting a hand on each of his shoulders as she maintained eye contact. “You're not a monster, Sam, you didn't mean for it to happen. The important thing is that you realise that you made a mistake and…”
Sam exploded, raising his voice as he almost yelled in frustration. “And what?!? I can't change what I've already done!”
Despite him lashing out, Alice still spoke in a calm and collected manner. The concern on her face surrounded her ever pleasant smile as she attempted to sooth his anger. “Exactly, but you can still strive to make yourself a better person and try to prevent any disasters such as this from occurring ever again.” She waited a few seconds to let her wisdom sink in before continuing. “Think about what Christie would want you to do. Do you think that she would want you to give up on yourself after everything you've been through?”
Sam couldn't help but think about Christie's face as she burned under the light of day. It was difficult for him to see her any other way, as he could still picture it as clearly in his mind as the moment it happened. “No… She wouldn't want that at all. I just don't know how to go on as I am. Not without her.” Without Christie Reece by his side, Sam felt as though he was completely useless. He no longer felt like he had a purpose in life, or any goals to fulfill. Once again he found himself feeling lost and alone.
Alice could clearly see Sam’s thoughts trailing off as she moved her head to the side to stay within his field of view. “Then let us help you.” She emphasised her words, trying her best to let him know that he wasn't on his own and that there were still those who cared for his well being.
Sam appreciated the sentiment, but he couldn't change his perception of reality so easily. “I'll try...”
An awkward and lingering silence followed as Alice stared at Sam, as if she was waiting for him to say something more. It took a few long moments before he could think of anything to talk about, deciding to change the subject entirely as it hurt too much to keep thinking about his lost love. “I'm a big brother now, Alice.” Sam managed a smile as he spoke with mixed feelings of pride and sorrow. “I went to see my parents and they have a baby girl. I only saw her through a window for just a second, but she was so perfect.”
Alice’s smile widened from one of sympathy to that of joy. “That's amazing news! I'm really happy for them and for you.” The odd thing was she didn't sound surprised by the news at all. It was as if she had already known about his sibling, but that couldn't have been possible unless she had been keeping tabs on them somehow.
Sam thought nothing of his friend’s peculiar reaction and proceeded to further describe his feelings on the situation. “I know it's great for them, but I can never meet her or see my mom and dad ever again. I can't control this hunger enough to be around them… It's just too dangerous.”
Seeming to understand Sam’s pain all too well, Alice let go of his shoulders and carefully took him by the hand. “We can help you deal with that too. It just takes time, but you'll get better at controlling your instincts.” A gentle squeeze from delicate fingers was her way of letting him know that she was there for him. Sam knew that she would help him in any way that she could, but the thought didn't make him feel any less alone. He could be surrounded by dozens of friends and loved ones and still be the outcast among them, as his social anxiety seemed to have only gotten worse.
Sam snapped himself out of his self pitying stupor and took a few moments to look around the immediate area. The surrounding bus depot was completely empty of commuters and would be for at least another hour or so. It was unevenly lit by bright fluorescent lighting that attracted almost as many flies as the bags of trash that had been left lying around in piles, waiting to be collected.
It seemed that Sam and Alice were the only people present, which made him wonder what had happened to the third member of their group. “Where did the big guy go?”
Releasing Sam’s hand from her grasp, Alice glanced down the street towards the busy main road that was still bustling with traffic even
at that ungodly hour. “Matty went to get his motorcycle and to secure some more transport for us.”
“Is he going to be alright? He looked a little rough earlier.” The last time Sam had seen him, the soldier had been battered and bruised beyond recognition, and left in a state that would have put any human in the hospital or left them for dead.
Alice moved her attention back to Sam and gave him a thankful nod to acknowledge his interest in her companion’s health. “Don't worry, he’ll be fine. He's been through worse.” Worse than the beating he received at the hands of the Huntsman? That was almost impossible to believe, but he knew that she wasn't lying.
Sam tilted his head to one side, raising his eyebrows inquisitively. “Are you sure you want me to come with you guys?” He still wondered whether he should try to find his own path instead of following someone else's, but he also wasn't sure if he could walk it without a guide.
“Of course I am. I wouldn't have it any other way.” Alice's invitation was welcome, but Sam was still torn as to whether he should go with them or not. The easiest route through life wasn't always the wisest one to take.
“I don't think he does though. He doesn't seem to like me much.” Sam couldn't help but doubt each and every decision he made after seeing what damage a single poor choice could do.
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