Down They Fall [Hunter Tales]

[Sawyer]

It was a familiar setting.

Solemn colored walls, leather chairs scruffed and overused, the scent of stale coffee and desperation permeating the air. Her presence didn’t even qualify as a difference - no, her face was familiar to the officers and criminals alike. In fact, the only major change that drew curious stares alike was the blood that covered her. The receptionist watched on in open shock and disgust, swollen, wrinkled fingers grasping at the cross that rest against her bosom. Sawyer managed a laugh, the sound too calm, too casual for her current state, and winked at the elderly woman. “I’m not a fanger, grandma, chill,” she supplied, watching as grey and tired eyes narrowed in suspicion. Her lips began to move as she recited a prayer, only coming to a stop when a boisterous laugh bounced off the walls. “Nah, she just kills those nasty fuckers. Isn’t that right, Saw? Gonna have to get you on the payroll,” Officer Hannigan grinned, his muscled hand coming down to grip her slender shoulder.

“I’m not goin’ to complain about a little extra cash, but you know I do it out of the goodness of my heart.” Another round of laughter filled the station, and she hopped gracefully to her feet, despite her wounds. They were so scarce and so miniscule, she barely felt them. Hannigan did a quick sweep over her, bushy brow raising as he opened his arm, motioning her to his desk, though she knew the way by heart by now. “Don’t worry about it, old man. I barely felt a thing, These fangers aren’t as scary as they appear. Blondie could barely touch us before we put her down,” she smirked, “got her in the heart a good time, too.”

“Jesus, Saw. That’s actually what I called you in for. Heard about some reports about a fight and some breakin’ and enterin’. Know anythin’ about that?” His words left him in a rush of air as he collapsed into his seat, hands resting behind his head. His posture screamed relaxed and powerful, meant to intimidate, but it merely had her chuckling. “Fight? Yeah, we tracked down some problem ***** and her friends decided to join. She’s got one of us workin’ for her or somethin’, tried to take a shot at me and fucked up. It was priceless, but didn’t stop me from spilling his guts. In my books, he’s one of them. I also killed some random fanger that came at me. One hit, heart, bam. Ash. As for the breaking and entering, you know me, I don’t do anything without reason. She fled, so I tracked her the best I could, went into random buildings along Honeymead, Westwall and Gullsborough before getting bored and deciding to change tactics. She made a clone of herself - a couple of them. Destroyed whatever cameras I found, just so you knew for sure it was me. I needed the pieces for some ****, anyway.” It was a long winded speech, but he wasn’t bothered.

She watched as his expression changed from concern to disbelief and finally, pure amusement.

As he slapped his hand against his desk, he laughed, and shook his head. “I figured it was something like that, but I had to ask. You’re good. No one’s going to be concerned about you killing one of those fuckers or disrupting some property. The attack on the other human, well, I’ll explain that to some of my people, too. Our lovely detective wants a thorough report, but you know how he loves his files on you. Reads them at bedtime to get some sleep,” he grinned, earning another laugh from her as she unwrapped a lollipop and placed it on her tongue. “I didn’t think there was, and Ephraim’s already writing up his own report to send along. But, I also got some information for you. Names.” Her smile was harsh as she wiggled a crumpled piece of paper from her jean pocket and slid it over to him. “One of them is a big business owner around here, I’ve heard. Quartermaine or something ridiculous like that. It’s all there and we’re working on getting a few more out. We’re goin’ to take care of them ourselves, but you know, work with us and we’ll work with you. Keep your guys on the look-out.” With that, she dusted off her jeans and moved to her feet. Pressing two fingers to her brow in salute, she flashed him a grin as she spoke over her shoulder on her way out the door.

“That said, I’m going to take a shower and chill until the next hunt. Put that list to good use, yeah?”

[Sawyer]

[Journal Entry]

You would think they would learn by now, but I’m beginning to wonder how much death actually affects the mind. Mortll tried to steal from me - I retaliated. We fought a little in the raid while sorcerers were looking at us like we were crazy. The ***** tossed me out a window when it became too much for her. Someone started hacking my businesses (and really, more power to them. I barely pay attention to them), and then someone cursed me. I’d been left alone up until Mortll started her ******** (which I recorded because I swear, these vampires get so bent out of shape and lie through their teeth), so logically - it had to be because of her, if not one of her weird *** powers.

I sent an attack her way, she got in my head with some stooges remark, and well - the rest is history. I found her en route to drop off some items, and we fought. It was exhilarating. I didn’t let anyone know what I was doing - I just attacked. Blood was everywhere. I’m surprised no one called the cops, if we’re honest, not that I couldn’t handle it if they did. It wasn’t until a message came through that I realized I wasn’t the only one the ***** was annoying. She’d also hit Tierney first for whatever ******* reason, so I sent off a quick message to let her know what was going on. It was actually just a short video clip - Tier did the rest.

On one hand, I like having a team. On the other, I had the ***** without them. She took off running when I cut head skull open like a melon and stabbed her in the heart (or where her heart should be.). She didn’t move after that. Just sat there like the ******* idiot she is. Sad, too, I was pretty much done for myself. It was going to be one of those “last man standing” kind of deals. I planned for it to be me, of course, but she was too spineless to see.

Of course, then she called for help and Kira sent one of her pets in, along with Mortll’s pet.

In the end, they’re all alive.
For now.

I plan to finish what Mortll started, so maybe next time she’ll keep her ******* hands to herself.

[Sawyer]

[Journal Entry]

I'm getting ******* -- what's the word that Ephraim likes to use? Antsy?

Yeah, ******* antsy.

We should see if anyone is on the list.

Man, **** that list and **** everyone who gets on it. What's the point in waiting for them to do something? That's like waiting for the house to burn down before cutting off the gas stove.

Point-*******-less.

He can lecture me all he wants, if he even wants to. I'm not going to sit around anymore and just... wait. Things are going to ****, and if we get ahead of the game, we can get ahead of the fangers and finally be done with their filth.

So, I saw that stupid, dumb-looking ***** today. Mortll, I think she goes by, like she's trying to be cute. She's far from. She's getting quicker, though. That's going to have to be taken care of - and fast. I'm not about to deal with this **** anymore.

Between her and Every, I should keep myself busy for a while.

[Sawyer]

[Journal Entry]

Some ****** named Kane. I don't know more than that - Tierney has that info. Need to remind her to send it to the police station with the rest.

I know she's been stirring **** up, but no one would know it's her, unless there is some super new power that vampires possess. This thing she uses - I've watched her. She stands in the middle of ******* no-where, out of sight, and it just -boom! - and all the fuckers around her get hurt or invigorated. So, I don't know what the **** this dude is going on about. Maybe she hit him, maybe she didn't, but sitting on your ******* hands for four days after the fact is just -- suspect, lazy, and cowardly.

I heard from someone who heard from someone who heard from someone that he was trying to play the victim online somewhere. I couldn't find it, doesn't matter. He's got no spine. Honestly, none of them do. He's falling just like the rest of them. Seriously, don't ******* put your goddamned hands on one of us and not expect to get your **** rocked. Cry like the little undead ***** you are to your friends, it just proves you're what we've always thought you were.

Nothing.

Call us what you want, but we look out for one another.