Present Day

Good morning Alethea! Get up and make some pancakes :)

Received : 7: 14 a.m

Received from: Gray 3

First thing in the morning and I'm told to make pancakes, seriously that guy is weird. I started my morning routine of getting up from my bed and checking the room for anything out of place that was caused by something paranormal. I checked my pillow if my gun was still there and loaded, checked the cameras for any disturbances and lastly checked my sister who is in the other room. When I saw that she was still sleeping peacefully, I went ahead to get myself ready and make breakfast. It's the usual shower-groom- eat routine that I got used to.

Even though I have enough money to supply me and my sister for the rest of our lives, I still won't quit my job at The Association. Sure, it kills and injuries are a part of work but saving lives and keeping the undead at bay is a worthy cause.

"Good morning Alethea. I'm meeting with friends today so I might go home late." I heard my sister say from the other side of the bathroom door.

"Alright" I said as I rinsed myself and got a towel. I went back into my room and finished dressing up and fixing my hair when I received another text.

Damon here just wanted to ask where your house is. Need to get away from some girl following me. Heard from the others that your house is nearly outside the city. Need your help. Pls. Have mercy.

Received: 7: 53 a.m

Received from: Damon the Dhampir

I sighed as I texted him, telling him not to lead strangers into my house and that he should just use his vampire powers and stuff. I said that he should go to where Gray and the others were living, the mansion that some "mysterious" man owns. I quickly hid the phone in my bag and when down to the kitchen. I grabbed some toast and took the keys to my white convertible. I told my sister I was leaving and she gave a nod. I went to the garage and quickly got in my car and left. I stared at our house, more of a mansion actually, before it completely vanished from my sight. I really loved the sight of it with its wood and false stone brick walls and modern design, and the fact that the area I was living in is nearly outside of the city gives me the comfort of peace.

I turned on the radio and listened to the songs while I drove through quite roads with a spectacular view of the ocean. There was a small buzz and I knew someone was calling. I didn't answer and instead drove faster to get to the base earlier. A blue sports car was behind me and I stared at the plate number. It was Ashton Hendricks, our weaponry expert in the team. We both stopped at a café and I hit his shoulder softly as a greeting. He smiled, exposing his perfect white teeth and dimples. His blue eyes sparkled and he ran his hand through his black hair.

"Still dating my best friend?" I joked as we both bought some coffee. He laughed and gave a thumbs up.

"Don't worry, I won't break her heart. She's the one. I know it. If she's not I'm sure you'll murder me when she cries." He took a sip and we both went back to our respective cars. We drove to the headquarters as fast as we can without breaking any laws.

"You're a bit late today…" Gray said just as me and Ashton went inside the building called Grant Enterprise, which is actually the base in disguise. Hiding in plain sight is a lot less obvious than having a base hidden underground and such.

"Good morning to you too, Gray. Anyway I heard that today is Damon's test in order to actually join the team. Since you are the leader, I was wondering what you have in store for him." I said as I checked some files on my table.

"it's just the usual test of history and protocols of the organization, along with skills test and test of reaction times. I can't do anything illegal to him so that's how far I could go." He sat beside me and started polishing his silver sword. I watched as Ashton paced back and forth while reading a file and while two of our team mates arrived. It was Eliza Jenkins and Lee Thompson. Eliza was as usual, gorgeous with her long strawberry blonde wavy hair and blue eyes. Lee just sat down while she told us about her night out. Lee is half Japanese and half American, he had spiky black hair and brown oriental eyes but his height is something from his American side. He towers over Eliza, let alone the average height me.

"Speaking of the devil…" Lee whispered when Damon entered our room. I could see a glint in Gray's eyes and I knew he wasn't going to let Damon in the group easily. All of us went to the testing center for physical skills, where Damon excelled in. He easily breezed through all the challenges given to him. It was now time for the other part, the mental exam.

"What's the difference between Mission, Project and Alert?"

"An alert is the lowest term, it's used for only checking out paranormal undead activities, mission is the second lowest, it means that there a case to solve and last is the project, it is the highest level. It means that we have a wanted creature on the loose with a plan in mind that could lead to a major crisis…"

"What's the purpose of The Association?"

"To destroy those who are planning to destroy the balance."

"What's the usual target of our organization and why?"

"Vampires. They like to kill humans to satisfy their bloodlust."

The two of them kept at it while other workers watch from the other side of a one way mirror. It was only Gray and Damon on the other side of it and the team just decided to play childish games while waiting. When we were finally bored of playing Pants, the two of them came out and we were all lead to the conference room. Gray sat at the center, me at his right; Lee at his left, Eliza sat beside me while Ashton just stood behind Lee.

We didn't pay attention to the test so we really don't know Gray's decision and Damon's test results. The reason that I begged Gray to let Damon have a test is because some of us don't like to kill innocent. Since Damon killed the vampire we were after, even though it was an evil vampire, he still committed murder. It wasn't an act of self-defense that we could justify and since he has no authority on creatures, what he did was a crime. Without the authority, he is deemed as a criminal and if he is a criminal, he must be killed. If we didn't take him in, he'd be dead already.

"Damon Jones… you are now officially part of Team Alpha. Congratulations." I wanted to laugh at the fact that Gray said it without any emotion at all. It was so unlike his usual joking self that looks like a kid having ice cream on a hot summer day. Relief flooded some of us and I guess it's now time to start the missions.