Chapter 11
Hunter Revealed
Edan reached into the back of the car for the cooler as Dominic found a parking spot and then they both made their way up to his apartment. Dominic opened the door and went directly to the refrigerator, while Edan set the cooler on the kitchen counter then walked deeper into the living room. It was the first time that Edan had been inside the apartment so he looked around for anything that could tell him more about this man. The decorations on the wall looked to be from all across the world and from assorted eras, signs of a well traveled man. Wooden tribal masks, Oriental fans, and batik sashes adorned his living space; books of varying age lined the media center. He pulled out a copy of Tales by Edgar A. Poe and leafed through its yellowed pages.
Edan examined the title page and found at the bottom:
NEW YORK:
WILEY AND PUTNAM, 161 BROADWAY.
1845.
He walked back to the doorway of the kitchen and asked Dominic, "How long have you had these books?"
"Since they've been out," he replied, "The stuff in the living room is just the romantics. I have some of realist and naturalist literature in my bedroom."
Dominic was just finishing up making room for the spare blood.
"Is there anything I could help with?" Edan asked.
"Well," Dominic fished in his pockets and tossed him the keys, " could you go and grab the mail downstairs? I forgot to get it on the way up. It's '308 – Bianchi'"
"No problem. Be right back."
Edan left the door open and ran downstairs, opening up Dominic's box and pulling out a handful of mail. As he made his way up he repeated to himself,Dominic Bianchi….He had never known Dominic's last name until now. It looked like Dominic was just beginning to trust him, and he was glad. You don't want to get on the bad side of someone like Dominic. As he walked back in the room and headed towards the kitchen, he caught the back of a man sneaking up on Dominic with a wooden stake in hand.
"Hey!" Edan shouted.
The man jumped and lunged at Dominic's open back, but Dominic was able to pivot around and catch the man by the wrist. Dominic grabbed the stake then shoved him away in one fluid motion, sending him flying out of the kitchen and on to the floor. Edan had to dive out of the way to avoid getting hit. The intruder stumbled back onto his own two feet and reached inside his jacket pulling out a handgun, but Dominic was already on top of him swatting the gun away before he could aim it and pinned him to the wall with one hand. Edan ran to secure the gun and Dominic was elevating the man off the floor, hanging him from his neck. He writhed and wriggled like a snake dangled in the air.
Dominic stopped loosened his grip just enough to hear what he had to say, "Who are you?" he demanded. The man didn't answer, but instead pulled out a small silver cross from his pocket and shoved it in Dominic's face. Dominic ripped it out of his hands and examined it casually. He scoffed and tossed it behind him. He pounded the man against the wall, hissing through clenched teeth, "I'm starting to lose my patience! Who. Are. You?" The man pointed to the grip Dominic had on his throat, motioning that he would cooperate. Dominic slowly let him down, but still kept a strong grip on his collar. The man winced from the pain. Edan aimed the gun at him, ready for anything the man might pull.
He massaged his throat, croaking out an answer, "My name is…name is Theron," he coughed some more, gasping for breath, "I came here to hunt you down."
"So you ARE a hunter," Edan said.
"No," Dominic said,"he can't be. He tried to shoot me with a gun."
Theron wheezed out a laugh, "That gun is loaded with silver bullets. You would have been writhing in pain just now."
Dominic connected a hook to his jaw, "SHUT THE FUCK UP! If you're a vampire hunter, then you're a fucking idiot of a hunter. Silver bullets are for werewolves, you dumbass!"
Edan remembered something, "Wait, is this the same guy that tried to kill Kaily last night?"
"I don't know," Dominic turned his attention back to Theron, "The girl across the hall; did you attack her last night?"
The hunter wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, still smiling, "Oh, so it was you that busted in last night. Yes, it was me. After I stole her blood stores I was going to slit her throat and let her bleed out slowly, but you broke in and I had to finish the job quickly."
"Well, congratulations. She's still alive. It takes more than a few bullets to stop a vampire," Dominic snarled.
"Oh? Then how about the others? They all died the moment I shot them."
"What!?" he growled in disbelief, "That means you've been killing innocent people then!"
Theron tried to laugh, but his face showed that he was obviously shaken, "No. No it can't be. You're wrong!" He drew a hunters knife from its sheath strapped to his back, and dug it in just below Dominic's rib cage. Dominic let go and fought for handle of the knife buried in his chest. Theron pulled across on the knife, guiding Dominic into Edan's line of fire. He twisted and wriggled the serated blade as Dominic tried to cry out, paralyzed by the unbearable pain. Nothing above a faint gasp left his lips. Theron dragged Dominic towards the front door, making sure to keep him in front of Edan to protect himself. Theron tugged out his knife and Dominic collapsed to the floor, blood soaking around the tear in the shirt as he tried to cup his hands over the wound. The blood was already starting to coagulate, but it was going to be a while until it fully healed. Theron flew down the stairs and Edan leaped over Dominic to chase after him.
"Stop! " Dominic called out, doubled over himself on the floor, "Check on Kaily first!"
Dominic was right, Kaily could be in danger. He opened the door and ran inside, gun aimed forward in case somebody was already there. He scanned the area to make sure it was clear then ran into the bedroom, to find Kaily talking with somebody. He quickly hid the gun in his inside coat pocket, and not a moment too soon.
Kaily saw him out of the corner of her eye, "Hey!"
She turned back to the person she was talking to, introducing Edan to him, "This is the guy I was talking to you about. He stayed back with me when I found out I had been robbed."
The man looked him up and down, "Edan, right? Nice to meet you. From what I've heard from Kaily, you're quite the gentleman."
"This is Mr. Roberts, my landlord," Kaily said.
"Ohhh," he laughed waving it off, "you can call me Ken. I've been trying to get Kaily to call me by my first name, but she's just too polite for her own good." Ken was a short man in an oxford shirt with a blue sweater vest and khaki pants. He was balding, wore round, thin rimmed glasses, and sported a full mustach. Just an unassuming, typical landlord.
"You look a little out of breath. Something happen?" Ken asked.
"Hmm? Uh, no. Just ran up the stairs. I'm a little out of shape."
"Heh, it's only two flights. Need to put in some exercise, son."
"I'll consider it," Edan joked.
Edan and Kaily walked with him out into the hallway.
"Looks like we're all set, Kaily. I'll call for somebody to come and fix the window."
"Thank you, Mr. Roberts, I'll pay for any—"
"Hey hey hey, don't worry about it! I'll take care of it. You couldn't help that somebody broke into your apartment. I'm just glad you're safe."
"Oh, thank you!" Kaily hugged Ken.
"Well, kids, gotta get back to work," he turned around and spotted a stain on the hallway floor.
"And what's this?" He walked over to the trail of dark red spots leading up to Dominic's door.
Kaily's eyes widened and she looked over to Edan for answers as Ken was occupied with the stain. He avoided her stare.
"I don't know, "Edan said, replying to Ken's question, "I'm sure it's nothing really. Just—"
"Nothing or not, I need find out what's going on. It's my responsibility to look after this apartment."
He raised a hand to knock on the door and Edan tried to stop him but it was too late. The shit had just hit the fan.
