Chapter 5

Cazadora barely steps out of the shower when she felt a sudden cold chill shot down her spine. She instantly shutters, but it wasn't from the cold; instead, she felt a deep sense of dread. Her shoulders tenses as she crosses her arms. "Something isn't right…" She mumbles quietly to herself.

Her mind begins to race as she suddenly felt a tsunami of emotions washing over her, almost drowning her in a pit of despair madness. Cazadora let out a pain strain whine as she tightly closes her eyes to stop the flow of tears from flowing. She breathes sharply, struggling to get herself together.

What happened at the park is still fresh in her mind.

Cazadora glances over at the body length mirror in the bathroom. She carefully looks over her naked body. Her skin, usually an olive tan, had a red tint because she took a long hot shower. She purposely took a boiling hot shower in a poor attempt to rid away the tingling violation off her body—a desperate effort to be clean and rid of the awful memory. However, Cazadora instantly regrets it because her skin burns. Her body feels as if it suffers a nasty sunburn, but the cuts hurt the most.

The cuts that creature had made.

They weren't deep enough to the point of gushing or where she needed a doctor. But the cuts were still deep enough to bleed and painfully sting. Cazadora fears the scratches will scar, leaving as a permeant reminder of that moment. Cazadora glare at the cuts in the mirror, her jaw tremble as her fury begin to boil. However, she couldn't hold back the painful sob; she instantly covers her mouth as if to save herself from falling into weakness. She hates herself; she had froze like a deer caught in headlights.

Cazadora is a police officer; she enforces the law and protects the innocent. She was trained to help those that have been violated and arrest the creeps that had done so. Cazadora would never allow anyone to take advantage of her or break her; she would put them in their place if they even dare. But that thing wasn't a person, definitely not human—possible even the devil himself.

"Diablo," Cazadora breathe heavily, her body shutter. She clenches her teeth as she shook her head. "No! you sound like a fucking lunatic!"

She pants softly as she felt flustered as her mind try to reason and make sense of what had happened. She wasn't religious; she didn't believe in demons or angels, but part of her trembles in that belief. Cazadora sighs deeply with frustration as she clenches her hair. "There has to be some explanation for this?! That thing? Maybe some mutant runaway experiment? No…he didn't look like he escaped a lab. Holy shit, what if it was an alien? But aliens aren't real…"

Regardless, she didn't need to know what he was, to know his intent.

Cazadora was no fool, she knew what he wanted, and she would have been powerless to stop him. She was tiny compare to him; she stood no chance to fight him. She shivers as she touches her throat; she remembers the weight of his hand on her throat and his lethal claws against her jugular. But praise to the higher being that was watching out for her because Diablo had taken off running.

However, that was too easy, and he had a reason to stop.

She fears this isn't the end.

Especially how calmly he let her go and use some recording to tell her to fuck off. He let her go easy. A predator like him doesn't let their victims go that easy. He will find her later and resume what was interrupted. The thought alone unnerves her and drove her slowly to insanity.

Cazadora sighs deeply as she looks at herself in the mirror. She saw a broken, tired woman with haunting mismatched eyes. The dark bags underneath her eyes express the sleepless nights. Her body, usually tone with an athletic build, had started to lose its defined shape. Cazadora had gained weight; she could see the growing fat on her curves. She knew it was the result of drinking too much, smoking, and eating more, along with breaking away from her workout routine. She could see the start of herself slowly falling apart, but she didn't have the energy or will to fix herself. Cazadora felt as if the world was crushing her, and she wasn't strong enough to shrug it off.

But now, to add the violation on her body. From an otherworldly being of all things. A being that can't be stopped. A being that will not see justice.

Cazadora instantly tense; she clenches her teeth as she sharply looks away from the mirror. She felt disgusted; she couldn't stand to look at her body.

She never thought this will ever happen to her.

She is a police officer.

She believes herself to be strong, and she promises herself she will never be a victim.

Yet it happened…

Now…she felt utterly lost. Scare beyond her mind and slowly losing her will.

Cazadora quickly shook her head. "N-No…don't fall down that path…" She whispers to herself.

She hurries out of her bathroom and into her bedroom; she had to distract herself. She put on her clothes, a blue tank top, and black shorts. Afterward, she went to the kitchen, but on the way, she came across Blue. The hybrid lay on his side on the cool wooden floor, but he instantly perks up when he senses Cazadora approaching. His tongue hangs out, giving a doggy grin with his tail thumping against the floor. Cazadora chuckle as she crouches down to pet his head and scratches him behind his ear.

Blue groans loudly as the pup happily rolls onto his back expecting belly rubs. Cazadora laughs as she gave the puppy what he wanted, causing him to squirm and roll happily. His tail swishing rapidly against the floor. However, it was interrupted when Blue instantly got up, his ears perk up, and he immediately released a low growl. A second later, someone rang the buzzer but before Cazadora can get up. Her unexpected guest begins knocking loudly against her door. The loud knocking cause Cazadora to flinch, her heart begins to race, but she quickly reasons herself to calm down.

"It can't be him, so calm down." She assures herself in a low whisper. As if Diablo would bother with knocking on her door.

However, the loud knocking started to get on Cazadora' nerves; it sounded like the person is getting close to kicking down her door. Blue bark loudly, his voice booming as he charges at the door as if to try to chase the rude soon to be company away. Cazadora sighs deeply as she wanted to be alone, but she had a feeling she going to be questioned.

"Blue retreat!" She firmly orders, but she flinches. Her mind instantly remembering the recording from Diablo. Her eyes widen as the word repeats in her mind. As her mind spirals, Blue ran to the bedroom.

However, she snaps out whatever trace she was in when she hears the knocking getting louder. She growls when she hears someone yelling outside her door. It enrages her; she storms to her door and slams it wide open. Cazadora snatches the fist that would have punched her face.

Her eyes narrow on the owner's fist as she sharply grips the wrist tightly. She snarls. "I fucking heard you! No need to fucking break down my damn door!" Cazadora roughly releases the person's wrist; she glares murderously at the two men. "Can I help you?!" She spat.

The man that nearly punch her return the glare. As if trying his best to scare her, but nope, Cazadora is far too pissed to get the least bit scared. Regardless, the rude man pulls out a badge to show his government ID. "I'm Agent Jeffrey Keystone; this is my partner, Agent Andy Vega."

Vega is unamused as he glares at Jeffrey but his expression change when he looks at Cazadora. "Ms. Guerrero, please, we will like a moment of your time. To ask a few questions regarding this morning." He spoke softly while his fellow agent kept giving the stink eye.

Cazadora quickly looks over the two men; thus far, she like Agent Vega; he didn't try to break her door down or punch her. On top of that, Vega appeared to be a humble gentleman, while Agent Keystone looks like the poster boy for an American 80s asshole. She notices a bruise beginning to form on his cheek; he probably deserves it. Already Cazadora felt a headache brewing, and she felt the need for a drink.

Stupidly, she felt that the two agents were going to pull the bad cop good cop routine. She found it ridiculous, especially since Keystone is taking the role way too seriously. Unless that is his personality, she felt sorry for Vega if that is the case. Speaking of which, the poster boy took a threatening step closer. Cazadora wasn't impressed or threaten; she gave him a bored look. "Really?"

"You made the 911 call this morning; you are going to tell us what had happened." Keystone demand firmly. Cazadora instantly pales as she quickly recounted everything; she shutters as she felt goosebumps invade her skin while fear grip her heart.

Vega nudges Keystone away to give the distressed woman some space. "Can you show a slimmer of respect, or is that too difficult?" Vega turns to Cazadora. "Can we come inside to talk?"

Cazadora really wanted that drink now. She breathes deeply to settle her nerves. "Alright…" she mumbles weakly as she steps back to let them pass. She closes the door behind them before she led them to the living room. "Do any of you want coffee? Or anything to drink?" She offers.

"No." Keystone sharply answer.

Vega elbows him, earning a glare from Keystone, but Vega gave him a disapproving glare. Vega spoke through clenched teeth. "Would it kill you to fucking behave?"

Keystone scoff. "I want to cut the bullshit."

Vega rolls his eyes before he clears his throats and turn to Cazadora. "I'm sorry, Ms. Guerrero, we'll like to start asking the questions."

Cazadora sighs deeply as she sat down in her comforter chair. "Alright, but call me Cazadora, please."

Vega sat down on the sofa while Keystone stood behind the couch. Looming behind Vega like some threatening bodyguard but Keystone kept looking around suspicions. He narrows his eyes when he notices Blue glaring from the bedroom's doorway. Cazadora scowl at Keystone as she felt the headache getting worst.

Vega is starting to get fed up with his fellow agent again. He felt tempted to give Keystone a matching bruise. However, he was in enough trouble for supposedly acting out and lashing out at his partner. Vega thought it was worth punching Keystone; it felt good to put the jerk in his place. Vega clears his throat. "So, Cazadora, can you explain everything that happened?"

The moment of truth, Cazadora sigh deeply. "I went on my daily run with my dog; I go out to Griffin Park before sunrise, roughly around between 5:30 and 6:30. I ran somewhat over a mile into the park before I stop to rest, but my dog detected something." Cazadora bit her lip and shifted in her seat in discomfort. "That's when I saw the bodies, being a police officer. With the recent crimes involving skinned bodies, I instantly became alert. I fear the killers might still be in the area because my dog was acting up; he is specialized train; he wouldn't act up without reason." She sighs deeply as she shifted again. "I fear for my life and my dog's life; we bolted back to my car to call 911." She gave a small shaky breath as she remembers every detail of herself running for her life. Her legs strain from the long sprint, her lungs burned coldly, and her heart jackhammering against her chest.

But her mind instantly shifts to Diablo…

She couldn't speak about him…she knew they wouldn't believe her. They will think she lost her mind, Keystone for sure. But on top of that, she wasn't ready to talk about it out loud. Some part of her is still in disbelief, and Cazadora denied everything had happened.

"Well?! What happened after that!? Stop daydreaming and tell us!" Keystone snap, causing Cazadora to flinch and snap out of her reelection.

Cazadora angrily snarls at him. "I drove off, left the area because dispatch had ordered me to do so!" She sharply answers him.

Vega was typing on his tablet, his eyes narrow with annoyance as he listens to Keystone. He looks up to Cazadora with a soft look. "Was there anything else? Anything usual?"

Cazadora bit the inside of her cheek; she shook her head. "No…I quickly left. I didn't want to get caught by whoever has been causing the murders."

Keystone took a threatening step towards Cazadora while pointing an accusing finger at her. "You better not be lying! It is a feral crime to lie to feral agents!"

Cazadora sharply stood up; she glares at him murderously. "No! I had told you everything that had happen! I went through a trauma, and this is how you behave!? I just had it up to here with your bullshit!" She screams. Her body shook from the amount of stress she had to endure; she breathed heavily through her nose and started to feel dizzy. However, she stubbornly stood her ground as she refuses to show any weakness to a jackass. "Remember, asshole! You're in my house, I invited you in, and I can kick you out!"

Before Keystone could counter back, Vega jumped out of his seat and stood in between the two, but he nudges Keystone back. "Agent Keystone, can you please wait outside. I'll finish things here." Vega growl through clenched teeth. "You are not helping."

Keystone scowls deeply before he grumbles angrily. "Fine, make it fucking quick, so we can head back."

Vega watches as Keystone storm out of the apartment but not without slamming the door behind him. It results in Blue to bark loudly. Vega sighs deeply as he turns to Cazadora; he clears his throat before he begins to speak in Spanish. "I'm sorry about my partner. It has been a stressful few weeks."

Cazadora sighs deeply as she sat down and melt into her seat. She rubs her forehead, hoping to rid the throbbing headache. "Doesn't give him a fucking excuse to be an ass."

Vega sat down and gave a weak chuckle. "Yeah, I know."

Cazadora frown as she looks up at the ceiling, she felt weak, and part of her wishes she could melt out of existence. "I'm so tired…I can't bear to look at another skinned person…" Her lips tremble as her eyes begin to water. Her voice broke and crack as she struggles to keep her composer. "Today is my day off…I should have a break from the horrors. I need the break to recover…but of course not! I'm not given that luxury!" She sat up and glare at Vega; the man flinches slightly from the hostile glare. "You and your agent groups or whatever is supposed to find this monster, right?! What is taking so long?! Are you unable to find any clues that'll lead to an arrest!?"

"Cazadora, please understand that this killer isn't normal; we are trying the best we can to find them and arrest them. That is why we need to know everything, Cazadora. Is there anything that you can possibly remember? Even the tiniest of details?" Vega asks softly.

Cazadora sat back in her seat, melting against it and desperately wishing she can disappear. Her mind kept shifting to Diablo. She wanted to tell him, but she fears that she will be thrown into the looney bin or taken somewhere where she will never see the sun again. She didn't want her freedom to be taken away. She shook her head. "I'm s-sorry…I don't remember anything else."

Vega slowly nods; he stood up and pulls out a business card. "Well…just in case you happen to remember anything. Please give me a call."

Cazadora took the business card from him and briefly look over the card. She weakly nods and mumbles a soft. "Ok"

Cazadora watches as Agent Vega let himself out. Once the door closes behind him, Cazadora covers her face with one of the throw pillows and screams into the pillow. Her body shook as she releases uncontrollable sobs.

Vega closes the door behind him, he scowls annoy when he saw Keystone leaning against the wall across from him. Keystone scoff at him. "I hate it when you start speaking in Spanish. You know I don't know what the hell you're talking about."

Vega huffs as he turns to walk past him. "Learn the language." Keystone glare at him, but he begins to follow him. However, Vega sharply turns to face Keystone. "You're getting out of hand. What the hell was all that? You're going to get us both in trouble with your bullshit!"

Keystone huffs as he brushes him off. "Whatever. What information did you get? Did she let her guard down when I left?"

Vega frown as he carefully remembers, analyzing her behavior. "No…I didn't get any new information. She traumatized from the skinned bodies."

Keystone groan, annoyed. "She a cop; she has been seeing skinned bodies for weeks now."

Vega flinches; his eyes widen as he looks at him with disbelief. "Do you have any heart?! Skinned human bodies are something that can never be unseen. It is impossible to shrug the idea off."

Keystone frown at him before he led in closer to him to stare into his eyes. "Have you forgotten this morning? What have we seen? Skinned bodies…are just the tip of the iceberg." He states coldly.

Vega narrows his eyes. "Doesn't mean we lose our empathy and humanity to these monsters."

Keystone scoff as he steps back. "You're a damn fool; you'll mentally break." Keystone sharply walks away, purposely bumping his shoulder against Vega.

Vega stumbles back slightly; he breathes deeply to settle his boiling anger. He shook his head in disappointment and disbelief. "Puto…"

Meanwhile, elsewhere, a ship is secretly tucked away in an abandoned tunnel. Still, as an added measure, the ship was cloaked. Making it appear invisible to the naked eye. Just in case if anyone, more specifically street artists looking to graffiti the walls.

Within the ship, Achea is finishing plucking the last of the bullets from his body. He hisses as he felt his mangled face pierce with bullet holes. He, unfortunately, had lost part of his lower left mandible. Removing the bullets from his face was the most painful processors he had to do.

Achea carefully cleans the blood, but once he injects himself. He roars loudly in pain as he felt a fiery pain flare throughout his body. He growls and hisses as he leans against the wall to support himself from falling over. He pants and huffs softly, but he releases a small chuckle as he felt an absolute thrill. The pain oddly excited him because it reminds Achea of how he gained his injuries.

He will admit, the battle was thrilling, and the injuries were proof. He was impressed that the oomen manage to stay alive long enough to cause some damage to him. Then again, there were rumors about groups of oomen hunting Yautjas. The idea alone is laughable; Achea didn't believe a ridiculous rumor. However, he was glad he was proven wrong, but at the same time, Achea felt slight disappointment as he expected more. The rumors indicate of formidable oomen capable of killing Yautja with clever skills and pack strategies. Achea believed he didn't witness that when he massacred the pack of oomen.

Or maybe the oomen didn't send their greatest warriors.

After all, he is a great warrior. No one stood a chance against him; not even the Arbitrators were able to take him down. Everything and everyone is below him; he will crush them all like bugs. Especially the oomen, they are nothing compare to his mighty power.

Achea eventually finishes mending his injuries, he left the drones to clean up the mess. While Achea begins walking towards the control center of his ship. As he quietly walks through the foggy hallways, he begins to think about the female. He rumbles softly with a light trill; he hasn't forgotten about her.

Achea purrs as he thinks about her body; he breathes deeply as if he could smell her sweet scent at that moment. His body arches slightly as he as felt excited. The mix between the thrill of battle and the passion feeling of arousal started to intoxicate him.

The thrill of winning and being on top sends a massive rush to Achea; he intensely desires to celebrate his victories. However, he didn't want to rush into anything yet; he wants to have fun with the female. Do something different with her.

After all, she might prove to be fun.