The Wolf's Pup
BY: Asura136
CHAPTER 2: Mornings Mission
The mornings kiss illuminates the weird chaotic city known as Hellsalem's Lot. Scoping it from the darkness it layed in and waking the drowsiness. The sounds of cars moving increased from the previous night and the citizens go about their normal lives within the cities confines. A foggy cloud hangs above the city but it doesn't stop the strange form of life that has taken over the place. While coexisting for a short time, it has already made a impact on society, and it only seems to be growing.
Within a one bedroom apartment sleeps a woman on her left side, dressed in a white dress-up shirt with the two buttons popped open and black pants and shoes. The sun's rays shine through opened curtains, the room basked in the mornings hug. The bed sheets ruffled about, empty alcohol bottles on tables and desks, clothing hung from a string and drying. A small wall separates the bed from the kitchen and entrance with the bathroom door located left as well as small kitchen table located far right. A small living room in front of the bed accompanied by red chairs and a tan coffee table. A dark table located left of the first chair and a darken desk right of the second chair, the tv hidden behind a bag of garbage. The apartment being a bit of a mess with bottles and clothing laying about.
The woman stirs awake at being kissed by the sun. Seeming rather annoyed at being woken and with a headache no less. A muffled grunt escapes her throat and onto her pillow. Last night being something worth remembering and maybe worth not remembering either. Being hungover isn't fun. As if to make the matter worse her phones goes off, a miniature Blackberry Bold 9930, that shrieked like a banshee whenever it rung. How fortunate for it to do so just as she wakes up with a splitting headache..
*Chains POV*
Despite the sun waking me up I still kept my eyes shut. I shouldn't have drunk so much last night, I'm regretting it now. I'll get up in a minute.
As if on cue my phone begins to ring. Letting out a muffled grunt, I open up my eyes and extend my right arm. Grabbing my phone and seeing the caller ID. It's Klaus. Reluctantly, I answer the call.
"Good morning to you Chain. Sorry if my call was unexpected but sense there's no work today, I call to tell say that all of Libra has a day off." Klaus, ever so the gentleman. "Have a nice day."
Day off, huh? Maybe I could use it to be productive today. But first, I should do something about the headache. I think I had some painkillers in the cabinet and some miso soup in the fridge.
Using what strength I had, I pulled myself from the comfort of my bed. Needless to say, my body disagreed. Aches woke on every part of me. I must have of slept in an awkward position last night. Bring my right hand up to my head, holding it as I leaned in pain. I really am regretting drinking that much. Probably time I get some more medicine for hangovers. And like that I got out of bed and onto my two feet, hand still on my head. I grunt in numbing pain and walk to the cabinet to get the medicine.
As I reach my destination, I take out the medicine and swallow a pill. I open the fridges door and take out the miso soup, warming it in the microwave. As it takes its time I press a button on the coffee machine and wait till it warms up too. Yet I can't get what I heard last night. The stranger was probably the most normal person I've seen in this whole city. That's probably why he was also creepy. Still, the look in his eyes when smiling, it didn't seem right, something was off about him, but what? As I pondered through my thoughts of the stranger I encountered the other day, the alarm goes off on the microwave followed by the coffee machine. With a sigh, I open the door and take out the soup, then pour myself some coffee on a mug, taking a seat on the armchair after kicking off some garbage.
Maybe I should clean today. It has been feeling stuffy lately. While I take a sip of the soup, I come up with a plan to get the job done faster, all while swallowing the last sips. Putting the container down, I pick up my coffee, holding it with both hands. I am rather curious who he was and his purpose to coming to this city. Taking a sip f the coffee, a few memories of our conversation came back but I still can't make most of it. He said something rather interesting and very, particular. Instead of pondering about this man, I should get started on cleaning.
And Like that I finished the coffee, put both the mug and container in the sink, rolled up my sleeves and got busy.
*~2 Hours Later~*
With a sigh I flopped onto my arm chair, a second cup of coffee held in my hands. I think that has been the longest clean I've ever had. No matter, it provided an outlet for today. With mug held in hands upon my lap, I lean back in the chair, close my eyes and smile. Yet as I relax, the stranger comes to mind, his words echoing across my thoughts, smile turned to a frown. His words remembered and repeating.
"Sometimes to have luck you must give up what makes you happy or what isn't necessary." Is what he said, yet his smile hinted a sad memory or perhaps, a sorrowful past? But most of all, what did he mean by it? Earlier he was talking about how luck is a gift and a blessing, not something that happens at random. Just what exactly was his purpose to coming to Hellsalem's Lot? He was so elusive, he was hiding something.
Letting out a grunt, I can't but think myself an idiot. There he was and I didn't question him further. Despite his quietness and mysterious aura, he was straight forward with his answers. Though it might have also not made a difference. Still, I wish I knew more to his situation. One doesn't come to Hellsalem's Lot just for a quick visit. This place is riddled with random miracles, chaos and crime. Thinking on it, it just might contradict what he said yesterday. If luck really is a gift and a blessing, then why is the city also known for its miracles or is it the inhabitants of the place?
Certainly he would find this fascinating, no doubt about it. I do wonder if he ever find the people he was looking for. He seemed very serious on getting his job done and trying to avoid mistakes. I imagine, last night was when he had some fun in a really long time.
Content with that, I begin to relax once more, hoping to erase the stranger from my mind even if it's for a few hours. Yet, my phone decided now not the time to relax as it rang, stopping the mug a few inches from my mouth. Who could it be this time; hopefully not the monkey. I've got to make note, to make the next time I step on him extra painful. Putting down the mug on the coffee table, I get up and walk to the bed table and pick up my phone. It's the Chief. I answer the call.
"This is Chain."
"Ah, Chain. So glad you picked it up quickly. I heard from Klaus that you got the day off, but I was wondering if you could come quickly to the bureau and help with a few things. This should be a quick visit. " From his end I could hear some female voices and the deputy chief. I guess the issue has to do with the other members of the bureau.
"I'll arrive as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Chain!" The Chief sounded relieved and I could hear some silence from his end. Did they hear the conversation? And with that I end the call. Guess my day off turned into work once more. Might as well take a shower and brush my teeth before I head out.
*~15 Minutes Later~*
All dressed in my proper attire for the day, I go to the bed table and get my phone, checking for any missed texts or calls. There seems to be none so I put the phone away in my pocket. Walking over to the coffee table I pick up the mug. The coffee has cooled but its still warm enough to be consumed. Bringing the mug closer to my mouth, I smelled the scent it emitted and a wave of nausea spreads to my stomach. I put down the mug back on the table and rush to get a glass of water. Gulping down the water, the nausea seemed to fade. It's probably the hangover. I need to make a note to go to the pharmacy after going to the bureau first.
I make sure everything is locked and in its place. I may not use the door often but it's always good to be sure. The neighbors aren't worth trusting, especially in this city. As I reach the window and lift it, just as I am about to step out, I take one last look behind. To be honest, I don't know what impulsed me to do that, but I could have sworn I heard a child's laughter.
Closing the window behind me and making sure its locked, I jump from the emergency fire stairs to lamp post on the other side of the street. I stop and take a look around and below me. I still can't help but think how I ever got here. It only seems like yesterday all my work was kept secret. I better hurry, who knows what could happen in the time I'm not there. And so I begin to jump from building to building, lamp to stop light, etc. As long as it's there I will jump and land on it, making sure to not always been seen unless wanted.
*~20 Minutes Later~*
A few feet from me stands a building. It looks normal enough, but the inside is a whole different story. While I do work for Libra, I originally work for a Werewolf Bureau made up of five female commandos. Used to be six, buts thats a long story. The ones in charge are the Chief and the Deputy Chief. The bureau was assigned to Libra once it got big enough and recognized as a threat to any evildoers. Yet some missions still remain secret, even from Libra.
Taking one last jump I land on an extended frame of a window, I knock to get their attention and sure enough they stopped while they were doing and turned to face me. I simply just raised my arm, hand extended in a frozen wave that said "hey." I open the window and step in, closing it behind me as I do. No point in fading in when it's not locked.
"Chain!" I turn around to see Emelina Anderson running to hug me. She's a tall woman with short light navy hair with a hint of gray and similar eye color, light skin complexion, dressed in black dress pants, similar shoes to mine, a white tank top covered by a black slick and thin sweater with a high collar reaching to her lower cheek. She also happens to be the senior werewolf commando. "We're sorry you had to come in today, but we need your help."
"And what exactly do you need help with?" A stupid question to ask, it was obvious from their argument.
"We can't decide on which method is more effective for our next oppression. Our target is not far from arriving to the city and he must be eliminated before his plans can be put into action. "
"If he's staying at a hotel or a personal place of his, then the protocol should be the same."
"That's what it should be but the thing is..." And leaving it at that, she went and picked up a folder only to hand it to me.
Opening the folder, inside were papers full of information about the target. Including pictures, spendings, medical bills, etc. Most interesting of all were the pictures of where he's staying. It seems he booked a room at a five-star hotel and the troubling issue is getting in and avoiding the guards posted around him twenty-four-seven, yet we can fade in and out of existence so why is this troubling them? I look up with a confused look, expecting a further explanation.
"It's not the fading out of existence part that's bothering us, it's the route for which to take. We need to hack and take control of the security system in place and then get to the target before he leaves when they realise something is off."
"Why take control of the system?"
"It'll distract the workers from attending to the target."
"Is he staying in the penthouse?"
"No, he's staying in a hotel room on the third floor." I met her gaze, looking up from the folder and its contents. A look of seriousness marred her face.
"What are the methods put out in the table so far?"
"Get in from the roof and hack the system in less than a minute, afterwards head towards the target as quick as possible. Second, hack the system halfway and then two of us cause a dissertation in the lobby while the other three move to the targets room and knock the guards then eliminate the target. Third, have three head to the targets room and have one knock out the guards and keep watch, while two head inside, meanwhile two of us hack the security. There were a couple others but they weren't as good. "
"Hmm...How many computers are there?" A silence of surprize fills the room.
A pause. Then the room goes into action, looking for that one piece of information.
"Found it!" Emeline yells. "Let's see, ah, there are four computers within the hotel connected to the security system in place." Reading off the information on the paper.
Closing the file, I walk closer to the table and toss it on top. "If it's here, then we can get in by access through the roof. Four of us will have to hack through the system to take control. The last one will have to take out guards or better yet, get in the room by window and eliminate the target by themselves."
The Deputy Chief decides to speak up. His voice more straightforward than usual. He's a man with sharp facial feature, including the ears. All dressed in white formal clothing, underneath his blazer is a red dress-up shirt with a violet tie. His hair is a mellow shade of green, expect for a yellow strike on the right side. Two bangs looking somewhat like talons sticking out and onto his forehead.
"If the guards are stationed by the door, won't they hear the gunshot?"
"A silencer will be attached to the gun."
"Hmm."
Emeline jumps in to the conversation. "I'm onboard with this plan and it seems like we can't come up any others that we can agree on. "
With everyone looking at each other as if to confirm the decision, they all nodded in agreement, even the Chief and Deputy Chief.
"If that's all, then I'll head back home." Everyone went back to their routines and acted as if this never happened. Assuming the panic earlier, I can guess that the plan will be set in motion quite soon. I was just about to leave when Emeline called my name.
"Chain, hold up." I turned around and there she was with a smile. "The girls and I are planning on having a girls night out and we were wondering if you'd like to join us?"
Without thinking I replay: "No, thank you, but thanks for the offer."
I can't think of what caused me to say that. It was as though it was on instinct but that doesn't make sense either, I'm always up for a girls night out with the bureau. Looking at her face, she was a bit shocked and to be honest so was I. It might even be showing on face.
"You sure you're ok?" I could only nod to her question.
With a wave I turn to leave and just as I about to the open the window, she grabbed onto my left arm.
"You...smell different."
"I can't see as to why that might be. I didn't do anything different in my morning routine."
She didn't seem convinced and I'm not sure why she might think that, but she accepted the answer nonetheless. Letting go, she raises her hand in a still wave, smiles and says: "Alright, be safe going home."
I reply with a smile, open the window and jump to the next building not bothering to close the window behind me. The office seemed a bit tense, having a window open will help get that out. As I continue my way home, I thought I should play a little. Phasing my form on sight, I jumped and landed on on-going traffic, appearing a few feet from a truck. Taking a look the driver was shocked and tried to stop, I phased out and appeared again on a building, facing the intersection. With arms crossed, I let out a laugh. The driver stopped their truck and got out, holding up traffic and getting honked at. They sure are frantic and very angry. With one last laugh I leap from the scene so I won't get wind feeling very refreshing. It was very amusing. A good way to ease out the tensions from this morning.
Halfway home I remembered I need some medicine for future hangovers and so I stopped at the pharmacy. As I landed in front of the store and about to open it, I heard someone trip and fall followed by a kids cry. On a day like this I would simply ignore it, the kids in this city are pretty tough and can handle themselves, but for a strange reason I turned and walked over to the kid. All I could think was hope they were okay.
Kneeling down I saw that it was a girl about ten years old. Tan skin, green eyes and long cider hair. Round facial features, dressed in a navy sweater, and light blue pants, along with white tennis shoes and socks with two red stripes going all around. A sleeve of her sweater was rolled up due to the fall and I could see a small wound formed, it was oozing a few drops of blood. I gently help her stand up and pat her down. Patting her head, reassuring her that everything is okay.
"You alright? That was a terrible fall and it seems you got yourself a small cut." Lifting my hand from her head and grabbing her right arm with both hands, examining her wound all while kneeling down to her height.
A small and quite reply escapes her lips, she was tough but it sounds like she might cry.
"I'm okay. Thank you for helping me ma'am."
"What were you doing roaming around this city all by yourself and where are your parents?"
"My dad is at work and my mom has the day off. She told me to take a walk around the block if I wanted since she's cleaning and didn't want me to get bored."
"Hmm. Does it hurt?"
"A little but I'll be fine." A smile appears on her face. She's confident but I still can't help for what's taking me over.
"Lets go inside the store and get some disinfectants and bandaids, okay?"
"Mom said not to talk or go anywhere with strangers."
"She must be a very good mother then. In that case. I'm Chain, nice to meet you and your name would be?"
"My name is Nova."
"Well nice to meet you, Nova. Such an amazing name you have."
She giggled lightly. , "My dad picked it out. He really loves space and wants me to be something big when I grow up. I still don't understand what he means by that though." A chuckle escapes my smiling face. "Who picked out you name, miss?"
"My mother. She thought I would always make lasting connections in life and she and father agreed to my name."
"I like your name. It sounds cool." A laugh appears and she joins in.
"Shall we head in? It isn't good if we leave it the way it is, you might get sick."
"I don't want to get sick. Mommy and daddy would be sad. Lets go." Letting go of her hand, I stand up and walk over to the door. Putting my left had on one of the double doors and opened it, signing for her to go first. She says, "Thank you." and walks in. I step in and close the door behind me. I pat her head and point to which aisle we're going to look at. I've been here a couple of times and in that time I managed to memorize the place by heart.
"While I take a look at the disinfectants, you look at the bandaids and see which one you want."
She nods to my statement and takes a look at what they have to offer.
"Lets see..." I should probably get one that's effective on a child and hopefully won't be too painful. I wince slightly as I remembered those days as a kid when I got hurt a lot by running around. Picking one up I take a closer look. Kills about 99.99% of germs, thinking back she get hurt on the sidewalk and its never clean. This might have to do, while it can damage some tissue it's also the most effective way to help clean the wound, only downside is that it might take a bit longer to heal. I can only let out a sigh of content, the others seem to be too strong. While thinking, I feel a tug on my blazer coming from my left. I look down and see her with a smile. Her smile is very toxic.
"Look, I found the ones I like. It contains the colors of the rainbow." I pat her head and she lets out a giggle.
I hand her the disinfectant and say: "Go stand in line for me, okay? I got to get one more thing."
She nods and replies, "Got it. Make sure no on cuts in front of us."
She runs off to get in line all while smiling with content. I head off to the isle to which I originally came for. The feeling that I felt earlier comes back. It seems it's rather pointless to get the medicine for the hungover when I feel like I'm never going to use it and yet I ignore it. I know it's going to come back and slap me across the face. Picking the usual medication, I walk back to her. I hold out my hand to hand the stuff of me so I could pay.
"Did you get what you were looking for?"
"I did, thank you for asking." The kid sure is cute, she better be careful in the future or rather everyone should be careful of her. Who knows, she might become a bit of a troublemaker.
Stepping up to the counter I put the stuff down plus one lollipop, making sure she isn't looking and lucky for me she was gazing outside the glass doors we came in. I pay for everything and grab her hand, making sure its her left and not right, going outside and sitting on a bench next to the door we went in through earlier. I take out the bandaids and the disinfectant.
"Hold out your right arm, sleeve rolled back. This might hurt and you won't lie it but I beg you, please bear with it ok?" I give a sympathetic smile and she nods with glee. "Cover your mouth if you think you might scream."
Pouring some of the hydrogen peroxide on her would, she lets out a yelp but keeps quiet. Her left hand still at her side. She's a really strong girl, she'll be a great woman one day, no doubt about that. I blow on her wound hoping it might soothe the pain. She flinches as the sudden gust of wind touches the opening of her skin. The bubbles die out sooner than expected, signaling the wound is clean as can be. I open the box of bandaids and take a purple one out. Unwrapping it from its seal and placing it on the wound, rolling her sleeve down afterwards.
"There all done. Feeling better?"
"It still hurts but it hurts less, than before."
"Here take these with you back to your home. And while you're at it, here's a treat, for being a good kid and for being strong." I said handing her the bag containing the bandaids and disinfectant, the lollipop separate from the two. I remembered to take out the pills I bought for myself before giving her the bag.
"Thank again for helping me. Most people would ignore it." Her words made me remember what I initially wanted and was going to do.
"It's nothing. Remember to tell your parents of what happened today, don't make them worry."
"Alright, I promise I'll tell them. Well, have a nice day." With a wave and a giggle, she ran off home. I couldn't help but smile. She truly was wonderful and it's hard to find kids like that nowadays, well at least in this country. Deciding that my adventure was done for the day, I made my way back home. It's barely the afternoon and I'm already tired, it must be the side effects of last night.
Getting home, I phase through the window and take a seat on one of the arm chairs. I lean back and reflect on my day. I can't answer some of the weird actions I did today or reactions. I decided its best to just drink some coffee and get some of the energy I lost today. Standing up I walked to the kitchen, taking off my blazer and placing it on the armchair and making sure to bring the mug left on the coffee table, legs feeling as though pulling iron. I take out the pills and put them in the cupboard, pressing the button on the coffee machine to warm it up and brew some more coffee.
Hearing it go off, I pick it up and pour some of it in the mug. I swirl it around a bit and brought it up to my mouth but once more, the scent it emitted cause the nausea to come back. I put the mug down and cover my mouth with my right hand. I once more rush for a class of water and gulp it all down. Perhaps it's best I steer clear of coffee for the day. I guess I'll just cook myself something to eat for the day, the fridge should be full so there shouldn't be a problem. Now I just need to cook something spicy to soothe that craving I've been having all morning.
*~20 Minutes Later~*
I decided to cook some curry rice with some chicken and extra spices to make it as spicy, though I've tasted much hotter food before. Serving myself a plate I take a seat on the table, chopsticks in right hand and begin to eat. I was a bit disappointed, it wasn't as spicy as I hoped. I should make a list on what to buy next time I go to the grocery store, perhaps I might find spicer spices. Content my future plans and the meal I was having, my phone began to ring. Putting down the chopsticks on top a napkin, I stand up and walk to the armchair, picking up my blazer and grabbing my phone from the right pocket. It's Emeline.
"This is Chain."
"Chain, glad you picked up!" She sound rather enthusiastic. "I was wondering if you got home without any problems?"
"It was a pleasant way back home."
"You sure nothing special happened on the way back?"
"Yes, nothing special."
"Not even a little girl tripping and you helping her?" I'm silenced for a moment, shocked that she would know that. When I left she was still in the office. "Chain?"
"How did you know?" Now adopting a more serious tone and expression.
A giggle. "I decided to take a look around the city on my home and stopped on a lamppost near a house. There I heard a little girl telling her parents of what happened to her earlier today. She was going off about a nice woman appearing from nowhere and helping clean her wound when she tripped and fell, giving her a treat afterwards. "
"And?"
"I leaped down and interrupted their conversation. Asking the little girl if she knew or remembered the woman's name. And to my astonishment she replied with: 'Her name was Chain.' She said you were like an angel. I think you might have an admirer."
I stayed silent for a few seconds, knowing at the other end she was smirking or, more likely, smiling.
"I was just minding my own business when I heard her trip and fall. She's a kid, I couldn't leave her alone if she got or was hurt." I can't believe what I'm saying.
"It seems you really do have motherly instincts. I'm so proud of you!" I let out a sigh, knowing she'd bring this up later if I didn't do anything .
"Don't mention this to the others."
"Promise, but they'll find out eventually."
"I'll deal with that when it comes to it." Silence soon filled our conversation until she broke it.
"I'm still wondering, are you okay?"
"Yes, why wouldn't I be?"
"You smelled different than usual and that raised some alarms for me."
"I'm perfectly fine, so don't worry. I might have gotten a scent rubbed off on me, by one of the customers when I was at the bar last night."
"That sounds about right. Still up for a girls night out?"
A smile paints itself on my face.
"I'm still gonna have to reject that offer, tempting as it sounds."
"Well your loss. See ya tomorrow and have a pleasant day." I laughed before replaying.
"Thank you and see you tomorrow." The call ends and I walk over to the nightstand and plug in my phone. Battery is at 14%.
Let's see its 4:30 pm right now and I've still got time before bed. Might as well have some fun or at least see if there's anything left to do.
*~4 Hours and 30 Minutes Later~*
It's 9pm and I'm going to bed now. I spent the last 4 hours and 30 minutes relaxing. Watching TV shows, movies, news and reading any books I hadn't read, most being horror. Getting changed into my blue pajamas fit for winter, it still being cold outside, brushing my teeth and washing my face, I make my way to my bed. Getting under the sheets and letting my head rest on the pillow. I turn to my left and stare at the few rays of moonlight that get through my closed blinds and curtain. It was a rather interesting day and I actually enjoyed it. I am very glad the girl was able to smile and tell her parents of her adventure.
"Then why do I still feel as though I didn't complete everything today?" My eyes getting droopy, I didn't bother thinking about it. In the end it was probably nothing but a feeling.
Pulling the blankets closer to me to try and get as much warmth as possible, I begin to close my eyes due the sleepiness taking over, besides I'm gonna have to deal with the shit monkey the next day. Hopefully tomorrow will be full of excitement.
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