…
If it's been one time, it's been a million
Trying to be perfect but its tearing me apart
the fear of failing is so familiar
..

I was lucky I got into the hotel when I did.
The thunder crashed overhead just as I pulled into the parking space, my bike a dark red in the lightning. It cracked the sky, splitting it I half and rain began to pour down.
Stupid weather, it wasn't supposed to rain.

I wanted to keep going, find a place closer in town but as the wind picked up ad my eyes became heavy; I decided that this shabby motel would do just fine.

I quickly walked into the reception, an elderly lady sitting behind the counter with a thick book in her hands. She regarded me for a moment before closing her book, eyeing the door that I had barely shut. The rain was spilling in onto the floor and she looked back at me, raising an eyebrow challengingly.

I was tempted to simply leave it open, it was probably the first time the floor had seen water for years. Stepping back, I shut the door with my boot, the air returning almost immediately to being stuffy. The lady just returned her lazy gaze to her book as I made my way to the counter, shrugging my jacket over my chest as I finished fishing out my card.
'One room please.'
'No firearms.'
I blinked a few times, wondering if she was serious.

I slid my card across to her to emphasise my urgency for the room; I needed a shower and sleep, and she slammed her book shut. She got to her feet and hobbled over to me, snatching up my card.
'Okay, Mila Johnson, how long you plannin' on staying?'
'Two weeks.' I replied, running my hand through my damp hair to get it off my face.
'Alright, any firearms please leave them with me and we only clean the rooms once a week.'
She handed my fake card back, eyeing me wearily but I just grinned.
Cleaning won't be needed and,' I took the key off her and flashed another smirk, 'do I look like a girl that would have firearms?'

Please, I was more of a hand on, sword and machete girl.
There was something more satisfying about fighting and defeating an enemy with a sword. Of course guns were still good, easy way out but of course I loved my guns.

My firearms lay out on the bed beside me as I cleaned them, my eyes not leaving the wall in front of me.

The bits of string connected all the paper that Lance had printed out to me, the faces smiling back at me but the newspaper clipping stuck next to it told a different story.
All six women had their throats slit, finger nails removed and faces shredded. The confidential images I had pinned together in the corner, as much as they didn't really disturb me, after a while of staring at a face so bloody and ruined that it was too hard to tell that it was even human began to burn into my mind.

I was already messed up enough without having more faces haunt me in my sleep.

Speaking of which, I glanced down at the pillow as I finished locking my gun back together, placing it gently to rest beside its brother. Everything was done, all clean and I was refreshed and comfortable in my shorts and rock shirt but staring at the case was giving me a headache and leading me nowhere. It had to be my sort of case, what else could do that? A real sick human being or something darker.

Feeling suddenly warm, I went to the bathroom, the light slowly flickering to life. The light was dull but still enough for me to see my face through my curly blonde hair. Pulling it around my neck, I washed off my face, trying to soothe my sudden burning pale skin. When I looked back up again, dull blue eyes looked back and all I could see was my father.

Shaking my head, I squeezed my eyes shut; I did not want to even think of that, let alone see it in my reflection or hear it in my ears but I did.
'You want to save your family, don't you?' The voice surrounded me and all I could do was nod, of course I did, my family was all I had. But even though I had said yes to the angel, even though he promised to help, all he did was imprison my father in something suspended between death and torture.
At the time I was too naïve to realise that my mother had also died that night.

I don't know how to explain it but after being possessed by something so large, so powerful, locked away in a tiny space of your own existence to make way for the burning light and then to just be dumped… it's like a part of you missing. Something has been taken away, left hollow… to know that I could be so strong, so complete. Only unlike an expanded stomach, this feeling doesn't go away and I was left empty, missing, alone and abandoned. Not bad for a single night.

I felt useless, not good enough for even a bastard angel but I was glad in a way that I wasn't being dragged all around the world and fighting in something that was probably far worse than what I was fighting now.

With a low groan I put a hand over my stomach, so hungry I was about ready to chew off my own hand. Tying my hair back neatly, it didn't take long for it to fall around my face and shoulders but I really wasn't worried. I glanced at my toilet bag, wondering whether to put a bit of makeup on but when I looked back to the mirror, I no longer saw my father Jimmy staring back, just my pale face. The dark rings under my eyes were getting worse but it was acceptable, after all who was there to impress?

Leaving the bathroom, I tucked my weapons back into the duffle bag. Pulling out my jeans, I slipped them on followed by my boots and jacket. Snatching up my wallet, I pulled out some cash and then sighed as I saw the wall.
I would think better with a full stomach.

Stepping outside, the cool air was refreshing and the rain continued to fall but at least the thunder had eased. There was always something that made me feel alive about a storm.
Glancing along the street before me, there was nothing at the motel and I didn't want to have to meet that lady again until I was leaving. A few restaurants had their lights on but the pub on the corner had my vote.

Jogging across the street, the rain was soaking my hair but the worst it would do was only become curlier.
Shoving the door open, I felt the heat of the quiet pub make me sweat instantly. Most eyes turned to look at me but I just shut the door and made my way to the counter. The large man gave me a smile, asking how my day was even on this rainy evening. I hated small talk but I returned his smile.
'Could be better. I'll grab a burger and fries with a bourbon and coke, cheers.'
The man nodded and went on his way as I handed him the cash, shouting it into the kitchen before he served a man another beer.

Quickly I studied everyone in the room, chatting amongst themselves or shouting at the game of rugby on the television. They seemed normal, all over thirty with a few people my age sitting quietly in the corner kissing. Rolling my eyes, I took a seat with my back to the wall, watching everything as I waited for my meal patiently.

I had nothing to busy myself with, so I studied the people as one of them started a fight which ended as quickly as it began with an arm around each other's shoulders. I couldn't help but smile, the young man attractive. Don't think I'm the kind of girl that just likes any kind of guy, it was very very very unusual that I would blush when they glance in my direction.
Looking away, I slipped off my jacket as the plate was placed in front of me, taking a mouthful of my drink before it even reached the wooden table.

'Pretty girl like you shouldn't be alone in this town.'
I knew it was a sort of question to get a conversation started and I reframed from rolling my eyes as the young man in front of me smirked confidently. Bringing a chip to my mouth, I raised an eyebrow at him as he continued to stand there, waiting for me. He had left his friend at the bar, dark hair covering his stunning wide hazel eyes.
'And why is that?'

He sat down in front of me, crossing his arms on the table comfortably as he grinned at me. This man was either too stupid or too confident for his own good. Someone like him would have no problem getting anyone he wanted to share his bed for a night but unlucky for him I was not that sort of a desperate girl.
'Not safe at the moment. You live here?'
I shook my head, not looking at him as I ate a few more chips, washing it down with the cool liquid in the glass.

'I don't think I should tell you, I don't even know your name…'
I wanted to give him a wink, or a punch in the face but I did neither. It wasn't every day I really got to talk to someone being myself.
The guy leant back in his chair, holding out his hand to me and I hesitated before taking it.
'Troy, and you are…?'
'Mila.'

He smiled even brighter as we shook hands, I having to pull mine back forcefully to get it back.
I took the time quickly to study him as he turned and ordered himself another drink. His face was strong and striking, hazel eyes bright and hypnotising. He seemed genuine, but his name was defiantly not his. I mean please… I lie for a living.

'Like I was saying, you shouldn't be alone. Not safe in this town.'
I nodded, trying to forget he was here as I ate my food, chomping down on it unlady-like in a hope he would nick off but he didn't.
'Well, Troy, I'm just passing through. And I think I can take care of myself.'
'I'll try and believe you. Maybe you should stick with me?'
I raised my eyebrow, this guy was serious. I chuckled around my last mouthful, trying to eat as fast as I could to get back to my room and sit there in the darkness with gruesome photos of monster victims.
How sad my life was.

'Look, mate. I'm sure you're a nice guy and all but I am seriously not someone you want to know.' I stood up and wiped my mouth, shrugging on my jacket as I tipped back the last of my drink. Troy stood also, neatening in plain black shirt as he smiled at me. I was half way around saying goodnight when he grabbed my shoulder, asking me to wait. Grabbing his fingers, I squeezed and spun around, twisting his arm until he was powerless and on his knees before me. He was laughing and I released him, continuing through the door.
'Good night Troy. Your bed won't be too cold by yourself, you'll survive.'

Even though I just wanted to get out of there, away from the eyes that were staring, some part of me asked to look back one more time and when I did, Troy was standing now and watching me. He locked eyes with me and smiled, myself making sure my face was in a frown rather than a triumphant grin.

This is why my father said I would never find a partner.
Even before he was stolen from me or when I knew what a roundhouse kick was, I was not a little princess, more of a queen. I gave boys what for if they annoyed me.

The rain was heavier now and the thunder had returned but zipping up my jacket, I ran back into my motel room before Troy could come out looking for me.
As much as I felt I would have liked him, I just didn't have the time.
My life was not something for innocent people to be dragged into, even for a single night. Anything could happen to them in the long run.

I guess I always would be alone.

My heart was beating steadily in my chest as I braced my back against the cool cement wall.

After going to the police station to see a clip of the suspect they had as prime, I knew instantly what I was dealing with. Camera flares my ass.
So now here I was, in the suspect's home, only I would label it as more of a dungeon than anything. It was sparse, to empty for anyone to actually be living here even if it was a shape shifter. The only thing that was making my hands tremble right now was the fact that it had another victim. The police had all rushed out when the report of another woman missing and while they all went to the last sighting of her, I went to the house with the fear of being too late.

I was still dressed in my fake FBI uniform; nice pants and white shirt that didn't really want to cooperate with me as I brace my arms in front of me, marching forward into the dark rooms. But the worst was the heels. I never wore them but on occasion to try and slip into a roll more easily with cases such as these, I had to look the part. I couldn't go bare foot so I left them on, cursing myself for not packing another pair.

I couldn't dwell on that too long though, something ahead of me moved. It waited for me then, and I froze; had it seen me?

Straining my ears, I could hear nothing; no screaming no breathing nothing but I knew something was there. With caution I moved over to the window, gripped the blinds. Outside the street light was bright and bracing my gun in the direction I last saw movement, I ripped them open. The white light filled the room and I ducked down with both hands on my gun as the figure leapt from behind the cardboard box with a hiss.

I didn't fire straight away, only dropped my gun as I frowned. My face was screwed up as I got to my feet, lifting my gun back up to aim at the man.
'You!' I growled.
Troy had a face of confusion probably as bad as mine and his gun glinted in the light as he gestured it at me.
'You?'

Tadah Sorry it took so long to get it up, I will try and be quicker, house infested with spiders at the moment haha big ones.

Any way, thanks for those that are reading it, please leave a comment!

Silver-Kirin
xXx