Rain was heavily falling on the city, creating a cacophony of sounds whenever it touched buildings or various structures.
The red beast was still keeping his watch over the streets, ignoring the harsh temperature, his breath creating small clouds at each of his expirations.
His eyes glanced back and forth to any corners of the busy street, peacefully watching the inhabitants accelerating their paces to find any good shelter from the storm.

They were so fragile, so scared. Humans were so selfish by nature that sometimes it sickened the gargoyle.
He still remembered sometimes his meeting with his former comrade-in-arms, Demona, and how she showed him the pathetic, flawed, side of the human race. How they were so savage towards eachothers and ignorant of this beautiful gift that was life.
He never had much respect for them since that night, and even at castle Wyvern before the damned curse.
Slightly growling, the gargoyle's body stiffened at his thoughts, closing his eyes and trying to change his mind.

He was now a protector of the night, a helping hand to those in need.

A voice got to him, opening his eyes sharply. He could recognize that tone anywhere and was glad he waited here just in time to hear her.
Vee was out from a small establishment, adjusting her instrument's case on her shoulder and trying to adjust her coat's hoodie on her head. She was slightly cursing at the fact that she forgot an umbrella, but it wouldn't be rain that would stop her from getting home.
The red creature began to follow her, getting from buildings to buildings, still hiding in the shadows. He knew her route as he had been following her for some nights now, mostly worrying for her safety since she told him about Xanatos.
Strangely, that woman was one of the few humans he wasn't repulsed of. She was open minded, she was kind.
She wasn't running from the pouring rain.

When she turned to an alley, a shotcut perhaps, the gargoyle began his descent, finally falling behind the woman.
He followed her, amused by the fact that she was too concentrated on her walk to notice that a form was right behind her.

"You'll catch a cold," finally said the beast.

The human suddenly turned, her eyes round as plates. Her expression changed though when she recognized her follower.

"Brooklyn …, you have a talent for scaring me."

"Sorry, I guess I just really enjoy surprising you," he answered with amusement.

He then extended a wing over the young woman, sheltering her from the raindrops.

"Mind if I keep you company?"

"What if someone sees you?" questionned Vee.

"They won't … I know a better way of travelling."

Brooklyn suddenly took the human in one of his arms, soon executing an incredible jump to a metal staircase, climbing it quickly to get to a rooftop. He shifted Vee so he could now transport her bridal style, extended his wings and jumped one last time into the air.
The young woman hold on to his neck, quickly looking down before smiling to herself. She hid her face near the base of his, protecting her from the water rapidly cascading over them.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

The gargoyle stayed silent, his grip slowly tightening around the human.

"… Somewhere I like to go," he finally answered.

They landed inside a cathedral tower, at the top where the bells were.
The falling rain could still be heard, its echo resonating inside the enormous bellies of the holy instruments.
Brooklyn let the woman down, shaking most of the water off himself. And when he looked back at her, he knew he made a good choice.

She looked so serene, slowly walking on the wooden planks and observing the bells. A soft smile of admiration was drawn on her face, clearly enjoying the sight.
When she heard the gargoyle come to her, she turned to him, still smiling.

"I didn't know you liked that kind of place."

The red gargoyle looked shy, scratching the back of his neck.

"… Whenever I want to be alone I come here. There's something about this place, I can't really pinpoint what, that somehow attracts me."

Vee let out small laugh.

"You seem like a dramatic kind of guy, that place does suit you!"

"Not my fault I prefer gothic styled architecture rather than this era's," replied Brooklyn with a sly smile.

"You're old, I understand your reluctance to mordernity."

They both laughed, always appreciating their small banters.
But when silence fell again, Vee eyes returned on the bells, studying their imposant shapes.

"Why have you brought me here?" she began. "Was there something you wanted to show me?"

The gargoyle's hand got to her shoulder, gently squeezing it.

"Actually I wanted to talk. … I need to talk."

The woman's hand got to his, looking at him: "Speak, friend, I am here for you…"

Brooklyn began to pace around, trying to think of a good way to speak his mind: ''I was wondering what is it that you see in me? I must admit; for some time it was hard for me to trust humans and even to appreciate them. They always scream before us and they seem to like trying to kill what is different from them at the first opportunity. We are monsters, creatures of the night. Why are you not afraid? Why are you kind to us? ... To me?''

Vee sighed softly: ''I don't see any monster before me. Sure, you are a gargoyle and I'm a human, but what difference does it really make?

The creature looked at her with interest.

''I must admit,'' she continued, ''that for most of my life I have been searching for things that were out of this world; out of the ordinary. I'm not scared of you because you are what I was longing to find. A proof. A proof that this world can still be beautiful and intriguing.'' She sighed: ''… And this is why I'm considerating Xanatos' offer. He wants for me to travel around the world and to catalog various beasts and mythological creatures. … The project is very tempting.''

''And for what reason he wants you to do that?'' asked Brooklyn, trying to hide his growling at the mention of his ennemy's name.

''He hasn't told me exactly. Only that he was getting interested in them. He wants to update all the information available. … He did researches about me and knows that I can do a decent job.''

''Vee, this is ridiculous! Can't you see that he only wants to use you for his own success and personal gain? Something doesn't sound right. Why would he want to know more every other creatures? Why would he need all this info?''

''I don't know Brooklyn, but I want to know more too!'' exclaimed the human in a strong voice.

Her face soon changed to a pained expression, approaching the gargoyle: ''For most of my life I've been ridiculed for believing in things most people thought were not real. I want to discover this world again and nobody will stop me, either it be Xanatos or you. … Can't you understand, Brooklyn? Tell me the truth, tell me you wanted nothing more but to explore this new world when you and the others broke out of the spell. The feeling you got at that moment; this is what I am feeling right now.''

The gargoyle stood silent for a while, observing the woman with mixed feelings. He knew what she meant and couldn't really blame her for thinking this way. He seemed to hesitate before leaving his hands on the human's arms, slightly stroking them with his thumbs.

''… I just don't want to see you hurt,'' he sighed. ''Yes the feeling must be the same, but the context is different. There must be another way for you to learn more about this hidden world than to side up with Xanatos. … Vee, you're the first human I got to be friend with and there's no words to describe how glad I am to have met you. You are different, I can't tell exactly how, except that you're kind, but there's something else.''

Vee gently placed a hand on his cheek, smiling softly: ''You are special too, Brooklyn, as you and I were able to see beyond our mere appearances. People are scared to look at others' souls and that often lead them to commit horrible acts... Like I told you earlier; I don't see any monster before me, but a strong and kind gargoyle that wants to help others. And that is truly beautiful...''

The creature smiled at her words, touched. He was starting to lean in to her touch, but soon redressed himself, slightly coughing the small shyness out of him.

''I'm glad the month of October finally arrived,'' he began, suddenly changing the subject. ''The trees are full of color and there's also my favorite holiday; Halloween! Hey maybe you could dress up as a gargoyle and me as a human, could be a cool costume idea!''

Vee laughed, surprised by the proposition.

''I don't think I'd make a great gargoyle and I'd be curious to see you as a human, but we'll see in due time.''

''Pshh, just wait until you see me in a Scottish kilt, I'm going to break your heart,'' smirked the gargoyle.

He couldn't stop thinking about her. Everything she said that other night in the bell tower was still fresh in his mind and he barely dared to tell his rookery brothers about it. Maybe he wanted a unique relation with the human woman? He couldn't really pinpoint it, but it just made him feel special somehow.
As Brooklyn was flying towards his friend's apartment, he couldn't help but smile, simply thinking about her.
He stopped at Vee's window which gave view to the small living room. The interior was dark and still, but he dared to tap on the glass. Getting no answer, he tried again, a bit louder this time.
After several knocks and still no response, he decided to open the window, slipping into the apartment. The gargoyle called the woman's name in a small voice. She wasn't in the living room nor the kitchen or the bathroom, but when he got to the bedroom he stopped for a moment.
Vee was sleeping peacefully, her body half-covered with thick blankets. An ocean of light brown hair was sprayed on her pillow, as if the human had gotten a gust of wind upon herself.
Brooklyn shyly approached her tiny frame and slightly shook the human's shoulder while calling her name another time in a hushed tone.
The woman woke up with a loud snore, her body suddenly jolting into life and her voice groaning a hoarse sound of surprise and fear. She grasped her covers, covering herself over her head. She finally let out a hand to pick her glasses resting on the night table and peeked outside her homemade fortress. When she recognized the gargoyle she didn't hesitate to rapidly give a small slap to his arm, causing the creature to laugh at her reaction.

''Stop scaring me like that, for fuck's sake!'' scolded Vee.

''That was priceless!'' continued to laugh Brooklyn.

The woman lit up a light at her side, showing the frown on her face. But she sighed right after, calming her emotions and ruffled her hair.

''What are you doing here?'' she asked. ''Is something wrong?''

Brooklyn sat down on the bed's edge, a smile lighting up his features.

''I should actually ask you what are you doing so early in bed.''

Vee took a quick glance at her clock on the night table and yawned: ''It's near eleven. It's late for me, I have a long day tomorrow.''

''I wanted to invite you to go see a concert. Lexington and Broadway are coming too.''

''What? But how are you guys going to enter the place without being seen? How are you going to pay?''

''Who talked about spending money?'' mocked the gargoyle.''I think you're well aware that we don't have any! And beside, it's an outside show, we'll be hiding in the trees.''

''Wow, uh...-''

''Come on! It'll be fun!'' he cut.

The woman blinked a few times, looking at Brooklyn who was showing a wide smile. She was still tired as hell, but finally let out a sigh of desperation, announcing: ''Alright, I'm coming. It better be worth it or else I'll go find your statued form during the day and draw a mustache right on your face.''

''I'm very frightened,'' he answered in a joking tone.

Vee shooed him out of her room, closing the door and changing clothes.
When she got out, she was wearing her habitual jeans, black converse high top sneakers and had put her hair in a bun. But she took the liberty to wear a leather jacket, which caught the gargoyle's attention.

''Nice jacket, wish I still had mine; we would have matched.''

''How can you wear a jacket?'' slightly laughed the human.

''That is a mystery I will not reveal unless you find me a new one to wear!''

''Deal!''

Vee was about to open her entry door that the gargoyle stopped her, opening the window and clearing his throat. He bowed in an exagerated manner, presenting the exit: ''Ladies first.''

''T'es fou! I don't have talons like yours to hang on the wall.''

''Just kidding, climb on my back,'' replied Brooklyn, offering himself to the woman.

As soon as she was installed he proceeded to crawl out, but he must have miscalculated the way he had to go through the hole as Vee's head banged the window's edge with a loud bang, making her yelp. She then laughed, surprising the gargoyle who tried to apologize. But she brushed it away, pressing the other to climb the building's wall instead.
When he got into the air he was then followed by Lexington and Broadway who were probably waiting for the red gargoyle to come out. They glided for some time until a large open space appeared on the horizon, Vee recognizing it as being Central Park. She could already hear the cheers of the crowd and the powerful sounds of a rock band playing below.
This kind of music wasn't exactly the woman's cup of tea; she still enjoyed it but couldn't say who was playing due to her lack of knowledge towards popular music bands.
The group landed in tall trees, getting a great view of the scene and the people around. Vee could feel the drum beats vibrate into the air, same for the guitar and bass melodies. The gargoyles were cheering with the crowd, the human preferring to stay silent and carefully listen to the show. As a musician she couldn't help but appreciate the chords mixing with the singer's voice. She was slightly bobbing her head and tapping her fingers against the tree to the song's rythm, her thoughts racing against this ocean of sound.
She wasn't regretting her decision to come anymore.

They decided to glide straight back to the clock tower after the concert ended, giving them some time to hang out and chat about the previous event.
When Brooklyn landed on the clock tower's balcony he couldn't stop cheering: ''Aww man, I could listen to guitar every nights!''

Vee jumped off his back.

''It's not really my kind of music, but I gotta admit that some of these tunes were really catchy,'' she commented.

''And the sound was very loud!'' added Broadway. ''I'm glad we were able to get that much near the show.''

''Thanks a bunch guys for inviting me, by the way. I really enjoyed it!''

''You're our friend, Vee, it's only normal,'' answered Lexington with a smile. ''Next time we could go to the cinema, I heard good movies are coming out soon.''

The woman wanted to answer that both she and the others were soon hushed by Brooklyn who voiced a sudden concern: ''Hey where is everyone? I thought Hudson was staying in tonight?''

The other gargoyles stiffened, observing the same silence and emptiness as the red one.
Broadway was the first to move towards the tower's entrance.

''Hudson? Bronx?''

''Look out lads! It's a trap!'' echoed Hudson's voice inside.

A bright light was soon seen on the other side of the clock's cadran, the elder's voice roaring in pain.
Suddenly a form jumped out of the opened door and tackled Broadway, both crashing against the stone railing.
Vee was frightened, recognizing the attacker as some sort of tiger mutate with large bat wings. She couldn't observe the scene much more when she heard a voice speaking from a higher place. Another mutant was perched nearby, observing them with malice. He had brown fur, his face resembling a puma.

''Welcome home!''

He began to fly down to them.

''Isn't past your bedtime?!'' he ended while hitting Lexington hard enough for the small gargoyle to hit the large cadran.

The brown mutate soon shifted his attention to Brooklyn, beginning to chase him into the air and trying to zap him with electric bolts coming out of his hands.
The human woman felt powerless, watching all of them fight. She hurried to Lexington's side, making sure he was okay.
She had to do something! She couldn't help Brooklyn who was still up in the air, but she could probably for Broadway, still fighting the tiger hybrid.
Shaking her fear away, she plunged towards the mutant, elbowing him at his left side. The tiger hardly reacted to the hit, simply grasping the human and throwing her out of the way; unfortunately making her fall down the tower at a dangerous speed.

''Vee!'' shouted Broadway's voice with horror.

The woman was now screaming in terror, facing the sky and trying to grab anything that could ever come near her. She had little time to comprehend what was happening that a red mass got rapidly to her, holding her close and thightly.

''What were you thinking?'' scolded Brooklyn's voice.

She recognized the red gargoyle, his eyes flashing with a white light, but couldn't answer due to immense fear.
She was back on the balcony once again, Brooklyn not even stopping and trying to avoid the puma mutate.

''Come back here and fight like a man!'' taunted the mutant.

Seeing the hybrid right below him, the red gargoyle got to the clock's hands, grasping them.

''I'm not a man! … I'm a gargoyle,'' he replied in a dark tone, suddenly giving himself a push and crashing into the mutate to the ground.
At the same time, the tiger hybrid was charging some of his electrical power, trying to knock Broadway, but the teal gargoyle was quick to react: ''Oh no you don't!''

He pushed his attacker to a metal railing near the clock cadran. Broadway then grabed the fence, tighlty wrapping it around the mutate's body who was already unconscious, like the puma.

''Hudson? Bronx? Are you both okay?'' suddenly asked Brooklyn with concern.

The dog gargoyle was the first to come out, chains in his mouth. He was then followed by Hudson who was holding another mutate; a female with a lioness face.

''Here's the one who led them to us...,'' he announced.

Everybody was now inside the clock tower, the tiger and the puma now chained.
Vee was still shaken by the previous event, sitting on some stone steps that were leading to the outside door. She couldn't help but notice how Brooklyn's behavior changed when he saw the female mutant. He had suddenly changed his anger to a friendly attitude, keeping himself calm and polite.
The lioness was now sitting on the armchair below Vee's position, the red gargoyle trying to reason her: ''Look, you've got to get over this persecution complex, we are not your ennemies!''

''But Talon says Goliath and Sevarius planned it all together.''

The woman had no idea what they were talking about, but she still continued to listen.

''Maggie, you know I wanted to be … your friend?'' he began, slightly approaching the mutate. ''Goliath and I were there to save you, not hurt you! Sevarius has a partner and it must be Xanatos.''

''There you go again!'' she roared. ''Mr. Xanatos is our only chance for a cure. If you'd lie about him, you'd lie about anything!''

She suddenly pointed Vee: ''You're even bringing another human for Sevarius to transform!''

''Woah, what?''

The human got up, getting to the mutate with slight confusion across her face.

''Who do you think you are to accuse people like that and to make sudden assumptions?'' began Vee with anger. ''Brooklyn is a good guy who only wants to help you and all you do is call him a liar?''

''Vee, please,'' tried to calm the gargoyle.

''Why did you even come here?'' continued the woman, not listening to the other. ''Why ambush the gargoyles in their own home?''

''We wanted to speak with Goliath and try to know why he did this to us!'' replied Maggie. ''I did not want to hurt the gargoyles, but Fang and Claw jumped right into action, brushing away my advice to keep the peace. … But now I see that you all want to hide the truth and still accuse Xanatos even though he's the only solution for becoming human again. You deserve all the pain that was caused tonight.''

Brooklyn sighed heavily: ''So now I have to prove I'm trustworthy, uh?''

Liberating the puma and tiger mutates outside, Brooklyn let the small group escape, still warning the lioness hybrid: ''You're free to go. Return to Xanatos, if that's what you want, but don't turn your back on him!''

Maggie frowned, then pressing the others to follow her. As they were flying away, the red gargoyle came back inside to the others, a grave expression upon his face.

''Are ye sure you're doing the right thing, lad?'' questionned Hudson in a calm voice.

Brooklyn growled lightly: ''Xanatos can't keep up the pretense forever. Sooner or later they'll find out what he's really like...''

He glanced at Vee at his last words, probably aiming that comment to her at the same time.
The woman knew something was wrong within him. He looked sad yet angry at the same time and Vee was scared it was partly her fault.

''Brooklyn, I'm-''

''I'll get you home, it's getting late,'' he cut in a dry tone as he was already heading outside again.

The human looked at the other gargoyles, unsure. They were also confused by the red one's attitude, but that finally didn't stop Vee from getting to the balcony too.
She got on Brooklyn's back who in turn jumped into flight without any warning. She could feel his muscles tensing up more than usual, and that scared her a little.
When they got to the apartment building, the gargoyle was suddenly more swift and quick than earlier, opening the window rapidly and getting inside without any problems, even with the human on his back. As soon as Vee got down, he was about to take his leave without a word, but the woman stopped him, leaving a hand on his arm.

''Stay, please, we need to talk,'' she demanded.

Brooklyn huffed a growl, turning back to her with small annoyance. But the other's next question destabilized him.

''… You're in love with her, right? That's why you're angry; you can't accept the fact that she's pushing you away and choose to believe Xanatos.

''I appreciate her, that's all you need to know,'' he answered with a scowl. ''But that's not the only reason I'm angry. ...What were you thinking? Why did you put yourself in danger? You knew that mutate was way stronger than you and look where that led you: falling to your death!''

''I couldn't stay behind and do nothing!'' replied Vee in the same tone. ''You guys are my friends, Brook, and friends help eachothers.''

''Yes but we're trained warriors and you're not! You were stupid back there. Imagine if I wouldn't have been able to catch you in time?''

''Look, we didn't know they would attack your home tonight. What is done is done and I'm sorry we can't come back in time for me to kick my ass and force myself to stay put.''

Her voice had been bitter, looking straight into the gargoyle's eyes.

''I'm sorry I want to help, I'm sorry I want to be your friend and don't want to see you hurt,'' she continued. ''… But don't you ever call me stupid again as I was simply trying to follow my heart.''

Some tears began to fall down her cheeks, her emotions overflowing her. The gargoyle was still speechless, letting her continue: ''I was frightened, but for the first time in my fucking life I tried to find some courage. You have no idea of how much you mean to me, Brooklyn; I could move mountains if only I had the strength...''

He knew she was telling the truth. He could sense it. The pain in her eyes made it so obvious, he had trouble keeping his gaze on her.
He wanted to approach the woman, but his thoughts stopped him, directing him to the window instead.

''I … I need to go. I need to sort my thoughts.''

Brooklyn didn't wait for the human's complaint that he disappeared out the ouverture, rapidly climbing the outside wall. Vee got to her window, getting her head out to look at the creature silently gliding into the city's sky. She had troubles to see due to her tears, but knew the red gargoyle was probably as pained as her.
She was hurt by his lack of words, but knew he needed time to think.
About what though? For that she had no real clue.