Chapter 41: Sudden Developments

Normal POV

"What . . . what the hell is this?" Sydia managed to choke out as she continued to hover in the air, her hands grasping at her throat in a futile attempt to alleviate the invisible chokehold she was currently trapped in. Her eyes turned to Monica, who only looked at her in return with a small smirk on her face. "What the hell . . . are you doing to me?"

"What do you think?" asked Monica as she shrugged her shoulders. "You were about to attack my sister's mate, and I prevented you from doing that . . . Isn't that obvious enough?"

"You bitch!" shrieked Sydia as she tried to reach for Monica, but to no avail. Monica leaned in a bit closer, teasing Sydia by getting close enough that the huntress could at least attempt to smack her in the face, but she moved away before she could even touch her nose. "I'm going to kill you for this!"

"Keep talking like that missy. It'll only make me squeeze the life out of you even faster," said Monica as she stretched out her hand and slowly moved her fingers to form a fist. Sydia's eyes widened in panic as she felt her throat close and constrict even more, her air supply becoming less and less with each passing second. As the huntress continued to struggle, Monica turned to Randy, who was looking at her with an amused grin. "Care to explain what's been going on around here these past few days?"

"Nothing much really . . ." said Randy as he did a small shrug. "Well . . . except for the hunter threat that's been going around these past few days, as you can see just from looking at the woman you're choking the life out of."

"Where's Amanda?" asked Monica as she placed her free hand on her hip. "Since there are hunters in this area, I'm guessing you sent her away somewhere safe so she wouldn't get hurt or caught in the crossfire."

"And you guessed right . . ." said Randy as he shook his head. "I would tell you exactly where she went off to, but we still have our uninvited guest here to deal with here."

"Oh yeah . . ." said Monica as the two St. Louis natives turned their attention back on Sydia, who was still in midair struggling to breath. "What should we do with her?"

"I'd like to see you try anything . . ." Sydia spat out as she looked at the two supernaturals angrily. "If you kill me, then my fellow hunters will find you and kill you both."

"Oh . . . like your friend Neo?" asked Monica as she let a small knowing smile come across her face. "Don't worry . . . If you're talking about him, we have absolutely nothing to worry about."

"What the hell did you do?" Sydia hissed as Monica waved her hand, which made the floating huntress move to the door. "What the hell did you do with my partner?"

"Don't worry . . ." said Monica as she walked in front of the flailing huntress. "You'll see what happened to your partner real soon once we join him downstairs. . . Randy, how many security cameras are in the hallway?"

"Three . . . Two of them are down the hall and the third is just to this suite's left. . ." answered Randy as he opened his door and popped his head out of the room in order to do surveillance. "None of them look to be on though . . ."

"So that's what your friend Neo was up to when I found him sneaking around downstairs . . ." said Monica as a look of realization dawned on her face. "He was taking out the cameras for ya, wasn't he?"

"I can't have surveillance cameras on when you're doing a killing," argued Sydia as Randy signaled to them that the hallway was clear of any people. ". . . Especially when you're killing a famous person like a professional wrestler."

"Ah . . . I'm touched," Randy said with a roll of his eyes as the three entered the hallway. "The door across from leads to the staircase that's for the back of the hotel; we can use it to get downstairs. I doubt anyone uses it these days anyway."

"Good idea . . . How about you take the lead?" suggested Monica as she pointed forward. "Me and your new friend here will be right behind you."

"As if you can really get away with this . . . I can easily just scream at the top of my lungs to attract attention to the rest of us." said Sydia as the three entered the darkened staircase.

"Would you really want to risk that with all those weapons you're carrying, especially the ones that shouldn't even exist in a human's eyes?" asked Monica as the three quickly descended the staircase, Randy taking the stairs three at a time practically. "Besides, I'm psychic, and I can easily shut your mouth by putting you into a coma if I wanted to."

"You're psychic huh?" muttered Sydia as Monica finally lessened the pressure along the huntress' throat. "That means you still have a chance. I work with psychics. We don't hunt people like you Monica. If you let me go now, I won't hurt you."

"Yeah . . . but you'll probably hurt Randy, which is something I can't let happen," argued Monica as she shook her head. "Besides, I may be psychic, but I'm not a full psychic."

"Not a full psychic?" grumbled Sydia as she locked eyes on the younger twin. "And what the hell do you mean by that?"

"Let's just say you wouldn't want to be around her when a full moon comes around . . ." said Randy with a smirk as the three finally reached the ground level. Sydia's eyes widened in quick realization as she turned to Monica, who only looked back at her with a wolfish grin, her eyes shining a golden yellow as the three sneaked over to a door that was labeled 'Basement'. With Monica now taking the lead, the three walked past the door and down the dimly lit staircase until they reached the hotel's basement, which was filled with old furniture that was yet to be thrown out.

"Where is he?" spat Sydia as Monica moved her hand toward an empty wooden chair, the action making the floating huntress move to the chair in an instant. "What the hell did you do my partner werewolf?"

"Why don't you look to your left to see for yourself?" asked Monica as a small smirk came across her face. Both Randy and Sydia turned their heads to the direction that the young werewolf indicated, and once they took in the scene before them, Randy gave Monica a nod of approval while Sydia could look on in horror at Neo.

"What the hell did you do to him?" Sydia whispered as she continued to keep her eyes glued to the scene before her. "He's . . . he's not moving at all."

"I figured he wouldn't be moving for much longer after I messed with his mind a little," said Monica as she walked over to the crumpled, blood-covered man on the ground. "Let it be known that when people threaten my friends and family, I take their threats really, REALLY seriously."

"You killed him didn't you. . ." said Sydia as she turned to Monica in anger. "DIDN'T YOU, YOU MONSTER!?"

"No, I didn't . . . It's like you didn't even hear what I just said 30 seconds ago," mumbled Monica as she shook her head. "I just told him to beat himself up, but not enough that he would actually end up killing himself. . . . To be honest, I'm not that much of a killer . . . I just tend to lean on psychological warfare, if you will. . . I may be a werewolf now, but I have retained the psychic powers that I've had in my previous life."

"A psychic werewolf . . . That's a rarity in of itself," grumbled Sydia as she shot Monica daggers. "If only I wasn't under your psychic influence. I would have both your heads lopped off in seconds . . ."

"Then it's a good thing I do have you under my influence . . ." Monica told her with a shake of her head as she turned to the silent Viper. "So . . . what should we do with Miss Sydia? I'll make this your call Randy."

"I think making her beat herself up is a good idea . . ." said Randy as he thought it over. "However, a few more heinous ideas have crossed my mind."

"Oh yeah . . . he tends to have a whole bunch of those heinous ideas cross his brain sometimes," said Monica as she turned to Sydia. "He only he does this when he thinks about people who threaten anyone that's close to him. . . That's just his style."

"Go ahead and kill me!" said Sydia with a sudden malice to her voice. "But once I'm dead, the other hunters will soon figure out why I'm gone. Once they do that, it'll only be a matter of time before they hunt both of you down."

"Don't worry . . . We're not going to kill you." said Monica as she shook her head.

"You're not?" asked Sydia with a sneer as she took another shot at trying to break herself out of the psychic vampire's hold. "Then what are you going to do to me?"

"Oh . . . I have something in mind," said Monica as she shot the huntress a wolfish grin, her eyes glowing golden yellow once again. "It's something very, very special indeed."

Back in St. Louis; at Bob & Elaine's house

"If I can beat my brother in a fight 'Manda, I can certainly beat you in a game of chess," said Nate as he looked at the chessboard before him with a keen eye. "You will taste defeat tonight missy."

"We will see about that, now won't we Nate," said Amanda as she crossed her arms. "Now move your piece man. It's your turn now."

"I know it's my turn to move a piece," said Nate as he turned his eyes to the Anaconda. "I'm just thinking about the consequences that could befall on me once I move one of my pieces."

"How many consequences are there?" asked Becky, who was sitting right next to Amanda on the couch. The chessboard was right in the middle of the living room coffee table, and Nate was sitting on the other side of it on the floor. "You either lose one of your pieces or lose the game. There's nothing else to it."

"SILENCE YOUNG ONE!" exclaimed Nate as he pointed to his younger sister. "I am trying to communicate with the Force here."

"Wait . . . the Force?" asked Becky as she looked at her brother in disbelief as Amanda held back a chuckle. "What the hell? Did you just use a Star Wars reference on me?"

"Hell yes I did . . ." said Nate as he closed his eyes with a serene look on his face. "I'm trying to commune with the Force. It could give me some insight into how to beat Amanda here in this highly competitive game of chess my young padawan."

"Uh huh . . . and I'm not your padawan," mumbled Becky as she shot her brother a blunt look. Since Nate hadn't open his eyes yet, the Orton sister decided to have a little fun with her oblivious looking brother. She quietly took up one of her mother's thick cooking magazines from off the coffee table and quickly tried to slap it across her brother's face, but Nate managed to stop the surprise attack before it could even get an inch close to his nose. ". . . Damn it."

"I sensed your attack through the Force," said Nate as he pushed Becky's hand away, "The Force is strong with me sis. It's not as strong with you; therefore I could anticipate your attack quite easily."

"Just move your chess piece already." grumbled Becky as she lay back in her seat. Nate could only smirk at his frustrated sister before returning to the game. Once he glanced over the chessboard one more time, a look of epiphany came across his face before he moved his knight forward.

"I got you now 'Manda," said Nate as a small grin was starting to spread across his face. "I got you beat."

"Uh huh . . . You do know by making that last move, you left your queen wide open right?" said 'Manda as a serpentine smirk came across her face as she made her final move. "By doing that, you just paved my way to victory. I win Mr. Jedi Master."

"WHAT?" yelled Nate as he looked at the board in shock. Once he realized that Amanda had indeed won the match, he fell back onto the floor with a scowl on his face. "The Force has failed me."

"No brother . . ." said Becky as a big grin came across her face. "The Force was never with you to begin with."

"Now that's a hurtful thing to say . . ." mumbled Nate as the three heard a pair of keys from somewhere outside the house. "The Force is always with us . . . You just have to believe in it."

"Uh huh . . ." said Becky as she got out of her chair, just as they heard the front door swing open. "Mom, Dad . . . is that you?"

"Yeah . . . it's us," said Elaine as she, Bob, and Bob's parents walked into view. "We're back . . . Oh Amanda, what a wonderful surprise!"

"Hi everyone!" said 'Manda as she did a small wave of her hand. "How was the meeting?"

"Long and boring . . ." said Bob Sr. as he dropped himself into the recliner right next to the couch. "Mind telling us why you've decided to visit us so suddenly, especially since you apparently came here by yourself since I can't smell my oldest grandson's scent anywhere in this house so far."

"Yeah . . . about that," said 'Manda as a thoughtful look came across her face. "Randy thought it would be best if I came back home to St. Louis while he's out filming his movie down in New Mexico."

"Why would he do that?" asked Bob as he raised an eyebrow. "I thought Randy had a bad case of separation issues, especially when they concern you 'Manda."

"Yeah . . . well, when a very dangerous hunting guild rolls into town in order to exterminate some demons, then gets wind of an all supernatural staffed film project happening in the same area, you tend to take precautions in order to keep yourself safe," said Amanda as she shook her head. "That includes sending your pregnant mate out of town; even if you do have a case of separation issues."

"And they're still filming the movie, even with such a threat going around?" asked Rita as she raised an eyebrow.

"Yep; the WWE already announced the film project to the media and they don't have a valid excuse for closing it down temporarily. So, they're trying to film the movie as quickly as possible so they can get out of the area as quickly as possible," Amanda further explained as she lay back into the couch. "Which means Randy will have to work a lot of hours in order for the project to get done."

"I hope he gets a bump in his paycheck for that," said Nate as he sat up. "Anyway, it's gotten late. Who's up for dinner?"

"You three haven't eaten yet?" asked Elaine as she raised an eyebrow. "I figured you guys would have stuffed your stomachs by now."

"Nah, we decided to wait for you guys," said Becky with a grin. "We busied ourselves with board games in the meantime. You just missed Amanda beat Nate here in a game of chess."

"Chess?" asked BOB Sr. as he looked at his granddaughter in shock. 'If you hadn't told us the results already I would have already said that 'Manda was going to beat Nate in chess hands down."

"It's nice to know I have your support Grandpa Bob." grumbled Nate as he narrowed his eyes at his elder.

"Grandson, if you play Scrabble with a big advantage like a dictionary or a thesaurus, and you still quit the game," said Bob as he looked at his son stoically. "You don't deserve to win chess. You don't deserve to win any board game period!"

"Hurtful!" whined Nate as he cringed at his grandfather's words.

"I'm sure I can whip something up in the kitchen," said Elaine as she took off her coat. "However, I haven't been to the supermarket for a while now, so we are running a little low on food. To be honest, I can't promise anything."

"That's okay Elaine," said Rita as she shook her head. "If you can't figure something out, we'll just order to takeout."

"You!? Advocating takeout?" said Bob Sr. as he looked at his mate in shock. "It's a miracle! You're always one for home cooking."

"What? I've changed over time," Rita told him innocently as she shrugged off her jacket. "Besides, you can't get everything you want you know. . ."

"I know . . . Trust me, I've tried." said Bob Sr. as he let a small smirk come across his face.

"This is weird . . ." mumbled Bob as he shook his head at his parents' antics.

"See? Even grown adults can feel awkward when they're parents start to get all lovey-dovey right out in front of them." said Nate as he crossed his arms.

"Oh shut up Nate . . ." said Becky as she slapped him in the back of the head.

"You know what?" said Amanda as she slowly got out of her seat. 'I'm going to go help Elaine in the kitchen."

"I'll come with . . ." said Becky as she followed the taller female out the room. "I hate to admit it, but I was starting to get uneasy due by my grandparents' sudden antics myself."

"Don't let Nate hear you say that, or else he'll be returning the slap you gave him," said Amanda with a smirk as they stopped walking in the middle of the hallway. "You know how Nate gets. He'll come back for revenge one of these da-."

"Amanda?" asked Becky when she noticed the irritated look that came across the Anaconda's face before it quickly went away. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I think I'm fine . . . I think one of the twins just kicked me again," mumbled Amanda as she clutched her belly. That's when she felt something tear inside her, and soon enough a watery feeling from a peculiar spot downward got her attention. ". . . Uh oh . . ."

"Uh oh?" asked Becky as she raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

"Becky?" said Amanda in a calm voice, but inwardly she was completely freaking out. "I think it's time."

"Time?" asked Becky as Elaine popped her head from out of the kitchen while the boys and Rita popped their heads from out of the living room. "It's time for what? What is going on 'Manda?"

"Becky . . ." said Amanda as she looked at her stomach, her eyes showing a bit of fear as she thought of what was likely up ahead for her. "I think my water just broke."

And back in New Mexico

"Do you really think doing what you just did was the best thing to do?" asked Randy as the two walked back up the stairs toward Randy's suite. "I could have figured out a better thing to do then just simply letting them go."

"We didn't simply let them go Randy," said Monica as she shook her head. "I basically erased all of the memory the two had as hunters, and replaced it with a new set of memories. . . Now they will think they're a couple who've been dating for the past three years, and are now going to get medical attention for him because he was protecting her from a figurative group of thugs while they were on their way to a costume party in town. It's simple as that."

"I still think we should have tried one of my options . . ." mumbled Randy as he crossed his arms as the two reached the floor where Randy's suite was on.

"Randy, all of the options you had in mind would end in one common thing: death," said Monica as she narrowed her eyes at him. "Okay, so yeah, we didn't end up killing them . . . We just gave them a chance for another life. Hopefully a better life than what they were pursuing previously. . . Does anyone that tries to kill you or anyone that is close to you have to be punished with death?"

"Hmm . . . maybe . . ." said Randy as they walked over to his door. "So, what brought you here to town anyway Monica?"

"Oh . . . this is my stopover," said Monica as she shook her head. "I drove here from the airport in nearby Albuquerque to pay you and Amanda a quick visit before getting on my connector to St. Louis in a few hours . . . Although, I guess I'm only going to be visiting half of you since you've already sent my sister up ahead."

"Yeah . . . you're too late," said Randy as he shook his head, just as his phone began to ring. "Amanda left for St. Louis just this morning."

"Well . . . that's convenient," said Monica as she shook her head. "I'll just see her tomorrow then."

"Yeah . . . sorry," said Randy as he took his phone out of his pocket and answered the call. "Hello?"

"Randy, you have to get back home to St. Louis right now!" exclaimed Becky from the other side of the line. "Get your butt to the nearest airport quick! You want to be home for this moment sir!"

"What . . . what moment?" asked Randy as he raised an eyebrow. "What's going on? Is Amanda okay?"

"Oh that's just it . . ." said Becky as she let out a nervous chuckle. "Her water broke and she's in labor."

. . . And that's when the Viper dropped his phone, his face going into complete shock as he felt his body go numb. Monica, with her werewolf sharp hearing, heard what Becky said fairly easily and quickly grabbed Randy's phone from off the floor to speak with her, an urgent look coming across her face as she did so.

"Becky, it's me Monica," said the werewolf as she checked to see if Randy was still frozen. . . . He was. "How long has my sister been in labor?"

"Not too long ago . . . We're driving her over to a clinic right now. Nate has already called your parents and your brother and their going to meet us there . . ." answered Becky as the sounds of traffic could be heard in the background. "Wait a minute. . . Monica, what are you doing in New Mexico?"

"I was planning to visit Randy and Amanda, but then I found out Amanda was already in St. Louis by the time I showed up," said Monica as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Becky, tell 'Manda we'll be there soon. I have to break the Viper out of his sudden freeze first, but we'll be there soon."

"Alright . . . we'll see you soon." said Becky as she hung up. Monica looked up to see that the Viper was still frozen in shock. Rather than trying to ask if he was still in there; Monica simply slapped him hard across the face in order to wake him up. It did the trick.

"OW! That actually hurt," said Randy as he brought a hand to his stinging cheek. "But it was needed. Thank you."

"No problem," said Monica as she shook her head. "Now grab what you need from your room and let's go! We're gonna have to leave quickly so that you'll make it in time for your girls to be born."

"Right!" said Randy as he quickly walked over to his door. He quickly went inside and popped back out seconds later, which shocked Monica a little. "I'm ready to go?"

"Are you sure you didn't take up anything while you were in there because that was quick, even for you." said Monica as she began to follow the Viper to the staircase since they were much quicker than an elevator.

"I'm sure," said Randy as he began to take the stairs four at a time. "Now cut the chitchat and let's get moving. My mate's in labor and I want to be there when my two little girls come into this world."

"At least he knows this is an urgent matter. . ." Monica said with a smirk as she followed after the speedy vampire, the two of them having a bit of a way to go before the returned back to their hometown.

Will Randy make it back to Amanda in time? We will see. . .

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