Apologies for the delay, it looks like I was too ambitious for the completion date. So I am definite in saying it will mostly likely be end of January, this will be finished by.

So, I am having way too much fun with Lara starting bar fights, I thought I attempt some humour, but doesn't look like humour as I proofread it.

I am aware, there is no chokehold combat mechanism in Tomb Raider, as Lara relies on her weapons to do that and she just kills them in an instant. But, she is a werewolf, so I had to make her enhanced strength somewhat useful, so you will see skills, that are not seen in the game. Thank you Uncharted Series by Naughty Dog for the idea!

And I know Roth mentored her, I am not completely sure what he taught her, so these are guesses. I'm guessing he taught her how to use a pistol and some heavy weapons because how does it explain her finesse in such use of firearms during the game! It's not a thing she could learn overnight!

As for the word "Langer", it's a slang word in Cork, but very offensive. So if you happen to visit the county in Ireland, be a good and respectful tourist and do not use that word!

Thanks for being patient! Bearing with me for my slow, unpredictable updates. So enjoy the second-last chapter: Chapter Nine.

Chapter 9: Predator and Prey

"A hunter must stalk his prey until the hunter becomes the hunted.

Then the prey becomes the predator.

Then the predator and the hunter fight."

- Kevin Spacey (Francis 'Frank' Underwood); House of Cards

Three Days Later…

Night…

21:00…

9th December 2010…

(Scene: Croft Manor, Surrey, England/Roth's POV)

I rubbed the side of my temple, as I crossed out another area on the map that myself and Lara have searched. We spent three days looking for Sam, only to walk right into dead ends. The hunters have themselves well hidden, I'm worried for Sam myself. God knows what they are doing to that poor girl. The lack of progress is making Lara very irritable and angry, somewhat unapproachable. Girl nearly took poor Winston's head off two days ago. I get Lara's point though, Sam is more than just her lover, she's her mate. Dicky Croft imprinted on Amelia, the first time myself and Grim met Lady Croft, was in a pub, up in Glasgow.

Richard wanted to discuss an expedition with me and involved needing Grim's ship: The Endurance. Well, he was side-tracked, getting to know Amelia. Grim and Amelia got on like two peas in a pod, having some drinks and a laugh. It all seemed innocent, the elderly helmsman knows his boundaries. Richard interpreted that friendly little banter in every misunderstanding way, on all levels. If I'm honest, I was shocked at the strength of that man! He literally growled, getting up from his seat, marching towards Grim like a storm. I tried to stop him, but it was futile. Before his wife could even explain, he grabbed Grim by the cuff of his collar and tossed over the bar counter! Grim was fine, a small headache, other than that, he said he had worse.

Well of course, Richard got kicked out of the bar, I was left making sure Grim was alright and as we ourselves walked out. Unfortunately, we walked right into witnessing Amelia having a verbal lash at Richard. The archaeologist tried to explain himself but his wife cut him off at every counter. How this man fell in love with this woman is beyond me! Grim and I felt like we were intruding. Last thing I remembered was Amelia saying and sharply:

"We'll finish this later! You're not out of the dog house Richard!" Her words sent shivers up my spine. She meant it literally and figuratively. I took note then, up to the day she died not to cross her in the wrong way. Then, during the expedition, Richard opened up to me, told me the truth. He told me he was a werewolf, proved it by turning into a giant wolf. I saw him in his other form too, I nearly shit my pants! Dicky also revealed he has a daughter: Lara; a name with a subtle reference to the Egyptian Sun God: Ra; she too is a werewolf. The curse unfortunately passed onto her and didn't know!

Aye, I miss her dearly. The poor mother died in the saddest and most traumatic way: by her own daughter. It's hard to believe that Lara was only eight, but I saw it in her eyes. Lara blamed herself for that incident for so long. Now, Lara wasn't suicidal, but she was in shock, as well as deeply saddened. She and Amelia had such a close bond, I told Lara to cherish the eight years she had with her mother and some of the twelve years she had with Richard.

I sighed outwardly, I pray those bastards aren't torturing poor Sam for information on Lara. Having some knowledge on hostage situations, they are most likely holding Sam to lure Lara into a trap. With the current state she's in, the girl I see and love as a daughter will run blindly, head first into her environment, as human or werewolf. I have to keep her in check, she's too young to die! I can't have her join her family too soon. Croft Manor is quiet at the moment, bar hearing the echoing sounds of Winston's footsteps. Lara took her motorbike back into London, she better not do anything stupid. Sometimes I dread seeing Lara on that pre-owned machine, why did I even give into letting her buy one! She passed both the Theory and Drivers Test, has the paper and all to prove it. She saved up the money too. I wonder what she is up to?

I jumped when my phone went off in my pocket. It vibrated as the ringtone: You Are My Sunshine, Johnny Cash's version, could be heard. Taking my mobile out, I looked at the Caller ID: Blake Coleman was on the screen. What? Isn't that Lara's boss at The Nine Bells? Why is Lara there? I do recall that lassie telling me she has me down as an Emergency Contact. Did she beg for a shift tonight to take her mind off Sam? Blake possibly saw the state she is in and is in no shape to work. I sometimes curse that bloody Croft stubbornness, as I can imagine, Lara is taking no for an answer and her boss resorted to calling me as that hot-headed lassie will listen to my reason. I answered the call, pressing the green colour-coded button.

"Hello?",

"Is this Conrad Roth?" Said Blake, on the other side of the phone,

"Yes, you are speaking to Conrad Roth. Is Lara OK?",

"You um-" He was interrupted by a crashing sound,

"Hey! Are you alright!?" I was beginning to panic,

"Your daughter is drunk as the fucking man in the moon! Some langer irritates her and she suddenly tosses him over the counter!" I wanted to yell back that Lara isn't my daughter, but my ward, yet now is not the time! The problem I heard is more pressing.

"What!?" I was too shocked. First, I thought Lara couldn't get drunk due to her werewolf metabolism! Second, did she just start a bar fight in her drunken state! The whole thing though sounds like Dicky Croft and Grim all over again.

"Roth! Get here before she trashes my bar!" Blake yelled,

"On my way. Just try to keep her calm!"

I bolted out of Croft Manor, leaping into my jeep, inserting the car keys into the ignition. I slammed on the accelerator, thankfully Lara has forgotten to close the gates when she left. I'm speeding my way to London, Speeding Ticket be damned!

One Hour Ago…

Night…

20:00…

(Scene: The Nine Bells, London, England/Lara's POV)

I brought my bike to halt, parking outside the bar I work in. I used my foot to position the bike rest, allowing it to lean on its side. I know I don't do this often, even Sam would be surprised, but… three days, seventy-two long hours passed. Roth and I are still at a dead end in locating Sam. Where are they hiding her!? I just… I entered the bar, the top of the door, tipping the bell above me. I just need to forget, just for one night. I made my way to the counter, sitting on the bar stool. I don't see Blake, I guess he's in the kitchen, but there's another guy on duty. Oh yes! Now I remember, that's his son Seán.

Blake, his wife and Seán are emigrants from Cork, Ireland. They left Ireland hoping England would be better after Ireland crashed. It's currently two years into its Recession, the economy fell in 2008 when the Celtic Tiger lost its roar, metaphorically speaking. I'll probably make note of that country to study. Ireland is deep, rich in history and folklore, myth. It could be my thesis one day. Push that aside Lara. I really need a drink. Séan stopped, seeing me at the bar. I guess he noticed I'm in a gloomy mood.

"Sheesh Croft! What's got you down in the dumps?" Seán asks me, not like he's prying. He really is a nice guy and is just being concerned, like any friend would. Blake was actually quite happy that I got on with his son. I sighed.

"I'm just stressed." What a terrible lie and a vague answer, but he didn't push it. Sort of.

"Girlfriend issues?" Sam and I never had an argument, yet. Sometimes we did, but they were always about small, petty things. Other times, our arguments turned playful. Other than that, our relationship is healthy.

"Get me a drink." I told him, straight to the point, avoiding his question.

"That's what I'm here for. What do you want?",

"Your strongest shit.",

"Jesus you have it bad." He grimaced. Seán pulled down a bottle of rum, more specifically, Bicardi: Proof-151. So far I know, it's legal in England, hard to come by though, not all bars sell it, but it's not for the faint hearted. Guess I'm lucky this bar sells it. It will do, anything weaker my metabolism will just burn through it.

"That's fine. You mind if I hold onto the bottle?",

"Don't over do it Croft. You've never been the type to drink." Blake's son left me to do my own business after I gave him a fifty pound note. I told him to keep the change. I poured my first glass, lifting it then, swirling the contents, I downed it one go. The contents burned the back of my throat but it felt good. Maybe, just another few glasses, it won't kill me. It will take more than alcohol to put down a werewolf.

Thirty Minutes Laters…

20:30…

In a half hour, I realised half the bottle was gone, that's what I get for not taking notice. At this stage, I lost count at how many glasses I have had. I couldn't care less about the lecture I might end up having from Roth. I felt a small bit light-headed, not anything too hard hitting if a person with normal metabolism had one glass of this or two. Blake and Seán I noticed, took turns in keeping an eye on me at the bar counter, they were concerned for my wellbeing. Blake knew this was unlike me. The buzz feeling I have is starting to wear off already, sometimes I hate my metabolism, I can't enjoy a good drink. I cover it up, telling people I just have a high tolerance to alcohol. I poured myself another glass, then quickly downing it again. I placed the glass down gently so I don't smash it.

Because I'm a small bit drunk, my other enhanced senses are numbed, I didn't hear someone approaching me from the back, until he sat down on another bar stool next to me. I didn't even look at him, as I went to pour the bottle again.

"You might want to slow down pretty lady." Sounds like one of the students from the college. I don't know what course he's studying but I couldn't care less right now.

"Leave… me alone." My words were somewhat slurred, but I managed a growl.

"Aw don't be like that." He saw the bottle and whistled. "Proof-151 Bicardi!? Damn girl! Were some of your family members connoisseurs? That's good shit! But I would be drunk as hell after three glasses! Or did your family have a drinking problem?" I continued to ignore him. His statement on a drinking problem stung me. My family never abused alcohol! I feel a headache coming, but I ignored it. Your man kept rambling. "How many glasses did you have?",

"Ten? Fifteen? Twenty? Lost count." I should leave now. I stood up, my world began to spin a little, as I focused on the exit, hard. Have to get back to Croft Manor. Roth and Winston must be worried. I slightly staggered, then I felt my hand being grabbed by the wrist. I turned around, this lad is persistent.

"Come on Croft. Leaving so soon? Join my gang!" He exclaimed, his thumb, pointing to his friends over at the large, circular table. Of course I'm known throughout the college. With all my straight-A grades, perfect attendance and lecturers even offering me advanced classes, plus handing me leaflets for History, Anthropology and Archeology scholarships, even internship! It's bound to give me unwanted attention, raised eyebrows and jealous, scowling faces of other students in UCL.

"Let… m- me go!" I told him, "Now!" Eejit can still understand me, even if my words are slurred and I can hardly walk in a straight line.

"Just another hour." He begged. It ticked me off and I snapped. Even in my drunken state, I was able to grab the lad by his collar and threw over the counter. His scream filled the air as he crash landed on the other side. My adrenaline kicked in, enough for me to focus when his friends came at me, for the sake of their friend's dignity. The first guy lunged at me, I grabbed his hand, hard, I moved my body and twisting his whole arm. I applied more pressure than I thought and there was a satisfying twist and crack as I dislocated his shoulder.

"Lara!" It was Seán yelling at me. "Stop it! Now!" I ignored him, as I felt a chair being slammed into my back, throwing my off balance. The second lad went in to kick me, what am I? A dog? The kick came, I caught it with ease and I pushed him off, causing him to fall back. I picked him up, seeing a steak knife, I pinned the poor lad, by the collar to the table. The steak knife went deep into the wooden table with a loud, solid 'thud'. I had thoughts of wanting his stab his hand, but spilling blood will cause me to go crazy. It will trigger my predatory instincts. His face was as pale as a ghost, consider himself lucky. I moved onto his other pals when another came charging with a broken beer bottle.

(Seán's POV)

This is bad! This is really, really bad! Lara is thrashing those guys around like rag dolls! Tossing a lad over the counter like he had hardly any weight to him, nor muscle mass, breaking one guy's shoulder and pinning another by the collar, to the table with a steak knife! Now, she's going to toe-to-toe with a student armed with a beer bottle! She won't listen to me or dad. Not to mention, all the property damage! Who's her Emergency Contact again? Think you bloody eejit! Roth was it? I ran into dad, who's looking at me very confused.

"What's wrong son?" Can he not hear the noise going on outside as his bar is being turned into a MMA fighting ring!?

"Call Roth now! Lara's contact!",

"Something up?" Then he realised what's going on. Sweat beaded his face already. The look on my face screamed: Bar Fight! He whipped out his mobile, dialling Roth's number. Lara made memorise it. I ran back outside as I heard dad say:

"Is this Conrad Roth?"

Present…

Night…

21:00…

(Roth's POV)

I stormed into the bar, after I saw Lara's bike parked outside. It was a right mess, some regular customers were crowded into a corner as they were unlucky enough to get out. Lara was swiftly and nimbly, as I taught her, was fighting a group of young lads. College students my best bet. Well, I did teach her to shoot, pistols more specifically as they have the least amount of recoil, the nine millimetre calibre ones anyways. I taught her a small bit about heavy firearms like rifles. She got Archery lessons and I made her take up Self Defence, to teach her how to utilise her Werewolf strength in close-combat, if she were ever disarmed and to also control it.

I examined the scene. I couldn't see the student thrown over the counter, he's most likely unconscious. One student was clutching his shoulder, face red with intense pain; oh god, Lara broke his shoulder bone. Another was pinned to the table, I have to say, even in this situation, it's kind of funny. The third lad was knocked out cold. Lara will have some form of pack mentality, she looks up to me as a leader, but we had some skirmishes when we verbally argued over that position. Have to show it now, that I'm in charge here. Right now, she was standing face to face with the last standing young man, both preparing to charge head on like a pair of bulls.

I walked right into the middle of the fight, grabbing both students hard by their shoulders, physically pushing them apart, away from each other, as I stood between them. I'm surprised Lara was able to do this drunk, unless she was high on adrenaline, as of now though, her body is breaking down the alcohol, whatever she drank.

"Out… my way Roth." Her voice is slurred. Oh she is drunk. I got to take her home now. I squared my shoulders, looking at her in the eye. Her wolf instincts kicked in and she took it as defiance. Lara let out a low growl, first warning.

"Stand. Down Lara." I said in my commanding, military voice. I practised it over the years in the Navy as I worked up the ranks.

"Roth." Snarled Lara, her glare increasing with intensity. I walked up to her, keeping my body language the same.

"No! You will stop this! Right now!" My voice raised. I noticed the look in her eyes, she knows she lost this verbal stand-off and backed down. I softened. "Now let's go home."

I picked up Lara, she's in no shape to walk at the moment and will have a killer headache later. I looked back to Blake.

"Take care of her." He said to me. I nodded, then replied.

"I'll pay for the damage she caused." I heard the ambulance approaching, the vehicle's sirens blaring outside. Blake just waved his hand.

"I'll let it off. Insurance will do the rest. Tell Lara, when her head is screwed on straight, her job is safe.",

"I'll let her know.",

"And her bike is safe too! She can come back for it whenever!" Must be Blake's son. Lara did tell me about him, but they're just friends.

I put Lara into the back of my jeep, strapping her in. I understand Lara just wanted to forget what was happening for a moment, the curse, the hunters, Sam being taken, it's all getting to her. Never in my life, I thought Lara would resort to drowning her problems in alcohol. She's tearing herself apart, just like what happened to Richard after Amelia died. He tore himself apart, mind, body and spirit, into figuring out a way to remove the Werewolf curse. On top of that, he was obsessed, looking into the myth and truth of Everlasting Life, immortality it's also known and from what I know, he was digging into it since he began college in 1971. I turned back to see Lara asleep, the effects of the alcohol took effect. What in god's name did you drink? How strong was it!?

I sat into my car, driving off, away from The Nine Bells. Lara will be at least glad, she hasn't lost her job, despite the fact she has another one at the bookstore: Waterstones right? How she is able to manage this, college and two part-time jobs is beyond me.

Fifty-five Minutes…

21:55…

(Scene: Croft Manor, Surrey, England/Roth's POV)

Finally reaching Croft Manor, I parked my jeep outside the door in the massive front garden. Lara's sleeping off the alcohol, she's going to have a damn right interrogation from me once she recovers from her hangover. I am a little bit disappointed in her, not mad. Disappointed, I thought she knew better. Apparently she can't seem to think straight with Sam still missing. I opened the door, lifted Lara out, walking up the steps towards the front door. I rang the doorbell, shortly after, Winston answered. He sighed in relief when he saw Lara in my arms. The old butler signalled me to come in and put Lara into her old bedroom, and so I did.

I navigated myself through the halls, locating her childhood bedroom. Opening the door, which let out a slight creak, I entered and placed Lara on the bed, putting a blanket over her to keep her warm. I'll let sleep till morning, but by now, her werewolf metabolism should've broken down the alcohol by now. She'll still have a headache in the morning. Winston came in, placing a glass of water and two Advil tablets on the bedside table. I sat on the window sill, watching Lara sleep. Eventually, it took me and I dozed off. We're both exhausted.

Next Day…

Morning…

10:30…

10th December 2010…

(Scene: Croft Manor, Surrey, England/Lara's POV)

Opening my eyes became… somewhat of a struggle. I was having difficulty adjusting to the light that was blinding me. What didn't help either was a massive headache, as I clutched my head, letting out a sound from my throat that is like a mix of a groan and a growl. I vaguely remember what happened the night before, I do recall tossing a student over the bar counter, everything else was a blur until Roth stepped in. Roth! Shit! Fuck! I'm dead! Grounded! Going to be yelled at, lectured or worse! This was all motivated by stress because I'm worried for Sam, officially now, she's missing for four days. Hang on Sam, I'll find you, somehow.

The pounding headache was still at me, I turned to my right and God above! To my luck was a glass of water and some Advil. Winston must have put them on the bedside while I was out cold with a hangover. Oh man! I bet mother is looking down on me with a scolding face, clutching her forehead and shaking her head in dismay. Father might have found the last night somewhat amusing, anyways, if you are lucky to get his attention while he is deep end, obsessed with his studies, he'd find anything amusing. I took the tablets, popped them into my mouth and swallowed them, with the water. I turned my head, examining the room. This is my old bedroom!

"So the little cub is awake." I looked up, seeing Roth at the end of the bed. I gulped. Here it comes. "I'm not going to lecture you lass and I'm not angry but… disappointed." He said. Well, that is reassuring, sort of. He's disappointed though, I let him down. I screwed up. "I was worried for you though. I understand you are scared for Sam's safety, so am I.",

"No you don't Roth!" I cried, "What if I lose her like I lost mother and father! What if we'll never find her!? What if they killed her already!?" Roth stayed quiet as I vented out my worries and fears. "And it's my fault! This will be forever engrained in my conscience!" I began to hug my knees, curling up into my chest.

"I made you a promise Lara, we will find Sam. I am very confident she is alive. Those hunters intend to lure you out, to do that; they need to keep her alive."

Roth has a point, the hunters will set a trap for me, use Sam as bait. They know I would not endanger my life, only if it's someone I hold close to me: family, friends, lovers. When Roth and I find them, I'm going to kill them all! I will leave none of them alive! Our surrogate father-daughter moment was interrupted when Winston knocked on the door and opened it.

"What is it Winston?" I asked him,

"There's a package downstairs for you Lara. I left it in the sitting room." I frowned. Package? Odd and very suspicious. Roth had the same idea too as his face darkened. I gestured to him that we have a look and examine it. I threw the blanket off me, jumping off the bed and we all exited my bedroom, making way for the sitting room.

Once I reached the sitting room, I entered, opening the double doors. I saw the package that Winston placed on the table. It was a medium sized cardboard box. What I found suspicious, that my name was on it, so too was the address, but no name of the sender. That's what is putting me off. Roth handed me his Swiss Army knife, I cut the top open, then looked inside to see the contents. It seems to be a HP Notebook and a USB key. It might have information of Sam's whereabouts! I took out the contents, placing them on the table. I switched on the Notebook, once it was fully loaded, I instead the USB into its drive. A single file in Windows Media Player format was found. I clicked on it, waiting a few minutes for the file to load.

Roth sat next me and Winston stood behind us. The loading was completed and a video began to play. It was a room, cold, dark and derelict. The camera was shaky as someone was holding it without a tripod, but I have to say the least, the quality was good. Most of these type of videos are poor. They're doing this on purpose. They want me to come and find her! The camera finally steadied, pointing upwards at… my jaw dropped! Sam! Oh thank god, she's alive! There was someone behind her, a man. Something tells me this was prerecorded. The unnamed figure spoke.

"Hello Lara." I recognise that voice! That was the man who tried to kill us, more specifically me, at Wimbledon Park! "My name is Lieutenant Jenkins and as you see, your Sam is being treated well." I clenched my fist. How is tying her to a chair and gagged at this point is 'treated well'!? "Sam here hasn't been very co-operative. She's protective of you in her own little way, so this has left me no choice."

Without warning, Sam's muffled screams filled my as she was being tasered! He kept going, stopping for a moment, then jabbing her again. The room lit up with electric blue and was filled by the cackling sound of controlled electricity. I looked away. They tortured her! They were trying to make Sam give up information on me! She wouldn't have it, she was protecting me! She wouldn't let him have his way. Jenkins finally stopped inducing pain, Sam exhaled in relief, as she softly cried. This is all my fault! If we didn't befriend each other or become roommates, none of this wouldn't have happened. All I wanted was a quiet three years in UCL, walk out with a First Class Honours Degree and perhaps be a lead archaeologists' assistant for my first expedition on the field!

"This is only light as you can see Ms Croft. I'm being merciful at the moment." Sneered Jenkins. I growled at the screen. I can't wait to rip his throat out! "If you want Ms Nishimura alive, come to Battersea Power Station at noon. If you don't, she will die." The video cut. To hell with my life! Once Sam is OK, alive and breathing, I'll be happy. My fist is clenched, so hard my knuckles have gone ghost white. A surge of anger went straight through me like electricity, as I swiped the Notebook to side with a werewolf strength enhanced swipe. The Notebook crashed to the side, breaking as it hit the wooden floor.

"We're going to the power station. Save Sam and I'm going to kill every, last one of them." Roth couldn't argue with me this time. He knew the situation and he stood up.

"I'm going to grab my gear. Give me five minutes." As Roth left to get his gear, no doubt his firearms. I won't be surprised if they are heavily armed, they are a part of a larger group, it's a gut feeling who. I may not know the answer, but they are being supplied, all the weapons and gear are military grade. So they are either being stolen, or they have a lot of powerful and influential contacts to keep them stocked up with discretion. I wouldn't be surprised if they managed to him themselves hidden from the world this long. I decided to wait in the jeep or give Roth a hand loading up his equipment. Then, I felt Winston grab my arm. I turned back and looked at the elderly man.

"Lara, just… be careful. It will hurt me greatly for the last heir of this manor fall.",

"I'll come back. I promise." I told him. Roth reentered the room.

"Hey lass. I'm ready. Let's go save Sam." I nodded,

"If you die in that god forsaken place Lady Croft, know when I join you; I will slap you!" All I did was laugh, as I hugged Winston. I will come back, with Sam. No one is dying on my watch.

Roth and I exited the manor, heading towards his jeep. His gear took up most of the back. He isn't taking chances on this mission. I sat into the front seat. Hang on Sam. We're coming. Roth had the gates open and all, he put his foot on the accelerator and drive off. I looked back, as Croft Manor got further and further away. I'm not going to die, I will come back.

One Hour and Nineteen Minutes Later…

11:49…

(Scene: Battersea Power Station, London, England/Lara's POV)

Roth slowed at the gates of the power station. It has been derelict for quite a while, used to supply electricity to the surrounding areas from what I knew. The council has plans for it anyways and it looks like those plans got underway as there was construction equipment lying around. No construction workers though, must have a day off or something. I took off my seat, preparing to head out, only to have Roth clutch my arm. I stopped to turn to him.

"Don't go rushing into this Lara. It's you they want. We have to do this quietly if you want to save Sam.",

"I know. It's just… if anything happens to her, I won't be able to forgive myself or her parents." I said to him,

"Lara. We will save her, we just have to play smart." He handed me a weapon. A pistol, along with its holster and some spare magazines. I usually disagree with the use of firearms, but this time, today is an exception. I cocked the port vented slide, it let out a very distinctive 'click'. "This here is Accipiter Nox. It belonged to an old partner of mine. A fine pistol, light on the recoil. He gave this to me before he died." I stayed quiet, I suddenly felt uncomfortable using a weapon that once belonged a partner of Roth's. "Remember: the key to-",

"Any weapon is focus." I recalled. "I'm ready Roth. Let's save Sam."

We both got out of the jeep, Roth armed himself with an assault rifle and a shotgun. I fixed the pistol and the gun holster to my waist, I don't know how Roth finds his type of holsters easy to reach. I think they're more awakened than the ones you place on your waist. I opened the gate. It was a wide enough gap, but I still had to side-step through. Roth did the same. I looked around the area. It's huge! How are we supposed to find Sam? I feel very uncomfortable about the idea of splitting up, I bet Roth would even agree with me too.

My best bet: is they have Sam locked up, upstairs in the main part of the building. Roth had the same idea as if he read my mind, gesturing towards the front door. We made our way quietly, I don't understand why they would leave the front door unguarded, there's so many areas to nest potential snipers and lookouts. Something is wrong, but I chose to ignore the feeling. We both stopped, putting our backs to the wall, standing on both sides of the door. If needs be, Roth taught me how to put someone into a chokehold, another way to utilise my enhanced strength. Speak of the devil, I'll be using that method sooner than I thought as the door suddenly opened. A lone hunter walks out to have a smoke, thank god, he was too dumb to notice us. He has shitty peripheral vision.

Roth was jerking his head to me, telling me to do a stealth takedown on him. Another lesson by him. I nodded, crouching low, I slowly and carefully walked towards him, his back was still faced towards me, that's a good sign. When I got close enough, I leaped, wrapping my arm around his neck. I tightened my grip, as he grunted, struggling for air. His hands wildly tried to grip something, I increased the pressure. I then heard a click around his neck/throat area, shit! I crushed his windpipe, not that I feel sorry about it. I slung the man over my shoulder, bringing his body to the corner of the building and dropped it there. Good enough. No one will find his body, until his friends become suspicious.

Roth and I entered the building, a familiar scent hit my nostrils. Sam is definitely here, I fought my urges to run out. Next, my hearing kicked in, I heard voices in this part of the building. We both ran for cover. I heard Roth whisper:

"How many?" I focused again to double check. The hunters are spread out quite a bit, but for now, it's just this area.

"Six." I answered. I found an empty glass bottle, will be handy for a noise distraction. A hunter was warming himself by a fire. I need to knock him out. Roth is dealing with the other hunters on this floor. I threw the glass bottle to my right. Upon hearing it, he looked up. He grabbed his rifle, walking over to the source of the noise I caused. Once he got there, he bent down to examine it. I sneaked over to him and completely, he was blindsided, as I grabbed him the same way I did to the last comrade. His voice was desperate.

"Hey lady! Let's just talk this out!" I ignored him as I dragged him to my place of cover, only for him to meet his fate. I increased my grip, choking him till he lost consciousness. I decided to take his rifle, as I slung it over my shoulder. I would never know when I need a weapon with more rate of fire. I saw another two guards and so, I repeated my method: distract, sneak, choke and repeat. Divide and conquer really. Roth and I ran into each other again, that meant he dealt with the other three hunters.

"Can you smell Sam?",

"Yes." We carefully navigated our way around the plant, as Roth followed me, while j was using Sam's scent trail to locate which room she's in. After twenty minutes, including the delay of stealth takedowns on some unsuspecting hunters, we made it to the room Sam is being held in. I placed my hand on the door handle, only for Roth to stop me. I looked at him.

"Take this slow. I found this too easy." Roth has a point, this has been very easy. They hardly had this place properly guarded unless… my surrogate father nodded his head as a signal to open the door. I did. We found Sam still tied to the chair, her gag was removed. She looks alright, her clothes are dirty, hair slightly matted, but it could've been worse. I began to untie her.

"Lara! No!" She suddenly said. I stopped my actions.

"Why?" Roth's eyes widened. He realised something and it's not good.

"FUCK! LARA! IT'S A TRAP!" At that exact moment, a large group of hunters jumped out, weapons raised, completely surrounding us. They were expecting us.

"Drop your weapons!" One of them ordered. Roth and I complied. Dropping our guns to the floor, raising our hands.

"Don't shoot them just yet Officer." That voice! The guy on the video: Lieutenant Jenkins. I growled at him, glaring. If looks could kill, he wouldn't be standing.

"Bad dog." He mocked. "So, you finally came. I thought your mate was the easiest way to lure you out. We know you imprinted mutt." He walked towards me.

"Don't you dare come near her, you fucking bastard!" Roth warned. Jenkins turned his attention towards Roth.

"Who are you? This mutt's owner?",

"Who I am, is not of your concern." He argued. I jumped in between them. I won't let him hurt Roth or Sam, any more than he already did!

"No! Leave him out of this!",

"No Lara!" The lieutenant faced me,

"It's me you want! I'm here! Just let Sam and Roth go. Unharmed." I stared at him hard, right into his eyes. He signalled the guards to lower their arms. One guard released Sam. A hunter approached me from behind to cuff me.

"Lara!" Sam called out. I turned and winked at her. Roth had an idea of what I was going to do. I'm going to take advantage of the hunters' lowered arms. They'll be taken off guard.

"One last thing Jenkins." I smiled,

"What is that?" He grunted. All he's thinking about is his next pay check. Too bad he won't be seeing it. This is the last hunt of his life and it ends here and now!

"The hunter becomes the hunted." This is where they pay for their stupidity. I head butted the guard behind me, before he was able to clasp the handcuff. Sam ducked, as Roth managed to knock out his guard, taking his assault rifle and firing at the hunters. In the moment, I leaped towards Jenkins, turning into my first werewolf form in mid-air. I saw the fear in his eyes. This is the fight of predator and prey now.

Cliffhanger! I'm cruel! And I'm sorry!