Trudging his way back to Jericho, his hunt for the creature fell as far as he did once the rain washed away its tracks. He wasn't sure how far he'd gone in searching for it, but the sun had set when he decided to come back.
He had stopped by the cabin again, this time to find blood splatters around the place.
The creature had returned here while he was gone and killed someone else. From the remains of a police perimeter, Hellboy figured that the police had confiscated the body.
If the body was missing, his best bet would be at the morgue. Without further delay, Hellboy began making his way toward the house of death. Slouching in annoyance at his drenched clothes, he found the morgue, not too far into the town. He could see two figures entering, though their identities were obscured by the shadows. He slowly opened the door to prevent too much noise. Inside, he heard two voices, one of the Sheriff and the other was one he didn't recognise though he would bet it was the mortician.
"Lucy, I'm home." The half-demon quipped as he opened the door, to the surprise of the Sheriff and the horror of the mortician. "What? No tea?"
"You're not supposed to be in here." Galpin warned, sceptical and defensive over the situation. He has spent many sleepless nights over this case, and he wasn't about to let it be ruined by nosey demons.
"That's usually where I find what I'm looking for." The investigator replied as he moved past the pair and began looking through the storage units until he came upon what he was looking for. "I saw this poor bastard yesterday." He noted as he began examining the corpse. He wasn't an expert in the field... not yet anyway. But he could get a good idea of what he was working with. The body was almost completely disembowled. Marks on the hands suggest a struggle, albeit an ineffective one. The left foot was removed... a trophy? Why a foot? "Hey, doc? Do you have this guy's foot anywhere?" Hellboy asked as he turned to the stuttering man in question.
"I-I... um, yes. I do." He stuttered as he turned to a cabinet with a glass door. The foot was contained within a glass jar, floating within some clear fluid. Hellboy wasn't even going to guess what the name of the substance was. "It's quite intruiging. The first two toes were removed. My best guess it that they used a surgical saw if the cuts are anything to go by." He explained to both Hellboy and the Sheriff. Hellboy didn't understand. How and why did that thing get its hands on that kind of equipment when it could just chew them off like it did to the foot? Unless... it didn't. He'd keep that to himself for now.
"Thanks, doc. If it's all the same, I want to take a look at the records of the... 'killer's' victims." Hellboy explained, not really leaving room for argument.
"What do you think you're doing?" Galpin asked. "You don't have the authority to get involved with police business."
"You're right." Hellboy admitted. "That being said, I'm gonna take a look at those records now." Hellboy stood defiantly. The pair engaged in a glaring match for a moment, neither bending to the others' gaze. With a huff of annoyance, Galpin turned back to he mortician.
"I want a media blackout about the toes. And... let him see the reports." He added in annoyance as he walked out of the doors.
"So, what am I dealing with, doc?" Hellboy asked as he turned to face the man in question.
"The reports are just in the other room. Feel free to use the printer if you need to." He tried to be courteous. Turning to face the storage units, his brow furrowed as he saw one still open slightly. "Did you look in other units?" He asked the half-demon.
"Not for long. Why?" He approached from behind as the mortician pulled out the table, upon which was Wednesday. Pale, ice cold, and not breathing. Helloy had no idea what to say. Did the monster come back after her while he took the plunge? As he stands in stunned silence, the doctor presses his finger against Wednesday's cold cheek.
"In full rigour. She's been dead a while." He explained. "I'm sure she won't mind waiting for tomorrow for me to cut her open." He said to Hellboy with a wry smile as he pushed the tray in and closed the door. "Well, I must be going now. I trust you can see yourself out?"
"... Yeah." Hellboy muttered, his eyes never leaving the unit of his friend's Corpse. Hellboy heard the door close as the mortician left, but Hellboy didn't react to it, he kneeled down and gently rested his left hand on the door of the unit in silent grief, his breaths becoming deep and focused at his failure to protect his friend.
It was a rapid tapping on his boot that drew him from his turmoil. Looking down, Hellboy found Thing there, rapidly pointing towards the unit. In a frenzied state, Hellboy swiftly swung the hatch open and pulled out the table Wednesday lays on. "So... do you always break into morgues?" Hellboy asked with an annoyed grimace at the unintended deception.
"Only when I need to take a nap." Wednesday retorted with a small smirk.
"Yeah? Well, nap time is over." Hellboy stepped back, allowing Wednesday to extract herself from her position. "What the hell are you even doing here?"
"The same as you. Looking for evidence." She spoke, walking past him into the opposite room to acquire the copies of files that Thing had already made. As she carefully packs the copies into her bag, she turns to Hellboy. "Have you learned anything new about the creature?"
"It's smarter than it looks." He explained, remembering the improved fighting style of the beast. It obviously wasn't mindless. "It's learning." He pointed out almost ominously within the dimly lit room as Wednesday began leading the trio out of the morgue.
"Then we had better start learning as well." She spoke as they stepped out into the streets, walking back to Nevermore.
"Great, homework." Hellboy grumbled.
The next morning, Hellboy joined Wednesday within her dorm room to study the creature's victims. To say they were random would be an understatement. None of these people had anything in common other than there were no witnesses. The only link Hellboy could find between them was that each of them had something missing. Some of them had limbs removed, and others had organs taken out.
He had a couple of reasons as to why the creature was doing this. The first being trophies, Wednesday believed this to be the case at least. But it didn't make sense to Hellboy. Why would it take different parts? A hunter doesn't take a stags head or antlers and then suddenly decide all he wants are it's eyes to be mounted on the wall.
Another possibility was ingredients. For what, Hellboy wasn't sure. It could be a potion or a spell or a curse. In any case, the pieces were removed surgically, which struck Hellboy as odd. If this thing was never seen, how the hell did it have enough time to kill someone, run off and grab its tools, and then come back to get to work without being spotted. It couldn't have. It was being helped. Or maybe it WAS the help. Speculation for now, he'd need something far more concrete. A thud caught his attention, turning around, and Enid was on the floor, unconscious.
"Did you show her the pictures again?" Hellboy groaned in annoyance, kneeling beside Enid to make sure she hadn't hit her head.
"She needs a stronger stomach." Wednesday explained as she returned to her studying of the creature.
Hellboy remained silent at her response. Choosing instead, to help Enid to her feet after Thing brought her the smelling salts. "Look, just... head out for a bit. Get some air. It'll do you some good."
"Yeah... okay." Enid replied, still queasy as she made her way to the door. After her departure, Hellboy once again turned to the board and examined the pieces of evidence.
"So, we've got no connection between the victims other than they were alone when they were got. Pieces of each were missing but were removed surgically."
"No, the killer is also collecting trophies. Like a seasoned serial killer." Wednesday explained, still analysing the board.
"It's a good theory and all, and you may even be right about it. But it doesn't make sense. Why take pieces that are so different? I mean, I friggin' gallbladder? What kinda trophy is that?"
"Then what do YOU suggest?" She asked, not too keen on being second guessed, but still willing to learn.
"There's not enough parts for them to be making something like a homunculus or a golem. There's not even enough for a little bit of functional necromancy. So, if the killers aren't making something like a creature, they're probably trying a ritual of some kind. Never good."
"Killers?" Wednesday caught on immediately. "What do you mean?"
"The foot was chewed off, but the toes were removed by surgical equipment. The monster tore these people open, but the pieces were cleanly removed. It doesn't make sense for there to be only one guy involved."
"That's troubling. And even more difficult to prove." She said, curling her index finger around her chin in thought.
"I know. That's why we've gotta catch Igor first. Then I can beat the info out of him, and we catch our other guy."
"How? Every time the monster revealed itself was by pure coincidence."
"... Keep hittin' the books. I've gotta make a few calls." Hellboy spoke, turning to leave the room. Making his way through the halls, he went over the pieces in his mind. A monster and an unknown, murdering and extracting pieces from their victims. Why? What kind of ritual could these jokers be up to? And why in the middle of jack-shit nowhere? He didn't like it, but he'd get his answers. Coming out into the quad, he approached Enid, who was looking remarkably better now that she wasn't in the presence of corpse pictures. "Hey, Enid. Can borrow your phone, please?"
"Oh, sure, HB! No problem!" She said cheerily, happy to help. "Sooo, who're you calling?" She inquired, not knowing anyone that Hellboy might be in contact with.
"If I told you... I'd have to kill you." He said grimly, turning to Enid with a scowl. They locked eyes for a moment as the air became thick enough to cut. And the pair began laughing. "Seriously, though. I'm calling my father." He said through the remains of a chuckle. As he dialled the last numbers and listened to the ring.
"Why? Parents are allowed to visit in a few days. You'll see him then, won't you?"
"Yeah, but I need him to bring me some stuff, that's all." With that, the phone stopped dialling, and a voice came through. Too quiet for any but Hellboy to hear correctly. "Hey, it's... what? No, I don't need to talk to 'waste management'. Who is... never mind. Will you shut up for a second... it's a code red. Tell Father I'm going to need my toolbox when he comes for a visit. Thanks." With that, he hung up, gently mind you. He didn't want to crack the screen of Enids phone.
With a few extra taps, the number was deleted from the phones history. Giving the phone back, Hellboy thanked Enid as he made his way toward the exit. The hunt was back on.
It didn't take him long to find trouble. If anything, trouble came looking for him. An here he was hoping for a nice stroll in the forest.
As he falls from a 20ft drop, he hits the ground hard. Groaning at the pain, he rolls to his side before standing and facing his assailant. A Sasquatch. It stands at 8ft tall, shaggy brown, moss covered fur surrounds its body like a blanket. It's thick, tree-like arms reached down to its knees. It's face is similar to that of an ape, but its skull was taller.
"Alright, jackass. You've had your fun. There aren't many who know these forests better than you jerks, so save us both the hassle and-"
A vicious roar interrupted him as the Sasquatch charged, switching from bipedal to quadrapedal.
"Fine. Have it your way." With a scowl, the half demon met its charge.
Taking a swing with his right hand, his fist met the side of the monster's head, throwing it onto its side.
It shook its head, trying to be rid of the dark spots that plagued its vision. Its back felt the weight of a steamroller as Hellboy brought his fist down onto it. The ground indented as its chest hit the floor.
Grabbing it's head in his right hand, Hellboy flung it backwards and into a tree, tearing a chunk of it out, leaving it to fall onto the Sasquatch.
"Last chance, hairball." Hellboy growled as he marched toward it, the Sasquatch groggily pushing the tree off of itself.
Grabbing a clump of dirt, it threw the mud into Hellboy's face and eyes. "Argh! You lousy piece of-!" As he stumbled from the blinding, the Sasquatch seized his ankle before swinging him around. Smashing him into trees and the ground.
With a final swing, Hellboy managed to club the creature on the back of its head. The force dizzied it. Releasing its grip, Hellboy fell to his staggering hooves before turning to the now disoriented denizen of the forest. He got within arms reach, the creature held up its hands to protect its face.
A left hook knocked one of its canine teeth free from its maw. Grabbing it my the fur of its neck, Hellboy slammed his right fist down upon its skull, it's body keeling over into an exaggerated hunching position. Rolling his shoulder, Hellboy brought his fist back up into an uppercut that threw the creature onto its back.
"Alright!" It roared, holding its hands up in defense as Hellboy stood over it, he raised his fist again. "I'll talk! Just do not hit me anymore."
"Was that so hard?" Lowering his fist, Hellboy began. "The creature that's been murdering humans around here: What is it?"
"I do not know. It's kind is not native here, nor is it native anywhere." It spoke as it rubbed along its jaw where Hellboy had struck it. "It simply does not belong."
"Well, that was helpful." Hellboy snarked. As he paced back and forth. "Do you know where it's staying? Maybe a den or a lair?"
"Whispers. Yes. There are whispers of a cave. Shallow and dark. A stench of iron and suffering." It muttered, rising to it's feet.
"Where?" Hellboy stopped pacing as it stood.
"South of here. Past that cesspool of half-breeds." It growled, staggering away. "You will not miss it. The stench of death and anger lingers there."
Even as Hellboy watched it walk away, he still could not see it leave. One moment it was there. The next? Nothing.
"Neat trick." He mumbled, heading south.
It took him a few hours, but he reached the cave. The early afternoon sky burned above him.
The cave looked wrong. It almost looked like a portal. Definitely not natural.
"Hey! Anyone home!?" He called into the abyss. No reply. "Shame. And here I wanted to borrow a cup of sugar." He mumbled, stepping inside. "If there's a giant spider in here, I'm burning down the forest." He grumbled.
The Sasquatch was right. The cave was shallow. And bones littered the floor. Scratches adorned the walls and floor. Some deeper than others. The back wall had metal shackles bolted to the stone. They were old, and looked recently used.
"Checkmate, ugly. Now all I've gotta do is wait and-"
A tap on his shoulder shocked him into action. Turning quickly, grabbing the first shape he could in his left hand to hold it still and raising his right fist in readiness.
He huffs in annoyance at his assailant.
"Do you always talk to yourself when you're alone." Wednesday smirks from her elevated position, being held up by the demon's arm alone.
Setting her on the floor, he sharply exhaled. "It helps me think." His teeth were gritted as she walked past him to investigate.
Behind her, followed Eugene. He looked more than a little nervous.
"Relax. It's not here." Hellboy tried to assure him.
"But, what if it comes back?" He asked, words slurred slightly by his retainer.
Hellboy smirks, lifting his right hand up.
"Then it's getting a four-finger knuckle sandwich. Extra grit."
"Here!" Wednesday called, earing both boys attentions. "Concrete evidence." She said proudly, digging out a claw from a deep scratch.
"Someone needs a manicure." Hellboy muttered, examining the claw. It was thick and roughly cone shaped. Whatever the creature was, it's nails almost looked cartoonishly ill-fitted for its hands.
Later, Eugene had split off from the pair as they approached a wooden shed. Wednesday had informed Hellboy that it was being used by Xavier.
"Wait, what's the painter got to do with this?" Hellboy asked as they entered.
"You'll see. Thing, keep a lookout." Wednesday said. The hand did as told, waiting outside.
Turning on the ceiling light, it took Hellboy by surprise to see many paintings of the creature. None of them looked quite like the real thing. These ones looked... almost scared.
"Well... that's disturbing." He muttered as he looked about the room. The paintings were so vivid.
"Xavier is my suspect." Wednesday spoke, rifing through Xavier's trash can for something that had his DNA.
"Ha!" Hellboy laughed, still looking at the paintings along the wall. He noticed the rifling stop as he turned to her. Her glare was sharp as her gaze bored into him. "Wait, you're serious?"
"Of course. All the evidence points to him." She said, plucking out a bloody cloth and placing it into a sealable bag.
"What evidence? Apart from the paintings, there's nothing on this guy." Hellboy was very confused at her sudden accusatory mood.
The door creaked as Xavier entered. Surprised by the intruders before his face shifted to anger.
"What the hell are you two doing in here?"
"Admiring the gallery." Hellboy said, pointing at the creature's visage. "You should make posters for Tim Burton Movies." Hellboy said, searching his pockets for a cigar.
"How do you know what the monster looks like?" Wednesday spoke, quietly annoyed at Hellboy's jesting. "Or are these just self-portraits?"
"What, you think it's me? I saved your life." Xavier scoffed, agitated.
"So did the monster. Or was that you the night Rowan wad killed?" Wednesday doubled down.
"Alright, that's enough of that." Hellboy spoke, finally finding the smoke he was looking for, now rummaging to find a lighter. He turned to Wednesday. "You REALLY, need more practice at this." He muttered, earning the goths silent ire. He turned to Xavier. "Look, let's start over, huh? We can start with why you're painting this thing."
Xavier was hesitant, but at least Hellboy was a little better to deal with. "I've been seeing this thing in my dreams for the last couple weeks." He started, walking over to the painting still on the rack. "I tried ignoring them at first. But they wouldn't stop. So I started painting them." As he pointed to the newest he continued. "After I finished up this one, it reached out and took a swipe at me. It's how I got these." He pulls the collar of his shirt aside to show the large scratches on his neck.
"From what I've heard, you had a knack for controlling your powers." Hellboy said, lighting his cigar.
"Not when it comes to this thing." Xavier spoke.
"Maybe it's your guilty conscience." Wednesday spoke sharply from behind Hellboy, drawing the pair's attention.
"Not helping." Hellboy growled, seriously annoyed at her interrupting his interrogation. He couldn't understand. She always seemed so sharp witted and clever. And now she was acting like she couldn't tell her head from her ass.
"I told you I'm not the monster!" Xavier's agitation was growing. Hellboy took a step between him and Wednesday... just in case.
"So you just happen to draw pictures of it, down to the location of its lair in the woods?" She said, pulling out a drawing of the creature in front of its cave. "This are some pretty vivid dreams."
"Jesus Christ..." Hellboy sighed, resting his finger and thumb on his eyes to massage the headache that Wednesday's ignorance was bringing. "For five minutes... can you not be yourself for five minutes?" He glared at her. She returned it tenfold.
"You were in here." Xavier said after a moment of thought. "Before, when I caught you outside. That's the only reason you asked me to the Rave'N, isn't it?"
"Look, let's get back on topic-"Hellboy attempted to diffuse the situation. "You said you've been seeing this thing in your dreams for a few weeks? Is there anything else? Anything at all?"
"...No." He said, still glaring at Wednesday. "You know? You are unbelievable." He said, fed-up with how Wednesday treats those around her.
"It's nothing personal." She says, preparing to leave.
"No, it never is with you, is it?" Xavier retorts. "I mean, do you even care about anyone, or anything at all, Wednesday?"
"I think you're barking up the wrong tree here, Xavier." Hellboy said, hand behind Wednsday to push her towards the door. "We'll take our leave. No fuss."
As Wednesday was escorted out, Hellboy turned back to Xavier. "For the record? I don't think you're the monster."
"... what's her deal, man?" Xavier vented, going back to the table.
Hellboy stood beside him. "Ah, Y'know, too many mystery books, not enough actual experience." Hellboy said, tapping the ash of his cigar into his right hand. "She's just trying to... well, I have no idea what she thinks she's doing."
"I mean, what the hell makes her think I'm involved?"
"Coincidence, probably." Hellboy shrugged. "She's new at this. Don't worry too much about it."
"Do YOU have a suspect? Its pretty clear what Wednesday thinks." Xavier asked, turning off the light above his painting.
"Not yet. Not enough clues to go off of. But I've got a plan." Hellboy patted the painter's shoulder with his right hand. "Keep your head down, stay out of the forests.
"Yeah, okay." Xavier nodded as Hellboy began to exit.
"Oh, one more thing." Hellboy spoke as he opened the door. "If you see anything new in your dreams and i mean anything... you come to me. Got it?"
"Yeah, I got it."
Hellboy nodded in approval. "See ya around." He said, leaving the shed.
Wednesday had waited for him a few feet away.
"So, you wanna tell me what the hell you think you're doing?" Hellboy growled as they walked together.
"Getting answers. As for you, I thought you'd have my back." She spoke evenly, but there was a layer of frustration.
"Have your back? Are you friggin crazy? THAT? Isn't how you question a suspect. Especially when you think they're a monster!" Hellboy threw his arms out for emphasis. "Not to mention your very thin evidence." He growled.
"I have my reasons to suspect him." She spoke, not quite caring for the tone the half-demon was using with her.
"Oh, do tell." He retorted, clearly not up for this kind of arrogance today.
"He was there that day you chased after the monster. Not long after it disappeared."
"It didn't dissappear, I chased it to a cliff and threw the damn thing off."
"Then explain how Xavier was there, so coincidentally."
Hellboy stayed silent to think for a moment. "What was he wearing?" Hellboy finally asked as the pair entered the school's driveway. He wasn't sure where she was going, but he was going to get what he could from her.
"Does it matter?" She didn't see the point in Xavier's attire.
"Yes." He said sternly, eyes narrowed.
"He was wearing his school uniform." She relented.
"Yeah? Well the thing I fought was wearing ripped pants and nothing else. You telling me he just had a stash of clothes in the middle of nowhere, on the off chance he might come around the place we were looking?" Hellboy wasn't much for sudden actions. Take things slow. Let it come at its own pace. That's what his father taught him.
But Wednesday? It was like she was desperate to be right. Hell, maybe she was.
Wednesday went silent as she approached the transportation to Jericho.
"Hey! Where the hell are you going!?" Hellboy yelled, not keen on being ignored, especially when he was making a point.
As it drove away, Hellboy huffed, clenching his fists and accidentally biting his cigar in half.
"Goddamn civilians." He growled, walking back to the school.
He mostly sat in his room, thinking. A monster and it's helper (or the other way around) are killing people with nothing in common and taking body parts for a ritual of some kind. That much he knew for certain. He'd need a lot more than that to go off of.
Later, he went to the quad. He wasn't sure why, he justed needed to sit somewhere with fresh air.
"Eugene?" He asked, seeing the boy looking morose, sitting alone at the fountain.
"Hi, Hellboy." He slurred on his retainer.
The half-demon sat beside him. "Why the long face? One of your bugs die?" He didn't mean for it to sound sarcastic, but he couldn't help it.
"What?! No!" He said, fearful at the mere mention of it. "It's just... I spoke to Enid and asked if she got my honey and..." he trailed off, looking to his fidgeting hands.
"Hey, you swing and you miss." Hellboy lightly shoved his shoulder. "But, uhh... I don't think Enid was the right lady for you."
"How can you know?"
"Well, for one, she said so." Hellboy shrugged at the obviousness. "But, you should've known from the get-go, she doesn't like bugs."
"But, they're so fascinating and imperative to-"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Bugs are the tits." He said, waving his hand around. The stone wrist grinding against itself. "Look, you struck out and that sucks. But uh... look I'm not good with words. You just gotta get yourself together."
Eugene thought about it, not really understanding the lesson that Hellboy was trying to give him.
"What are you two doing?" Wednesday spoke, appearing as if from nowhere.
"Havin' a pow-wow." Hellboy spoke. "Where have you been?"
"The sheriff's office. He's testing the DNA of the claw and the bloody rag." She answered briskly.
"You're wasting the guy's time." Hellboy stood. "Besides, we know where it's den is. All I've gotta do is post-up near the place and see what happens."
"Not alone you aren't." She spoke calmly, but there was waring in her voice.
"Look, you're scary, I get it. But your kung-fu won't be worth crap against it. Better to leave it with me."
"And if it beats you, you'll likely be mauled to death."
"It won't." Hellboy glared, his temper flaring.
"It's escaped you and taken you by surprise more than once." She retorted, unwilling to back down.
"Exactly, it ran. Whatever it is, it likes to hit and run. It can't take a full on brawl. Whoever it is, can't risk it."
"But they know we're on the scent. If they believe for even a second that they can get the upper hand..." Her eyes narrowed.
"They'll lose it." He spoke deeply. He was getting nowhere with this girl. He started to believe she just enjoyed pissing him off.
"I'm going. Feel free to join me." She was resolute.
"Rghargh!" Hellboy growled, turning to the fountain and smashing his fist onto the wall. The stone crumbled beneath his knuckles as it crushed a large chunk out of it.
Eugene had jumped to his feet once he saw the half-demon turn and raise his arm.
Huffing, he turned back to the pair, glaring at the pale girl.
She smirked before turning and walking inside.
Hellboy growled, his teeth grit tightly for a few moments before he finally settled down.
"C'mon." Hellboy spoke to Eugene. "Let's go hunt a monster."
"You want me to come with?" The resident bug collector beamed, eager to be apart of something.
"Nope." Hellboy answered bluntly, to Eugene's disappointment. "But with the ghoul girl coming, you might as well. Take your mind off the whole rejection thing."
As they followed after Wednesday, they set about concocting a plan to catch the creature.
Later that night, the Rave'N was in full swing. All students gathered, dressing in all white with a few exceptions like Bianca who wore a dress like blue fish scales. She was joined by Xavier. Hellboy chuckled when he saw the outfit the boy had chosen to wear. He looked like a hipster Colonial Sanders.
Hellboy wore his standard monster hunting uniform. A black shirt and jeans. Thick, steel toed boots. And his trenchcoat. His tail wagged freely.
Making his way to the main hall, Hellboy met up with Eugene.
"What's with the bags and... jars?"
"They're supplies. Snacks, water, toilet paper-."
"If you need to go, go now. Believe me, you don't want to be caught with your pants down." Hellboy interrupted. He remembered a time that he went to relieve himself while staking out a wendigo cave... Never again
"I've already went. If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail."
"I guess so. And the jars?"
"In case we come across any rare insects! They're most active at night." He smiled.
"Right." Hellboy nodded, not sure on the boy's fascination. "By the way, what's with- Oh what the hell is THIS crap?" Hellboy scowled, looking towards the stairs. Wednesday descended, clad in a black dress, her hair was tied up tight on her head, but it still had the braids. She was joined by Tyler, who fit the theme of having a white suit, but with a pale blue shirt. "Please tell me you're friggin joking." Hellboy said as she reached the pair.
"There's been... a change of plan."
"You don't say." He muttered, eyes narrowed. "So, you're not coming to scope out the cave?"
"Wait, a cave?" Tyler spoke, a nervous smile on his face.
"This ain't about you, Galpin." Hellboy pointed with his stone finger, earning a flinch from the boy before turning back to Wednesday. "What the hell is your deal?"
"We'll go tomorrow night. Together." Wednesday spoke sternly to the pair, as she saw Eugene about to speak up.
Hellboy made to retort... then he thought about it for a moment.
"Sure. Fine. Whatever. Just don't drink the punch." He said, a smirk on his face.
She gave him an analysing look before turning to the party, Tyler in tow.
Once she entered the main hall, and the pair were out of sight, Eugene spoke up.
"Are we really not going? You know, a hummer doesn't shy away from danger." He spoke bravely, despite what Hellboy knew of him so far.
"Of course we're going." Hellboy said, turning to leave, Eugene following with a wide smile. "It'll be a cold day in hell when she tells me what to do."
21:00 Nothing. The cave was as empty as... well, an empty cave. No signs of the brute. No signs of its helper. Eugene was keeping himself occupied by making audio notes and tracking down rare bugs that he heard around the area.
Hellboy simply leaned against a tree, tapping his leg with his hand. "Hey, Eugene?"
"Is it here!?" The bug collector whispered, looking to the cave.
"What? No. I just wanted to know if you've got a deck of cards or something in your bag. I'm bored." Hellboy muttered as he slid down the tree into a sitting position, his back pressed against it.
"I should have something somewhere in here." Eugene muttered, rummaging around in his pack.
22:40
"Got any queens?" Hellboy said, as he looked at his cards. They had been playing for over two hours waiting for something to happen. Eugene was winning so far, but Hellboy wasn't a quitter.
"Go fish." The bug collector replied, an apparently rare grasshopper sat in a jar beside him.
"Damn it." Hellboy muttered, taking his penalty.
It was only a couple of minutes before the headlights of a vehicle illuminated their position. Hellboy stood quickly, getting behind a tree to hide himself. As much as he wanted to run over there and start swinging with wild abandon, he knew he had to wait. To observe.
"2242 hours. Potential suspect has arrived." Eugene spoke into his phone.
"Shh!" Hellboy hissed.
The figure was obscured by shadows. They wore all black and were obscured by the darkness.
The figure carried a molotov cocktail before throwing down into the cave.
"Yep, that's the guy." Hellboy muttered before stepping out into the open and marching toward the figure. "Hey! You're out past curfew!"
The figure shone their light into his eyes, temporarily blinding him as the figure ran to their car.
"Get back here, you-!" Hellboy cut himself off as he ran to the car, the engine growled.
The tyres screeched as the car reversed. Their were trees behind the car, it wouldn't be able to back up for long without getting stuck. Hellboy smirked as he picked up his pace.
"I got you now you piece of-!"
The car roared as it accelerated toward him. His eyes widened as he stopped himself too late, the car hit his legs first. The moment carried him onto the hood and over the roof of the car. After rolling to the floor, he groaned at the ache in his body.
"You asshole." He muttered, getting to his knees before realising that the car was coming back. "Oh for fu-" The bumper of the car hit him in the head as he blacked out.
Eugene stood, frozen in place as he saw the driver go over Hellboy repeatedly with their car. After the fifth time, the car drove off. Eugene ran to the prone demon, covered in dirt and tyre marks.
"Hellboy!? Hellboy, are you alive!?" He yelled, shaking the half-demon by the shoulders. The only response was a delirious groan. Eugene sighed in relief before a roar rang out through the forest. He turned, looking around the dark rapidly. Each shadow seemed to come alive. Dashing between the trees. Kicking up the dirt.
With a groan, Hellboy sat up. "That... sucked." He groaned. "Please tell me you got that car's licence plate." He groaned as Eugene quickly helped him stand.
"Quick! I heard something coming this way!" Eugene panicked.
Hellboy sobered up almost immediately. His thoughts turned to keeping the boy in front of him safe. "C'mon, let's get back to the school. Stay where I can see you, got it?" Hellboy spoke with authority.
"Got it." Eugene nodded.
The pair set off back to Nevermore, Eugene ran as quick as he could with the pack on his back weighing him down. Hellboy jogged at a steady pace to keep next to Eugene.
Another roar called out. This one closer.
"That's it alright." Hellboy spoke, turning to Eugene. "Don't stop moving. We need to get into the open before it-"
"Behind you!" Eugene yelled, a large figure draped in shadow had emerged from beside Hellboy.
He barely had time to turn before the creature's fist smashed into the side of his head. The force lifted him from his hooves, throwing him back and into the dirt.
His ears rang, his thoughts stopped. His body acted alone as it used the momentum to roll into a standing position.
"Eugene, get the hell out of here!" Hellboy roared. Luckily, the creature seemed to ignore the boy in favour of dealing with the demon. "I'm sick and tired of you." Hellboy growled. It snarled back.
The pair engaged in battle.
Hellboy threw a right hook at the creature's head. It ducked quickly, avoiding the crushing blow.
It swiped up with its claws. Hellboy leaned back, holding his right hand up on instinct. The claws scratched along his stone forearm harmlessly.
Lifting the hand higher, he brought it down onto the monster's head, knocking it down onto its belly.
Grabbing its arm with both hands, Hellboy began swinging it around. It scratched and screamed at him to no avail as he throws the beast into the thickest tree he could see.
He heard something crack as its back hit the tree. He had hoped it was its spine. The cracked wood killed that hope.
The creature stood on all fours. Foam bubbled at the sides of its mouth as it snarled.
Charging on all fours, the creature closed the gap quickly.
Lunging toward him, it was stopped by Hellboy's left hand grabbing it around the throat. The force pushed him back slightly, his boots making small ditches as he stood firm. Hellboy gripped harder, hoping to choke the life out of it.
With it held in place, Hellboy raised his right fist, knuckles primed.
A searing pain erupted from his right shoulder. The creature was quick, smashing it's claws into him, making sure to hook its fingers under whatever it could to cause as much pain as possible.
While Hellboy was distracted, his grip on its throat loosened.
The beast left its claws in his arm, using its other arm to stab him through his bicep. It hooked under the flesh before swinging him up and into the floor.
Hellboy had expected another slam, and readied for it. Instead, the creature stomped on his head several times, the dirt indenting under his skull.
After it was sure he was disoriented, it began dragging him through the mud, making sure to smash him into any obsticle it could find. Stones. Trees. Anything.
Hellboy could not get his bearings as it dragged him. Be he had just enough focus to see where it was going.
"No, no, no!" Hellboy struggled as the creature lifted him before slamming him onto a large log. A thick branch pierced through his side.
Hellboy howled as the brached punched a hole through him. Blood bubbled out of the wound.
It place it's hands on either side of him, it's claws digging into the wood. It leaned down, it's vile breath washing over him.
And it smiled.
It's razor teeth and rotten gums on full display.
"Let him go!" Eugene yelled, swinging a long branch into the creature's back.
It didn't even flinch as the branch snapped.
It turned to him and snarled. Eugene turned and ran, his courage dying quickly.
The creature charged, easily catching up to him and knocking him aside with the back of its fist.
"Eugene! Hellboy!" Wednesday's voice echoed in the darkness.
"Wednesday!" Eugene wheezed as the creature descended upon him.
With a primal roar, Hellboy pulled himself free with a wet slosh. Running on nothing but adrenaline, Hellboy quickly grabbed the log, running toward the creature as its limbs slashed.
"Get offa him!" Hellboy's voice was like an inferno before he swung the log. The force shattered it and knocked the creature aside ten feet away.
Dropping the left overs, Hellboy stood, frozen.
Eugene lie still. Barely breathing as his stomach bled profusely from the massive gash in it.
Snapping twigs and leaves rustling forced Hellboy to look toward the creature as it disappeared into the darkness.
Dropping to his knees, Hellboy applied pressure to the wound. He didn't know if it would help an injury like this. He just wanted to keep the blood and guts inside.
"Eugene!? Hellboy!?" Wednesday appeared, covered in a red substance. Smelled like paint, but it was hard to tell of the iron stink of blood.
"Don't just stand there, help me!" Hellboy roared.
She quickly reached down, tearing at parts of Eugene's clothes before fashioning them into a make-shift bandage. It was almost worthless to stop the blood, but it was better than nothing.
"Oh my God!" A new voice, Miss Thornhill's screamed from behind them. "Is he alive?!"
"Goddamn it, call an ambulance!" His voice was like a storm as the teacher scrambled for her cellphone. He didn't know why she was here. But he didn't have time to figure it out.
Hellboy hoisted Eugene into his arms, being careful not to jostle him. "It's okay little buddy. You're gonna be fine. Just hold on." Hellboy muttered as he ran back toward Nevermore.
End of Chapter!
Well, this one has been half-finished and set on the shelf for a while now. I figured I'd come along and finish it!
Also, I've started to change my writing style a bit to have more paragraphs but shorter ones. I look back at some of my early work and holy shit, I don't know how you all put up with me. It's just walls of text and it makes my eyes hurt. I swear I'll try not to put you through that again.
So, I'm trying to space stuff out a bit more.
Anyway, that's it for this chapter, and my other project is almost done as well.
Also, while I've got you here, do any of you have ideas for filler sections? The parts in the story where Hellboy is on his own with a new monster, or that flashback was because the chapter seemed a bit short, you know? So I needed to fill it in a bit.
But, enough of that, I hope you enjoyed reading this, because I enjoyed writing it!
I will see you when I next see you and hope you have a fantastic day/night.