The Cripple and the Witch (Chapter 4)

The cab screeched to a halt in front of the butcher shop. Police tape still hangs from the broken window of the shop front. Rain pattered the roof of the cab as an old man in a long grey coat stepped out. The man supported himself with a cane carved in black wood, there were symbols etched along the length but they were barely visible from a distance. Despite his age and his limp the man held himself as if nothing fazed him and as he moved he moved with certainty and strength that didn't fit a man of his apparent age. He walks across the street to the opening of an alley police tape blocks it off but he lifts it up with his cane as he hobbles through. He ignored all the marks the police had left on the crime scene as he looked around. After searching for a while he finds on the back wall of the alley behind a dumpster is a brick with a cane etched into it. He pulls a knife from his coat and chips away at the mortar around the brick, in minutes the brick comes out. Behind it is a note.

To my old friend

Tisk tisk your slowing down old friend, mayhaps it is best for you to leave it to the younger generations. Though I must complement you for coming this far, you've put together more than anyone before you. My name, my face, even my past yet there's nothing you can do to stop me, anyone who cares can't do anything and anyone who can do anything just doesn't care. It's really too bad though the game has been getting far less interesting lately, even with me putting on repeat performances they just can't seem to put it all together, not like you did. Maybe I just need to go bigger maybe a family again like yours. But this time who should I make watch, maybe a daughter preferably a teenager, just like your Mary. I always loved the looks she had on her face as she died. But I'm getting a little too nostalgic, it's really poor form. It's just that everything is so impersonal these days what with cell phones, and the internet. All these things just make it too easy and that's not fun at all. As much as I enjoy writing to you, I must be going, the show must go on.  

Your friend

Jim Marco

The signature at the bottom a perfect copy of the man Jim Marco, executed for the murders of Julia, Mary, and Thomas Redding ages 38, 15 and 8 respectively. Jim Marco had been a close friend of Aaron Redding the only member of the family to survive the massacre. Even without testimony from Aaron the conviction was quick and unanimous the evidence overwhelming.

Aaron Redding now age 75 read the note over again as before tossing it to the ground and crushing it with his cane. The ink in the note ran like blood as the rain fell on it, before long all that remained was the signature. Anger flared through Aaron but was quickly brought under control. Anger wouldn't help him not here, not now. The man, if he could be called a man, who killed Aaron family who had left a perfect trail of evidence pointing to an innocent man, wasn't someone who would not be beaten so easily.

"You're late" Aaron says turning sharply to face a figure who had just appeared in the alley. The figure stepped forward out of the shadows. "Oh come now I've made perfect time" the figure said with a smile. Aaron looked over the person, she was of average height wearing a cloak with dyed read hair. "So your Amelia and you say you can find the paths used around here recently." Aaron says coldly. "do you really doubt me, it might not be my specialty but it's not like it's that difficult. So come on let's get going" Amelia say sauntering down the alley. "Ahh here we go she said stopping in front of a dumpster. This is the closes path, though it's not quite the one I would choose." She says and then with a sweep of her hands she opened the path. As soon as she did the dumpster lid shot open crashing to the ground after flying twenty feet into the air. "shit" amelia said immediately reaching under her cloak. Out of the dumpster a rather large insect like creature with blade like fore legs and a four piece mandible. It quickly moved up the wall behind the dumpster as several other creatures appeared from the path. Aaron sighed spinning his cane in his hand and taking a stance that favored one leg. Out of her cloak amelia pulled a small black crystal which glowed softly before exploding into several shards of light. As the light receded the alley grew significantly darker. "Inseral do leave one alive I could always use more pets." Amelia said, as she spoke the shadowy figure of a large cat appeared. It looked at Amelia then jumped and disappeared in a flash. Seconds later one of the insects fell from the wall massive claw marks rupturing the carapace. By now it seems there were about thirty of the creatures moving around to circle Amelia and Aaron but as many as entered through the path were cut down by claws from the shadows.

One of the creatures jumped towards Aaron with its forelegs raised to strike. As it closed the distance Aaron jumped supporting himself on his cane as the creature missed him by a hair. As the creature crashed into the cane sparks flew and it was seared in half. As Aaron landed on his feet he swung his cane around driving back the creatures around him. Amelia was standing in a growing circle of bodies a large wolf at her side and small red spiders crawling across her outstretched arms. It seemed even her shadow was fighting for her as it lashed out with what appeared to be a multitude of different appendages. "enough of this, I don't have any time for this." Aaron says striking his cane against the ground several times. With one more strike lighting spread out and the remaining creatures fell down the carapaces steaming. Despite the blast one of the creatures remained Aaron moved towards it.

"no please leave it, now that its cut off from the hive its quite harmless." Amelia said walking over to the creature and stroking its head.

"Such a confused mind it seems to need someone to control it and that suites me perfectly" she said smiling and with a wave of her hand the creature disappeared and a small charm appeared in her hand which she attached to a bracelet on her wrist.

"Well that was certainly exciting, but I must be going I do suggest you reframe from reopening that. As for my fee this should cover it" she said holding up her wrist the new charm seem to glisten and there seemed to be life in the small metal visage. With that she turned and walked away.

"Wait." Aaron said but before he could finish she had already disappeared leaving only the faint sounds of some unknown beast. Aaron fell to his knees pain shooting through his entire body. A nasty side effect of the power that kept him going, no matter how well trained a man of his age could not survive without some kind of edge. He took it because he had come too far to die here. The pain always grows every time he pushes himself.

"Witch" he snarled through gritted teeth. The pain subsided but not fully, it never did. He had pushed his body too far beyond its limits, driven on by his will alone. He rose to his feet. This had gotten him nowhere, it was irritating how little there was to gain from these scenes. It dawned on him there was something different here. This was not the first time Aaron had followed him through a path, but never before had there been such a trap. What was different here what had changed? Though the question nagged him there was nothing he could do at present. The cab had left long ago. There was no further reason to stand in this abhorrent rain. He pulled a small folded map from his pocket. The map was ancient scrawled in some long forgotten language on something on some form of cloth. Aaron had never bothered to learn what the map said or what part of the world it depicted. He had it because it allowed the opening of paths. The map was however very specific in where and how it functioned. It could create a path connecting the hearts of any too cities. The trick was to find the heart of a city in the first place, it wasn't always where you would expect and it want always in the same place. As he looked at the map he wondered where to go, he had no other leads at present. He could always go and ask rather pointed questions of some of the nastier things that lived in the dark but that hadn't gotten him anywhere recently. Instead of making more enemies he decided to visit an old friend, if he could be called that. He folded the map up and put it back in his pocket. The man he was going to visit was called Hunter, if he had a last name no one knew it, he ran a comic shop a decent walk away.

Though the rain was irritating the walk would give him time to think. Nothing came to mind as he walked other than that he was getting drenched. The rain had begun to subside as he reached the store front. The awning in front said COMICS in large red letters on a black background. Not very creative but then it was what it was, it was the kind of place you went to find those things which were really hard to get your hands on. That didn't only apply to the comics and other collectibles. Hunter ran a side business, though it probably turned a much larger profit, as a dealer in artifacts and objects of power. He wasn't a good man by any stretch mostly because he would sell anything to anyone if they paid enough, especially those things that were bad for them or others. The things he kept on the premises were pretty standard fair for the trade but it was his knack for acquiring things no one else could upon request and payment of an exorbitant sum. Aaron never understood what he did with the money the shop always looked a little run down.

The store was of course closed but that really didn't matter he wasn't here to buy comics. When you deal with things that go bump in the night you have to have very liberal business hours and a locked door was not really an obstacle. It allows surprised Aaron how the door was never broken but then again there are some rumors of very nasty things that happen to those who don't play nice in Hunters's shop. Aaron reached into his pocket and pulled out a small key. The key wasn't anything special simply enchanted to open most simple mechanical locks and minor magical ones. It wouldn't work on anything with a vested interest in keeping people out. This was a business however and Hunter relied on his usefulness and the fact that it's really hard to know what someone who deals in magic items might have up his sleeves. This reputation served him a lot better than any fancy security system. The key turned in the lock and the door swung open silently. Aaron closed it behind him it would be impolite to do otherwise. The lights remained off but that was expected there are some deals that can only happen in the dark.

"Hey Aaron so nice to see you, Hunter is on one of his walks again but he should be back soonish to open up" the voice was cheerful as always. Sarah stepped forwards into view. She was a tall brunette, she wore a short skirt and a tight top. She was probably eighteen nowr. She was a relitivly new part of Hunter's business. Its been ten years since he took her in as a kind of adopted daughter. He really didn't seem like that kind of person and his profession wasn't kid friendly. She seemed to be doing reasonably well with it though and she retains that optimistic  and cheerful attitude she had when she was younger, something that is really surprising in the world she has been a part of. That attitude is just one side of her, Hunter hasn't explained entirety of her background but something happened that left her different then most girls her age. When a few kids decided to vandalize the store a sixteen year old Sarah found them. The EMT's were surprised at the sheer amount of damage these youth had sustained. Sarah was never caught and it never seemed to faze her if it came up.

"Greetings, Sarah nice to see you." Aaron said with a slight bow. It never hurts to show respect to your hosts. Sarah walk forwards smiling and gave Aaron a hug.

"it's been a long time Aaron, how goes the hunt" She says after letting go. Sarah had heard a lot of stories about Aaron and his crusade. It never seemed to bother her. She took his coat and placed it on a rack in the back of the store. Aaron held on to his cane only for its use as a cane. He was a guest and therefore was under the protection of his hosts as long as he acted appropriately. An archaic system but one that worked especially with people like Hunter. A good portion of the various magical items in it were bought here. The most important of which was the cane Aaron was still holding. A powerful artifact which sustains an empowers the wielder so long as there will remains. The backlashes from its effects are devastating but if the wielder can take the repercussions they can recover from almost anything and match strength and speed with even the most dangerous magical creatures. Aaron never asked where it came from it suited his needs perfectly and sometimes it's better not to know.

"When will Hunter be back?" Aaron asked looking around. The shop was in its usual state of semi-disarray. All the comics were sealed and stored nicely but there seemed to be no order to it boxes stack in random location and nothing marked their contents. Aaron had asked once why it wasn't more organized. The answer was along the lines of if someone's willing to go through the trouble of finding something in there then they'll pay more for it.

"That bad, oh well hope we can help." Sarah said ignoring the question. She turned and headed up a staircase in the back. The stairs creaked as she walked up them. Not the most sophisticated security measure but it was surprisingly effective. Aaron followed shortly after mildly annoyed. If you pay enough attention you would notice the dark staircase was longer than it should have been. As Aaron reached the top of the stairs he entered a well lit room. The room was large, larger than it had any right to be. The wall were lined with shelves filled with boxes and jars and other more archaic containers. In the center of the room were several piles of boxes some half open and at the center stood a sarcophagus it was closed but Aaron wondered if it still contained a mummy.

"Sorry for the mess. We just got a shipment in from eqypt and sorting takes a while especially since I can't do it alone. Too many things that could go wrong he says." Sarah says from behind the boxes. Her voice was cheerful till though Aaron noticed a hint of annoyance at the last part. There was tension in the air as if something was about to explode. A manifestation of the powerful magic protection in place. They weren't there to keep people out but rather to keep the items in check. Most of it was low level stuff but you never know. Things aren't always what they seem.

"Oh come on Aaron, its mostly safe. Nothing's going to bite you no matter how hard it tries. And you know you don't have to worry about me, as long as your nice." She said the last part wasn't so much a threat as a statement of fact. As he walked towards Sarah one of the jars fell from its place on the shelf. The jar was filled with what appeared to be grey smoke. It began rolling towards him but Aaron glared at it and it seemed to think twice and stopped moving. He went over and picked it up placing it back on the shelf whatever was inside stayed put this time.

"its always trying that" Sarah said laughing. She didn't elaborate further and Aaron knew better than to ask. With stuff like that it's better not to know unless you really need to. Sarah pointed to a table set up in a side room which looked like a normal dining room.

"You must be tired and atleast a little hungry." She said going off before he could answer. Aaron sat down at the table it felt good to be able to rest for a bit. After a few minutes Sarah came back with a bowel filled with instant ramen. Aaron looked at it inquisitively

"We don't keep much around the house. Hunter seems to oppose food shopping as a concept." She said. Aaron took what he was given gratefully, it was better than nothing. Next she brought out three glasses and an unlabled bottle filled with some brownish liquid. It was some strong kind of liquor but other than that Aaron couldn't tell. She put the glasses on the table along with the bottle and filled two of them passing one to Aaron.

"Aren't you a little young to drink?" Aaron said jokingly.

"Don't you start with that. I spend all day handling things that would drive most people insane and I can replicate Jekyll's original formula from memory. I'll be damned if anyone is gunna tell me what I can and can't drink." She answered defiantly. Aaron dropped the subject it wasn't his place, he would let Hunter deal with that and he wished him good luck. Though he rarely drank nowadays, he was already pushing his body farther than it was meant to go, it was customary and it was a kind gesture. So he took his class and took a sip. It burned like hell but it lessened the pain that had become his constant companion.

"Good isn't it, not sure where he gets it but there's nothing else like it." Sarah said smiling. She was already most of the way through her own glass. She began pouring another glass for herself. But before she could raise it to her lips it was snatched away.

"What have I said about drinking, my dear." Hunter said standing behind her holding the glass. He was wearing a expensive looking white suit. On most people it would seem flashy but he wore it with an air of dignity. His hair was black but greying considerably given him an older appearance his face was unremarkable the kind of face easily forgotten. An unremarkable man who had made a name for himself in a world where the remarkable was commonplace. Sarah seemed annoyed but surprisingly said nothing.

"Aaron what brings you to my abode. Need something new or maybe something old, it would suit you better." He said smiling. "it has been a while since you've stopped by I was beging to think you'd finally run yourself into the ground."

"Not me, Hunter you know that. I'm not stopping till he's dead, to hell with the consequences." Aaron replied. It was easy speaking to Hunter. He was as much a friend as Aaron had.

"I expect nothing less." Hunter said laughing. He sat down still holding the drink in his hand.

"I'm not really here for anything in particular. I was nearby and I need time to sort through what I have." Aaron said looking at Hunter. Without either of them noticing Sarah had left. She had no interest in being ignored. They would find her if they needed her for anything.

"I am running a business here and normally I don't allow guests to stay here but you've been a good customer and my daughter seems fond of you so ill allow it." Hunter said matter-of-factly. Aaron had known him long enough to not take offense. Hunter presented himself as a pure business man and acted only to serve those interests but he could be oddly sentimental about certain things. Aaron raised his glass

"To your business and mine." He said. A phrase that had become a toast between the two for many years. They both drank deep. For a while neither spoke, sometimes its best to just sit and rest when in the company of friends, as they were.

Hunter spoke first "It seems to be a night for visitors though I don't think these shall be as pleasant company as you." He said. Aaron had noticed nothing that would have signaled the arrival of more guests. To say people would be assuming far too much. "Sarah go bring them up before they get impatient, and please act civilly. Blood is so difficult to clean up." Aaron could hear the creak of the stairs as Sarah descended to greet these newcomers.

"Should I be going? It seems you have customers." Aaron asked. Hunter looked at him and smiled. It wasn't the kind of smile that had anything to do with happiness. It was the kind of smile people had when they were planning something particularly nasty. Aaron was slightly worried for whoever had come to visit.

"I do think you'll find this quite interesting. And maybe having another person here will keep them from doing something foolish." Hunter said knowingly. Now Aaron was interested, most of the people who he had seen come through here over the years had acted quite civilly either cause they were afraid of the consequences or they knew it was just bad business to screw with someone who was selling you a powerful item. Whoever they were they were either really confident with good reason or just really stupid. The latter would certainly be simpler. The stairs creaked once again as Sarah returned. She seemed rather irritated as she entered the room followed closely by two figures dressed in business attire one of whom was carrying a brief case. Both looked like they were in there twenties and they moved with confidence.  Until they spoke they seemed entirely human.

"You have not acquired that which we asked for." They said in unison. Though they spoke in English their voices spoke were anything but human the sound grated on the soul itself. A flash of shock crossed their faces as no one even flinched.

"I do believe I told you last time I wasn't taking the job. Its not my fault you left the money." Hunter said calmly. A slight smile on his face.

"You took our money you will deliver or you will be found in breach of contract." They said. They still seemed confident in their position.

"I made no such contract. No go away your lowering the market value of my shop just be standing there." Hunter said. Aaron look to the floor which was rotting away where the figures stood. This statement sparked a flare of anger in their faces but it was quickly brought under control.

"You dare defy us mortal. We will bring the full might of Hell to your door." They said anger was apparent in their words and it burned the air around them. Aaron gripped his cane tight. He had avoided demons till now they were incredibly dangerous and known for doing terribly distressing things to those who defy them. Hunter just sat back in his chair and laughed it was a hearty laugh as if he was drinking amonst friends sharing stories of triumphs and failures alike.

"If you could do that you wouldn't need me in the first place. Secondly what makes you think two half assed pipsqueaks like you are going to intimidate me." He said with a confidence Aaron had never heard before. The air in the room had changed, where as it had been dominated by the demons hellish presence now it was filled with something new and inexplicable. Hunter seemed like more that he had before as if he had changed into something far greater.

"We will end you human, but not before we tear apart all you hold dear. You shall watch as we flay the skin from that girl of your and tear the still beating heart from your friends chest. That will be where we will start. We will not let them die until we have taken our pleasure. Then and only then we will turn to you and you shall wish you shared their fate." They roared as they spoke their bodies changed their skin cracked and bubbles flames sprouted from their bodies burning away their clothes. They grew horns and tails with razor sharp tips. The floor began to  burn and everything began to decay the drink turned to some bubbling foul liquid. The demons took control again. "Now bow before us and promise to obey and we shall only make you suffer for a little while. Though we will take the girl. She shall make a nice pet." At that Sarah began brimming with rage it felt almost palpable. A gruesome blade appeared in her hands its edge razor sharp and its length was barbed with looked like steel thorns. The demons laughed. She began to surge forward. But was stopped in her tracks by Hunter who had stepped between her and the demons.

"You come to my place of business making ridiculous requests. You threaten my family and my guests. Your presence destroys my home. I will not tolerate this. You have made a grave error this day and your luck has run out. Though you will not live long enough to rue these decisions." Hunter said. His voice calm and controlled but it strained him to do so. He spoke with absolute authority as if nothing he said could be denied. Despite themselves the demons took a step back. A gauntlet appeared over his right hand it was stained with blood, but its razor edges gleamed incredibly bright. The gauntlets design was incredibly cruel thorns stuck out at random angles designed to tear the flesh. The fingers came to points. The knuckles were lined with razors. Looking at it brought a sense of despair even to Aaron's callused heart. The air filled with a sense of death. Imaged flashed through Aarons mind. They all contained people dying none died in peace each death was filled with blood. Blades and flames flashed through his mind each tearing into flesh or burning it away. Gunfire blazed, cannons roared. Everyway a man could die violently appeared in his mind. He could see the psychic shockwave effecting Sarah and even the demons who stepped back again. Hunter stood at the center of it all. His once unremarkable figure seemed larger than life.

"What are you?" the demons hissed fear in their voices. Hunter laughed there was no warmth in it. It was an empty thing.

"You truly are fools. But you shall be relieved of that soon." He said his voice could not be ignored but it was as empty as his laugh. It was a dead man's voice. With this the demons pulled themselves together. They threw their hands out dark energies shot forward the energies corrupted the air itself. Hunter intercepted these energies with the gauntlet he wore. Wind formed as the air violently moved around the gauntlet which harmlessly dispersed the energy. Hunter began to walk forward towards the demons each step sure and steady neither rushed or slow as implacable as death. One of the demons ended his attack and began speaking a binding spell.

"Foolish creatures, I am an aspect of death you cannot stand against me. You cannot bind me. Now die for your insolence." Hunter spoke in that hollow voice. What stood in that room wasn't a man it was the embodiment of death, not the death that comes silently in the night or the death in which you wither away, no this was the kind of death that comes with blood and pain. With that Hunter moved forward. The gap between him and the demons closed in an instant. His hand shot forward and pierced the first demons chest tearing flesh and shearing bone without even the slightest difficulty. The demon screamed for the first time in its existence it felt pain and knew death was close. The demons heart was beating in Hunter's hand in an instant and its body fell to the floor its chest torn asunder from the barbs on the gauntlet. The other demon turned to run.

"As all things are bound by death I bind thee." Hunter spoke and the demon stopped in his tracks. Hunter struck the second demon slashing the bladed gauntlet across its face. It screamed in agony its already twisted face was shredded to bits cuts ran to the bone. In seconds the demon was dismembered each of Hunter's strikes dealing massive damage to the demons body. The demon died in pieces bleeding and screaming. Hunter stood the image of violent death itself his white suit drenched in the demons blood which seemed to spark. The gauntlet disappeared from his hand leaving nothing but bare skin with blood running down it and the aura he had been exuding faded. What remained was the unremarkable figure of Hunter as he had been before. He looked down at his bloody stained suit and scoffed.

Sarah spoke first "I'll go call the cleaners." She said but her tone was not her useful cheerful self. What had happened had hit her hard but she would be damned if she would show it. With that she left quickly leaving Aaron standing with Hunter in the dining room with the ever growing pool of blood.

"If you attempt to strike me down I understand. I'm an embodiment of that which you have tried to destroy for so long. And if you must ask I am not the one you seek though I may have an idea." Hunter said in his calm voice. His years of experience have allowed Aaron to control his rage but they almost failed him as he stared down that which he thought of as a friend. As he fought the tide of emotions washed over him the cane in Aarons hand began to glow.

"Tell me what you know before I crush your skull." Aaron said his voice filled with rage.

"Now that would be quite interesting to see, but I believe that will have to wait. It seems my actions caught the attention of those on both sides." Hunter responded as he did two figures appeared one resplendent in golden armor, the other cloaked in a dark red mist and aura of murder and decay surrounded him. "Uriel, Berith behave yourselves." Hunter said.

"Heaven will not take orders from the likes of you." Uriel said his voice filled with heavenly power.

"I care not as long as you bring me the blade." Berith said his voice burned the air. Some of the strongest forces in heaven and hell were arrayed before him but Aaron cared not his staff glowed brighter as his rage grew.

"Enough of this I will have my answers and all of you be damned" Aaron shouted striking his cane against the ground. Both angel and demon flinched as it impacted the ground.

"Very well. The man you seek first called himself …" Hunter began to reply.

"The insolence heaven will not be ignored." Uriel said regaining his composer

"Do not tempt me mortal I could kill you on a whim." Berith said simultaneously. Though he seemed more focused on Hunter.

"I have no intention of helping either of you so leave now." Hunter said though it wasn't pointed at either figure.

"I would love to see you clean up your own mess but I really had such arrogant assholes." Sarah said from the other room and both figures vanished quite in a violent burst of light. "Taken care of."

"Cain and I do mean the biblical figure. Though it isn't definite he is certainly the best candidate." Hunter said finishing his statement to Aaron. Aaron didn't react he still stood there as he had before.

"I should end you right here and now but I won't out of respect for what you've done for me." Aaron said. His rage subsiding. He began to think about it all. Hunter may very well be that which he most despised but he had never lied about what he was he just let people think what they wish. There were a lot of questions here most of which pertained to what the hell an embodiment of death was doing living this kind of life. It was at this point a rather irate Sarah came into the room and slapped Hunter across the face.

"What the hell I'm your daughter I don't care what the hell you are. You've done a lot for me taking me in after what I did. Are you really so arrogant to think you had the right to hide this from me." She said infuriated.

"You really don't remember. You called me to you not as the man I am but as that which I represent." Hunter said. As he spoke his face change looking younger his hair became darker and he wore an all-black suit. "If you don't remember than it is best I tell you how you came to be in my care. As an aspect of Death people call to me all the time with their thoughts and deeds, but I have a business to run and I ignore them on principle. But one day ten years ago I heard a call much clearer than the others, clear enough to spark my interest. So I opened my mind and my power. I saw a young girl around eight years old sitting in a dark room the walls were concrete and there was only one door which amounted to nothing more than a metal slab. The room was small and dirty and the little girl was huddled in a corner clutching something. I wondered what had called me here until I touched the girls mind. I saw in her mind what this place was. It was a place where men came to satisfy desires which could not be done in the light of day. There was no fear no despair in her mind only rage and the conviction to fight or die. I had never seen this in a child before especially one so young. Now I was intrigued, though I knew her resistance would prove futile. There was nothing an eight year old girl could do in this situation no matter how angry. I noticed the small bone she clutched in her tiny hands. I belonged to some small creature though I didn't bother to figure it out. She had sharpened it to a point. I was about to break the connection when the door creaked open. A man stepped into the room only his silhouette was visible in the doorway. She had called me here across most of the world it was only fitting I watch her die. I would claim her soul and give it the peace it deserved. And so I remained. The man was not very imposing but then he was still much larger than the girl. He went to grab her. She jumped on him and stabbed that tiny bone without aim. Simply trying to strike out in some way against her captors. The man threw her off and she crashed against the wall I could feel her conciseness fading despite her will. I turned to the man who moved towards her as he did he pulled the tiny bone out of where it had lodged in his neck. It was so tiny as to seem harmless. But I could feel it and I laughed through sheer luck, for I knew that lazy sow fate had nothing to do with it, she had hit an artery. The man held his hand to his neck as blood shot out. He screamed obscenities at her as he kick her repeatedly each hit nearly picking up her small body. But slowly the kicks got weaker and weaker as the blood drained from his body. He fell the rest of his life draining away into the ever growing pool of blood. I turned to the girl her body beaten she stood on the brink of death. Oddly enough I knew it wasn't her time and despite the crippled state of her body she stood up, a feat which should have been impossible. I could see her drawing on some kind of energy maybe some minor magic she had held within her body. Now I was impressed. The strength of her calling grew stronger strong enough that I could step through with ease. Maybe it was because it intrigued me maybe it was cause I was starting to like this little girl who killed with blood and rage. I choose to step through the connection. I stood behind her a silent figure. She may have noticed me had she not been so consumed in her own mind. Before stumbling out the door she took a knife off the dead man's belt. I looked massive in her tiny hands so large she needed two hands to hold it steady. As she moved I walked with her the embodiment of violent death in all its power, or as much as I can manifest. I had no intention to interfere but she seemed worthy of my presence. I could see other prisons assumedly holding more girls like her. 'As all are free in death I free thee' I spoke my words echoing throughout the building. Still the girl didn't notice but others did. At my command all the doors opened freeing the prisoners within. I wouldn't interfere with this her but I saw no reason not to turn this into a slaughter. Many of the prisoner remained in their cells to scared to move but others fled. It seemed this was a rather large operation and several armed guards began to attempt to subdue their captives, who covered a vast range of ages and appearances. Some surrender, some fought back many died. It seemed I caught the attention of the guards far more than the girl I followed. I really don't appreciate being shot at. All those who attacked me died I tore them apart with my bare hands. There was chaos all around but it mattered little to that girl who seemed to move with purpose striking against any in her way. She was far too weak to do much but an unseen knife can be quite lethal and the guards were distracted. I strode through the crowd following her still wonder what motivated her. The struggle was quick and bloody only a few survived. Those who did simply fled from the scene before them. I would not have that I killed them as they ran moving matching their speed with ease and striking with whatever was at hand. When I was finished I stood alone surrounded by the dead and dying blood covered every surface pooling on the floor and flowing in small rivers. I turned to find the girl, more wondering whether she had survived this final slaughter. I felt a cold breeze and turned to see a door ajar on one wall. It lead outside and so curious I went. The landscape was barren and snow covered. I walked forward unfazed by the cold, following small footprints in the ground. I walked unhurriedly for almost ten minutes till I found her. That inexplicable strength finally failing, she lay in a snow bank. I could see her freezing to death. I looked around and sure enough there stood another figure shrouded in a grey cloth. Another aspect of death though it had only manifested because of my presence. The figure strode forward silently to claim her. In that moment I decided that I would not allow this, she had called to me and I had seen her strength, she was mine to claim. She would not die like this her death would be bloody as see fought till her last breath. My mind made up I stood between the figure and the girl. I could see it was puzzled for it lacked the capacity to think as I did being only an idea and not an embodiment. It could not comprehend what stood in the way of its purpose. I could not kill it for it had no true form so instead I banished it. From that moment that girl could not die at least not in this place and not in that way. Without other recourse I took her in as my ward until she met her fate. That girl was you Sarah." Hunter spoke in his calm voice. As he finished his story Sarah seemed to regain her composure as if many things had been made clear. She had remembered only that last scene as she left that place filled with so much death. she turned and walked away for despite it all she was still an eighteen year old girl and she would never show how this had affected her. Aaron stood having listened to the tale for it was not his place to interrupt such things and because Sarah had always reminded him of what he had lost.

"I still have many questions for you." Aaron said to Hunter. He still hadn't made up his mind about what to do with this new information.

"In time I may very well answer them but I cannot do so at present as the spell which banished our latest guest will not keep them away for long. I believe it is best for you to leave, you have your own business to attend to." Hunter said. It annoyed Aaron but he also had no intention in getting involved with whatever Heaven and Hell were fighting over. And so he left to hunt down Cain a killer as old as humanity itself.

Hunter stood alone in his rather disheveled dining room. He knew the forces which had turned their attention to him were not to be trifled with. The blade they sought was called Iron, possibly the most powerful artifact he had ever encountered. Normally he would have found and sold it to whichever had paid more but he had already sold it. He was not the kind of man to take back what he had already sold. He could have sold them the name of his customer, something he had done before, but he would not do that to one he considered a friend.