Chapter 9: Bad Touch

Through her own research and the information stolen from the police, Lorelai was able to figure out where the Sons of Blood made their deliveries for Angrboða. So as it turns out, Lorelai still hadn't hit the mark, the true headquarters was still out of reach for now, but she'd find them eventually and a secondary location was a good place to continue that search. It wasn't too far away actually, but that made sense, as the criminals and delinquents involved had territory around the city where Lorelai currently lived. It was a pretty good location as far as crime was concerned, as although it was close to several old highways, it was an area that was rundown and unused. You'd get the occasional homeless person or a few teenagers looking to drink and party, but most of the time this place was just known for wild dogs and coyotes. Not to mention, mostly deserted or not, it was still technically gang territory, therefore, it was unlikely for anyone to poke around too much or if they did, they wouldn't be around for long. 

Lorelai was also pretty sure that someone high up, or even a couple of someones in the local police department had been paid off so it wasn't likely that any officers would come even if called. So seeing as Lorelai was free this evening, already done with school, food prep, and friends, she would be going on a good old-fashioned recon/stakeout. It would certainly be fun to go in guns blazing, but after several decades, it got old and besides that, it might be too dangerous if there were civilians involved, which was almost a guarantee. Lorelai would have to be careful and not get caught, as she couldn't blow her cover if people's lives were really on the line, but of course, like always, she came prepared. 

This wasn't just a snatch-and-grab like with her targets nor a simple takedown, or at least Lorelai hoped it wouldn't be, but if shit went south she might have to get her hands dirty. If all the clues and information really led where Lorelai thought they were leading, then this was most likely a major location of a sex and slave trade ring. If those in charge knew someone was on to them, they could set a trap and would most definitely change locations. Even worse, they'd most likely get rid of dead weight, a.k.a. innocent people who somehow got tied up in this, it was something Lorelai had encountered in the past. So keeping all that in mind, Lorelai brought all the things she'd need for a fight while not playing to engage anyone tonight unless it was absolutely necessary.

Lorelai loaded up her stuff, packing everything she couldn't fit into her backpack into the secret compartments she built on either side, they ran along the seat and a perfect spot for weapons. After throwing on her gear, Lorelai rode out into the night on her bike, weaving through the few cars that lined the streets, soon turning off her headlights as she approached her target. It was just outside the city, in between where she lived now and her hometown, but that made sense as most things she found on Angrboða involved where she was born or was reborn anyway. She wondered, seeing as the group had been around so long, if they had information on her, or more so, when she was alive, but Lorelai let that thought be as the likelihood would be very low. Getting her hopes up would only make things worse, even if she did have a life before, it was extremely unlike that any family she had was still alive.

Lorelai soon arrived, hiding her bike within a small cluster of nearby trees, not too far from where she was going in case she needed a quick getaway. Not that she ever needed to make a quick getaway but still, after her near screw-up with the detective, she was extra cautious, she needed to be as in this line of work, there were no second chances. So Lorelai would be extra careful from now on, making sure to remind herself every day, even if it was annoying and for the most part unnecessary. Lorelai was incredibly fast and strong after all, picking up many tricks of the trade, she could pick any lock and escape any trap, she put any spy to shame. 

Lorelai first surveyed the ground and surrounding area, the coast was clear and there was nothing on the ground that would trip her up or make lots of noise so she made her move. She took off, moving like the wind, not making a sound as she leaped onto the side of the old factory turned warehouse, scaling the thing as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Lorelai made her way onto the roof, being extra careful as it was metal and rusty, prone to crumble and make extra noise, not to mention unstable but even so, she didn't have any trouble. The building was large and Lorelai was exactly sure where to start, not to mention, with three pretty much identical doors she wasn't quite sure which one was the entrance, the back door, or the side door. I mean Lorelai managed to get a copy of the original blueprints for this place but they were 80 years old and this place had changed since then. 

However, out of the corner of her eye, Lorelai noticed something on the other side of the roof, carefully making her way towards it. She found herself staring into the building as there was a hole in the roof, barely covered by a tarp, perhaps it was properly attached at one point but now, there was a clear way in. The room was dark, even more so when considering it was nighttime, so there wasn't even any sunlight to help anyone look around. Luckily for this mission though, Lorelai wasn't just anyone, as being able to see in the dark was one of her specialties, among other things. 

Lorelai's pupils began to grow wide, adjusting to the darkness, to the point where they almost completely encompassed her entire irises, appearing very cat-like. The room itself wasn't all that interesting, it was small, an old forgotten broom closet by the looks of it, but then again, with a large hole in the ceiling, it seemed likely that no one would want to spend time in there. The place was full of old junk though, making it quite tricky for Lorelai to jump down without making noise, it wasn't impossible but it would take a few minutes for her to figure out a safe way down. However, as it turned out, getting in unnoticed was the least of her problems as a much bigger one was looming behind her. 

Lorelai moved at the last possible moment, being too focused on her current task to notice someone sneaking up on her. To be fair though, it wasn't something she expected, regretting her lack of preparation as she fell backwards through the hole. Yes, she managed to dodge a direct strike from her opponent, but it caught her so off guard that she stumbled, breaking the edge of the rotten roof and had nothing to grab onto. Lorelai landed with a loud thud, pain shooting up through her spine as the sounds of her less-than-graceful landing echoed all around her. The distance from the roof to the cold concrete floor would have broken the back of any human, if not killed them and if Lorelai had the time, she would have taken a moment to thank the Gods she wasn't one in that moment. But Lorelai didn't have the time, sensing multiple enemies approaching her location, not to mention the one who was barrelling down on top of her a moment after landing. 

Lorelai rolled away onto her stomach just as the one from above came down, slamming against where she was lying not second before. The landing however was so intense that it caused Lorelai to fly up and back but that worked in her favour as she managed to get to her feet even quicker. She didn't stay in one place for long, her normally slow heart racing beyond comprehension, her mind running on instinct as she made her move. Before the man could react Lorelai leaped forward and with one swinging back kick she sent his head flying from his shoulders, crashing and lodging itself into the wall. 

The moments to follow were hollow and cold, as the pain of falling over 15 meters and landing on junk and concrete hit Lorelai all at once. The adrenaline-like rush her inhuman body would grant her was fading as the immediate threat had passed, with Lorelai nearly dropping to her knees from the pain. But she could push through it, even if it had been a long time since she had experienced so much pain, Lorelai knew she couldn't fall here, she couldn't lose herself now. However, as the reality of her actions set in, Lorelai realized that she might have gone too far and that she didn't have as much control over her mind and body as she thought. Decapitating someone in such a way would no doubt leave too many problems if the body was discovered, as it was hardly something a human was capable of. 

"What the-" Lorelai said to herself, nearly out loud, for as she turned back to the location of the body and head, her gaze only off the man for a second, she found that he was gone. She approached the spot, finding the concrete dented from where the man landed, Lorelai paused, was he a man, or something else? It was too hard to tell in the moment as surviving being attacked took all of her attention but replaying the scene in her mind, not really believing it herself. The shape of this figure was much wider and taller than any normal man could, or at least, one capable of moving in such a manner, as usually such a hefty individual would be unable to move with such speed. His sudden disappearance, it was quite suspicious as well, there was no sound, other than the noise that came when a few small pieces of wall debris hit the floor when said head vanished. Loreali investigated for a few moments, the only thing that was out of the ordinary was a little chess-sized statue that was missing its head. 

There was no time to think about it further as there were now people outside of the closet door, with Lorelai having to move quickly, her mind racing about what she should do. She slipped the chess-like piece into one of many pockets and leaped up towards the door, digging her fingernails into the wall while the tips of her boots balanced on the doorframe. The swung open not a second later, with the strength used to open it nearly taking the door off its hinges and knocking Lorelai from her hiding spot. Never in her life had Lorelai attempted so hard to become one with something, her whole body tensing as she pressed herself closer and closer to the wall's surface. The light from the hallway was bright and Lorelai could see the rough outline of a person slowly entering but seeing as the room was so dark, Lorelai would not be easily noticed. That was except for all but the tips of her boots which were close enough to the light source to be seen, if one was looking close enough that is. 

Not getting caught in a situation like this wasn't usually at the top of her to-do list as typically, she could take everyone out before anyone escaped or anyone new showed up. However, in this case, there was something about this whole scenario that was screaming at Lorelai to hide and be careful, that this would be the hardest mission she faced yet. 

Lorelai's worst fears were proven right as the enemy in question walked through the door, looking around and investigating the noises he heard. Each heavy and loud step echoed through the room and hall, and what once sounded like the approach of multiple enemies turned out to be just one. There was one thing for certain, Lorelai would take on several platoons of well-armed forces over this, as somehow, that would be the easier fight. You might think she was being a little over dramatic but a battle where you no nothing of your opponent is always more difficult, and Lorelai had no intel at all on whatever this guy was.

Lorelai had no idea what she was looking at as the enemy entered the room, but he was big and wide just like the other one but with actual light, she could finally make out the details. Lorelai couldn't see his face but from her top-down perspective, she could see the creature in question had no hair and large flat ears that looked almost painted on. He wasn't wearing clothes but also didn't have any genitals, or at least, Lorelai couldn't see any but the weirdest of all was the fact that his skin was thick and cracked, appearing like stone. Lorelai knew he wasn't human, realizing in that moment while looking him over that he had no distinct scent, it's how the other one got the jump on her. Lorelai knew she'd have to act, but she'd have to attack based on guesses and what she'd observed so far, which was next to nothing. These Stone Men were strong and quick, despite being seemingly heavy they were durable as well with no scent, so Lorelai would have to stay on her toes and not let her guard down for a single moment.