Chapter Three

The hunt was one, jumping through the window of an old house with a loud shattering noise. He could hear them breathing loudly, yelling commands and trying to corner him in this small village. He’d never even heard of it until he’d been chased into it, why were people so insistent on hilling him.

Although ordinarily humans did not scare him, they couldn’t kill him so easily after all, but the possibility of capture was a very strong one. He watched from the top of the church steeple, blending completely with the starless darkness of the night, if the cities were bad the little suburbs were worse.

St something, that’s all he’d been able to read on the sign, St. Apparently a saint had lived here, or it could be the two first letters to some rather peculiar name that no one could pronounce. The cement was cracked beyond repair, grass and moss growing on the ground, now littered with paper and garbage.

He could see candle lights coming from one of the houses, or what passed for a house in the present circumstances, although it had once been a small time bank. Caisse populaire, some sort of french word, despite his long life he had never gotten that damned language.

He smirked at the sight of the hunters, nothing but a crowd of middle aged men and women who’d been offered a great sum of whatever they wanted if they came with his head, his quarrel wasn’t with them however, his quarrel was with something much stronger than a riot of hungry schmucks.

After going through the village, exploring every house and shack they’d left in less than an hour, thinking he’d probably left town a long time ago. Jumping down from the steeple he landed with a crouch upon the road, pulling a picture of a bald man from his pocket, the death mark painted over his face with his blood.

He was going to get his revenge, The City would suffer for what they’d done but most importantly, president Ackles would die for what he’d done. He’d lost his entire family, his entire community because of those rich bastards hiding in The City, hogging all the goods and ignoring the fact that plagues and famines were taking over the world.

But until the right time came he could be patient, he could tolerate the monster within him urging for blood and violence because he knew that had been the end of all the others, werewolves had a bad reputation of being savage, and Grimm was very savage but he would hide until the time was right, wait until he met someone worthy of his allegiance.

***

According to van we were missing one member, something about needing a pentad to replace the current pentad. Pentad as in the Pentad knights, the five leaders of The City government, the ones who had begun all this trouble in the first place. Dexter taking a leisurely nap on one seat with Vanessa who sat on the other side, looking outside at the streaming background of dead fields and dying forests, poisoned water slowly killing everything off.

Looking at Frank he asked, " So, when this hummer does run out of gas what exactly did you have in mind? Fund raisers, motivational speakers, magical nine league boots?" Looking with an annoyed side glance, bags under his eyes showing him the twelve hours straight of driving was getting to him.

The fuel gauge was half way down, and from the looks of it no cities or villages were going to just pop out any time soon. " We’ll cross that bridge when we get there, we can’t start thinking of what’s going to go wrong because..."

This was comical, " Oh, I got ya, the ostrich approach. Just bury your head under ground and if you don’t see it, maybe it won’t see you? Sorry, let me restate myself then." Pulling his coat a bit to look less worn he said in an exaggerated deep voice, " We’re doing so swell, the city just got blown up but look at the bright side, at least we’re not there."

Smiling at the sudden silence Marcus opened the glove department where a stack of cds were found, pulling them out he frowned at the selection available. Ricky Martin, Michael Jackson, Shaniah Twain, good music was such a rare commodity.

Putting in the Ricky Martin cd he could barely hear the music, cranking the volume full he looked with amusement as Dexter jerked awake in a sudden jolt, looking completely lost for a minute. He said back at Dexter, " No Me Pidas Mas, that’s the song, don’t blame it for the music, Frank’s selection."

As he was about to attempt a retort they came to a large road block, a giant fence that stretched infinitely, upon the fence patrolled road guards, armed with crossbows wearing the usual uniforms; the black jeans with brown leather coats. Stopping at the road block Frank said, " Let me do all the talking, you just stay quiet and pretend to be nice."

One of the guards walked over to the hummer, one hand on the pommel of his broad sword he knocked on the window. Lowering the window he said, " This is the Markonian territory, private property, so state your business or turn back to where you came from."

Smiling politely he lowered the volume of the music, " Hello guard, we come from Sudbury that was just bombed by The City, if you wouldn’t mind letting us go by we will mind our own business."

Not smiling back the guard replied sternly, " I will let you through for a price, a little favour really, nothing too complicated, just a little hunt. You track down a certain convict and bring him in to the local authorities."

About to refuse Marcus shut him up, placing a hand over his mouth he said, " We agree, just tell us about where he is and we’ll get him, kapeesh?" Without waiting the guard turned to the gate and motioned for the it to be opened. Two guards per side they pushed the heavy steel doors open, guard finishing, " St-Charles, five miles once you reach the cross roads on the left road."

Driving through the gates Frank glared angrily at Marcus, " You have no idea what you’ve volunteered us for, what if its something dangerous!" Smiling slyly at this Marcus looked in back, " We have me a warlock, Van the vampire and Dexter the immortal, and your worried about dangerous? Hakuna matata, anyway, how dangerous can he be?"

***

The village had been silent for many hours now, as he began dozing off to sleep he heard the sound of an engine in the village. He hadn’t heard the sound of an engine for a very long time and knew it couldn’t be a good thing. Running to the church window he spotted the black hummer, City issue.

Out of it walked four strangers, all dressed so differently from each other they looked more like a rag tag rock start group. There was The City guard, full body helm and long sword, far from the typical hired villager hunter. Then there was the average looking man in an old leather coat and ragged jeans.

He frowned as he pulled a revolver out, opening the loading chamber to check on the bullets. What kind of person would use a gun so absent mindedly, bullets and guns were a precious commodity. He looked back at his own gun, the infamous desert eagle with only one bullet, a bullet he did not intend on using unless he had no choice.

He ignored the other man, looking like nothing but one of the usual travellers he encountered. However, he recognized the woman for what she truly was, what kind of team was this, definitely not his typical hunters.

Running to the bed he slipped on his black leather pants, sliding the black t-shirt over his neck he strapped his Improved Outer Tactical Vest ( IOTV) in universal camouflage patterns and topped with his long slayer trench coat and long leather boots.

Looking outside the window again the new hunters had spread out, gunslinger heading for the red building that had once been a school, broken windows and roof falling apart. It was a good guess, lots of places to hide in a school/library.

The City guard had taken upon searching Foodland, although the edifice had been clear of food for quite some time it made sense that one might try to hide their. The other guy in the traveller’s attire stayed in the hummer, he supposed it was a smart move considering he might steal the hummer if he was a coward.

The vampire was coming in his direction, strange that a vampire should want to even get near a church, they were damned creatures the lot of them, sacrificing their souls for immortality, but he wasn’t much to talk, he wasn’t much better off than she was.

Smiling at the fun he was anticipating he put on the last touch, his leather fedora placed firmly on his head matching perfectly with his long black hair he grabbed the chaos long sword from the wall, placing it in its scabbard on his side he now had but to choose who his first victim would be.

***

What an odd building it was, although completely broken it was apparent the front had once been covered with large pane windows. Looking over at the strange machines he walked closer to investigate, it bore the mysterious emblem of coca cola, upon it were several large buttons with different emblems printed upon them.

Hitting the front a can fell into the empty slot at the bottom of the machine, picking it up it felt warm to the touch. Looking over it was the same coca cola emblem, what had coca cola been, maybe an ancient clan of old.

Placing the can in his pouch he would have to ask one of the others, looking inside it looked much like any department store, freezers all along the left wall, although they did not function to that purpose anymore. Jumping into the department store he drew his sword, whoever they had to apprehend he hoped would not put up much of a fight.

Walking over to the counters he frowned at the sight of green paper on the ground, numbers printed on them he deduced paper must have had some value in the olden days. Suddenly he heard a faint thump from farther in the store, raising his shield in front of him he moved cautiously.

Spotting a flyer on the ground he put his sword back, slowly reaching for it he read apparent bargains on food, 3,99 for a pack of chicken hearts and gizzards? What was a chicken, maybe they were referring to some sort of animal that had died during the fabled famines.

Suddenly as he looked up he spotted, whom he perceived to be, the person he’d been paid to capture. Menacing black leather attire with a scarred face he raised his sword, pointing it up defiantly the stranger spoke in a smooth voice, " A challenge? I reckon I can’t turn this down or my name ain’t Grimm." Pulling a menacing looking sword out he motioned for him to come forward.

Shield in place he charged forward, as he swung down diagonally Grimm easily caught the blade in his hand, watching as blood dripped off his hand he bashed him hard with his shield, sending him flying to the ground with his sword.

Smiling he jumped back to his feet, both swords in hands he moved into motion, doing a front flip landing right behind. Frank he swung with both swords, using his shield to ward off the attack he began to back out, calling as he stepped back, " A little help would be appreciated!"

Moving in with another attack Frank raised the shield in defence once again, tripping on the window frame his whole body reverberated under the impact of yet another attack.. This was beginning to look hopeless, he was relieved as Vanessa and Dexter came rushing to his aid.

***

The moment Frank yelled for help he was out of the hummer, pulling one of the spare long swords left by The City guards he ran to see Frank getting battered on, Vanessa joining his pace as they both ran, weapons drawn.

Standing near the attacker, weapons raised he said, " Attacking an un-armed man, there is no honour in that now is there?" Letting Frank crawl further away, getting up behind them he said in a proud voice, " Honour has no value, now this should be interesting."

Before they could move in he stabbed the swords into the ground, looking up at the full moon he loosened the IOTV, and then the transformation began. Howling in a wolf like manner they all backed away in shock, Marcus having just joined them was already beginning to back away.

The transformation began with his skin, fur growing over his skin his face began to change, mussel stretching to replace his mouth, claws growing he looked up with his canine head. Picking the swords back up he said in a voice that sounded more like an animal, " Time to see what you are all made of."

Jumping ahead the ferocious battle went into action, swinging both swords ahead of him to ward off the attacks from both Vanessa and Dexter, pushing the others back he kicked the shield, sending Frank sprawling ten feet away right by Marcus.

As Vanessa and Dexter rejoined the battle, metal against metal as the fury of immortality was put to the test Frank scowled, " What the hell are you doing Marcus! We need your help right now!" As he ran for the church he yelled back in reply, " I am helping, go get kicked around while I save our skins."

Frowning he watched as Marcus kept on running, his small pet weasel jumping out of his coat he yelled, " Bullet molds, now!" Knowing he couldn’t depend on Marcus he ran back, seeing Vanessa hacking savagely at him only to meet the pure savage skills mixed with pro swordsmanship skills.

Helping to balance it out Frank ran full speed, without warning he used his shield and tackled hard into Grimm, however as he did so Grimm grabbed hold of the shield, spinning him hard sending Frank into Dexter and the shield spinning toward Vanessa.

Jumping over the shield she landed upon it as it was still in the air, launching herself off the shield she tackled Grimm, catching him off guard she stabbed both swords into his torso, stabbing them deep she spun him around in turn, sending him crashing into the hummer.

***

Strange how much could happen in less than a week, upon sight of the werewolf he had known exactly what to do, running up the steps of the church he turned as the glass shattering sound of Grimm crashing through the windshield. He smiled as Grover jumped over the groaning werewolf, quickly jumping onto his shoulder.

Dropping the bullet molds in his hands Marcus got to the doors, finding them locked by heavy chains. He sighed, pulling the pistol out, " See what I mean Grover, they want us to come to church and yet they lock us out, like it or not, here I come."

As he was about to pull the trigger he sighed, annoyed of his lack of thinking for that minute he put the gun away, placing his hand over the lock he murmured an incantation, lock clanking open he pulled the chain off, pulling the large church doors open.

Dust flying out he received a strong whiff of enclosed air combined with a disgusting accumulation of mold. He laughed at the sight of the interior, unlike the rest of the world the church seemed the same as it was before, clammy and ugly, with painted windows depicting stories of the bible.

Walking on the carpet in the centre of the church he said to Grover, " I guess I owe ma fifty bucks, I told her I’d never take a step into a church even if my life depended on it." Reaching the front he smiled slily at the sight of the silver chandeliers.

Pulling the chandelier off the pulpit he began the bullet forming magix incantation, silver melting into his home made bullet molds seven bullets began to take form, speeding up the process he knew he’d have to hurry, hoping the battle was going well enough.

***

He wiped the debris off of himself, who would have thought it was possible to be propelled so far, in the past week he felt so very lucky to be immortal for he would have been dead several times. In this case he’d landed in what appeared to be a barber shop, chair broken he snapped his neck back into place.

As he ran several shots rang into the air, looking at the source of the gun shots he spotted Marcus, pistol smoking from the shots. At least he was doing something in the battle, the clever little warlock seemed to be skilled at avoiding fights, not so much at partaking in them.

Looking where he fired he was surprised to see Grimm, the werewolf they’d been fighting so hard to take down, on the ground in pure pain, and not recuperating any time soon. It was true he wore some sort of armour but Marcus had found a way around that.

Using all his marksmanship skills he’d fired two shots in each of his knees, one shot per hand making him drop his swords and one other shot in his gut. Down on the ground bleeding Vanessa was already on him, kicking him in the side Dexter joined them, swords pointed at his throat with Marcus joining them lastly, gun reloaded and pointed directly at Grimm’s head.

Clicking the safety off he said, " Now that was a bitch and a half of a fight don’t you think, well will you people get it knocked in your noggin that as cool as swords look, they’ll never equal the power of guns combined with a warlock’s wit."

Looking up with pain he asked, " What the hell do you people want with me? You hunters, you don’t strike me as hunters. Judging by your vampire leader here, I’d say your on a bigger mission than that, maybe..."

Shooting him in the shoulder Marcus loaded another bullet in, " Silver, I know it won’t kill you but its sure gonna hurt like hell, I wonder how much silver you can take before some permanent damage takes place, planning on having children?"

Lifting the gun up in the air Vanessa said, " As a matter of fact we could use your help, can you honestly tell me you enjoy living in a small ghost town with no purpose in life?" Huffing in pain he put his finger up painfully, " Hold on, let me do something."

Without warning he suddenly morphed into a human once again, although still in pain it was even more apparent now. " I can honestly say I am content with waiting in this

ghost town, some things are worth waiting for, so don’t tell me I have no purpose, I will take down The City and avenge my family."

Putting the pistol back in his holster he walked back, bored knowing the fight was now over he said, " I’ll be in the hummer checking the damage you’ve caused to my hummer." walking away Vanessa yelled, " How about the bullets, do that healing thing of a bobber and heal him, show this fury gentleman you can be trusted."

Not even turning he said in a laughing tone, " That’s the thing, I can’t be trusted." Turning back to him to see him back on his feet, bullets finally falling out as his wounds healed. " I think you might want to tag along with us, we are heading for The City, its going to be tough but its time they give back what doesn’t belong to them."

Looking past her to see Marcus walking away he asked, " What’s with the high strung gunslinger? If your going to be taking the city on you’ll have to scrap the cowboy, you don’t want a loose cannon on your back now do you?"

Considering these words they all turned facing the hummer, " Jesus Murphy! How the hell am I going to fix this now, ooh, how genius, smash him in the hummer!" Smashing the hood of the hummer Vanessa looked back at Grimm, smiling, " He has his good moments."

Sheathing his sword he grabbed the long sword, hilt facing Frank he said, " Good sword my man, a bit heavy on the back side but good in the right hands." As Frank sheathed his sword Grimm turned back to Vanessa, " So your going to the city, I’ll be willing to go with you under one simple condition. I want revenge on one man, a man within the city, if you give me that I will fight by your side."

Standing at the hummer, observing everyone as he always did, he was an observer after all. Standing upon the hood, trying to break the windshield, kicking it fruitlessly he said, " So Dex, here we are in a fucked up version of the wizard of oz."

Frowning at the mention of a classic movie he looked up, " Come on Dex, look at it this way. Van is looking for justice to spread across the world, you are our little scarecrow looking for a purpose in life." Kicking the wind shield full force only to slip, landing hard on his back.

" Mother of pearl I hate bullet proof glass!" Getting back on his feet he jumped back on hood, " We have Frank which is more like the little dog who’s name completely escapes my mind, Fido, Fedo, Pinata. Whatever it is, then there is Grimm the vengeance thirsting lion, or to be more technical, werewolf, but this is a wizard of oz analogy."

Dexter had a feeling this bantering was going to be a regular thing, turning to face Marcus he asked in a playful manner, " And what are you if we’re sticking with your little analogy, Dorothy?" Kicking the windscreen one last time it finally caved in, breaking all over the seats he said, " Me? That is for me to know and you to find out."

Turning to face Van he yelled, " We’re good to go! Get Mr Bad breath in his cage so we can go!" Getting in the driver’s seat Dexter started the engine, staring warily at the gas gauge at the half way mark.

***

The world worked in mysterious ways, sitting on his makeshift bed he looked over all his belongings, a picture of his family before things had changed. Before being different was a crime, he still felt the burning sensation of the silver making his skin itch.

That’s what the gunslinger had been doing, he had to admit the little cowboy was quite quick on his feet, metaphorically speaking. He had never anticipated going to take the city with such a rag tag team, getting into a giant fight wasn’t exactly the best first impression.

All the stuff packed in one duffel bag he walked out, the others were already waiting in the hummer, getting into the back he said, " Strange way of making friends you guys got, how did you’s get together?"

With a bit of embarrassment Vanessa replied, " I was hiding from hunters in Marcus’ house and he tried to kill me, Frank took my side in a fight. Marcus hit Dexter going full speed with this hummer, then we got into a fight and he nearly killed me."

As he was about to reply he was surprised by the little weasel jumping on his lap, curling up in a ball Marcus said, looking in the mirror, " Looks like Grover likes you, must be an animal thing."

Despite his first impression on Marcus he wasn’t so bad after all, had a bit of a sense of humour to him, he was still a danger to the mission, when the time came he would not hesitate to kill him.

Turning to Vanessa who was evidently in charge he asked, " So if we’re going to the city how do you propose we get there? We’ll be running out of fuel soon by the looks of it, got a plan?" Beginning to drive away, driving by a building with the letters Rona printed in front.

" Haven’t figured that part out yet, first thing is first however, we need to find ourselves a ride, I doubt we can walk all the way to The City, Prague is an ocean away after all."