Amy's Pov The Next Day
I glanced at my watch as I sat up in bed. 12pm. Guess I overslept. I pulled myself out of the bed and tied my hair into a bun. Over the past two months, we'd accepted a few people into our little group. An older black haired woman around her late 20s. She wouldn't speak a word. Just stared at people mostly and nodded or grunted when spoken to. Only thing she ever said was that her name was Maxine. We'd taken in a ginger haired woman around the same age as her as well. Her eyes were a light brown. Her name was Charlotte. She'd arrived at our door with bags and plants. She had a nice smile and it was impossible to say no to her. She would often pray for her boyfriend at night before bed. Said his name was Mark, I believe. She was kind of weird. But she had a good heart. There was also a big man we'd taken in. His name was Micheal. His voice was deep. And he didn't use his head much. He let emotions overcloud his judgement. Along with Jacob and Emma's grandfather and two boys named Nathan and Cody. And the last of the people we'd took in was a father and his son. The father's name was Ed. He was a repair man. His hair was mostly gone. And he only had a little bit of blond hair left. And the son was a small blond haired boy named Lucas. Lucas mostly hung around his dad. And very occasionally, around Jacob and Emma. Speaking of Jacob and Emma, they mostly hung around Charlie. And were pretty quiet unless they wanted to speak.

I glanced at my casual clothes and let out a small sigh. It's been a while since I wore my police uniform. I hadn't wore it since...that day. I gulped as I remembered what happened. He better not have hurt her. I swear. I held my head for a moment. Charlie had said that his mother, my sister, had been shot. Was she....was Susan dead? I bit my lip. That clown had apparently been there. Along with Charlie's father. I'd never speak that man's name. Nor would I think it. But something was strange about how that Number One clown seemed to be targeting our family. Was it a personal grudge? Was he doing it for kicks? I'd have to ask him soon. With a gun to the face that is. And maybe a kick to his special parts too. That'll teach him to hurt this family. Occasionally we had missions where we sent out people to get supplies. While looking for survivors and possible messages from Number One. But other than supplies and a few encounters with bandits, we hadn't really heard anything. I looked down for a moment. I'd taken the role as leader of the group. The others had picked me. Not because I was the best speaker, but because I was the only one with a strong authoritative voice. Or so Dale said.

Being a leader was hard. I had to make decisions. Choose who I thought was best to send out for what. Settle conflicts within the group. It was honestly extremely tiring. Which was why I sometimes overslept. I didn't hear the sounds of the children playing. It was strangely quiet. And then I remembered. Yesterday, Number One had sent us a letter. It had said that Layla would be given to us tomorrow if we cooperated. It said to send only two people and to come to a building in the narrows. The narrows were apparently the suburb part of the city. The really poor area of this city where most crime happened. There's no way I'd ever send people there. Especially just two. Without backup. Against that dangerous clown. And according to Charlie, there may have been more than one. Just great. The one chance I had to get Layla back, and he gives me an offer he knows I'll refuse. He's a sick bastard. Might as well take a shower. I walked over to my closet and opened it.

Elizabeth's Pov. I stared down at Monica's sleeping form. She's so cute. I stood up and glanced at the hooded figure sitting on the edge of the bed. "If you want to speak, hurry before someone notices you." The door to the room was closed, but sneaking people in from outside was still risky.

"Don't be so mean, Liz." He spoke.

"If she's involved, I'm in a bad mood. What does that White bitch want?"

"Two months ago, a man she met stole four important items from her."

"And?"

"Three of those items were vials containing what makes the two of us what we are."

"And the fourth?" I was slightly worried.

"The fourth item was a vial containing the blood of a dragon user."

My eyes widened. "Who the hell is this guy?"

"His name is....Damien Smith."

"Hmm. Well, this isn't really my problem. I left that bitch's orphanage years ago, and I don't plan on going back."

"This could become your problem. Monica could be in danger if Smith makes dangerous moves."

"If Monica is placed in danger, then I'll get involved. Until then, the bitch can kiss my ass."

"Nothing makes you change your mind. Alright." He stood up. "Be careful. And uh, you should tell Monica you like her."

I felt my cheeks heat up. "I don't know what you're talking about. Now get outta here before someone finds you, mate." I slipped up again.

The sound of him getting up and the door faintly opening and closing was heard by me a few seconds after that. I brushed a strand of hair from Monica's face gently. She's.....a good friend. I let out a small sigh and thought on what I'd just been told.

Tom's Pov 10 minutes Later I remember the first building we'd been in. We'd been told practically nothing and were mostly trained and taught the rules. Which was totally boring. It's like watching an action anime and having no fight scenes until episode ten, in a twelve episode season. Not what I signed up for. But now, after two months of learning, we're finally officially members. I was seated next to Gunther. "Some people are given mentors, so it's just the two of them. But the lucky ones get entire squads. And the really lucky ones get in squads with their friends." I smirked at him.

Gunther glanced at me with a more tired and blank look than usual. "I'm aware. I went through the same training and was told the same conditions, Tom."

"Just saying." I shrugged.

An older woman stepped in front of us. "I'd like quiet for when I announce the teams or squads. I'm not repeating myself." She looked to be in her early 30's. Her eyes were a forest green and her black hair was tied in a bun. She had badges along her suit and obvious high authority flowed off from her.

Gunther gave her a salute. "Sorry, mam. Won't happen again."

I nodded and gave a weak salute as well.

She shook her head. "This isn't the military. No need for sirs, or mams, or salutes. My name is Kathryn."

"Tom."

"Gunther."

"Nice to meet you both. I hope you get along with whoever you're set with." Kathryn nodded at us and walked to the center of the room. "MAY I HAVE EVERYONE'S ATTENTION?"

The room quickly quieted.

Kathryn cleared her throat. "It is my joy to welcome all of you trainees into our organization. I understand that many of you have likely lost family members, close friends, or simply witnessed acts of horror." She looked down for a moment. "But, that is why we exist! We exist to take back the world that was ours. We did it in the other world, and when we crossed over into this one two months ago, we continued. Now, more than ever will we need to stand strong. The monsters that are out there won't rest. But neither will we. We shall take them down. Get justice for our fallen brothers and sisters, and everything else we've lost because of them. TODAY IS THE DAY THAT WE HUMANS STRIKE BACK!" She raised her hand into a fist and the room let out a loud cheer. Others clapped and some whistled.

I blinked. Pretty inspirational.

Kathryn calmed down. "I will now announce the squads and teams." She pulled out a list.

I felt my mind wandering as she read off names.

After a couple of minutes, there were a number of people who were left unsorted. Myself, Gunther, Hannah and her mom, Rita. And that Zeke guy.

"Assigned to Derek's squad will be Tom, and Gunther.....and Zeke Washington." Kathryn gestured at a man who's eyes were wide open. He was smiling, and gave off the impression that he was the kind of guy you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. I reluctantly smiled back when I saw Sam standing next to him. It won't be so bad then. Hopefully Zeke isn't too bad.

Kathryn cleared her throat. "Assigned to Sophie's squad will be Hannah Monem, and her mother, Rita. A Monem squad." She chuckled.

I quickly walked over to Derek with Gunther and saw Zeke walk up next to me. "Sup."

I nodded at him. "Yo." I stopped in front of Derek. "Hello, boss."

Derek chuckled. "Boss. That's funny. Call me Derek. Some of the more stiffer members of this organization require people to call their superiors, mam and sir, but I'm not like that. I may be older than you, but I don't consider you beneath me. I believe that all humans....are equal."

I blinked slowly at that. "Hmm." I nodded.

Derek smiled. "Come with me. There are a few things you need to know before you'll be able to go on actual missions."

I resisted the urge to groan. More stuff? We just went through two months of learning boring crap. Jeez. I reluctantly followed as Derek as Zeke patted my shoulder.

"It's gonna be fine."

I smiled at him. "Yeah. Everything is gonna be fine."

"This should be fun too." Zeke smiled back.

Gunther glanced at Zeke. "I hope Charlie is okay." His tone was mocking.

Zeke bit his lip, but didn't say anything. He simply kept walking.

I turned to Gunther for an explanation, but he shrugged. So I followed Zeke. Making a mental note to ask about that later.