Big shout out and thank you to @CharacterDevelopment for the banner at the side :)  If anyone ever feels like making any fan art, please share it! I'd love to see it and will be happy to use it as a banner! 

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Nothing in this world is forever. If you want to break down the bigger picture, it’s not exactly full of rainbows and happiness. We’re all born to die and some just sooner than others. For people like me, the Hunters or even my comrades, the Slayers and Trackers, we fall into that category. We are the chosen, the ones who exist to protect the human race from all the supernatural things in this world.

Sometimes we fail.

Sometimes we win.

Sometimes even when we win, we lose.

Despite our fatality rate being high enough to turn your stomach, there are some of that don’t seem to care about their life as much as they should. I call one of these, brother. The other is known to be his best friend and somehow my least favorite person in the world has joined their club.  I couldn’t actually kill them, but I could hurt them, badly - especially that Tracker.

Watching the trio walk across my front yard, I wait until their SUV drives past and down the street before going back inside. Throwing them out had been easy thanks to them not doubting that I would harm them with my meat cleaver and chopping knife.

Maybe they do have some sense of self-preservation.

Putting the knives away, I grab the bottle of wine try not to hold it too tightly as all I really want to do is smash it into the wall. Or Logan's face. Removing the temptation I leave it in the kitchen. I’m angry with them for turning up. I’m angry with myself for being found and going outside, Matt, my boyfriend, is flicking through the playlist on his iPod completely unaware of what just went on. Our relaxing night on the veranda has been interrupted by the impromptu visit and I don’t have much choice other than to send him home.

“You ok babe?” His concern is touching, but it doesn’t help calm me.

“Yeah,” Liar. “Do you mind calling it a night?”

I hated seeing him disappointed and that’s all I saw on his face as he nodded. Matt was too accommodating and to start off with, I had enjoyed easy and simple – it was a nice change. Now, it was getting boring. All of it was; study, work, life. I never wanted to be a Hunter, but I can’t deny who I am; not anymore and I’m pretty sure the three stooges turning up isn’t going to help with that.

“Not at all, you’ve been odd all day. Not getting sick are you?” Matt rests his forehead against mine and I smile weakly at him. He was too good for me, we should have stayed friends and instead I’m left feeling like a total bitch. Now all I can think about is Logan, I never expected to see him again, and definitely not in my kitchen.

“Maybe, I’ll call you tomorrow?” I offer.

“Yeah, I got to set up that exhibit tomorrow night so I won’t be able to see you until Friday.” He sounds disappointed and I know now would be the time to break up with him, but I can’t bring myself to do it.

“I can’t wait!” I manage to find some enthusiasm about it and walk him to the front door, going ahead of him to make sure there are no more surprise visitors waiting anywhere.

“Good night babe, feel better.” We kiss and I close my eyes, hoping, waiting and praying for some kind of spark to flare up. Nothing.

He really isn’t like Logan.

Or Reece.

“Good night.” I stand on the porch and wave goodbye, taking a seat on the stairs I try to salvage some kind of serenity. Idly I begin to rub my finger over the scar Reece’s name hides.

What am I doing?

Lost in thought I lose track of time and I’m finally about to go inside when I hesitate, the skin on the back of my neck tingles and turning around I look over my yard. I can’t stop the groan as I spy him. “You can quit hiding now.”

“How did you know I was here?” Jordan steps out from behind the tree near my letterbox, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

“Your shadow, idiot.”  He follows me inside and I go straight out the back.

We take a seat outside and this time when the Apothyte aka snake demon, but better known as Alfie, emerges from the water to come over to us. I don’t care what my companions’ reaction will be towards him now. Explaining my demon to Matt isn’t something I want to do. It doesn’t really matter with my brother.

“Alfie!” Jordan gets up and greets my guardian.

“Same blood!” Alfie hisses, nudging Jordan gently before lifting him with his tail. Clearly someone is happy to see him.

“Been a good boy?” Jordan coos, scratching underneath his chin.

“Elise s-s-safe.”

“Thanks pal! You like it here?”

Alfie nods, finally putting Jordan down before he comes to curl up beside me. Well, around me. He takes up most of the patio area and thankfully the hedges either side of the fence block the neighbours from seeing in.

“So what the fuck is Logan doing with you?” I go straight to the point and Jordan shrugs casually, not bothered by my question.

“He ain’t so bad Elle.”

“Considering your little sob session of, ‘oh I was so wrong about him’ in the dungeon and how Dad had to stop you from kicking his ass at the hospital, it’s suddenly ‘he ain’t so bad’?”

“Pretty much. Sure Selene had him by the balls, but, well, maybe you should just speak to him?” Jordan looked at me hopefully and I only rolled my eyes.

“No. How did you even find me?”

“Ah, Logan,” he dared to laugh at that, “he saw you drive past us and we kind of followed you around until tonight.”

“Stalkers!” I growl, unimpressed yet there was an element of amusement there.

“Seriously though, how have you been?” Jordan’s interest seemed genuine, but I wasn’t in the mood to play nice.

“Guess you know how it feels to have some disappear on you and trying to find them seems impossible.”

“I see what you’re implying there, but we aren’t actually here looking for you, that was just a bonus!” He admitted his voice heavy with guilt.

Ouch!

“So we part ways and I go back to my life and you go back to yours?” I snap back.

“If that’s what you really want. You look happier than I’ve seen you in a long time, but maybe you’ll change your mind if I tell you why we are here.”

“If it’s to do with Aaron, I’ve already told Zane I haven’t seen or heard from him.”

That was the truth, the vampire who came back into this world had completely disappeared, and there was no denying a tiny part of me wasn’t curious on what had them all coming here. That’s a lie, a big part of me was dying to know.

“Not quite, maybe, I dunno. Keiran and Raya have gone missing, our leads brought us here. About four months ago we joined up with them and have been chasing up the last of the demons that got out that night. They went out for New Years and never came back, which wouldn’t be so bad if not for the state we found their car in and the marks of dead vampires around the crash site.”

“Why don’t Slayers deal with fucking vampires anymore? Since when did a group of Hunters, let a Tracker tag along?” I start ranting, unable to stop. “Why couldn’t you have just left me the fuck alone? You could have sent me a bunch of flowers, saw I was fine and left me out of it!”

I laughed bitterly, and Alfie rose up to look between Jordan and I, not understanding why I was suddenly so hostile. “This morning I starting thinking I should join up with you, maybe Zane, keep in the game you know? Studying is boring. It’s ridiculous, but now you tell my friends are missing, because of vampires and going back to all that shit isn’t what I want to do!”

“Then don’t, I’m no expecting you to!” Jordan answers calmly, not bothered by my outburst.

“You don’t expect me to? How can I not! They’re my friends!”

“Friends you left behind, just like your family! Don’t worry I can see this was a mistake. I’ll catch you around Elise. Maybe next Christmas, since you missed the last one?”

“Jordan!” I got up and chased after him, “wait!”

“Forget it.” He slams the front door in my face and the second it takes me to register what is going on gives him time to run over to his car.

“Jordan!” My screams are pointless as he leaves and turning to find Alfie in the doorway, I groan before going back in. “Alfie, stay. I’ll be back later.”

Grabbing my keys I lock up and go to my car, not holding back as I tear through the streets after Jordan. Thankfully he hit the red light around the corner and now the tables are turned as I tail him back to their hotel.

“What are you doing Elise?” I mumble, banging my head on the steering wheel as I park behind his now abandoned car. “Be the Hunter who won’t, be the selfish sister! Just do it!”

Getting out of the car, I hope I’m not about to regret this and going into the hotel lobby, I watch as the lights on the elevator stop on level six. Thankfully the woman on reception is too busy with someone complaining about their cable not working to pay me much attention. Hitting the button I stand there waiting for it to return, fidgeting with the ring Oz gave me when instead I look down to the doorway that leads into the hotel bar.

Making eye contact, Logan raises the small glass in his hand as a salute and I turn back to the elevator. Staring at my reflection in the shiny metal doors, I narrow my eyes at the girl staring back at me, knowing what she is thinking. I silently start mumbling under my breath, begging her to listen, “Don’t do it, don’t do it, don’t do it!”

Well I’ve been known to act on impulse once or twice before and groaning; I head over to where Logan is sitting, taking the stool beside him.

“The barman has a knife down there he was using to slice lemons with before. Want me to grab it for you?” He greets, swirling the ice cubs around in glass he doesn’t even look at me.

“Oh Loges, I forgot how funny you are!”

I signal to the bartender and he pours us each a mix of cola and bourbon.

“So Jordan’s visit went well?” Logan turns to face me and I can’t help notice how nervous he looks, probably wondering if I’m unarmed or why I’m here. That said, he does look good. Older maybe, definitely not wiser. His hair is a little longer now, the front falls across his forehead and sits just above his eyes; those eyes.

Get a grip Elise!

“Well you know my family; it’s not a reunion until we’ve pissed each other off.” I joke.

“Guess you’re well and truly united then by the way he went storming past. You do realize, by sitting here, you are talking to me?”

“Yup!”

“So, I’m forgiven?” He asks hopefully.

“Nope!”

We fall silent, listening to the cover band kill popular songs from the eighties. There isn’t much of a crowd in here, but considering its mid-week and the terrible job the band is doing that’s not a surprise.

"Can I at least explain, tell you everything? Did Jordan say anything?"

"He didn't, he said I should talk to you actually. But it doesn't matter, what happened. That’s all Logan."

Logan’s mouth opens and he quickly closes it, turning away from me to stare at his drink instead.

“I’ve missed you Bunny,” it’s barely a whisper and looking at him, we make eye contact once again, “I told you I’d always wait for you.”

“Don’t, just don’t!” I warn, sculling my drink I slam the glass down and walk out. Why did I even go over there?

“Wait!” He calls out and I hit the close door button, shutting him out. There was no way I was going to put both of us in such a small confined space, mainly because I don’t want to be charged with murder.

Annoyingly the doors open and he is still frantically hitting the button outside the elevator. The second there is an inch of space he is sliding in, pushing the close button before I can try to shove him out.

“You don’t even have any reason to be mad at me anymore! We can at least be friends again!” He argues, forgetting to use his inside voice.

“And you don’t have any right to tell me what I can and can’t do! You ruined any chance of us ever being friends again, we are simply acquaintances, co-workers and-“

“Bullshit!” Logan interrupts.

“Bullshit?” I repeat, shoving him against the wall behind us, just as the elevator stops it’s ascent. I forgot how good he smelled, the cologne he had on still the same as the one I remember him wearing. Putting my hands up in defeat, I step out wanting some space between us and of course he doesn’t back off.

“Yeah you heard me, bullshit! I think-“

“Logan, do you remember there ever being a time I gave a damn about what the fuck you think? No? Neither do I, so shut up and let me go see my brother!”

“Right, because I was the one who walked over to you. Face it, you're just scared!” He sulks, storming ahead to what I hoped was their room and not just his as he got out the card and swiped the lock.

Chris looked over as Logan walked in and then as his eyes landed on me, he grinned like the cat that caught the canary. “Looky what the Logester dragged in!”

“Hey CJ, good to see you again! You know without me being drugged and kidnapped or having you break into my house!” I’m only teasing and he hugs me like nothing had ever happened.

“That can be arranged, I have some ropes in my bag?”

“What are you doing here?” Jordan spits out, clearly not as thrilled to see me as his friend.

“To talk to you.”

“We talked, go home.”

“Stop being a stubborn ass!” I yell, instantly losing any scrap of maturity I had possessed. “I want to help with Keiran and Raya!”

“You told her?” Logan pipes up from where he had gone to lay on the single bed in the corner. Looking around, the room isn’t all that big and Chris or Jordan are either sharing the queen bed, or one of them has the uncomfortable location of the ancient fold out sofa tonight.

“Yes Logan, he doesn’t have an issue with telling me things!” Again I go with the passive aggressive angle.

“I’ve said I’m sorry!” He yells, dramatically sighing as Jordan only shakes his head at our banter.

“I’ve told you, I don’t care!”

“Ok, well this is great. Elise, wonderful to have you on the team and ah, Jordan and I will come see you in the morning. How about that?” Chris plays referee, taking me by the shoulders I’m spun around and pushed towards the door.

“Ellie, wait!” Jordan stands, coming over he pushes Chris out of the way and hugs me, “I’m glad you came. Really, I am. Get some sleep; I’ll fill you in tomorrow.”

“Fine!” I hug him back, and going home already my mind is racing on who and why Keiran and Raya would be taken. I had no idea what had been happening these last few months, so the possibilities are endless. Sleep evaded me as I couldn’t settle and even with Alfie curled around my bed, the feeling of dread I had been free from for so long returned.

-x-

 Jordan and Chris never came so later the following afternoon, I went to them. Instead I was met with Logan who was more than happy to see me.

"Where are they?" I demanded, walking in as he opened the door.

"Out, checking out something with some of the team."

"Team?" I thought back to the guys in black that had surrounded me in the cafe. 

"Yeah, there was this demon thing we were after and so were they. Raya's brother is in it, so now she's missing we're working together again to try and find them!" 

"I don't like teams or groups. Makes for a bigger and easier target!" It's then I spy the map of the area on the coffee table by the futon and I don't hesitate in looking it over.

"Well we know you don't play well with others Bunny," Logan stirs, taking a seat beside me.

"Where have you gone so far?" There are different coloured dots all over the place, and it doesn't make any sense to me.

"Pink dots are the Slayers we've met since being here, red are known vamp hot spots, white are the werewolves and grey shifters. The cross marks are places we've raided."

"Who the hell came up with this? It’s like it was designed by first years!" It still didn't make sense. The map was littered with distractions and there was one area that had been left untouched. "What about this section?"

"The other team checked it out, see, cross!" He traced the hard to see pencil line over the wharf region.

"Who is on this team?"

"Hunters mostly, Raya's brother is hooked up with the Van Helsing's cousin and he has a couple of Trackers he works with. Friends from the Academy."

"Van Helsings? Seriously?" I groan, sitting back on the sofa.

"I could tell you it was Penny, would that make it better?"

"Funny!" 

I already made up my mind to do my own check on the wharf and sitting around with Logan until Jordan and Chris come back isn't really appealing. With a final look over their scribbling’s, I get up to leave.

"Where are you going?" 

"Home. Tell Jord I stopped by."

Instead of letting me go, he grabs my arm and as I go to slap him he is expecting it and grabs my wrist. His look of surprise at seeing the tattoo isn't hidden and instead I bring up my knee to kick him right where it would hurt the most.

"So not necessary!" He gasps, moving to protect himself in case I decide to attack again. His face is twisted in agony and I don't stop my smile.

"But so worth it. Later Logey."

 Leaving the hotel I don't go home and instead get out my phone, deciding to try logging into the network. Apparently my account no longer exists and so I try logging in as Jordan. Thankfully my brother has used the same password since he was thirteen and never changes it, so it's long before I'm browsing the directory for weapon supply stores that are Hunter friendly.

I have the bare minimum of supplies at home. A set of wooden stakes, silver bullets, a couple of revolvers and the samurai sword Ailin gave me when I left hospital after the portal incident. If I was going to do a research mission of my own, I needed a bit more than that, and I was going to have to begin again with my weaponry. 

Finding the camping and outdoor store, I wandered around and finding the Slayer staff member headed over to him. "Hi there, did you need help with anything?"

"Minor vampire problem."

He looked confused before clicking on and nodding, led me over the staff only room. He typed a code into the keypad and as the door opened, the back wall was slowly lifting to reveal another section of the store. "Jean will help you in there, exit through the back."

"Thanks, Owen!" I read his name tag and smiled, heading inside.

"Looking for anything in particular?" The woman behind the counter smiled at me as if I was the golden ticket, and from how much of everything she had in stock - not many of my kind came through here.

"Seen any Hunters lately?" I didn't want to use my money right now, but maybe Jordan had set up an account. "Jordan Bunting?"

"Why yes, he came in yesterday!"

I kind of had the urge to punch her, what if I wasn't as friendly as I was making myself appear?

"I'm with his team, and I just need to pick up a few more things!"

"Oh sure! Great!" She gets out a log book, opening it up and turning it around to face me, "sign here, and I'll just charge it!"

I almost use my fake name, quickly signing at Bunting instead. 

"Oh, you're the missing sister?"

"No, kind of. I'm not missing. It's just easier if people think that."

"Gotcha! Your secret is safe Miss Bunting."

I don't hold back. 

In the end I pick up a large duffel bag too, setting everything up in the corner of the store as she takes inventory of everything I'm taking. Once I'm done, I fit a new holster around my waist and pick up a new pair of boots too.

"Looks like you're starting your kit! This is a lot of stuff!" 

"Kind of having to start over, lost a fair bit so just restocking." I don’t want to talk to her more than I have to. Who knows who will come in next and I don't need her blabbing about Jordan's sister coming in. "Well thanks, I better go!"

"Come back anytime!"

I groan as I pick up the bag, and going out the back entrance of the shop makes everything seem dodgy. Throwing it into the back of my car, I bring up a map on my phone and make a quite detour to get some dinner. I'm tempted to get Alfie, but I have no way to bring him with me so cruise across town while dropping fries in my lap and lettuce from my burger down my shirt. Even if I happen to find some kind of demonic species, it's not like they're going to care too much about the state I'm in.

Besides, I'm just going for a quick look. There was no harm in that, and it's like I could sit at home knowing about this area and it's lack of colourful dots.

It's nearly dark by the time I find somewhere to park and I'm in the process of cleaning up when a motorbike comes rumbling over. The salty tang of the sea air mixes in with fumes from nearby cargo ships and from my position, the rows of warehousing start to light up as it gets darker. Security lights make sneaking around harder as the bike stops beside my car; I hide a dagger against my sleeve.

"Logan, get out of here!"

"How did I know you'd be around here somewhere?" He gets off and walks around the car so he standing beside me, peeking into the back seat. "Got some new toys?"

"I don’t need you to be here, I work better alone!" I snap, relaxing the dagger as I put it back in the bag, instead unpacking the silver bullets into their new home. 

"You should tell Jordan you're out here!" He argues, not backing off.

"But the other team have already been over here right? Remember the big cross?"

"Well, what if they were wrong?"

"Then I'll go, get Jordan and CJ?" I shrug, “its fine Logan. I'm just going to go for a little walk."

Locking up my car, I start the walk along the waterside, climbing up onto the jetty I groan as I hear him behind me. If I can hear him, anything can hear him.

"Seriously, go home!"

"Stop being so stupid and stubborn!" He yells, climbing up onto the jetty to stand beside me.

"Stupidity is your area of expertise; I'm not kidding around Logan!"

"Fine!" He holds up his hands, mumbling under his breath as he climbs back down and starts off towards where we are parked. Rolling my eyes, I keep going and an hour later I'm starting to think the other team were right.

I end up feeling lost in the maze of cargo containers, giant metal buildings and staying away from the light is hard. I'm about to turn around to leave when that sensation of being watched hits me. Goosebumps break out all over my body and closing my eyes, it takes me a few seconds to sense them; vampires. 

"Oh come on!" I groan, spinning around to see three coming down the passage between buildings.

"Aren't you a pretty little thing, what you doing out here all alone?" The one in the middle calls out, not hiding what they are from me.

"Killing vampires apparently."

They all pause, and I realise they don't know what I am. Good. 

"Been watching too much TV sweet heart, what you gonna do? Pour holy water over us?" The one to the left laughs, his blonde hair catching the light as he keeps walking over.

"I could, but I'm pretty sure there are other ways to do it. Easy way or hard way?" I smile, pulling out a stake that I had tucked in against my back.

This only makes them last and as blondie charges, he gets a close up of my new boots and before he fully hits the pavement, I have the stake sliding through his chest turning him to dust.

"You lot always pick the hard way!" I groan, standing I take up a defensive position expecting them to charge me.

Instead they stand there gaping at me.

"Slayer?" One them mumbles, losing his earlier confidence.

"No, Hunter dickhead!"

Instead of them chasing me, I'm running after them. The upside to this is they take me to where I need to go and throwing the stake with enough force; I take down one only to have Logan appear and kill the other.

"Need a hand?" He smiles, clearly proud of himself.

"No, I had this."

I pick up my weapon, putting it away and look at the brick wall in front of us. No lights shine from the other side and looking around, I can't see a gate in. The duo looked they had planned to jump it, so thats what I am going to do.

"We should call Jordan now." Logan warns.

"Go call him then if you're so scared?"

"I'm not scared. I just don't like to be left outnumbered and held captive."

"When has that ever stopped me?" I grin, looking up at the wall. It's barely double my height and will be easy enough to get over.

"That’s what I'm worried about. I am scared, scared Jordan will kick my ass if anything happens to you!"

I choose to ignore him, taking a few steps back before taking a running start. Jumping the fence, I am barely able to regain my balance from the awkward landing, before a vampire has appeared from the darkness. If he was polite, he could have helped me with my climb down, but clearly he wasn't much for chivalry.

"Elise!" Logan yells from above me in warning, not that I needed it. I wasn't blind or stupid.

Taking out the wooden stake from my boot, it finds a new home in the vampires’ chest - instantly turning it to dust. Walking over to ashy fragments on the dirt, I pick up the weapon from where it had fallen and tuck it away as Logan finishes the jump down. Turning to look at him, I narrow my eyes hoping it was clear to him that I was unimpressed with the fact he was still following me.

"Good to see you've been keeping in shape!" He grins; ignoring the look I'm giving him.

I know he is referring to the last time we teamed up. After leaving the Academy I hadn't kept up with the same kind of fitness routine we had there, I got lazy. Thanks to that Logan had kicked my ass when we had trained together, worst than that - so had my Dad.

"I don't make it a habit to repeat mistakes."

"Am I sensing a double meaning to that comment?" Logan teases, though the way his eyes show his pain tells me not all of him is joking now. 

Idiot.

Rather than stand there and make idle chitchat about the past, I turn and run down to the side of the old warehouse, hating the rather cliché environment I've found myself in - and the company. Maybe I should have told Jordan where I was going and made him come with me. At least then there would be a witness to say me getting rid of Logan was in self-defense and not because he is an annoying asshole I can't seem to get rid off.

"Over there!" He whispers, pointing to our right and sure enough there is an open window; though once I look inside I wish I hadn't. I'm really needing Jordan and Chris to be here now and not for interference.

"Shit!" I blurt out. It's a little late now to be making calls. I don't have time to wait for my brother and his sidekick; it's up to Logan and me. "Come on!"

Maybe I do have a habit of repeating mistakes, because right now I am trusting him not to fuck me over, again, because there in the corner of the room, Sam, his Tracker ex-gilfriend, is chained up with Raya and Keira.

"Shit!" Logan repeats behind me as he looks in.

"The other team sure did a great job of this!" I mumble, and we keep going to try and find a way in.

 "I'm sending Jordan a text, let's see if we can get closer and hear what's going on!"

"Sure you don't know anything about this?" I turn to glare at him and he instantly frowns.

"No, no I don't. I couldn't risk Selene finding out you knew, everything I did I was doing to protect you Elise! I lied to her so many times to throw her off your trail and-"

"Not now Logan!" Really, he wants to do this now?

"Then when?" He practically yells, clearly frustrated.

 "Maybe when we don't have a room full of vampires with our friends as hostages?"

I stop to open the door, and cautiously we creep inside. The top floor is void of any company, and with each step I'm scared we might go falling through the thin temporary flooring that remains. Why can't they ever hold people hostage in a fancy hotel or a new building that isn't dusty and falling apart. All the other windows seem to be closed and blocked out, probably so they can stay here during the daylight hours. 

"Fine, we get them out and then you and me are having a chat and-" He finishes with a scream as he finds a weak spot and goes falling through the floor.

Instantly I reach out to grab him, only that then ends up with me meeting the same fate. So far I would say this isn't exactly going to plan, but considering I don't actually have one - maybe it is?