The Hunter

Chapter Seven

We head towards the main chamber and hand over our name card while we wait.

“Rodney and Cole Pierce.” The man calls out our names and we head into the center of the room.

“Gentlemen. Back already? Was the hunt a success?” Journeyman asks.

“Yes, we killed the troll.” My father says.

“And saved a girl’s life it says. Good job.”

“Thank you Journeyman.” My father says while bowing his head.

I know enough to keep my mouth shut during this whole process.

“With this report, we are please to offer you both Silver hunters rank.”

SILVER?

“But Journeyman, we were Steel hunters rank. With that title we’d be skipping a whole rank.” My father says.

“We know. We’ve had a look over your file Rodney. We believe you have not been given proper acknowledgment for your hunting skills. And Cole has been trained by you. Your family helped build this guild and there hasn’t been a hunt that you weren’t successful with. So, we are offering you Silver status.”

“This is truly an honor Journeyman, thank you.” My father says. We bow and I notice my father is clenching is fist together against his leg. His knuckles are white.

Two new chains are given to each of us.

“Here is your first task under you’re new title of Silver ranking.” We are handed a file with not much in it.

“Unfortunately there isn’t much to go on. In fact we aren’t sure what it is. Children have gone missing for a day or two, but then they show back up like nothing happened. With no memory of the events. Three so far.”

“Thank you Journeyman.” We leave the main hall. I hurry after my father.

“Is this normal?” I ask in shock.

“Follow me.” My father says sternly. We walk out of the building and around the corner. He walks into an alleyway.

“No son this is not normal.”

“Then what is going on?” I ask.

“There are only a few possibilities I can think of. One we are losing hunters at a rapid pace and they are trying to fill up the spots. Two someone is trying to do me a favor, which means I’m going to have to return it. Or three someone wants us out of the picture.”

“Why would someone want to take us out?” I ask.

“I’m not sure. But for right now I just want you to focus on the case. I’m not sure what is happening here, but we can head out there tomorrow. I have some people I need to talk to.”

“Can I help?” I ask. He places his hand on my shoulder. His eyes are all over the place like he’s searching for something.

“Just research what this could be.”

“Alright, I’ll look into it. But be careful.” I tell him. He just nods and walks out of the alley. Silver rank. Gezz I didn’t think I’d see Silver rank for awhile. Jaden is going to loss his mind when he finds out. But first things first, I need to do some research. The guild has a library where I can get some stuff done.. or I can call Dixie. I pull my phone out and call.

“Well well well. Look who hasn’t lost my phone number.” I hear Dixie say.

“Hey Dixie, how are you beautiful.”

“I’m just waiting for you to tell me where you’ve been.”

“You know I’ve been out hunting. Speaking of hunting I have a surprise for you and I need some help.”

“I knew it. Come over I’ll give you a hand. But bring food!”

“Pizza it is. I see you soon.” I hang up and head home to get out of my hunter uniform. I hurry and get changed. I stop at the nearest pizza place before heading to Dixie’s. I knock on her door when I arrive. The door opens and there’s Dixie with her blue and black hair, dark rimmed glasses, and fifties style dress.

“My lady.” I bow and offer up the pizza. She smiles and takes it.

“Come on in, show me what you got.” I follow Dixie inside and show her the file. She looks it over quickly, there wasn’t much there to begin with.

Dixie’s house is what I would call ‘nerd chic’. Walls full of books on the occult. She’s not a hunter, her father and brother are, but she has the best knowledge of them. I think she was offered and position with the Journeyman, but she turned them down. She’s what we call a paid source. Basically if you want to know something pay Dixie a few and she’ll find it out.

“First of all, you’re Silver ranking now? Who the hell made that decision?”

“What? I’m the best hunter come on.” I say taking a slice of pizza for myself.

“Second, they basically gave you nothing to go on. I mean this could be anything from golems to aliens to changelings. That’s a wide net.”

“Then I’m just going to have to learn about all of them. Wait did you say aliens? Are aliens real?”

“You believe in golems, vampires, and trolls, but you question aliens? Men are fascinating.”

“How would you even stop an alien?” I ask.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us if we are going to work through every possibility.” Dixie goes to her bookshelf and picks out three books and drops them in a stack on the table. Their weight causes the table to shake.

“We have some reading to do.” I groan as she opens the first book,

“Here you read about golems and I’ll try to find what I can about possession.”

Four hours, ten possible creatures, and eight beers later I’m completely wiped.

“I can’t do any more D.” I say.

“Why don’t you go take a nap and I’ll keep going. I’m making you a spreadsheet so when you are out there you’ll have all the information organized and readily available to you.” She says. I get up and stagger over to the couch and lay down. It’s lights out for me as soon as my head hits the pillow.

I feel someone poking my face and swat at them.

“Wake up. You’re drooling all over my couch.” Dixie says. I stretch and sit up. I feel like crap.

“I finished and sent you everything. It’s getting late.” I look at my phone and the document.

“Damn Dixie this is a lot. What do I owe you?” I ask.

“Think of it like a promotion gift.” I get up and kiss her cheek.

“You flirt. Now, go home and get some rest. And Cole, some of these things are really dangerous, be careful. Call me if you need anything.” I head for the front door.

“Thanks D, I’ll be careful. Night.” I head back home. The air outside is cool and the streets are pretty dead. When I finally get home and get back into bed. I set an alarm to wake up early so I can do some laundry before hitting the road again.