As soon as they arrived at HQ, Rosa and Sam were taken to the infirmary. They even managed to obtain themselves a private room and, not only that, according to Sam they’d also got themselves assigned the division’s head doctor. Courtesy of Louie and Audrey. The room contained a few beds and some complicated looking machinery that Rosa couldn’t be bothered to try and comprehend, ‘medical stuff’ she guessed.

Rosa didn’t know why, but the Hunter HQ having an infirmary never once crossed her mind. The more she was left to think about it the more of an idiot she felt, an organisation based around hunting murderous creatures of hell were bound to get injured and need a place to receive care. It wasn’t like hunters could exactly walk into a normal hospital with the claw wounds of a werewolf. How would you explain that?

The infirmary was greater in size than the lobby at the front of the HQ, except it was separated into lots of smaller rooms for doctors, patients and storage.

The room she found herself in had bright white walls enhanced by the warm comforting lights that shone down from the ceiling. Rosa sat was sat on a bed with thin blue covers as she patiently waited to be discharged. She’d told her doctor she felt completely fine many times but Dr Sana wouldn’t be wavered. It was like trying to persuade a brick wall to move aside. After fighting a failing battle Rosa accepted she wouldn’t be going anyway until the doctor had analysed her.

Sam was laying across bed beside Rosa as Dr Sana performed her final checks. It turned out the camaz had shattered half her ribs, snapped her collarbone as well given her some nasty bruising and cuts.

The doctor pulled out a tube holding a strange vibrant concoction, that looked as if it came straight from a fantasy novel, from her white coat and fed it to Sam. Despite Rosa’s scepticism, in moments of Sam consuming the elixir the colour had returned to her skin, the grimace and strain faded from Sam’s face and her body seemed to relax.

“Alright Sam, all you need now is some rest and you’ll fighting ready by tomorrow” Dr Sana said.

Sam smiled weakly. “Thanks Bianca” she said before relaxing her head into the hospital pillow. Dr Sana then turned and walked over to Rosa. She was a pretty woman with hazel eyes and smooth, dark brown hair tied back away from her face that looked like it hadn’t aged since her early twenties. In fact now that Rosa thought about it nearly everyone she’d met in this world looked extremely young. Louie, Audrey, Emma, Sam, even her parents who she knew were well into their forties never looked a day past thirty. Why was that? It was like some strange force was preserving their youth and prime conditions.

“So Rosa I understand your eager to escape” Dr Sana smiled, “I’ll make this as fast possible. Lie down please”. Rosa nodded with a sheepish smile and then maneuverered herself onto her back. The doctor equipped a pair of new latex gloves and gently applied pressure across Rosa’s entire body, searching for any possible damage. But just like Rosa had been saying, Dr Sana found nothing. Rosa couldn’t explain it but despite being thrown into a car like a pebble she now felt completely fine. After travelling from Rosa’s head all the way to her feet, Dr Sana nodded satisfied and threw away the latex gloves.

“Just one last check” she announced. Carefully, Dr Sana placed her hand onto Rosa’s sternum and closed her eyes. Rosa watched stunned as, a glowing stream of green light began to flow across the back of Dr Sana’s around forming a strange twirling symbol bisected by a straight line. Suddenly a strange warmth spread across Rosa’s body, like she was being gently hugged by an invisible force. It felt as if it was taking hold of each and every one of her cells and analysing their condition. Eventually after the strange warmth was content with its work it withdrew back to Dr Sana and she lifted her hand off Rosa’s chest.

“You were right” Dr Sana stated in disbelief, “I don’t know how but despite slight exhaustion your body is completely fine. You’re fine to be discharged”.

“Thank you Dr Sana” Rosa said happily.

“Hopefully the next time we meet won’t be here” Dr Sana said with a smile, “oh and Louie wants you to head to Commander Ruthor’s office”/

Rosa nodded as she hopped off the bed and walked towards the infirmary door.

“See you later Sam” Rosa said. Sam made a weak attempt to wave goodbye but never opened her eyes or moved her head, like she was trying to fight off a migraine. Wanting to let her friend get some rest, Rosa quickly made her exit.

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Unfortunately due to all the chaos, Rosa hadn’t remembered the way she’d been brought to the infirmary and therefore had no idea how to get back to the lobby, never mind Ruthor’s office. She spent the next ten minutes mindlessly wandering around dimly lit cryptic halls until finally she ran into an officer who was able to guide her back to the lobby.

The vast room was as busy and filled to the brim with officers as last time, it still completely baffled how different it now was to that silent and desolate room she’d first sat in. Rosa cautiously made her way across the room, trying her utmost best to get in no one’s way. She failed miserably. Red faced, she followed her memories and strolled down the long corridor until she successfully made it to the end where she found Commander Ruthor’s office.

As she approached she could hear voices booming from inside. It sounded as if an argument was taking place.

“What the hell is a Camaz doing out of South America and here of all places?”. Rosa heard a woman question. That voice. She quickly recognised it from the night of her first hunt, Audrey Lelan, Sam’s older sister.

“It’s following someone’s commands” Emma replied, “otherwise it would’ve butchered every student and teacher it sensed”.

“To control a camaz you’d need to be at least at the level of a vampire prince”. She heard Ruthor growl.

Slowly and silently, Rosa grew closer to the door.

“So where dealing with a vampire prince. Great” Audrey grumbled.

“Or something even greater” Louie stated.

“What? Do you think we’re dealing with a vampire lord?” Emma asked.

“I don’t know yet” Louie answered.

“Do you think this creature could be responsible for everything that’s happened?” Ruthor questioned. The room went silent and Rosa got the feeling they were all looking to Louie.

“How long are you going to wait out there?” Louie asked loudly. Rosa panicked and leapt away from the door. “I’m certain I asked Bianca to send you into Ruthor’s office, not to eaves drop outside”.

‘How did he-?’ Rosa begin to question as she sheepishly twisted the door handle and slid into the office.

“It sounded important” Rosa muttered, “I didn’t want to interrupt”.

“It is important. But it also involves you and therefore you have a right to know what’s happening” Louie told her. He stood leaning against the far wall. Ruthor sat at his desk while Audrey sat on crossed legged on the corner of the desk, Emma was leaning beside the office’s door and Rosa quickly took a place beside her, folding her arms identical to her sister. Louie turned back towards Ruthor.

“No I don’t” Louie admitted, “however, I do think there’s a good chance this monster is linked to James’s case”.

“James’s case?” Audrey asked.

“Before his passing, James left me orders. One of those of orders was to assign Louie a specific hunt” Ruthor explained. He turned to Louie. “As it’s your case, Louie you have the lead. How do you want to proceed? The division’s resources are at your disposal”.

“Thanks” Louie replied plainly, “but for now I need nothing, I’ve got to do something first. Rosa lets go. You’re going to want to get some rest. Tomorrow morning we’re going on a little trip”.

Rosa’s brows furrowed however before she could open her mouth, Audrey jumped off the desk.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to organise a meeting” Audrey asked ominously.

Louie responded with a grim nod before leaving the wall. “I’m not left with much of a choice”. He then made his way out of the room.

“I’ll be back tomorrow night” he called back. Frowning, Emma propped herself up off the wall and trailed him out, Rosa quickly followed suit. As she walked through the door, she gave Ruthor and Audrey a wave.

“Have fun” Audrey grinned and waved back, Ruthor gave her a firm nod as the door closed. By the time she glanced round, Louie and Emma were already halfway down the hall. Rosa entered a light jog to catch up.

“Are you sure about this?” Emma asked Louie. Rosa detected a hint of caution in her voice.

“I am” Louie responded.

“Should I not come too?”.

“No. The division needs you here. We’ll be fine Em, nothing bad is going to happen”.

Her sister sighed but nodded in agreement.

“Where are we going?” Rosa asked, struggling to keep up with their walking speed even while maintaining her jog. What the hell was their pace?

“It’ll be easier to show you then explain” Louie stated, “but if it helps we’re travelling inland of the country”. It didn’t help.

They entered the HQ lobby.

“I’ve got some work to get done, so I’ll see you back at the house later” Emma announced before vanishing through one the many doors that ran along the lobby walls. Rosa really wanted to know what was through all of them doors, this entire building was like a labyrinth of mystery and prospect. It ignited her curiosity like wood to a flame. Louie and Rosa carried on forward and left the HQ. She followed him silently all the way down the side road and across the car park. The silence threatened to follow them home but once at the car Louie came to an abrupt stop. He turned to Rosa and pulled something out the inside of his coat.

“I believe this is yours” he said. In his hand was her black jagged dagger. He offered out the weapon and Rosa graciously accepted it.

“Thank you” she said. Her fingers carefully traced over the blade as it filled her with reassurance. Rosa hadn’t realised how much she’d missed having it on her.

“I heard you managed to stab the camaz” Louie said, “not bad. Not bad at all”. To Rosa’s surprise, a slight smile cracked across his icy face. Without another word he got into the car.

Holding onto the dagger tight, Rosa couldn’t help but let a grin shape her mouth.