The smell of smoke was carried along by the southbound breeze—the group's attention was brought toward a small stack of it just over the tree line. Parked just outside the camp, a red pick-up truck sat, the cooling engine giving off a gentle hiss. A campfire cracked nearby, accompanied by a large man in a ten-gallon hat. Hearing the snapping of sticks and crunch of fallen leaves, the man's bearded face turned upward.

"Hey, son." said Martin.

The group stayed quiet while Andy ran to embrace his father. The two held together like glue for a good long moment, Martin caressing the boy's poofy head, Andy burying his face in the old man's shoulder. It almost looked as though the both of them would cry, though as touching as it might have been, the reunion was cut short upon the realization of the others' presence.

Gently, Martin began to push Andy to the side, stepping one foot out in front of the boy, getting between him and the monsters that followed. Though the old man was not outwardly hostile, the others kept their distance.

"...You wanna introduce me to your friends?" Martin asked.

Andy nodded and pointed to each of them.

"Everyone, this's my dad, Martin. Dad, this's Cici."

"Hiya!" Cici greeted with an excited wave. Drew had to hold her back by the shoulder before she got too close. Martin was privy to the fact that he'd likely be meeting monsters, though whatever it was he initially had in mind, it did not compare to the strangeness that was Cici. Still, his son seemed to trust the girl enough...enough for him to not try and mow her down, anyhow.

"The redheaded fella is Drew," Andy said. Drew gave a casual salute. He was more along the lines of what Martin had expected. Scraggly looking, feral, just something a little off about the guy. The skunky smell of the man wasn't missed either. Martin kept a close eye on him.

"And then this here's Tanya," Andy said. "She don't really talk too much."

Tanya sneered. She had already been made more than aware of the fact that they'd be meeting with a Human. There were so many procedures being ignored, so many customs this was breaking, so much she'd be disregarding...but it hardly weighed on her conscience as much as it should have. If the big wigs got to bend the rules as much as they did, why couldn't she? To be entirely honest with herself, Tanya didn't care. So long as they didn't decide to bring it home with them, this group could talk to as many humans as they wanted. Martin's eyes followed her twitching hand down to her side. He could tell how much she wanted to grab that knife of hers, the amount of restraint it took not to do so. He could feel about as much in his own hands, hovering over his holsters, itching to pull the trigger.

Hah. That was another thing they seemed to have in common; Discipline. The two crossed their arms near simultaneously.

"So, they helping out?" Martin said abruptly.

"Helping with what?" asked Drew.

Before Martin could answer, Andy was stepping back out between everyone, trying to get their attention.

"Just a sec. Would y'all mind if I got a moment or two with my dad? Alone?"

The group looked to each other and exchanged shrugs.

"Go for it," said Drew.

"Thanks," The boy pulled Martin off to the side, far and away from the campfire, into the surrounding grove to help drown out their voices.

"Everything okay?" Martin asked.

"Yeah. Just wanted to make sure we're on the same page."

"What's going on"

"Nothin', just," Andy's hands fell to his sides. "I ain't too sure we've established what the plan is—an' I just know these folks ain't too keen on workin' with the Natural Order."

Martin nods a few times and places his hands on his hips. "Well, I thought it was pretty cut an' dry, we find the bastard and we rip out his heart."

"You don't think that would sound a bit crazy?"

"Don't reckon I care."

"Dad, please. I've been thinkin' about it a lot, an'...an' I really don't think this is the right thing to be doin'."

The boy's mouth pursed together when he gleaned his father's stubborn look. Biting down on his lower lip, he had to think. What could he say now, that hadn't already been said?

"I'd say we've got plenty of a reason. My boy gets to stay with me, and we got one less monster in the world because of it."

"That ain't gonna be how they see it."

"This's our only option, boy, don't tell me you're gettin' cold feet."

"I'm not. Just...ya know, there's a lot to consider." Andy winced as details came back to him. "You know, that fella's got a kid at home. I mean, what would that make us, in her eyes?"

Martin's big arms crossed. He stewed on the thought, mulling it over, suspicious. His mustache wriggled like a worm, his finger slid underneath his nose. Sniff.

"Andy, how'd you learn all this?"

Andy considered telling him right there and then, but his lips remained locked. He couldn't come up with any sort of fib, either. Martin cocked a brow.

"You seen 'im round here, boy?"

"No, just...just what I've heard from the locals."

"The locals?"

"Locals, like, Cici an' all them. There's...a few groups of 'em, all hidin' out here from them Human folk."

Martin looks over the bushes, toward the bonfire, the sitting group.

"...I don't know what all you told them, but if they're gonna be an issue, then I want them gone, do you understand?"

"...I'll talk to them."

"Alright. Good."

"But, Dad?"

Martin turns.

"What about the kid?"

The old man stroked his beard and chewed on the stray hairs of his mustache. "I say we cross that bridge when we come to it. As far as I know, these 'locals' could be full 'a crap."

Considering where he did get that information from, Andy somewhat agreed. The Rangers hadn't a reputation of telling the truth up until that point. Still, the comment rubbed him the wrong way.

"I...I dunno. They ain't all bad."

The old man scoffed. "Hmh. Just try not to get too attached."

"I won't." Andy said, shoulders sagging.

The boy lingered behind as Martin made his way back to the campfire—though before Andy could follow, he found himself being pulled behind a thick shrub, his mouth covered fast by a cold, clammy hand. Resisting the hold, clawing, biting, about to scream, Andy noted just who had taken him captive; It was Vick, the little pest!

"Vick?" Andy asked, baffled. "What are you doing here?"

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"Keeping an eye on you—speakin' of which, are you out of your freakin' mind?" Jumpy, high-strung, Vick checked over his shoulders to make sure nobody was listening in. He voice lowered to a quiet hiss. "Do you know what will happen if you kill a Ranger?"

"...Like I said, I don't plan on stayin' here too long."

"Ugh—look, that's not—Andy, this is crazy."

"It may be, but it's the only chance I've got at goin' back home!" Raising his voice, the others nearby turned their heads toward the shadows. Vick did his best to keep out of sight.

"I get that, I do, but—you don't think this is a little extreme?"

Why was it even any of his business to begin with? Andy's head throbbed. He wasn't about to attempt to justify murder, but the decision, he thought, was final. Pa was all he had left. It was either this, or stay as a freak under Hudson's oppressive thumb. Growling a bit underneath his breath, Andy pushed past Vick and started making his way back to the campfire—but Vick grabbed him by the arm.

"Andy—this isn't worth it."

"Don't tell me what my family is worth." Andy tore his arm away and stormed back to the others, leaving the Vampire to gnash his teeth. Orange eyes peering out from the dark brush, Vick slinked his way back into the shadows.

"Everything okay?" Martin asked as Andy came back into the light.

"We've got ourselves a stowaway." the boy groaned.

The others went on high alert.

"We do?" asked Drew. "Who?"

"Just Vick."

"Another one of your 'friends?'" asked Martin.

"Kinda," Andy said. "He told me he wasn't gonna be comin' along. Guess that was a lie."

"Where's he at?" Cici hopped up to go look. Andy just gave her a grunt and a thumb in Vick's general direction—the girl quickly scurried off.

A few odd blinks from Drew, his mouth opening and closing. He had considered saying something, anything to acknowledge the Vampire's inclusion, but...just another tired breath. Whatever was cooking in that head of his, he didn't feel like sharing.

He wouldn't have to.

"Ow—owwww!!"

Cici dragged Vick by the ear over to the bonfire. The Vampire fell to the ground with an oomph, though he tried to pass it off as though nothing happened. He got to his feet and straightened out his cashmere sweater vest.

"How long've you been spying on us?" Cici asked.

"Maybe the last day or so." Vick replied.

"Really? And you couldn't help out with the freakin' Mycarnids? The crazy lady with the knife!?"

Tanya frowned. Vick shrugged.

"Couldn't risk blowin' my cover."

Annoyed, the Xita threatened to strike Vick. He flinched. Martin cleared his throat.

The Vampire looked about, arms on his hips, examining his surrounding piers. Martin. Andy. Cici. Tanya. Drew. His upper lip quivered with some resentment, disgust, disappointment.

"...Look at you guys, all comin' together for a common cause, ain't that cute? Who knew cops and psychos made such a great team?"

"You don't know what you're talking about!" Getting to his feet, Andy jabbed his pointer finger into Vick's chest. "You—you've had it so easy. You were pretty much born like this. You have no idea what it's like to get torn away from everything, from the world you know, from the people you love."

"Oh, I don't know what that's like, huh? You wanna run that by me again you dense hick? Here's a news flash—you're not the only one who's mommy is six feet under."

"Shut your mouth!"

Baring his fangs, a guttural snarl beneath his words, Andy was startled by the hand that was on his shoulder---Martin's. It took him a double take and a drop in his stomach before he realized he needed to calm down. The old man had been trembling slightly.

"Boy, I'm gonna ask you don't speak to my son like that again." Martin said.

"Tch," Vick crossed his arms. "Has your son even told everyone what the plan is yet?"

"Honestly," said Drew. "Still waiting on that."

"Well. Andy here's been working with the Natural Order."

An uncomfortable silence stirred. Everyone turned to look at the boy and his father. Squeezing Andy's shoulder still, Martin took in a short breath and cleared his throat.

"...They're good samaritans, trying to help cure my boy."

"Yeah—cure it with Davis's heart." Vick said.

Tanya raised a brow, her pupils shrinking. Drew just sat there, simmering, his face turning red as a beet. Cici was slack-jawed—it felt like the strings of her heart were being tugged to the point of breaking.

"Andy?" The girl shook her head in disbelief. "That's...not true, is it?"

The pit in Andy's stomach only continued to grow. There was this fuzzy, numbing pain working its way up his neck, a dull throb that only accentuated his growing migraine. There were butterflies in his stomach, goosebumps spreading on his arms. It felt as though all his guts were about to fall out of him at once. He couldn't even look her in the eye.

"I—I had to. I have to. It's—"

Cici took a step back, continuing to shake her head.

"It's the only way I can go home," Andy stammered. "Guys—he killed my mom."

"The Order killed mine." Vick said.

"And mine." Drew stood and threw his cigarette into the campfire. "I'm sorry—you think your petty revenge quest justifies working with the Fourth Reich?"

The boy bit down.

"That ain't fair! Maybe I don't wanna be stuck as some freak!"

There it is, Drew thought. He nodded a few times. "As far as I'm concerned? You are a freak."

THWOK.

Martin nailed Drew in the cheek with a mean right hook.

Drew backed off a few steps, a stray tooth being spat from his mouth, blood pooling in his gums. Drawing her knife, Tanya flipped it into throwing position—the old man responded by flashing his revolver. Nobody moved, nobody took their eyes off the old man. The moment was tense, but it was only that—a moment. Everyone's breathing came to a slow. Martin and Tanya lowered their arms.

"Any more smart comments you'd like to share?"

Vick scoffed. "You don't scare me, old man."

"I should." Martin said as he stepped toward his truck. "C'mon, boy. We're leaving."

Andy turned to Cici, tensing up, eyes pleading for forgiveness—but Cici looked away, betrayal a black ink oozing onto her face.

"You should probably go." Cici said, rubbing her arm. Andy winced.

"Cici—"

"Please," Cici gripped her arm tight. "I...really hope you find your cure."

The boy was besides himself. It was an out-of-body experience, the amount of shame he'd been feeling in that moment. The weak legs it wrought nearly brought him to his knees.

"...Okay," Andy said. "Bye."

"Bye." said Cici.

A weary breath escaped him. Andy turned back to his father and followed him towards the truck. As the duo disappeared from sight, a heavy silence lingered around the campfire.

Vick turned to the Ranger. "Aren't you gonna go stop them?"

Was she? Did Tanya really care enough at this point about her duties?

Right. Yeah. The girl got to her feet and began running after the truck.

It wasn't too difficult, chasing after it as it struggled to drive through the bumpy woodland terrain. There weren't many paved portions of road in the area, or much of any road at all. It was a wonder how the old man got the pickup out to this spot to begin with—or it was, until glorious sight of matted-down dirt came into the headlights. During the vehicle's rush to smoother pastures, Tanya boarded in the truck bed, blending in with the various shakes and rattles.

Pwoumf. The truck bottomed out just a bit as it hit the main road. The back tires drift, swinging out and struggling to maintain traction. Martin hit the gas—and the truck sped off down the road. Meanwhile, Andy rested his forehead on the dashboard, putting enough weight on the fan ridges to leave a mark on his head when he sits up. That was bad. That was really bad. He couldn't believe how bad that was. What was next, then? Where were they headed now?

Right. Down the road of uncertainty, no potential future looking particularly bright. The truck rattled some along the bumpy, winding road. The only persistent sound was the hum of the engine and the odd chirping of insects outside. Neither of them spoke, both lost in thoughts a bit too complicated to put into words. Andy dissociated particularly hard. The outside noise all began to blur into a constant static buzz. He ran over the scenario in his mind, over and over again, thinking about what he would say to his friends when next he saw them, if he ever even would see them again after this point. He thinks about what he could have said differently. How he could have worded his response better, how he could have kept their faith that this was the right thing to do.

The right thing to do... maybe it wasn't so simple.

A gravelly voice tried to speak—Martin's, muffled to Andy by the turmoil that clouded his mind. The boy didn't hear it the first few times it had attempted to communicate—a sudden jostle shot through the boy on the third try.

"Andy—" Martin called, nudging the boy with his elbow. "What you done back there...it weren't easy. Now these folks might not get it, but you did what you felt you had to. That takes a lot of courage."

Staring just ahead, Andy could not respond immediately. Words stayed, stagnating behind his lips, raw and unprocessed. He swallowed back the lump in his throat.

"I just hope it was worth it."

"It was." Martin said. He turned down the radio. "Pull out the map from the glove compartment, would ya?"

The boy nodded and pried it open. Insurance papers, an owners manual, ah—there it was. He took out the large document and unfolded it—a map of the valley, with a few areas circled, none of which seemed particularly correlated. The largest of the shapes enveloped the inner valley, beyond that forbidden range to their right—Hudsonville. Martin traced a finger along the roadway, following the path, up until...there. He tapped his finger twice on the page.

"Alright—see that pass? That's where we think he's hiding. Lines up with my records, this valley's got a missing persons number like you wouldn't believe. Twenty-five people just within the last year. You was fixin' to be twenty-six, before we found you."

The old man took a deep breath, and placed a firm hand on Andy's shoulder. Of course, Andy reciprocated his old man's touch with a reassuring hand-hold. Recalling his prior investigation, he pointed to a location, northwest. It was completely untouched by the various circles.

"Actually—we're gonna wanna start 'round here."

"There?" Martin scowled. "Why there?"

"I've done a bit of snoopin' on my own, an', I've got in on pretty good authority that he's stayin' out in that neck of the woods."

"Really? An' are you sure this ain't some kind of trap?"

Andy hadn't really thought about it up until that point. It was all awfully convenient, the way Snoozie laid everything out for him. Convenient and suspicious. She said she was Hudson's right hand gal, did she not? Then again, she did get Hudson off his back to begin with. And besides, it wasn't as if they had an opportunity to go back into the valley itself, not unless Andy wanted to start back from square one. Martin's charting of the supposed hunting grounds were fairly fallible. This was the only real lead they had.

Besides, if it was a trap, they had backup, right?

Andy grimaced. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that.

Huff. The boy tapped at the location again.

"I'm sure."