I wrapped the coat around me tighter as I stomped my way through the heaps of snow. And I’m not talking about a shovel or two from hitting pavement but like needing at least five people to shovel through.

My teeth chattered as I reached the top of the snow hill. When I made it to the tip top, the gated house was sitting right there behind an… opened fence? The house itself was huge, it looked big for being a block away.

As I looked down the slope, the most awesomest idea popped into my head. What else can I do but act on it!

I jumped forward and shot my leg out to make for a slick slide down the snow hill. I would look like a badass Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee when I slide down this hill… If it was only that simple.

My leg stuck into the snow but that didn’t stop my momentum. My upper body tilted forward and I landed head first into the snow, breaking out into a roll! I tumbled down like tumbleweed, descending the giant hill. So I did the only reasonable thing I could, I screamed.

However! Whenever I freaking opened my mouth, I would take a mouthful of snow. I was more afraid that I would soon lose all my teeth or die of uhhh over coldness. What’s that word again? Hippo-thermia? Ya that! Hippo-thermia.

I landed at the bottom of the hill with a thump on more snow. I swear to god, I hate snow. If anyone probably saw me right now, I would look like a sushi roll with all this snow wrapped around my body. Like seriously, the snow was so dense that I couldn’t move my arms.

Planting my feet onto the ground, I used all my strength to get my upper body balanced up. Well, of course it didn’t happen without a falling on my ass multiple times. When I finally got up I shook off the snow from my arms and kicked at the ground with all the force that a grade schooler had.

Walking forward while patting the persistent snow off from my coat, I bumped into something hard and cold.

“Ow! What th-”

Looking up to see the unlucky person who will meet my fists is, I quickly took a few steps back and shot my head down.

I could see the long silver leg of it with a wheel on the bottom. The square head with arms that could extend and retract if needed. It was a patrol bot.

“Scanning. Name for identifications please.” the robotic voice ordered, looking me down with its virtual circle eyes.

“L-Lewis Dean!” I stuttered, arms not moving away from my sides.

The robot whirred for a bit before a virtual smile appeared on its face.

“Lewis Dean, please be careful on your way home. Good day to you.” it said before rolling off down the street.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Those death machines may sound friendly but I’ve seen them disintegrate a thief into ashes just for stealing some fruit! Bloody overkill if you ask me!

If they catch you during a crime before humans do, you can wish your life goodbye!

I stayed in my position until the whirring of the robot faded off farther in the distance. Only then did I lift my head up and bolt towards my gated yard! I’m not ready quite yet to turn into cat litter. Granted I don’t think I’ll ever be ready but who knows right?

When I reached the front of the gate, I held down the button to the right of it.

“I’m home guys! Open the door please. And quickly!”

I let go of the button and glanced over my shoulders to make sure that the robot wasn’t charging up some laser beams or something. After a few moments, there was still no reply. Is the housekeeper not in? What about Mother and Father, they should be home right? Considering they aren’t supposed to have work today.

I brought my hand to my chin and started stroking it intently.

The intercom buzzed on. However, no voice spoke. It was only static then it shut off. The gate clicked unlocked to my surprise and I pushed the gate open… then….

Darkness.

***

My eyes shot open and my body jolted up. My head darted side to side to get a feel for where I am. I brought my calloused hands to my face and shut my eyes.

Ah, it was just a dream. That same damned dream gets me everytime… where are you Charlie

Looking at the watch on my wrist, I brought out my phone to look at my sent messages.

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

Tsk, the lazy bum still hasn’t replied and just how long have i been waiting for him. Sigh, maybe i should just get the job done myself.

I hopped out from the car and reached down to pick up my cane on the side. Tapping it on the ground it seemed to be just fine. I looked up to the house i was parked in front of and noticed the curtains move from inside the place

When I glanced around the house, there was no red trail meaning that whatever is inside has been there for a while or, someone is alive up there after a demon attack… ya, no. that’s one hundred percent a demon up there. Noone ever survives.,.and even if they do, a piece of them will never be the same. Just like me.

I walked up to the house with the only sound being the taps of my cane. It was already past midnight so most of everyone is probably indoors avoiding the patrol bots which I frankly can’t blame them for.

Those hunks of metal are walking killing machines.

Turning the handle and walking into the house with the awareness of a cat, I let my senses take over.

Sniffing into the air, I could smell something reeked with death. I slid out the bottom of my cane, revealing a blade underneath. Tucking the cover into my scabbard, I went from room to room looking for the demon.

Furniture was upturned and vases were shattered. Yep, the demon is definitely here. Claw marks were staring me right in the face on a family painting of a husband, wife, and a child who wasn’t even old enough to stand for this picture.

I stealthily walked up the stairs and a red trail began to form in front of me.

So the demon is still here!

Without hesitation, I ran on the trail. When the trail seeped underneath doors, I barged through it and twirled my body in the air as I swung my cane up then down!

The demon shit didn’t even realize it!

When I made contact with whatever was in the room, a smile grew on my face as I stared at the demon staggered on the ground.

However, my smile quickly subsided when the demon was…. a person?!

“GRAAA!” It snarled.

It had the body of a person but they were all charred and scratched up.

“So it possessed a corpse… fuck! Leave the dead alone you bastard!”

I scanned the room quickly and when I realized no one was in here, I charged for the living corpse.

With the blade appearing forward, the demon sprung from the ground and stuck to the walls like spider-man.

I fixed my top hat and reached into my coat to pull out a small pistol. Now it wasn’t just any pistol, but it was specially manufactured by our...somewhat freaky inventor to specifically kill whatever the fuck we needed.

The snub pistol in hand, I squeezed the trigger aiming it up to the corner.

The demon jumped as a blue beam shot from my gun.

I clicked my tongue, fixing my posture and aiming with one hand as I closed one eye.

Tsk, I won’t miss again.

The demon hopped around like some flying spider, going from one wall to the next.

However instead of firing shots, I decided to turn my back to it. Demons are stupid, if I turn my back they wil-

The demon crawled to the doorway in front of me, snarling at me

“…”

They really are stupid.

I tumbled forward with a roll and kicked my cane up as I did. Rolling onto one knee underneath the demon, it leaped down at me.

With one arm aimed at the demon, my other arm shot into the air to catch my cane. Firing out one shot through the agape mouth of the demon, I slammed my hand with the blade into its temples.

Black blood now splattered across my face, the freakish thing still snarled at me with its head pierced on the wall like a deer trophy.

Without batting an eye, I stood up and grasped the head of the demon. Resting the tip of my pistol on its forehead, I let out one final shot.

Shooting the heart of a demon will turn the shitters into ash. Using a blade will only wound it and allow them to recover. Ha! Try recovering from that!

The heart is usually located where the brains are for us humans and well, mostly any other species.

The corpse faded into ashes in the stale air. I swiped the corpse blood off from my face and down onto the ground. Gripping my cane with one hand, I yanked it out and the slimy blood dropped down the blade.

Ugh, fucking disgusting. What are these things even made of?

Creak

“...”

Creak

Fuck! There’s another one? Except, where’s the trail?

I followed the sound of the creak and entered upon a blue bedroom. Barging into it with my cane in hand, I look around expecting to see what was emitting the creaking.

“Charlie?” I gasped, looking at a kid with blonde hair curled up in the corner.

“You are Charlie right?!” I shouted, shuffling closer towards my long lost brother.

“You remember me, don’t you? We used to make paper planes and fly them down the upper floor.”

The kid started to sob, slinking farther into the corner and deeper into his knees.

“Don’t cry! I’m here now. Oh! Charlie! Remember how we used to always play detective? L-look at me now.” I stammered like a madman, showing off an ID badge from the agency.

The kid shakily pointed up to a portrait on the wall where the kid was sitting in the middle of the family.

“N-not Charlie…” he cried.

I stared at the portrait for a while. Looking at the boy who is obviously too young and too different to be my little brother...

Tsk, I sheath my weapons and gestured for the baggage to stand up. Running a hand to the back of my black hair, I turned on my heels and walked briskly out the door. My body shaking as I gripped my cane firmly.

Sigh, I guess I need to take him to the agency.

Where are you, Charlie…

Show yourself...