The Beast Unknown

cle. “DEATH TOLL CONTINUES TO RISE IN NEW YORK STATE. POLICE HAVE NO LEADS.” I continued to read the entire article though I knew the story off b

to pay. It was my burden this life, my duty and I continued with it without complaint though I did not enjoy it. I constantly reminded myself of the lives I was saving, the families that would never be torn apart by the loss of a Child, sibling, parent or lover. I did it for them and it was worth it. However, a small part of me demanded recognition, the part that now hunted out of revenge, out of pain. My mom broke my reverie as she sat down beside me and looked at me with unashamed love and… fear? “Valerie..,” she began slowly, “I don’t want you going to York, please. I’m no expert” I smirked involuntarily but she continued on, “...but this is no ordinary situation, even I can see that. It’s too dangerous, let the York Police department to handle this.” I couldn’t help but laugh, this was a joke it just had to be. “The York police department, you have to be joking!” She gave me a cool stare that let me know this was not the least bit funny to her. “Mom, they couldn’t solve this problem if the monsters themselves strode into the station in broad daylight and declared their guilt. You may as well ask me to write to Zeus for help” I loved my mother dearly and while she knew what I did she did her best not to dwell on it. She knew the essentials, nothing more nothing less. “Valerie Jackson, don’t you dare make light of this situation.” She all but yelled at me. I hadn’t seen her so livid about a hunt in a while. “I’m not! I’m just stating that the police are totally incompetent with these kinds of situations, and that’s just a fact. I’ll be fine, as always, so there’s no need to worry about me. This isn’t my first rodeo.” I put my hand on top of hers as I tried to calm her down though it seemed to have the opposite effect. “I’m quite aware that this isn’t the first time you’ve gone looking for trouble.” Her eyes blazed with anger and concern. “What is that supposed to mean? Do you think I hunt for kicks? You think I see this as some sort of sick game, that I’m not taking this seriously?” I asked. I could tell where this conversation was going and I was beginning to get defensive. I shook my head slightly, trying to clear it while reigning in my emotions. She took a deep breath, “Ever since your father died…” I knew it, “You mean murdered, don’t you?” I said coolly. I knew I had no right to be angry with her, it was unjustified but I couldn’t help it. She knew this was a sore topic for me and that’s putting it mildly. She just looked at me sadly and continued as if I had said nothing, “You have been reckless and consumed with hunting. You never used to actively track and hunt down vam… well you know what.” My mother always had trouble with that word. “And frankly I’m concerned. I don’t want to loose you! Sometimes I think you’re trying to put yourself in dangers way because you blame yourse—” I cut her off there, I had reached my limit. “I don’t want to talk about this.” I stood up out of my chair and yanked my hand away. “I need to get ready if I’m leaving tomorrow.” I said quickly before walking out of the room without making eye contact. Once in my room I locked the door behind me, not wanting to be disturbed, and paced around for a few seconds. I stopped abruptly and placed my hands against my dresser and began staring at myself in the mirror. I was breathing heavily and I tried to calm myself down and soon my heart resumed it’s normal pace. I was pretty, not beautiful, just merely pretty. I was 5’10, tall for girl, and had a decent and muscled physique, not unfeminine just strong. I had a black Afro hair that was just within my shoulder level and layered perfectly with my face. I looked a lot like my mother except for my eyes. My eyes were dazzling shade of green, the same eye