The Girl Named Valerie

’s Point

ast with the morning paper opened to page

O RISE IN NEW YORK STAT

, the lack of evidence in each, gang activity suspected. I had seen these signs before, though admittedly note in this magnitude, and wasn’t blissfully ignoran

e lives had been ended by the monsters that now stalked streets of York in NEW YORK State a

e room before I heard her v

w why you insist on calling me by my full name, how many times do I have

ed like a Dis

t you will always be my Valerie so I’m afraid you’re just going to have to live with it.” She came to stand behind me and touched my sho

. I’ve waited too long as it is. I’m going to York tomorrow and putti

be when talking about things that would make a normal p

d been forced to grow up quickly and had not only witnessed but

seemed, it was in my blood and I was trained to kill, trained to protect. By the time I was nine I could shoot a ten inch target from over 50 meters away and throw a knife

t encompassed both their minds and physical bodies, distinguishable from each other but still part of the whole. Each person was unique, no aura the same and it told me a great dea

plants and with enough concentration even non-biological cre

manipulate it. I could make objects move and float around me. I could stop a person in dead their tracks, though only for a short period of time, thirty seconds if I was really concentrating. It was enough though. It didn’t take long for me to strik

rt by the loss of a Child, sibling, parent or lover. I did it for them and it was worth it. Howev

n slowly, “I don’t want you going to York, please. I’m no expert” I smirked involuntarily but she continued on, “...but

east 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 as

this situation.” She all but yelled at me. I ha

these kinds of situations, and that’s just a fact. I’ll be fine, as al

tried to calm her down though it s

st time you’ve gone looking for trouble.

game, that I’m not taking this seriously?” I asked. I could tell where this conversation was going and I

eath, “Ever since

no right to be angry with her, it was unjustified but I couldn’t help

r used to actively track and hunt down vam… well you know what.” My mother always had trouble with that word. “And frankly I’m

ood up out of my chair and yanked my hand away. “I need to get ready if I’m leaving

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

rned away from my reflection and walked over to my oversized closet. Inside I found everything I needed. First I packed away my clothing, bringing wit

ned what I needed to hunt. As I opened the doors a familiar sight hit me. There were several shelves displaying a series of knives and guns unique in t

ained and my ancestors had used this to their advantage. Though it took weeks, sometimes months, to sharpen and shape the immensely strong bone it was not impo

and packed them safely away taking care not to tear through their case or through any of my stuff. I placed my bag on the floor, sat at the edge of my bed and looked

ally when I got to high school. It was easier as a Child when I was still ignorant to the dangers my life contained and could still interact with others without care. That soon changed when reality set i

had caught. I remembered that camping trip, one of the many the three of us took while I was growing up. I could feel my eyes beginn

walk and savor the sunny day. I silently made my way down stairs and slipped on my running shoes. As I left my house I coul

p was different than the others. Change was coming. I couldn’t explain it, I just felt it and my instincts had yet to lead me astray. As I looked up a