Cal, my father, and I stand out in the dark forest. Another patrol of three officers were about 50 yards to the west of us. The trees around us block out most of the moon light, hindering our normal sight. It’s dark and quiet.

My father takes the lead, heading north into the mountains. Our footsteps make soft crunches as we step on the pine needles. I can hear our breaths and see white clouds in front of me. Winter was near, bringing with it cold air and long nights.

We have guns on our belts, but our wands are our weapons of choice. Guns don’t do much to vampires. Even if they have silver bullets like ours, they’ll just slow them down, or if it hits the heart, paralyze them. Witch fire is the way to kill them for good. I was a little rusty with my magic since I had no reason to use it in college, but my father has spent the last week refreshing Cal and I.

Noises filter around us, calls of birds, shuffling of animals. The forest is alive at night, reveling in things hidden to us. The thought that something else could be out there, something vicious and cruel with human intelligence, makes the hairs on my neck stand. My dad stops and looks around. The noises have stopped. It’s now so silent I can hear my heartbeat.

A gun shot goes off to our west, muffled by trees and distance. At the same time I hear a twig break to my right. I spin towards it and pull my wand up. I see a figure dart behind a tree, so quick I almost write it off.

“They’re here.” My dad says and I see a flicker of fire at the end of his wand.

I hear a laugh to our left, then a chuckle to our right. Suddenly I see silver eyes peer out of the darkness and I raise my wand. Fire spits out of the end and I can finally see what’s on the receiving end of the flame.

Dr. Corban.

He sneers at me, fangs glaring in the fire light and then jumps to the side, dodging the fire. He turns and takes off into the darkness.

“Don’t let him go!” My father yells, rushing after him. He didn’t need to tell me that. I was not going to let him get away. I take off after him, passing my father. We dodge trees and rocks, heading further into the mountains. Each time I think we’ve got him he gains terrain over us.

“He’s playing with us.” Cal growls behind me.

I hear his laughter fill the air around us, but we’ve lost sight of him.

“Ring, ring, Levi. The one you love is dead.” His voice hisses.

The Bluetooth in my ear opens up the channel all the officers were in. From my Father and Cal’s expression theirs did too. The one I love is dead? Eileen.

“Patrol Belle, return to the station at once. Patrol caught one.” Officer Hurley says over the earpiece.

“Dad.” I say as the channel goes silent. “Dad, Eileen…”

He nods. “Go. The vampire was probably lying, but stop by the house on your way into the station and check.”

“Thanks.” I say. We make our way quickly back to the car and I take off towards my house.

The house is covered in darkness when I pull up. My watch reads 2:30am. I calm my breathing. She’s just sleeping. I’m going to walk in there and she’ll be okay, I tell myself. It doesn’t help. I sprint up the steps and throw our door open.