Spirit Hunter Book 1 Chapter 4

Chapter Four:  

"So what the heck are we supposed to do until Bram returns with the mission assignment?" I told, feeling so much like a spy. I imagined myself in a tuxedo, scaling walls and flipping over trap wires. I gave a tiny giggle at this but heard no response from Chase. When I looked over to him, he had a very lost and shocked appearance. He stared at the city-like landscape from my rooftop with an open mouth.

"Are you okay Chase?" I asked, beginning to wave a hand in front of his face. He leapt off the roof and sniffed the ground, his tail twitching and eyes small. He yelled and jumped off toward the road, holding his ears as he ran into the streets ahead. I stared in disbelief just as the sound of wings started to surround the rooftop. Bram was behind me, his scythe floating in the air around him. "Hello Elysia. Where is Chase?"

I pointed to the city and sighed. "He ran off…"

"He's got culture shock I bet." Bram told, holding his son closer to his body in an attempt to make sure he stayed asleep. "Well I can't give you the first assignment and a full explanation without him. So can you please go fetch him?"

He made it sound so easy. It was my first actual relationship with a spirit from the other side and it ended up like I'm trying to chase down a lost puppy. I crossed my arms looking to the Messenger. He just stood there in the air, wings spread fully and scarf floating majestically. It was obvious that he wasn't going to move until I had done as he asked.

So carefully I entered the house through my window and scratched my head with confusion, trying to think of where he may have gone. I dashed out the house and began my search from where he landed.

Now it wasn't as much as a city despite the fact I glorified it that way. It was just an old road with lots of buildings or business and houses. I stared ahead seeing a muddy track where Chase's bare feet had landed. Quickly I followed along it until ahead I saw him sulking underneath a tree in a yard a few blocks down.

"Chase!" I shouted, coming nearer. He hid himself under his tail and growled as he spoke,

"What do you want? You took me to this horrid place."

"That's because our mission is here. Now please come with me." I held out a hand, smiling gently up to him. He stared coldly at me, his glare cut through me like a knife. He shot his body up and gave me this look, this death stare toward me. I could not tear away from him, a magnetizing force pulling me close. He held out a fist to the cityscape and clenched his teeth as he spoke to me, "What is wrong with you humans?"
"What are you talking about?" I noticed the sound of wings behind me, knowing it was our Messenger Bram searching for the results of my chase. The former teacher reclined on his scythe; the soft sound of his baby breathing only filled the awkward silence.

Chase had tears filling his eyes as he finally drew a finger to the tip of a faraway light post. "Look at what humanity has done!" His tone was full of wrath, body shaking in fury, "In their dreams of perfection they have created a nightmare of flaws!" As his fit went on, he raised his arms higher towards the heavens. He then punched his fists into the concrete and little dribbles of blood flowed through his fingers. When he lifted them, I saw small cracks had been created. He had a terrifying stance, his eyes glittering like raging fires. "Why must others be shoved to the ground for that species alone to rise?"

Bram sighed low, inhaling deeply. He obviously saw I was at a loss for words so stepped up to the plate. I saw his hand rise into the air and it came down hard against the raccoon spirit's head. Chase yelped, holding it soon after. "What was that for?"

The Messenger glared at him, tapping his scythe on the ground. "Chase…this is the human world yes. But this is just what we call civilization."

He seemed calmed down but I still held a shoulder in my hand. He twitched, growling as he turned to me. I smirked, mocking his words from before, "I take it you've never been out of the forest?"

"Never…" he whispered. Bram burst out into laughter and a barricade of angry fumes started to pour from Chase's mouth. I held him back and smiled gently. The Messenger adjusted his grip on Jeremy and smiled brilliantly down on us. "That would explain it. Now if the drama queen is ready to begin, I'd like to get this over with. Aura's making something special for dinner."

"Yes sir…" He told, and I could just feel the shame flowing from him. Chase still stood tall but his ears were lower than usual. But he still was determined, a gaze set in his eyes that couldn't be taken. I stood, trying to seem as proud but I was still shorter than him. Bram brought out a scroll and hummed, smiling, "Ah here it is. The first actual mission. It's relatively easy, nothing too special yet. You just have to climb a few blocks down to this old creaky house and assist a spirit in need."

"That's it?" Bram nodded to my question, giving a giant smile, "Yes. I expect you two to get this done in a minimum of two hours. Good luck!" With that he shot into the skies, floating on the currents until his body disappeared into the dark clouds.

I stared, watching for a while before I noticed Chase starting to walk in the direction we had been told. From the way his shoulders were perched, I could tell that he needed a little bit of time alone.