GRACE

Many hunters strolled through the revolving door of the caravan, some disappeared for their own ventures and the rest were taken by the supernatural. The rare few retired and she only honestly knew of one who successfully settled down with a family. A small selection entered the lifestyle at a young age, even younger than Leon, and he was still considered a baby-faced recruit. Charlotte never birthed children of her own, but she possessed this tendency to take the young under her wing and mold them to her liking. Wilburn was one such pupil, bright for his age and stubborn as they come, however a close relationship can easily tarnish with one mistake. “A fantastic majority of hunting does include the physical combat, but researching the lore is an essential key piece of survival. Knowing what you’re up against, a supernatural’s weakness and how to bring them down.” Charlotte’s eyes flickered around them, wary of her surroundings and that of the boy’s. “We could use a book worm. A couple of us hate reading, excluding myself. I have a few books if you’re interested in borrowing.”

Leon scrunched his face when he heard the woman say physical combat, but he knew it was expected. He wouldn’t be able to fight completely with books-- he’d just have to work that much harder so he can protect his family. Leon watched the woman observe their surroundings, his eyes doing the same but he couldn’t see what she saw; he couldn’t see the threats yet. What lurked beneath the skin. He turned his attention back to the woman when she mentioned letting him borrow books, a glimmer of his old excitable self perking up for a moment at the thought of getting to learn something knew. Who knew how old those books were that she had. “I would love to borrow them, Charlotte, thank you,” Leon replied eventually, shaking away the school boy feeling. This wasn’t an excitable moment, this wasn’t something to celebrate. “You’re the first person I’ve talked to that doesn’t make me feel like I’m insane. My own family is suffocating me and they can’t even see that I want to keep them safe.”

Celine slowly opened her mouth, feeling the outrage trickle from the top of her head to the very soles of her feet, taken for a shock her brother of all people would speak to her in this way. She couldn’t place herself in Leon’s shoes, how months trapped with a vampire can affect your mind in an excruciating fashion, but the fit of fury was unlike anything she’s faced and Celine dated many men who verbally attacked her. “You really think he’s safe with a target on his back, being what he is now? Yes, I’m worried about him, I’m worried for every single person that is left in our family and that includes you, because that is the promise Harry forced me to make. What the fuck is wrong with us, Leon. what the fuck is wrong with you?” The blonde toed a dangerous line of self-destruction, ruining everything in her wake and shutting down completely. She should have held more sympathy, more patience, but she couldn’t feel neither of those emotions in her aggression. “You keep pushing others away and you’ll be the one getting killed. I can’t hold myself to a promise when you’re too consumed by this resentment to get out of your own way, Leon.”

“Wow, who would have expected the self-centered princess of the family to actually have a caring bone. Making promises with someone that you didn’t give a shit about before I was kidnapped and then all of a sudden you’re doing everything he wants of you, when I ask for something that could save us all. You couldn’t even care for us when Lukas died and you expect to be what we need now?” Leon seethed through his teeth, his vision growing red as the girl asked what was wrong with him. Like she had forgotten what had happened to him, but that was Celine. Never seeing what was beyond her own narcissistic bubble-- not seeing that this wasn’t resentment, this was pure fear of what he knows can happen. “The fuck is wrong with me, I wonder, but then again I guess you’re only going to see what you want to see. Doesn’t matter how I defend myself, even if I tell you what happened to me to get you to understand. I’m somehow the one at fault,” Leon said his furrowed brows, “classic Celine. Before you delude yourself into thinking that you can save anyone, protect anyone, have a good hard look at yourself because you can’t even help yourself. I’m not the one pushing people away, you are.”

Sylvia clenched her jaw tightly, rendered nearly speechless with Leon’s outburst. He wasn’t her child by flesh and blood, but she loved and protected her step-kids as if they were her own. Celine was the wild one while Leon played the reserved angle, the well-read, the dedicated student. In all the time she has known him, he never once backtalked her. This…this was new, and if she were honest, alarming. “I cannot even begin to imagine the war happening inside your head right now, but shouting at me will not solve the problem quicker. Packing up everything we own and moving takes time.” Placing her hands together, she touched them to her lips and sighed, “I lost two sons, Leon, I almost lost another. I don’t need you telling me how I’ve failed as a mother because I promise you, I already know.” She was being pulled different ways. “I can’t leave Harry, but I want what’s best for you. Believe that.”

Insanity. Absolute insanity-- he didn’t understand why no one was taking heed of his words or understanding his urgency; being dismissed like what he’d went through was minor just because he was alive and wasn’t a supernatural. Leon pressed the palms of his trembling hands into his eyes until he saw stars. Why was no one listening? “Why are you making this about you all of a sudden? Did the words ‘terrible mother’ come out of my mouth?” Leon snapped at the woman, her words rubbing him the wrong way, “you aren’t keeping what’s best for me in mind-- only yourself. Why worry about packing up when we should leave in an instant. This is between life or death, and everyone keeps acting like somehow I’m insane for even bringing this up when I’m the one keeping this family in mind. The ones that are able to leave.”

Seeking out Leon wasn’t done by malicious intent, she truly wished to help this young man protect what was left of his shrinking family. Charlotte noted the body language carefully and prepared herself in case he turned down the offer and walked away without a second glance, she wouldn’t blame him, the luck of the draw was on her side. The answer’s confirmation had been a silent one, resolute, and altogether satisfying. Charlotte took her stride over to the door, nodding her gratitude as both she and Leon exited the restaurant. “I will teach you everything I know and more so you can succeed.” At the boy’s inquiry, Char pressed her lips together, her expression softening a flicker before concealing it out of strength. “Yes, the man is still alive. I won’t lie to you, though, he did make a series of choices that turned him into a werewolf. Someone who didn’t heed my instructions. First lesson you learn as a hunter, Leon,” Charlotte breathed in a gulp of oxygen and released slowly, “Cockiness and impulsive behavior get you killed.”

Leon followed the woman with a confidence he’d thought he lost after Eloise had stripped away everything he was. He no longer felt safe anymore, uncertainty following every corner and shadow in the town, but somehow, following this woman who was just another human like him as she walked confidently through a town full of killers, gave him security. Gave him a sense that he was walking in the right direction finally. Leon watched the emotions on the woman’s face before she was able to discreetly put it away, but he didn’t comment. She must have really cared for this person that got turned. “Hopefully I don’t have to worry about that... my brothers were the cocky and impulsive ones. I’m the A plus book worm,” Leon frowned, he realized that he missed the rest of his schooling when Eloise had taken him. It was another something that was important to him that was stripped away, “well I was.”

I’m not laughing, sweetheart.

Leaving is not as simple as you think, but if it will ease your duress, I’ll speak with your mother and see what the next step is. I cannot make any promises, Leon.

“Why not?” Leon snapped, his own voice sounding shrill in his ears. Everywhere he turned was empty promises and false hope. Killgrove Hills looks to be an ideal, quaint town but he saw the festering corruption that churned beneath the surface up close. The walls were crushing down on him again, and no one was taking him seriously. “I lost my brother, you lost a son to them. What is there to think over?” he screamed at the woman, unable to hear himself over the blood rushing in his ears, “it’s like I’m talking to brick walls. I was with her for months and no one is taking me seriously enough to do what could save us.”

Charlotte hovered along the edge of the table, giving the door one passing glance and floating her gaze back to the boy. Of course, mothers always warn never talk or travel anywhere alone with strangers. Most jumped at her opportunity without blinking, but others…others required more convincing. “I knew a young man who was just like you. Hesitant, fresh from his own traumas after losing his whole family to a pack of rogue werewolves, but I gave him the same choice I presented you and he became one of the best skilled hunters I’ve known. He took a chance on me, on what I could provide him, and he’s survived. I help people realize their full potential, Leon, and they navigate this cruel world with every weapon in their arsenals.” She tilted her chin up proudly, offering a smile, “It’s Charlotte, by the way. Charlotte Atwood. And I’m a woman who keeps true to her promises.”

Leon listened to the woman that he now knew as Charlotte talk about someone similar to him-- how she had taken him under her wing. He stood there for a moment as she finished speaking, thinking of any options he had but knowing it was only her and what she offered. No books he could read that could give him a heads up-- no one that he knew to help him; his own family being woefully unprepared. He walked over to the door, pulling it open for the woman; making his choice. “Then I will be happy for your help, for anything that you may be able to teach me,” Leon said to the woman, determination written in his features, this was the best course of action. “The man... is he still alive? The one you helped?”

I know you suffered through an ordeal and I’m not spitting in the face of your trauma, little brother, but you’re talking about abandoning our step-brother to save ourselves. You realize I wasn’t Harry’s best advocate and I’m the one willing to stay for his sake. 

Does it look like I fucking care if the humans get the short end of the stick every time, Leon? Or that any promise I make seems like it isn’t a guarantee? No, but that responsibility was handed over to me and I can’t take it lightly. 

“He’s one of them!” Leon all but shouted at his older sister. Leon was the quiet one, the studious hard-worker. He was outgoing but not on the level of his sister-- and he never shouted at his family. He knew he was no longer the person he was; couldn’t fit in the cookie-cutter mold of ‘perfect Leon’ anymore. Not with what he knew, what was done to him. “He is the safest one out of all of us and you’re worried about him? Wanting to stay in a town where some things hunt humans for sport? What the fuck is wrong with you? With all of you? Lukas is dead. How many more of us need to end up like him?” It felt like he couldn’t breathe-- felt like he was screaming underwater while he was running out of breath, “you’re not going to hold your promise very well if you don’t understand the magnitude of the problem and get killed.”

Anyone who isn’t human hasn’t met me, sweetheart.

I don’t expect you to be okay, Leon. Just tell me what you need and I will do it.

That’s not funny.

She remained politely silent as the boy stewed with her words. What Leon was offered on a silver plate had been a decision she gave many others before, some passed it up in favor of settling down quietly, while the opposite end of the spectrum jumped at the opportunity to exact revenge for their fallen loved ones. Every hunter in her caravan carried a story, each as tragic as the last, and despite coming from a family of hunters herself, that is what brought them together. She provided a safe haven, protection, the caravan wasn’t perfect, but it belonged to her. And this young boy here with his own heartbreaking tale to tell reminded Char the town needed her guidance to cleanse the streets of this supernatural filth. As Leon gave his final answer, the answer of course she knew was coming, the woman nodded once. Then control is yours.” Charlotte rose from her seat, pulling out a wallet from her jacket and tossing a five dollar bill on the table. “Coffee’s on me. Let’s take a walk and I will tell you everything you need to do, Leon. I promise, you’ll see you made the right choice.”

He watched the woman pay and stand up, hesitantly standing to his own feet. Leon didn’t know much about the woman other than she said she was with the hunters and knew a lot about them, but it could have also been a giant ploy to get him to go with her. Instead of being compelled to leave with someone, he could be leaving on his own. He didn’t know what was worse. “How do I know that this is real? That you aren’t just telling me what I want to hear at this moment?” Leon asked the woman, turning his head to the side as he observed  her, “you know me but yet I still don’t know your name. So forgive me if I don’t walk away with someone I barely know on nothing more than a promise.”

No, but you are my son and I swear to all that is holy, I’m locking you children in the house.

Baby, are you alright?

You think I’m suggesting leaving Harry in the dirt? I am selfish, but I’m not that selfish. This town’s holding us hostage.

Leon, look at me because you are likely not going to hear this from my lips again, okay? I am your older sister and as the eldest, I have every right in the goddamn world to promise you that what you endured won’t ever happen again. She will not come near you and you’re never going to play the role of fucking puppet as long as I’m alive.

You know that’s exactly what I’m suggesting. It’s either we leave now and survive, or this town will slowly pick us off one by one. Don’t act like this is selfish when staying in this town is selfish when it comes to surviving.

We should seriously talk to our moms and scoot scoot the fuck out. Move oceans away.

Don’t get me wrong, telling others what to do is a contact high for me sometimes, but it was violating even if he basically protected my life.

You know neither of them will leave without Harry, though it’s a terrible idea to stay in this town a day more.

Charlotte pondered the question, cocking her head to the side and intertwining her fingers as she leaned forward, “I hear the stories of your family, Leon. The Neumann’s, the newest equivalent to the Sinclair clan. Your step-brother’s death, your other step-brother turned into a hybrid, and now you. Kidnapped, used as a feeding source…by a vampire. This town won’t be satisfied until you’ve all been picked off one by one.” Her eyebrows lifted quizzically, “I’m not exactly a hunter recruiter, but I am giving you what Miss Bellefleur never did, what Killgrove never did. A choice.” Char waved a hand towards him, “Think of it as teachable life skills. To protect your sisters and brothers.”

His fists clenched at his sides as the woman recounted all of the things that he and his family had been through. There were only three left in the Neumann family that hadn’t been fucked with in some way. He could still feel the coldness of where Eloise kept him against his will on his skin, the woman depriving him of any self control as he sat there marinating in his own cold sweat and fear. Sure there was hardly a scratch on him from the blood letting since the vampire healed him up, but it was like he could feel the scars as if they were visible. Raised lines in his skin that all but screamed Eloise’s name-- he was her property and Leon knew he would never be able to get rid of the thoughts or feelings he held deep inside. A choice? Leon didn’t expect to really think this was a choice either. It was either be killed or survive by any means. He warmed he hands together as if they were freezing in an attempt to stop the shaking before looking at Charlotte, giving the woman an almost imperceptible nod. “I need... I need to feel in control again, I need to feel like I can survive in a world that I don’t want to wake up in,” Leon whispered, “I want to be able to protect those that are left unscathed in my family. Please, teach me everything you know.”

I guess the reasons aren’t really important now. I’d normally agree that you were a poor unsuspecting sap who couldn’t fight back, but that’s predetermined.

I hated the feeling, Leon. No control over my body.

It’s always predetermined with humans as long as there are supernatural beings around.

Understand when I say, they would have it coming.

It does take more than that, yes, months of training. Focusing your rage through your weapon and concentration instead of wallowing in it. If you hunt, you hunt with a caravan that becomes family. 

You know, some would say to consider yourself lucky, but we both aren’t naïve.

Our bodies aren’t as durable as a vampire’s pare say, but give a human a gun or a stake, and believe me, they can cause as much damage. I’ve seen hunters singlehandedly take down viscous covens with the right ammunition. Myself included.

I can’t be held liable for anything I would do if someone called me lucky.

I’m not going to begin to act like I understand what you went through, Leon – I know better than that. And yes, it’s become horrifyingly clear to me how little our lives mean in a place like this – but don’t you dare act like Harry isn’t one of us.

He is my brother – your brother. He didn’t ask for what happened to him, he didn’t choose any of this – none of us have. Don’t imply that we mean nothing to him and that he shouldn’t mean anything to us. We’re a family – and being torn apart is letting them win.

They won the moment we walked into this town, it was just a matter of time before we figured out what horrible tortures and deaths wait for us. He didn’t ask for it, no, but can you look me in the eyes and tell me you can stand in Harry’s presence and feel safe? Sure he’s our brother, but there’s a part of him that isn’t, and that part won’t hesitate. Do you feel safe, because I don’t and I never will.