Chapter 31

REID:
I did what Ryu told me to do. I arranged to meet with the pack members and the result was much better than expected. Although most of them were of the notion that I was endangering the pack by not informing them earlier, still they were fine with the agreement we all decided on.
The first thing we arranged to do was vacate all the pack members that had their quarters in the most secluded areas of the pack and move them to the open areas. It was done in a way that those who had relatives or close ones in the open areas could cohabit with them. And as for those that didn’t, residences were arranged for them.
The whole process started two days ago and right now we are in the day into it. All has been going smoothly and I have not had any reason to tend to issues that had much weight. Just trivial ones.
At the moment, I am leading a team of warriors with the supposed moving plan for those in the secluded areas. I chose to oversee it today after tending to other affairs yesterday. And since I have started, it has been smooth.
As I stop to observe the whole movements of the members, I could not help but be glad that I took advice from Ryu despite his ongoing loyalty to my father. The experience he has is what is helping us with this situation and hopefully, it was worth taking his suggestion.
A feeling of skepticism suddenly wells up in me. I have this feeling that I am only setting my pack members up for more trouble by putting them together in almost the same area. I don’t know why the feeling crept into me but it just is something heeding me to take caution with this plan of mine.
“What’s on your mind?” that was Hunter’s voice. Didn’t need the magic to tell me that it belongs to me. The switch could confuse others because he never sticks to one tone but I have known him for years now so it is something I am mostly used to already.
“This plan is great,” I say.
“Of course, it is,” Hunter agrees with him with so much enthusiasm laced in his voice.
“But I have a problem.” and that is when I turn my head to the side to face him.
“Don’t tell me you feel pessimistic about this?” Hunter asks, looking like he cannot believe that I am about to be this negative in a situation that does not warrant such. If that is what his expression even means.
A few seconds later, I say, “Not really. But I have my doubts about what we are doing. What if we are only giving more opportunity to whatever it is that is causing havoc on our pack? What if putting the members together was what it wanted all along so we could give it the chance to finish everyone once and for all? Think about it.”
The look I receive from Hunter tells me that he is not even going to let that go through his mind. “I think you are only having such thoughts because of how anxious you are. Left to me, I would say this is the best plan ever to ensure the safety of the members. Through this process, it would give us an avenue to keep them under our watch more. Why would you think it was going to only cause us more problems? You should see the bigger picture instead of trying to let the anxiety get to you.”
Hunter walks away soon after that, leaving me alone to tend to my messy thoughts. I take a deep breath to think about what he said. Of course, he is right. I am being anxious and it is mostly for nothing. I should not allow that to get to me. But I cannot help it.
I start to walk up to one of the quarters that seems vacated. The team of warriors is handling the affairs in the location as I pass by them. I should be helping but it seems there is no way I can deal with any task when I feel this way. So for now I would just focus on other things.
In no time I have arrived at the balcony of the apartment. And slowly, I push the door into the building open.
I am met with a nigh empty parlor. Although the family that owned the quarters have vacated the place, they still left some things behind. Things that would take manpower to get them moved. As well as time which was not on anybody’s side.
I can see a few pieces of furniture here and there and on the wall some personal collections. The parlor was in a profound state of tranquility which was a result of not having the occupants in there.
All of a sudden, I snap my head to the back. I thought I just felt something behind me. Or was it someone? However, no one came into sight as the others were not around here.
The feeling that I was not the only being around here makes me move out of the quarters. I quickly shut the door and then step down the balcony to observe the area, hoping to know if I was only imagining what I just felt.
Even after I get down, I could still feel the unknown presence. What in the world is going on, I wonder. I cannot see anything out of the ordinary happening but the feeling is there. Damn, I hate what is going on.
My senses are piqued in the direction of the woods ahead of most of the buildings around here. I can see the leaves on the trees rustling but there was little to no wind around here that could cause such effect. I can tell that something is wrong somewhere.
Instantly I turn to the warriors that are overseeing the movement of those trying to vacate their quarters. “Be on alert. I can feel something strange around here.” I inform them. I receive nods from them in return and their movement instantly switches, showcasing their alertness.
What I do next as I turn around to look back at the woods was reach out to Hunter via the mind-link. Since I have no idea what is going on, I have to ensure that at least the others are safe.
‘What is the situation on your side?’ I ask him.
‘Nothing much. We are just seeing to—’
I cut him off, ‘Don’t let your guard down. I don’t feel too good about something.’
‘Are you still harboring the thought that things could go wrong?’
‘No,’ I tell him. ‘This might be a reality instead. Tell Ryu to look after his side well because I do not want any situation that would mess things up for us. I’ll reach you when I can.’
I cut off the link between him and me and then start to approach the woods where the rustling is taking place. I feel a bit fearful but it is not something that would not enable me from taking the proper step toward getting there. Still, I have to be more vigilant and I know that.
‘Bryan,’ I reach out to the other part of me, ‘what do you think?’ I ask.
‘I feel something similar to the day you had the first hallucination of the slimy substance. A presence with a choking aura is around this location. And I do not think I would advise you to go where you are going.’
‘What if this is my chance to put an end to this once and for all?’
‘Your chance would never be a handicapped situation, trust me. Just go back and see to the safety of the pack members.’
But I am not even listening to him speak as my entire focus is on the woods. The rustling is still going on and it gives more sense that something is indeed there. I just have to get there and fish it out once and for all.
My heartbeat is first regulated so I can focus on the sound of the area ahead of me. I even shut out most of the sound coming from behind me because I know how much of a distraction it would be for me.
As soon as I am about a few feet away from the woods, the rustling stops. The next thing that happens is sudden movement around the area as if someone is walking by the part and I have to heighten my senses to figure out what that is.
Then, boom, the walking turns to running and it is evident through the movement of the trees and leaves in the woods. I guess I was right when I said something or someone was around here.
Instantly, I go through the buildings, moving my legs as fast as I could to catch up with the intruder.