Quite The Act

Bryson arrived before Viola’s room, trying to open it he found that it was locked. Well that makes sense. Bryson thought as he tried to figure out a way to open the door. He didn’t have a key card, and the door was locked on the other side.

Oh wait, yeah right. Bryson remembered as he flicked his wrist and the lock button on the other side flipped open. Always a useful trick. He noted as he opened the door.

Inside the room however, Bryson found it to be completely empty. Dang it. He thought as he noticed the opened window towards the balcony letting in the humid summer air in. Poking his head out of the window he looked around.

He couldn’t see anything out of place outside. Where did she go? He wondered before he heard the door open from behind him.

Whipping around Bryson was face to face with Ben Gallagher, who had changed his outfit into a much more convenient from when Bryson last saw him. However the thing Bryson was focusing on currently was a long narrow dagger that Ben held within his hand.

“Gallagher.” Bryson seethed, “Why are you in my sister’s room?”

Ben Gallagher blinked in surprise seeing Bryson in the room, “Sister, Viola Coldwater is your sister?” He said in disbelief.

“Yes, that’s why I called her my sister.” Bryson replied.

“You don’t even look- wait, younger brother with dark eyes and hair, you're Bryson Coldwater.” Ben said in disbelief.

Bryson gave a mocking clap, “Wow, what amazing deduction.” He said dryly before his voice became harder, “What are you doing here Gallagher?”

“Relax, I mean no harm.” Ben said stashing away his blade, “I was planning to follow your sister to lead me to someone. In case you haven’t noticed, she’s been charmed.”

“I noticed.” Bryson said offhandedly, “How do you know?”

“Because I’ve been chasing after the charmer. I’m hunter.” Ben said as he flashed an hunter’s ID, “Been after this guy for a while, his name is Keddrick.”

“What’s he wanted for?” Bryson asked as he recalled what hunters were.

To put it simply, hunters were a bit like specialized adventurers. They fight creatures and magical beings like regular adventurers. But instead of dungeon crawling, their job is to hunt specific things down. They tended to work alone, and all their jobs were based in tracking and finding.

“You noticed the charm spells, well it’s a bit worse than that for it to be a hunter’s problem. Keddrick is a vampire.” Ben explained.

“What?”

“A vampire.” He repeated.

“What’s a vampire doing here!?”

“Here to find a meal.”

“And that meal’s going to be my sister?!”

“Looks like it.”

“Well where is he?” Bryson asked now agitated.

“Calm down, there’s still time. I just need to find the vampire before he gets Viola.” Ben said as he walked past Bryson and looked around the balcony. Returning back into the room he continued to speak, “Luckily for you, I think I know where your sis is headed.”

“Where?” Bryson asked.

Ben gave a smile, “None of your concern, go back to bed kid.”

“No, I’m coming.”

“Uhhh, no you’re not. This is a vampire.” Ben said adamantly.

“Who’s trying to eat my sister, who is a Coldwater. This is more than just a hunter’s job now.” Bryson argued.

“Maybe you’re right. But you’re a kid, you’re only going to get in the way. It would be better for everyone if you stayed back.” Ben said.

“I’m not as inept as you think I am, Coldwater remember? Always useful to have magic.” Bryson said as he pulled out his deck of cards and they began spin around him before returning back to the card pack, “Besides, I’m just going to sneak out and follow you, or you can restrain me and waste more time. Is that really worth it?”

Ben gave an exasperated sigh, “Alright fine.” He relented, “But I hold no responsibility over you and I’m not waiting.” Ben said as he turned around and leapt out the window.

Bryson ran up towards the window and watched as Ben gracefully leapt his way down from top floor of the hotel and ran off down the beach shore.

Bryson gave an annoyed sigh before looking around Viola’s room. Quickly he grabbed a blanket from the bed and leapt out of the balcony as well. Unfurling the large blanket, it expanded like a wind glider and he soared through the warm night sky.

Bryson took a glance up at the blanket above his head and checked that magic from the spell he casted was still stable. As he landed down onto the soft sandy ground he snapped his fingers and the blanket folded itself up and fell gently into his awaiting hands. I have got to do that trick again. He thought as he followed after Ben Gallagher.

***

“Can you slow down?” Bryson called out chasing after Ben with his tiny legs. The two were now in a much more quieter area of the beach, the busy strip was well behind them.

Ben stopped and turned around and shook his head in disbelief, “Wasn’t expecting you to actually catch up.” He said as he slowed down to a walk, “You really want to do this?” He said almost sounding impressed.

“I’m here aren’t I?” Bryson replied with a pant, but now able to walk alongside Ben.

“This is going to be extremely dangerous, vampires aren’t a joke.” He warned.

“I know, this isn’t the first time I had to fight a dangerous killer before.” Bryson replied.

“How old are you?”

“Nine.”

“Huh.” Ben said, “Is that normal for nobles?”

“Probably not, I have complicated family.”

“I see. Alright, I’ll let you tag along. But try to stay back, I don’t care how good you say you are. You’re a kid and I am not going to let a kid risk his life.” Ben said while they continued to walk.

Bryson gave a small nod as he glanced over and watched as the ocean waves splashed onto the sandy beach, “So why did you pretend to be an actor?”

“To be honest, I’m trying to become one.” Ben said with a small laugh.

“Seriously?”

“Yeah, hunting is hard, dangerous, and tiring. Plus I’ve always loved acting. So I managed to snag a role that was open in the hotel. How was I?” He asked flashing him a smile.

“I’ve seen better.”

“Hard to please I see.” Ben said with a helpless shrug, “Anyways, do you know a vampire’s weakness?” He asked.

“Yeah, silver, magic, sunlight, wooden stakes.” Bryson answered.

“Sort of. Things like silver will hurt it while most other metals can’t. Anything with magic will hurt and could even kill it. Only specific types of wood works and that would only pin it down not kill it.” Ben said before stopping and pointing at a jungle island near the shore, “Keddrick main base is most likely there.” He said as he saw a rowboat with someone in it slowly approach the island.

“Let’s go.” Bryson said before Ben stopped him.

“Hold on, wait.” Ben said putting an arm in his way, “We need to be careful. Look.” He said pointing at a dock where Viola most likely got the boat from. There they spotted two other figures, but Bryson found them to be familiar.

From the distance Bryson was standing he noticed the faint presence of magic from them. Magic that he was all too familiar with, magic that fit on a bracelet.

“Frost.” Bryson murmured.

“Come again?”

Come on Bryson said as he marched towards the dock. Ben looked confused but followed along anyways.

Once they reached the doc, the moonlight illuminated the faces of the two people already at the dock. It was Lila Frost and Nico Reese untying another small row boat from the dock.

“Bryson?” Lila said in surprise upon seeing him, “What are you doing here? Who’s that?”

“What do you think?” Bryson said glancing back at the rowing Viola, “This mid-tier actor is a Gallagher, a hunter.”

“A bit harsh.” Ben said pretending to wince.

“Lady Viola has been acting weird and we decided to follow her. She seems completely possessed. I’m guessing that’s why you’re here?” Nico said.

“She’s been charmed.” Ben explained.

“What?! By who?” Nico exclaimed.

“A vampire.”

Nico snapped his head quickly towards Viola, “Is the vampire there?” He asked.

“That’s what I think.” Ben said.

“So now we’re going after her.” Bryson said, “Get the boat ready.” He commanded and the four piled onto the rowboat.