Let the Hunt Begin

Sloane snaps her fingers, the three round orbs on her jacket unhooks and float around her.

“Let the hunt begin.” Sloane

The man laughs out loud Sloane tightens up her guard.

“I never laughed this hard in a long time.” Man 1

He slowly stops laughing.

“Now then…” Man 1

Points his sword at her.

“Let’s have some fun, bounty hunter.” Man 1

Moving his sword to the side he charges at Sloane, she fires her gun. He doesn’t even try to dodge the bullets, one scratches his face, he swings his sword sideways towards her stomach. Sloane bends down quickly then jumps forward, using her hand to stop and turns around, pointing her gun at him. Sloane shoots him in the leg, he falls to one knee.

“With that wound you won’t be able to move, surrender now.” Sloane

He gets up, blood flows out of his wound, but he walks to her with a smile.

‘How can he still walk?’ Sloane

She tries to fire again, he cuts down the bullets.

“Where are you aiming? With this many stray bullets flying you could hurt those kids before I do.” Man 1

Sloane grins.

“You really think so?” Sloane

“Huh?” Man 1

He looks back, the kids are unharmed.

“How?” Man 1

Looking up one of Sloane’s orbs is creating a barrier around them.

“I see. You have some useful toys.” Man 1

“Now, I’m curious what the other two do?” Man 1

“I’ll be glad to show you.” Sloane

The second orb fires bullets at him, he dodges them.

“So the other one provides cover fire, what does the last one do, I wonder?” Man 1

Sloane doesn’t respond to him.

“Done talking, guess it’s time to get serious.” Man 1

His sword starts to glow red, Sloane is surprised. He charges at her, but his speed has increased, being caught off guard the second orb opens fire while the third one flies over to Sloane a hatch opens dropping a mag.

“I see. The last one carries your extra ammo.” Man 1

He cuts down the second orb.

“Damn you!” Sloane

Cutting her left arm and right leg Sloane drops her gun then falls to her knees. Sloane holds her bloody arm trying to stop the bleeding.

“Ah! Look at the color, so beautiful. Just a wonderful color.” Man 1

The two kids start to tremble as he slides his finger across the side of the sword, he licks the blood off his finger. He points his sword at Sloane.

“Don’t you think so, bounty hunter?” Man 1

“How can you move so fast? Was it because of your sword?” Sloane

“My sword can increase my speed, rid any sense of pain, and strengthen my body using electric pulses sent into my body.” Man 1

“You monster.” Sloane

“I did have fun, bounty hunter.” Man 1

“So as a reward for playing with me I’ll tell you my name.” Man 1

“Huh?” Sloane

“My name is Keros.” Keros

“Keros?” Sloane

“I enjoyed our fight, but you weren’t strong enough to kill me.” Keros

“Too bad, really.” Keros

“Kill? You’re wrong, I came here to arrest you and put an end to your killings.” Sloane

“Arrest? You won’t kill me, bounty hunter?” Keros

“That’s right!” Sloane

“Oh…” Keros

Keros looks down at Sloane with a dark gloomy look.

“How disappointing.” Keros

“I thought maybe I found the one to kill me.” Keros

“Then die, bounty hunter.” Keros

A rock is thrown at him, he sees both of the kids throwing whatever they can find at him.

“Leave her alone, stupid!” Sister 1

“Alone, you idiot!” Brother 1

Coldly glaring at them Keros lowers his sword and walks towards them.

“Hey! What are you…!” Sloane

“Don’t tell me, he’s going to…” Sloane

Still scared they both keep throwing things.

“Stay back!” Sister 1

He reaches out, but the barrier protecting them shocks him. Looking up he cuts the orb in half, the barrier disappears. The girl holds her brother close Keros doesn’t smile, just stares at them.

“Keros!” Sloane

He looks at Sloane out of the corner of his eye. Sloane holds up her blade to him, she’s shaking from the blood loss. Keros sighs, his sword glows bright as he lifts it up, fear in her eyes Sloane looks at the kids who are very scared.

“Stop!” Sloane

A bright light shines down the alley.

“Huh?” Keros

“A light?” Sloane

“This is the Naree police! Surrender now! You are surrounded!” Felix

“Tsk. How troublesome.” Keros

Keros jumps over the kids then runs up the wall, the police try to shoot him down. He climbs over the edge onto the roof.

“After him.” Felix

“Jona take care of things here!” Felix

“Got it!” Jona

Felix takes a few officers to go after Keros, Jona runs over to Sloane.

“Are you okay?” Jona

“I’ll be fine, what about the kids?” Sloane

“Don’t worry, they're safe.” Jona

Sloane sees the police taking care of them.

“Thank god…” Sloane

She faints from the blood loss.

“Hey, Sloane! Sloane!” Jona

“Get a medic! Hurry!” Jona

Running through the streets, De-Ron is looking for Sloane.

“Damn it. Where are you, Sloane?” De-Ron

An ambulance races by followed by two other cars.

“It can’t be…” De-Ron

“Sloane.” De-Ron

De-Ron runs after them, arriving at the hospital De-Ron runs in.

“Excuse me.” De-Ron

“How many I help you, sir?” Nurse 1

“Did a girl with red hair come in here?” De-Ron

“Umm…I don’t know…I can check.” Nurse 1

“Please I have to…” De-Ron

“De-Ron, right.” Jona

“Huh? Officer Jona.” De-Ron

Jona brings De-Ron to Sloane’s room, opening the door Sloane is laying in bed with her arm and leg bandaged up.

“How did this happen?” De-Ron

“When we arrived Sloane was wounded badly by the killer and about to kill two kids.” Jona

“Kids?” De-Ron

“Yes, the children said he was going to kill them if it wasn’t for Sloane who saved them.” Jona

“Sloane.” De-Ron

“We did learn from them the killers name.” Jona

“What? What is it?” De-Ron

“Keros.” Jona

“We haven’t find anything on him in out records. It could be that he came here from a different town or city.” Jona

“Felix is trying to contact the other towns and cities for any information.” Jona

“I see, thank you for helping her.” De-Ron

Jona leaves hem alone De-Ron sits by her bed waiting for her to wake up. Seeing her like this he tightens his grip.

‘If I wasn’t so stubborn she wouldn’t have gotten hurt.’ De-Ron

The sun starts to rise Sloane still hasn’t waken up, De-Ron is sleeping in his chair. Jona and Felix walk in, Jona shakes De-Ron to wake him up.

“Morning.” Jona

“Hey.” De-Ron

“Here, it’s coffee.” Jona

“Thanks.” De-Ron

“She still hasn’t waken up.” Felix

“No, not once.” De-Ron

“Did you find Keros?” De-Ron

“No, he disappeared climbing over the rooftops.” Felix

“Asking around we can’t find anything on him it’s like he appear out of nowhere.” Felix

‘Could he have lived here before? Or did he come from there?’ De-Ron

Sloan starts to wake up.

“Huh!” De-Ron, Jona, and Felix

“De-Ron.” Sloane

“Sloane!” De-Ron

“I’ll go get the doctor!” Jona

The doctor examines Sloane’s wounds.

“Besides the blood lost there are no broken bones, but the muscles have been severed it will take a few weeks for you to even move them.” Doctor

“She will stay here for the time being.” Doctor

“Okay, thank you Doctor.” De-Ron

“Let me know if anything hurts.” Doctor

“Okay.” Sloane

The doctor leaves

“I’m going to have a word with the doctor.” Felix

“Alright.” Jona

“How could you be so reckless!” De-Ron

“Sorry, but I couldn’t stand by and do nothing.” Sloane

“I understand, but still.” De-Ron

“But at least value your own life more.” De-Ron

“Okay, sorry De-Ron.” Sloane

Someone comes walking in, it’s the two kids.

“You’re…” Jona

“The two kids from last night.” Sloane

“I’m glad you guys are okay.” Sloane

“Yes, umm, thank you for saving us.” Sister 1

“Thank you.” Brother 1

“You don’t need to thank me.” Sloane

“But I would like to ask you something.” Sloane

“Yes?” Sister 1

“Why was he attacking you?” Sloane

“I don’t know we were walking home when we heard someone following us.” Sister 1

“We turned around and saw him walking behind us.” Brother 1

“We ask what he wanted…he said…” Brother 1

‘I want to hear you scream.’ Keros

“We were so scared that we ran as fast as we could, but no matter how far we went he would find us.” Sister 1

“Have you ever seen him before last night?” Jona

“No.” Sister and Brother

“So a random target no connection.” Jona

“I don’t think there needs to be a connection.” De-Ron

“What do you mean?” Jona

“He probably just enjoys the thrill of the kill and nothing else” De-Ron

“Just the thought of hearing them scream is what he wants.” De-Ron

“Sick freak.” Jona

Sloane feels a chill.

“Sloane, what is it?” De-Ron

“It’s nothing, just a little cold.” Sloane

“Cold? Hmm, it doesn’t feel cold.” De-Ron

“Jona, can you escort them back to their parents?” Sloane

“Of course, leave it to me.” Jona

“I’ll go inform Felix of the details.” De-Ron

“Okay.” Sloane

“I’ll be right back.” De-Ron

They leave with the kids, she looks out her window as the sun slowly sets, Sloane closes her eyes.

“I’m sorry, De-Ron.” Sloane

De-Ron comes back with Felix and Jona.

“Knowing he targets anyone he sees will make it tricky to catch him.” Felix

“But since he was unable to kill last night his fuse must be running short.” De-Ron

“Then he’ll probably make a mistake.” Jona

Coming into Sloane’s room, but she is not there.

“Sloane?” De-Ron

“Damn it!” De-Ron

De-Ron runs off.

“De-Ron!” Jona

“Jona, go check up on those kids he maybe going after them.” Felix

“Right.” Jona

Felix calls the police station.

“We have a missing witness with a killer on the loose! Find her!” Felix

De-ROn runs out of the hospital then heads down the street.

‘Sloane, where did you go?’ De-Ron

“Sloane!” De-Ron

It’s getting dark with no sign of Sloane, not knowing where to look De-Ron decides to look from a different view. He heads for the tallest building in Naree. Sloane opens the door to a roof, she staggering to the middle the moon shines from above.

“You’re here, aren’t you Keros.” Sloane

She turns around to see Keros standing behind her.

“I’m surprised you can move with your wounds.” Keros

Sloane tires to stand up straight, she pulls out her blade and points it at him.

“Did you really come here to fight? You can barely stand up.” Keros

“Let alone hold up that blade o yours.” Keros

“If I don’t, you would go after those kids, won’t you?” Sloane

“That sounds like it could be a lot of fun.” Keros

Sloane glares at him, he grins.

“If you really want to fight.” Keros

He pulls out his sword.

“Try to entrain me, bounty hunter.” Keros

Up on the tallest building De-Ron looks alll over the city, but can’t see a thing being so dark.

“Crap, I’m running out of time.” De-Ron

De-Ron close his eyes then opens his right eye which is a cybernetic eye. He’s able to see in the dark, he tries to look for Sloane again. Finally spots her on one of the rooftops.

“Found her. Wait could that…Keros!” De-Ron

“Shit!” De-Ron

He pulls out his pistol.

“They’re too far away, not even my pistol can reach them from here.” De-Ron

“Come on! What can I do?” De-Ron

He looks at his leg then grabs his sword.

“Okay, Sloane hold on.” De-Ron

He taps the top of his wooden shoe on the roof twice, his left leg under his pants starts to glow purple. Setting down his left foot, De-Ron puts pressure on it then jumps up, a blast of air is pushed behind him. Keros kicks Sloane across the roof she skiers to a stop using one leg then grabs her stomach. Keros brings his sword down she blocks it with her blade, using his strength he pushes down hard enough to break her blade she falls to the ground gasp for air. Sloane tries to get up, Keros stomps on her injured arm she screams in pain.

“Yes, that’s what I want to hear.” Keros

“Come on, just a little more.” Keros

He pushed down harder Sloane holds in her scream trying to push his foot off her arm.

“Not going to scream.” Keros

Slamming down his sword next to her head.

“You don’t scream then I’ll take off your head.” Keros

Sloane’s eyes turn pale as her skin from losing blood.

“Scream for me.” Keros

She glares at him.

“I won’t.” Sloane

He tilts the blade towards her neck.

“Then you can die.” Keros

Sloane looks up with her vision getting blurry, she sees something shining above Keros.

“De-Ron.” Sloane whispers

Keros hears her then looks up, De-Ron is falling down towards them, he pulls out his sword and lunges at Keros. Keros brings his sword up to block his attack, clashing swords, De-Ron grabs his pistol and shoots at Keros. He jumps to the side De-Ron stands in front of her.

“Who are you?” Keros

De-Ron’s sword grows purple.

“Someone you shouldn’t have angered.” De-Ron

Keros gets excited.

“I don’t why I’m feeling so excited but I want to kill you.” Keros

He runs towards De-Ron swings his sword around, De-Rn dodges his attacks with ease. De-Ron attacks Keros, he blocks it with his blade.

“The reason why you attack people is to hear their screams, why?” De-Ron

“Because hearing the screams of death is like musi to my ears.” Keros

He pushes De-Ron back then charges at him.

“Ever since then all I could remember I’ve been hearing the screams of people as they were cur down or shot at.” Keros

“Then? So you are from there.” De-Ron

“Oh! Does that mean you were there?” Keros

“Then you can understand hearing the endless screams.” Keros

Their swords continues to clash.

“Every night I would fall to sleep to those screams, but one day the screams stopped. Now I can’t fall asleep without hearing someone screaming.” Keros

De-Ron’s sword glows brighter, he pushes Keros back.

“You don’t know the true pain behind those screams or how it feels to wake up and realize it wasn’t a dream.” De-Ron

“You’re right, I don’t understand cause I like to be the one making those wonderful screams!” Keros

The light from De-Ron’s sword blinds Sloane, Keros runs up to De-Ron. De-Ron bends down, grabbing the hilt of his sword, and his left leg starts to glow. He dashes at Keros passing by him De-Ron sheaths his sword, Keros looks unharmed then dozens of cuts appear on his body. Standing up while Keros falls to his knees coughing up blood.

“How did…” Keros

He smiles.

“So this…is death..it feels…nice…” Keros

Keros falls bleeding to death, Sloane sits up, looking at De-Ron.

“De-Ron…” Sloane

De-Ron’s sword cracks all around the blade.

“What happened?” Sloane

“Guess it couldn’t handle my rage.” De-Ron

His sword shaders.

“It’s to be expected. Thank you for all you have done.” De-Ron

They both don’t speak the police comes running in Jona runs to Sloane while Felix finds Keros on the ground.

“Sloane, you alright?” Jona

“Yes, but Keros…” Sloane

Jona looks at Felix and a few officers standing over Keros. Felix checks and confirms that he is dead.

“Wha happened?” Jona

“Well…’’ Sloane

Felix walks over to De-Ron.

“De-Ron, tell me what happened.” Felix

De-Ron walks away.

“Hey! Tell me!” Felix

“You should get Sloane to the hospital.” De-Ron

Felix looks at Sloane.

“Yes, but…” Felix

De-Ron is gone.

“What the hell.” Felix

“Tsk, never mind. Help Jona get Sloane back to the hospital.” Felix

“Yes, sir!” Officers

‘De-Ron.’ Sloane

The last week Sloane has been laying in bed Felix ordered Jona to keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn’t leave again. The newspaper reports the killer Keros is dead shot by the police, Sloane asks they leave De-Ron’s involvement out of their report. It’s the last of Sloane’s stay she gets ready to leave, packing everything in her bag she finds her destroyed orbs and her blade. Sloane places her gun in the bag, a knock at the door.

“Come in.” Sloane

“Hello.” Jona

“Jona.” Sloane

“The doctor said you are good to go, just don’t push yourself too much.” Jona

“I’ll be careful.” Sloane

“By the way, has De-Ron come back yet?” Jona

“No, I haven’t seen him since that night.” Sloane

“I see.” Jona

“Don’t worry, I ‘m sure he’ll come back.” Jona

“Yes, I know he will.” Sloane

They walk out of the hospital Felix and De-Ron are waiting for them.

“Hey.” De-Ron

“De-Ron.” Sloane

“Sorry for disappearing.” De-Ron

“It’s okay.” Sloane

“What are you doing here, Felix?” Jona

“I came to drop off something.” Felix

“Drop off?” Jona

He points to the black jeep.

“Wow!” Sloane and Jona

“It’s designed to travel through the desert, so it should help with travel” Felix

“Is it ours?” Sloane

“Yes, consider it a thank you for your help.” Felix

“Really?” Sloane

“There’s also food and water in the back.” Felix

“Very thoughtful of you, Felix.” De-Ron

“Tsk, shut up.” Felix

De-Ron gets in the drivers seat while Sloane takes passenger.

“If you ever need a hand…” Felix

“Just call, okay.” Jona

“Got it, same goes for you guys.” De-Ron

De-Ron sticks out his hand to Felix, he shakes it. De-Ron drives away with Felix and Jona waving to them. Leaving Naree Sloane look at their broken weapons in the back.

“What do we do now? Without our weapons we can’t work.” Sloane

“It’s okay we’re heading to Benoit.”De-Ron

“Benoit?” Sloane

“There we’ll find someone to fix our weapons right up.” De-Ron

“Someone?” Sloane

“An old friend.” De-Ron