The Preying City

"How many types of supernaturals are there?" Amelia asked with much expectations. A new world had just opened up in front of her and she couldn't control her excitement.

"Hundreds of them. Very few people would actually know what all of them are." Luna answered in an almost mechanical fashion.

"How does one advance to a higher grade?"

"By consuming an advancement potion for your kind."

"I know that. I meant to ask how would one get to the point of advancing after consuming the potion."

"Different supernaturals have different methods. Good examples would be a vampire needing to drink blood or a hunter to hunt. Basically, it's what your instinct tells you to do."

Enlightened by the answer, Amelia moved onto next topic that interested her greatly. "How are artifacts formed?"

"There are various types of energy in this world. Once an item is imbued with huge amounts of energy of one kind, it gains mystical properties and powers. These items are called artifacts. A supernatural is similar in that aspect. You are consuming a potion filled with a particular kind of energy to grant yourself mystical powers. This is why most of the artifacts come from the remains of supernaturals or what they used frequently."

"How does drinking blood help vampires advance?" The answer puzzled her even further and he asked away to sate her curiosity.

"Vampires can absorb a certain kind of energy from blood. This energy will acc.u.mulate, enhancing the vampire's abilities. A hunter can absorb the energy they require by hunting. Actions and emotions can also attract energies. It is similar to how a mask worn by a serial killer gets turned into an artifact with baleful abilities. The emotions and actions of the killer attracted the energy and it seeped into the mask."

"Does that mean artifacts can be strengthened as well?"

"Yes. But it's a very difficult process. I am not aware of how it is done either."

The girl spent the night inquiring about the supernatural world. It left her tired but also very satisfied. Hiding the bags under her eyes with light make up, she joined her family for breakfast.

*****

Vincent read the newspaper as he had his breakfast. The matter about Adam and the two werewolves didn't make it to the paper. The city was far too big with millions residing in it and cases didn't make it to the paper unless it was very eye catching or serious. Besides, the authorities hid supernatural cases to the best of their ability.

'I really need to be careful. I can't believe that the little thought to see a zombie's ability to play dead for myself got to me so much. I must remember to keep my instincts in check. If I don't control my urge to play with my prey before I finish them off, I might find myself in trouble. But following my instincts does have its pros. I can't believe how much progress I made just last night.

I wonder if I am just this messed up or the predator in me is making me enjoy preying so much. I could get hooked to this feeling. But this is still messed up. I progress faster if I play with the targets or take them out with a stealthy move. I reckon that I could gather more energy by killing my targets in creative ways.

I am halfway to reaching the energy threshold for grade 3 advancement potion consumption. I should begin gathering the ingredients for concocting the potion as well. This will cost me more money. Sigh. It really is expensive to advance. Thankfully, mother left me recipes for the advancement potions till grade 5.'

Collecting his bearings, he finished his breakfast and put on his clothes. Grabbing his briefcase, he descended the staircase.

Mrs. Lee was admonishing Marie for something she did. Hearing his footsteps, she turned to him and smiled. "Good morning, Mr. Burns. Dressed nicely today, aren't you? Is it because it's your first day at work?"

Vincent smiled in return and raised his hat. "A good morning to you too, Mrs. Lee. Indeed, it is my first day at work today. I can't appear too sloppy or else my coworkers might think ill of me."

"Oh my, you don't have to worry so much. You look excellent. I hope your day goes well."

Marie was directing a pleading look at Vincent. She had got in trouble early in the morning and wanted him to rescue her.

Smiling in response, he looked at her and spoke, "I would wish you a good morning too young lady. But looks like you are off to a bad start already. I shall wish you good luck in weathering this storm instead."

Disappointed by his response, she put on a pitiful expression and looked at her mother. Mrs. Lee steeled her heart and spoke coldly, "You will get what you deserve. Don't look at me like that. I will be sure to tell Beth to double your study time today."

The interaction between the mother and daughter reminded him of his own childhood. His mood was uplifted greatly and he walked to the hospital happily.

Standing in front of the director's office, he made sure that his clothes didn't have anything wrong with them and knocked.

"Come in." Dr. Watson answered in a gentle tone.

Vincent entered the room and greeted the man. "Good morning Dr. Watson."

"Ah Vincent. I almost forgot that you were starting today. It's good to see you again."

"Likewise." Vincent replied humbly to the man. Dr. Watson was kind to him so far and he intended to treat the other party with similar kindness and respect. Besides, the man was also a good friend of his teacher to whom he was greatly indebted to.

"I would like to have another long chat with you but now is not a good time. I will get someone to show you around first and then we can catch up some time later."

"Of course."

Dr. Watson rang a bell and a middle aged man dressed in the hospital's staff uniform walked in. "Sam, will you show Dr. Burns to his office please."

"Of course director." The fat man nodded slightly and turned to Vincent. "Dr. Burns, please follow me."

Sam led Vincent as he explained about the hospital. It was charity run and tended to over 700 patients each day. Unlike most other hospitals, it was very clean. Sam explained that it was because of the new regulations enforced by the Kindlewich Medical Association. The mandatory hygiene maintenance decreased the risk of spreading disease but it also cost a lot and led to many hospitals going private. The people who could afford it would usually avoid charity run hospitals and rightly so. Most of them didn't provide satisfactory services after all.

Vincent's office was quite small. It had all the necessary equipment and was built very practically. He spent the time treating people. Most of the patients were injured and required disinfection and basic treatment. Few patients were suffering from any disease and all he had to do was tell them to queue up in front of a doctor's office who specialized in treating the disease.

Lunch time was at 1 p.m. and Vincent went to a nearby restaurant after cleaning up. The cafeteria at the hospital served cheap food for the patients and the doctors all preferred eating out. The other doctors spent the time chatting with their colleagues. Being alone, he couldn't do anything to pass the time. Occupying the table when he was done eating felt awkward so he decided to return to the hospital early.

He had just entered the hospital when Sam came running to him. Catching his breath, the fat man wheezed out the words, "Dr. Bu... Dr. Burns, there's a patient who needs immediate treatment. You are the only free doctor right now. Please make haste."

Vincent was caught off guard. There were no doctors for emergency treatments during lunch hours. And this was just one of the many shortcomings of a charity run hospital. The establishment didn't have the means to facilitate treatment throughout the day. He nodded and followed after Sam to a small room.

A woman lay unconscious on the surgery bed, her head bleeding. A big man was standing by the bed as he hugged his crying daughter. The little girl still had a palm mark on her left cheek and it looked like the spot would leave a bruise for quite a while.

He put the two on the back of his mind and headed for the bleeding woman. The skin on the side of her head had split open due to blunt trauma. The shock had knocked the woman out but it looked like she wasn't bleeding internally. That was a good news but still, she required emergency treatment and Vincent couldn't afford to waste any time.