The Preying City

The food was delicious but Amelia didn't really have much appetite. She took a little bite every once in a while as she reminisced the event from earlier. It still left her heart racing when she thought about it. Though the end was anticlimactic and she couldn't witness Mr. Secret's abilities, she was fine with it. She had yet to process many things. Besides, she believed that some things were better as a mystery. The charm and allure would disappear if you could see it clearly.

"This roasted lamb is amazing. Money sure is nice. I wish I could eat like this all the time." Big Joe was stuffing his face with the food placed before him.

"I can understand that you are a big guy and need to eat a lot. But it wouldn't hurt to eat slowly you know. Everyone's staring at us." She looked at her 'bodyguard' and spoke helplessly.

"Who cares about them. I used a lot of energy earlier. I need to fill myself. Who knows what will happen next. The special police didn't even show up but I don't think they will let us go just like this. There may come a time when we will have to make a run for it."

"Aren't you really strong? Why are you scared of the police?" Amelia asked in puzzlement. The big man would simply stand there and look down on anyone attacking him. He didn't bother moving against Mr. Eagle nor the troll. It didn't make sense for him to fear the police.

Big Joe sneered and answered. "You really don't know anything. No supernatural is invincible. The trick to getting stronger is to survive. And if you want to survive in the world of supernaturals, you need to know your place. There are supernaturals in the special police force who will make anyone you know seem like a helpless man."

"Even Mr. Collector or Mr. Secret?" She suppressed her disbelief and whispered.

"Of course. Grade 4 supernaturals are all strong but they are just the weakest among mid grade supernaturals. I have heard that the chief of special police force is a grade 6 supernatural, just a grade shy from being an immortal. Below him are several grade 5s and at least a few dozen grade 4s." Joe stopped eating and answered her in an even quieter voice.

"Immortal? Are you really okay telling me this for free?"

" Don't mind it. It's not a big secret anyways." He shrugged her off and continued. "High grade supernaturals are also called immortals. There are only a handful of them in the world and each one of them wield unimaginable power."

"Are they really immortal?" There was a hint of disbelief and longing in her voice. "Do they never die?"

"It's not that they cannot be killed. It's just that they don't die of natural causes. Once one becomes a grade 7 supernatural, they will be free from the grasp of mortality..... well, at least normal mortality... I guess."

"Have you ever met an immortal?"

He looked at the young woman as if he was looking at a fool. "Are you stupid? Of course I haven't. I don't even know a person who knows a person who has come into contact with an immortal. In their eyes, we might be nothing but insignificant things. If you wanted to meet one, you would have to be able to garner their interest first."

She wanted to retort but her words refused to come out when she saw a couple of policemen entering the hotel. It was almost 8 p.m. and the police wouldn't be here unless something serious had happened. Fear gripped her heart as she remembered Big Joe's earlier words, "There may come a time when we have to make a run for it."

'Are they here for us? There were no signs of their presence during the fight. Why are they here now.'

Amelia nudged Big Joe and pointed to the police's direction with her eyes.

Big Joe looked down and continued eating as if nothing had happened. "Act normal. Let's hope that these guys are just normal police and not the special police."

She nodded her head and tried he best to act normal. Maybe because it was her second time being in such a pinch, she couldn't calm down. Anyone could tell she was nervous with just a glance.

The officer in charge shared a couple of words with the manager of the hotel ad stood still. The manager grabbed everyone's attention and spoke in a professional manner, "There seems to be a curfew in place. I am sorry to inform you that all of you will have to stay inside the hotel until sunrise tomorrow. I hope that you will understand and bear through this inconvenience."

An elderly gentlemen stood up. He was dressed in a prim manner and had a neatly combed hair. Despite his age, the clean shaven look gave everyone an affable impression about him. "I am really sorry officer, but I have to reach Kindlewich by midnight. I have to attend an important meeting early in the morning tomorrow and I cannot afford to be late."

The officer moved forward and replied to the elderly man. "I am really sorry sir. But there are killers on the loose. The situation is delicate and we cannot afford any mistakes. Please try to understand."

Their conversation went back and forth and Amelia grew increasingly nervous at the sight of other policemen checking out every guest in the hotel. As the gazes slowly inched towards her direction, she couldn't help but shiver despite her best efforts to calm her racing heart.

'Shit! He is coming my way. Am I too suspicious?'

"Excuse me miss, can I ask you some questions?" The young man in his police uniform stopped before her and asked politely.

"Ye.. Yes, please go ahead."

"You don't have to be so nervous. I just need you to tell me your name and purpose here."

"I am Amelia Pears... I am here just to sightsee."

The young man sat down on the empty chair in front of her as he smiled brightly. Despite the outer appearance, the smile was scary in her eyes. He spoke in a soft voice to avoid others overhearing their conversation."I see. Now I just need you to prick your finger and drop your blood on this stone."

"Why?" Everyone was looking her way and she couldn't stop herself from trembling in fear.

"This is a special stone. Once you drop your blood on it and you lie near it, it will glow red. If you tell the truth, then it will glow green. You don't have to worry, if you are innocent, then you won't remember anything that has happened tonight."

Amelia looked at the dull stone in front of her and didn't know what to do. If she really did drop her blood on it and the stone worked as the man claimed it did, then her life could be in danger. If she didn't it would be the same as admitting her guilt.

Just as she was desperately looking for a way out, Big Joe flipped the table. The young policeman was pushed down by the table and the big man grabbed her from behind. "If you don't want this innocent girl to be harmed, then you will back off and let me leave silently."