Damien couldn't help but chuckle at how expressive the animal was. "Gri, huh? Well we're getting out of here." The wind on his wings made him wince painfully. When the creature took notice of Beth, Damien raised an eyebrow. "Is she someone you know?" Angling his wings he prepared to make a rough landing outside the gates. He knew that hunters would be pouring out of there so as soon as he touched the ground he knew he'd have to run. Once his feet hit the ground his balance was ruined, causing him to roll, his wings getting crushed and bloodied even more. "Fuck!" He grunted. Doing his best to retract the wings inside of him he forced himself to get up. "Alright Gri, this is when things are going to get shitty." The sounds of alarms and tracking familiars rang in the air.
If You Play with Fire You're Going to get Burned (PAFP)
-
-
Tipping its head to the side it seemed like was trying to remember back if it was familar with the huntress. It gave a shrug with its tiny little shoulders. They all look the same.. It responded clutching tightly on to Damian’s shoulder got bumpier. It didn’t take much to throw the tiny thing off. It hit the ground and went rolling. Rolling right into a bush it took a couple seconds for its small face and brown eyes to pop out of the bush. Its ears flattened against its head as it heard the alarm. Sighing it stepped out of the brush shaking the leaves out of its red coat. Its hackles went up and it narrowed its eyes in the direction of the sounds of familiars and hunters. The brown eyes narrowed and a tree between them and the hunters started to creak and sway for a couple seconds before it came tumbling down with a loud thud. Beth went running back in the building her feet hitting the floor as she ran. She got through the doors as a number of hunters and familars were running out. Gritting her teeth she went to change and see if she could help.
-
"Heh, you're not so bad, Gri." He said as the tree fell down behind them. "Sorry about the rough landing." Offering his hand to pick up the creature before sprinting deeper into the woods. As he ran his shirt waved around loosely due to the wings tearing holes in the back. In the heat of the moment Damien was only concerned about getting as far away as possible from this place and in consequence he forgot about his anklet that was tracking their every move. "So which way, Gri? This place is supposed to be the middle of no where..."
-
The little creature jumped into his hand not minding hitching a ride instead of having to try and run on its own short stubby little legs. Sharp needle like claws came out to grab hold of his sleeve so the furball could stead itself as he sprinted through the woods. Just don't drop me... The little animal glanced down at the ground as he ran quickly. Narrowing its eyes it caught sight of a flashing light one of Damien's ankles, but didn't try and slow him down. If he stopped running it thought they would loose too much time trying to get it off. Snapping its head up it closed its eyes trying to focus despite the bumpy ride. Being jostled to the side it glanced over at him motioning to East. That way...there are houses close enough... Gri advised its claws coming out a little more. If they could make it to the houses the hunters wouldn't try and follow them since they didn't want humans to know what was going on there.
Beth got suited up and something a little more appropriate to go chasing after demons. Her heartbeat thumped in her ears as she got on to one the ATVs being sent out as well. Pulling up the signal of the ankle tracker she prayed it was still actually on the demon. She tore off with a couple of other hunters to see if they could get ahead. The boss was warning all of them since they didn't know exactly what demons had gotten out in the breach, but the two they knew were missing were considered extremely dangerous and should be dealt with the utmost caution. Only half listening Beth wanted this over with already. Zooming through the trees she scowled as she felt the burning pain from her side. She was sure she had reopened the wound, great.
-
"Thanks, Gri. " He said with a grateful scoff. Wrapping his black tail under his torn up and bloodied shirt he made his way towards the town. If only I had my weapons. He thought to himself bitterly. His athletic build and unnatural stamina allowed them to get to the borders of the town on foot swifter than any average human, but he knew they weren't out of the woods yet. "Ugh, I can't go in town like this..." He searched for discrete routes that would draw the least amount of attention... And maybe jump someone for their clothes. Glancing at the red furball he added, "preferably something that will hide you."
Sliding down the hill he made his way to behind an apartment complex, keeping a look out for any cameras. Damien glanced behind where they came from to realize he was leaving the slightest trail of black blood. "Oh my fucking.." H swore under his breath. [What time of day is it?]
-
Gri was holding on the best it could grunting every now and again as it was nearly thrown off when they came towards the town. Fluffing up it's pelt it became more alert as they neared the town red ears swiveling around to catch sounds. It didn't seem all that happy to be near the town, but it wasn't planning on going back into the woods where there was surely hoards of hunters and familiars set up to find them. Looking down at his bloody clothing the creature tipped its head for a moment. The creature huffed slightly at the thought of being crammed into a small bag or something. It could fit, it just didn't want to. If I must...I can hide in a backpack or something... Gri sounded very reluctant. Narrowing its eyes it pointed to a person walking down the street with earbuds in not seeming to be paying attention to much. I'll lure him back here. The thing announced and promptly jumped off Damien's shoulder.
It moved almost without any weight moving in between the parked cars in front of the complex until it was near where the guy looked like he was headed. The little creature clicked softly and popped its head out from its hiding spot. Gri stared up at the human for several moments with large brown eyes. When a hand came down to touch it though it stepped back quickly retreated back to where the demon was hiding, red tail waving in the air like a flag. It seemed to work as the human slowly made his way over taking out one of his earbuds.
Beth was following with a couple of other hunters. They all slowed down as they tracked him close to town. A large creature that looked like a doe deer ran beside them. When it caught scent of the blood a smile spread across its canine like mouth. It howled like a bloodhound and bounded off after the trail of blood. The hunters slipped off their ATV's and followed the familiar on foot. It was frustrating Beth that this whole chase was taking so long.
(I was thinking really early morning maybe)
-
"Sorry Group," he shrugged sympathetically, "I know it isn't fun to be jammed in a bag." Catching sight of the boy making his way down the street mindlessly, Damien gave a grin, "Perfect..."
Listening closely to Gri's trap he waited behind the wall. As he heard the boy step near her readied a fist. There stranger appeared around the corner only to have a punch delivered square in the nose. Damien grabbed the boy by his shirt and pinned him to the wall, holding his throat to prevent any sound from escaping. The panic in the kid's eyes were screaming as he grabbed the demon's arm frantically. His eyes turned to snake like slits, using what energy he had left to try and possesses the victim into giving them the clothes and forgetting this interaction. Once the body relaxed, Damien knew it took affect. Stripping into nothing but his boxers, socks and shoes the kid looked at him blankly like a zombie, handing over the fresh clothes. "For me? Oh how kind of you!" Damien smirked, taking the outfit and leaving the kid with how tattered clothes. "Maybe the familiars will follow this helpless sap now instead." The demon was sure to wipe off the excess blood on his back seeing that the gashes from his former wings had healed up with the old shirt before putting on the new.
The rising sun made him grimace, "morning.. great. We need to find a spot soon Gri. There might not be a fight in the town but if there was I might not be ready for it."
-
Gri stared up at the kid even as he struggled taking note of the bag that he had been carrying with him. The little creature sat back seeming quite entertained seeing the boy hypnotized. It gave a small amused noise. It waited patiently for him to change into the new clothes. At least you might not scare the locals...Gri snickered slightly before standing itself up its tail swishing behind it as it walked. Sighing it saw the kid’s backpack discarded off to the side in the struggle. Reluctantly Gri grabbed one of the straps in its mouth and dragged it over towards the demon.
Staring at the bag a moment the zipper began to slowly undo itself. The creature pulled some of the kid’s things out until it could somewhat fit into the bag. It stared up at the demon clearly not happy about being stuck in the bag. Where do you think would be a good place? We better think of it soon... The creature warned looking back towards the woods before slipping its head back in the bag the zipper moving halfway back up on the bag. It made a slight noise of discomfort of how tight the bag was.
The familar in the lead kept several strides in front of the hunters. Beth muttered an angry curse when they familar turned and started to head for town. She had a feeling he would use civilians like he did last time.
-
"Scare them? With this handsome face?" Damien joked back, finishing getting dressed. He picked up the bag with Gri inside, "Don't worry I know of a motel we can stay in. Someone there owes me a favor."
He walked in a hurry towards the center of town. He made sure to stay on the main streets, hoping the lack of cover will dissuade any action on the organization's part. As the world began to wake up there were plenty of joggers out and small businesses opening up.
He found a modest motel surrounded by convenient stores, fast food joints and a mall down the block. Going through the back to avoid any cameras he knocked on the back door rapidly. A skinny Hispanic man opened the door with an annoyed expression, "For God sakes we didn't order any shipments!" Realizing who it was he blinked his tired eyes, "Oh, it's you, Damien... What the hell are you doing here at 7:45 in the morning?"
Letting himself in Damien pushed him aside roughly, "I'm on the move, Gabriel. Time for you to pay up that favor you owe me."
"What favor? Last time I checked you owed me!"
Swinging around Damien grabbed his manager jacket and slammed him on the wall. "I don't have time for your bullshit. I need a room. Under my alias. No cameras, a handy fire escape and some goddamn alcohol. The favor I'll grant you is not punishing you for wasting my time." He snarled.
Gabriel raised his hands in surrender, "Fine! Fine! I'll let it slip this time. Just don't make a mess this time!."
Damien roughly let him go and stalked down the hall. The manager followed him to the storage area of this backroom and grabbed a spare key for room 27. The demon snatched the keys from him and said in a more cordial tone, "Thanks Gabe, knew I could count on you." Pulling out the wallet from the man they robbed of clothes earlier he handed Gabriel fifty bucks and stalked away to their new room.
"Enjoy your stay, Mr. Henry Thompson!" Gabe waved before returning to his post at the office counter.
Closing the door he placed the bag down on the bed and laid on the mattress. "Shit..." He sighed. "It's safe now, Gri." He let his tail fall out onto the floor out of exhaustion. "There's gotta be somewhere out of this town or even out of the state they won't have their little imps looking for us." Out of good exhaustion he didn't notice the anklet flashing red underneath the pant leg. Once the remote holder came close enough they could activate it and send a shock to immobilize him temporarily. If the setting was powerful enough it could knock him out, especially with his exhaustion.
-
The creature's head very briefly came out of the bag before he began moving to give a soft huff at his joke before lowering itself back into the bag grumbling at how little space there was to be found. Still it managed to stay hidden only looking through a small opening in the top of the bag and able to see a tiny bit of what was going on. Hearing voices Gri blinked and perked its ears to hear just what was going on.
Growling as it was jostled around in the bag when Damien spun around to grab Gabriel. Sighing Gri righted itself and watched through the tiny slit getting the gist of the conversation. The red creature took note before sighing when the manager left and it could see Damien moving into the room. When the all clear came it scrambled out of the bag not even bothering waiting to try and get it further unzipped. Squeezing out it flopped down on the mattress beside Damien sprawled out on its belly tail sweeping the bag off the bed on to the floor growling softly. Humans are vile little creatures... Its brown eyes flashed with momentary annoyance before it disappeared.
Curling up it laid its muzzle on its long red tail. There may be one way.... Gri communicated it very plainly before its eyes closed. Giving no further explanations Gri was already exhausted, using its powers to try and talk more was too draining.
The hunters came to the edge of town following the trail of blood since it seemed more reliable then the ankle tacker he could have very easily planted on someone else. The familiar could only come so far and as they neared the apartment complex the other hunters started to mumble excuses or reasons to turn back. Beth gave them both a sharp look. She wanted to go home more than any of them, but she also wanted to not have to do a repeat of having to track down the demon when he would no doubt be able to make himself almost impossible to find.
The hunter who was accompanying the familiar cursed as he was several feet ahead of them and had rounded a corner. He pointed to the boy who was stumbling around in the demon's clothes. The lanky familiar growled which made the hunter have to steer the familiar away to make sure no civilians could see. "I gotta go back, tracking him won't be very easy and I can't let people see her." He motioned to the familiar.
"Just go we'll try and follow the tracking chip then." Beth said dismissively and already started walking off, well more limping actually, clearly in a lot of pain as she walked. The other hunter hurried to join her. The woman was having a severe headache and couldn't wait to get this whole thing over with.
-
Damien noticed Gri's exhaustion, "Don't worry, I'll handle the rest. Just catch your breath. If we're lucky we can recuperate over night..." Damien's stomach growled. Cursing under his breath he couldn't blow their cover note, but he hadn't eaten for days, not properly anyways. He could consume human food fine, but raw meat and human flesh is what provided him the sustenance he needed. To tithe him over her began cracking into the small bottles of alcohol that was placed in the mini fridge. There was a market close by, perhaps he could stop at the meat department. Hunting humans wasn't doing to happen; being malnourished, exhausted, and on the down low just wouldn't allow it. Picking up the bag he looked for any additional coverage, only to be provided sun glasses. This will just have to do. "I'll be back Gri, I'm going to grab something for us to eat. Don't wait up for me if I'm not back in fifteen." Putting on the glasses he went out down the escape ladder and walked out of the ally to the sidewalk. Just act natural. he thought to himself. Even going so far as to wave cordially to strangers walking down the road. He didn't like being exposed like this, but he had no choice.
-
The red creature gave a soft chirp in response before closing its eyes again. It was clearly running low on energy itself and needed to recoup all the spent energy. Gri was too exhausted to even remember to warn the demon that they would most likely be tracking him. Instead the creature seemed to be fast asleep by the time Damien left the room.
Beth and the other hunter had to keep a low profile so they didn't immediately start following his trail. Instead they walked around trying to appear as normal while talking to each other about absolutely nothing. "This is ridiculous." She mumbled looking up at the other hunter who just shrugged lightly noticing how heavily she was clutching her side. "Go get something for the pain. We can't just storm into the motel he's anyway." He pulled up the screen showing that for the moment that was still where he was.
Beth sighed and nodded giving him the remote, so he could use it in case he came out of the motel, before walking slowly towards the store. Stepping into the store she absently looked through shelves. Happening to look out into the street she stiffened catching a familiar form. She couldn't be completely sure yet so she ducked her head slightly and went back to looking at the shelves keeping and eye on the door from the corner of her eye.
-
Damien walked into the store with his shades still on. The entire store stank of humans and cleaning chemicals. He walked past the Pharmaceutical section to make his way to the the deli. He grabbed a bottle of pain killers absent mindedly on his way. His eyes darted left and right under the shades for any particularly suspicious people. At the counter he ordered 9 lbs of raw pork loin. It wasn't human flesh but this would have to do.
Another man entered the store with a hoodie and medical mask. The man in the front walked up to him to request he take his hood off when the sound of a gun shot rang in the store. The man dropped to the floor dead. Panic burst throughout the customers. People fell to the ground and behind the aisles. He shot at the people trying to escape. He pulled out a detonator from his pocket and activated the bombs that were planted in all entrances of the building. The only way out was the employee back doors. The man shouted through his mask, "Everybody stay down!!! This is a robbery!" A few other people emerged from the crowds revealing their guns, medical masks hiding their identities.
Damien did a hunters crouch when the episode started. His eyes narrowed in disgust, "Damn humans and their inconvenient greed." He moved towards one of the shelves, trying to count each of the gunmen. He knew there was at least one more they kept on the down low in case there were any heros in situations like this. He counted six men. All spread throughout the small shopping center; a typical Walgreen's would have been bigger.
-
Beth stood off to the side moving away when he came in and headed towards a different aisle holding a bottle of pain killers in one hand and clutching her side with the other. Gritting her teeth she turned herself around leaning heavily on a nearby shelf while watching him move carefully. It was too crowded for he to really make a move, which only served to irritate her more. Of course it seemed like life was just full of road blocks ever since she had first met this aggravating demon. Speaking of road blocks she stiffened when she saw that guys were coming in and loudly announcing that this was a robbery. Growling to herself she let herself slide down the shelf to sit on the floor. Who robs a store first thing in the morning?! She was so tempted to shout that at the robbers, but she also wanted to keep from getting shot if she could help it.
Cursing a bit to herself she laid down the bottle to free up and hand and touched the earpiece hidden in her ear. "Hey call the cops...yes I'm fine just call the cops there's like six of them." She whispered harshly into the ear piece glancing both directions to see if she could go unnoticed. This was a very bad situation. Sitting back on her knees she ignored the pain and seemed forget that she should be keeping tabs on the demon right now. If they weren't both injured this might be a little easier on both of them. Beth pushed blonde hair out of her face awkwardly clutching a shelf as she peaked over the shelves to see where they were at the moment.
-
One of the men had an employee empty all the tills into a bag. They barked at him while holding the gun to his head. the seventeen year old employee was sweating profusely, his hands shaking and fumbling the money, aggravating the robber even more. An accomplice was going around to collect any money he could from the hostages. They offered the last exclusive job the to the brown haired masked man in the back to grab any drugs that could be of value.
Damien noticed beside him was the kitchen wear. A knife set just out of reach. He surveyed the area when he noticed Beth. His stomach churned as he grimaced. Oh come on! She seemed to be in a great deal of pain as she gripped her side, reminding him of his winning attack. As much as he hated it, she and him were the most capable people here in the pool of hostages, even if she was hindered. Hoped for the first time to catch her attention. Perhaps she could distract the man coming down for drugs enough for Damien to snatch the knives. He grabbed whatever he could at the moment: chicken seasoning. He rolled the plastic bottle towards Beth to catch her attention. One of the gunmen looked over to the meat department, making Damien crouch down out of sight. He want sure how well this plan would work out. Beth might not want to cooperate thinking this was a ploy for him to escape, but he had to try. His powers would only cause greater panic and could very well get him killed.
[If you so wish you can to a gunman or gunmen,]
-
The huntress was watching the gunmen as the moved around. Muttering under her breath she was too busy watching them to pay any mind to Damien and if he might have spotted her. The gunman trying to get cash from all the hostages he could started coming her way so she ducked back behind the shelf making herself as invisible as she could manage pulling her legs closer to her chest. She wouldn't mind jumping into a fight and getting out some of her frustrations, except for the fact all of the men were armed and all she had were a couple of blessed knives that wouldn't do much of anything before they could shoot her dead.
She was trying to stay as quiet as she could manage. Her attention was drawn down towards a chick seasoning bottle rolling lazily down her isle. Whipping her head in the direction it had come from. Beth caught sight of the demon ducking down and hiding from the gunmen. She frowned looking back his direction. She glanced around to get a better idea of her surroundings. She was suspicious of what exactly the demon was planning getting her attention. Making eye contact with him she raised a brow making it her clear she wanted to know what he was doing. She thought he was probably just trying to escape from this.
-
Damien nodded to the knives hanging a few feet from where he was. Gesturing to the nearest man he mouthed 'Distract'. The murmurs in the crowd aggravated the presumed leader, "Shut the hell up!!" The police wouldn't be here until at least another twenty minutes, and of course that didn't mean they could barge in with there being only one way into the store. The hostage situation was too sensitive. Damien inched a little closer to the kitchenware, looking around for any more telling information. There was a scream as one of the gunmen hassled a lady and her kid because he saw her with a phone in her hands. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?!" Smacking the phone from her hand he grabbed her kid with a gun to his temple. The lady screeched and sobbed, begging for her son's life. The leader barked at the accomplice to cool it. They didn't want any extra body counts. But this one was obviously a loose cannon.
Damien's jaw was tense as he watched it unfold. The scene was happening about four aisles away from them. "Goddamn it!" He snapped under his breath. Looking behind him he saw the exit down a back room from the deli. He whispered for the attention of a few people to his right. With a sharp quick whistle he pointed to behind the counter. They looked back and nodded, terror in their eyes. They crawled to behind the deli where the butcher noticed what Damien was orchestrating. He quietly let them out through the back undetected. Of course this couldn't be the case for everyone, the gunmen would notice too many people leaving at a time and some weren't close enough to the door. Damien glanced back at Beth to signal he was ready for her distraction that would specifically lead away one gunman.
-
The huntress stared at him for a solid couple of seconds even after he had already made clear what he wanted her to do. Why would she help him in any way? Up to this point the demon had done nothing that made her want to trust him in the slightest. She started to shake her head stubbornly before pausing when she heard a loud scream. When she saw what went down with the gunmen and the poor mother she balled her hand into a fist muttering a low curse as she turned back to Damien and gave him a slow nod before glancing around for any possible way to distract the gunman while he snatched the knives up. Her eyes caught him moving and motioning towards the door so some people could get out without them noticing. This made her slightly believe that he wasn't just doing this to escape although she still hadn't completely given up her suspicions yet, but this situation didn't leave her many other options.
So, Beth went begrudgingly to looking for something to get the attention of one of the gunmen without getting the attention of everyone in the store. She got the signal and nodded before she got down on her hands and knees and crawled between the isles to get closer to the gunman who kept pausing in between looks around to shove whatever over the counter drugs he thought might make some money. So, she crouched down for a moment still holding her side before she took a bottle of cough syrup and tipped it over sending a number of other things on the shelves toppling off the shelves. Well this got his attention at least. She scooted back trying to get out sight, though she didn't think she was going to be able to get very far and she was right. Beth was starting to move away when the gunman stormed right towards her. Cursing under her breath Beth hoped this stupid plan worked.
-
As the man charged towards her, his back turned to him, he lunged for the knives. He ripped the zip ties and cardboard with ease from the handles. Holding the blade of a small knife he aimed towards the gunman. With swift precision he threw the knife with a low grunt, the force of his throw made the blade lodge into the back of his skull. Making the man instantly drop his gun and his body go limp. Like a sack of rocks he thudded on the tile ground, blood pouring through his hair.
Damien took the rest of the knives with him as he slunk towards Beth to move on to the next target. One of the corresponding party members heard the thump and went to investigate. "Get anyone you can out of here through the back of the deli without raising awareness. I'll keep them off your back." His tone was deadly serious. Expecting her skepticism of why he would help these people he gave a cocky grin, "I know, I'm just full of surprises." He didn't want to voice his intentions to the exorcist. If he wounds enough of the men before they pass he can consume their souls and regain any strength he's lost during his weekend long endeavors from the organization. If he had his own weapons he could kill them right away and still gather their souls through an engraving on his blades. And if he could get the exorcists to lay off him in the slightest bit was a bonus. Besides, he was just as much as a hostage as anyone else here, and that really pissed him off.
As the second criminal made his way Damien prepared a paring knife, standing up as he pressed his back against the shelves. As the man came around the corner, Damien stabbed him in the side of the neck. He grabbed the man by the shoulder of his clothes to slowly lower him down. "That's two down... Four more to go." The hidden accomplice should reveal himself once they catch on. Hopefully before the police show up.
-
She still couldn't believe she was betting her life on a demon, especially this demon that she hated so much. Just when she thought she was dead meat she watched as the gunman dropped to the ground with a knife stuck in the back of his head. Not even blinking at the dead man and his blood she picked up the gun checking to see if it was loaded. It had a few bullets, luckily, just in case things got hairy. Getting to her feet she rolled her eyes slightly as she scanned for any people she might be able to help out of here without getting too much attention. "None of your surprises so far have done anything, but make my life harder." She scoffed, but still started to sneak her way back to a couple she had seen hiding out in the back.
In a way she was hoping that his little act of selflessness would make her bosses just drop the idea of hunting him. Yes she wanted him dead, but she also wanted her life back too. Beth slipped back still walking with very uneven steps as she ducked down in the isle a middle-aged couple was hiding behind the woman looking like she was about to have a break down. "Hey I'm here to help." She tried to sound as nice and calm as she possibly could, although she sounded as sharp and irritated as she always did. "There's a door in the back of the deli." She whispered motioning towards it with her free hand. The man nodded and quickly grabbed the woman's hand moving as quickly and quietly as they could towards the back door. They weren't trained in anyway so, they did make more noise then she would have liked and not to mention the man had to hold a hand over the woman's mouth to keep her sobs from getting too loud.
Beth cursed under breath trying behind them and directing a couple others towards the door. Once they were all through although not before the woman let out a very loud whimper Beth stood guard poising in case the demon missed one or they got back here. Huffing she held her side still already seeing blood soaking through the fabric. "of course." She hissed under her breath as she perched herself behind a display to try and keep out of sight.