Rise Of The Hunters

Gavyn slept for thirteen hours straight. Xun decided he never wanted to have kids, and was so tired when he finally woke up, he was more than happy to hand the tasks of caring for all the babies back over to him.

The storm had died down, so instead of taking a nap on the dirty cot, he decided to go check on everyone, and see what was happening up above.

Snow and ice had drifted in the open door, coating the railing with a layer of ice, and dusting the landing and stairs with snow. Even despite the cold, he wasn't ready to head back to tend more babies. From the shoe prints in the snow, it was obvious someone had been looking for him, so he went outside to check things out.

"Joseph!" cried Hayden, jogging up to him. "I've been looking everywhere for you! There's a problem! Hurry!"

Xun ran as fast as he could in the snow and ice, after Hayden, who, for some strange reason, wasn't having any problems at all. They arrived at the library, where Rick was standing by the doors to the library. Stepping inside, he was grateful to get out of the cold wind.

"What's the problem?" Xun asked, as Willow joined them from the back room.

"When we were down in the lab, where Dr. Achak is, Lisa had told us she released a virus. We're assuming that's why the guards and Lisa herself, changed into the monsters we had to fight to get back. You knew about that right?" asked Rick, seeing the look on his face.

Xun shook his head in confusion. Another virus?? Was that why the guard had looked like a zombie?

"She trapped us, while we were exploring, and released this virus. We thought she had just been bluffing, but it caused them to all become these strange monsters," explained Willow quickly.

"Why do I think this is about to get really bad?" he asked.

"Dr. Achak came by last night, while you were missing during the storm, and informed us that the other two assistants he had with him, had reacted to the virus. He was able to subdue one, but the other escaped." Hayden looked terrified.

"I found Gavyn. His mom had him down in a secret bunker, popping babies out of some breeding program when she was sent after you guys, I'm guessing. He's busy trying to take care of like a hundred newborns."

"Oh no! We have to get them away from him, before they all start wanting to have crazy hair!" said Willow. Everyone just looked at her for a moment, then away. "What? I'm going for humor here! If we don't find humor in something, we might go crazy."

"That's true."

"So, that's where you've been since yesterday?" asked Rick.

"Yeah, how's everyone else doing? Anyone else showing signs of reacting to the virus?"

"Not yet, but we haven't wanted to tell anyone, in case it started a panic. Everyone was already scared from the storm. But now that we have a potentially killer vampire monster on our hands, we should probably tell someone."

"Have you guys heard of the underground city?" asked Xun.

"No? Where's this?" asked Rick.

"It's underneath this compound, but the only way to get there, is to go through an underwater tunnel, or to go through Dr. Achak's lab. The problem with going through the lab, is that the door is broken from the lab side. It can only be opened from the city side."

"But if it's safe from the rogue vampire, then it may be a good place to take everyone," sad Hayden.

"What about all the animals, and supplies? This is a huge undertaking!" exclaimed Rick.

"And something we need to discuss with everyone. I don't want to lock everyone into a city against their wills. There's a lot riding on this!"

"I'll go round up people, where do you want them to go?" asked Hayden, ready to run back outside.

Rubbing his face, he suddenly felt very tired. He needed some serious sleep. He had been sleep deprived before, but his ability to keep going was wearing thin.

"I'm going to go see Bob and get something to eat and drink. I'll meet with everyone, here in the library, when I'm done eating."

With a nod, Hayden was off.

"The logistics of this is insane!" said Rick, shaking his head.

"I've had to leave compounds before, but I've never tried to take the compound with me. I know people won't want to go, especially in light of the dangers of the rogue vampire on the loose, but the sooner we can get people to the underground city, the safer they'll be."

"No, this is fine. I'll be back in a little bit," Xun said with a wave.

The short trip over to the cafeteria was bone chilling. Had it gotten colder? How was he going to get everyone to the lab entrance without them freezing to death?

Skirting quickly through the crowds of people who were softly talking to each other, he managed to get to the door leading down to Bob's bar before anyone could stop him. As per last visits, Bob had a plate of food and a warm drink waiting for him. Sitting down expectantly, he picked up the warm cup to warm up his cold hands.

"It's been a while," said Bob, wiping a glass, absentmindedly.

"I've been busy." Xun reached for his fork, sure he had thawed his hand enough to pick it up.

"Seems like you're about to get busier."

"Am I forgetting anything?" he asked, with the fork halfway to his mouth.

"That cold can kill, but vampires can't stand the light."

"Anything else?" he asked after a few bites.

Nodding, he finished his meal in silence. It filled his stomach with warmth. Throwing back the drink, hot cocoa, that had cooled enough to not burn his mouth, he stood up.

"Will you be coming, too?"

"Of course, who else could run the bar there?"

Laughing at that, Xun headed to the library for the meeting.