They left the construction site and headed back to Louie's car. Rosa lagged a little behind Louie, still amazed at what she'd seen. The way Louie had fought left her completely speechless, it was like she'd witnessed a superhuman from a comic in real life. He moved with speeds that no human should be able to reach and wielded a sword as if he'd been training for decades. However, what alarmed her more was how little fear and disgust she felt. Even when the direhound had tried to rip her part she hadn't flinched and staring down its corpse made her feel nothing. If anything she was happy to see it dead, like she felt a primal instinct to purge its kind from the world.
"How come you left the car?" Louie asked. "You seemed determined to stay as far away as possible earlier."
Instantly embarrassment warped her face, flushing it red. "I got scared," Rosa admitted.
He turned to her with her curious glance. "Scared of what?" Louie asked. "Did you think I'd let the direhound get out and attack you?"
"No, it's not that," Rosa stuttered, shaking her head. "I just remembered -"
"Not bad Huntor!" a voice spoke from behind. "Good to see you've haven't lost it over the years."
Startled, Rosa practically jumped to Louie's side. He already had his firearm trained on the voice.
Standing down the road beside a lamppost was a woman with silvery blonde hair and a long dark grey coat. She kind of reminded Rosa of Sam.
"And why would've I have lost it?" Louie asked the newcomer, a hint of irritation lining his tone.
"Old age," the woman shrugged.
Louie grumbled under his breath. "What are you doing here Audrey?" he questioned, holstering his pistol.
"Didn't you hear? I've been recruited into the Liverpool division," Audrey explained.
"Great," he grumbled again.
"Who is she?" Rosa whispered.
"Audrey Lelan," the woman happily informed. "Close friend of Mr Louie Huntor."
'How did she hear that?'
"Close is a strong word," Louie said, tilting his head. "We went to school together."
"See, best of friends. With me, you and Zack the old gang is almost back together," Audrey said grinning at Rosa, completely ignoring Louie's remark. "But that is enough about us, who is this?"
"Rosa Elacti," Rosa responded.
The woman's curious eyes turned soft. Audrey took a few steps towards her, suddenly Louie moved in front blocking off her path to Rosa. Audrey stopped in her tracks, she then raised her hands and backed away.
"The hell are you being so protective for?" Audrey mumbled.
"Why are you actually here?" Louie questioned.
"Heard you were hunting and I thought I would come say hello," Audrey told them.
Louie's face remained blank.
Audrey sighed. "Well, I'll see you two around" she said and waved. "Oh and Rosa, my deepest condolences for your loss."
And then she was gone, vanished into the shadows she'd emerged from.
"That woman," Louie muttered.
"So, is she your friend or not" Rosa asked. She was completely baffled by the interaction she'd just witnessed. "She said something about the old gang getting back together."
"Yeah, she is" Louie admitted. Although he seemed a little annoyed at having to do so. "It's been years since I last saw her though. Showing up at the blue like nothing, I see she's not changed at all. Honestly just caught me off guard. By the way, did Audrey say Zack is coming back?"
"Erm … yes I think so. Why do you know him?" Rosa asked.
Louie nodded.
"Who is he?"
"Old friend. I'm sure you'll meet him soon enough" Louie said however, he showed no interest in elaborating. That was becoming an annoying habit of his. "Come on then let's head home. I've already called this in."
Louie began heading back to his car. However, Rosa didn't move.
"Do you not trust her?" she asked. His behaviour still had her baffled. If she was an old friend and fellow hunter why did he guard Rosa from her? Now that she thought about it he'd kept her isolated from everyone at the HQ as well, only letting Ruthor speak to her in his presence.
"I'll always trust her with my life" Louie said confidently. "Just not with yours."
Rosa's face creased but Louie just turned and carried on towards his car.
"What the hell does that mean?" Rosa called out.
"It's means the world's gone to hell and I don't where to stand. And until I do, the only person I trust with your safety his me," Louie replied sternly. He reached the car and turned back to face her. "Now come on let's go."
Rosa reluctantly nodded and trudged back over to the car.
They settled back into Louie's house. Rosa glanced at the clock, it was one in the morning, she really needed to get some sleep. But she couldn't, not just yet. Curiosity burnt inside and she demanded answers.
"Do want some tea? Help calm your mind," Louie asked, hanging up his coat. Underneath he had a tight long sleeved shirt. Rosa hadn't realised how muscular he was. It easily took up most of his bulk and she could actually see the muscle fibres rippling through his clothing.
"Alright," Rosa agreed. She still had no idea what was in them hot beverages but they'd not failed to soothe her yet.
She took a seat in the living room while Louie made his way into the kitchen. What had he meant he doesn't trust them with her life? Had her father not recruited them just as he had Louie? Why was he trustworthy but not them? What made him different? … Why had he miraculously been there to save her twice now? Why was he taking care of her?
The questions took hold of her.
Louie wandered back in with two steaming mugs. He handed one to Rosa and cupped his hands around the other.
"Why are you doing this?" Rosa questioned abruptly.
"Hmm," he mused with a confused gaze.
"I can understand why you saved me, but why take me in? There must be a protocol in place right? People I can be given to. Surely you didn't have to take me in yourself … so why?"
After she finished, Rosa could barely hold his gaze. Stern blue eyes fell upon her and instantly her face dropped. He stared at her silently for what felt like infinity, and she couldn't decipher his thoughts.
"I owe your father a debt," Louie said calmly.
"A debt?" Rosa asked, her curiosity giving her sudden burst of confidence helping her re-meet his gaze. "What kind of debt?"
"A great one," Louie answered. Rosa thought she heard a hint of pain in his voice. "An unpayable one."
Rosa felt lost for words, she took a light sip of tea. "What was my dad to you?" she asked carefully.
Louie's eyes went soft. "That is a long story for another time," he answered taking drink. He got up from his armchair and grabbed a photo-frame from beside the TV. "But here," he handed her the frame, "this may satisfy some of your curiosity. Well either that or breed more," he joked.
Rosa analysed the picture. At a brief glance, It depicted 5 people, all with joyful grinning faces, they resembled a family. Wait. She knew this family.
'Dad, Mum, Emma.' Her parents didn't look a day different from when she last seen them, youthfully locked into their mid-twenties like always. Emma was a teenager and a young one at that. This picture must've been taken years ago. Her gaze drifted along and abruptly stopped, stunned. Louie was there. He stood beside her dad with an arm around his shoulder. Louie looked exactly like he did now, as if he hadn't aged a day. Emma stood at the front childishly posing while holding an expressionless young girl who couldn't have been older than six. She had black hair and a clear Hispanic origin. Wait.
'That's me,' Rosa realised.
She could barely recognise herself, but it was definitely her. Comparing that little girl to herself now, it was as if time had allowed her to finally grow soul. Strange though, why couldn't she remember this? It was true that Rosa struggled to remember her youngest years especially before meeting the Elactis. It was like a great, thick haze blocked her sight whenever she tried to look back, distorting the memories, she knew something had happened but just couldn't make out what. But still, Rosa thought surely she'd still be able to remember an entire person. However, despite clearly meeting Louie she had absolutely no recollection of him. Rosa's eyes never left the photo. All of them together, they really did look like a family.
"Just who are you?" Rosa asked.
Louie grinned, exactly like he did in the photo, he then took the picture back and placed it next to the TV.
"A family friend," he said.
"Louie," Rosa placed down her mug and nervously fiddled her fingers. "I can trust you. Right?"
Louie finished his beverage and stood.
"The way I see it. What choice do you have?" he said, before heading towards the kitchen.
Rosa nodded slowly and stared deeply into her tea. He was right.
"But," Louie voice interrupted her thoughts. "If it provides you comfort, then yes you can trust me."
She couldn't help it, as smile shone on her face and then Louie vanished into the kitchen. She quickly finished the remainder of her drink and followed him.
"Can I ask one more question?" Rosa inquired.
"I doubt I could stop you even if I tried."
"You said that you don't trust the others with my life. Why?"
Louie paused for a moment, his gaze lost off in the distance. "Someone or something has infiltrated the Hunters," he eventually said.
"Huh?" Rosa questioned baffled.
"I don't know what as of yet, but until then I'm not risking your safety," Louie said. Suddenly, he sighed. "It's true that I was a little harsh with Audrey. I know she'd never betray us," Louie confessed. "But it's also been many years since I've seen anyone and I don't know if I can trust her or anyone's judgement when It comes to you."
"Maybe they'll surprise you," Rosa suggested. "My dad brought them all together. Just like he did with you."
"That's true. But let me mention this, if your James did truly trust them all, why am I the only one who knows who you truly are," Louie said.
"What?"
"Everyone is still under the impression your James' bastard. To my knowledge, outside your family I'm the only one who knows the truth," Louie informed.
"Everyone thinks I'm my dad's affair baby?" Rosa questioned, baffled.
Louie nodded.
"Why?"
"That is something I don't an answer for," Louie replied. "Why do you think he done it?"
Rosa shrugged, "Maybe he didn't want a million questions why he adopted some random girl, and in the end saying I was actually his was easier. Isn't there a good chance this secret means nothing and you're just paranoid about trusting people."
A smile broke across his face and he chuckled. "Maybe. Alright I'll what you've said in mind. But it's also time for you get some sleep."
Rosa nodded. Sleep sounded good.