" Did you hear that? " Shane asked all of a sudden lifting his crossbow and looking around cautiously.

"Definitely heard that " Chris acknowledged.

Glancing around, he pulled out his gun from his black leather holster that hung around his waist.

They were both wearing black leather suit that camouflage their figure in the late night while they had their back pressed to each other, looking around carefully with raised and loaded weapons.

Today was Friday and they were out there in the woods hunting for creatures who liked to have their own twisted version of fun in the late hours when they heard a scream that sent chills down their spine.

Little Town was a mountain town thus becoming a safe haven for many supernatural creatures thanks to the abundance of forest and wildlife.

Hunters might not be as enhanced as some supernatural creatures but they were definitely above an average human thanks to intense and harsh trainings , near-death experiences and witches elixirs and magic.

Possessing inhuman sight, hearing, agility and strength, they were made a weapon against creatures that proved to be a threat.

"I think it's coming from there? " Shane pointed to a faraway hill.

"That leads to the Garcia's home " Chris summarized, stretching his neck to get a better view " I think we should go check it out"

"And the hunt? " Shane reminded

Chris pondered for a while, observing his environment before replying " I don't see any soul in distress " He added " But to be sure, you can call another person to take your place but we seriously need it to visit the Garcia's cause I feel something is wrong "

"Fine " Shane mumbled in agreement and reluctantly followed along.

It took them a while to get there, but the scene that greeted them when they arrived, knocked them for six .There was only one word to qualify what was going on - chaos.

There was a terrible hullabaloo in the air.

Young people were on all fours, some squatting, others lieing on their front, back or side and moaning in pain with bleeding ears while the few paramedic available attended to them.

Others were knocked out cold while the few still on their feet were helping the paramedic carry some students in severe conditions unto the stretcher and into the ambulance.

The place was a beehive of activity.

"Holy mother of God " Shane blurted out without even realizing it. His gaze moved to the mansion assessing the damage, a part of the roof had sunken while some parts of the walls had bent or collapsed.

It was quite a sight.

" Oh my God " Chris gasped "This is a disaster"

Out of the corner of his eyes, he thought he saw someone oddly familiar which indeed turned out to be true when he discovered it was one of their people disguised as a paramedic.

He subtly gestured for her to come over which she readily obeyed.

"State " Chris ordered as soon as she approached him.

"Skylar Thunder, Level three, Hunter's league" She announced with a low tone, enough for the both men to pick up her words.

Shane snorted by the side " The council sent an ordinary level three agent to come investigate this case? " He gibed.

The girls expression faltered for a slight moment but she was quick to compose herself " I'm sorry senior for failing to meet your expectations but you have to make do with me" Skylar apologized with her head slightly bowed.

Eventhough her words sounded sincere, Shane couldn't help but feel she was mocking him. He wanted to retort back but Chris was quick to interfere.

"What's your findings so far? " Chris asked.

Skylar turned towards the ruined mansion

"According to the kids report, they claim its some sort of earthquake accompanied with a deafening scream that overwhelmes the auditory system " she scrupulously summarized her findings.

"And you, what do you think? " Shane threw the unexpected question at her and though she was a bit taken aback, she was quick to reply.

"After a long contemplation, I narrowed the suspects down to two people : Witches and Vampires"

Chris crossed his arm and rubbed his jaw thoughtfully " Yes, it seems only both creatures are capable of such immensity of destruction but you're missing something." Chris assessed and the girl's eyes lit up with curiosity

He continued " According to the students narration, you claim they heard a deafening wail?"

" Yes senior " She answered.

"Only a vampire with a sonic scream or a banshee would be able to pull this off effortlessly - Witches might try but a spell of this extent would tear the user apart " Shane explained this time surprising Skylar.

"He decided to become useful tonight afterall, hallelujah! " She thought .

"But the highest suspect is a vampire, banshees are known to wail but theirs aren't lethal " Shane continued while the girl nodded in understanding

"So we're looking for a vampire with a sonic cry ability " Chris concluded, his eyes taking in the scene.

"Which of the Garcia's was available at the time of the incident? " Shane questioned while Chris eyes checked out the mansion.

"Caroline Garcia, she was the one who organized the party "

"The CCTVs" Said Chris as he pointed at one of the cameras mounted at the entrance of the mansion " Did you check them? "

" Well " began Skylar " I did check but the cameras were damaged beyond repair and the few functioning ones, has all their footages erased. I couldn't salvage anything "

Chris pinched the space between his brows with a tired sigh " This is more complicated than I thought "

" What about Caroline? " Shane asked.

"Her case was serious so she was taken to the hospital - most of the students in critical condition were as a result of the stampede that occurred during the incident " Skylar added " But I did get something from her "

The two men faced her simultaneously, interest piqued " What did she say? "

The girl scratched her scalp awkwardly, their gaze was intense and unsettling " Well, she kept muttering two names "

"What name? " Shane asked tartly.

" Alexa and Linda "

************

'The plan failed, she needed to get away' Was her only thought as she struggled to reach the door but the student's shoving kept thwarting her plans.

She had managed to escape from the basement and stumbled into the living room. Disoriented, she blinked to clear the haze from her gaze.

This was all Caroline's fault, she warned her !

Her ears were hurting and her head was pounding like crazy, the migraine was terrible not to mention her legs, it was soft like jelly and she feared it would give out without warning.

Just as she feared , her knees buckled and she was falling. But just before she reached the ground, a hand wrapped around her waist securely, steadying and pressing her to his body.

"I... need to escape " She slurred, and too weak to fight her way out of the stranger's arm.

"Don't worry, you're in safe hands " He said when he sensed her resistance.

Hearing his assurance, Alexa passed out at once unfortunately, failing to recognize the sinister smirk tugging at the stranger's lips.

There was an odd gleam in the boy's eyes

'Soon Little Town will know what they're harbouring ' He thought and carried her away.