Salvation can sometimes come in unexpected forms. In my case it came from someone who would influence my life for many years to come. Jane and John had been keeping a very interesting secret from us since taking us in, their jobs were far from what we pictured. It all came together on our fifth birthday…
Jane, "Children come down for breakfast!" Ethan jumped out of bed excitedly before prancing all over an exhausted Ria. She groaned and pushed him off angrily, his sister wasn't a morning person.
Ethan, "Come on Ria were five today, get up." Ignoring hi she pulled the covers over her head and huffed. Yet another celebration of their birth was here, and she was less impressed each time, how Ethan had the energy to show such enthusiasm fascinated her.
John knew the routine and stormed in the snatch away her blanket, Ria glared at him coldly before slipping on her indoor shoes. Ethan took her hand and dragged her into the kitchen where Jane stood proudly.
John, "Can you believe their already five?" Jane shook her head after kissing her children good morning. Like a magnet Ethan migrated to the table filled with pancakes and bacon while Ria turned up her nose and slowly dragged herself to the table. Human food was her biggest enemy at the moment to her parent's dismay.
Jane, "Okay everyone, tuck in." They all jumped at the chance of piling their plates high, all except Ria who twiddled her knife around her fingers thinking deeply about something. Ethan's obnoxious chewing and her parents chatter made her blood boil, this routine was tiring her out. Jane noticed she wouldn't even look at the food on the table.
Jane, "Ria we agreed remember, at least one meal a day." Rolling her eyes, she picked at a piece of bacon choking it down as fast as she could. Human food tasted like ash to Nephilim, they usually had supplements to give them energy rather than eating food, but Jane and John couldn't afford them.
John, "Your both getting so big." Smiling at his children Ria was reminded Ethan was growing taller every year, for some reason it bothered her his growth was quicker, yet his abilities were non-existent.
Ethan, "I'm taller than Ria now, do you think I'll grow to be your size father."
John, "I think you'll be even bigger son." Ethan giggled happily. The contrast between him and his sister was so obvious it was like a heavy slap in the face. Jane watched Ria's mind wandering, so much so she looked almost comatose.
Jane, "Ria your quiet this morning, are you feeling alright?" Ria snapped from her daze resuming her picking. That question annoyed her because it was usually followed by a lie.
Ria, "I'm fine." John glanced at Jane and shook his head requesting her not push any further, this was supposed to be a happy day and they couldn't afford another one of her outbursts. However, Ethan had a big mouth.
Ethan, "Ria had another nightmare last night, she was whimpering in her sleep again." Ria paused then slammed down her knife giving Ethan the deadliest stare he'd ever seen. Like glue his mouth taped up and he bowed his head in intimidation.
John, "Nightmare? What was it about sweetheart?" Like reality was any different Ria thought. Knowing her parents were trying their best to accommodate her usually she responded carelessly but Ethan had riled her up that morning.
Ria, "It was nothing, I don't want to talk about it." They sheepishly questioned if they should push further when Ethan answered for them.
Ethan, "Was it about the man with the red eyes again?"
Ria, "I'm finished." Throwing down her napkin she jumped down from her chair and went to return to bed, her safe haven.
Jane, "Ria sit back down this instant." They wanted to know more about this nightmare considering Ria never explained it in detail as if she was keeping the content a secret. That day Ria didn't reach her bed as she was interrupted at a loud knock on the door. Curiously she wandered over to investigate this stranger but as her hand reached for the handle she was swept behind John.
His finger placed precariously against his lips he shooed her away. That was right, people couldn't find out about them. Jane picked up Ethan and led Ria around the corner keeping her mouth zipped shut. John took a deep breath and slowly opened the door. Silence infested the house until an unfamiliar voice startled the hidden three.
"Long time no see Johnathon, is my daughter here." Ria froze…in her mind she could imagine her real father standing there asking for her, so she quickly sprinted into the back bedroom pulling Jane along with her.
Ria, "We have to run, Ethan go out first I'll be right behind you!" Snatching her brother from her mothers arms she pushed open the window and practically began forcing him out. Jane was so confused but went along with it anyway.
John, "Jane…your fathers here." Her father's shaky voice alleviated her stress but the same couldn't be said for her mother as she placed her hand over her mouth. Ethan was holding onto Ria fearful of this new stranger.
Jane, "Stay here children." Closing the door behind her she rushed out to attend to her father. Ria stood stunned waiting for her heartrate to decrease enough to move. Creeping up to the door, they listened to the heated conversation between voices.
"I've been looking for you. What are you hiding Jane?" His gruff aged voice was a new discovery for these protected children, Ria grew even more intrigued and peaked from the door.
Jane, "Father, what are you doing here?" Their mother sounded afraid more than anything, Ria felt a switch flip inside of her. No-one made her family uncomfortable.
"Visiting my daughter, is that a crime?" Gritting her teeth Jane glanced back to ensure her children were concealed but, in the process, attracted her father's glare. Pushing Jane aside he stormed towards the door. John ran blocking his path for dear life.
John, "Bobby don't go in there I beg you." Ria cocked her head, so this man was named Bobby. Technically he was there adoptive grandfather. Seeing him edge closer she tucked Ethan safely behind her and raised her hand ready to attack if necessary. Her telekinesis was more controlled now.
"Get out of my way John, I knew you were both hiding something." Bobby threw him aside, Jane pulled at his arm trying to stop him, but he was a well-built man. With the whoosh of a door their secret was finally exposed. Ria glared right into his grey eyes with her hand inches away from his face.
Ria, "Try anything and you die, your choice." Ethan shivered in fear behind her. Bobby's expression went from fury to a sudden softness as he looked at two little lambs fighting for life. Ria viewed his grey stubble and brown silver streaked hair and determined he was at least 50 in age. Bobby was also trying to figure out the two children before him. One looked rather normal with bright blue eyes and black hair, he resembled John. Then…was the black sheep of the four a white-blonde haired girl with deep violet eyes and florescent skin.
Jane, "Please don't hurt them." Bobby raised his eyebrow; this little girl didn't even flinch and was clearly protecting her brother. His first impression was that this girl had guts.
Bobby, "Who are these children?" John and Jane both looked at eachother as if begging for help. Ria sighed at her useless parents, in situations like this, matters should be dealt with calmly.
Ria, "Her adoptive children is that an issue?" Bobby smirked; he could almost see the fire in her eyes.
Bobby, "It's not a problem at all. It's nice to meet you both." To their surprise he knelt and extended his hand for greeting. Ria looked at it conflicted for a while wondering if this was a bluff.
John, "He's harmless Ria you can greet him." Bobby's eyes lit up; Ria was a beautiful name. Reluctantly she shook his hand firmly as if showing her strength. Their first impression of this man was that he was nosy and stern, not the type they wanted knowing who they were. But Bobby was slicker than that.
Jane, "Okay, everyone sit down in the living room while we resolve this." Ethan and Ria waited for him to sit first so they could choose the seat furthest away. Jane and John sat side by side with their hand entwined clearly nervous. Whereas Bobby made himself at home lifting his feet up. Ria and Bobby never broke eye contact as there was a battle going on between minds.
John, "So…Bobby what are you doing here?" Unwilling to give up he answered still glued to Ria. There was something dark in those purple eyes of hers that amused him.
Bobby, "I came to visit Jane, what a surprise to find such interesting children here with you both. Ages?" Fumbling over her words his daughter answered quickly as if on the clock.
Jane, "They just turned five today…" Ria squinted trying to figure out this old man's intentions, he looked at them like prey not children.
Bobby, "Hmm I see. Nephilim are they, I thought I raised you better Jane." Dejected Jan avoided his beady glare, Ria didn't like him one bit looking down on her family.
John, "We rescued them. They are lovely children." Bobby laughed rudely at their father, as if taunting him.
Bobby, "Lovely? The girl looks like she's going to kill me any second." Ria was tired of his attitude and decided to put him in his place.
Ria, "Don't tempt me, people like you who look down on us are nothing more but dirt we can kick aside. Belittle my parents again I dare you." Jane jumped up putting her hand over Ria's mouth, her deep brown eyes filled with fear.
Bobby, "Really now, I would love to see you try young one." Ethan was silent letting his sister deal with the situation, he also disliked this man. Ria wasn't friendly towards outsiders.
John, "That's enough were not here to fight. We thought you were in the south?" Try desperately to chance the wind John scrambled another question together. Jane kept by her children's side almost protecting them, she knew Ria had a short fuse.
Bobby, "I finished my business there, the superiors weren't very willing to bend the rules to I took care of them. How about you two, killed any monsters lately?" Jane and John went pale as well as weak, Ria frowned at looked at them both in awe. Did she really hear that right? Bobby suddenly burst into laughter.
Bobby, "You must be joking, you haven't told them your true occupation?" Ria moved away her mothers' hand and stood up.
Ria, "What does he mean killing monsters? Don't tell me your—" Their guilty expressions answered her question before she could even ask. They had been lying to her.
Jane, "Father that's enough, please don't say anything more." Bobby shook his head enjoying their flustered states. Like a storm blew through he pulled an encrusted blade from his jean pocket, Ria recognized the symbol immediately…
Silver snake referenced a history of hunters called the Dark Lake, the reason their crest was a snake was because superiors didn't know they were poisoned until it was too late. Ria's second name was Lake, which caused her to feel sick to her stomach. Jane and John's occupations as bankers and doctors were a cover for their real jobs, which was killing people like their children. Ria had read about it in a reference book about supernatural creatures. The Lake family had been hunters since the Victorian ages where superiors were becoming prevalent in the world. Ria was lost for words; they had been in the home of killers.
Ria, "H-How could you keep this from us…Liars!" Ethan jumped up scuttling behind his sister, although he was their son, whatever enraged Ria enraged him. Twins share a deeper bond than we see with the human eye.
Jane, "No sweetheart, we don't do that sort of this anymore." Bobby smirked and gave her a vicious glare.
Bobby, "Is that why the superiors in the area are running slim, please dear be honest with your children." John raised his fist in anger, now they were really deer in headlights seeing their children look on in disgust.
John," Don't you dare say another word!" Bobby huffed before swishing his knife right next to John cheek. Jane gritted her teeth pulling a knife from her back pocket, before placing it precariously next to her father's jugular. Ria put her hands on her head, this was a complete mad house. Jane had never made such a vicious expression before; she was a completely different person to the soft eyed mother they knew.
Bobby, "So you still have your speed Jane, that's my girl." Aggravated Jane moved the blade to his skin, Ria didn't know what to do anymore her heart was starting to race again.
Jane, "Unhand my husband before I put you six feet under." Dumbfounded Ria let her hands flop by her side, since when did her mother before so cool…Ethan sniffled behind her so Ria hugged him away from the scene. Her brother wasn't accustomed to such hostility.
Ria, "Your all at a disadvantage, why don't you all lower their knifes and let's have a suitable conversation." Bobby eyed her purple pools glaring at them coldly, not showing a slither of fear. That was the sort of thing he looked for in people. Jane saw that detestable look in his eyes and dug the knife deeper.
Jane, "Don't even think about it. Ria isn't your new project."
Bobby, "Why don't we as her, she can speak for herself." Jane growled at drew blood, its scent hit Ria like a ton of bricks and like an elastic band she snapped.
Ria, "Enough!" Like an invisible wire their knives were snatched from their hands landing in a perfect row at Ria's feet. Stunned they all felt their knees buckle, and like before they sat formally. Ria panted in exhaustion; every ounce of power took its toll on her but at least no-one was harmed.
Bobby, "Telekinesis, so she had strong blood. Good to know." Still being confrontational, Jane and John glared at him, but Ria found this event more interesting than shocking. Ethan sadly didn't feel the same way.
Ethan, "Ria are mother and father really hunters? Do we have to leave?" Comforting her brother, she stroked his raven black hair, Ria was barrier between harm and her brother. As she hugged him close, her mind began evaluating her parents' stances. Bobby saw her mind working like cogs in a machine.
Ria, "I don't know yet brother, just stay close to me for now." Ethan nodded guided by hand to the couch. Jane and John were avoiding her eyes like the plague which infuriated her. It was their fault she was furious in the first place they should at least take responsibility.
Bobby, "Well dear girl do you believe me?" Ria finished her calculations and concluded her parents were indeed hunters. Stances like that weren't made naturally.
Ria, "Mother you put majority of your weight on the back leg meaning you were prepared in-case Bobby countered you. Father, you angled your body backwards to dodge the knife if Jane failed to sever his jugular vein which was pinpointed perfectly may I add. As for you, your hand was snaked behind your back because you have a second knife ready at hand. Your body language suggests you are all hunters experienced in martial arts." With their jaws hung open, Bobby began clapping his hands. This child could read body language just like a book, like she had future vision. Jane and John never knew Ria was so tuned into human anatomy.
Jane, "Ria…how do you know about this? We've never taught you about that…" Ria didn't realize just how brilliant her brain really was. Reading and observing had taught her more than any class ever could.
Ria, "I don't know…I just knew." John shook his head trying to wrap his brain around this, that was a talent few people possessed but sadly it was a well sought-after ability for hunter recruitment. Bobby's eyes sparkled in a new light at this white-blonde haired girl.
Bobby, "Aren't you enraged your parents kept such a secret from you both?" Ethan and Ria looked at eachother deeply…
Ria, "It wasn't a secret…more of a kind lie. I'm disappointed you couldn't confide in us about this. It doesn't matter what you do for a living you are still our family." Jane couldn't contain her emotions and began crying. John gave them the most loving look in the world.
Jane, "I'm so sorry I kept this from you both. Your father and I just wanted to protect you…" Ethan perked up hearing the sincerity in his mothers voice. Ria smiled as he sheepishly wandered over to her. Jane looked into his bright blue eyes unsurely. Ethan glanced back at Ria for permission which she enthusiastically nodded.
Ethan, "Don't cry mother." Outstretching his arms to be embraced Jane almost tackled him to the ground cradling him tightly. Bobby rolled his eyes which Ria caught, so he didn't care for affection much.
Ria, "The fact you went to the trouble to clear out the area in order to protect us is more than enough for penance. Regardless of your job we still love you." Jane sighed in relief, that was rare from her daughter which only made those words so much more appreciated.
Bobby, "Now we've gotten the petty drama out of the way I have something to ask of you child." Ria turned to him awaiting the question she so desperately wanted. Already decided Ria smirked, with a fire in her eyes.
Bobby, "Would you like to be a hunter?" Ria looked at her parents, their lips were zipped allowing Ria to make this decision herself for once. Thinking deeply, she knew sometime in the future their happy existence would be threatened one way or another. She needed the tools to protect her family and her teacher was right in-front of her.
Ria, "I'd be honoured too."