Part 3: That Night.
Arc 9: Darkened Conclusion.
"15 Years Passed Just Like That, huh Able?"
(A much older and only somewhat wiser Kane stands in front of Able's grave, a rose in his hand, the rain pouring down on him.)
Kane: (He is now 47 years old. His hair has started lightly greying. He has a growing stubble and he is just wearing some casual clothing.) 15 years... and I still can't think of something to say. Jonathan... has been doing well, of course, raising a teenager it's... a bit of a mission. Annah's been doing fine too, I guess. (He places the rose on top of Able's gravestone and starts walking away.)
Woman wearing a red hoodie: Hi. (Kane immediately draws his pistol on her.) Bit jumpy, huh? If I was an enemy then you'd already be dead.
Kane: Mind giving me your name first?
Woman: (She takes off the hoodie, revealing herself to be Syra, her hair dyed black, she looks 28 years old.) It's Syra, Kane. Syra Kuragari, remember?
Kane: Yeah, 15 fucking years and you don't look a day older.
Syra: I used Magica, Kane.
Kane: Well, what brings you back here?
Syra: I'm here with my mother and Kenji for the Nebuta Matsuri festival in two days.
Kane: Kenji's alive?
Syra: Unfortunately, yes. He's dating my mother.
Kane:(He starts rubbing his chin.) Wait... he's 20 or so... you're 25, then... HOW OLD IS YOUR MOM?!
Syra: As old as time itself.
Kane: Well, anyways. We're going to the Nebuta Matsuri festival in Aomori too, do you wanna come with us, I'm asking Michael to teleport us to our hotel.
Syra: (She starts walking away.) No, we're fine.
Kane: One more thing, you said Syra Kuragari, what happened to Reyes?
Syra: (She puts on her hoodie as she walks away.) It's gone, that's what.
Kane: Well... it was nice catching up!
(Kane walks over to the car and gets in the driver's seat, he looks for his keys everywhere in his pockets, but can't find them. A hand reaches out from the backseat, holding the car keys, "Looking for these?")
Kane: (He turns his head to the back seat and sees Garridan, now 45 years old, his dark brown hair reaching his neck, still missing his right eye as a reminder of the pain he felt while he was in the military, he is wearing an olive green shirt, with dark grey pants, and a dog tag hanging from his neck.) Garridan?! When did you get here?
Garridan: I've been here this whole time, your keys fell out of your pocket. I picked them up!
Kane: (He takes the keys from Garridan.) I swear you weren't there a second ago.
Garridan: It's because I have mastered stealth. Who were you talking to?
Kane: (He looks in the rearview mirror at Syra.) No one, it was no one.
Garridan: Oh, where are we going next?
Kane: I wanna go talk to an old friend.
(Kane and Garridan drive into town, they park in front of the old Reaper Hunting Co. building, painted black, with the Neon Purple "Reaper Hunting Co." sign replaced with a dark blue neon sign reading "Cortey Hunter Co." Kane walks inside the building, a completely remodeled Reaper Hunting Co. after the last one was destroyed, it is also one story lower than the previous one. With the balcony being absent from the roof, the kitchen is no longer on the first floor, but instead on the 2nd, and the garage is also absent. At the front desk, a 28-year-old Elizabeth sits, her legs on the table, reading a book. Kane is almost thrown back to when Sam always sat like that.)
Kane: (He puts some shopping bags down on Elizabeth's desk, she looks back up at him.) You know, you look exactly like him now.
Elizabeth: (Her hair is still that beautiful scarlet red color, she is 5'8ft tall now, with a slim, albeit athletic build. She is wearing an open black and gold striped jacket, over a white open-collar shirt, with black jeans, and casual shoes on. Her still somewhat youthful hazel eyes, gazing up at Kane.) Huh, didn't notice that.
Kane: (He leans against the table, folding his arms.) How's the monster-hunting business going?
Elizabeth: Oh, slow you know.
Kane: *Wheeze* Is that so? You know, I never quite thought YOU would become a hunter, always thought you were interested in science or something like that.
Elizabeth: Yeah, it's funny how life works out actually... I assume you're not here for a quick chat?
Kane: Yeah... how's Annah? Is she taking her Anti-V Meds?
Elizabeth: (She stands up and starts walking towards the staircase.) Yes, but some of the symptoms of Vampirism are still there, her bloodlust has decreased, and she can also go out in the sunlight at midday again, she's not pale either, but... she hasn't aged a day and her eyes are still orange.
Kane: (He starts following her up the stairs.) Oh, and her mental state?
Elizabeth: She's never been the same since... that night.
(They stand in front of the door to Annah's room.)
Elizabeth: She's just in there.
Kane: Thank you, Elizabeth. (He gives Elizabeth a small headpat, which she immediately brushes off as he walks into the room. The room is almost pitch black, the black curtains are drawn, the bed is messy, and in the corner of the room, on a couch, with a blanket covering her sits Annah, her silver hair sticking out amongst the darkness. He starts slowly walking towards her.) Hey, Annah... How are you doing?
Annah: (She is looking out the window, although her eyes are that fiery orange, there's still a feeling of lifelessness in them.) I'm doing just fine, Kane.
Kane: (He kneels next to her.) Have you been eating healthy?
Annah: I suppose so...
Kane: Elizabeth tells me that you barely touch your food...
Annah: Tell me, do you miss him?
Kane: (He lightly shakes his head.) Who?
Annah: "The things we love, they're more often than not the things that drive us to the end." Do you hear his voice?
Kane: (He grabs Annah's hand.) Sam told me that once... did the doctor say anything last time you were there?
Annah: He told me I was fine. *Gently singing* The Sun is setting, The Light is disappearing, The Innocent souls of the damned cry out for help, yet nothing comes to them...
Kane: (He stands up and turns Annah's face towards him.) Who is this voice, Annah? (Annah isn't even fazed by Kane's question.) Annah? ANNAH?!
Annah: (She snaps "awake" and looks at him.) Kane? Did... something happen?
Kane: (He holds her hand as he stands up.) Let's grab a bite to eat.
(30 minutes later, Kane walks out of the building to see Garridan leaning against the car, talking on the phone.)
Garridan: Yeah, she's on board... you talk to... (He sees Kane behind him.) Never mind, you know what to do.
Kane: Who were you talking to?
Garridan: Just discussing something with the boss. We're moving the warehouse later this week.
Kane: Oh.
Garridan: Anyways, where to now?
Kane: I'm going home, I could drop you off on the way there.
Garridan: I'll walk from your house, it's fine.
(Kane climbs into the car and Garridan gets in with him. Elizabeth peeks through the window in Annah's room as they drive away. She sits down next to Annah on the bed as she sleeps, she gently caresses her hair before covering her with the blankets.)
Elizabeth: I'll get our things ready for Aomori. You can come in, Amelia.
Amelia: (She steps out of the shadows. She is wearing a dark purple leather jacket, over a black shoulderless sweater, and black jeans. Her hair falls to her back, and a strand of hair is dyed purple.) Who said I was outside?
Elizabeth: (She goes into Annah's closet and starts taking out clothes, folding them neatly.) I assume this isn't a simple social call, is it?
Amelia: Kane is right, you are even starting to sound like Sam.
Elizabeth: Every scene in a book has to have a point, no matter how small it is.
Amelia: No, I've just come to make an omelette.
Elizabeth: Fine... the ingredients are all in the fridge. (She turns around and Amelia is missing.) I hate it when she does that.
(Kane and Garridan stop outside his house. They get out of the car when a short, white-haired girl steps out of his house.)
Kane: Origami? What were you doing here?
Origami Kreisten: (She is a rather short girl, standing at 5'1ft tall, with a small build. She is wearing a black leather jacket, with her red shirt visible at the exposed collar. Her eyes are a beautiful oceanic blue, that can pierce even the strongest soul.) Hi Kane, I was just visiting Severina and Jonathan while you were away. I heard you're going to the Nebuta Matsuri Festival for the week, it sounds fun!
Kane: Yeah, we're going in two days.
Origami: (She starts walking and accidentally trips, falling intentionally into Garridan's arms.) Ohhh... maybe you could take your sweet and cute, young co-worker there too, Garridan?
Garridan: I'm uhhh, going... with Kane... Origami. S- sorry.
Origami: (She stands back up and walks away.) Oh, it's fine. Maybe next year.
Kane: What was that about?
Garridan: (He turns back to Origami.) I wish I knew. I'm going home, I'll see you in a couple of days.
Kane: Sure! See ya. (He walks into his house, closing the door behind him.) I'm home!!!
(He walks into the kitchen, where his wife is taking a pie out of the oven, and putting it on the table.)
Severina Pendragon: (She has long red hair, tied into a ponytail, with grass-green eyes. She is wearing a black apron over her white shirt. She is wearing gray pants and black socks. She stands 5'6ft tall. And looks around the age of 45.) Oh, hey honey! Back from the store?
Kane: Yeah. I just checked in on Elizabeth real quick. Your baking a pie?
Severina: Yeah, I know you like them, so I just decided to whip one up for tonight.
Kane: Well! I can't wait to eat it! Where's Jonathan?
Severina: Probably in his room. Doing nothing.
Kane: Well. He better be packing, because I am NOT gonna wrestle with him about that again. If he doesn't, then he's staying here for the entire week, with nothing to eat or drink.
Severina: Kane!
Kane: I'm joking alright... I'll make Elizabeth give him water and food every day. I'll put a sticker on the window.
(Later that evening. Inside a two-story house, in the bedroom sits Levente. Working at the desk, as the afternoon sun gives the room a warm orange tint. The windows to the room are pushed open and wind blows into the room, knocking around the papers that he was working on.)
Levente: (He stands up and starts walking towards the window.) Oh great! Way to disturb the mood. (He pushes the curtains away and closes the window.) Might I ask, why'd you have to open BOTH windows? (He turns around and sees Origami standing behind his desk, wearing a black coat with the open collar red shirt.)
Origami: Mr. Levente Flores... I have... a proposition.
(End of Chapter 73)