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Chapter 6 - Lost and Found

reating Davis was not a problem until Hart had a very disturbing vision about her and her friends. Initially, she believed that dreams were simply the byproduct of one's thoughts before falling asleep. However, her perspective changed when she recalled a recurring vision she had about her friend Mary, who lived next door. In these visions, she repeatedly saw Mary in a cemetery, and no matter how much she blinked or tried to dismiss them as mere dreams, they persisted.

Hart decided it was time to share her visions with Mary, believing that her friend might offer some insight. As she cautiously walked up to Mary's doorstep, she felt a sense of unease, as though she had arrived late. Upon reaching Mary's house, she found the door wide open, despite knocking for nearly half an hour.

Stepping inside, she entered with trepidation. She hummed a song her late grandmother had taught her as she carefully made her way through the house, trying not to disturb anything. Her footsteps trembled on the cold floor, and perspiration covered her forehead. To her shock, she encountered Mary's mother, who seemed to materialize out of thin air. She held a butcher's knife, which dripped with thick, crimson blood, and her eyes exuded a menacing intensity. At the sight of Hart, she began perspiring profusely, as if someone had left a shower running directly above her head.

For the initial three minutes, Hart stood paralyzed, struggling to process the surreal situation unfolding before her. Slowly, her brain sent the signal to flee, but it was already too late. The distance between her and Mary's mother was scarcely an arm's length. Mary's mother seized her, and Hart desperately tried to break free. Yet, she abruptly discovered that she was unable to move, her muscles refusing to respond.

Surveying her surroundings, Hart noticed menacing scorpions on the floor and walls. She attempted to scream, but her voice had abandoned her, leaving her in a chilling silence. In a terrifying moment, Mary's mother raised the knife high, the blade reflecting the rays of the setting sun. Even as Hart struggled to break free, the knife pierced her chest and penetrated her heart before emerging through her back.

Given her abilities as a witch, Hart could potentially have survived the attack unscathed. Yet, her assailant dragged her body from the living room, where the initial attack occurred, to the kitchen, where she lay helpless on the table. Scorpion venom coursed through her veins, impairing her vision and mobility. In her distorted view, she observed her assailant holding a can of petrol in her right hand and a box of matches in her left. It was evident that she intended to immolate Hart. Trapped in this vision, Hart understood that she needed to take action, but her attempts to grab a weapon or defend herself remained futile. This vision had evolved into a nightmarish scenario beyond her control.

Meanwhile, Joe and Williams had managed to trace a figure known as Earth, a man with various hideouts and a collection of young night creatures eager to do his bidding. The motivations behind these night creatures' loyalty remained a mystery to Joe and Williams. They reported Earth's activities to Williams' informant, who filed charges against him for drug trafficking, necessitating continuous surveillance as they awaited the optimal moment to search his residence.

Joe and Williams embarked on a perilous mission into the Hell Zone, a treacherous territory surrounded by the Blue Fox, Moonlight Monsters, and a sole Red Zard who presided over the first quarter, reporting to the leader of the second quarter. While Joe estimated that there were approximately twelve night creatures in the first quarter, they knew they would encounter formidable adversaries.

Upon entry, they prepared themselves for conflict. The night creatures, engrossed in their own activities, failed to notice Joe and Williams initially. Yet, as the two lawmen approached a member of the Blue Fox to introduce themselves, it became apparent that these night creatures harbored no goodwill. They began arming themselves and alerting others. As their numbers approached fifty, they ceased their preparations and taunted Joe and Williams, asserting that even as Hood Kayler, Joe couldn't defeat them all without sustaining injury. Their leader wore a malicious smirk.

Joe discerned that Williams had grown increasingly uneasy upon encountering a lady among the night creatures. There was a sense of familiarity between them, but Joe decided to postpone any questions as there were more pressing matters to attend to. Realizing that they were overwhelmingly outnumbered, they opted to withdraw from the confrontation before it escalated.

The two were subsequently incarcerated, though not in the same facility. Williams followed the lady, while Joe was led by another man. While Joe was more than capable of overpowering the three Moonlight Monsters, especially since they were most potent during the night and weaker in daylight unless they had consumed blood, he found himself enclosed in a glass prison. Inside, he could view the outside world, while those outside could see him.

But abruptly, his vision was consumed by a stark, unrelenting white. It wasn't long before a man in his thirties entered, operating a switch beside Joe. The bed he lay upon began spinning, causing dizziness. The man manipulated the switch once more, bringing the spinning to a halt. Joe's vision remained blurred, but the arrival of another man marked a turning point. This newcomer resembled Williams in height and broad chest, his hair styled in a classic manner, and his scent reminiscent of mint. As he laid his hands on Joe, a connection formed. Yet, it appeared that an injection was imminent, casting a shadow of uncertainty over Joe's predicament.