POTTER'S RESIDENCE.
The neighborhood was silent, the streets cleared of people, probably gone to work. But the few remaining were indoors as the sun was so harsh and burning.
In the house, Daniel walked out from his room only to find three agile men dressed abnormal from the usual, social way. They had hard gloves on, boots and two had hats on. Immediately, he reached his hand slowly to the back of his waist.
"Nah, nah," one of them waggled a finger at him in disapproval. "I wouldn't."
"Jake," Daniel withdrew both his hand and intention, then calmly walked to them.
"It's been a long time Daniel," Jake, the possible leader said smiling.
"And I expected it to be longer," Daniel admitted.
"Ain't you gonna offer us a seat? We're friends, remember?"
"Partners, we are nothing like friends," Daniel said facing him directly. "And who are these guys?" He asked referring to the two grim looking men standing behind Jake.
"Our new recruits," he drifted back to them spreading his arms.
"And what are you and your new recruits doing in my house, uninvited?"
"We are not vampires Dan, we don't need invitations. Perhaps you let a vampire in, why not us?"
Daniel hesitated avoiding facial contact with Jake as he already locked his sight on him, obviously to read him after his speech.
"What the heck are you doing here Jake?" He went back facing him directly in face at close point.
"Marcus, he wants to see you."
"Tell him not now, am busy," he replied and walked to a table with a bag pack on.
"That's not how it works Dan, you know that. Nothing is more important than when Marcus calls."
"My niece has been missing for three goddamn days!" He vigorously turned in anger. "And that is more important than any fucking thing."
"Well, immortals are roaming freely in your town, you should expect that," Jake teased.
"They would never hurt her!" He yelled in defence.
"Is that why you've abandoned your job!" Jake bounced back. "Living in harmony with freaks, blood suckers and beasts. You shame us Daniel, our code. Before now I used to hear stories of you, one of the best. Now am disappointed I must say."
"Like I said, I have important things to do," Daniel said softly.
"You don't want Marcus coming here himself, do you?"
"Get the fuck out of my house, or you won't be disappointed about what you heard of me anymore."
"Be smart Dan, be smart," Jake said and went off, his two companies tagged along.
SHADE CENTRAL POLICE STATION.
Daniel on entering the station froze by what his sight had caught. By the look of it he seemed to be familiar with the person he was desperately staring at. He quickly contemplated aborting his mission there and at once heed to it. Just when he turned to walk out, he heard his name called, so he had to stop, then reluctantly turned back in response.
"What a coincidence, old friend," the person to Daniel.
"Marcus," Daniel responded dejectedly.
Marcus dressed in a long, ankle black coat and boots, gloves just like Jake's, and he was smirking at Daniel.
"You turned down my call and yet, look where it has brought you, back to me," Marcus said with a placed hand on his shoulder.
"What are you doing here?" Daniel asked still stuck with his lacklustre expression and dejection.
"That's harsh, I was expecting a hug from my best student," he admitted placing a hand on his own chest, passionately. "I must say, I'm heartbroken, as well as disappointed."
"What are you doing in the police station?" He kept to it boldly facing him.
Marcus said nothing but walked ahead, passed Daniel to the open vacuum environment, then stopped and turned as Daniel too followed him out.
"I heard of the massacres in Shade, and I came here to give the police a head start as they have been hitting dead ends," Marcus explained. "And you have been here and let it happen on your watch," he poked Daniel. "Those poor witches had families who were looking up to them, expecting them back home but thanks to the son of Castle, they were all brutalized, murdered by the son of Castle. Well, you let him, them both."
"They're no threat to this town, this is their town and they're aware of that pretty much."
"Tell that to the dead bodies found drained, the witches and who knows? More."
"So let me get this right," Daniel redressed his standing position. "How exactly is the police going to be of any use to a vampire, a day walker?"
Marcus gave a soft laugh and once again placed not just one but two hands on Daniel's shoulders.
"Confirming your trust for them," he said. "The police will go to arrest him and if he resist, compel, run or even attack, then we'll know if or not you're right."
"You're willing to risk civilian lives just to prove it? The people you're protecting?"
"They're no civilians, they're the security, and I won't be the one killing them," he replied and tapped Daniel on the cheek and resumed walking on.
"Marcus," Daniel called him as he was walking away. "Shade don't need hunters, just pack your boys and leave."
"I will, definitely," he stopped and replied without looking at Daniel. "When am very sure and okay Shade really doesn't need hunters."
"How long have you been in town?"
"Four days, why?"
"You've stayed long enough," Daniel replied and hurried away.