Frida got to Vanessa's house and knocked twice. The sound of giggling reached her ears as the door opened revealing a smiling Vanessa and her boyfriend Mason. Vanessa was wearing a night robe at 2 in the afternoon which told Frida that they had spent the entire day in bed. Vanessa's brown hair was also messy and her hazel eyes were bright with excitement.
"Hi Frida, what's up?", Vanessa asked.
"You might want to sit down for this", Frida said ominously.
"So let me get this straight", Vanessa said. "There was a sighting at the boundary and the combat council is downplaying it?"
"Yes"
"And now you want me to help you breach the boundary?"
"That's right"
"But Frida what if we get caught or worse?"
"She's right Frida", said Mason. "I know you're used to leaving the boundary but if there was a sighting right outside it, it could spell trouble. We're talking not just one but a horde of monsters."
"I know that which is why I need to leave and get proof so those fuckers can see exactly what the situation is like. We shouldn't let these monsters rally together first and attack us. We need to have the upper hand."
"I'll go with you then", said Mason and Vanessa looked at the terrified.
"I don't think that's a good idea", Frida said and Vanessa nodded vigorously. "I can take care of myself and the fewer of us out there, the better."
Mason looked like he wanted to disagree but he stayed quiet.
"So Vas, will you help me?"
"Yeah. Just wait here a moment", she said as she disappeared into the house.
She came out a minute later with her laptop and a set of earpieces.
"I'll hack into Ponderosa's database to take down a portion of the boundary and these earpieces will help us communicate", she said as she handed Frida an earpiece.
"Thanks so much, Vas", she hugged her. "See you soon hopefully."
And she sprinted away towards the boundary.
The boundary was invisible and as far as the plain eye could see, there was nothing but grassland. However, as she stepped closer, she felt electricity crackling in the air and knew she couldn't get any further without Vanessa's help.
"I'm at the boundary Vas", she spoke into her earpiece.
"Okay just give me one minute", came a small metallic voice in her ear. She heard the clacking of keys on a keyboard and a minute later, Vanessa said, "I'm in."
The air shimmered and became charged with electricity until a small gateway opened right in front of her.
She was about to head through when she saw a man on the other side looking at her. His head was tilted to one side as though he was mildly fascinated by what he saw. He had glowing red eyes and skin as pale as milk. He wore a long but stylish overcoat and had his hands clasped together behind his back.
Frida tensed. She knew exactly what he was. Without giving her much time to think up her next move, he opened his mouth and his features became distorted. What had once been serene and oddly beautiful became grotesque and monstrous. His eyes bulged. The corners of his mouth reached up to his ears revealing fangs sharper than daggers and as he brought his hands out from behind his back, Frida glimpsed his claws for only a split second.
With the speed of light, he was upon her, attacking her from all directions. She barely had time to think but she managed to fend off most of his blows. He had the strength of four men and each attack that connected left her feeling sore. She tasted blood in her mouth just as he geared up for the last attack.
Sprinting forward, he knocked her over and straddled her one hand raised up and ready to sink into her chest. She struggled and thrashed around beneath him but he was too heavy.
"Frida? Frida? What's going on?", Asked the metallic voice in her ear.
She could smell this man's rancid breath and thought that was the last thing she'd smell before dying but a voice in her head told her otherwise.
"I'd definitely survive this" she thought.
As his hand came crashing down, she took hold of the metallic stake attached to her utility belt and with a small pirouette, buried it deep in his arm, this sent him crashing down to the ground. Now she was the one straddling him and she knew she had only a split second to act.
The arm into which her stake was buried was now sizzling but she knew he'd soon realize he had another hand. And so, with all the strength she could muster, she yanked out her stake and with a deft move, plunged it straight into his heart. He stopped moving immediately and she stepped away from him.
"Frida what the hell was that?", Came Vanessa's voice.
"Nothing just a vampire waiting for me outside the border."
"Gosh, are you alright? I sent Mason to look for you."
"Thanks, Vas but there'll be no need for that. I've handled the situation."
"Frida please be careful."
"I will. And I'll be back soon. Once I get the information I need."
She turned towards the boundary and the doorway which was still open and looked determinedly at the pine forests beyond it. She headed back towards the vampire, and retrieved her stake, attaching it back to her utility belt. And then she headed for the boundary. Right as she was about to go through she turned to look at the vampire but where it had been there was nothing but a pile of ash that floated up and drifted away into the Ponderosa sky.
Frida was troubled. She was concerned about the town because she knew they were in more danger than they thought. Now she had evidence of how unsafe it was, it would be easier to convince them to sleep with one eye open and to take action immediately, she thought.
"There will be a Council meeting tomorrow. I have to warn them"
"I agree. They cannot be lackadaisical about something like this", Vanessa added.
"If they continue like this people will die. A lot of people. Hunters alone cannot do this. More arms are needed. There's danger everywhere. I have to warn them", Frida said with a gesture indicating pain from the wound Vanessa was cleaning.
When the first aid was done, Frida sprung up immediately and picked up her bag. Vas had a look of concern written all over her face.
"Frida, please be careful", she said to her.
"I will, thank you", Frida replied and left for her home.
Carter had been waiting for her and was relieved when she came in.
"Baby I was so worried about you", he said, hugging her and planting a kiss on her cheek.
"How did it go?" He asked then he noticed the injuries on her body.
"Good gracious!" He shouted.
"I was attacked but I'm fine. The city is not safe at all. I'm calling the Combat head. There has to be a meeting tomorrow. Some things need to be readdressed", she said picking up her phone.
The night was a long one. Frida was deep in thought. Carter noticed this and suggested that they go to bed as she had just had a long hectic day.
"I'm worried for them", she said staring at the ceiling.
"Everything will be fine babe. There's a meeting tomorrow. You should get enough rest before that", he said putting his arm around her as they went to bed.
******
"Run Frida!!, run!!"
She jerked up from the bed, panting and sweating heavily. With her hand on her chest, she let out a sigh of relief.
"What's the matter, my love?" A half-sleepy yet concerned Carter asked.
"I had a nightmare. It was my mom", she replied shakingly.
He hugged her and took her hair off her face.
"You're fine, it was just a dream", he reassured her.
Frida's eyes were wide open as if she had just seen a ghost and for the first time in a long while, she was scared.
"I'm scared", she said sobbing.
"No, my heart. Look at me".
"You are Frida Morgan. You are fearless and relentless and you were born for this. They took your mother, will you let them take you too? I forbid that on your behalf. Never forget who you are and your purpose. I believe in you and I love you. You got this", Carter said hugging her tightly.
With that, Frida felt stronger. She remembered her vow to avenge her mom.
"I'll stop at nothing", she thought.
Soon, it was dawn. The sun was bright and the air was fresh. Carter and Frida had just reached the city's hall for the meeting. Everyone was seated waiting for the meeting to commence. Most of them were murmuring and complaining of how there were frequent meetings with no actions being taken.
"Silence please", the Forum head ordered as he gestured at Frida to take over.
"Good day everyone", she started.
"I know how this impromptu meeting must have scattered your schedule today and I apologize for that but I want to assure you that this meeting is worth it. Sir", she said facing the head.
"These sightings are not just mere sightings or illusions or hallucinations or deja vus or whatever anyone might call them. They are real. People are dying and more are yet to die. I was at the boundary yesterday".
The crowd gasped in shock. The forum head looked up at Frida with wide eyes.
"Yes, I was there", she continued.
"The city is unsafe and I mean it", she stepped out to show them her injuries.
"I was attacked by a vampire but I was able to kill it. Vanessa and Mason here are my witnesses. I was kitted and that was why I could defend myself. Now imagine if it were to be a normal individual, without a stake. The person would've been devoured and we would have woken up to hear the tragedy", she said facing the head.
"Tell them that the city is in danger. We need to mobilize more people. Hunters are not enough. We need fully armed men. These creatures are beyond our power and that is the major reason why we need more hands to be on deck. They'll wipe us all if no action is taken. We can't just call them mere sightings and relax until we see another one. The next sighting might not be just at the border and it might not be just one creature. They might come in hundreds and invade the whole city. We need to think and act fast", Frida shouted.
She had completely lost it. All she asked in her mind was for the head to see sense in what she was saying.
"I support you Major Frida", a male voice came from the back. It was Polo.
"Me too"
"I'm in. Enough of the attacks", another lady said.
"Major Frida has a point. I'm solidly behind her"
"We want action!" A man shouted.
Soon, chants of "we want action" could be heard from outside the building and Frida was satisfied. It was up to the Head now.
"Order please!" He started.
"I have heard you all. We are deploying the entire force including those undergoing training to keep watch. From the borders to the woods to the streets. They will be everywhere to keep everyone safe and we all at school always be on alert. Be sure to raise an alarm when you hear or see anything strange. Thank you".
With that, the meeting ended and the residents went home.
"Thank you for finally reconsidering", Frida said to the forum head.
"I had to. Things are really going haywire. Thank you for going there yesterday. I'm sorry for the injuries you sustained but think you just saved a lot of lives. This meeting was held today because of you. Thank you so much Frida", he said.
"You're welcome. I had to do what I did because I knew what was going on".
"Nice talk mi Amor", Polo said walking towards Frida with open arms.
"A hug is not necessary, Polo", she said shooting him a death stare.
"You should go home and keep yourself safe", she said and walked away.
As Frida walked away, Polo grinned ominously.
If only Frida knew what he was up to….