Tree-yin have a smart, formidable capacity to catch their prey. It wasn't the ability to camouflage into a normal tree, their ability is called the Lull effect.
This ability is spread through plants via spores thorns, and roots. This ability spreads through touch and Harrison was touched by Brandon's punches twice now and that wasn't enough to activate the Lull effect Brandon had to tire him out, and that was easy because he was underestimating his opponent seeing him as prey.
Brandon sighed and said, "Being a predator is for the animals...think like a man. You are born a being of absolute intelligence, you should have used it man and you should have been a hunter because hunters are mankind's creation. Be your creation, not nature's."
Brandon looked at the crate and crouched a bit as if he was going to rest and do something, then jumped toward the crate and aimed at it with his two fists. He opened it and grabbed the crate bars.
A gale of powerful force and energy made a hole in the metal crate, he crawled out without worry.
He was now outside, the air blew and his hair waved in a calm motion Brandon looked at his surroundings with an almost stumped look.
The place near the crate was overrun by wild grass with thorns, flowers with red patterns in a circular motion, and a large structure looming on the horizon.
There was an old drainage structure for the dam that was meant to be erected approximately a year ago but was unexpectedly halted due to a lack of financing, according to reports. This structure included many arcs that resembled a set of bridges, and man-made slopes made the area more suited for drainage guiding the flood that was to be released to relieve dam pressure.
"I lost my pager, heh, guess I need a new one," Brandon said to himself as he grinned and looked at the full moon.
Since he knew he would be unconscious until the afternoon and that it was still early, he estimated that it might be 19h00 or 20h00 hours since the stars were starting to come out, he hoped so.
Brandon laughed, thinking that Ashley could be concerned because he hadn't returned from his activities in the afternoon, after Lesley discovered a fragmented recollection of Brandon that told him that Ashley would call the police tomorrow if he didn't return after leaving the organization, fearing for the Worst that may come.
'I suppose I should go,' Brandon said, starting to run.
***
Ashley was cleaning the dishes while tying her hair into a bun to keep it from becoming entangled or distracting her while she worked. She was cleaning the dishes that she and Wilson ate after preparing some meal for the father. She wore a crimson dress with a repeated design of a golden flower that had yet to bloom; it suited her well and was comfortable to wear.
She finished her work, packed the dishes, cleaned the kitchen, and notified Mister Wilson that she was leaving. With his newfound independence in walking, bathing, and eating, Mister Wilson was a lively man these days.
Cooking and cleaning remain a difficulty for the veteran hunter. The man's previous duty was to tame the monsters coming from the Spatial Tears that formed at the beginning of new seasons, but these Tears were unpredictable and may appear anywhere at any time.
The unknown Cyclops race helped create a machine that could read sudden energy levels that appeared out of nowhere; these machines took the appearance of antennas found on skyscrapers or any towering landmark.
Richard Wilson was bedridden for years following an awful occurrence that occurred approximately five years ago, and he was only just beginning to recover. After he left her shoes at the door along with her small purse with a long pattern rope to help carry it, Ashley put them on, opened the door, and shut it.
She left the street and strolled along the cobblestone road, which is peaceful day and night. Nothing at all, not even any automobiles or young people loitering around the streets.
This location was known as Hollow's End Suburbs, and it was regarded as an affluent area where all wealthy men and ladies would live and visit, however, there was a mention of a Half-breed living there. Some people have left this place, and some won't leave till the Husk has left for the gym or school in the suburbs when they exit their doors.
When Brandon told Ashley that they didn't consider him to be a member of society, Ashley was always shocked, but she wasn't shocked either. When she once questioned Brandon about why he doesn't hide the fact that he is a Husk, he responded with a smile:
I shall always be this; as long as this tattoo is on my body, this is who I am. I can't conceal it from the magic detecting devices, the master's vision, and the youngsters I played with; this mark is a curse, and I should see their displeasure than hear them say it in whispers."
That statement made Ashley regard Brandon as a very mature boy for his age. Ashely walked and reached an exit gate for the estate suburb; there was a taxi waiting for her she stepped in and told the driver:
"Broad complex please"
"Yes ma'am"
Ashley left the estate just as the cab took off, and it was already dark because the street lighting and lights were lighted. Ashely thought to herself, "I hope he is okay," as she gazed up at the sky above the dimly lit path leading toward the city, which was bordered by dense woodland and had no lights other than the taxi.
Abruptly, the cabbie said:
"Working late?"
In response, Ashely said:
"Not really, I was just waiting for someone but they didn't show up"
The cabbie stated:
"Boyfriend?"
"Why do you say that?"
"Oh my apologies, I just noticed the dress and thought that you were surprising the man"
Ashley chuckled and added:
"Not really and I don't have one, I was working at an employer's house and I waiting for the son to come home"
After a little pause, the taxi driver acknowledged something.
"Oh. I believe I now know you. You are employed by Wilson Residents, correct?
In response, Ashely said:
"Yes I do; do you know of Richard?"
The cabbie chuckled and said,
"I know him; heck, I used to work with him." I worked as an inspector of infrastructure for the occurrence of spatial tears. My duty was to determine how much harm would be done if a category rip appeared in each district. To determine how well the emergency evacuation system alerts were functioning and how much damage a category 6 tear would cause to the district, I decided to check the Northern districts one day. And are you aware of what happened?"
With a smile, Ashely answered:
"A category 6 gate opened"
The driver added, laughing as he joyfully slammed his steering wheel:
"You're correct, Miss; the same Tear that was anticipated suddenly materialized. We didn't use Chaos Machinery for Tear alerts at the time, so our systems were slow to foresee a Tear's appearance, and they had hunters scouring the districts to make up for what we lacked. But, as quickly as lightning may strike a tree, a small monster with the speed of a diving falcon appeared and aimed for me; when I saw it, it vanished, and I remained there perplexed, unaware that my life was in danger.
"All I could hear was a wind meeting steel and blood spurting across my face when all of a sudden a hero materialized. I screamed like a terrified child, tearing one of the books I was carrying on ME's pages to clean my face of the blood, but I was stopped by a gentle hand that some would mistake for a woman's, and a young man with long black hair that reached his hips met my gaze and told me to pour water first before cleaning my face.
"With his great height, he appeared to be a kind giant, exuding dignity and diligence. His katana was long, his sheath was decorated with red flowers, and so was his kimono. I was surprised that this man was not wearing armor like the other hunters I had met during my two months on the job, but he was calm when he told me to stand where I was while he dealt with the situation.
After ten minutes, he handled the issue as he had promised—not a single creature touched me, and no blood went near me. And, to my astonishment, I was told he wasn't qualified to deal with a Tear of that magnitude in the first place, so as a form of recompense, I became his vassal. "Those were great years until he got sick and I got old, so we went our separate ways."
The cabbie was silent as he signaled a turn, came to an area full of apartment buildings, pulled up to an alley, and said:
"That would be 69 Bards miss"
"Here is a 200 Bards for the story"
"Thanks, young lady"
"You know you could visit Richard a bit, I think needs some comfort of old time's sake"
The chauffeur chuckled and continued, saying:
"I still keep in touch, after al,l he was the one that called to pick you up and said that I should keep the young comfortable on the way to her home"
Ashley chuckled and continued, saying:
"Wow… that does sound like something I didn't know he would do for me"
Richard values his friendships and considers them to be family, given he was not born into one. But, hey, that man has his secrets and desires, which we should let him retain until he is ready to let go. Anyhow, let's have a look at "a."
Ashley waved and grinned as the taxi drove off, she still stood as she thought about the last statement by the cabbie but just shrugged it off as an old man rabbling.
The cab driver drove with a startling recollection running through his mind: roughly nineteen years ago, Richard had called him during his vacation one stormy night to his house.
Entering his residence, he saw Richard in his room, cradling a weeping infant with white hair and black bits on the ends. He had raced there in his car.
"Richard, what is this?"
"It's a baby captain Obvious"
"I can see that; I am just asking what are you doing with a baby?"
Richard grinned and continued, saying:
"It's my boy"
He gave the infant a clear glance, noted that it had slightly pointed ears, and said,
"So you adopted an Elf child"
"Not really, this child is mine"
"Hey... Given that it possesses elf-like pointed ears, it cannot be yours unless you... but cannot be unless. Richard, are you aware of the repercussions of bearing a half-breed child?
"Hey. I am aware that, when you are in the moment passion is uncontrollable, Goose. But this boy is my passion and life; I simply wanted to have him by my side."
"Why… couldn't you practice safe sex to avoid this"
"Wow the virgin has spoken"
"QUIT! It's serious, this.
"I am serious…."
"Oh okay, then do we leave at an orphanage?" said Goose as he stammered a bit as he paced about.
"Why would you let your godson go to an Orphanage when you and I are around" While saying this, Richard hesitantly pulled his hands close to carry the sleeping infant, and then he carefully offered the child to Goose. He glanced carefully at the boy and added:
"You are in big trouble you know that right?"
Goose smiled as he used his finger to touch the head and lips. Richard smiled and added:
"We will handle this as a family would"
"Maybe you're right, and I can't refuse or I'll not get paid; after all, you're my boss," Goose and Richard laughed out loud, the rain drowning out their joyous moment.
Goose's memories vanished as he turned to face the city's bright lights.
The cab driver smiled and said inwardly, 'I should visit soon; I miss that little problem maker of a Husk' as he laughed with the city light in sight.
***
Ashely climbed up from a dusty elevator to a room labeled Room 23 and knocked:
"Babe is me"
The door opened, revealing a petite young lady with fair skin, clad in a tiny top that accentuated the size and depth of her cleavage. Her orange hair was pulled back into ponytails as she inclined to kiss Ashley, who was waiting for the kiss.
"Good that you are here, we have a problem"
Ashley gave her a weary smile and continued, saying:
"Can't you take care of it?"
"I would, but this needs you and ASAP"
Ashely continued as she stood there:
"Oh, Alice, please... I know you're simply being lazy, and you can't be dealing with things that you can solve on your own. I witnessed you murdering and eliminating people without resorting to your blood-related abilities. I do not doubt in my mind that you would.
Alice slowly opened the door, and Ashley noticed the problem: their living room was covered in vines, and large amounts of leaves were falling from the kitchen counter.
A young man with white hair with black snippets on the edges, blue eyes, and short pointy ears was sitting on the counter, surrounded by this fauna, eating apples that were expelled by his abdomen as they fell off as well.
He turned to face Alice and Ashely, who were staring at the leaves and vines, the apple that appeared on Brandon's body as if they were being laid by his skin, and he was devouring them, eww. As he said, Brandon grinned broadly while displaying some pain:
"Need some apples, Ashley, because I think I am getting tired of them"
Ashley stood up at this point, her mouth hanging open as she spoke loudly:
"What the actual F*ck?"