<div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Turning to lock the door behind her she heard the approach of footsteps. Looking over her shoulder she could see the Hunter moving toward her, a bag on his arm and a cigarette between his fingers. She didn’t have to wonder long if he was coming or going, his agreement the first words he spoke. A small, subdued smile curled onto her lips, “My contact made arrangements for a cow to be dropped off at specific coordinates. Apparently he’s been keeping tabs on it, or at least the reports of where those carcasses have been found.” Ava moved toward her vehicle, clicking a button to unlock the doors and pop the trunk. “Bears, foxes, birds, you name it. He figured a cow in the woods would be loud enough to draw attention and helpless enough to be easy prey. We just have to stay quiet and out of sight, and hope that thing is very hungry.” She explained as she stowed her bag in the back and allowed the Hunter to do the same. “And, if that fails we take a more aggressive approach. I can always dangle a snack like you out there, but if you smell like an ashtray I doubt it will be tempted. Plus,” she said, reaching up to pluck the cigarette from his lips. She wasn’t exactly fond of the idea of her interior smelling like smoke. “Haven’t you heard? Smoking will kill you.” Ava grinned, taking immense satisfaction as she flicked the cigarette to the ground and pressed it into the dirt. </span>​</div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><br/>
“We’ll take my car. Cargo drops in twenty-five minutes.” She moved to the driver’s side, opening the door to climb in. Once Wes joined her, she put the Rover in gear, getting them on the road to head to their destination. For much of the trip the landscape was open, nothing but vast earth with tall, untamed blades of grass. It was hard to distinguish much else in the dark. Anything outside of the beam of her headlights was just unimportant scenery in her periphery. A single turn and the environment around them began to change gradually. What began as a smooth, paved road turned bumpy and uneven, slowly transitioning to a narrow dirt path. Tall trees flanked them on either side, and nestled in the dense thickets were worn, wooden signs that indicated the number of miles ahead till they reached the point of no return. There were fresh tracks in the mud, tire marks that let her know that the delivery had been made not very long ago. She glanced at her phone, the light glowing on her face gently as she read the test with the coordinates she’d need to find their bait. Though she was certain that they’d get there before the Grunch caught its scent, she still felt the urgency to get there. But, it wasn’t the only pressure she felt. <br/>
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Ava agreed to tell Hunter what he wanted to know, to better understand why there were all these barriers and rules to abide by; why there was seemingly little concern for Scarlett when a normal family would have been worried half to death. “Scarlett is a Hunter, too. She’s a loose cannon, impulsive and reckless. She doesn’t like all these rules we live by, never had. And, I don’t blame her sometimes, but they’re there for a reason. Orders are governed by the churches, and some churches are larger and more powerful than others. Depending on what church Orders are affiliated with, the more resources and financing they obtain by executing missions. All those special weapons-- silver bullets, knives, holy water, iron daggers-- they all come from the church and are technically their property. Orders, like mine, are reliant on them for those resources and materials. It also means that we have to act according to their expectations. Scarlett doesn’t exactly embody the kind of virtues church officials value. Every once in a while, she runs off and we don’t see her for a while. My parents see it as rebellion, but I think it keeps her sane.” Ava smiled a bit at the thought. <br/>
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“Anyway, if any hunter is perceived as anything less than a model citizen, then the potential for the church to cut ties with the organization is a possibility. That’s usually why my parents are very hush-hush about Scarlett’s whereabouts when this sort of thing happens. They’ll tell people that she’s vacationing in California, that she’s been ill-- anything to maintain that picture perfect standard. This time is different. No one is complaining about what a brat she is for running off, no one is cursing her name for being a liability, or threatening to ruin the Bergeron image.” The trees were closing in around them, making it difficult to move forward. Ava brought the vehicle to a halt, parking it where it was on the path. It was close enough, but a good walk to the location. “A part of me believes they’re just tired, you know? Just tired of her shit and tired of worrying about her. I’d understand, but as selfish and careless as she is . . . She’s family. And, I’m not ready to give up on her.” She liked to think the sentiment was mutual, that if she vanished that someone-- her mother, her father, Callahan, or Scarlett-- would come looking for her. <br/>
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“Does that satisfy your curiosity or were you expecting more?” Ava asked as she stepped out of the car, opening the trunk again so that they could get their things and be on their way. </span>