Taking the small foam cup of tea, Faith nodded and blew away the stem that risen from the sweet brown liquid. The sweet aroma of the ginger and lemon wafted through her nostrils. Placing the cup up to her lips, the tea flowed into her mouth allowing a sigh of content to escape her. She stared at Asher for a moment before smirking at his words. Asher hated Markus' smoking habit while Markus' couldn't stand why Asher put stuff in his coffee. The two were so different it was hard to believe that they were truly friends. Walking back to the car, Faith continued to sip at her tea trying not to burn her tongue at the same time. But she was thirsty and somehow, she did. Faith narrowed her eyes on Markus at his statement that caused her to glance around. She wouldn't really be bother about being buried down here, well she was born in Louisiana anyway, so she guessed that being buried here wouldn't be too bad. The woman sat in the back seat once more, focusing on trying not to damage her mouth anymore.<br/><br/>"I still prefer horses above cars...if creatures follow you the car's speed won't protect you...the 'put it in reverse'<br/><br/>A chuckle left Deveraux at the statement. Markus was so old aged that she couldn't help it. Yeah horses were pretty but she rather drive than be stuck on a horse. But listening more to the tale, she figured out why he would prefer horses. But it still was quite amusing to her. Finishing her tea, she placed the empty cup in the bag and began picking at her muffin. She stared at the two as she chewed the moist brown breading shaking her head at the two. No wonder they're close... Soon enough, they arrived into the town. Faith gazed out the window, watching the few people walk around the dirt roads. Shabby little houses, small stores, and if she was mistaken; she thought she could see the tip of a cross that she mainly assumed to be connected to a church. Once they pulled up to a run down police station, her mood hardly shifted. But on the job, she knew she had to be assertive or else she wouldn't get nowhere. So she understood where Asher was coming from so she nodded in response. Stepping out of the car into the dry air, a eerie sense coiled around her spine causing her to shiver slightly. Her hand went up to her mouth from the faint stench that wafted through the air. This place was omnious and she could feel it. That was a trait that she aquired from her past missions. Being around pure evil, she began to realize that there was always stench of death or a sense she got from a spiritual creature.<br/><br/>"T-There is a something much more malicous here than any swamp witch for sure..."<br/><br/>The way she said it was half-joking and half-severe. It was always harder to explain things like this so she didn't bother to try.<br/><br/><br/><br/>Markus basically stepped out raising an eyebrow. "I would be surprised if a vampires turns up here...if so it has to have very low standards...I normally see them taking something grander as a opera house or mansion...so cross that one of the list of possible culprits," he snorted as he walked up to a townsmap and basically smashed the glass and ripping it out. "This will come in handy..." he said walking back to them and saw the incredulous look on Faith's face.<br/>"My dear these things get updated every year or so, it might just be the only accurate map of this place..." he explained. "Plus if they have a problem with that they just have to ask me nicely to give it back..." He said as he laid it out on the car. "It seems this dodgy place might not be a total lost case after all...look it has a few good aspects..." he said trying to stay positive.<br/>That was until an elderly man passed by and stopped looking at the new people while leaning on his shovel. He started to laugh eerily. "Look at that...look at that, s'erriff got 'Ã­mself some new meat doss 'e? I'll reckon I 'ave to bury tree more graves now..."<br/>Markus rolled his eyes. "No old man I don't think that will be necessary."<br/>Eleazar laughed again like a mad hyena. "Well maybe and maybe not...I'll reckon you'll die first vikingboy...wat's they call ya Ivan'oe...like that song? Ivan'oeeee, Ivan'oeee, tarararaaa Ivan'oe..."<br/>The gravedigger laughed again creating a very angry Markus.<br/><br/>Faith rolled her eyes as Markus snatched the map off recklessly. The place was already run down and plagued with death; it didn't need him to bashing up even more. God help us... She walked over and stood next to him, looking at the map as well. Just as she thought, there was a church to the south, right before the woods. The swamp to the west. The woman sighed to Markus' attempt to sound positive. He tried... The town was disturbing and she didn't like the felling that she was getting here. It made her nerves twitch and her stomach felt like it was turning. But she knew there was a job to be done and she was grateful that Markus and Asher were there. With all three of them, it shouldn't take long to find the problem and solve it. So why wasn't she conviced?<br/><br/>"Look at that...look at that, s'erriff got 'Ã­mself some new meat doss 'e? I'll reckon I 'ave to bury tree more graves now..."<br/><br/>Faith sighed before turning around to face the old man. Tugging at a strand of her short hair, she sized the man up, taking mental notes as she did so. The guy was creepy with his posture and she didn't like him. Period. Listening to Markus' and the guy go back and forth, the old guy had a nasty way of talking to people. She hated people like that. There was no need for the way he was talking and he needed to be dealt with.<br/><br/>"Well someone got thier trousers too far up... I suggest you just move on ya way and let us do our job or you might hurt yourself."<br/><br/><br/>"Hey, Sheriff? I think the guys that you called are outside."<br/><br/>Ice blue irises raised from the new cases of deaths that were spread all over the desk and stared blankly at the officer. One of his brown eyebrows arched before getting from the wooden chair. His brown boots made little noise on the wooden floor as the thirty five year old made his way to the window. His eye narrowed in on the three figures that stood next to a black SUV. By the looks of them, they looked proffesional somewhat resembling some high top government or something. That's must be them. He relized Eleazar was out there again and he quickly buttoned up the tan uniform shirt before making his out there through that creaky screen door.<br/><br/>"Eleazar! Leave these folks alone and go 'bout ya way."<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>Asher smiled at the thought of hunting a vampire in some grand opera house, â€œHey I am all for a little adventure in an opera house, a strange monster in its depths... yup that would be right up my alley. Asher smiled and looked over as an old man came up to them. Asher looked at the grave digger, he took mental notes of him, he never knew if this man would later become a source of valuable information. One never knew, and creepy grave diggers often knew a lot more than they let on. At least that had been Asherâ€™s experience. He heard someone speak up and tell the grave digger to get lost. Asher turned to the man and sized him up, he must be the sherif. Poor guy looked worn out, Asher wasnâ€™t surprised though, what could one expect when they were dealing with deaths like this. The local authorities were the best place to start gathering information. Asher would collect all the info and draw info out of people while Markus would piece it all together, he wondered what Faith would do.... maybe a little feminine charm would pull info out of people that not even Asher could get. [i}Time to get things started... Hope we can get this wrapped up soon. I donâ€™t like this place.[/i]<br/><br/>Eleazar grinned before the Sheriff ordered him to move along. A moan escaped his lips.<br/>"Aa... come on S'erriff...it's not like I meant anytin wit it..." he yelled back. "'Sides I was only warnin 'em...especially since 'ey brought t'is girl wit 'em..." he said pointing to Faith Deveraux before smiling maliciously at her. "Monster will seek 'er out for sure...tender maidens tend to be first to go..." Before he could continue his evil glare and stares at her Markus blocked his view while imaginative lightning lit up his eyes, broadening himself even more by placing his hands his hips.<br/>"Get...before I'll help you dig your own burial mound!" he roared for the first time displaying his anger.<br/>The gravedigger laughed before he said. "No Viking boy I don't think I will..." he said resting on his shovel drawing the attention to it and raising his eyebrows.<br/>"Get lost old man..." he said before he opened the trunk and taking out something large clad in cloths.<br/>"Convince me..." Eleazar said grinning, not impressed yet, that was until the cloth was removed and it showed the contents. A large old looking sword, yet despite it being old it had been preserved well.<br/>"I'll give you three seconds to move and if you're not walking by then I'll give you a reminder not to piss me off again..."<br/>"You wouldn't..." Eleazar complained.<br/>"One...." Markus shouted as he started to unsheath the sword.<br/>"Seriously..." the gravedigger said getting wet feet.<br/>"Twoooo..." Markus continued as he turned it in his hand and started slicing air with it.<br/>"All right! I'll go! No need to get agressive...." Eleazar said as he walked off not wanting to test Markus on his threat.<br/>"I thought so..." Markus said sheathing the sword again before he fastened it again.<br/>He looked at the Sheriff and greeted him friendly. "P.I.C. send us and from the look of things you could use our help...I'm Markus Sturmewald."<br/><br/>Asher rolled his eyes, good going Markus, threatening someone and we haven't even been here five minutes, were off to a great start."<br/><br/>Asher walked over to the back of the car while Markus talked with the sherif. He pulled out his own sword, it was a polished silver blade that seemed to glow from with in, the pommel matched the blade and it had sapphires set in it. It looked more like an art piece than a weapon, but looks were deceiving, this sword had been through a lot and was more than able to kill monsters. Asher sheathed it at his left side and grabbed his whip as well. The whip was finely twined silver with spikes at the end, Asher attached it to his right hip. He felt better with his weapons at his side, he wondered what everyone would think seeing three new people walking around their town fully armed. Asher put on a black coat that covered his whip and the pommel of his sword, now he didn't look so intimidating. He didn't want to scare off the locals, they would be his best source of info.<br/><br/>Faith glared at the old man as thier eyes met, implying that she will go first. Tender maiden, yeah right. Before she could say anything, Markus crossed in eyesight between the two. She blinked and glanced around him at the old man who looked like an ant compared to the broad man in front of her. Hell she even felt a chill go up her spine hearing the anger in his voice but to Eleazar, it seem it didn't have any affect on him. That was until Markus revealed a large sword. Faith's eyes trailed along the ancient decor of it, admiring it. It resembled to be along years old. Chuckling nervously to herself, she watched as Markus coutned down. Oh God, he's going to get us arrested on the first day of the job for attempted murder. She allowed a sigh of relief as Eleazar ran off.<br/><br/>"Um next time let's just ignore the comments of the locals, okay Markus?"<br/><br/>Faith teased patting him on the back and walking over to the sheriff. By the looks of him, he looked tired due to the dark rings under his eyes and messy locks of brown hair. She extended her hand and smiled politely,<br/><br/>"I'm Faith Deveraux and that's our partner Asher Nightshade, pleased to meet you."<br/><br/><br/>"Pleasure to meet you all. And thank ya'll for coming. I'm Donatien Beaumont, the sheriff here."<br/><br/>Donatien replied after shaking the woman's hand. He looked over the three; all of them seem to be ready for the task ahead of them but then his eyes slowly went over to Miss Deveraux and thought about Eleazar's words. He instructed them to follow into the station and into his office. He sat at his desk and waved to the chairs motioning them to sit. Pulling out more of the files, he sat them on his desk.<br/><br/>"I know you must be eager to get your job over with so let's begin shall we? As you can see, this town is in a pretty rough shape. The locals here are afraid and are very weary of new arrivals. I do not know what is here but something unnatural and I do believe that no human in thier right mind can commit these crimes. Eight months ago, these murders began. First, there were only reports of missing animals and later we would find the carcasses somewhere in the woods. Then there were reports of children missing, mainly young girls."<br/><br/><br/><br/>Markus followed the sherrif inside before he took a look at the file, sharing it with Faith and Asher allowing the sherrif to continue his talk updating them.<br/>He sighed as he took the information in.<br/>"I'd like to know the locations of the carcasses displayed on a map and also from which location in the village or which house they disappeared..." he said examining what he had placing the map on an empty desk overlooking it.<br/>"Considering animal behaviour, it is obvious to go about it in nature's way...seeking out the weakest prey of the herd and those are usually children. After all why fight an adult when you can get easier meat...<br/>But considering humanoid behaviour have these girls been abused before they were killed? And with abused I mean sexually abused...for that could explain the mainly female deaths. Was there anything out of the ordinary" Markus said standing up from his chair walking towards the window.<br/>"I'll also want the records from townhall, this and last year's preferably. Anything unusual that might give us a clue to who or what is responsible for this. For to find the culprit one can also find a cure to deal with this." He said staring outside for a while. He allowed the others to give their opinion. But if it was up to him they would go out tonight...He felt a strong urge to explore the grounds and moreover to hunt down the culprit.<br/><br/>Donatien sighed and placed his chin on his enclosed fist. He listened carefully to Markus' demands, all of which he was sure he can get. But all of this he already went through with his men and nothing ever really came up or they couldn't put the pieces together. At his question, he shook his head.<br/><br/>"We have done all background checks on them young girls but none of them were sexually abused. They were average kids, no psychological problems, nothing. But the young boys that went missing, we only found two out of the ten. One was found in the swamp with his eyes gouged out, his tongue shredded and his lung removed. The other we found alive but he was so mentally broken we had him placed in the hospital. Every time we tried to question him, he would break out into a fit."<br/><br/>He handed Faith the record of the boy and sat back down.<br/><br/>"Then children weren't just enough. Women between the ages of seventeen and thirty have been found. Now these victims were strange. Some of them had their ovaries ripped out through their stomach and most of them were virgins. Few have been found completely drained of blood. Young men between the ages of fourteen and twenty five had either been castrated or their hearts and some of their fingers removed. Some had been found strangled and others no sign of restraint."<br/><br/><br/><br/>Faith read over the files, her heart deepening at every picture of the victims. Blood covered their entire body and the expressions on their faces... Who could do this to such innocent beings. It pained her to look at them so she passed them to Asher. Thinking about it through Markus' words, it did made sense so what was doing this was some sort of animal? But something wasn't making sense.<br/><br/>"It could be a faint possibility that it could be a mad animal but then again, most animals won't attack unless it feels threatened or hungry. But it wouldn't explain the numerous count of missing organs... It could be some sort of occultism. Is there anyone who have any mental problems?"<br/><br/>Markus turned around to face them.<br/>"I'm not saying this is an animal...and the second group of victims makes it sound like the killer or killers are humanoid, someone who has serious sex problems. After all they were maimed in such a way that they could no longer reproduce...The hearts I can get...it is often seen as a symbol of power and life...but why the fingers?" he stored it in his memory before he looked at Donatien and said.<br/>"I want to see that child...see if we can hypnotise him or get him to talk the unconventional way...Faith should be good at that..." he suggested looking at her for a moment before continuing.<br/>"Was there anything with the children that they had in common? We're they believers of the faith? Went to the same school? Same bloodtype perhaps?" Markus kept throwing up ideas he wanted to keep all the options open.<br/>"We are dealing here with a creature that is nocturnal or someone who draws its powers from the darkness, since most victims disappear during the nightly hours...<br/>Its strength is beyond average since it seems to have no trouble killing full grown adults, either ripping them open or strangling them. Also for those who show no strangle marks it indicates that the person is probably known...." he sighed.<br/>"Face it, we're dealing with mutiple killers here...not just one culprit. Why? Simple look at the evidence...it is too widespread and it makes heads nor tails when you view it from a one killer perspective. Or this killer has to have multiple persona's which I highly doubt..." Markus said finishing his thoughts on the matter.<br/><br/><br/>Donatien sighed, shaking his head and glanced at Faith as she spoke. They're were a few people who did had mental problems but nothing that would cause them to do such a horrible task. And by what Sturmewald was implying, none of them are even that strong enough. Looking back over at him, he nodded and sat up straight.<br/><br/>"The women who have went missing all were from the church, some been goin' there since they were little. Only three of the children had the same bloodtype, one of them is that boy. All of them did happen to go to the same school. Two of the first victims were twins, a girl and a boy. We never found them though. Their mother, Jacqulene Andrews is a nurse at St. Cherise Hopistal if you want to question her."<br/><br/><br/>Faith fiddled with the small crucifix listening to the two, taking in few mental notes as well. She glanced at Markus as he implied the young boy and Faith bit her lip at it. The sheriff said that he was so broken and Faith knew that he sure as hell didn't want to speak to anyone and that it most likely was painful for him to speak about it. But she knew if she wanted to solve this case, she would have to get him to talk without him snapping. She read over his file once more. He resided in St. Cherise Hospital Multiple murderers, victims of the church; this is a puzzel. Her eyes snapped back onto Donatien as he stood and pushed his chair back under his desk.<br/><br/>"I'm afraid that's all we have for now. Mr. Sturmwald, I will send word to townhall so you can retrieve the records and for an update on where the carcasses have been found, please check with the secretary outside. She will hand you one of our maps where all the places have been marked. And please be welcomed to come back here for any more information. "<br/><br/>"I prefer you don't give them notice, just give me a form that says I have to right to look in the records and such. For if word gets out and the culprit is a human he would want to erase his tracks. I will not give them that opportunity. It sounds drastic I know but I don't want to leave this to chance. Also I want a stake out at the school, nothing drastic, but try to see who is the most potential next victim amongst the children and keep it under watch. We don't want more victims." He suggested to Donatien before he stood up as well. "Asher, it's time we hunt...Faith I'd like you to check out the church and the hospital. I fear if I show up they'll be more reluctant to talk to me, since I am foreign and somewhat frightening perhaps..." he said with a sigh.<br/><br/>"Of course."<br/><br/>Donatien replied at his requests before pulling out a slip of paper and writing a letter of permission that allowed the operative acess to files of the murders. He walked around the desk and handed Markus the slip with a good luck before going back to his seat and watched them leave.<br/><br/>Faith raised from her seat and sent a confident smile in response to her orders. She had to hand it to Markus, he was quick to get down to business right away. Apparently she was to go off and be the investigator while the boys go hunt. She couldn't help but laugh at the little thought as she left out after the guys. Quickly setting herself up, she popped the hood of the trunk and grabbed a silver and gold dagger sheath. A trinket she aquired from one her past missions against facing a demon in the Mayan islands. She strapped it to her belt along with her holstered pistols on either side of her hips. Simple weapons but aquired strong spiritual energy that she herself placed within them. As always, Faith always gave the impression of being nothing more than an average religious girl but then it wasn't long before she had showed people up because of it. The theologist smiled feeling that she was all ready and she glanced at Markus and Asher.<br/><br/>"You boys be careful hunting!"<br/><br/>She laughed before going off on her own. Faith ignored the looks that some of the townspeople gave her as she walked the streets. But maybe because of the weapons she carried and how she kept looking around. She easily found the hospital despite her not having a map but maybe since the town wasn't really that big. Though it was a little trouble in finding the room with the child since she was new to the town and people easily knew. But with a couple of explainations, she was allowed. Walking down the hallway and stopping at the room, she knocked softl before entering. Her eyes traveled to the young boy who sat at the small table drawing and then to the woman who sat next to him. "May I help you, Ma'am?" The woman asked defensively and raising to her feet.<br/><br/>"Mrs. Matthews?"<br/><br/>The woman walked over to Faith and crossed her arms over her breasts. "Yes?" Faith smiled politely, not trying to insult the woman.<br/><br/>"I'm Faith Deveraux, I here working with Sheriff Donatien Beaumont. Is it okay for me to talk to Gabriel for a moment?"<br/><br/>The woman sighed and nodded before walking back over to her son and sitting down in one of the chairs. Faith slowly walked over to the table and sat in one of tiny chairs infront of the young boy. Her eyes froze on him for a moment as she gazed upon his face. Dark rings were under his eyes and his lips were painfully pale along with his swollen cheeks. When he looked at her, she stiffened but she quickly regained her calm posture and smiled cheerfully.<br/><br/>"Hello Gabriel. I am Faith. How are you feeling today?"<br/><br/>Faith watched him shrug and continue drawing. She glanced at the picture and smiled. It contained a normal child's drawing, random things such as dogs and she assumed lizards.<br/><br/>"That's a nice picture, Gabriel."<br/><br/>"It's my puppy."<br/><br/>"You like dogs?"<br/><br/>"I used to."<br/><br/>"Why you don't like them no more?"<br/><br/>Faith sighed and didn't press on when he didn't reply but watched him draw for a minute. She didn't want to hit something that would cause him to snap before she even had any time to question him further. She gazed at his face once more as he lifted his head and stared at her necklace. She smiled and fiddled with the crucifix, allowing him to see it more. He reached out to touch it but pulled back.<br/><br/>"Why did your mommie named you Faith?"<br/><br/>Faith tilted her head at his question and chuckled lightly, slightly confused of what made him ask that but she decided to humor him.<br/><br/>"Um honestly I think my father named me that probably because he was reading the bible or something. What made you ask that?"<br/><br/>Gabriel stared blankly at her before lowering his head. "He wanted me to ask you that. He said he didn't know why your parents named you something that had so little of."<br/><br/>Her eyes widened in shock but then covered her mouth as a stench passed her nose. Something is in this room... Faith glanced around before swallowing and pressing on.<br/><br/>"Who, Gabriel? Please tell me."<br/><br/>Suddenly tears began to flow from Gabriel's eyes, "I'm sorry!!! Don't be mad at me!!" he cried. Faith narrowed her eyes on him as the smell grew stronger. Something evil is around him or... "Get out!! Leave me alone!" he shouted sprouting from his seat, knocking the crayons and drawings everywhere. "I have to ask you to leave!" The woman demanded trying to calm her son down. Faith's vision narrowed but she knew whatever was in here might hurt Gabriel if she didn't leave. Raising and leaving out the room, she couldn't help but gaze at the child once more.<br/><br/>Asher waved as Faith left.<br/><br/>"Well Markus time to get moving again. Lets head to the church, pastors tend to have plenty of information about people. He could give us some good info on the victims. I do wonder though, this creature seems to be attacking people slowly increasing the difficulty. Animals, kids starting with girls then boys, then woman followed by men. I think whatever it is it is growing more powerful, it may have started off as a 'baby' and now it has grown bold enough to attack a full grown man. The creature has to be developing at a fast rate.... I just hope it isn't a pack of them..... if they are breeding we could have a far bigger mess on our hands."<br/><br/>"You be careful aswell! I get the feeling that child will prove to be very important indeed."<br/>Markus shivered for a moment when he heard Asher mention the church. "Will you please not...you know I am a fond lover of architecture, but the people I can't usually stand...nor they me for that matter..." he said getting his stuff out of the suv. With his sword on his hip and bow and quiver on his back he grabbed another bag containing tools and hoisted it over his shoulder aswell. He took the cage containing Atlas out of the car, his peregrine falcon.<br/>"All right Atlas, it's time to hunt bring something for daddy..." he said as he took his falcon out and removed his hood. "You know only game that is alive...I have no intention of losing you..." he said before he released him.<br/>Atlas was known to Asher, since he had seen the bird accompany Markus for a couple of times.<br/>"As to the progression of this murderer, yes it could be...and yet I have the nasty feeling we need to be prepared for more than one creature...just something is bothering me...Why of all the victims was that one child left alive? It doesn't make sense...If it feeds on humanflesh then why keep the boy alive..." Markus said as they started walking.<br/>"Just don't keep us too long in that holy place...you know me, as a heathen I prefer the older ways...besides I want to set up some traps around the place and have a good look at that swamp they've got here..."