Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"Good morning. It's 10:30am. The weather in Bellefonte is 83 degrees with scattered clouds. All historical museums and businesses are now open. Shall I ready your car, ma’m?" Jarvis’s chipper voice rang out, jarring me from my luckily dreamless sleep. “No Jarvis, I will have the valet boy grab it. Thank you.” I mumbled, while sitting up and rubbing the sleep from my eyes. We had a long drive ahead, and I wasn’t really ready for it. Maine was a few states away and I wasn’t looking forward to the multi day drive I was about to endure. I know it was only 10 hours away but I planned to stop in between so it was going to take a bit. I got out of bed and wandered to the closet, pulling out a black dress that was eerily similar to the one I was wearing last night, which sat crumpled on the floor still. No need to worry, I had another in my closet at any given time. I slipped the dress on along with a new bra and panties. I chose a pair of heels that weren’t as flashy as the ones from last night, and a little more comfortable instead, slipping them on. I brushed my hair and teeth, letting my hair continue to fall down my back, straight. I slipped on my black lace gloves, and checked that my knife was still in its holster secured safely to my thigh. I never went to bed without it. Hell, I never actually went anywhere without it. Then I grabbed my car keys and phone, and headed out the door. 

I was a tiny bit disappointed that the girl from the desk didn’t come to visit last night, but I never expected her to actually take me up on the offer. She was already gone this morning, replaced by a younger male at the front desk. Check out was anytime we chose to leave, so there was never a rush to get in or out, which made it nice. I slid my card across the desk to the boy working. “I’m checking out.” I said. The boy looked up and we locked eyes. He gasped a little and then caught himself. “Oh, Snow. I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting you.” He mumbled. I snickered under my breath, as I watched this timid kid. He typed on the computer and once he was all done he locked eyes with me again. “C-Can I ask you a question?” He said shakily. I was in a bit of a hurry, but I entertained him. “Sure kid, what's up?” I said. He bit his lip before speaking as if he were trying to decide what the best way to phrase his question would be. “Is it true that skin to skin contact with you will burn the other person alive?” He asked, and I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was dead serious. I had to stifle a laugh. I just shrugged my shoulders. “Maybe.” I said, with a wicked smile, and then I turned and walked outside, leaving him to wonder if it was true or not. 

The rumors were the best part to me. You’d never believe how many times I've been asked similar questions about my gift. There were even some that have gotten it right, but all I ever say is maybe, and then I leave them to ponder about it. That was part of the fun in keeping it a secret. I walked over to the valet booth and gave her my name. The girl working at the valet radioed over to her co-worker who brought me my car shortly. Once he stepped out of my car he walked over and handed me the keys. “Here you go, Snow. Not a scratch on her.” He said proudly. I took my keys and walked over to my hood. “Are you sure? What is this?” I asked in a very serious voice while pointing to my hood. The kid went ghost white, I thought he was about to pass out. I held it as long as I could, but then I burst out laughing, “I’m just kidding, kid.” I said. He exhaled a breath I don't even think he was aware that he was holding, and he finally got his shit together enough to smile back at me. I walked past him, patting his shoulder as I went and got into my car. I clicked the button, lowering my door. “Jarvis, take me to the nearest Mcdonalds.” I asked. “Yes Ma’am.” He said, and we headed that direction. I laughed again at the kid's face while we headed to breakfast. Man I got him good. Oh hell, I crack myself up. I thought, as I scrolled through the downloaded data regarding the Vanderwood brothers. 

“Ma’am, we have arrived, would you like your usual when we get to the window?” Jarvis asked. “Yes please, but make sure they use lowfat yogurt in the smoothie.” I said, and continued with my research. Once we got there Jarvis ordered for me. I just rolled the window down so they could hear him. I paid at the next window, and they already had my food ready at the one after that. Damn, the Mcdonalds here is fast as fuck, I thought, while placing my food in the passenger seat. They actually have some relatively healthy options, it’s not all fried shit. I was watching my weight anyways and I needed to get in and out fast, I didn’t want to wait any longer to get this journey started. “Jarvis, navigate me to The Academy in Maine.” I said. I knew this would be a multiple day journey, because we would be stopping in between, but we had to go that direction anyways. “As you wish, ma’am.” He said, and we were off. I ate my food in silence, pondering my journey. How funny is it that when I was younger I swore to be the first in my family to break the mould and not become a Hunter. But now, I'm one of the top Hunters. I guess revenge and hatred will fuel you to succeed, even if you never wanted to. My mind wandered back to my mother, as it usually did when my mind wasn’t overwhelmed with the plethora of other things I kept busy with. I looked down at my ring again, and solidified my reasonings. Sometimes I just needed a reminder so I could stay strong… So I could stay strong for her. 

No one should ever have to go through what I went through. No one should ever have to lose their child like innocence at the age of 12 when they shoved a silver blade through a Vampire’s back and pierced his heart. The very Vampire that had sucked my mother dry in front of my eyes. The only reason she is dead today is because I panicked. I succeeded in killing the Vampire, but I didn't do it fast enough. I froze, and I panicked. I battled internally regarding whether I should do it or run, and those seconds are what cost my mother her very life. It was my own fault. Had I been stronger, had I been braver, I could have saved her. But I was weak, I was too scared. I held her while she took her last breaths and no child should ever have to endure something like that. I took that Vampires ring, and I made my way to the nearest Academy using my mothers car and her artificial intelligence. A blood soaked shirt, tear soaked cheeks, that ring, and my mothers blade were all I had when I arrived. They took me in, gave me a new name, Snow, and taught me to Hunt. I inherited all of my mothers possessions and money, which helped me on my way to becoming one of the most ruthless Hunters The Academy had ever produced. They gave me my gift when I was 15, and I chose then never to reveal it. The Academy is my entire life. I am nothing without them. I literally owe them everything. The guilt and grief of losing my mother never really went away after all these years though. I keep distracted, keep busy, keep contracts going in order to forget. It works briefly, but the pain never really truly goes away. 

I shook myself from my detrimental thoughts, This was going to be a long ass car ride if I couldn’t get my shit together. I decided to g****e the Vanderwoods and just see what else I might be able to find out. My mouth fell open when I saw that in three days they were holding their annual Vanderwood ball at the Vanderwood Estates in Maine. This type of luck was always on my side. “Thanks mom.” I said out loud. I know she was up there watching over me, and helping me. The amount of times I had fallen into a lucky situation like this, was too often to be coincidence. It had to be her, I knew it. The Vanderwood ball would be an easy way for me to get inside and track my prey. I could get close enough to have physical contact with them and see what was going on in their minds. I could even execute them that same night if fate were on my side. This just made my job a whole lot easier. I decided to get some more sleep on the way to Maine. Plus now that I had figured out a game plan, I just needed to make it to The Academy in Maine and get settled before the ball. I laid the seat back and exhaled, feeling the tension leave my shoulders. This was perfect, and I was about to be two million dollars richer after I completed this task. Not that I needed the money, but if they were paying then I was accepting contracts.