The Hut

Private Bob Farmer and Private Glenn Smith are members of the elite Alpha Team who engage exclusively with vampires and vampire related offences. Farmer and Smith are in their early 20's and are filled with youthful enthusiasm, but both have very different personalities and approach their roles in distinct ways. Farmer works on instinct and always goes with his gut feeling. He believes rules are made to be broken and will do anything, legal or not, to ensure he accomplishes any mission put forward to him. Smith is the opposite, he is very 'by the book' and always works within strict S.P.D. guidelines. He believes adhering to rules and regulations will ensure any mission he is set will be completed lawfully and without reprisal. Even though they have opposing methodologies, they work in unison and their partnership is one of cohesion and unity.

Smith and Farmer, working under the code name Alpha Team One, have been sent to a secluded area, far from any town or city. They are situated on Piker Lane which is a dirt road, rarely used but for a few locals. They sit crouched in the long grass out of sight of any one who could be passing by. They wear camouflage gear from head to toe and are well hidden within their surroundings, the dark of the night makes them even less visible. They are heavily equipped with a bow and arrow, pistol, knifes, binoculars, crosses and canisters of holy water. It is a hot night summers and the humidity causes the officers to perspire underneath their heavy clothing and weaponry.

Farmer and Smith have been sent to investigate the stealing of blood from hospitals and blood banks. The investigations lead them to their current position.

Farmer is peering through a pair of binoculars and whispers, "So how good is this info you have Bob?"

"Well, you remember that werewolf, Kenny, with the missing fang we arrested a while back?"

"Yeah, kind of, the dopey one who smashed through that clothing shop window and tried to eat a mannequin?"

"Yeah, that's the one. He is mixed up with the vamps."

"Yeah, and?"

"Well, I busted him again the other day stealing from one of those mobile blood banks, he had about nine pints of blood when I found him."

Smith rolls his eyes, "Of course he did."

"So, I gave him an option, tell me who he is getting the blood for or…" Farmer pauses as he looks intently into the binoculars.

Smith eagerly awaits his response, "Yes, and…"

Farmer puts down the binoculars and looks at Smith, "Or I take you for a drive to the middle of nowhere, put a silver bullet between your eyes and chest then bury you 6 feet deep." He returns to looking through the binoculars, "Needless to say, he became very talkative indeed."

"Oh well, as long as the intel was obtained lawfully and without coercion that's the most important thing," Smith said sarcastically.

Farmer ignored the comment.

"Kenny said he steals the blood for Raven and his clan. Brings it to some abandoned hut out here in the woods every Wednesday night. Parks his car near the bridge and walks to the hut," Farmer informed Smith.

"Not a very convenient location," said Smith.

"It's not exactly a legal exchange of goods and service."

"Yeah true. Why is Kenny stealing for Raven? He is werewolf, he could probably rip Raven to shreds."

"Maybe, but that's only one night a month don't forget. Raven is a vampire every day of the month. Kenny said Raven threatened to attack his family if he didn't comply with his demands, and Raven is usually good to his word."

Smith ponders for a moment, "How haven't we got Raven yet?"

"He is old school vampire, much more refined and articulate then the new school ones. The only thing stronger than his bite is his brain, unfortunately for us. But tonight could be the night, we could be heroes. Imagine that, two Privates capture-"

"Or kill," Smith urgently interrupts Farmer.

Farmer continues, "Or kill one of the worlds most wanted vampires."

Farmer looks up in a daze and contemplating what might be if they could accomplish such a feat.

"I can't imagine Raven being here tonight anyway, he wouldn't lower himself to going out into the woods to pick up some stolen blood, that's what underlings are for. Bosses don't do petty work," stated Farmer.

A car pulls up on the other side of the road close to the bridge.

Farmer looks intently into the binoculars, "That's looks like Kenny's car," he said, "Yep, that's him alright. I could not forget a head like that in a hurry,"

In the distance Kenny the werewolf can be seen exiting his vehicle. In human form, he is tall, thin and balding. His face is aged well beyond its years, he has sunken, bloodshot eyes and wrinkled skin. His clothes are ill fitting and he looks dishevelled. He stands roadside, pacing and checking his watch. Kenny is clearly nervous and agitated. He carries a cooler bag in one hand and a portable battery powered lantern in the other.

"Tell me Farmer, can you really trust someone who mistakes a human for a mannequin?" asks Smith.

"He was in werewolf mode, they probably have bad eye sight."

"Nope, I'm pretty sure they have great eyesight, especially at night." Smith corrects Farmer inaccurate statement but he ignores the comment.

"Either way, Kenny said that he parks his car near the bridge and walks down to meet the vampires at the hut. So when he starts walking, we follow."

"Mmm, well it feels a little odd to me," Smith was anxious, and Farmer could sense it.

"Would you relax, we've got this."

"How big is the clan, do you know?" Smith enquired.

"Only two or three, nothing two superstars like us can't handle," Farmer said, attempting to lift Smiths spirits.

"I've called Alpha Team two and they know where we are, one press of the emergency button and they will be here in 5 minutes. And I'm going to radio them to tell them when we are going in, ok, so all our bases are covered," Farmer reassured him, but it did little to quell his concern.

"What's he doing now?" Farmer ponders out aloud, still peering through the binoculars, "He is looking suspicious as usual. Oh there he goes, he is walking off into the woods, let's go, I don't want to lose him."

Farmer and Smith get up very slowly as to avoid making too much noise. They cross the road and follow the path the Kenny is taking. The deathly quiet night makes their footsteps echo throughout the forest, it is a quiet echo, but loud enough to force them to tread softer and slower against the grass and sticks that lie on the ground.

"Can you see him," whispers Smith.

"No, but look at the ground, that grass is freshly crushed, we are the right track."

Smith and Farmer skulk ever so slowly, hiding behind trees and searching the area before moving forward. They continue to walk through the forest, following the crushed grassed, Kenny is still nowhere in sight.

"How far is this hut?" asked Smith.

"Not sure, won't be too far," replied Farmer.

"Did you radio the other crew and tell them we are going in?"

"I will do it when we see the hut."

Farmer and Smith continue walking. After a short time navigating through the woods, they come across a weathered old hut. It is a simple one room structure without amenities or furnishing. The windows are all smashed and there are holes in the walls and roof. The hut looks as if it could collapse at any moment. The front door is closed but a light can be seen coming from inside.

"Right, here it is, what's next," asks Smith.

"Let's do what the heroes do and go get the bad guys," Farmer said playfully.

"That's your plan?"

"Let's go up closer and check it out before we make a plan."

Farmer and Smith approached the hut very slowly as to avoid making any unwanted noise. They peer in and see three people. Kenny is in the middle of the room holding the cooler bag and the battery powered lantern that is illuminating the single room hut. To his left is Iris, a female vampire. She has a diminutive figure which contrasts her big attitude. Her demin jacket is as frayed as her personality. The staunch look on her face matches her inner anger. To Kenny's right is another vampire, Adam. Adam has a long, sordid history with law enforcement, and the look on his face shows his disdain for their presence. He snarls at Smith who stands directly in front of him. Both Adam an Iris are well known to Farmer and Smith. They are lackeys in Ravens clan and do little more than bow to his every whim. They are relatively new to the vampire world and do not possess any significant powers or strengths but are still very dangerous and unpredictable.

"Great, Iris and Adam, why are these two idiots always involved?" asked Farmer.

"Doing Ravens dirty work as usual, I don't see him anywhere," replied Smith.

"Raven wouldn't do petty things like retrieve stolen blood, it would be beneath him, that's what minions are for."

"Be nice to have minions do your bidding wouldn't it."

Farmer and Smith are close enough to be able to listen to the conversation that is taking place inside the hut.

"All I could get was seven bags worth," Kenny said anxiously.

"Seven," Iris barked, "only seven? We should rip you apart right here and now."

"It's getting harder to steal the blood, security is so tight, they are adding more cameras this week too," Kenny said in a hurry, trying to defend himself.

Adam interjected, "That's not our problem Kenny, that's yours, you know the deal. We can either take the blood from those disgusting plastic bags," he points to the cooler bag Kenny is holding, "Or we can take it from your delicious family members." Adam grabs a piece of paper from his trouser pocket and holds it up. It's a photo of Kenny with his wife and three children. Kenny stands there speechless with chills running down his spine.

Farmer and Smith have heard enough.

Farmer removes a canister of pressurized holy water from his utility belt. Smith observes this and nods his approval. He removes his bow from its secure holster and takes an arrow from the quiver and arms the weapon.

Farmer leans in to speak with Smith, "I kick the door open and flank to my left in front of Iris. You go right and engage Adam. If he moves one inch hit him with that arrow."

"Wait, shouldn't we radio the other crew to tell them we are going in," Smith asks.

"There is only two of them, we've got this brother."

"But what if something goes wro-" Smith didn't have time to finish his sentence before Farmer puts his hastily made plan into action. Farmer runs to the door and kicks it open. Smith is taken back by his decision to move immediately but follows him nonetheless. Farmer enters the hut and flanks to his left and confronts Iris, brandishing the holy water, he points it directly at her. Smith immediately follows and moves to his right and engages Adam, his bow and arrow prepped ready to use.

"DON'T MOVE," Smith yells.

Iris, Kenny and Adam are all startled by the entrance.

"What is all this then?" Farmer asks with a sarcastically curious tone.

He is looking directly at Iris. She sees the canister of holy water Farmer is holding, she is well aware of how it effects vampires. She doesn't say a word.

"Don't be so shy Iris, if you do as you are told no one needs to get hurt," Farmer tells her, again she remains silent.

Smith takes over the interrogation, "What brings you out here Adam? Didn't picture you as the outdoors type," Adam does not reply.

"Well this is no good, they both seem to have lost their speech Private Smith, very strange," Farmer said mockingly.

Farmer and Smith both laughs.

Smith, acutely focused on Adam, suddenly feels a sharp, cold object against his neck. He instantly knows it is a knife. It is being held by someone standing behind him, someone he is unable to see. A manly, yet eloquently voice comes from the same direction as the knife, "Tell me Private Smith, at the S.P.D. Academy during training, where did they instruct you to look when you first enter a room?"

Smith's eyes light up and hearts starts to race, he and Farmer no longer have the upper hand and find themselves in a dire situation.

Farmer instantly turns to direction of the voice. He observes a hand holding a large knife that is pressed against Smiths neck. He cannot see the person holding the knife as they are obscured by the open door.

"Always check behind the doors," Smith answered.

"Always check behind the doors, that is correct, 5 points for Smith," the mysterious person said sarcastically.

The person behind the door closes it to reveal themselves. Farmers recognizes him instantly and is shocked by who he sees. It's Raven, the infamous vampire and clan leader.

"Raven," the surprised Farmer yelps.

Smith doesn't need to turn around to see who was behind him, he knows exactly who it is. He didn't speak, he just took in a big gasp of air and stood dumbfounded.

Raven appears, towering with his mysterious presence. He is clad in a black cloak, echoing the dark demons that lay within. He is an intimidating figure, both physically and mentally. His brawn and brute strength are matched only by his intelligence and psychological deviancy. His years as a vampire has given him great powers, far greater then those of Iris and Adam. Farmer and Smith have dealt with Raven before and are well aware of his modus operandi.

"Hello Private Farmer, haven't seen you in a while," said Raven cheekily, his knife still pressed against Smiths neck.

Iris and Adam relax now Raven has revealed himself.

Farmer and Smith look at each other, unsure of what to do.

"Hello Raven, lovely to see you again," Farmer said, trying his best to remain calm and control the situation, "Why don't we all just relax."

"I'm very relaxed now thank you," Iris speaks for the first time, her confidence boosted by Ravens presence.

"You're all under arrest for unlawful possession of blood," Smith blurts out nervously, knowing to well he is no position to arrest anyone.

"Good luck with that," Adam said with a large smirk on his face.

"Come on Private Smith, that's not how you make friends," said Raven.

"Well drop the knife, come out from behind me and let's talk about it… friend," Smith replied. Beads of sweat begin to form on his forehead, his heart is racing, and he is breathing heavy.

"Relax Smith, we can sort this out," Raven can sense Smiths stress levels.

"So, tell me Farmer," Raven said while giving Kenny an angry look, "Did this idiot tell you we were going to be here? Or did you follow him?"

Kenny instantly looked at Farmer knowing the truth would see him and his family killed.

"We have been surveilling him for weeks. Next time Raven, use a blood mule with half a brain," Farmer told Raven, attempting not to implicate Kenny in any misdoings.

Kenny breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I don't want any part of this, I was never here, I didn't see anything." He looked around at everyone in the room, dropped the cooler bag and ran out of the hut.

"I will deal with him later," said Raven.

"No, I will deal with him later," insisted Farmer.

All five of them stand silently in room. The slight rustle of the tress against the hut is all that could be heard.

Raven breaks the silence, "Well this is an awkward Mexican standoff isn't it," no one replies.

"If you two put those weapons down, I will put my knife away, Adam will pick up that bag of blood and we will all part ways. What is the consensus on that arrangement?" Ravens asks.

Smith, with the knife still pressed hard against his neck thought it was a good idea.

"Not going to happen Raven," Farmer replied.

Raven and Smith both shook their heads at his response.

"Come on Raven, cut his head off," Iris angrily said.

"That's not a very diplomatic move young lady," he replied.

The room was getting more tense with every passing moment. Farmer and Smith both know they have to act to resolve the situation, for better or worse. Neither of them had moved from their initial stance, and both still had their weapons at the ready, but Smith had to content with Raven holding the knife against his neck. Farmer and Smith looked at each, as if sensing each other's eagerness to move and end the situation, they gently nod to one another and swing into action.

Smith releases his fingertip grip off the arrow, and it is flung from the bow directly into Adams heart. Adam looks down and sees the arrow protruding from his chest and lets off a harrowing scream that pierces the ears of Farmer and Smith. He looks up into the Smiths eyes then vaporizes into thin air. Smith swiftly pivots away from the knife held to his neck, as he does, he reaches behind his back to take another arrow from the quiver to arm the bow. Raven sees this and goes on the offensive. He takes a step forward with his left foot and, with brutal force, kicks Smith in the chest with his right foot, launching him off the ground. Smith crashes through the old wooden walls of the hut, he continues flying through the air until he smashes against a large tree rendering him semi-unconscious.

Simultaneously, Farmer sprays Iris with the highly compressed holy water. It hits her directly in the face and she lets out a horrific high-pitched groan. She falls to the ground in agonising pain. The holy water burnt her face badly causing the room to fill up with the distinct scent of burning flesh. Smith's expulsions from the hut pits Farmer against Raven. Still holding the holy water, Farmer turns it in Ravens direction in an attempt to spray him, but Raven re-opens the front door and shields himself from the attack. The holy water runs out quickly, sensing this, Raven slams the door closed and confronts Farmer. The two stare at each other, waiting for the other to make the first move. Farmer slowly reaches for his wooden crucifix that is attached to his utility belt, Raven sees this and makes his move. He launches toward Farmer and grabs his wrists, the two grapple with each other for a moment but Ravens strength proves too much and he Farmer pins against the wall.

The two are in close quarters, face to face. Farmer tries to release himself from Ravens grasp, but his efforts are in vein. Raven is far too strong.

"You should have listened to Smith and called for backup. Yes, that's right, I heard the entire conversation. One of the perks of being superhuman, you get some wonderful powers," Raven said, mocking Farmers poor decision.

"You're no human, you're a monster Raven," replied Farmer.

"I can make you a monster if you want."

"I would prefer to be dead."

"Well that is another option. Tell you what, beg for your life and I will let you live, I won't even turn you into a monster, I promise."

Farmer laughs at Ravens comment, "I would never beg for you Raven, ever."

"You have a young child don't you Farmer, a young boy? Be terrible if he grew up without a father. Be worse if he never grew up at all," Raven said with a smirk on his face.

Enraged at Ravens comment, Farmer musters up one last burst of energy to try and break free from his grip, he is close, but Raven slams him back into the wall.

"Beg me, for the sake of your boy."

Farmer has a defeated look on his face and drops his head, "Ok, fine."

He picks his head up, looks directly into Ravens eyes and spits a large wad of saliva onto his face. His actions anger Raven, who has a look of disgust on his face.

"Your life for the sake of your pride, how heroic, I will be sure to tell your son about your actions today when I come across him. Goodbye Private Farmer."

Raven open his mouth, fangs project from his upper jaw, he moves into Farmers neck and bites it hard. He injects his fangs into Farmers carotid artery. Farmer lets out a loud groaning sound. He continues to struggle from Ravens grip, but he gets weaker and weaker as the blood is extracted from his body.

After a few moments Raven pulls back, he has taken enough blood to ensure Farmer can no longer sustain life. He steps back and releases Farmer from his grip and he instantly crashes to the ground, far too weak to support himself. His body is motionless except for his chest, which is taking in its final breaths of air.

Raven bends down to Farmer. "It didn't have to be this way Private Farmer, you made it so. I am going to find your friend now and do the same to him."

He stands up, gives the dying Farmer one last look and shakes his head. He turns away and walks to Iris who is still on the ground writhing in pain from being doused with the holy water. Raven puts his hand out to assist Iris up from the ground.

"Up you get little one," he said, she grabs him by the hand and stands up.

"What has he done to me," Iris asks Raven.

Iris looks directly at Raven. The right side of her face and neck are burnt from the holy water. Raven is taken back by what he sees but remains calm.

"You're as beautiful as every my dear," he told her.

Iris pushes Raven aside, walks up to the lifeless Farmer and kicks him hard in the stomach.

"Don't waste your energy Iris, he is extinct of life."

Iris pointlessly screams at Farmer out of anger.

"Let us depart Iris, I've had enough of being in this dishevelled abomination of a structure." Raven looks around the old hut in disgust. "Next time we shall reconvene at more appropriate and tasteful settings."

Raven walks over and grabs Iris by the hand. He leads hers out the smashed wall that Smith was kicked through minutes before.

Raven scans the area and sees Smith lying on the ground in front of a large tree, "There he is, let's go say hello."

They walk up to Smith who is face down on the ground. There is blood seeping from the back of his head. Raven uses his foot to roll Smith over onto his back. Iris and Raven stand over Smith and visually examine him. His eyes are opened, and his pupils dilated. His breath, both the inhale and exhale, produce an exacerbated wincing sound. Raven kneels down and gently places his hand on Smith's heart, "He has a fractured skull and vertebrae. Three broken ribs and is his left hip bone is broken. His brain is starting to swell, and he has a pierced lung that is filling up with blood."

He looks at Iris, "He is too close to death, we will not be extracting any blood from him."

Iris is clearly annoyed and yells, "What? He has a bit of life left, that's enough for me. Payback for what his sidekick did to my face."

"You know you can't drink dead blood, it will kill you little one," he politely reminds her.

"One quick bi-"

"NO," Raven screams.

Iris lets off a loud angry scream then storms off into the woods.

Raven, still kneeling beside Smith, looks directly into his eyes.

"You should thank me, I just saved your life, well, prolonged it anyway. You're like a wounded animal Smith, and I will show you mercy and save you. But you owe me one." Raven said, deliberately ignoring the fact he put Smith in this condition.

"Farmer should have called for backup as you said. He paid for it with his life, and if you don't get medical assistance soon, your life as well."

The hand-held radio on Smith's belt crackles into life. A voice can be heard from the speaker.

"Alpha Team one, Alpha Team one, this is Alpha Team two, do you copy."

"I think your friends are looking for you," said Raven.

Raven takes the portable radio from the holster that is attached to Smiths pants.

"Alpha team one, do you copy. I repeat, do you copy?" The same voice can be heard coming through the radio speaker, this time with a sense of urgency.

Raven holds the radio close to his mouth and winks at Smith, "You're out of action soldier, so I will take the call."

Raven presses the talk button on the radio, "Hello, testing, testing one, two, three. A big hello out there to all the S.P.D. officers listening. This is Special Agent Raven coming at you. Your boys Smith and Farmer are in quite a pickle, so I suggest you hurry along to assist them. Oh, and I would bring a few paramedics with you. This is Special Agent Raven over and out." Raven smiles at his attempt at humour.

"Do you say that? Over and out? Or is that a Hollywood thing?" Raven asks the speechless Smith, he gets no reply, "Never mind."

Raven examines the portable radio he is holding, "This red button, it's for emergencies isn't it, to let the other crews know your exact location." It's a rhetorical question, Raven knows it's an emergency button. He ponders for a moment and looks at Smith. He presses the red button and smiles, "Well on that note, I shall take my leave. Your friends will be here momentarily and probably won't be too happy with what has transpired here. If you survive, and that is a big if, I'm sure we will meet again one day Private Smith. Until then, I bid you adieu."

Raven stands up and looks at Smith. He theatrically tips an imaginary hat toward Smith and walks into the dark of the woods.

Smith is teetering on the brink of death. His mind is alert, but his heart is stuttering, and breath is laboured. The words that were spoken by Raven sunk deep into his subconscious. He would wake up knowing he owes his life to the demon that showed in mercy.