We arrived at Heverfore Manor around 2am, the hour that tries men's souls. Before I shut off the ignition, Thomas swung his door open and started to step into the darkness. I grabbed him by the collar and yanked him back into the passenger seat.
"What do you think you're doing? We don't know what's out there. At least let me go out and check first. I'm your bodyguard after all," I said.
"Yeah, about that, why does a demon slayer need a bodyguard? I'm stronger than you. And faster. And I know there's no one out there because I can see in the dark," Thomas added as I held a night-vision scope to my eye. And he was right, nothing out there except for a few trees, bushes, and the manor itself.
I glared at him until the smug smile disappeared from his face. "The Hunter Guild requires all hunters, slayers, exorcists, and the like to be accompanied by a bodyguard because believe it or not, you're better off with someone watching your back. Plus there's situations even slayers aren't prepared to handle," I said. I opened my door and stepped into the night.
I walked unhurriedly and popped open the trunk. Number one rule, even if you're afraid, don't let them see it. And I was afraid. Though The Hunter Guild considered this an entry-level mission, I'd seen plenty to know any mission could go sideways in an instant. I pulled on my vest, checked and double-checked my pockets that all my gear was where I wanted it. Then I grabbed my modified, double-barrelled pump-action shotgun. I worked the pump a couple times, then loaded it with shells filled with buckshot soaked in holy water, each little pellet inscribed with a holy rune.
Even though they didn't expect too much trouble from Charles Heverfore, it's always wise to be prepared. It was only a couple years ago that Heverfore started his "cult," mostly just get-togethers for rich and famous types looking to add some edge to their tabloid image. That is, up until a few months ago. His usual clientele dropped off and Heverfore started to attract some really hardcore Satanists. Word is that he might've stumbled upon something real - the kind of thing that binds your soul to eternity in Hell.
I racked shells into both barrels and shut the trunk. Thomas had gotten out and now stood facing the house. "There's something in there," he said, "Something dark. I've never felt a presence like this before."
I just shrugged and moved to stand next to him. "Well this is your first assignment. I'm sure there's bound to be things the guild never prepared you for."
Together, we stepped through the swinging gate of the white picket fence wrapping around the house, and then the world changed. The green lawn disappeared, replaced by barren, hard-packed dirt. The pristine house crumbled: white boards weathered and cracked, all the windows shattered, the stone chimney spewed a thick, oily smoke. Howls not meant to be heard by mortal ears filled the air.
"A threshold," said Thomas, his hand hovering over the hilt of his blessed sword. It was the only weapon the slayer carried, besides his faith. I thought that was stupid. "That's why The Hunter Guild didn't think much of Heverfore, he had a threshold surrounding his manor to shield it from outside eyes."
I kept my head on a swivel, eyes looking all around us as the howls got closer. "Should we go back? Get reinforcements?" I said, leaving the decision to the newly official demon slayer.
Thomas paused for a moment, consulting his training, before shaking his head. "I think I can still complete the mission. And I think if we turn back after breaking Heverfore's threshold, he could disappear again from the guild's radar. Best to keep going forward."
I nodded in agreement, and because it was the only thing I could do. If the slayer stayed, I needed to stay too. That's the rules. Besides, there's no money in returning without the slayer.
Soon enough, danger was upon us. I smelled them before I saw them, the stench of charring, rotting meat someone left over a fire. Two great hounds with flames dancing in their eyes turned the corner on the right side of the house. Seconds later, two more came from the left. Four sets of eyes and snarling jaws focused on the pair of us.
"Could these possibly just be regular dogs possessed by demonic spirits?" I asked Thomas, though I was sure I already knew the answer.
"No," he confirmed, "these are the real deal. Hellhounds." I heard him draw his sword and silver light bathed the area.
I shouldered the shotgun and braced my cheek against the wooden stock, tracking the two hellhounds that arrived from the right as they charged at us. Once I got a lead on them I let loose on the first one with both barrels. Blessed buckshot tore into the hellhound and knocked it on its side. The other one already covered half the ground between us. I pumped the shotgun, loading another pair of shells into the barrels, and shot the demonic dog with just a few feet between its obsidian teeth and my flesh. Its charging momentum carried it passed me, and when it finally came to a stop I saw that it was missing its head.
I looked behind to see Thomas wiping a dark substance from his sword before sheathing it. He had taken an assault approach, running right at the hellhounds. Both lay dead, decapitated.
"Well that wasn't so bad," I said.
Thomas shook his head. "These were summoned in a hurry. You saw how their skin looked like it could slide off their bodies. We definitely surprised whoever is inside. A properly summoned hellhound given sustenance for just a few hours wouldn't have died so easily." He looked up the porch steps at the front door. "Best we keep pressing forward."
I nodded and took the lead, heading up the steps first. This was supposed to be an easy job and easy money. Now we were facing a group able to summon up hellhounds. Who knows what else they've got hidden behind the door?
"I guess I'll knock," I said, and kicked open the door. The flashlight attached under the barrel of my shotgun swept the empty room. "Let's sweep this floor and then you tell me if we should search up or downstairs first," I said as we stepped into the house.
Thomas closed his eyes, turning his head left and right. Then his hand went to his sword hilt again. "We're not alone," he said.
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