Charlie raced along the railroad tracks, her cotton shoes scattering rocks from either side of the rails as she ran from building to building, focusing her heightened senses on each structure in turn. So far, she had only detected the scents of animals and trash, and the sounds of homeless people loitering and hiding among the various dilapidated structures.
Taking as much time as she needed at each stop, it was nearly an hour before she reached the last section of the map for her reconnaissance.
While staying alert to her surroundings, she tried a new trick she had been practicing. With a thought, her hand and forearm shimmered into view so she could check the watch Angel gave her during one of their many shopping trips. She saw that it was just past six o'clock. He would be with Amanda right now.
A small pang of jealousy flickered again, and she quickly silenced it with a subtle growl. She wouldn't let jealousy control her thoughts or interfere with her mission. She knew he cared for her, just as she did for him, and that was all that mattered. Still, she missed him and wished he were here with her now.
At the same time, she felt proud he'd trusted her to complete the scouting mission on her own. He had been cautious over the past few months as she developed her hunting and tracking skills, constantly reminding her to stay hidden and avoid unnecessary risks. She understood why, even if it sometimes bothered her, but in the end, the effort paid off, and now she was in the field—solo—with full control over her decisions.
It felt good, despite the loneliness.
Refocusing her thoughts, she followed the tracks as they curved sharply to the left, moving away from the river and toward another large warehouse. This one was still open and busy, with a crowded parking lot.
I can check this one off, she thought, as she moved past the warehouse and headed to the next location.
Looking ahead down the street, she saw where Florida Avenue passed under a bridge that veered to the left about half a mile ahead. As she approached the next structure on her search, the evening shadows stretched around her.
Blowing out a long, frustrated sigh, she muttered to herself, "Where are the kids? Where?!"
Anger built inside her as she scolded herself for not having found them yet. Damn the movies and their quick, easy solutions. She wanted one of those right now! Reprimanding herself again, she paused to catch her breath, calm her nerves, and clear her mind.
Closing her eyes, she took a series of deep breaths to calm her rising distress and steady herself. As her nerves settled, she perked up. Far in the distance, she detected the sound of a throaty engine approaching from around the bend of the bridge on France Street ahead.
Exhaling slowly, she pursed her lips as her eyes opened. A large box truck emerged from beyond the trees in front of the ramp, with a local delivery service logo on its side. It turned sharply right and headed in her direction.
Tensing, she watched as it slowed down and made a left turn into an alleyway between a cement factory and an abandoned warehouse. A thrill raced up her spine. Angel had specifically told her to keep an eye out for trucks like this because they made excellent transports for this kind of crime. This could be her lucky break.
With hope surging through her, she burst into a sprint and quickly reached the corner of the structure. Pivoting to follow, she slipped on some loose gravel and cursed sharply. Catching her balance, she set her feet properly and sped up so she wouldn't lose her target. She followed as the box truck splashed through muddy puddles and past rusted shipping containers beside a decaying industrial building. When it reached the corner, it turned left behind the building, now out of sight of any prying eyes.
When she reached the corner where the truck had turned, Charlie stopped. Even though she was invisible, she opted to keep her distance, watching as the truck stopped near a loading dock, reversed, and backed toward a set of metal stairs leading to a rusty brown door.
She tilted her head, closed her eyes, and focused on listening more carefully. Almost immediately, she detected the sniffles and cries of several young girls. Her eyes snapped open, glowing bright crimson. She quickly turned her head and closed her eyes again, realizing the glow might be visible if she didn't rein in her power. She paused to steady herself, then turned back as the doors on both sides of the truck opened.
Four large men emerged, dressed in dark fatigues and carrying semi-automatic rifles. Her anger spiked as they ripped open the rear doors and dragged four girls into the open. She guessed they were between seven and fourteen years old. She felt her teeth sharpen, then grind together, and a fresh surge of power rippled across her alabaster skin.
Keeping her promise to Angel, she restrained her rising urge to attack now and focused on surveillance only. She knew acting now might endanger the girls already inside. But she had found them, and that sent a shiver of relief through her soul. It was the most crucial part of the mission, and she had succeeded! Now, she needed to call him.
As the children were pushed through the brown door, she seared the faces of those assholes into her memory. She intended to repay each of them a thousand times over for their cruelty.
Stepping back, she quietly jogged about fifty yards toward the main road and checked her watch again. Six-thirty. Since she didn't have a phone yet, the earpiece was her only means of communication. But if she radioed now, he might not be able to respond if he was still with Amanda.
This left her with one option: Run!
She took one last look back at where the girls were being held and silently vowed to them, I'll be back for all of you. I promise!
Before she could move, the truck's engine roared to life, and it sped around the corner, racing down the service road toward the main street. She pressed herself against the cold metal of the shipping container, letting it pass mere feet from her position. When it cleared her, she angrily flipped it off with her middle finger. The surge of rage caused her supernatural energy to spike, and her eyes blazed with demonic fire. If the driver had glanced in his rearview mirror at that moment, he might have caught sight of two burning crimson orbs floating in the shadows. Disembodied points of hellish light piercing through the swirling dust and darkness like the eyes of vengeance itself.
As soon as it reached the main road and disappeared from sight, Charlie shifted into her hybrid demon form, let out a low growl, and raced off toward home.