Chapter 24

Natalya turned her head to face where the noise was coming from. Her vision was still blurry and her head groggy, as if awoken from an endless sleep. As her vision and head cleared, a familiar, yet terrifying, vision greeted her eyes.

The vision of Gustav facing against a giant monster. How he struggled to stay out of the creature's reach brought back memories from that terrible night in the alleyway.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Ansem asked as Natalya reached out to Gustav.

"He's... He's..." Natalya whispered. "Can't let... him..."

"Ansem, what's wrong with this girl?" Rosya asked.

Natalya slowly stood up and approached Gustav with her right arm outstretched. She was in a trance.

The memories of that night came flooding back. The fear that washed over her, the horror of watching someone getting seriously hurt because of her. While she might've known Gustav for less than a week, she developed a sense of attachment to him. This feeling was new to her and didn't want to lose it. Natalya wanted to delve more into it, to know its meaning.

Richard let out a horrible roar that shook the entire room.

"ROOOOAAARRRGHHH!"

Even in his monstrous state. His mind broken apart, something of Richard still remained inside the monster. The desire for revenge still lingered, like a poisonous miasma.

Then he noticed Natalya. The girl is responsible for everything that has happened. If it they hadn't found her, the banquet would've gone as planned. The bliss that awaited them would have been bestowed upon them.

Yet, like she still lived while everything he and Becker had worked for had crumbled apart.

She had to die.

Die. Die. Die. Die.

Were Richard's thoughts as he lunged forward at the Natalya, his claws ready to tear her to shreds. Then, after tearing her apart, watching the despair on the ones that help her, would be such a sweet feeling.

"Natalya, no!" Gustav cried out.

"ROOOOAAARRRGHHH!"

Natalya, upon watching the giant monster draw closer to her, reached out, her hands wide open and closed her eyes.

"Stay away!!" she yelled.

Her hands felt warm and felt like all the energy inside her body collected at the palms of her hands.

A burst of light blasted from her hands. Richard blinded and unable to dodge, took the full blast at close range. In an instant, the blast from her hands vaporized half of Richard's body and sent it flying to the nearest wall.

Like it happened the last time Natalya had used light to defend herself, she felt extremely tired and almost fell to the ground. Gustav caught her before she lost her balance.

"That was reckless, you stupid girl." Gustav said as he held her close.

"Sorry," Natalya replied.

Rosya watched in amazement at what had just happened. But then, she was more concerned with the relationship Gustav had the girl.

"Who is that girl?" She asked.

"You could say that girl is Abbey Dodson's daughter," Ansem explained.

"Urgh..."

They all turned to face Richard, who was still moving, but with half of his body destroyed, he could not move or attack.

"Can you stand?" Gustav asked Natalya.

"I think so," she replied.

"Gustav, what are you planning to do?" Rosya asked when she noticed Gustav walking towards Richard, gun in hand.

"I'm putting an end to this," Gustav replied.

Part of Rosya wanted to stop Gustav. This wasn't justice and was unbecoming of a someone who swore to uphold the law. But Richard was a monster inside and out, and he would never stand trial for all the crimes he committed. Richard had to pay for his crimes.

When Gustav reached Richard, he only saw a broken man turned into a monster, holding on to life. Even as he was dying, Richard's eyes were nothing but full of hatred.

His aim at the ready, Gustav hesitated. Perhaps he should just leave him be, to wallow in agony. But there was the chance Richard might regenerate if left alone. That's a risk he couldn't afford.

And having reached a decision, he pressed the trigger.

***

After several tries, Ansem could dispel the barrier set up by Becker, and the group could finally leave the maze of abandoned tunnels and reach the surface. Dawn had already broken, and the citizens of the city would go about their daily routine, unaware of the dark rituals that were happening beneath their feet. It was a relief to breathe in some fresh air after being stuck inside the tunnels.

"It may not smell as fresh," Rosya breathed in. "But at least it's better than the air in those tunnels."

Gustav couldn't agree more. There was something invigorating in the air. This was the scent of the city whose laws he had sworn to uphold, and citizens he promised to protect. But now that he knew about the dark underbelly of the city, he was more determined than ever to bring those who sought to harm the city to justice.

"Tell me, Gustav." Rosya said, "What are you going to do about the girl?"

"Oh, you mean Natalya?" Gustav turned around and saw that Ansem and Natalya were gone.

"Where did they go?" Rosya was shocked that those two vanished without making a sound..

Gustav didn't say anything, but he had a good idea about where they went. But he couldn't tell Rosya just yet.

"How about we go home?" Gustav asked.

"Aren't you going to chase after them? Aren't you worried about her?"

Rosya felt a sting of jealousy at saying those words. But why? That's something she couldn't understand. That image of Gustav holding Natalya made her chest hurt. However, he asked her to go home with him. This was the first time she felt such conflicting feelings. 

"Yeah, I am. But don't worry, I'll find them." Gustav replied.

Gustav knew well where Ansem and Natalya went. He would pay them a visit later.

**

The following day, Gustav reported back to work as usual. Gustav's quick recovery surprised Captain Baker when he saw him back on his feet the following day. Especially after the news broadcast reported that the hospital where he was recovering had to be evacuated. Most of the patients had to be transferred to other hospitals after a fire broke out in the basement. But there was no explanation of the origin of the fire.

Perhaps they were keeping it all quiet. The last thing The Council wanted was to draw attention to itself. Ansem's little trick made a lot of noise. That would keep them off Natalya's trail for the time being.

Gustav missed this sense of normality as he went on about his daily routine. Not having a case to work on, he assisted other detectives. No strange creatures and no magic. This is how his job should be. Rosya also avoided talking about the subject during office hours.

After his shift was over, did the only thing that would break the normality of this routine. Instead of taking his usual route, Gustav took a detour and walked alone through the streets as nightfall was approaching.

Stopping by an antique store, he stepped inside. The chime of a little bell welcomed him. But he had no interest in the antiques and baubles on display, making his way to the backroom.

He stepped into the room, and the moment he felt a pair of arms wrapping around him.

"You came!" said the girl with glee.

Gustav was feeling a little uncomfortable with the display of affection.

Natalya's eyes sparkled and her bright smile almost drew a smile out of Gustav, but he contained himself. He had never seen such an unbridled display of joy before in his life.

Gustav noticed that Natalya wore what appeared to be a uniform. A long-sleeved white blouse, with a small black bowtie, black skirt and thighs.

"What are you wearing?" Gustav asked.

Natalya gave a small twirl to give Gustav a full view of the clothes she was wearing.

"These? Aren't they cute?" She giggled. "Mr. Ansem said that I couldn't be wearing those strange clothes, so he gave me these."

"Isn't that nice..." Gustav said, hiding his outrage.

A day had gone by and Ansem was already taking advantage of Natalya.

"And where is he?"

Gustav could feel his anger rising.

Ansem stepped into the room holding a tray with tea kettle, a few sweets and cups.

"Ah, detective. Just in time. Care to join us for some tea?"

"What the hell are you doing?" Gustav asked, ignoring Ansem's invitation.

"I just gave her a new set of clothes, because she's going to work for me. Can't have an employee working in street clothes." Ansem explained as he placed the tray on the table.

"Like hell she's going to work for you," Gustav replied. "She's coming with me."

"Do you think that's wise?"

"She will be safe with me," Gustav said.

"But you work all day." Ansem poured some tea into a cup. "What is she going to do while you're at work? The Council still is out there."

Ansem was right. Gustav thought that he could keep Natalya at his apartment. Nobody knew where he lived, except for Rosya and Ansem. But The Council was far more dangerous than any criminal organization he had encountered before.

"My workshop is the safest place in the entire city," Ansem said. "I've adjusted my barrier spell to keep the prying eyes of The Council away. Anyone who walks into my store would see a normal girl. Hidden in plain sight."

Gustav was still unsure of allowing Natalya to stay, but Ansem was making a very convincing case. Natalya was part of a world full of supernatural affairs. Staying with someone who was more knowledgeable was best for her. However...

"Here, this is for you." Gustav handed Natalya a box.

"What is this?" Natalya asked as she opened the box.

Inside was an old cellphone with its charger.

"And this?" She asked.

"It's a phone, so you can call me if anything happens." Gustav explained. "And this is my phone number. Use it if that man over there tries anything funny. I'll come and arrest him."

"Don't say that," Ansem complained. "I'm a gentleman."

Natalya was so happy with her new gift she began playing with the keys and enjoying the sounds they made. She was just like a little kid.

"OK, I have to go now." Gustav said.

"Join us for a cup before leaving," Ansem insisted.

One glance at Natalya, and saw how happy she looked. "Fine, I'll join you. Because of her, not you."

As they enjoyed the tea Ansem had prepared, Gustav had so many questions about Natalya, her powers, and her true nature. About The Council, Becker and the man in red that saved Becker. But for now, he was going to enjoy a cup of tea with his adoptive daughter.