Chapter Seventeen - Second Chances

Tyler placed Roxy's nearly lifeless body on the table. Looking around, he took in everything. 'What a base Thomas had set up! High-end computers, a workshop for his weapons, the full works!'

"This place puts the Hunter's hideout to shame!" Tyler joked, but Thomas just looked at him disapprovingly. He went to a fridge hidden in the corner of the hideout and opened it, revealing shelves full of blood bags. Taking one out, Thomas brought out an IV stand and hooked it up to Roxy, removing the makeshift one from earlier that night.

"She'll be okay. When she wakes up, tell her I'm sorry." Thomas told.

"Wait, where are you going?" Tyler asked as he watched Thomas put his mask and hood back on.

"There are still criminals in this world that need to be dealt with. Your Hunters have abandoned you, so if you want to do some good in this world, join me and my cause. I'm sure there are a few things that I could teach you." With that, Thomas left the hideout, leaving Tyler to watch over Roxy's body whilst she healed.

Days went by, and Roxy still hadn't awakened. Then, finally, Tyler began to fear the worst until her eyes slowly opened.

"Roxy! You're awake!" Tyler exclaimed!

"Huh? Where am I?"

"You're in the Vigilante's hideout. He helped us, helped me save you."

"What Vigilante? I don't remember anything."

Tyler looked confused, "You took down the Oni, but Prometheus's arrow shot you when he targeted the Oni. You passed out; the Hunters didn't even register the call for medical I made, so we brought you here."

"Hunters? What are you talking about? I don't remember anything. I can just about remember my name let alone yours."

"You don't remember my name?" Tyler asked sadly.

"No, I remember your name Tyler. How could I forget you! I just don't remember anything else."

Tyler didn't know what to say. He contemplated telling her everything, from the Hunters to the monsters she's faced. "I think- I think you have amnesia, Rox."

"Can you take me home? I want my bed." She cowardly requested.

"Rox, I think you must stay here for a little bit until you're better."

"I'm fine!" She demanded, attempting to get off the table, followed by a squeal of pain, "Nope, definitely not amnesia! It's all coming back now. What do you mean the Hunters didn't respond? What the fuck are they playing at! If it wasn't for the Vigilante, I'd be dead! Of course, I wouldn't be in this position, but, oh well!"

Tyler smiled at Roxy's silliness and was relieved that she was back to her usual self.

"Take me to the Council now!" She demanded.

"How do you expect to get there! You can't even stand."

"Then carry me. I have something I need to do, Tyler. Please just take me there."

Tyler laughed at what he thought was a joke, but being greeted by Roxy's deadly stare, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the Hunter's High Council Hall, where he was greeted by an entire assembly.

She attempted to stand on her own two feet but struggled to keep herself upright; prying a sword from the ornamental wall decoration, she prepared a cane to help herself walk. Then, two torches were extinguished, swinging open the doors with force. Tyler followed his partner but had no idea what she had in store.

"Two times Tyler called. Twice!" She began, "And no fucker showed up to help us! I was dying on that floor!"

"Ahh, Roxy! I'm glad to see you're okay!" The Grand Master began before being shut down by Roxy's interruption.

"No! Don't give me that crap! You sent us on a suicide mission! There was no way we could have defeated that Oni without the help of the Vigilante. We were undertrained and underprepared! You are a useless group of old men! Putting children to die for the sake of humanity which we don't even protect! Nine people died before you sent us out there! You have an army of Master Hunters, yet you wait for US to be ready! You have yet to even give access to the archives to Tyler yet! Was he just some test run for you? I've had it with your shit. We are done. Tyler & I aren't your pawns anymore! So help me, god, if you even think about sending anyone after us." Roxy paused whilst she watched fear grow in his eyes for the first time. "I will come back here after taking on your entire army and plunge my blade so far into your throat! You won't even be alive long enough to watch my face fill with joy as I watch the life drain from your eyes whilst your entire empire here is burned into ashes. So pack your shit, Tyler. We're done here."

The Grand Master's voice bellowed throughout the hall, "ROXANNE SMITH. YOU ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE. THIS OUTBURST IS CHILDISH AND UNNECESSARY."

"Childish? Like how you trained me to kill at the ripe age of 6?"

"You are acting like a spoiled brat! Have you thought that maybe there was a reason that Mr Brown couldn't get through to Overwatch?" The Grand Master's tone turned sinister.

"I'm acting like a spoilt brat? You are just an old man!" Roxy turned red with anger. "Our Overwatch was supposed to send support if we need it, and my god, did we!"

"Your Overwatch was found this morning, dead. Her head separated from her body. There was no support for you because there was no one to take the call!" The Grand Master explained. "Thankfully, you had the Vigilante at your side; otherwise, you'd be dead too! We do NOTHING to put you in deliberate harm's way. Take the rest of the month off, Miss Smith. I think you need to cool off. Mr Brown, please could we discuss a private matter with you?"

Roxy stormed off angrily, leaving Tyler behind to face the High Council himself.

"I am gifting you the month off too. If Miss Smith is left unattended, I fear for anyone in her path. You seem to be able to calm her down. Now, the matter at hand. You and Miss Smith did incredible work with that Oni, even with the Vigilante's help. I feel it's time we let you into the archives. You are welcome to take Miss Smith with you, but it is conditional."

"Thank you, Grand Master. On what condition?" He asked fearfully.

"You and the Vigilante were alone in that building with no coms active. Did you happen to find the identity of this person?"

Tyler thought long and hard before answering. If he gave up Thomas, who knows what they would do to him!

"No, Grand Master. My priorities were to help Roxanne, which the Vigilante helped. He took us to a secure location and gave us refuge until she awoke. But, unfortunately, he never returned himself." Tyler felt guilty for lying, but protecting his friend's identity was the main objective. The Grand Master dismissed Tyler before calling him back.

"Oh, and Mr Brown?" He threw a set of keys at Tyler, "The address is on the keychain there. It's all paid for. Think of this as a thank you for your services these past few months. You are both a great addition to the Master Hunters." Tyler nodded before walking back to Roxy. He looked at the address on the keys, '94 Blue Ave' it read. Tyler was just as confused as Roxy was when he gave her the keys.

"Maybe this is a safe house or something for our next assignment?" She told.

"Roxy, you're off work for the month. So I doubt he'd be setting us up with our next assignment."

"Either way," she coldly added, we should probably check it out.

Tyler and Roxy arrived at the location and parked her bike on the road.

"Are you sure this is the place?" She asked.

"That's what the map says," Tyler replied. Roxy's phone began to ring: Unknown Number. Hastily, she answers.

"Miss Smith, I hope you accept this house as a present for your and Tyler's time and effort in the Hunters. Take your time off to spend some time together. The shelves are stocked, and the bills are paid up till the end of the year. So do whatever you want with the place!" The caller told.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Roxanne, do I have to spell this out for you?" The Grand Master chimed over the phone. "This is your new home!"

Tyler and Roxy ran to the beautiful house, built from stone and aged incredibly. They put the key in the lock and turned, opening up to their new life outside school.