The Dark Slayers

"Are you coming tonight?" Nate asked his wife, Ahana. She scrunched up her nose and shook her head. Nate’s eyes widened. "Don’t tell me you’re still afraid you will contract the virus?"

Ahana chewed her bottom lip and refused to meet her husband’s eye. "It is still out there, Nate. I can feel it."

It was more than Nate could take. His face flushed red, and he balled his fist.

"Have you looked at the numbers? I know what you are doing. I’ve known you for ten years. You do not want to join us and are using this as an excuse.” He wiped his hand on a dish towel and hurled the piece of fabric across the stove-top. “I must spend the next three hours alone when all my friends turn up with their partners. Pathetic."

Ahana’s eyes softened, and her lips tipped downward. "I am sorry, Nate, I am. But I am not comfortable mingling with people yet."

Nate muttered a curse under his breath and stormed into his room, slamming the door behind him.

Ahana sighed and returned her attention to the papers she was grading. She enjoyed many things about teaching, but grading papers was not one of them. Online tests were better. But correcting handwritten papers meant deciphering the illegible scribbles of six-year-olds. Her eyes pricked, and her fingers ached. Yet, it was the safest job and perfect cover. Moreover, the unchanging hours and holidays gave her ample time to do her second job.

Which reminded her it was almost time. If only Nate would leave. She could not risk revealing her identity, even if it meant disappointing him at times. Her community had operated behind the scenes for years. So, anyone who sabotaged that faced terrible consequences. The stories she heard about the punishments gave her nightmares for months.

The bedroom door clicked, pulling her away from her thoughts. Nate strode out, dressed in his usual blue jeans and white shirt. He shot a brief glare at her. "We will be at Cafe Insignia in case you change your mind."

Ahana leaped from the couch and reached him in two long strides. She brushed her lips against his and wrapped her hands around his neck. "I am sorry, but I promise I will make it up."

Nate forced back a smile and left. Ahana heaved a sigh of relief. She dashed to their room and pulled out a phone from under the mattress. She typed two words and sent them to her boss Rick.

I'm ready.

As she waited, Ahana stared at the wallpaper on her phone. The insignia of Dark Slayers stared back at her. It had been fifteen years since she realized she inherited her father's Dark Slayer gene. A unique capability that allowed selected humans to hunt the disease-spreading Droids.

Droids were faceless hooded creatures only visible to the eyes of a Slayer. Their job was to sprinkle Droid Dust and spread infectious diseases on Earth. And a Slayer's duty was to prevent it.

Alana took a deep breath and grabbed her Dark Sword from her wardrobe. The blade glinted under the light as she tucked it into the sheath and strapped it to her belt. She gripped the hilt and waited for Rick to respond.

Right then, her phone buzzed with an incoming call.

"Evening, boss. Do we have a location?" Ahana asked upon answering the call.

"Worse. We have a situation," Rick said. His grim voice made the hair on her neck stand. "Droid Grimn escaped. Intel is that he is targeting a cafe hosting a party. That beast is planning to turn it into a super-spreader event."

"Damn it." Ahana's skin tingled as fear rammed her brain. A week since life returned to normal, and now this?

"Do we have anyone at the location?" Ahana asked.

"Rob and Melinda are nearby, but they won't stand a chance against Grimn. You must hurry."

"Share the address. I will meet them there."

A moment after she hung up, her screen lit up with the message from Rick. Ahana looked at the location and all blood drained from her face. Her fear multiplied tenfold and the oxygen left from her lungs.

Cafe Insignia.

*

Rob and Melinda waved at Ahana as she approached them. Their powers of invisibility allowed them to patrol the streets without being seen.

Melinda looked as pale as a ghost. It was only her third encounter with Droids. Though the Slayers were immune to Droid Dust, they still felt nauseous in the Droids' company. Some grew accustomed to it, but the green recruits always struggled with it.

"Have we spotted him yet?" Ahana asked them. They shook their heads in unison.

"He is two blocks away. Will be here anytime soon."

Ahana gulped. She had countless fights with Droids and always emerged successful. But now, it was personal. She cannot afford to let her nerves get the better of her. She contemplated telling Rob and Melinda about Nate but decided against it. There was no point worrying them. So instead, she tightened her grip on the Sword and waited.

"He is here," Melinda whispered.

Ahana spun on her foot, pulling the Sword out of the sheath. It took a moment for her eyes to spot the dark figure gliding past the traffic. The three broke into a run towards Grimn, brandishing their swords.

Grimn spotted them and increased his pace. He drew his lance and charged at them.

"Approach him from behind and wait for my cue," Ahana muttered to her colleagues. They nodded and diverted their route. Grimn paused, but only for a moment.

With a loud cry, Ahana bounded ahead. She landed a kick in his mid-section, making his reel backward. But, Grimn recovered immediately and thrust his lance forward. Ahana blocked the move with her sword and pushed Grimn backward. For a moment, he fell back. Then with a mighty roar, he raised his hand and threw a punch on Ahana's jaw. Searing pain ripped through her face as she flew and landed on her back. Blood trickled down her neck, and her head felt like it was about to explode.

Squinting her eyes, she saw Rob and Melinda charge at Grimn. Grimn lurched forward, grabbing Melinda by her throat and lifting her. Rob raised his sword, aiming at Grimn's chest, but Grimn fended off the blow with his arm.

Ahana watched as everything spiraled out of control. Rob was now crouched on the floor, clutching his stomach where Grimn struck him. Melinda was unconscious.

And Nate...

Groaning, Ahana pushed herself to her feet and broke into a run. Her head exploded with pain, yet she pushed herself. Grimn was one block away from the cafe. One block away from Nate.

Tears rolled down her cheek as pain ripped through her face. As she closed in on Grimn, she saw him turn around. Before he had a chance to react, she hurled her sword at him.

The weapon zoomed past the traffic and humans and struck his chest, cutting through his Droid heart and muscles. Grimn stopped dead in his tracks, and his lifeless form fell to the ground. Ahana dashed towards him and groped his body for the Droid Dust. She found the bottle hidden in the layers of his cloak. Reaching for her lighter, set the Dust alight. As the flames consumed the bottle, she dropped it and let the virus burn to a crisp.

*

"Good job, Alana," Rick said, shaking her hand. The Slayers team arrived on the scene and removed Grimn's body. The medics drove Rob and Melinda to a nearby hospital, and another attended on Alana. Her jaw needed three stitches, thanks to the nasty gash across it. Part of her face was as red as a tomato and swollen like a balloon. "How are you feeling?"

"Glad I haven't broken my jaw," Alana said, brushing her fingers over her would. Just then, her eyes fell on the cafe across the street. "I am sorry, Rick, but I must leave. Can I ask a favor?"

"Of course."

"Can I leave my sword with you? There is somewhere I must be me."

Rick's eyebrows shot up. "Don't you want to get some rest first?"

Alana shook her head. "I must see Nate."

Rick nodded. "I will talk to you tomorrow then. Have a good night and rest well."

Handing over her sword to Rick, Alana strode past him and weaved her way through the traffic. Then, turning her invisibility mode off, she approached a barista in the cafe. The barista pointed her to the corner where Nate and his friend sat.

As she drew closer, her eyes fell on Nate. He had a drink in his hand and was laughing at something his friend said. Looking at her husband safe and sound, relief washed over Alana. Quickening her pace, she ambled towards the table with her eyes focused only on Nate.

"Nate," she whispered, stopping by the table. He looked up and stared at her, as if not believing she was there. Then his face broke into a wide grin but only for a split second. His eyes fell on Alana's swollen face and her wound. The next instant, he was on his feet, pushing past his friend. He reached in one stride and wrapped his hand around her.

"What the hell, Alana? What happened?" His words fervent and face crumpled, he pinned her against him with one arm.

"I was rushing here and fell off the stairs. Had to stop on the way to get them stitched.",

He stepped back and gaped at her. "You fell, and yet you did not call me? Bloody hell, Alana, why did you even come here?"

She smiled and then winced as pain shot up her jaw. Nate's face paled. He turned around and signaled to his friend that he was leaving. Then, grabbing his jacket, he clasped Alana's hand and dragged her out. There he turned around to face her and cupped her healthy cheek.

"I am sorry. It was my fault," he said, his eyes shimmering. Alana punched him in his chest and gave a weak smile.

"Don't be silly. It is nobody's fault." Alana stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Craning her neck, she kissed his stubble. "I wanted to see you. And, I am glad I did."

Nate's lips trembled as he smiled. "Me too."