As soon as they arrived at HQ, Rosa and Sam were taken to the infirmary. They even managed to obtain themselves a private room and, not only that, according to Sam they'd also got themselves assigned the division's head doctor. Courtesy of Louie. The room contained a few beds and some complicated and technical looking machinery that Rosa couldn't be bothered to try and comprehend.
'Medical stuff,' she guessed.
Rosa didn't know why, but the Hunter HQ having an infirmary had never once crossed her mind. The more she was left to think about it the more of an idiot she felt, an organisation based around hunting murderous creatures of hell were bound to get injured and need a place to receive care. It wasn't like hunters could exactly walk into a normal hospital with the claw wounds of a werewolf. How would you even attempt to explain that?
The infirmary was almost as big as the HQ's nave, except it was separated into lots of smaller rooms for doctors, patients and storage.
The room she found herself in had bright white walls enhanced by the warm, comforting lights that shone down from the ceiling. Rosa was sat on a bed with thin, blue covers as she patiently waited to be discharged. She'd told her doctor she felt completely fine many times but Dr Sana wouldn't be wavered. It was like trying to persuade a brick wall to move aside. After fighting a failing battle Rosa accepted she wouldn't be going anyway until the doctor had analysed her.
Sam was laying across a bed beside Rosa as Dr Sana performed her final checks on the hunter. It turned out the camaz had shattered half her ribs, snapped her collarbone as well given her some nasty bruising and cuts.
The doctor pulled out a vial holding a strange, vibrant concoction, that looked as if it came straight from a fantasy novel, from her white coat and fed it to Sam. Despite Rosa's scepticism, after Sam consumed the elixir the colour had returned to her skin, the grimace and strain faded from Sam's face and her body seemed to relax.
"Alright Sam, all you need now is some rest and you'll fighting ready by tomorrow," Dr Sana said.
Sam smiled weakly. "Thanks Bianca," she said before relaxing her head into the hospital pillow.
Dr Sana then turned and walked over to Rosa. She was a pretty woman with hazel eyes and smooth, dark brown hair tied back away from her face that looked like it hadn't aged since her early twenties. In fact now that Rosa thought about it nearly everyone she'd met in this world looked extremely young. Louie, Audrey, Emma, Sam, even her parents who she knew were well into their forties never looked a day past thirty. Why was that? It was like some strange force was preserving their youth and prime conditions.
"So Rosa I understand your eager to escape," Dr Sana smile, "I'll make this as fast possible. Lie down please." Rosa nodded with a sheepish smile and then maneuverered herself onto her back. The doctor equipped a pair of new latex gloves and gently applied pressure across Rosa's entire body, searching for any possible damage. But just as Rosa had been saying, Dr Sana found nothing. Rosa couldn't explain it but despite being thrown into a car like she was a pebble she felt completely healthy. After travelling from Rosa's head all the way to her feet, Dr Sana nodded satisfied and threw away the latex gloves.
"Just one last check," she announced.
Carefully, Dr Sana placed her hand onto Rosa's sternum and closed her eyes. Rosa watched stunned as, a glowing stream of green light began to flow across the back of Dr Sana's around forming a strange twirling symbol bisected by a straight line. Suddenly a strange warmth spread across Rosa's body, like she was being gently hugged by an invisible force. It felt as if it was taking hold of each and every one of her cells and analysing their condition. Eventually after the strange warmth was content with its work it withdrew back to Dr Sana and she lifted her hand off Rosa's chest.
"You were right," Dr Sana stated in disbelief. "I don't know how, but despite slight exhaustion your body is completely fine. You're fit to be discharged."
"Thank you Dr Sana," Rosa said happily.
"Hopefully the next time we meet won't be here," Dr Sana said with a smile. "Oh I almost forgot, Louie wants you to head to the commander's office."
Rosa nodded as she hopped off the bed and walked towards the infirmary door. "See you later Sam," Rosa said.
Sam made a weak attempt to wave goodbye but never opened her eyes or moved her head. As if she was trying to fight off a violet migraine. Wanting to let her friend get some rest, Rosa quickly made her exit.
Unfortunately due to all the chaos, Rosa hadn't remembered the way she'd been brought to the infirmary and had absolutely no idea how to get back to the HQ's grand hall. She spent the next ten minutes mindlessly wandering around dimly lit, cryptic halls until finally she ran into an officer who was able to guide her.
The vast room was as busy and filled to the brim with officers as last time. It still amazed how different it now felt compared to that silent and desolate atmosphere she'd first sat in. Rosa cautiously made her way across the room, trying her utmost best to get in no one's way. She failed miserably. Red faced, she followed her memories and strolled down the long corridor until she successfully made it to the end where she found commander Ruthor's office. As she approached she could hear voices booming from inside. It sounded as if an argument was taking place.
"What the hell was a Camaz doing out of South America? And here of all places?" Rosa heard a woman question. That voice. She quickly recognised it from the night of her first hunt. Audrey Lelan, Sam's older sister.
"It's following someone's commands," Emma replied. "It has to be, otherwise it would've butchered every student and teacher it found."
"To control a camaz you'd need to be at least at the level of a vampire prince," the commander growled.
Slowly and silently, Rosa stepped closer to the door.
"So we're dealing with a vampire prince. Great," Audrey grumbled.
"Or something even greater," Louie commented.
"What? Do you think we're dealing with a vampire lord?" Emma asked alarmed.
"I don't know yet," Louie answered.
"Do you think this creature could be responsible for everything that's happened?" Ruthor questioned.
The room went silent and Rosa got the impression they were all looking to Louie, waiting on his response.
"How long are you going to wait out there?" Louie asked. Rosa panicked and leapt away from the door. "I'm certain I asked Bianca to send you into Ruthor's office, not to eaves drop outside."
'How did he-?' Rosa began to question as she sheepishly twisted the door handle and slid into the office.
"It sounded important," Rosa muttered. "I didn't want to interrupt."
"It is important. But it also involves you and in my books that means you have a right to know," Louie told her.
He was stood leaning against the far wall. Ruthor sat at his desk while Audrey sat crossed legged on the corner of the desk. Emma was to her right, leaning on the wall beside the door. Feeling awkward with everyone's eyes on her, Rosa quickly took a place beside Emma, folding her arms so they were identical to her sister's. Louie turned back towards Ruthor.
"No I don't," Louie admitted, continuing the original discussion. "However, I do think there's a good chance this monster is at least linked to James' case."
"James' case?" Audrey asked.
"Before his death, James left me orders. One of those orders was to assign Louie a specific case," Ruthor explained. He turned to Louie. "As it's your case, you have the lead. The division's resources are at your disposal. How do you want to proceed?"
"Thanks," Louie replied plainly. "But for now I need nothing, I've got to do something first," he left the comfort of the wall, "Rosa let's go. You're going to want to get some rest. Tomorrow morning we're going on a little trip."
Rosa's brows furrowed however before she could open her mouth, Audrey jumped off the desk.
"Don't tell me you're organising a meeting?" Audrey asked ominously.
Louie responded with a grim nod. "I haven't been left with much choice." He then made his way out of the room.
"I'll be back tomorrow night," he called back.
Frowning, Emma propped herself up off the wall and trailed him out, Rosa quickly followed suit. As she walked through the door, she gave Ruthor and Audrey a wave.
"Have fun," Audrey grinned and waved back. Ruthor gave her a firm nod as the door closed. By the time she glanced back round, Louie and Emma were already halfway down the hall. Rosa was forced into a light jog in order to catch up.
"Are you sure about this?" Emma questioned.
"I am," Louie responded.
"Should I not come too?"
"No. The division needs you here. We'll be fine Em, nothing bad is going to happen."
Her sister sighed but nodded in agreement.
"Where are we going?" Rosa asked, struggling to keep up with their walking speed even while maintaining her jog. Just what in the hell was their pace?
"It'll be easier to show you than explain," Louie stated. "If it helps, we're travelling inland. A few hours' drive." It didn't help.
They entered the HQ lobby.
"I've got some work to get done so I'll see you back at the house later," Emma announced before vanishing through one the many doors that ran along the grand hall's wall. Rosa really wanted to know what was through all of them doors. The entire building was like a labyrinth of mystery and prospect, it fuelled her curiosity like wood to a flame. Louie and Rosa carried on forward and left the HQ. She followed him quietly all the way to the car park. The silence threatened to follow them home but once at the car Louie came to an abrupt stop. He turned to Rosa and pulled something out the inside of his coat.
"I believe this is yours," he said. In his hand was her black, jagged dagger. He offered out the weapon and Rosa graciously accepted it.
"Thank you," she said. Her fingers carefully traced over the blade as it filled her with familiar reassurance. Rosa hadn't realised how much she'd missed having it on her.
"I heard you managed to stab the camaz," Louie said. "Not bad. Not bad at all." To Rosa's surprise, a slight smile cracked across his usual icy expression.
Without another word he got into the car. Holding onto the dagger as tightly as possible, Rosa couldn't help but let a grin shape her mouth.