It hadn't been hard to act normal around Charlie when he left the house. The years of pretending, of masking emotions that burned too hot beneath his skin, had made it easy. Too easy. He stowed away the knife with practiced ease and noticed that his bike had already been loaded into the back of his uncle's car—presumably with some help from Charlie.
They didn't linger. Dan dragged Ash to the car, his grip firm, his expression dark with unspoken fury. He practically shoved him inside before getting in himself, slamming the door shut with a finality that made Ash clench his fists.
The car ride was suffocatingly silent, but the same could not be said for what happened when they entered the house.
The moment the door shut behind them, Dan whirled around, eyes blazing.
"What the fuck were you doing?" he demanded, his voice like a whip crack in the still air.
Ash barely flinched. He had expected this.
"Killing a vampire." The words were flat, detached, as if stating something as mundane as taking out the trash.
Dan exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down his face. "You can't just kill people, Ash. Murder is wrong."
A humorless chuckle slipped from Ash's lips. "Vampires aren't people."
"They are, in their own way. Vampires like the Cullens especially."
Ash's blood ran cold. His breath hitched. The words barely registered at first, because they sounded so—wrong. Twisted.
"You're defending them." His voice was eerily calm, the storm before the inevitable wreckage. "You—you're fucking crazy."
Dan's face remained unreadable, a stark contrast to Ash's growing rage.
"I'm not crazy," he said, his voice steady. "I just decided I didn't want to spend the rest of my life killing. I chose not to be a part of this senseless war."
Ash took a step back, shaking his head, trying to understand how the man in front of him—his own flesh and blood—could say something so profoundly wrong.
"Senseless?" he repeated in disbelief. "They're killing us every day. We're one of the few who can stop them, and you want to just let them be? Let them keep killing people?"
Dan met his gaze without flinching. "The Cullens aren't killing anyone. They don't drink human blood."
Ash scoffed, a sharp, bitter sound. "Right. They're 'vegetarians.' What a joke." His jaw tightened. "Then explain the random killings in the area? Or is that just a coincidence?"
Dan sighed. "Another coven is inching closer. That's why I wouldn't tell you what was going on. I'm handling it. Like an adult. It's none of your business because you're a kid, and you shouldn't be involved in violence."
A slow, dangerous smile curled Ash's lips. But there was no amusement in his eyes. "Tell that to our grandparents." His voice was venomous.
Dan flinched.
Ash stepped closer. "You still see me as a child, don't you?" His voice was quieter now, but the weight behind it was suffocating. "But I earned this. I did everything I was supposed to. I followed the rules. I'm a hunter, Dan. I did it at sixteen."
Dan's eyes widened.
Because he knew what that meant.
Earning the title of a hunter was not given—it was taken. Proved. Most earned it at twenty. But Ash? He had done it at sixteen. And that could only mean one thing.
Dan swallowed hard. "You killed a true wolf, didn't you?"
Silence.
Ash didn't answer, but he didn't need to.
Dan exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "You can't tell me to call this off," Ash continued, his voice unwavering.
"Fuck the 'laws of hunting' or whatever bullshit rules they fed you!" Dan exploded, his voice like a thunderclap. "You have your whole life ahead of you, Ash! Don't waste it chasing ghosts! Edward Cullen has done nothing to you!"
Ash's fists clenched, his nails biting into his palms. "You don't know that, Dan." His voice was low, but dangerous. "And all vampires have to die. That's the only way this ends."
"Choi Siho—"
"Don't. Call. Me. That."
Something snapped.
The name—the one his parents gave him, the one soaked in their blood—hearing it from Dan's mouth felt like betrayal.
Ash's breathing turned ragged, the storm inside him raging against the fragile walls of his control.
"I'm not calling off the hunt." The finality in his voice was absolute. "The vampires are already gone. They've left town—except for Edward. And after this, he'll run too. I haven't even started with the wolf shifters. I'll deal with them next. Then I'll track the vampires down, one by one. There's so much to do."
Dan's face twisted in anguish. "Please, Ash. Don't do this. Or I'll be forced to stop you myself. Or worse—send you to Los Angeles."
Ash's laughter was hollow. "Why the fuck did you ask me to stay with you if you were just going to ship me off for doing what's right?"
Dan took a deep breath. "I took you in because I wanted to know you, Ash. I know I wasn't around much. I regret that every single day. I wasn't there for you like I should have been, and I wanted to make up for that."
Ash's lips curled in disgust. "Don't say it like that." His voice was ice. "They're dead, Dan. Not on fucking vacation."
Dan's expression shattered. "And guess what killed them, Ash?!" he shouted. "Hunting! This obsession! This endless, bloody cycle!"
"Hunting didn't kill them—"
"I'M NOT LOSING YOU TOO!"
The words were raw, torn from somewhere deep inside Dan's soul. They hung in the air, trembling, suffocating.
Dan exhaled shakily. "I moved away from the family to escape this life. And I learned something, Ash—there are supernatural beings in Forks who aren't monsters. They live in peace. And you're about to destroy that."
Silence.
A silence so thick it swallowed the room whole.
Finally, Dan spoke again, voice low, firm. "You're going to apologize to Edward and Carlisle tomorrow morning. I don't care if I have to tie you up and drag you there. You will not shatter this family over our parents' misguided ideals."
But Edward never came back.
None of the Cullens did.
By the time the morning sun rose, they were gone.
-------
Hello, my dear readers!
No need for dramatic guessing games today—you already know who I am. Yes, it is I, your benevolent (and slightly unhinged) author, descending from the heavens (or maybe just my messy desk) to deliver this message.
Now, I know some of you will find this chapter… boring. And honestly? Same. Where's the psychopathic MC trying to kill someone just for fun? Where's the mystery? The emotional chaos? Nope, today we're stuck with just a plain old daily life chapter. And how can we, as cultured readers of chaos, possibly be satisfied with that?!
Fear not! For I, in my infinite generosity, am giving you TWO chapters today! (Hold your applause. Actually, don't. Shower me with praise.) This way, we can speed through this arc and get back to the real action. No need to thank me—I already know I'm the most magnanimous author you'll ever find. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy these chapters.
And don't worry—once these "boring" chapters pass, I will fulfill my promise. Someone is going to die. And it will be brutal. Insert evil laughter MWAHAHA—cough—HAHAHAHA!
Now, onto a much more serious topic.
I've noticed that most of you just read the book, nod in approval, and then vanish into the abyss without leaving a review. I mean, seriously, man? If you like the book, just drop a quick, honest review. It takes, what? Ten seconds? Meanwhile, I'm out here sacrificing my sleep, sanity, and social life to bring you content!
So here's the deal: I want to see the review section full of reviews (preferably with 5 stars—but hey, no pressure… just remember I know where you read). And if you don't?
Well… let's just say I may or may not have mastered the ancient art of dream-haunting. Do you really want to wake up at 3 AM to find me in your nightmares, dramatically reciting one-star reviews with a single tear rolling down my face?
Didn't think so. Now, go forth and review!