“I was human once, and I’ve seen them since…that’s close enough.”
At least his vampire strength made it easy to move, even if the snow made it feel like he was walking through a pond full of ice. Foxx started to glare at Harlow’s large back as they kept walking.
How dare Harlow not let him wear his sunsuit?! His face would be protected from the wind if it wasn’t for him. What was that thing people in stupidly cold climates wear? Robbers wore them too… Ski mask! Yes, Foxx would buy or make a ski mask.
Foxx looked around. There was really nothing here besides a shit ton of trees and snow. When Harlow started to move off the snow covered paved driveway, he asked, “What are you doing?”
“Do you want them to see us coming down the road?”
“They will likely hear you first. But, honestly, only if they are on the lookout for people.” Foxx paused. “You know what, we’ve had this conversation before… It’s too cold to have it again. So, whatever, into the fucking woods we go. Let’s hope we don’t run into the big bad wolf because I did not bring a picnic basket.”
Harlow glanced back at him looking baffled. “And yet, I’m the one who isn’t all mentally here.”
“I’m the one who isn’t all mentally here,” Foxx mocked.
“Come on, little red riding hood.” Harlow sighed and sped up.
A few minutes later, a big fat snowflake landed on his nose. Batting it away, Foxx glared up at the sky and…ran right into Harlow’s back.
Grimacing, he snapped, “Why did you stop?”
“We are close enough.” He pointed ahead. Though the trees, there in the distance, was a looming three floor Victorian house. Brown brick with gray trim and gray roofs. There was a set of stairs leading up to the porch…and it looked in decent shape, just like the photos. Maybe they wouldn’t be running around in an old piece of shit for once. “What do you hear?”
Sighing, Foxx went to step back from Harlow, but moved closer when he realized the human was warm. He buried his face into his back. Ahh, sweet relief from the cold.
“What are you doing?” Harlow growled.
“Shh… Shh, I’m listening.”
Harlow scoffed. “Well?”
“Shh.”
“Foxx, stop using me for warmth and do your job.”
Foxx sighed and actually listened. He frowned at what he heard, or rather what he didn’t. “Nine heartbeats.”
“Well, fuck.”
“It could mean one is just older than me and can hide themselves,” he said hopefully. “Or they left already, as it is the middle of the night.”
His frowned deepened as he noted that the majority of the heartbeats weren’t really up and about as they should be at this time. The sun had set a few hours ago. Late sleepers, maybe?
He let out a soft whine as Harlow moved forward and turned around, taking his face warmer away. “I was using that.”
“I’m not standing here talking to you while your face is buried into my back.”
“What about your chest?”
“No, but maybe later.”
Foxx glared. “Fine…”
“Moving on. There are no fresh tire tracks or footprints coming from the road. I need you to go around and check if you find any tracks coming from the house.” Harlow reached into his ankle length leather jacket and pulled out a black drawstring bag. “While you are at it, spread an ash barrier, so it’s one less thing for us to do at the end.”
Foxx stared at the bag Harlow was holding out to him. “And why do I have to do it?”
“Because I am in charge.” Foxx began to gear up for an argument, when Harlow added, “Don’t start. This is also a conversation we’ve had before. We are partners, but I am still the senior hunter, making me in charge, and you know it.”
