Children of a Lesser God

Chapter 78: Hunting

Laz didn't respond. He just looked at the little wolf with a somewhat dumb look on his face.

'Hey, I didn't ask you to follow me home, OK? You came on your own and you're laying in my bed. And now I'm stupid cause I can't talk to a four legged animal? WHAT THE HELL?'

For whatever reason, Laz didn't doubt that what Malene told him was true. Considering Aqua's reaction and that stupid grin on his face, Laz felt like what she had said was true. Although he couldn't figure out how they could talk to the wolf, he didn't really care to speak to the little princess at this moment. So he decided that glaring at her was the next best thing.

"Vivi huh? What a weird name for an overly furry dog," was the best retort he could come up with and so he said it out loud.

Vivi just looked up at him for a moment before yawning and laying back down to enjoy Malene's petting.

"She just said something, didn't she?" Laz asked no one in particular.

Malene seemed to be keeping her silence at the moment and was trying not to laugh while stroking Vivi a bit roughly as though she was telling her to stop. Aqua didn't mind relaying the words though.

"She says Laz is a stupid name for a hairless virgin monkey, but you don't see her mentioning it," Aqua relayed as he almost fell out of the air while laughing.

"WHO THE HELL SAID I WAS A VIRGIN?" Laz yelled back at the tiny wolf to defend his honor.

"Umm..." Malene looked up from the wolf with a strange grin on her face.

"That's the part you're going to take offense to?" She asked while looking at the young man in front of her.

Laz might have lost his cool for a minute, but when he calmed down enough to think about it, he couldn't help but wonder... did calling him a monkey have something to do with the crazy sexy psychopath? She always seemed to call him a monkey too. Or maybe that was just over thinking things? He looked at the little wolf who was now ignoring him and just rolled his eyes, deciding he didn't care.

The wolf that could talk and came out of nowhere and didn't make sense. The woman in his dreams that could hurt him made even less sense, so why bother? He would just take it as it came since it didn't seem like he could stop it.

Laz didn't say anything else but went over to the coat rack by the door and after shuffling aside a few jackets, finding where he had tucked Last Rites away last night.

Laz figured since he was going to go kill a monster, he might as well bring along a weapon. Only an idiot would wrestle a bear with his bare hands.

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The room that mostly ignored him when he walked out was staring at him in shock when he came back in. Three sets of eyes were glued to the rather large handgun that he was holding in one hand while examining the clip with the other. He then slide it into place and put the safety on before looking up.

"What?" Laz felt a bit weird about the stares he was getting.

"She didn't mean it... " Malene stammered out while looking at him nervously.

"Yeah young'n. No need to go off the handle," Aqua added on.

Vivi made a rather pitiful whimpering noise as she retreated behind Malene.

'Young'n? How the hell old is this damn thing anyway?' Laz couldn't help but think to himself. As he looked at the rather frightened stares being directed at him, he figured out what the problem was..

"I thought we were going to go kill a bear? What, you want me to like rip it's heart out with my hands or something?" Laz tucked the gun away into the holster before locking it into place. The three seemed to have a moment of stupidity while sighing there after.

"Oh, that's what that is for. Jeez, you scared the life out of me," Malene commented back while turning around and pick Vivi up and calm her down.

"Yeah, you should have said something sooner. We thought you were going to take out your virgin angst on the little one," Aqua commented in a rather relieved tone.

"Why the hell would I shoot her over something like that? Is that how you see me?" Laz was wondering if he was some kind of cold blooded killer to them or something.

"No, no. But... most of the time you look rather dull and normal. But there are other times where it's like, you are a completely different person." Malene had encountered Laz's angry side before and then, just like now, she realized she didn't really know anything about him. The only reason she asked for his help in the first place was because it had to do with something source essence based and she didn't know anyone else well enough to ask. She really didn't know him well enough to ask either, but she didn't have a choice.

"Oh? Different how?" Laz didn't know what she was talking about as it's not like he could look at himself and see when he looked different. As far as he was concerned, he was he all the time.

"Like... that night in the store... you know what? Never mind. Since you are helping me out, that's good enough for me." Malene declared suddenly.

'What's with this sudden change in her?' Laz didn't know, but he felt like she just changed a bit. Aqua looked at her briefly, but didn't say anything. At least, not anything Laz could hear.

Vivi jumped down out of Malene's arms and walked over to Laz before standing up on her hind legs and reaching up his leg, but since she wasn't that big, she barely came up to his thigh.

Laz looked down while wearing a questioning look. Vivi just gave a small bark while stretching up further. Laz then reached down and picked her up not really sure what she wanted. She gave him a quick lick on the cheek as though saying she didn't mean to be rude.

Laz just chuckled a bit and started to pet her while looking at the others.

"She says sorry. She also wants to know if she can come with us?" Malene translated.

"You want to come too? You sure? This sounds dangerous," Laz asked.

Vivi just gave a small bark in reply and relaxed while enjoying his clumsy petting.

"Alright. Your choice. How far do you live?" Laz asked Malene.

"It's about five miles from here," Malene responded.

"Five miles isn't far, but it isn't short either. Did you walk here?"

"Yeah. It's not like there is an uber in this town."

"Oh, right. Your parents arn't around?" Laz kind of figured that was the only reason this girl would actually come see him today and at this time.

"No... they went out of town and will be back tomor... sometime tonight." Malene corrected herself almost immediately. She didn't trust Laz enough to let him know that her house would be empty tonight except for herself. She was still a bit wary of him as any young girl should be.

Thinking for a moment, Laz looked at each one of them in turn before going over to the closet. After setting Vivi down on the bed, he dug around for a moment and pulled out an old, cloth knapsack and a somewhat dusty three quarters motorcycle helmet. He quickly proceeded to brush it off and walk over while handing it to Malene.

"Here, it's a bit old and a little dusty, but it's never really been worn." And that was the truth, as far as he knew. It used to belong to his mom or so he was guessing. Since it seemed a bit smaller like a woman's helmet would be. Although Laz still had the one he had loaned to Kennedy, he didn't feel right letting this girl wear the same helmet so he pulled out another one he knew was laying around.

"Thanks, I guess." Malene proceeded to brush it off a bit but didn't have much luck. Although it did look new overall, it was still rather dusty after having not been used in many years. Malene looked around and without a better solution, grabbed the corner of a blanket from Laz's bed and proceeded to wipe it down. Although Laz noticed, he didn't say anything. Considering the unwashed wolf who had taken a nap on it and the remnant juices from the night before, he was going to wash the sheets before he slept in them again anyway.

"Alright, now for you little pup." Laz held open the cloth knapsack for her as Vivi climbed in and turned around, sticking her head out. Since there was padding on the bottom, she was able to stand up somewhat without being crushed by the sides. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it would work.

"Let's go." Laz said as he threw on a jacket and walked out with Vivi. Malene followed behind while Aqua flew around her.

"Hey, don't I get a helmet?" Aqua complained unexpectedly.

"Nah, you're already brain damaged so I don't think there is a point. Besides, you can fly," Laz responded back as he locked the door.

"Right, I can fly. Hey wait.." Aqua was going to start something.

"That's enough. Let's just get going hmm?" Malene calmed him down a bit.

Walking down the stairs, Laz walked over to the Harley while putting on his own helmet. He started the bike up and looked over at Malene.

"This is your's?" Malene asked.

"Yeah, well it's borrowed. Mine is a bit smaller so we are lucky to have this one." Laz didn't lie or try to impress her. Actually, it was a good thing he had the Harley since although two people could ride on his bike, it wasn't nearly as comfortable.

"Oh. I thought we would be on a bicycle or something..." Malene looked a little hesitant.

"A bicycle? With motorcycle helmets? This will be much faster. You've never ridden before?" Laz asked after figuring out the problem.

"Maybe only once or twice," Malene answered while putting on her helmet. She walked over and stood there as though lost at what she should do.

"See those pegs back there? Step on it and mount up. Just like riding a horse."

"How did you know I've ridden a horse?" Malened asked.

"Just figured. Make sure to hang on tight to me. Here, take this and put it on your back," Laz said as he handed her the knapsack containing Vivi.

Vivi, seeming unaware about what was going to happen, seemed rather excited as she looked around. Malene put the knapsack on and made sure it was tight while adjusting her purse while Aqua landed on her shoulder.

"Alright everyone, hang on." Laz revved the engine and off they went, burning a bit of rubber before taking off out of the drive.

Malene, totally unsure of things, yelped rather loudly before grabbing on tight to Laz and attaching herself to his back.

Vivi didn't make any noise but Malene suddenly screamed out.

"NO, THIS IS NOT FUN. HE'S CRAZY," she yelled as she grabbed on to Laz tighter.

Laughing, Laz slowed down enough to relax Malene and asked her for directions to her place.

After a brief ride, the finally pulled up to a modern style three story. Laz killed the engine and coaxed Malene off his back and off the bike. Taking the bag from her, he let Vivi out to walk around on her own.

Although the house looked new and bright, Laz felt uncomfortable for some reason. It wasn't the house though, but the area in general. Vivi stopped sniffing around and started looking at the treeline that was back a ways on the other side of the road. Laz didn't say anything either, but he felt it too. The feeling was coming from there.

It was suddenly strangely quiet, as though the entire area was holding it's breath when suddenly a load roar rolled out from behind the trees, shaking even the ground that they were standing on.

Laz just smiled bitterly a bit while pulling out Last Rites.

"Well, fuck me..."