On the cloudy afternoon, in the front yard of a house that has wooden structure.  The yard is wide enough for two cars parked side by side plus the part where there are some plants on one side.  Two men are having fight training using four feet length stick that is solid enough to retain an attack.  The sound of the two stick hitting one another is like a rhythm in a fast pace, sometimes it gets louder or lower.  They don’t sweat in that cold temperature, only getting warmer in their undershirt and sweatpants.  

“I think it’s been more than 20 minutes.” The guy wearing white undershirt says.

The other one wearing grey undershirt replies. “We’ll keep doing this until one of us fall on the ground.” He uses one hand but he’s strong enough to hold every attack. 

“I was wrong to underestimate you with one hand.  What a strong hand, Jamie!” He almost loses concentration but quickly crosses his stick in front of his face as he gets attacked. 

He stops for a second after pushing Hayden with his stick that makes him pushed two steps backward. “Flattery will get you nowhere with me, Hayden.”

Hayden swings his stick, attacking Jamie up and down.  He laughs at what Jamie said. “We need to hang out more.  It’s been a long while.”

“Seems like the training is all the time we’ve got lately.  I’m glad knowing you signed up for this.  And how’s Tristan?” they slow down their pace as they talk. 

Hayden takes a breath when he’s holding an attack from Jamie. “I haven’t seen him since he trashed the grill.  He’s busy with senior year and I guess that’s good for him.” Hayden has a younger brother named Tristan Ford who lives away with their uncle who has no child.

“Did you hear from Freya? Just maybe she drops by the grill every night?” the subject changing makes Jamie pause swinging his stick halfway to attack Hayden.

After Jamie hits Hayden’s stick, he asks. “Why? Are you still seeing each other?”

Hayden has Jamie on lock with his stick that with one push he can possibly make Jamie fall, however he takes time to reply. “I think you could say that.  I don’t know man.  She hasn’t called since she spent the night two days ago in my place.” Suddenly with the exact second the last word is uttered, Jamie tackles him to fall and his stick drops as he drops in a shock. 

“What the hell man!” Hayden groans in pain because the back hits the ground hard. “I thought we’re supposed to use stick only.  That’s a foul.”

Jamie closes his eyes and lets out a breath. “Sorry, my bad.  I lost focus for a second there.  A defense mechanism, I think.” He extends a hand and quickly adds. “A defense mechanism on the moment of almost getting defeated.  You did great, Hayden.” He puts his arm around Hayden, giving a light hug and a tap on the back. 

“So you and Freya now?” Jamie asks as he follows Hayden walking to a bench near the plants area. 

Hayden shrugs. “I don’t know about her.  I think I like her but I can’t exactly say we have something just because we had sex.”

Jamie seems tense for a few seconds until he flexes his right arm that’s on his hip. “You don’t know about her enough yet.”

“Alright you tell me, aren’t you quite close with her since you’ve spent some time with her on the grill and the partnership thing?” Hayden talks with hands gesture that shows that he’s interesting in what he’s talking about. “I wonder though how can you manage to keep your cool while being around her all this time?” he teases and laughs.

Jamie takes a deep breath. “There’s nothing to tell.  Freya and I,” he pauses. “It’s professional stuff and just normal bartender and the customer decency.”
-----

“This is suicide, Will.” Melissa whispers to the guy who’s sitting next to her on the bench on the park.  Her hands are shaking but she tries to calm herself by keeping her hands under the jacket pockets.  She’s getting anxious.

The guy sitting beside her has slim posture and is very distinctive among others since he has the Asian and British blood.  His look is Asian mostly like his mother but he’s got the British accent when he speaks because he’s born and grown up in England, where his father was from.  His name is William. 

Will takes out Melissa’s hand out her pocket. “Relax, Melissa.  It’s evening in Afton.  You’ll be fine.” He takes her hand on his hands and gives a gentle squeeze.

“What if one of them catches us?” She looks around then her eyes are looking at the town hall that’s just across the park. 

“No one knows what we are.  They can never know if we just blend in and act normal.” He puts her hand on her lap. “There he is, Alessandro.”

Melissa clarifies him. “His name is Alexander now.  Are you sure you’re just going to approach him out of nowhere? Remember that he’s the town protector now.”         

“What choices do I have? Freya won’t meet me.  I don’t want to put you in harm way anymore so I have to do it myself.  You don’t have to come with me to Alexander.”

Melissa mutters. “It’s too late for not putting me in harm way.” However, Will is already getting up and walking to Alexander who just comes out of the town hall.  He jogs when he sees Alexander is opening his car.

“Excuse me, Alexander Milano.  Evening!” he comes right on time before Alexander gets in the driver seat. 

Alexander stops and closes the car again.  He looks at where that voice comes from. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Will Jones.” He nods his head and smiles politely. “Can I talk to you? There’s something I need to tell you.”

Alexander inspects him then pulls his gun in a sudden.  He’s lived long enough to know how to use his strong senses in detecting vampires. “Who are you?”

Will throws his hands up. “You don’t want to shoot me before I tell you what I’m going to tell you.  And I haven’t shed a drop of blood for so long as I’m here.”

Melissa, who’s on the way catching up to Will, runs as seeing her friend is pointed with a gun.  She stops right next to Will.  Upon seeing Melissa, Alexander’s hands are slowly going down.  He seems to remember her.  That calm and innocent face that he remembers. 

She smiles and looks away when he stares at her.  There is just something about her that gives a familiar feeling.  He’s sure but he’s not, like it’s just a guts feeling.  He blinks his eyes and stops staring.

“Canada, 1878.” Will blurts out, breaking the silence. “Freya could be in danger.”

Alexander sighs.  When Alexander finally remembers, he keeps his gun back in the sheath. “She is always in danger.  She never minds it.”

“This might be more serious than you thought.  Just please, hear us out.” He chuckles plainly. “And surprisingly tables turn, this time she’s not the cause.”

Alexander opens the car and tries not to be rude. “Okay, get in the car.  We cannot talk here.”
*****

👀👀👀 Jamie lowkey jealous lol.

Now you may think what's up and who's messing with Freya? Do you believe what Will Jones said?

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Anjaa