Sarah's POV

"Today, we'll be going in the forest to hunt for strays. You know vampires will go there to hide from people like us. We will scatter around the forest, half taking one side and the other half taking the other," Dean Kon orders.

Dean is our boss and leader of the group. He's a tough guy I tell ya. He doesn't play around. Dean's so strict that you make one mistake, even if it's little, you have to do ten pushups in front of everyone, the get a lecture about the mistake later on. He says that if we make a mistake while hunting the vamps down, then we will die.

It's true though, if something happens then you're a goner. He's also very strict when it comes to how well we're ready. We have to be prepared no matter what, whether we're training, on our days off, or on guard. If something's happens and we're not ready then we may also die as well.

Ever since my accident nine years ago, I have been on guard always, since I've joined the team.

Since he came on the team and became leader instantly, he's been so tough on me. Dean's got high expectations for me, and I mean high. I can't slip up whatsoever. A few times he's threatened to kick me off the team but hasn't.

A few of the members survived the war and has protected me throughout the years I've been here. They've known me since I was born.

Ever since my father died, they've been there for me. They feel like second family and still do.

". . . Sarah Harper, you'll be taking the east side of the forest."

The east.

The home of the Tandlers, aka, Blade Ramose, Keir Vance, Victoria, Raul, and Nevada Crane. Corbin Kline, Dawn Hansen and Amber Neal. Along with my old friends, Sabor Wilson, Lennix Rivera and Kathrine Roberts.

The three friends become vampires during the war. They live with the others but not in the household. They moved away to recover but they wouldn't tell me where. They've cut off all contact so the last time I've seen them was just after the funeral of my father and all of those who died in the war.

I haven't gone into that side of the forest, or in general for that matter, for reasons. It's too heartbreaking for me to cope.

I haven't visited the home in so long, I forgot what it looks like.

-

Once we got to the forest entrance, we split up into our respectful groups. Of course I'm placed with my guys, the ones that I know the best for knowing them for years.

Walking into the deep forest, I stayed with my group real close. I don't like this. It brings back memories that I tried to burry deep into my brain where I can't look back.

All memories wash up to my brain like a letter in a bottle washing up to shore. How I've been attacked, staying at their home for the night that winter, going to their house to answer a question. Being attacked on the other part of the forest. Of course my fear is the forest, but I've got protection and my guys so I feel safe.

We get into position with me in a tree. I scout for one that's tall enough and sturdy. Once I find my tree, I climb as high as I can for viewing the forest. I got a good spot.

Settling in, I sit on the massive branch while holding onto another branch to keep myself from plummeting to my death.

I give a thumbs up when they call out to me. Admiring the view, that's when I realize something, I've got a view of the house.

Well at least the top of it. My heart drops when I know it's vacant. No one lives there anymore.

Just the thought of seeing the home gives me tears.

I rest on the tree keeping an eye out trying not to glance at the roof top. It's difficult. Once I've spotted it, it's hard to not acknowledge it.

Scouting the area I can see, I found squirrels, chipmunks, and birds flying about. All are free in many ways.

At some point I do zone out thinking of freedom. How I had a choice to not carry on with the hunters and live my life free with a job I love.

Then again this is what I chose.

I wanted to serve in my fathers' crew, which I chose to. So I can't complain.

"Don't shoot man, we just came for a walk!"

That shot me out of my daze. When I glance down, the hunters are surrounding four people. I recognize the voice but can't put my tongue on it.

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't!"

"Because we just came out here to chill, get away from the others," another one said. To get a better understanding of what's going on, I slowly and quietly from the tree.

I pick my way through the crowd to the front. Who I saw shocked me.

"Sabor? Lennix?"

"Sarah?" They said in unison.

"Oh my god! You guys are here!"

I run into Sabe's arms. "You guys are really here!"

I wrap my arms around his neck and hold him close. After, I hug Lennix. I haven't felt so happy in years.

I let him go. "How long have you been here for?"

"Five months," Lennix replies.

"Five? And you haven't visited me? Why haven't you?"

"Sorry, we wanted to but we couldn't. We wanted to hang low for awhile until we show ourselves," Sabe replies.

"I've missed you guys."

"We've missed your too."

"I'd say, she remembers them and not us. I guess we're not important."

The two boys snickered.

"It's hood to see you too, Blade and Keir."

"Finally!" Blade said playfully.

I chuckle. "So Mrs. Harper, you know these viscous, backstabbing vampires?" Dean asks.

It run around and nod.

"Backstabbing?" I turn to Keir who places a hand over his heart as if offended.

"Yes. You go against us. Our laws."

"Okay, Dean. They're not backstabbers, or viscous. They actually helped defeat cruel vamps years ago."

"I don't care. They are vampires and must die."

"I'm your best hunter out of here and if you kill them, I will kill you and then I will leave the team. Your choice."

"I will kick you off the team."

"Do it, I dare you."

I can't believe I'm defending vampires. I mean they're my friends- well two of four- but still. Dean is speechless. I couldn't tell if he was thinking or just didn't know what to say.

"Yeah didn't think so."

"Sarah, your hair." Sabe came up to me to feel it.

"I dyed it fully brown."

"I see."

"I told you you would look great with brown hair," Lennix replies.

"I took it into consideration and finally did it."

"What are you guys even doing in the forest anyways?" Dean asks.

"We live here. This has always been our home," Blade said confidently.

"You live here?"

"Yes so don't shoot us."

I turn to see Dean hesitate before lowering his gun down. "Lower you guns, everybody."

They did as instructed.

"Since we can't kill you because of Mrs. Harper,  we will be off. In case you didn't know, hunting humans is illegal. If you get caught, you will die regardless. Since you're still new-"

"We're not new, we left for vacation for nine years. We've lived here for entire lives," Keir interrupted.

"Alright, well there is a blood bank for all the vamps and that's where you get the blood."

"What's it called?" Lennix asks.

"Veran."

All four nodded. If they didn't know it existed, how did they get their blood?

The others started heading out. I stayed behind.

"Is he your boss or something?"

"Yeah."

"He seems tough," Blade mumbled.

I nod. "Yeah he does. Especially when it comes to me. He's got high expectations."

"That's sad."

"It is. Anyways I gotta go, I'm not done my work."

"It was nice seeing you," Sabe said. I waved goodbye to the four and left myself jogging back to the others.

-

Waking into my home, I place my work bag on the couch starting for the kitchen. I'm still in the same house that I grew up in not wanting to leave. I made a lot of memories growing up.

Flicking on the tv to the news, I heated up spaghetti from last night.

". . . A women, in early fifties, died mysteriously last night. All of her blood has been drained while her neck snapped. The police say that it links to the mysterious killings back in San Francisco, Buffalo, Albany, Niagara Falls, and Cold Spring. Who could be committing these awful crimes?"