The metal looked corroded from a high angle; however, as she got closer she realised it was more dirty than it was eroded. Detective Anderson kneeled down and cranked open the car's door. For a second, she froze. The sight of the severed corpse was vile enough for her to avert her gaze to the sky before looking down and putting on her gloves. Gingerly, she pulled the body out of the car, careful to avoid the shattered pieces of glass.

"What do you think?" a voice came from behind her. Detective Anderson turned sharply to see a man, with a daunting set of scars across his cheek, facing her.

"Drinking and driving, perhaps? Maybe suicide? It's a rather secluded area and the doctor doesn't look the happiest does he?" the man said, "Poor Dr. Oswald..."

"It's too early to make assumptions." Detective Anderson replied objectively, slowly removing the white uniform coat off the corpse.

"Ah, Elizabeth. You were always the rational one. How naive you are..."

"Dr. Hayes, could we save the chit-chat for later?" a dark haired man piped up.

"Gray. Why are you here?" spitted Dr. Hayes as he turned to glare at the tall, slim man standing behind him. Gray shrugged and Elizabeth turned back to face the dead body.

"Nice to see you to Dr. Hayes. I came because I'm Liz's partner remember? Time catches up doesn't it... you're growing senile, doctor..." Gray remarked, spinning a knife in his hand. Dr. Hayes widened his eyes.

"You little... belligerent, repulsive, vulgar imbecil!" he shrieked. Gray grinned.

"Gray. Dr. Hayes. Would you two shut up and help me out?" Elizabeth mediated. Both huffed and turned toward Elizabeth's direction. As they bent down, Elizabeth gasped. She pointed to a dark circle on the corpse's neck.

"That's a remnant of a burn." Gray said, "Maybe he was lighting a cigare-"

"Hush, boy!" Dr. Hayes whispered, "Thats... thats the mark of..." He leaned closer to the body and traced the symbol. A two lines went through the circle to form an X in the middle.

"That's the emblem of the Hunters." Dr. Hayes finished. Hastily, he rose and backed away.

"Oh, this is bad. It's the sign... the omen..." he muttered, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead.

"Stay calm, doctor. What happened? What does it indicate?" questioned Elizabeth, slowly standing up too.

"Oh, child. How can I stay composed when this appears out of nowhere! Oh god... Gray, get the car out. We're leaving." he exclaimed.

Bewildered, Gray stood up and stared at the jittery doctor, "Now?"

Dr. Hayes nodded gravely. "What about protocol?" demanded Detective Anderson.

"Later, child. Later. We don't have time!"

"Let's at least formulate a plan..." she argued.

"Get the car, Gray!" Dr. Hayes hollered. He frantically took out his phone and dialed his wife.

"Janine? Janine, please tell Arthur and Jacob to come home early. I've found myself in a predicament and I have a feeling none of us are safe. Lock up the doors, shut the windows and draw the curtains. Don't make a sound!" he whispered into his phone. On the other end of the line, Janine pleaded, "What's happening Greg? Tell me! Don't you dare ignore my questions!"

"Shhhhh. Make sure Arthur and Jacob leave work as soon as possible. You can't wait any longer!"

"Greg! Be careful!" she begged one last time before Greg interrupted, "I'll try." With a click, he cut the line and turned off his phone.

"Sorry, Janine. I don't think I'll make it home..." he said with remorse.

"Dr. Hayes?" asked Gray, "Are you okay?"

"No. But you'll be fine."

With one last deep breath, he gets into the car and Elizabeth and Gray follow. Gray turns on the ignition and the car begins to move.

"North Avenue. And fast." Elizabeth said, "It's the closest precinct." Gray nodded and sped up.

"Elizabeth, Gray, heed my words. They're coming for me. Don't retaliate - they have weapons powerful enough to destroy all of us within seconds. Let them take me, it's inevitable. Don't utter a word, understand?" Dr. Hayes said quietly. Slowly, he took out a notebook from his pocket and handed it to Detective Anderson who was staring at him incredulously.

"Elizabeth, this is yours now. It holds the cryptic code that the Hunters are after. It is imperative they don't obtain it at all costs. They're ruthless - you have no idea what they are capable off. Promise me. Promise me you'll keep this safe. Promise me that you'll tell my family I love them." he declared with unprecedented vigor when suddenly, a bullet striked the windshield.

Gray ducked down, and was pulling Elizabeth with him when the second bullet hit the car. This time, the glass shattered and the bullet hit its mark. Dr. Hayes cried out in pain and put a hand over his bleeding left shoulder.

"Greg! It's been a long time." a familiar voice spoke. Elizabeth looked up to see an identical version of the doctor.

Greg smiled, "James. Here I thought the rehab programme would do you some good."

James laughed and walked up to Greg, "I missed you."

By then, Elizabeth and Gray had sit back up and were staring at the twins, puzzled.

Soon, they were in close embrace. That's when James pulled out his gun and aimed it at his brothers head.

"You should have joined me, brother. That was your first mistake." he said maliciously.

"No. My first mistake was getting you out of jail and forgiving you. I'll die, I know that because you're going to kill me. And you'll go to jail. I love you, brother. Take care. Make sure you don't pick up fights with your cell mates." Greg muttered with a fatigued smile on his face.

"I had a better idea, Greg. I think you'll be proud of me." James said.

Greg shook his head, "What do you mean?"

"I know killing you won't hurt you. Your resignation towards life is clear. I don't want to kill you, dear brother, I just want to give you reason to die." James pulled out his phone and showed his brother a picture of his wife and his children. Greg closed his eyes and began crying.

"You killed them..." he whispered, "You killed my family. You despicable..." Elizabeth held the doctor's hands in an effort to console him.

"Consider these two dead two." James pointed his gun to Elizabeth and then Gray.

Greg whimpered, "Please. Don't."

James smiled sadly, "It was inevitable brother. You made a mistake and it has cost you everything you love."

Greg broke down and began begging his brother to stop. To kill him instead. James shook his head and pulled the trigger at Elizabeth's heart followed by Gray's. Bang. Bang, the sound came and Greg let out a silent scream.

"I changed my mind. You're way too pathetic to keep alive." James said. With another bang, he shot his brother's head.

"Thank you..." muttered Dr. Hayes as he slowly lost fell to the ground.

"Your welcome, brother doctor. Don't you wish you majored in medicine instead of criminal law?"

--+--

What do you think? Too dark?

Thanks for reading! Do tell me what you think!