A Guide to Surviving Against Monsters

"Thank you for the food."

"You haven't even eaten any yet."

"But..."

"It could be terrible for all you know."

I smiled at my plate while Mateo scoffed at his mother.

"Let her be thankful," Mateo scolded Heidi. "Jeez."

She rolled her eyes, pulling on his ear. "It was a joke! You don't scold your mother like that!"

The two of them began bickering, and I giggled softly. The sound made Theo, who sat beside me, freeze for a moment.

I looked over at him in worry. "Something wrong?"

"I have never heard you laugh like that," he mumbled. "I mean, you don't laugh much in general, but that..."

I shrugged sheepishly. "Mock me and I'll castrate you."

"I should've expected that."

I hummed, digging into the food set in front of me. It was wonderful, but Heidi was still busy fighting with Mateo, so I kept my compliments to myself. The entire scenario reminded me of what my own family had been like, but for once, the thought of them didn't make my mood sour. It actually made me feel a little lighter.

"Emmalyn."

I glanced up, meeting Alfred's eyes. "Yes?"

"You were in school years ago, correct?"

I nodded. "I graduated seven years ago."

"Then you must've known the generation."

I pursed my lips, hesitantly nodding again. The 'generation' was the group of staff at the Academy that had died -- or 'gone missing' -- not long after I graduated. The school had covered it all up, for one reason only.

The generation were all the staff members who were in on the experimentation that transformed me from human to something else. They had been teachers, scientists, scholars, and the like. All of them were dead now. The Headmaster at the time hadn't even included himself in the project, which was why he survived. It had been top secret, and while he agreed to let them use a student for their work and he knew it wasn't ethically correct, the Headmaster hadn't known anything else.

"I knew..," I sighed, "most of them."

"Rumours are going around again," Alfred added. "People are starting to wonder what really goes on in that Academy. Civilians are more concerned about hunter affairs because, ah, certain people have been seen with extraordinary abilities."

Real subtle, Alfie.

"Not our problem," I said firmly. "We hunters save lives and hunt monsters. Politicians and figure heads can deal with citizens. We just keep them safe."

"Amen," Mateo joked. He passed around some dishes, loading more food onto my plate without even asking me. I smacked his arm, carefully holding back so that it didn't hurt. Still, I ate the food, feeling better than I had in days.

"So, tell me!" Heidi chirped. "What is your job like? The boys told us basically nothing about your assignment with the Academy. They think we'll nitpick."

I scoffed. "Well maybe your wisdom would help these two out."

Mateo gaped. "What's that supposed to mean, Miss High-and-Mighty?!"

I smirked, finishing off my dinner and downing my glass of wine in one foul swoop. I leaned back in my chair once I was done, tapping the side of my cup as I grinned to myself.

"All I'm saying is that your approach to an enemy could be improved upon," I teased. "After all, you charged at me headfirst the first time we sparred, even though you had no clue what I was capable of."

The other hunter gasped in fake offense. "I thought it was going to be an easy, casual fight!"

Theo snorted. "With a Foxit? I don't think they know what the word easy means."

I buried my instinct to flip Theo the bird, folding my unused napkin and placing it gently on the table. Gathering up my dishes, I made my way to the sink, resting them on the edge. With a smile, I wandered back to the dining room.

Standing in the doorway, I waved at the family. "Thank you for inviting me over, but I think I'll let you guys have your evening. After all, you don't get to see each other that much."

Heidi paled. "Wait, don't leave early just because of us, it's alright!"

I waved away her worry, my smile fading.

"I would kill for a family dinner like this with my folks," I murmured, "so I want you guys to enjoy it."

She pouted.

"I'll just visit them another time," I reassured her, "like a raincheck. For now, you can have them."

Her expression brightened. The woman, who still wasn't finished her own dinner, jumped to her feet. She ran toward me, engulfing me in a hug that radiated motherly love. I felt like a little girl once again, but instead of being alone in a sea of white or memories, I felt grounded with someone I could get along with.

Damn. Being social really does wonders.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Emmalyn," Heidi told me softly. She pulled away, taking one of my hands in hers. "Please take care of yourself. And wear a coat next time."

"I'll work on it," I replied politely. She let go, returning to her seat. I waved once again.

"See you at work, Grimm cousins. I'm grateful for the meal."

"No problem, Foxit!" Mateo called. "Don't kill too many monsters, m'kay? Leave some for the rest of us!"

I laughed, rolling my eyes as I walked toward their front door. As I was leaving, preparing to shut the door behind me, I heard some bickering and a commotion.

Then, the doorknob was wrenched out of my hands.

Fearing the worst, I whirled around with my fist raised. The figure behind me ducked, straightening up the second they were in clear.

"Your reflexes are amazing."

"God damn it, Theo, I almost killed you!"

The quiet boy in front of me chuckled. "But you didn't."

"I still could, if you want me to," I snapped, crossing my arms. "What do you need?"

"I didn't say goodbye," he shrugged. "So... Have a good night, Emmalyn."

I rolled my eyes. "Was that all?"

"Actually, I found something in my mother's old things that I thought might help you."

Oh...

My expression softened as Theo held up a thin object. On one side, there was a wave-like design, with tiny inlaid gems.

It was a hairclip.

"I thought that you could either use it to keep your hair out of your eye for a fight," he muttered, "or use it to keep it hidden. Up to you, but I certainly won't be using it."

Theo held it out to me, his expression blank save for a small friendly smile. I glanced from his face to the barrette in his hand.

"Thank you," I said genuinely, hesitantly taking the hairclip. "Really. I appreciate it."

Almost shyly, I reached up and pushed my spiky hair away from my green eye. The barrette let out a satisfying click as I snapped it into place.

"It looks good on you!" Theo said encouragingly.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, sure. I'll be going now, or Heidi will complain about me freezing to death."

The quiet, helpful hunter pursed his lips, hiding his grin.

"She means well."

I mirrored his expression.

"I think... You might be right."