BLACK GHOUL

*Heart Beats Slowly*

"Riley!"

*Slow Breaths*

Lorna froze at the name he called her. It was like time stopped around them when he called her that name, everything went slow and spins, she could only hear her heartbeat at this moment. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

She blinks confused, more importantly, were those tears she saw? It rolled from his eyes unto his cheeks softly, it wasn’t what she expected of the black ghoul, to let his guard down the moment he called her that name or more even right before it. Her body still trembles just by the mere sight of him, his presence alone made it hard for her to breathe properly, she was standing right in front of the black ghoul, the world’s deadliest ghoul, helpless right before her eyes.

"What did you call me?" she managed to form the words even though it sounded shaky and faint, she couldn’t help but ask, the curiosity bobbling inside her was too much to handle or maybe she heard wrong or something, it had to be right? Making sure she still pointed her gun at him, this was the agency biggest threat, she shouldn’t be slacking right now, she had to make a move he was at his most vulnerable but, her eyes were glued to his, in those chocolate eyes that showed so much life just by looking at her and more, something raw and possessive.

Right this moment she would have believed he wasn’t the killer they say he was, the bringer of death. There was something about him she couldn’t pinpoint, and the way he called her that name, he said it with longing and...love. ’Who is Riley?’ Lorna thought puzzled, that name and that person must mean a lot to him, perhaps a sister or a lover?

"Riley," Liam said again, he couldn’t believe his eyes, this must be some kind of dream to him, he could still remember how she died in his arms, her last words, her last smile, and her last breath, it all replayed in his head, how lost he was without her all these years, how broken he was, lonely he was, but right now she was standing right in front of him, alive and well like nothing ever happened and worse an agent, he couldn’t even begin to place the situation right now, seeing her face was too convincing.

"Am not, Riley!" Lorna said gulping hard, calling the name right now made her feel uptight, it made her feel strange, it was odd and annoying.

"I don’t understand" Liam began to lose it, he was just as confused as she was.

’What’s going on?’ that was the thought in his head. They looked just the same, the same green eyes he fell in love with, the sweet sound of her voice that did wonders to his body, except the red hair but Riley dyed it once right? It still could be her, and everything was just the same, was this a blessing or a curse? There had to be a possible explanation to this or else he was losing his mind.

’Riley is alive?’ He thought with shaky eyes. ’No’. He held his head shaking it negatively for a brief second, his fingers ducking in his thick hair lost, of both grief, confusion, and pain.

Lorna’s eyes drift to Rex, he was still sobbing frighten. ’I have to get to Rex’. She thought her eyes were drifting back to Liam. ’Why isn’t he making any move to kill me?’ She was confused. ’Get it together Lorna, just get to Rex, the black ghoul is off guard right now’.

She had to think of something or Rex life would be endangered more or worse, she had to use this opportunity to at least make a move at the black ghoul, but watching him, it was like he wasn’t part of this world anymore or wants to kill her, he was still stuck up with the name he calls so it was a perfect opportunity, her actions were slow as she was about pulling the trigger.

’Aim for the two legs, that will be easier’ she thought to herself sternly, clicking on her gun and ready to fire, the gun coming up in an automatic sound.

But suddenly the hairs at the back of her neck stood up, and instinct kicked in. ’Something’s coming’. She thought, looking up.

Liam sensed it too looking up, the up floor vibrates and vibrates, the block above cracked, in less than a second, before they could blink, the up in between them broke in force as a raging Ghost and Wayne drops down, Wayne held his claws hands around Ghost’s neck, Ghost own, clawing his face.

Lorna gasps at the sight of the two monstrous Claws, unlike anything she has ever come across. Complete fear grips her body as she lowers her gun slowly, thinking if she would have the chance to shoot that thing.

Wayne looks up seeing Liam, he roars coming at him. Liam stood his ground as he held the arms fling at him with his inhuman strength, Liam groaned at the harsh impact.

"You’re mine, Liam!" Wayne growls out in his double voice, rage bobbing his insides.

"REX!" Lorna shouts which gain their attention, Lorna’s eyes are glued to the boy.

"An agent?" Wayne hissed, Liam used that opportunity.

"Switch!" Liam hissed as Ghost took his place holding Wayne steady.

Liam was instantly beside Rex grabbing his jacket, lifting him with no much strength, Rex struggles to break free.

Wayne growls pushing Ghost towards them, Rex screams as he ducks his head at the loud crash against the wall.

Wayne’s head snaps to the boy he licked his lips in hunger

"Ghost!" Liam hissed.

"Roger," Ghost said, smirking. Wayne froze utterly in shock when he heard Ghost speak. ’His Claw can speak?’. There was no way that was possible, nothing like this has ever happened.

Ghost quickly grabs Rex holding his sweater, placing Rex behind him. His wings were all healed up now.

Lorna froze at this action, Ghost roars out as his wings spread out, he zaps out through the window to another floor.

"NO!" Lorna shouts rushing forward in both panic and fear, she feared for Rex’s safety and now the Claw has him.

Wayne growls coming at Liam in speed, Liam sees this coming.

Lorna fires her gun at Wayne who came eagerly despite the bullet, she gasps when his sharp claws aim for her head.

*Loud Penetrating Sound*

***

Third Floor

Chase points his gun in all areas, he had been in the mall ever since killing any ghouls he came across and looking for Rex but couldn’t find him, he just prayed and hoped he was alive, he could never forgive himself if something happened to Rex, he was Renee’s stronghold and everything, he had to save Rex no matter what.

He turned to a lobby but froze when he saw a Claw he couldn’t make leaning down and then dropping something on the ground.

Chase gasps when he saw he realized it was Rex, panic and fear grip in insides

"GET AWAY FROM HIM!" Chase shouts pointing his gun at Ghost, he couldn’t shoot at him because he was close to Rex, he was scared it might hit Rex.

Ghost zaps out in speed, nowhere to be seen. Chase rushes to Rex, lying on the floor.

"Rex Come on buddy," Chase said holding an unconscious Rex, he checked his pulse, he took a deep breath of relief knowing he was alive but just unconscious, he was glad he made it on time, he quickly carried Rex rushing out.

***

Fourth Floor

Lorna slowly opened her eyes, she could only hear her heartbeat as she slowly raised her head. She froze, her eyes widened in pure shock at the scene before her.

Liam stood in front of her taking slow breaths, Wayne’s claw hand sticking out in front at his up shoulder close to his chest also getting to it, blood gushing out, socking the black shirt he wore beneath.

Her shaky eyes drift to his face, he slowly raises his head, blood trailing from his lips.

Lorna couldn’t make out what was happening before her, this was rendered impossible and crazy to her, why would he do such a thing, why would he risk it, but she knew, it was clear as day, the black ghoul saved her, it was a shocking realization that left her paralyzed.

’I don’t understand’ this was too much for her to process all in one go. ’Why?’, there had to be a reason or an explanation or something she could make an account for. ’Why would he risk his life?’ to that extent and more ’Why would the black ghoul risk his life for an agent?’ Lorna couldn’t wrap her head around it, it was all too much of a shock to reason, the only question was why would the very black ghoul who has done nothing but kill any agents he has come across and now save her life?