Reunion I

Unity was not totally unaware of what Mrs. Andrews had been up to. When Sinbad was captured, he had been injected with a tracker. And when he escaped, the tracker led them to her room. They couldn't find him, but they knew she was hiding him. They didn't confront her, though, because they needed her to complete the formula for their animated corpse army. Mrs. Andrews sighed as she turned in another report. Unity seemed to have gotten some news, and it made them speed up their production process. The materials for the corpse formula were rare and expensive; she had intentionally chosen them rather than their affordable alternatives, and Unity was none the wiser, even though they had their guard up against her. Finally alone in her room, she lay down and relaxed. She had finally found a clue as to where her husband was kept. If she waited any longer, Unity might decide to eliminate them both after they get what they want. Buzz. Buzz. The loud noise woke her up. She sat up from her bed and realized she was still in her work clothes. She hadn't even removed her shoe, so her toes were asleep. "Ow," she hissed when she stood up. Then, crossing the short space to the door, she opened it. Several guards lined up neatly outside. She frowned, turning serious. "What's going on here?" A guard with a small white pin pinned to his chest stepped forward with a bow. "We have caught two more captives; Gold wants you to come along." "Curses, it's my day off! Can't I get a single break?!" She was planning to find her husband today; she had to sneak out when no one was focused on her. It would only take a minute phone call for them to move her husband someplace where she could never hope to find him again. The guard didn't react. He made way for her to walk through. When they reached the lab, there was no one there. She turned to the guard, "Uh, hello?" The guard pulled out a gun and pointed it at her head. It was so close; the cold metal muzzle touched her forehead. She didn't panic. She had expected this to happen; she just didn't know they would be so impatient to be rid of her. "Use me and dump me, eh?" She laughed. "What else did you expect?" The guard replied without a change in expression. "Since you successfully created the formula, you have lost your purpose; Unity does not foster people who lack purpose." Mrs. Andrews tilted her head away from the muzzle. "You could always kick me out, no?" "We will..." He flicked the safety switch, and his finger rested on the trigger. "dead, not alive." "You clearly have no idea who I am." Mrs. Andrews raised her hand to grab the gun. In her hands, it turned to ashes and scattered between them. The other guards surrounded her, all their guns pointed at her. If she so much as twitched a finger, she would be shot. The head guard kicked the ashes of his gun. "A witch, huh? No wonder Unity took you." He raised his hand, indicating that his men lower their weapons. Mrs. Andrews looked at them in suspicion. "I am Prosecutor of The Council of Elders," he bowed. "We will send you safely from here and reunite you with your family." Mrs. Andrews stepped back in momentary surprise. The Council of Elders comprised the oldest and most powerful werewolf, witch, and vampire. They oversaw the affairs of the species and acted as a check and balance. They were not affiliated with any pack or coven; hence, they were impartial. The people under them were not to be underestimated; they are called Prosecutors and carried out the council's bidding. She had never seen an executor in action, but she had at one point wondered if the council was aware of Unity's plans and why actions were not being taken. Obviously, the council was well informed. "If you need any information about how to wipe them out, you can ask me," she offered. The Prosecutor shook his head. "We have all the information we need, including your daughter's success in the fight against evil." Mrs. Andrews' eyes widened in shock; she asked anxiously, "What fight? What evil?" "All your children are safe and healthy; it would be best you returned to their side. Your husband will be waiting; leave Unity's matters to us." *** Mrs. Andrews hadn't expected it to be this easy. She had been prepared to fight and kill to get him back; now he was simply being delivered to her. She waited for him anxiously in a small black inconspicuous van. The doors clicked and rolled open. A ragged and thin man entered. Tears stung her eyes as she set eyes on her husband. "George," she whispered. Mr. Andrews turned at the sound of her voice. His lifeless eyes lit up. "Evelyn," he caught her in a warm hug. She could feel his bones, and a faint smell wafted in her nostrils; she frowned. Mr. Andrews seemed to realize something and broke away from the hug. "I stink," he said matter-of-factly. Mrs. Andrews held his face and pulled him close. It must have been awful, for a clean freak like him. "Those awful people!" "The kids? Did they take them too?" His eyes were slightly red as he asked. Mrs. Andrews shook her head. "No, they're safe at home." She remembered the words of the prosecutor about her daughter winning a fight against evil. She hoped that they were not hurt. He sighed and leaned into the chair. Mrs. Andrews studied him for a bit when she noticed something. He had been wearing a beanie earlier, so she didn't notice. She removed it from his head and gasped. His long luscious hair had been shaved. "What did they do to you?" She asked in fury. Mr. Andrews collected the beanie in slight embarrassment and wore it. "They... shaved it off when I was taken. I and a few others had to search for some plants in the mountains." Mrs. Andrews pursed her lips in frustration. The list of ingredients for the formula called for some rare plants that could only be found deep in the mountains. Of course, substitutes for these plants could be found in any human market, but she had wanted to spite Unity. Who knew it would turn around and bite her in the butt. She wisely kept shut and patted his hand. "It's okay; we'll be home soon, and we'll see the kids."