“YOU WON’T GET AWAY WITH THIS!!” shouted the high ranking officer. Bell didn’t even look back “Oooh but i already have!” he let out under his breath, feeling satisfied with winning a battle without getting his hands dirty - apart from the blood gushing slowly from Raven’s wound. Although for this small triumph, he got pretty worn out, using his authority in such magnitude, and on top of that on those monsters. he never had to do so previously ‘ugh!… need to get more training in me’ he thought, there was no use for Bell to dwell on this right now, when more crucial matters were at hand.

Bell walked faster through the sunflowers field. it was already morning, the whole town was awake by now AND probably saw the “fairy dust”, He had to stay out of sight to avoid all the ruckus of the phenomena. If someone saw both of them, with all this blood, things would become difficult to deal with. Since he was an outsider and Raven was a resident known by many, Bell knew for sure that all the fingers will be pointed at him. therefore, right now the optimal course of action was to find a secure place; to treat her and hide. He just hoped theres enough time.

He started heading towards the forest. He didn't know exactly where to go, BU…T it was a problem for another day so to say. first he just needed to get far away from this location.

His only lead were her words, not much to go on, however ONE THING was beyond any doubt - the forest had a place that was safe. “I’m smart… right…? I will figure this out! when… i get there.” he sounded like he was trying to convince himself thats everything will work out. Bell wasn't one for pessimism but the situation was so bad that it created buds of doubt in him. “YEP!” he tried to sound as cheery as possible “you can DO this Bell… no time to feel sorry for yourself!” and like on cue Raven let out a quiet groan full of pain.

As they got to the edge of the field that connected to the start of the vast forest, for a split second Bell felt strong animosity around them, it sent shivers down his spine, making his hair stand.

AND than It happened, SO fast that he had no time to react at all. “GHAA” Bell let out as he felt something making heavy contact with his back; slamming onto him with immense force, pushing him down forward on one knee. The unexpected impact made Raven slip out of his arm and roll on the ground leaving a trail of blood behind her. Bell could momentarily see the pained expression on her face as she collided with a tree trunk.

“I TOLD YOU!…” the monster officer clapped his hands together to make a big fist and raised them over his own head “...YOU WON’T GET AWAY!” he yelled with his metallic voice and swang down, He was aiming towards Bell’s head. Luckily for Bell, he managed to move a bit just in time to avoid his head from being smashed. The fist plowed onto his back, more exactly into Raven’s backpack; that, might have just saved Bell’s spine from being broken in half. The might of the hit was so strong that it flattened him on the ground “what the hell?!” he spat some soil that entered his mouth. “You still alive…” the monster sounded disappointed. That was a dangerous situation for Bell, being with his back to the enemy was the one thing he should’ve never done.

Bell quickly grabbed some dirt in his hand, turned as much as he could and threw it into the face of his enemy. It was a cheap tactic in his mind, but also the only one he could use at that moment to get away from the officer that was on top of him; ready to land another deadly blow. Fortunately, it worked, Bell managed to wiggle his way out and put some distance between them.

The trick only gave him barely a moment to catch his breath, the officer didn't waste any time and rushed at him with his fists raised. Bell could feel the pressure as he got closer to him swinging, the blows were heavy full with power yet sloppy without any actual direction. Bell managed but barely, to block everything that was aimed at his head and chest. The monster dude was much bigger and had way too much muscle to be considered ‘healthy’, Bell knew he kept pushing at him with his fast hits: straight, hook and uppercut - one after another on repeat, in order to tire him out; a cheap tactic to wear out your prey before landing the mortal blow.

After few more quite predictable hits, Bell decided to make his move. He took a deep silent breath, the expression on his face turned sharp; clenched jaw and sharp eyes ‘...time for games is over’ he thought. At the next hook swing Bell ducked quickly, deciding to use his enemy’s weight against him - he extended his leg in a circular motion, with full speed and power and kicked the officer at the side of his shin.

the unexpected counter attack made the officer lose his balance, and with the addition of his missed hook, he spinned, wobbling to the side. That put more distance between them, exactly what Bell wanted; he could not take anymore punches to his arms or stomach; they burned with pain. “That would leave… SOME marks!” he sounded displeased and cold, but deep down he was extremely disturbed - about his authority being broken in a matter of minutes but more importantly about Raven’s condition. Bell was able to take a peak at her when he stood up after kicking the monster; it wasn’t good, she was very pale and there was a small puddle of blood under her.

“HEED TO MY RU…” Bell started to chant his command but stopped upon seeing the grinning face of the hunter. That monster seem to be enjoying himself “OH! boy… what did you stop?” he inquired, hint of sarcasm dripped from his voice “ah well, i guess you are smart enough to figure out that it won’t work on me” he continued chuckling.

This attitude didn't sit well with Bell, as if the hunter tries to rile him up on purpose by indirectly mocking him. “You know…” the officer looked at him, right into his golden eyes “you pretty good at defending…” he cracked his knuckles and smiled “HOWEVER!” that sent shivers down Bell’s body “THE ATTACKS ARE LAUGHABLE…” he pointed at his own shin and shrugged.

Right at that moment the officer vanished, Bell could only notice a fraction of an after image before the monster appeared again at what seemed like the speed of light; a breath away from him. This didn't give Bell any time to react or even process what just happened, that big creepy high ranking officer moved like a comet, grabbing tightly Bell’s shoulders and digging his fingers into them with force.

“AAAARRGHH….” he yelled in agony, the officer smirked, enjoying the pain he inflicted on him “music to my ears.” he wanted to ‘play’ with Bell more, ideas of torture kept swiming in his mind and it made him elated of how disturbing they were. Anyhow, he had to finish his job fast and sadly for him he couldn't take prisoners other that those he was ordered to take.

“III…T’S your lucky day, kid!” his stoic expression did not match with the metallic joyful sound that came out of his mouth “I’ll make it quick this time.” The officer threw his head back and with the movement momentum, he banged his forehead on Bell’s head. It made him fall on his back, the bag cushioned his impact on the ground, not that it was any help, he couldn't move with the splitting pain in his skull that made him see double.

‘Fuck! Come on Bell’ he cursed to himself ‘it can’t be GAME OVER for me’ his vision got a little blurry and images of a little kid with big golden eyes, smiling and running towards him flashed before his eyes. “Noo! … no….nooo!” he yelled, fear started consuming his mind, he couldn't understand what went wrong; was it his decision to playfully follow Raven around? did he trust his authority too blindly? OR was it his arrogance that lead to this exact moment?

Bell hated the feeling of regret, it ate at his mind, making everything crumble ‘you absolutely can’t die before making sure Raven is safe!!’, he tried to focus hard on this one thought ‘as long as SHE’s safe… everything will be okay’. He saw the hunter kneel next to his torso, hovering him “still... alive? Wow, impressive!” he applauded “if only you weren't physically inept, we could've been having soooo much fun right now” The officer pressed his hand on the middle of Bell’s chest, in response Bell grabbed his arm to counter the pressure he started to feel.

“HEED TO MY RULE AND STOP MOVING!!!” he almost screamed his authority, it was the only thing that came to his mind “HEED TO MY RULE AND PUNCH YOURSELF IN THE FACE!” Surprisingly it worked, the officer followed the commands, it was satisfying to see how he bended his arm inwards and lunched a fist into his face. It let Bell collect himself and roll over the ground in the opposite direction, not that it was of any help, the officer’s speed was no match for him and as his authority only worked briefly, he couldn't really stop that monster from attacking. The officer growled like an animal, he was angry “and here i thought i would let you say some last words…”

Bell took a deep breath, there was nothing more he can do - Raven was bleeding out and he was basically a dead man walking lying. As he watched the golden fairy dust fall all around him, he stretched his arm out. He knew the story that it can’t be touched but he still wanted to feel this fairy magic at least once.

‘Please…’ he begged in his thoughts ‘at least save Raven.’

In that instant the officer gripped his arm, but surprisingly Bell did not feel pain, he felt warmth and power. His vision became clear; with this he could perfectly see what was happening.

The golden particles were collecting themselves at his stretched hand, flowing over his arm and than body. it was uncanny and felt like a gentle warm breeze embracing him, shockingly enough, the dust also wrapped around the officer. That made Bell ‘jump to his feet’ so to say, the officer followed, not letting go of his arm. the pain and head ache went away, he started to feel refreshed and healed, with readiness of taking Raven and running away as fast and far as he can.

Bell glanced at the officer, he needed to somehow yank back his arm from him so he can put his new plan in motion. “YOU…!” he let out “how can this be…” dumbfounded from what he saw - the fairy dust gathers at the back of the officer, making out a silhouette of wings; rather small, but short and pointed, giving them the shape of four pointed stars.

“...you are a… A STARLING FAIRY?!”