Heartless

It seemed as though the parents of the two teenagers didn't care much for them as no news of them going missing has yet to be reported. If they were to continue being the neglecting and uncaring parents they were, it would be easier for me in case they do in fact come out of the forest.

I was sitting in the middle of the bridge, leaning on the railing as I always did when my phone started to vibrate. I took it out from my lab-coat-pocket and clicked on the message app.

Crow: You are aware of the newly enrolled students?

Keeper: Yes

Crow: We just held a meeting and have decided to follow orders

Crow: Out of those seven students, one isn't human

Keeper: I see

Crow: She is a Kikimora, Nightmare

Keeper: So she ran away

Crow: Precisely and for the safety of our students, we will have to turn her in when we find her

Keeper: Who did she run from?

Crow: Xander Quinn

Keeper: Pretty girl

Crow: You know his tastes

Keeper: I suppose, picture?

Crow: None

Keeper: Bought illegally

Crow: Except there's no proof

Keeper: There's always proof

Crow: Finished with the mission?

Keeper: Yes

. . .

I turned my phone off after that, knowing that he wouldn't be saying anything relevant after that question.

A kikimora, it's been a long time since I've seen one. A secretive bunch they are, though they have good reasons to be.

With only 50 of their kind left, their populations weren't flourishing. A quarter of them are missing, most likely sold of to a wealthy being. Then again, that was only counting the pure-bred ones.

The more pure a kikimora was, the higher the market price. The reason for their value was their attributes, in between the realms of existence and nothingness. They were as some would call 'ghosts'.

In their 'ghost' form, they were virtually undetectable by any electronics and most living things. And so they make amazing spies and assassins. Adding to that, they were easily frightened and so easy to control.

On the downside, they had no regrets in betraying even their closest allies if it meant not experiencing pain as pain was their greatest fear of all.

And so, a runaway kikimora was a once in a lifetime event. And if this one was able to escape the shackles.....it isn't surprising that Xander wants her back.