Chapter 1
Jamie woke to the sun's rays stinging her eyes and ears ringing from her 5AM alarm, she lashed her hand out smacking the clock onto the floor.
With a groan she turned onto her aching back, four times a week Jamie's busy training on the punching bags until the early hours of the morning.
Hearing the banging of pots and slamming of doors coming from the kitchen next to her small damp room, she pulled herself out of bed and headed for a quick shower before seeing what chaos the new day was going to bring her.
Feeling the cold water hitting my skin shocked me awake better than any slap could. I would kill for a soak in a hot bath, no screw that i’d even take a warm one just to soak my bones from the constant beating they take! I sighed as i quickly scrubbed away the sweat from yesterday.
I was pulled away from my morning daze by my name being Called “JAMIE” argh I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly fell out of my head!
It’s my father's beta Jack, why can't he just wait until i’ve had a coffee before he starts? It's too early for this bullshit.
I quickly finish washing my hair and rush out dry off, I put on my clothes before he starts banging down my door, a quick look in the mirror brings no expression to my face, the spark to my eyes it gone - i look exhausted, my blue eyes look drained from years of being beaten down, my skin dull, even my clothes look old and battered!
I look down at my brown baggy cargo trousers, they have rips accompanied by the odd blood stain, some of it’s mine but mostly those who i have been ordered to remove from this earth.
My tank top, a dull grey gripping tight to my stomach and large chest, my boots are just plain black with scuffs on the top and sides.
I hardly recognise myself anymore. i throw my towel dried honey coloured hair into a high ponytail and grab my worn black leather jacket before greeting Jack.
I grip my door handle and slap on the fakest smile you’ve ever seen. “Jack what can i do for you on this bright and very early morning” i asked with a sarcastic undertone as i swung the door open, he looks at me with anger in his eyes and a scowl on his face which i doubt has ever smiled.. let alone laughed.
“You're late! Your father told me you are to leave with Mike's group this morning! time is of the essence and you’re wasting it!” Jack spat at me. literally spat..
I wiped the spittle from my cheek before replying “Erm... no? i was told i was to go check out the east side with Greggs group at 6:30?” i crossed my arms as i raised an eyebrow at him.
“plans changed, now GO before they leave without you and i personally make sure you receive a punishment you won't forget!” He shouted as he pointed to the exit at the end of the hall.
“Okay” i say in surrender as i shut my door behind me and head straight out without so much as glancing back at him.
The engine roars as the 4X4 bounces from the uneven ground, i stare blankly out the window taking in the blur of greenery speeding past as we near our destination, i was told a scout reported back late last night that a group from the Blackstone pack has been spotted taking up residence in a small town about half an hour from our land.
My father - the Alpha i should add, has had a long going feud with them, I’ve lost count how many times we’ve clashed over the years.
Its been getting progressively worse over the last few months, so many lives have been lost, so many have been permanently injured, so much blood spilled and for what?
Because two grumpy old bastards have a chip on their shoulders!! throw them in a ring and let them fight it out themselves, i let out a laugh at the thought.
My focus is brought back to reality as we turn into the town, i see a welcome to Holem sign and smile. It looks friendly and homely here, families out shopping, children laughing, i hope the Blackstone pack has left already these people don’t deserve blood on their streets.
We turn into a small road that leads behind what looks like an empty derelict building. As the car stops Mike - the guy in charge of our Group B speaks in a stern but steady tone.
“Okay guys time to clear out, i want teams of two checking the building, this is where those arseholes were held up, i want anything they’ve left behind, any clues on why they was here. If anyone remains you know what to do, they shouldn’t be this close to our lands!”
We nod and climb out of the truck. there’s 6 of us so that’s 3 teams, 3 teams walking into god knows what! I sigh as i reach into the tuck and grab my machete from the floor and strap it onto my hips with a belt, i grab my hunting knife and strap that to my thigh.
Hopefully I won’t need them but its better to be safe than sorry, its still early and if they did spend the night then they could still be in there.
I don’t know how much longer i can do this, i look up into the sky while taking a deep breath before heading into the hopefully totally empty and peaceful building.
Glass cracks under my feet as i walk through the main entrance, i look down and give it an evil stare like that will make it silent.
It looks like this place was abandoned years ago, maybe it was some kind of warehouse? there are tables covered in random boxes, rubbish and papers are sprayed across the floor, everything is caked in dust and grime.
I step into the main hall keeping close to the wall, my 2nd is following close behind.
All the rooms down here are empty and they look like they haven’t been touched in forever. It's looking more and more likely that they was never here, maybe our scout was wrong? i smile to myself.
There is only the sound of our scuffed boots as we continue moving towards a worn out staircase in the middle of the entrance, it's wooden with an old dull patterned carpet running up the middle to muffle our footsteps.
Just as we reach the second floor i see Mike and his second heading into the room at the end of the hallway to my right, i continue into the room to the left of us and clear it, completely empty!
Well apart from a dead rat that looks like it's been there for a while, i shrug and head out across the landing to the next room, just as i entered i heard glass cracking downstairs....
The same sound as when we entered, I crouch down and focus on my hearing.