Grissom Park, named after a local official, was a project used to reclaim an area stripped by a logging company in the 1970s. An artificial lake was created and landscaping added to give the site a boost in the right direction. Many used the park for family reunions and fishing. But during the night, the park was closed to the public.
     Alex had no problem getting by security. A simple gate with a simple lock was the easiest obstacle he had to overcome in recent days. Even if they were spotted by a park ranger, the official appearance of himself and his crew could sway any mind into believing what he wanted.
     Two dark SUVs pulled off the single, paved road and stopped by a large shelter covering a dozen picnic tables. Ten people exited the vehicles, all clad in light weight combat gear, except one.
     Alex looked around the park’s picnic area, and familiarized himself with the scene. He stood, dressed in a casual suit, minus the tie, and was the apparent leader based on clothing alone. He wanted to believe David’s word, but he never trusted the promises of vampires, no matter who they once were. There was a good possibility they were walking into an ambush.
     At Alex’s side on excursions such as these, was Jonathan and Pax. It was one of the rare times they donned their hunting attire. Even on simple missions they preferred the freedom their rank granted when it came to the dress code. But tonight was different. They had to look the part of intimidating officials. The attire reminded them of their early days working for Alex. The nostalgic feeling was an unexpected pleasantry for the night.
     With rifles in hand, the hunters fanned out to secure the area. Alex strolled along the shelter’s edge as the team took their positions. Jonathan stayed near his boss, choosing the job as a personal bodyguard. Even if things turned for the worse, Pax and the others weren’t far.
     Alex’s walk sent him to the calm lake where a swing sat on the bank. Similar to a porch swing, this one was metal and its chains and supports thick enough to endure years of abuse. Alex sat in the swing while Jonathan stood nearby.
     “Do you think I’m wrong to come here?” Alex asked, looking out at the water’s black surface.
     “My opinion doesn’t matter,” replied Jonathan.
     “Humor me.”
     “You’re curious. You’re probably wonder if this will this be the David you remember or something new. I believe you are hoping the David you remember is still alive, theoretically, that is. You never told me why he wants to meet you.”
     Alex leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, still looking at the water. “He wants to talk,” he finally said. “I don’t think he’ll try anything, but I can’t be one-hundred percent trusting of him.”
     “You’re already too trusting.” Jonathan went to continue speaking but stopped as he saw movement near the paddle boats.
     The florescent light above the boat house was enough to show the man walking along the path. He kept his hands in the pockets of his thin, dark jacket, and took his time in reaching the two men near the lake. Alex stood up, unsure if this was actually David. Jonathan’s reaction gave him his answer. The hunter raised his rifle, taking aim at the vampire.
     As David neared them, he took notice of the others stationed around the area. This realization amused him.
     “I see you brought your army,” he said, his eyes landing on Alex.
     “I have to be cautious,” Alex replied. “You of all people know this.”
     “Nothing personal, I know.”
     “Well?” said Alex, crossing his arms. “You wanted to speak with me?”
     David kept his hands in his pockets, forcing himself to remain relaxed before this man. But as he spoke, a mocking tone found itself within his words.
     “How is your search for Evonne going?”
     “I haven’t been looking.”
     “You don’t have to lie to me. You’ve been searching for her nonstop, even traveling across the Atlantic to find her. And what have you done to find me? I’m of no relation to you, so why should I matter?”
     Alex’s lips tightened at the truth. “You requested to see me. Well?”
     David abandoned his attempt to stir the man’s anger. “I’m sure you already know that a copy of Watchtower left with Evonne.”
     “I am aware of her actions.”
     “And the empty havens? They are a result of them getting a hold of this copy.”
     “I figured as much,” admitted Alex, keeping any emotions from his face.
     “But I’m certain that you didn’t know it was my idea.”
     “You put her up to it?” The first hints of anger were beginning to show.
     “To cause unrest,” gloated David. “There are more pros to this than cons.”
     “Enlighten me.”
     “All right. Abandoned havens force vampires into the open, so to speak. I’m sure you’ve noticed an influx of attacks and missing people. This will give SEVEN the chance to do thorough sweeps of the havens and perhaps shut them down completely. If you do not act now, the elders will return and so will the others.”
     “And the cons?”
     “Your trust in me has taken another hit,” David answered, not missing a beat.
     “Why tell me this?”
     There was a pause as he struggled find a correct response. He chose not to lie. “After all that has happened, I still carry some lingering sense of obligation to you.”
     Alex studied the vampire before him, the very creature he once looked upon as a son. His next words were ones he planned to say for months leading up to this night.
     “You are welcome to return, if you wish.”
     David shot him a confused look. “That doesn’t sound like you.” He scoffed as he discovered the truth on his own. “Are you hoping that Evonne would see my return as an open invitation for her to return, as well?”
     “I want you to return, and I want her to feel welcome if she chooses to do the same.”
     David shook his head as he read beyond the words. “You’re still searching for her, aren’t you?”
     Alex’s words turned sharp. “I will not stop, you know that.”
     “When Zachary was turned, you accepted his death that night, and sent no men to search for him. Why is it different this time?”
     “It just is.”
     “No it’s not!” David fumed.
     Jonathan raised his rifle in response to the quick change in the vampire’s demeanor.
     David glanced at the hunter and calmed himself before continuing. “By the rules of your war, we are your enemies, we are the heartless monsters you hunt. In your perfect world, we no longer exist. And this is why we will never feel safe there.”
     Defeated, Alex sighed. “It doesn’t have to be like that.”
     David eyes moved onto the lake. “You once decreed that the dead shall find no rest within the Estate. It was the same superstition that drove you to place the cemetery outside the walls. Even when your son returned, you kept him locked away in a cell.” He looked back at Alex. “I have seen nothing from you that tells me you have changed.”
     “I’m willing to change,” he begged, “for you and Evonne. I will change the rules.”
     David gave a slow nod. “Goodbye, Alex.” Turning from them, he headed back down the path.
     Alex wanted to stop him. He had more questions, but not the strength to ask them. The conversation didn’t go as he rehearsed it. He could sense that David had more to tell him. But why did he leave so abruptly? It was almost like he was being called away.
     Pax ran up to them, breaking protocol as he left his post.
     “Do we go after him?” he asked, rifle ready and trigger finger itching.
     “Let him go,” Alex ordered.
     “With him, we can draw her out,” Pax argued.
     “Saros?” Jonathan questioned.
     Alex remained steadfast. “No. We’re not going after him. For all we know, she’s probably watching us right now, perhaps hoping we will attack him.”
     Pax growled. “Then let her attack us!” he shouted, secretly wishing she would hear him. To have her come storming out after them was something he wanted more than anything else in this moment.
     Alex muttered in disgust, “We’re finished here.” He began walking back to the SUVs.
     Pax stared at David as he passed under the florescent light and disappeared into the darkness.
     “One shot is all I needed,” he whispered.
     “It’s still David,” Jonathan carefully reminded.
     Pax looked at him, eyes cold. “You’re starting to sound like Alex.”
     “Just looking at things differently,” he calmly stated.
     “Dangerously, you mean.”
     “This isn’t Redthorn, Douglas.” The statement cut through Pax’s stern facade. He could think of no sharp comeback. “I know it’s not,” he said. “But if we start blurring things now, then who’s to say we’re fighting on the right side? Certainly not Redthorn. And there’s a good chance that SEVEN will turn their back on Alex.”
     “SEVEN won’t do that. They owe everything to Alex.”
     Pax shook his head. “Corporations do it all the time. If they no longer have faith in their leaders, they have the power to overthrow them.”
     “This isn’t a business.”
     “Are you honestly going to stand there and feed me this bullshit? I owe a lot to this man, but I sure as hell ain’t following him into Hell. He’s on the edge of a cliff, Jon, and we’re the only ones capable of pulling him back.”
     Jonathan looked at the men surrounding the SUVs. He hated to admit that Pax was right. Alex was losing his balance within the mission. The infection of his daughter had taking an unbelievable toll on him. The denial had to end. He had to accept her choice and her death before he could move on, and no amount of regret would make the transition any easier. The time for passively waiting for Alex to move on had ended.