Chapter 18
Unsung Heroes
The children waited another hour in the freezing cave before Abram and a group of adults from the mansion showed up to escort them back to the estate. It was quite a show; Hunter thought it looked like a small army had come to their rescue, including the mansion's very own helicopter, which was hovering over the cave entrance waiting for the team to bring out the injured. A second helicopter with bright yellow lettering saying MFPA written on its tail end hovered in the distance.
The entire trip back saw Abram ravenous with anger, yelling at his only daughter, Liv, in front of everyone. Despite the loud noise from the rotor blades, the children could still make out his words perfectly. Hunter felt terrible, feeling somewhat responsible for the situation as Liv fought back the tears of embarrassment.
"Sneaking out in the middle of the night looking for a cryptid!" Abram yelled. "Do you have a death wish?"
For Hunter, the night had been bittersweet. Because of him and his friends' help, the beast had been caught. Yet it seemed that none of the adults cared about their help in capturing the villainous beast and focused more on the simple fact they had had snuck out for a second time.
Patricia waited eagerly at the mansion's main door for the helicopters to arrive and drop the children off into the safety of the estate. She paced nervously around the large stone porch, going over and over in her head how she was going to yell at the children for their selfish actions. Patricia's hands started shaking in anger the moment the children stepped foot back on the ground.
"You kids have really done it this time!" her voice shrieked.
No amount of apologies or excuses would work, and the children knew this. It was hard, but they swallowed their pride and took the verbal lashings. Meanwhile, the injured Dominick took all the credit for capturing the beast.
"Next thing I know these idiot kids show up, potentially ruining my shot at getting the bastard," Dominick explained to the large group of people that now crowded in the mansion's foyer. Hunter was shocked to see all the people who had heard the beast was captured; there were easily a few dozen or so parents and their children listening with curiosity. "I had camped out for over a day waiting for the beast to return. By the time I got there, it was too late for Roberts," Dominick added. "It got hairy, especially trying to make sure those stubborn kids were safe as I made the final shot."
The crowd was glued to every word Dominick said. He sat upright on a small chair as medical assistants checked his vitals and cleaned up his fresh wound.
"We need to stitch you up-it's pretty deep."
"So what are you waiting for?" Dominick grinned. "Just don't interrupt my story again." He went on to elaborate in greater detail how he single-handedly captured the creature.
"Pretty sure you're the one who got the final shot," Alistair mumbled as Dominick continued soaking in the praise. "You would think he'd give us some credit."
But Dominick didn't. In fact, Dominick's demeanor toward the children went ice cold. He never spoke of Hunter saving his life, nor the children's part in the capturing of the Beast of Bladenboro. Instead, he took it upon himself to take credit for saving their lives for the second time.
"Rubbish," Alistair moaned.
"Alistair," Ben hid a faint smile. "What have I told you about sneaking out?"
"Not to get caught?" Alistair smiled in return.
"Exactly," Ben whispered so that Patricia couldn't hear. "Don't worry, Patty. I'll make sure Alistair here is punished for his part in this."
"I am sure you will," Patricia gave Ben a dirty look. "This is a serious offense, Benjamin."
"You're lucky I'm your father, buddy." Ben pointed to the staircase, and Alistair slowly walked up towards his room.
"Yes, parents, please get your children back to their rooms. It's early in the morning, and I am sure Professor Calenstine will be wanting a meeting first thing come sunrise."
"You march right up to your room and don't even think about getting out of bed!" Abram yelled so loud his voice echoed throughout the main foyer.
"But dad…" Liv's face reddened.
"No buts!" he barked. "I am so ashamed of you; I can't even look at you right now!" He escorted his daughter up to her room.
"Children." Patricia shook her head with disgust.
"Sorry," Elly uttered.
"Hunter, you need medical attention. As soon as Margot gets here, she will make sure you get treated."
"Yes, ma'am." His shoulder still throbbed in pain.
"It looks like it may be dislocated. See what happens when you defy authority?" Patricia quizzed with no time for Hunter to answer. "You get hurt. Luckily, you kids didn't get killed out in those woods. If you only knew the things that called the forest home, I promise you, you would never think twice of setting foot out there ever again."
"Elly, follow me back to your room. You and Trayer will be on lockdown until further notice, do you understand?"
"Yes." Elly hung her head down low as she walked behind Ms. Ellingbee.
Margot came shortly thereafter. She had just heard about the news of her fiancé's run in with the beast and was quite hysterical at the sight of him. Sebastian had sustained heavy injuries, but he was awake and coherent by the time he made it back to the mansion.
"Oh no!" Margot ran to his side. "Are you okay?" she sobbed.
"Yes, love." Sebastian smiled. "A bit banged up… don't remember much but…"
"The kid's on heavy pain meds," Dominick interrupted; his fan base had now left him. "He's a bit out of it. He's going to be in a lot of pain once they run out."
"Poor baby." Margot eyes were red with tears. "I am so sorry; I hate it when we fight," she added, carefully touching his wounds with her finger. "You could have died."
"I know, darling, I know," Sebastian replied.
"Margot," Patricia interrupted. "He needs medical assistance, as does Hunter."
"Yes, I'm so sorry, of course…"
"Dominick, I know you got patched up down here, but you should really head up to the medical bay as well for further treatment. Margot can show you the way as she heads up with the other two."
"Thanks, but no thanks." Dominick stood up slowly from his chair. "I have a helicopter out there with a pretty gnarly beast in it. I need to fly that bird back to my company. The quicker I'm out of this hell hole the better," he added bitterly.
"Fair enough," Patricia said. "We are truly sorry for the loss of your friend."
"Save it," he barked back. "We know the dangers of our work."
"Even so," she added, "thank you."
Dominick ignored the friendly gesture and made his way out through the main door. He paused for a second and turned back to Patricia. "If that ignorant boss of yours has a problem with me taking my prize back home with me, tell him to shove it." He bent over and grabbed his large bag, slung it across his good shoulder and slammed the front door behind him.