Hidden Killers: Strangers in the Night (Book 1)

There are two types of being in the world: those that walk in the light and those who operate in the shadows. The people in the light are your day-to-day average Joe, trying to make ends meet or so that they can treat the ones around them to something special. That is not the world I live in. In my world, the dark world, we constantly look over our shoulders, searching for the next sign of danger; it could be anyone from a random stranger to the person next door. The darkness... its consuming. The only way to survive is to surpass the threshold that tries to cage you in like an animal. You have to fight for your place - once you get it, you have to fight to keep it. And that's what is happening right now. Picture this - its after midnight, the full moon hangs heavy above the sky as the Autumn breeze creeps through the forest. Sherwood Forest. An ancient woodland that has seen its fair share of violence, and tonight was no exception. Deep in the forest, in a large clearing stands two large armies of men and women, both over 100 strong, both poised to strike at the other, contain two individuals in a circle of death. The leaders of each side, contained within their own bubble, have been trading blows for the last hour, maybe even more. Why are they fighting? That depends on who's side you are on. The Challenger - Xavier Weston. Him and his group of outcasts, known as Blood Moon, have been craving power and territory for a long time, slowly culminating in taking control of surrounding territories, squashing anyone that gets in their way. The Defender - Declan Harris. The Shield. The Protector. Leader of White Crescent. Halting the advance so that the bloodshed can end once and for all. The man who would stop the would-be usurper. The man I call my father. I stand, forming the circle that encases the two. My mother, Adeline, clutching to my arm in a silent fear but it does not reach her face; she watches her other half, a look of determination etched into her features, willing father to finish this. My expression is blank - I stand tall with my chin held aloft so that anyone who dares glance my way can feel the power rolling off of me. Jabs. Kicks. Slashes. They match each other move for move, hardly breaking a sweat as they try to force the other into an early grave. No weapons. No outside assistance. The unwritten code of this ancient, barbaric tradition - you had to prove that you and you alone are able to overcome any obstacle. The true test of our kind - can you beat another with only your own flesh and blood at your service? A massive roar goes up from the crowd... our side of the crowd. I draw myself away from my thoughts to see that my father stands tall having knocked Xavier on his hands and knees a few metres away. "Xavier, there is still time to end this with no life loss. Your people can leave peacefully and this madness will cease." Declan implored Xavier, who just spat out blood onto the floor. "I can speak to our leaders, I can see if I can arrange pardons or reduce their punishments" "Then what?" Xavier stares down Declan. "You know that they hate us with every fibre of their being - none of us would live to see the new day." Xavier takes a swipe at my father's abdomen but he side steps, grabs Xavier's left arm and breaks it with a sickening crunch. Xavier grits his teeth so that his people won't hear the pain that caused him. "Last chance Xavier or i will kill you! The rest of your people can then decide whether they want to join me or continue this sorry excuse of a life". You can see the rage start to boil out of my father's body - his muscles seem to shake with it. But he was always the diplomat first, he was beating this man to a pulp and still wanted to spare him. "F*ck you!" That is what he chose as his last words. My father huffed and shook his head in disgust. Encircling his prey, Xavier was forced to his knees. Declan slipped his right arm around Xavier's neck, his left hand placed on the back of his head to hold him steady. This was it - the man who caused pain to so many would be no more. We would live in peace. "This is for all the lives you have destroyed." THUNK! My father let out an almighty roar that shook the ground. Everyone that fell under my father's leadership looked around, questioning what caused this outcry. My father slumps, letting go of Xavier who has a wide smile on his face. And that's when we see it. A dagger. Lodged in between his spine and right shoulder blade. "Declan!" My mother cries out in anguish as she feels the pain my father is in. An eery laugh can be heard on the other side. A woman with short red hair wearing a sleeveless trench coat stands opposite - her Hazel eyes piercing our very souls as she laughs manically. Alexis. Xavier's second in command. Who we would call a 'Beta' in our world. "Hurts, doesn't it?" Xavier gets to his feet and taunts Declan as he falls to his. "The poison will start taking affect right about now." Poison!? You could feel the tension start to reach breaking point as it dawns on everyone what has transpired. "A weapon! They interfered!" "They cheated!" "Dirty sc*m!" "Let's kill them!" Our fighters were bouncing on their feet, waiting for the order. Heads turned to me - as the next leader, I had control over the next phase of this battle. "They broke the rules! They interfered in the challenge!" I proclaim to our men and women. "WHITE CRESCENT! ATTACK!" That was all it took - the bloodbath began.