The hunter cocked her head but remained silent. Clara hoped that Amelia would provide some insight by either confirming or denying that statement. Instead, we are back to playing games.

“Let’s cut to the chase,” Clara said. “What do you want me to do?”

“We want a way back to the world.”

“It’s no picnic out there. I’d say humanity is worse off than it was during the Roaring Twenties.”

“Better to be free than forever trapped in a cage.”

“I died out there,” Clara said without a hint of humour. “Arguably more than once.”

Clara figured that Julia was bored of their shop talk. Besides, lethargy could trigger unexpected behaviours at a critical time.

“You didn’t come up with that so we could chat privately?”

“Julia knows my darkest secrets, many of which would make you turn pale,” Clara said. “We were always free to speak openly.”

“It’s not—(our way.)”

“Your way…” Clara said at the same time. “I’m fully aware and we might have wasted the evening getting nowhere.”

“True,” Amelia said. “We are products of our upbringing.”

“Fed lies and half-truths to ensure compliance…”

The sound of gunfire was interspersed with giggles and laughs as Julia and Agnes tore up anything they came across. Clara smiled, wondering if this was the kind of therapy the werewolf needed. Senseless destruction with no repercussions.

“Thank you,” Amelia said.

“For?” Clara asked.

“That—That’s fucking badass,” Julia said. “Can—(I try)?”

“Of course,” Clara said before tossing the weapon to Julia. “Agnes, would you mind assisting?”

“Of course, Sister,” Agnes replied.

Julia smiled upon seeing Clara’s jaw bulge for a fraction of a second.

“Do you mind if Amelia and I walk on for a bit?”

“Yeah,” Julia replied. “Not too far?”

“Agreed.”

“Let’s fuck some shit up!” Julia said.

Agnes was too disciplined to add anything, but that smile said plenty.

Clara trained the barrel on an assortment of furniture and unloaded the full drum. By the end of it the group was left deafened, facing furniture littered with bullet holes.

“Five… four… three… two…”

On the call of one the furniture began to repair itself. Bullets popped out of the frame and stuffing, as the material healed itself. Right before their eyes everything returned to its original state.

“That—That’s fucking badass,” Julia said. “Can—(I try)?”

“What the fuck?” Julia said.

Those eyes did not shrink, either from the initial scare or the fact that bullets bounced off Clara… Good thing she has a strong heart.

“We use these for training,” Clara said after grabbing the submachine gun with the loud rattling drum. “Watch.”

Clara trained the barrel on an assortment of furniture and unloaded the full drum. By the end of it the group was left deafened, facing furniture littered with bullet holes.

“Shoot me,” Clara said, imitating a drill sergeant.

“Yes, Sister,” Agnes said.

It was the first time someone referred to her as a nun and Clara honestly hated it. The sisters were always old, stiff, and formal. At least I’m old.

Agnes aimed for the chest and fired. Julia’s eyes expanded in size, as the powder charge went off. It was a good shot, a quarter of an inch off from where her heart was. Yet it bounced off the clothing and landed harmlessly on the stone floor.

The second shot did the same even with an impact against her forehead. Neither projectile left any visible marks. She’s pretty good with the weapon.

Clara spotted a way to let Julia and Agnes blow off some steam. They came upon an arsenal of weapons, of various calibres, and styles. They even had one of the derringers that she used back in the day.

Her fingers went over the barrel before picking it up by the pearl grip. The familiar texture and feel took her back to a simpler time before dredging up all the times she got herself into trouble.

“Safe as always?” Clara asked in Latin.

Amelia nodded before that smile faded away, whereas Agnes was already smirking. Clara tossed the weapon to the acolyte while eyeing a Thompson submachine gun.

Clara smiled, enjoying being around another who did not heed the rules. If there was any group that excelled at this, it would be this one.

“Werewolf populations have rebounded and are now found in cities,” Clara began. “Ghouls are interbreeding with captive human females…”

While much could have been said on the latter, Clara considered it a mercy to leave the rest to their imagination. She really hoped that they would not press her on that subject.