Once everything had settled, the Night Hunters held a funeral. Behind the mansion above the Night Hunter facility caskets were laid out in rows, each with a picture on a stand. A cloth with the emblem of the night hunters lay over each one, three swords stuck into the ground, one of the rare times that emblem was used outside closed doors. Director Farrow, Captain Wagner, and all the other high ranking officers visited each grave with somber looks on their faces.

Alice, Arthur, Sara, Paul, and Penny Hayes walked through the funeral, visiting the coffins of those they knew. Penny and Paul had been flown in once they’d confirmed that the vampires were gone, and while Penny had a distant look in her eyes, she looked healthier than she’d been before. The Five of them visited the coffin of Ryan Hayes, who had been given, at Arthur and Alice’s request, an honorary posthumous commission as a Night Hunter. He’d died bravely fighting the supernatural, after all, and Director Farrow had agreed. Poor Penny started crying at the sight of him.

Arthur and Alice then visited the coffin of Cora Mires, whose body had been recovered from the seal chamber. Gordon and Jasmine were paying their respects, though Jaiden couldn’t be there for obvious reasons. Jasmine looked sad, as was appropriate, but Gordon had an angry look in his eye, and Alice wasn’t certain what to think of that.

As she walked through the coffins, Alice briefly saw Agent Thompson standing over the coffin of Agent Walker. She hadn’t really known him but did briefly acknowledge that it was him that helped her escape the farm. Alice only wished she could have repaid him before the end. Agent Thompson looked somber, though Alice noted that his fists were clenched.

Finally, Alice found the coffin of Henry, where Robert, Jamar, and Marcia were paying their respects. Alice lamented that she hadn’t gotten to know him properly, and wondered what he was like. To every person she visited there, Alice thought the same thing.

Farewell, brave warriors. I pray that you are all in a better place now.

###

Alice and Sara Hayes went back to their house. It was agreed that Mrs. Hayes would get a room at the mansion above the Night Hunter facility, lest someone use her as a hostage against the Crucivires. For this reason, they’d gone back to the old house to collect some things. Sara Hayes had to get her clothing and books, of course, while Arthur looked through some belongings he hadn’t touched in years.

Most of Alice’s belongings were back at her apartment, but there was one thing she’d left at the old house, a glass dragon she’d gotten as a Christmas present a long time ago. She pulled it off a shelf from the back of her closet and took a moment to admire it, turning it over in her hands. Other than that, Alice just rummaged through the closet to look at her old dresses. She hadn’t worn dresses in a long time, and thought that maybe she might start doing so, so long as she wasn’t on duty. Even the Night Hunters needed to relax sometimes, and going dancing again might be fun.

When she finished looking at the dresses, she stood in front of a mirror and tried her glamour a couple of times, virtually trying on those dresses on her adult form. She wasn’t very good at the glamour yet and the images were blurry. She’d have to try this again when she got some practice. Aside from the ability to instantly produce a disguise, this power would be useful for trying on clothes. She also tried different hairstyles, considering letting her hair grow long again and keeping it a bun when on duty. Overall, Alice felt like it was high time she started acting like herself again after shutting herself off from the world.

But it wasn’t long before she heard her mother coming. Alice quickly dismissed her current glamour, revealing the casual clothes she’d worn that day, jeans and a jacket.

Mom peeked her head in, “Ready to go?”

“Yeah,” said Alice. “I’m coming.”

Alice followed her mother out of the room, her glass dragon safe in a jacket pocket. A moment later the two off them saw Arthur in the living room down the hallway. He had a far off, distant look in his eyes as he looked around at the house. It wasn’t hard to know what he was doing. He was remembering.

“Is he going to be okay?” their mother asked in a whisper.

Alice thought about what Arthur did to that vampire, Landon Felix. She understood why he did it, but it still disturbed her that, on some level, he’d enjoyed it. There was darkness in his heart. That was undeniable. Even so.

“He’s been through a lot,” Alice whispered back, putting her hand on her mother’s shoulder. “But we can be there for him now. That’s all that matters.”

Sara Hayes squeezed her daughter’s hand gratefully. A moment later, Arthur noticed Alice and their mother watching.

“It’s so surreal to be back here,” he said, looking around some more. “Like walking into an old dream I’d almost forgotten.”

Their mother smiled, “Or finally waking up after a long sleep.”

Arthur smiled back, “Yeah, that sounds about right.”

And Alice smiled as well.

Soon the three of them left the house and Sara drove them back to the facility. As they went through the neighborhood, they could see crosses on the doors and windows of nearly every house. It was a stark reminder of everything that had happened. It was an ominous feeling knowing that most of those crosses weren’t put up because they believed in it. People had placed those crosses because they feared that which lurked in the dark, and for the three members of the Hayes family, that just didn’t feel right.

“Everything is going to be different now, isn’t it?” asked Sara Hayes.

Neither of her children answered her directly, but Arthur bowed his head and began a prayer.

“Oh, Heavenly Father, we face dark and uncertain times ahead of us. We pray for the wisdom to navigate these challenges so that we may better protect the innocent. Though the valley of the shadow of death may lay before us, we shall not fear this evil, for you are with us.

“Amen”

“Amen,” Alice and their mother echoed.

###

In front of the mansion above the Night Huner facility, as the sun shone brightly above them, it was finally time for the initiation ceremony. They hadn’t gotten the chance with an emergency in play, but now it was time to make the new recruits official Night Hunters. Alice, Marcia, Robert, and even Jamar all stood on a podium with all the other recruits who had survived the battle. Jamar still had bandages where his arm used to be, but he beamed with pride nonetheless. Before them, a crowd of officers and other Night Hunters witnessed, and Alice could see Captain Wagner at the front, a pleased smile on his face.

Further back in the crowd, Alice could see Arthur, their mother, Uncle Paul, Cousin Penny, and even Hayden the werewolf cheering them on. Penny still had a distant look in her eyes, but she at least smiled when she looked at Alice.

Director Farrow walked along the row of recruits, pinning the Night Hunter emblem onto their uniforms. One by one, each received their mark, and when he finished, Farrow walked over to stand in front of them.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” said Farrow. “You have faced many trials and tribulations to reach this point, more so than others inducted into our fold. You have been deemed worthy of joining the Night Hunter ranks, and if you wish keep treading this dangerous path, then kneel. If not, then cast off the emblem and walk away.”

Every single recruit knelt.

“Very well,” said Farrow. “Say the oath.”

Alice and the other recruits stood and spoke as one:

I’ll stand to fight as the sun goes down,

From terror steel my mind.

I’ll hunt the creatures of the night,

To safeguard all mankind.

I’ll face the dark where evil lurks,

Let none escape my wrath.

With courage, strength, and righteous fury,

I’ll walk this deadly path.

Though evil’s malice may shatter my soul,

For fellow man, I’ll pay this toll,

To be the light and evil’s bane,

Until the sun rises once again.

“Rise!” said Farrow, his voice booming. “You are now hunters of the night!”

And the crowd, including all of Alice’s loved ones, cheered as Alice and the other recruits beamed with pride.

###

Three days later.

Even though she’d just been inducted, Alice and Arthur were granted leave. They both needed rest, and the pair of them had something they needed to do. They were brought out of town and taken to the nearest VA cemetery to visit a particular grave. On a bright sunny day, they walked along grass through rows and rows and gravestones, accompanied by their mother. Arthur wore a fine suit, while Alice and their mother wore black dresses.

Arthur currently wore a simple glamour to cover up his cross tattoos and give himself hair. His normal look would attract attention. However, there didn’t seem to be anyone else around right now, and Arthur wanted to be himself when they visited dad, so he dropped the glamour, revealing his tattoos. The closer they got, the more Alice felt discomfort from her brother.

“What is it, Arthur?” she asked.

“It’s just,” said Arthur hesitantly. “It’s kind of embarrassing.”

“I won’t laugh. I promise.”

Arthur sighed, “Not all of my memories are back. There are still a few holes in my mind. I…I keep thinking of him as just dad.” He hesitated. “What was his real name?”

Alice was surprised by the question at first, but then smiled, “Do you remember when I used to call you junior?”

“Oh, yeah,” said Arthur, remembering. “I always hated when…”

It suddenly hit him, “You mean…”

Alice and their mother finally stopped next to a particular grave. Arthur looked down at the gravestone. It was decorated with a cross at the top, and the first inscription read:

Arthur G. Hayes Sr.

The other inscriptions detailed his service and the medals he’d won during his military career. Arthur stared at the gravestone in astonishment before looking to his mother. She smiled and nodded to him. Since Arthur had been gone the longest Alice and mom stepped back, letting him get the first word.

Arthur looked down at the gravestone and took a deep breath.

“Hey, dad,” he said. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it.”

He stood there in silence for a moment or two.

“I’m sorry,” he continued. “I wish I had more to say, and I wish more than ever that I had more memories of you. All I can say is that, well, thanks for being my dad, and I hope you’re proud of me.”

Taking a deep breath, Arthur stepped aside. Sara did turn to Alice, but Alice waved her on, letting mom go first. The Hayes Matriarch then took a deep breath and stepped up.

“I miss you dearly my love,” she said. “I must admit that it’s been hard without you, but I take solace that we had two beautiful children together, and they’ve grown up to be fine adults. I know you would be so very proud of them both.”

And Sara Hayes stepped away to let her daughter speak. Alice took a deep breath and said something she’d needed to say for a long time.

“Hey, dad,” said Alice. “I’ve missed you for so long. I never used to understand why you had to leave all the time, why you had to risk your life, but I understand now. I’ve seen the darkness of this world, and now know how important it is to fight against it. After all this time resenting the role you played in this world, I never thought I’d end up playing one so similar, but here we are.”

Alice grasped the silver cross around her neck, “So I ask you to forgive me for doubting you. Know that I love you with all my heart and I miss you every day. All I wish to do now is say something I should have said to you a long time ago.”

Alice closed her eyes, “Goodbye, father. I pray that we meet in heaven someday.”

She opened her eyes and went to stand by Arthur and their mother. They stood side by side for a moment, just remembering the man who meant so much to them.

Alice didn’t know what the future would bring, what dangers lay ahead of them, what monsters or evil forces might try to claim the magic seal for its own. She didn’t know if she’d be able to find her partner, Gary Frasier, and free him from his curse.

All Alice knew was that she would not face these challenges alone. She had her new comrades at the Night Hunters, and she had her family. It may not have seemed like much to some people, but to Alice Violet Hayes, it meant the world.

The End

Of the Saint Vivia Files: Book One