The doorbell chimed, echoing through the house. I’m already late to work as I brush my teeth scrambling to collect my gear.

“Honey! Get the door!” I shout, garbled by the steady building froth of toothpaste.

“Dad’s already gone to work, Mom,” Rachel said, peeking her brown, freckled face around the door. Her thick mop of coils swung wildly as she dashed from the room screaming, “I’ll get it!”

I almost didn’t hear her over my own thoughts about why Derrick left so early for work.

I quickly braided my own curly hair into 2 long braids and took a second look at the rash on my shoulder. Even with my darker brown skin, the rash was really red. It was overly sensitive today and no amount of ointments nor home remedies soothed the odd sensation.

Rachel screamed. Forgetting my shoulder, I grab my 9mm and badge and rush downstairs. Rachel and Corey, her younger brother, were crouched down squealing over something just outside the front door.

Holding the 9mm behind my back, I ease to the the door, readjusting my grip - just knowing somebody was about to die today.

“Mom!!! Can we keep him?!?!” Rachel and Corey were shouting as soon they caught a glimpse of me.

I exhaled and tried to reel my thoughts back in, tucking my gun in the back of my pants. One more cautious look down the suspiciously empty street, then I focused on what had the kids screaming.

A fluffy black and white border collie sat wagging its tail in a decorative box. I smiled, so this is why Derrick left so early.

“Lord, my nerves,” I whispered to myself. Breathing a sigh of shaky relief and swiping at the beads of sweat on my brow.

“Ma, here’s a note,” Corey said, handing me a little piece of paper that was rolled in plastic. “And why is your neck so red? Bug bite?”

“Corey and Rachel, I need you both to finish getting ready for school before you miss the bus. We’ll figure out the puppy situation later,” I replied, ignoring their groans of protest.

Upstairs, I self consciously rub my rash that seemed to be hotter and inching up my neck. I sit on the bed while unrolling the letter Corey handed me.

My “barely okay” state wilted. Words blurred on the page. My hand trembled uncontrollably. My chest constricted as my lungs rejected oxygen.

I read it twice. Surely, this isn’t happening to me.

“Ma? You good?” Corey asked me, as he fumbled with his droopy pants trying to tighten his belt.

“Where’s the dog, son?” I say, trying to keep it together.

“Rachel was giving it some water,” his hazel eyes etched in worry. “What’s going on, Ma?”

“Go get your sister.” I could see Derrick remade in him. Light brown skin. Athletic build. Killer smile. Only difference is that Corey wears glasses and his mustache hasn’t come in fully yet.

I looked down at the letter while listening to his feet creaking on the hardwoods downstairs.

“Babe,

“Lots to say and little time. 17 years with you has been the best thing to ever happen to me. Better than I deserve or could imagine.

“Your rash burned hot last night when I touched you and I knew you would start transitioning to become a Hunter soon.

“I’m what they call an Urchin - And I’m the most wanted in the Underworld. Your kind hunts my kind. So I had to leave before your transformation was complete.

“I never meant for any of this to happen. You and our kids mean everything to me. To think, the offspring of an Urchin and a Hunter. I wonder what they will become?

“Anyway, the dog’s name is Cojax. His collar has the coordinates of where you should begin your story. I will find you when it’s safe. Love D.”

Corey and Rachel walked in ready to catch the bus. Rachel still carrying the dog.

I unclipped the dog collar and the last levy holding my heart together broke. I knew those coordinates like the back of my hand.

“Come on, we need to go to the station this morning,” I resolved.

“To the precinct where we have to sit next to Captain Morgan who smells like toe-jam?” Rachel growled, frustrated. “Ma, I have tests today!”

“Not that station…” I bit my lip, heading to the door. “Train station. We need to go see my Mom, and bring that dog!”