The Supernatural Code

The atmosphere inside the small cabin was suffocating, a stark contrast to the open forest that surrounded it. I could feel the weight of the mission pressing down on my shoulders as Cedrick, my teammate, questioned the elderly couple standing by the fireplace.

"Where is he?" Cedrick asked, his voice low and tense.

The old man, frail and shaking, pointed a trembling finger towards the basement door. "In the basement," he whispered.

Cedrick nodded, his hand already reaching for the needle gun strapped to his side. The weapon gleamed under the dim light, a necessary tool in our line of work but one that always made my stomach churn.

"You might want to step outside," I advised the couple gently. They nodded, gratitude and fear etched into their faces as they shuffled out the door.

I watched them leave, ensuring they were safely outside before turning my attention back to Cedrick, who was already approaching the basement door. He moved with a calm precision, the needle gun aimed and ready.

"We're the Escute team of the Master Rangers," I called out, knocking on the door. "We're here to help with your transition."

Silence.

"He might be sleeping," Cedrick muttered, his hand twitching as if eager to force the door open.

"Wait," I cautioned, holding up a hand. I pressed my ear against the wooden door, straining to hear any sign of movement-a breath, a shuffle, anything.

"Lights," I whispered. Cedrick nodded and took a few steps back up the stairs, flipping the switch that illuminated the basement below. The sudden brightness was met with a bone-chilling scream from the other side of the door.

"He's changing," I said, my voice tight. "We need to move."

With a shared glance of understanding, we pushed the door open and stepped into the basement. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and fear. Shadows danced along the walls as we carefully advanced, our needle guns at the ready.

I scanned the dimly lit room, my eyes darting to every corner, every possible hiding spot. Finally, I caught sight of a foot-a hairy, clawed foot-sticking out from behind a stack of old boxes.

I signaled to Cedrick, who was by the door, and we moved closer to the figure. As we approached, a low hiss echoed through the basement, filled with pain and anger.

"We're here to help you," I said again, my voice steady as I aimed the needle gun. "This doesn't have to be hard."

The hissing stopped, and a pair of glowing red eyes peered out from behind the boxes. They were filled with a mix of fear and defiance, the look of someone who wasn't ready to give up.

I acted quickly, firing a needle that lodged itself into the figure's arm. The tranquilizer would take a few moments to spread, but the creature wasn't going down without a fight. Based on his size, I guessed he was still in his teens-too young, too vulnerable.

Using another needle might kill him, so I had to buy time. As he tried to flee, I blocked his path, delivering a swift blow that sent him crashing to the ground. He hissed again, more out of frustration than pain, and struggled to his feet.

"Let me handle it," Cedrick said, stepping forward. I nodded and took a step back, staying by the door to keep watch.

Cedrick moved with the practiced ease of someone who had done this many times before. Each time the young creature tried to rise, Cedrick knocked him back down, his movements controlled, never more forceful than necessary.

As the struggle wore on, the creature's resistance waned. His hisses softened into whimpers, his red eyes dimming as the tranquilizer took hold. Satisfied that the danger had passed, I exited the basement and found the elderly couple waiting outside, their faces pale with worry.

"How is he?" the old woman asked, her voice trembling.

"What's his name?" I asked gently.

"Mallie Will," she replied, her eyes welling up with tears. "He's my grandson."

I nodded, jotting the name down in the blue book I carried for such missions. "Mallie Will is going to be fine," I reassured her, offering a small, comforting smile.

Just then, Cedrick emerged from the basement, carrying a drowsy Mallie Will over his shoulder. The boy's once-defiant eyes were now half-closed, his body limp with exhaustion.

"We have to take him with us until he recovers," I explained, watching as Cedrick carefully placed Mallie Will in the back of the truck, where five others already lay in a similar state.

The old couple nodded in understanding, though the pain in their eyes was unmistakable.

"Let's go," I said to Cedrick, who climbed into the truck as I took the driver's seat. The engine roared to life, and we drove away from the cabin, heading towards the Faculty of New Creatures-a place where beings like Mallie Will could learn to control the changes within them, to survive without endangering themselves or others.

As the trees blurred past, I couldn't help but glance in the rearview mirror at the boy lying in the cage. He looked so small, so fragile, and yet I knew the power he held inside him.

This was our duty, our burden-to protect them, even when it meant taking them from everything they knew. The road ahead was long, and the path was uncertain, but we would carry on. We had to. For the sake of all realms.