-Blast! Blast! Blast! The gun's barrel shook slightly after Claire had fired three shots. All three shots found the bullseye.
Claire: We are really going to need new targets. These targets are bullet ridden. Except this one. This one has just one hole straight through the bullseye
She looked back when she got no response.
Claire: Dad? Oh he already left. I wonder when Phil's getting here. If he misses this one too, I might as well smash his nose. She reloaded the gun and continued firing until the barrel got too hot.
Meanwhile, Phil and Kingsley had arrived at the mansion. Since Phil hadn't informed Claire about bringing Kingsley along, Kingsley was now in the form of a small parrot. He had the previous day to practice his transformation skills extensively but a small parrot was the only thing he mastered
Kingsley: Her house is huge. She must be filthy rich. I wish I were as rich as her
Phil: Your parents aren't poor. Are they?
Kingsley: They aren't. But they're not as rich as her.
Phil: You don't even know how they make their money
He raised his hand to knock but his hands didn't even reach the door when it opened to reveal a lanky man in a tight shirt which showcased his muscles and military pants. He had a very deep voice when he spoke
Man: What do you want
Phil: Hi sir . I'm Ph-
Man: [cutting him off] I didn't ask for your name.
Phil: I'm here to see Claire
The man closed the door slowly without inviting them in. They were still processing what had just happened when the door reopened. Phil immediately stepped up to speak but stopped short when he saw the pistol pointed directly at him.
Man: What do you want with my daughter?
Phil: Um.....Uh
Man: Speak fast or I shoot
Claire who was just coming in from the shooting range saw Phil being held at gunpoint at the door by her father.
Claire: Dad? I invited him over
Man: The parrot?
Phil: He's my pet.
The man nodded slightly and lowered the gun. He made way for Phil who entered cautiously.Claire started to climb the stairs and Phil followed. She led him to her room. He was surprised when he entered the room. One would expect the room of the most popular girl in the school to be beautifully and girlishly decorated. well It was the exact opposite. The only expensive looking thing in her room was the queen sized bed. There was a wide bookshelf filled with books on the wall right opposite her bed. Apart from that the room was bare. No makeup table, No mirror, not even a wardrobe. Phil finally found his voice
Phil: Why is your dad like that. He scared the hell out of me.
Claire: He made a lot of enemies during his time in the military and also when he was a spy.
So he served in the military, Phil thought. No wonder she like that. Unlike most girls, Claire hadn't gotten popular through her looks or her charm. She was popular because she was strong. Her first day of school had been a nightmare for the school bullies. Since then, anyone who dared to mess with her left with a broken nose or a hand imprint on the cheek.
Claire: What's with the parrot? I didn't know you had a pet.
Phil: Well, know you do. Why did you invite me over
Claire: I need help with a project
She dropped a book in front of Phil and to his utmost surprise, she sat on the floor. Phil also followed suit after a brief moment of shock. The project was a difficult one but Phil could tackle it. After all, he was the smartest in his class currently. Soon, they were both immersed in the project. Meanwhile, Kingsley, who was getting bored, flew up to the bookshelf and reached out his claw for a book.
Claire:[ without even looking up] Don't touch that.
Kingsley flew down slowly.
Claire: How did it understand me? Is it trained
Phil: Eeh..Sort of.
As they continued the project, Kingsley grew more bored. He leaned against the bookshelf and a book which was loose on the shelf fell heavily on his claws. Without even thinking, he let out a yelp of pain. Claire turned her head in shock.
Claire: That was a very humanly yelp. Your parrot must be more trained than I thought.
Phil let out a nervous laugh and continued to explain the theory about stars.
Claire: So you're telling me that stars do not actually twinkle?
Phil: Nope. That's just the light passing through the earth's atmosphere
Claire: Oh. I always thought that the light just went dim and came back to bright like the flashing lights of a police car.
Phil: Or like that red bulb over there
Claire nodded, then paused
Claire: Wait! Bulb?
She looked back to see the flashing bulb right beside the bookshelf.
Claire: Oh shit.
She got up hurriedly and walked to the bookshelf
Phil: Is something wrong
Claire: My dad
She grabbed the top most book on the bookshelf and placed her hand on the wall where it had been. The shelf began to slid back into the wall and Phil gasped. When it was levelled with the wall, It began to slide upwards like a garage door revealing a small room full of weapons
Kingsley:[still as a parrot] Whoa
He stopped himself just in time before he said anything else. He then cast a quick glance at Phil to see if he had noticed but he was too busy gaping.
Phil:[finally recovering] What the hell do you need so much weapons for
There was no response. Claire was looking for something. There were a lot of weapons in there. From AK's to shurikens and even a weird looking dagger with a curved blade sort of like a crescent moon. Claire soon found what she was looking for. Two very stylish daggers with no blunt side. The side that was supposed to be blunt was shaped like a saw and the tips were slightly curved
Claire: Stay right here. I'll be back
Immediately she left, King flew onto Phil's shoulder
Kingsley: What's going on?
Phil: I think her Dad's in trouble. We should help
Kingsley: How am I gonna help. I'm just a parrot
Phil: Transform back before we go downstairs. I'll just find something to tell her.
Kingsley: Emm.... That's....gonna be a problem
Phil: Oh shit
Suddenly, a loud crash was heard from downstairs. Phil exited the room and began to descend the stairs with Kingsley still on his shoulder. weird sounds were coming from the living room. Sounds that didn't sound human. Phil peeked and almost screamed. Right there in the living room was the most horrible looking monster he had ever seen [and also the first monster he had ever seen] engaged in fierce combat with Claire. On the floor, lay Claire's dad in a bloody pile with both of his arms ripped out