...to a surprise visitor.

As I neared home, I caught a glimpse of something I didn't think I'd be seeing again. Something loud, gaudy, and... pink.

Parked in front of Vicky's house on the curb was that all-too-familiar Hummer EV of Ririka Nitta, the woman that was nothing more than the skin of the creature that turned me into one of its own. As I neared the driveway, the driver's side door opened, and out stepped the Asian beauty wrapped in professional business attire. A navy blue skirt suit that transitioned to sheer hose and ended on those detestable heels that had dug into my privates during our first encounter.

I stopped at the end of the driveway and took my helmet off, our eyes meeting as that familiar smug smile stretched across her face.

"Good evening, miss," she said. "I'm going to cut to the chase. I'm looking for someone. Brett Dukes, an employee at one of our company's factories... and I believe you... are him... And if it so happens that he's already moved on..." She unsheathed and retracted her claws briefly. "I'll just look for clues in that head of yours."

My blood ran ice cold as she walked closer to me. I buried myself in Vicky's personality to try and hide my feelings, but...

"There's no need to lock in, dear. I already saw that brief flicker of fear in your eyes. I'm right, aren't I? You're actually that youngling I turned. My child."

Her imposing presence growing nearer as she continued, "Let me be clear, I'm not here to harm you. But I do intend to get my message through to you, so it's best you make time for our conversation."

She was basically on top of me when I finally responded.

"Fine. Just let me put my bike up, and I'll let you in. We can talk in the den."

She clapped her hands together, a faux jubilation on her face.

"Lovely, dear. Just lovely."

In the den with Ririka, I handed her a glass of ice water I'd fetched from the kitchen and got myself a malt liquor from the mini fridge.

Before addressing her, I buried myself in Vicky's personality again to give myself more of an edge. If I didn't, I'd certainly be trembling in front of her. She had powers and experience far beyond mine, even if we were both skinwalkers.

"So. I've got to ask. How? How could you find me? Is it some sort of evolution like that fucking burning shit?"

She snickered as she took a sip of water.

"No, dear. I just strung together the clues you left behind, did a little bit of skinwalker-style interrogation, and eventually came to the conclusion of who you had chosen as your first skin."

She turned to me on the couch, a dire expression now on her face.

"Now, dear, imagine if someone else was the one to follow your breadcrumbs. Namely, a hunter."

She placed her glass on the table and then faced me head-on.

"All you had to do was leave out the window I propped open. But I can't fully blame you. I didn't ensure the door had shut completely."

She sighed, "I got word of you from security. I received a call from him that, after he'd helped you to your truck, he'd checked security footage and saw you hobbling out of the temp office I'd been assigned. So, I had to cover up his memories of that, along with corrupting that day's footage to hide where you'd come from."

I took a swig of malt liquor as she continued on, "The back lot camera is busted, so when I offered you to leave that way, it would've covered you. But you didn't take that. Next, I checked your house. I gathered that info after inspecting your boss's memory. A power all skinwalkers have, if you haven't tried yet. When I arrived, I saw clothes strewn about the yard and a delivery order on the step. From there, I looked at the receipt and went to the diner you ordered from. I found who was working when the girl you're wearing picked up the order to discover her identity. Finally, I went about checking her usual haunts after inspecting different people's memories before finally discovering this address."

She took her glass from the table and stared into the icy liquid. Her face was serious before cracking that damned smirk.

"I'm a very selfish, cruel individual. I also love bragging about my children to others. And I'd hate for you to be the one who's known for being the fastest killed by a hunter."

"So this is all about your fucking image!?" I spat, venom in my words.

She responded with a chuckle that soon erupted into laughter.

"Of course you little skank! But I bet you also don't want to end up dead." A wicked smile crossed her visage. "And I'm willing to offer my services to help Brett disappear... properly. You're lucky I love hanging around and people-watching; trying to see who my latest child has chosen to wear."

She set her glass down and crossed her arms. "And of course this mess you've caused has delayed me moving to my next skin. I'd found a lovely college girl to wear, but now I'm here helping you clean up your mess."

"And what if I don't want your help?" I said, defiant to the beast in my own den.

This caused her to raise up and bend over. Her face mere inches from mine.

"You listen, and you listen good, you trashy little bitch. I'm offering you a clean transfer to embracing your gift. Now, if you don't want me to break my heel off in your cunt and shove the rest of my shoe up your bitchy ass, you'll take my help. Or, you'll most likely end up in a ditch somewhere once the insiders in law enforcement piece together the clues and pass things along to a hunter."

As she stood there, a smirk of my own crossed my face while she raised an eyebrow.

"If I was still all Brett, I'd probably feel intimidated. But as Vicky, I can't help but respect you, bitch. This skin appreciates that dominant aura you've got. So, sure. What needs to be done?"

A Cheshire smile crossed her face. "Maybe that trashy bitch you snagged is good for you, boy. She's got spine it seems. Good. I love women with her kind of attitude."

She got out of my face and headed for the door, stopping in the doorway without turning around.

"Be ready tomorrow morning. 9am, sharp. Whatever job your current skin has will have to wait. We're gonna have Brett disappear."

And with that she opened the door and left. Not long after, I saw the headlights of her Hummer come alive and head away from my house.

"Ooooh God, fuck." I said as I let out a long sigh, slumping on the sofa with an expression of pure exhaustion on my face.

"I was a football player. A big-time jock. And now I'm hiding behind a girl when faced with the biggest threat I've ever dealt with."

After how I was treated the first time, there's no way I could've talked with Ririka without Vicky's brash & abrasive soul. She hadn't been on the receiving end of that cruel dominance like I had. But all this was bringing me to a harsh reality that no amount of machismo could stand up to that creature.

"I need some fucking sleep..."