Page 2 of Freak Camp
Victor said hastily, “Let’s start with Building A, the one you just came out of.That’s Reception and Administration.If you want to book one of the dozen standard interrogation rooms there, you get to them through Reception.Administration is the other half of the building and takes up the whole second floor, but you’d only go in there if you got an appointment with Director Dixon.Now, this way.”Victor gestured to his left, and the Hawthornes fell in behind him on the packed dirt path.
“Building B has the mess hall where we feed our monsters, with an infirmary wing if we’ve got a reason to keep a sick monster alive.Next up, Building C.That’s the barracks for the main population of low-level supernaturals—your vamps, werewolves, witches, shapeshifters, all other basic, human-presenting freaks.”Victor glanced back to see the Hawthorne kid, eyes wide, trotting a little to keep up with his old man.“There’s Building D, the Workhouse, where we keep our monsters productively employed making all the salt rounds and hunter PPE you can find.Course, some of them find themselves allergic to the ingredients, but that’s why we’ve got gloves.”
In the middle of the compound, Victor stopped, pointing ahead at two looming, windowless buildings made of the same iron-reinforced concrete as the outer walls.“That’s Building E, split between Special Research and Intensive Containment.IC is where you find the nastier freaks: your djinn, wendigos, or any other monsters that want to make trouble.Only specialized personnel allowed in or out, or hunters if they’ve done the paperwork.Special Research is where we take freaks for special interrogations.”Victor didn’t elaborate.
“That’s where I’m headed,” Hawthorne said.
***
So far, Jake foundFreak Camp pretty disappointing.There were no monsters clawing and shrieking at each other in the yard, no groups of guards fighting to subdue a vampire or werewolf, or something stranger yet, something Jake had never seen or heard of before.Maybe not today, but someday, he’d face down a freak that even Roger had only read about in all his books.
The yard was quiet outside the buildings, but as they passed the Workhouse, he saw a few groups of prisoners dressed all in gray.They looked human, though of course he knew that didn’t mean anything.Plenty of monsters were good at looking human.
They were digging a trench with plastic shovels.As Jake passed, they looked up, eyes flickering over Jake’s dad and the guard, and then they turned away, hiding their faces.Jake smirked, skipping forward to catch up.Even monsters here recognized his dad.
As they approached the chained, electrified gate leading into Special Research, Officer Todd stopped, looking back at Jake.“Uh, you want the kid to wait outside?”
Leon followed his gaze.“Sounds good.Jake, I need you to stay out here.”
Jake planted his hands on his hips.“But Dad, I can—”
“Jake.Not today.”
Jake stopped, dropping his arms to his sides.He trusted his dad with every bone in his body, as well as any other bones they might come up with, but he didn’t have to like it.At least if Dad saidnot today,that meantsomeday, and that was okay, he guessed.Someday, when Dad knew Jake was really ready to join him in the hunt as a full partner, Dad would let him know.
He sighed loudly, but all he said was, “Yes, sir.”
A smile cracked Leon’s face, and he patted Jake’s shoulder.“That’s my boy.I’ll be gone for ...”He turned to the guard.“How long do these things usually take?”
“That depends on how—” Todd glanced down at Jake.“Depends, sir.Anywhere from half an hour to a few.”
“Well, probably won’t be so long today.Jake, I’ll be back in an hour, give or take.”
Jake nodded.“Yes, sir.”
Dad looked back at the guard.“Watch him for me?”
Todd appeared taken aback.“Sir, I don’t know that that’s a good—”
“Jake knows not to poke at the monsters.Just make sure he knows where to stay out.”Leon’s mouth quirked again.“My boy’s no idiot.He knows to keep his distance.And he’s not going to pull any boneheaded moves in this place, will you, son?”
Jake rolled his eyes, whining out, “Dad.”
“One hour.”
“I’ll be here, sir.”
“Good.”Dad moved forward to the gate, where Todd did something complicated with a keypad and a large lock, twisting it open.Without a backward glance, Leon Hawthorne stepped through the gate to Special Research and disappeared inside.
***
As the gate clankedshut behind his dad, Jake found himself alone with the guard Todd, who eyed him like he had never seen a hunter before.
Or maybe, Jake thought proudly, he’d just never seen aHawthornebefore.
Finally, Todd cleared his throat.“So, kid—”
“Jake,” he corrected.“My name’s Jake.Is Todd your first name?”
