I hate having to work late like this... I complained as we approached a door in an old rundown apartment building. Then quit.

Responded my partner, a fierce little thing of a girl. My dog, a shepherd, wagged his tail like an idiot. When things got dirty that dog is always serious, but any other time and he seems oblivious to the world around him. I guess that comes from being undead and all. My partner and I took our places at the sides of the door and she rapped it with the backs of her knuckles, the chain of her family locket making a little noise. No sound came from within so we nodded to each other and I quickly kicked the door in. We both rushed into the room like it was nobody's business and found ourselves met with total darkness. Bringing my right hand up a short distance from my chest I lit a fireball in it and cupped it like a wine goblet. The room immediately lit up with the flickering light of my fire while I grinned like a child with his favorite toy. My partner pulled out a small flashlight and went left down a hallway right beside the entryway. I went strait into the main living area and started rifling through some lose papers that were sitting on a glass table. The table had been designed to sit low to the floor since it was to be used with a couch but was propped up using some rather encyclopedic looking books of an intimidating thickness. Just as I was about to start reading a random piece of paper my dog started growling like he was facing a drunk devil. Looking back at him I could see he was facing the hallway my partner had gone down. What is it? I ask my dog as if I'm seriously expecting an answer. The growling suddenly turns to whining as his tail drops between his legs and he quickly rushes over to where I am. Standing and facing the hallway I prepare myself for whatever is going to exit it. After a moment or two I hear heavy footfall and a moment after that it is accompanied by hoarse breathing. I bring my arm forward and increase the intensity of the flame in order to better reveal the entryway that the thing is about to enter in to. The first thing I notice is a beak protrude from the hallway. I command Whatever you are, stop and answer me this! What is your name? This got a response out of it. You see, asking for a spiritual creatures name is a very quick way to get its attention. Attention being the opportune word, they often do not like to give out their names to strangers. In this case it rushed out of the hallway providing me with full view of its horrendous body. My dog let out a bark then whined and backed behind me. The bird thing probably would have ran me down had I not been wielding the fire like I was. You are surely one ugly specimen, friend. I speak out loud as I usually do when something catches me off guard. Standing there for a little while I get very good look at it. This creature stands like a man but has a horribly hunched back and is covered with feathers. Some spots are missing feathers, instead being replaced by what appear to be horrible scars from all sorts of attacks. One more feature of this particular creature was that it was covered in blood. Even still dripping as if fresh, but the smell said it was weeks old. My overcoat begins to flutter little by little as the wind in the room begins to stir. I bring my arm behind me and increase the violence of the flame. It begins lashing out at the air and some small spurts fall downwards as if chasing falling ash. The bird like thing responds by summoning a mad gust of wind which picks up all sorts of objects from around the room and even sucks my fire in creating a burning tornado between me and it. My dog whines some more as he slides a little across the floor. I shout Yah now that's what I'm talking about! Cancelling out the flame I watch as half-burnt paper flies everywhere and the tornado dies. The sudden temperature change modified the airflow in the room enough to kill the tornado that thin conjured up. What I believe are its eyes widen with fear as it takes a couple of steps back. I suppose the poor thing probably believes I just stole its power. Creating another bout of violent flame in my hand, still outstretched behind me, I shout I demand your name! Give it to me!

This time I get a vocal response, the voice shuttered like it was wrapped in pain Please... Don- Don't hurt me... Leave me- alone sharp pauses followed by inhales marked its speech. I could tell immediately that it was in a great deal of pain. I even felt sympathy for a short moment 'til I remembered that this was the spirit which had killed the family living here. I grin like a child who has just found his favorite toy Don't worry I've got a better idea. Bringing my arm suddenly forward with great force my dog lunges at the bird beast. My dog's flesh and fur burnt away revealing charred bones and flame flowing freely throughout its structure. A mad roar filled the apartment as My faithful dog tore its way through the body of the bird beast and quickly silenced the horrible screaming it was emitting. Giving my dog a pat as I quickly sped by him I rushed down the hall with a fireball in my hand ready for another one to show its ugly face. As I rushed past the rooms I nearly missed my partner lying on the bed with her blouse torn open. The locket she always wore horribly dented like something had ran into it. Smiling with relief I went over to her and put her over my shoulder and despite her appearance she was breathing soundly like she was just sleeping. Exiting the room my Shepherd, with his skin and fur back on, came over to me and dropped a pile of burnt papers at my feet. Kneeling down to pick them up I found that they were largely intact, most likely thanks to my quick actions involving the tornado. Inspecting the first page I whispered to myself in anger Damn idiots, I can't believe they went and summoned this thing on purpose. No wonder it was in so much pain they didn't even have a proper sacrifice. Standing back up I stuffed the papers into my coat's pocket and carried my partner back out the way we came. Noting on the way out that not even the feathers were left of the bird beast. Hellhounds truly are magnificent familiars and I really shouldn't harp on his apparent stupidity like I do. Upon leaving the building I find a black minivan waiting for me. Approaching the van the window lowers and a voice from inside asks Is she alright? I reply Yeah, she's just taking a nap. Got her family heirloom to thank for that one. Though I could not see it I could tell that the face on the inside was smiling a little in relief. Jon, our handler, didn't like us to know but it was obvious he cared for all his charges. Propping up the back door of the minivan I tie my partner down on one of the two prepared stretchers and signal my dog to get in the back with her. I then take dibs on shotgun and say to Jon Just another day in the life, eh?