The Hunter Chronicles : The Beginning

Chapter 12

I wake up feeling an arm around me, I turn slightly to see Jared sleeping peacefully. I smile it’s the first time in months that I didn't have a nightmare. I feel refreshed. Careful not to wake him I snuggle in closer, he stirs and I hold my breath. He pulls me closer and puts his face next to mine. I don’t dare move. It feels amazing to be held this tight by him. I feel safe as I drift off to sleep again.

Jared stirs next to me and I feel him pulling his arm slowly take his arm off of me, I turn around, “Hi.” I say inches from his mouth and I have only one thought.

“Hey, sorry didn’t mean to wake you.” He replies not moving away.

“It’s fine.” 

“How are you feeling?” He asks cautiously.

“Great.” I reply honestly.

“Honestly?”

“Yeah, haven’t slept this well in months.” I feel like a new person.

“That’s good.” He says nervously. Is it because we are so close?

“What’s on your mind?” I ask wondering if it’s the same thing that’s on mine.

“Just wondering what will happen tonight?”

“I hate to ask you but I have no idea where I am. I have to get to my car. It's still at the club and I also want to go home and change my clothes.” I am going to pack a bag and disappear until this whole thing blows over.

 “I’ll take you.” He replies looking a little sad.

“Thank you.” I’m grateful for his help. If I can just get home and grab my stuff I’m going to go where no one will find me. I get out of the bed and feel him watch me as I make my way to the bathroom.

I find Jared sitting on the bed looking preoccupied.

“My shoulder is completely healed; there isn’t even a mark on it.” I say trying to not let it sound like a big deal when I’m screaming on the inside. This shouldn’t be possible but then again nothing that has happened in the last two days should be possible.

“What?” He frowns and leaps up from the bed. He reaches me in a flash and looks at my shoulder, “This doesn’t make any sense.” He mutters.

“I know. It’s weird.” I say. A few hours ago there was a deep wound in my arm from where the bullet grazed me and now it is like it never happened.

“We better get going and get you somewhere safe.”

“We?” I ask surprised. I assumed we would be splitting up after he gets me to my car.

“Yes. We. It is just too dangerous for you to be by yourself, you don’t know what you’re up against yet.” he replies lifting his eyebrow as I look at his handsome face I feel like I can melt.

“Do you?” I have to ask.

“No but I can keep you safe.”

“Isn’t it still light out?” I suddenly remember who he is. It’s amazing that with everything that has happened I can forget a relatively important piece of it.

“Yes and I have my way around that.” He winks, “Are you ready?”

“Ready.” I smile and walk over to where I left my boots while putting them on I ask, “I still don’t know how you will be able to make it to the club during the day?”

“Tunnels.” He grins.

“Oh. That is clever. Where do they lead?”

“Almost anywhere but the one we’re taking leads to the club. You did say you wanted your car.”

“Right.” I mumble suddenly I don’t want to leave. I like it here away from the world.

“I should warn you that it is really disgusting there.” 

“I’m not made of glass. Stop worrying I won’t break.” I say rolling my eyes.

Jared stares at me, “Lead the way.” I say standing up.

I follow him towards the bathroom and he opens a door to the side that I didn’t even notice. I follow him into the dark tunnel. It’s very dark and I can’t see my hand in front of my face. I feel his hand take mine and I start walking.

“You okay?” 

He sounds so far away. “Just struggling to see.” I answer. I have no idea how far we need to walk.

“Trust me.”

“I do.” I mean it, I don’t know why but I do.

After what feels like hours of walking which probably it was Jared stops. “It is just up these steps.”

“Is it still light out?” I ask my voice shaky.

“Yes, but not for much longer. You can wait here a while then I will go with you.” He suggests.

“I’m okay. I’m not scared.” I reply but I don’t think I sound convincing. There is still someone out there trying to kill me and I have no idea as to who it could be.

Jared pulls me into his arms and whispers in my ear, “Wait.”

It feels so good to be in his strong arms, “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“How do you know when someone is obsessed with you?” I am confused by the feelings I have.

“You’re not. I promise.” He says, “Why would you think that you are?”

“I didn’t say that.” I’ve never felt this way about anyone before and my brain is trying to process these new feelings.

“Sun is down.” Jared says making me lose my train of thought.

Jared climbs up first and I follow, he pushes the manhole cover open. Fresh air hits my face as I reach the top, he pulls me out like I weigh nothing.

I stand still for a moment to allow my eyes to adjust. The street lights aren’t that bright but at least out here I can see more than I could in the tunnels.

I spotted my car in the alley where I left it. I start walking over to my car when there is a sudden burst of light. I’m thrown back and my head hits the ground.

When I come to I can vaguely hear Jared asking me if I’m okay. My ears are still ringing but I manage to respond, “I’m okay.”

He pulls a piece of glass from my side that I didn’t even realize was in there. I look over to my car and see it burning it’s hardly recognizable.

“We have to get out of the open. There is glass all over you.” Jared says.

“It doesn't hurt.”

“It’s the adrenaline, you will feel the pain soon enough.”

“My house is just a couple of blocks away from here.” I suggest standing up, I run my fingers through my hair and feel the glass and what I suspect is part of my blown up car.

He offers to help me walk but I decline. I’m still in shock. We walk in silence to my house and true enough the further we walk the more I feel my body ache.

I’m overwhelmed by almost dying.

When we reach the house I retrieve my keys from the small pot plant and unlock the door, before I can go inside Jared stops me, “Wait, let me take a look around first.”

“Nice place.” He says when he returns.

“Too big for only one person.” I reply and then turn on the lights. The light bulb in my own brain suddenly goes off and turn to him to ask, “How were you able to get inside.”

“Uhm, I walked in after you unlocked the door.” He replies confused.

“Aren’t you supposed to be invited in?” 

Jared laughs, “No.”

“Oh.’ It’s all I can say as I sit down on the couch. My whole body aches. He kneels down in front of me and helps me take my jacket off. It will never be wearable again. Whoever is doing this owes me two jackets now. He takes the tweezers from the case lying on the coffee table that either Melissa or I left there at some point last week. He carefully removes fragments from my hands and arms.

“Take your clothes off.” He instructs and I look down at him taken by surprise. “Why?”

“I need to make sure that there is no more glass on you.” He says seriously.

I probably look like s**t. Blood and dirt and glass and whatever else. I unbutton my jeans but that's about all I can manage as my knees are wobbly, Jared takes over and a few seconds later I’m pant less. He works quickly and my legs are free from glass. He looks up at me and I know it’s time to take my shirt off, I try to lift my arms but I’m in too much pain. He leans in closer and pulls my shirt off, he tosses it on the floor and I can see my blood on it. He gently turns me so my back is to him and sits behind me. His cold hands are soothing to my hurt back as he systematically removes more glass from my back. I try to stay still but I jerk every time he takes out another piece.

“You can take a shower if you want or do you prefer a bath?”

“A bath sounds great.” I sign crossing my arms over my chest. I feel shy sitting here on the couch barely dressed, he drapes the blanket over me and then goes upstairs without another word.

Jared reappears a while later “Your bath is ready, beautiful.”

I wrap the blanket tighter around myself and get up. Every step sends sharp pains through my body as I walk slowly to my room. He probably knew this was my room. It's one of the few rooms that actually looks like it lived in. 

I toss the blanket off of me and stand in front of the mirror looking at myself. I look as horrible as I feel.

There are scratches on my face, arms, back and legs. Looks like I’ve been in a fight with a thorn bush and the bush kicked my ass.

I take my underwear off and climb into the bath, the hot water stings as it touches me; I bite down on my lip to stop myself from crying out.

Suddenly I have the need to be rid of all the dried blood so I start scrubbing my face, arms and legs, I feel the tears run down my cheeks as I lean back into the water. I close my eyes and try not to think about anything. I open my eyes. Something is wrong. I don’t feel any pain anymore, I look down at my arms and see that the scratches are gone on my legs too. There is a soft knock on the door, “You okay in there?” Jared asks concerned.

“Fine.” I reply shaking. I hear him walk away. How the hell is this even possible.I let the water run from the bath and open the shower knob. I wash my body again. There are no marks on me. My mind refuses to make sense of this, I wrap the towel around me and run into my bedroom.

I can’t decide what to wear when I open my closet. I put on fresh underwear, black sweatpants and a blue tank top and slip on my fluffy white slippers.

Maybe Jared can make sense of this. The most amazing smell hits me; I make my way to the kitchen and lean in the door frame watching him. All thoughts go out the window. He has his back to me while cooking.

“Sells great.” I say and he turns around.

“What in the hell?” In a second he is next to me inspecting me.

“I have no clue.” I say remembering that I have miraculously healed.

“This is amazing. It’s like you have our healing ability.” He says walking around me one more time.

I walk towards the kitchen counter and pick up a knife, I slice my palm open. I don’t have a sudden suicide tendency I just want to know.

“What the hell are you doing, Jessica!” He shouts grabbing my hand. I’m looking at my blood dripping on the floor. He takes me over to the sink and washes my hand. When all the blood is washed off he takes a closer look at my hand. I already know. “It’s impossible.” He mutters.

“What am I?” I ask beginning to sob.

“I don’t know.” He replies not taking his eyes off of my hand.

“What the hell is happening to me?” I ask in between sobs.

A sudden crash and glass breaking makes me jump. Jared speeds away, I follow and then freeze when I hear an unfamiliar voice, “Don’t want you, Jared. I’m here for the girl.”

He is huge, bald and standing face to face with Jared that looks so small against this intruder.

“You’re not going anywhere near her, David.” Jared replies calmly.

“I like you but if you get in my way I will kill you too.” 

“Why do you want to kill her?” Jared asks.

“Dumb ass question, Jared. We should kill her before she kills us!”

“I don’t want to kill you.” I whisper from the corner and I’m instantly sorry that I said anything.

“I can’t take that chance.” David says as he leaps towards me. Jared catches him mid-air and throws him across the room. David jumps up and goes for Jared. I feel helpless. Jared dodges his fist and punches him in the gut. Davis makes a terrible noise and I cover my ears as he falls to the floor on his knees. I think it’s over until David pulls a knife from his boot. Oh no! David looks like he has every intention of slicing Jared up. Jared lunches at him but David is ready, with one smooth movement he plunges the knife into Jared’s gut and pulls it up.

“No!” I scream horrified. Jared gets up and pulls the knife out and sticks it into David’s neck. David claws at his neck and runs from the house I can hear his awful choking sounds as he does.

“Jared! Jared!” I scream running over to him as he collapses on the floor, blood gushing out of him, “Oh my God, Jared. What can I do?”

He can hardly keep his eyes open. He mouths ‘blood’. Blood? That I can do. My instincts kick in and I run to the kitchen, cursing this damn huge house under my breath. I grab the knife I sliced myself open with earlier. It still has some blood on it but I know it wouldn’t be enough when I reach Jared I wish he could tell me what to do. He is barely conscience so I slice my palm open yelping in pain. Damn it! It stings. i drip the blood into his mouth but the cut closes so fast I do it again and again, until Jared grabs my wrist and opens his eyes. They are bright green, It’s mesmerizing. He digs into his chest and pulls out a piece of metal then sits upright. “Thank you.” He says sitting upright.

“Are you okay?” I ask worriedly.

He nods then frowns, “How many times did you cut yourself?” 

“I don’t remember.” I replied sitting back on and let out a long breath.

Jared crawls over to me and effortlessly pulls me into his arms. I start crying. It feels like that’s all I’ve been doing lately. I’ve never been so scared in my life then when I thought he was going to die.

“Will you teach me?” I ask after I've cried out.

“Teach you?” He asks while he has his face buried in my hair.

“To fight. I never want to feel that helpless ever again.” I say leaning back against him. The coldness hits me and calms me.

“I will.” He promises and gets up with me still in his arms he gently puts me down. “You need to eat.” He says taking my hand and leads me into the kitchen.

He puts a plate in front of me and I start eating slowly. The food is amazing but all I can think of is that my life sucks. Jared watched me eat. I don’t know why people keep coming after me and if it wasn’t for Jared then I would probably be dead by now. My hands begin to tremble and I drop the fork into my plate.

“You almost died because of me.” I say looking at him.

“You saved me.” He replies putting his hands over mine to steady them.

“You wouldn’t have needed saving if it wasn’t for me putting you in danger in the first place.” I say feeling guilty.

“I chose to be here. You are not responsible for my actions.”

“I still feel guilty.” I reply feeling that all my energy is depleted.

“I have a place we can go where no one will find us.” 

“Where?” I ask desperate to get out of my own house.

“A few hours drive from here. It’s an old ranch that no one knows I have. I go there sometimes to get away.”

“Let me pack a bag. I can’t wait to leave here.” I say jumping up finding a new burst of energy. I run upstairs taking the biggest suitcase from the top of my closet. I throw in nearly every single piece of clothing I own into it. I go to my bathroom and pack up my toiletries into a vanity case, I pull out some towels and stuff them into the suitcase as well. I realize I’m over packing but I don’t care. I never want to come back here ever again.  I have to lean on my over packed suitcase so I can zip it up. I open my bedside drawer and take out a pile of money and stuff it into my handbag. After that I think I am set. I turn to my make up table and there is the photo of my parents. I looked at it for a while then put the frame into my bag. I sign then turn back and throw my makeup into my bag as well. I drag my suitcase downstairs, Jared looks up at me, “That was fast.”

“Yeah. Let’s get out of here.” I smile grateful for the out.

“I’m just waiting for someone to bring us a car. It should take about an hour.”

“That’s the thing about rich people. There is always more than one.” I smile then I roll my suitcase into the kitchen. I open the door leading to the garage and switch on the light, “Take your pick.”

There are five cars, ranging from convertibles to SUV’s. I smile as he points to the double cab Ranger standing in the corner. MY dad bought it years ago when he decided to go hunting but he never got around to using it because he traveled so much.

“Good choice.’ I say taking the keys from the hook on the wall. I toss it to him and he takes my suitcase and loads it into the truck. 

“Do you know how to drive?” 

He grins at me so take it as a yes. I push the button and the garage door opens. He turns the ignition and backs out. I press the button to close the door and get into the truck.

It’s not long before I get drowsy and before long I’m dead to the world.