Lost Louve

Hunter’s Demise

I wake up to the sun beating into my eyes, it must be late morning by now. Unraveling myself from the blankets I get up to stretch. Today’s the day. Getting ready I quickly get dressed and run a comb through my hair. I don’t wear a lot of makeup, never found the use. 

Leaving the room I head to the front desk and return my key to the clerk. Heading outside, the motel entrance is right on Main Street. It’s pretty busy for a little community. Most people send me leery looks, I’m an outsider. I walk down Main St and turn off into a little alley behind the towns only Pub. A shortcut to the train station and away from all the prying eyes. About half way down I can sense I’m being followed. I turn quickly, nothing is there. Great. 

“If you have something to say just show yourself. I don’t want to play around.” 

A man steps out from behind a doorway. He’s about 5’7” with brown hair. Human. 

“Well well, what do we have here little wolf, all by yourself? No pack to protect you.” 

He says as he pulls out a knife, the knife glistens under the sun, silver. A werewolf’s weakness. Silver generally won’t kill but it will leave some nasty marks and hurt like hell. 

“I mean no harm, I’m on my way out of town.” 

“YOU are in MY town. No supernaturals are welcome here. My father and grandfather hunted for years to clear out your kind. You are an abomination.” He continues stepping forward in a fighting stance. 

I drop my bag on the ground preparing to fight. It’s been awhile but I have continued training myself as best I can. I will not be bettered by a hunter. Suddenly I’m hit with an awful smell. What in the Moon Goddess is that? The hunter must have caught the stench as well, he straightens up and begins looking around. I look up and see something, someone dangling from the metal ladder towards the roof. Another hunter? 

The person swings, flips and lands knocking the hunter over. He holds the hunter down by the throat. 

“What do you think you’re doing Carter? Harassing this pretty lady.” 

“Wh-what are you doing here? I-I-I killed you!” 

“Now now Carter, it takes more than a little wood to kill a vampire.” He responds while flashing his fangs at the hunter, Carter. 

“Unfortunately for you Carter, all it takes is some force and I can snap your weak human neck” As he’s saying this I watch in awe. He places his hands carefully on each side of the hunters neck and with a quick turn I hear snapping. Well, there goes the hunter. 

The vampire begins to turn towards me. Werewolves and vampires haven’t necessarily been at odds since the Great War in the early 1800’s but it doesn’t mean I can trust him. 

He looks at me and cracks a smile “Hey there little louve (she-wolf), haven’t seen any of your kind this far North. Where’s the rest of your pack?” 

“Who are you calling a little wolf!” I snarl back. I adjust my posture and get into a fighting stance, flashing my canines. I’ll be damned if I spent all these years on the run to get destroyed by a vampire. 

“Whoa now” he puts his hands up as if to signify he means no danger. We’ll see about that. “Look louve, I mean you no harm. I have been at peace with wolves for many years. I was passing through town when I caught your stench.” He extends a hand and I slowly reach out to shake his hand.

“I’m not sure what you mean by stench vampire, the only smell around here is you”

“Ha-ha. Funny louve aren’t you. We must have opposing smells being different species. Call me Eric, Eric Thatcher.” He brings his hands down and tucks them in his pockets with a small smile. 

I take a deep breathe and assess this situation. Eric is about 6’2” with red hair and the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. He’s quite breathtaking, for a vampire that is and he seems relatively honest. He must have caught me looking because I see a smirk spread across his face. 

Clearing my throat awkwardly I introduce myself, “Madison Harvester, nice to meet you.” Apparently Eric takes his opportunity to look me up and down. I’m about 5’6” in human form and about 150lbs. My training has kept me pretty toned if I do say so myself. I have auburn brown hair that always seems to fall into ringlets around my face. And of course my obnoxiously green eyes. Eric looks up and I meet his gaze. 

“Well Eric, I appreciate your help. If you don’t mind I’ll be on my way.” 

“Where are you going? Maybe I can accompany you.” 

I snort. “I’m on my way to the train station to get the hell out of here.” 

“Perfect, lets go.” 

He hooks his arm through mine like some kind of gentleman and begins to walk. 

“Umm Eric, we just meet and now you’re planning on leaving town with me?” I say as I awkwardly unwind my arm from his. He’s quite muscular. I might not have minded if we knew each other, but this seems a little quick. 

He hooks his arm back through mine like it’s nothing at all. “Actually Maddie, I was on my way out of town anyways. Much too small for my liking. Too many bossy people.” 

“Don’t I know that.” I sigh and just continue walking with him. 

We reach the end of the alley. Just across the road is the only way out of this town besides the highway. The train station. Eric strolls up casually, ignoring all the gazes our way. 

“Two tickets please” Handing the clerk cash. 

After a couple minutes the clerk hands him our tickets and we go to sit down to wait for the train to arrive.

“You didn’t have to do that, I have my own money.” I say as he hands me a ticket. 

“I’m sure you do louve, but I am a gentleman. Save your money for the train ride. You can buy me a drink.” He retorts with that cocky smirk of his. My eyes lock with his blue eyes and I can’t help but notice how he stares at me too. Does he think I’m ugly? I know I’m not the prettiest out there. Why is he being so kind? I’m a wolf after all. My mind is full of self doubt. I look down at my feet to break the piercing stare. I can still feel his eyes on me as the train rolls into the station. 

“All aboard!” Shouts the attendant as the train comes to a stop. I stand up reaching for my bag. 

“Don’t worry, I got it” Eric states as he beats me to it. 

“Ya, ok” I straighten up and we walk over to the attendant with our tickets. 

The attendant checks over our tickets and nods for us to get on. Eric leads me to the back of the second car. It’s quite beautiful, we have our own separate room with a table and a couch, as well as a closet for belongings. He sets my bag in the closet and sits at the table with a warm smile. 

Unsure, I sit opposite him and look out the window. The towns people going about their every day lives. So long Highland Valley. With that the train honks and we begin rolling out of the station.