the hunted

chapter two

Chapter Two (Leon POV)

The night was unnervingly quiet except for the soft creak of the floorboards beneath John’s trembling feet. I could see the fear in his eyes but it didn’t matter he had failed me.

“What do you mean they escaped?” I roared, my voice slicing through the cold dimly lit office. “I gave you one simple task: bring me some students from Whitney High and now you tell me they escaped?”

“I… I bribed some of them sir,” John stammered, sweat dripping down his face. “They are willing to do anything you want just… just don’t hurt me sir. They don’t even know what you are turning them into.”

I clenched my fists. Whitney High had been built under my family’s wealth and influence but it was a lie. Behind its walls I would finally get revenge on the people who had ruined me.

Twelve-year-old Leon had been smart far too smart for his age but intelligence did not save him not when darkness came to his house.

I had been in my room when shouting erupted from my parents’ room. My heart raced as I peeked through the doorway. A man dressed entirely in black stood over my father who lay lifeless. My mother was tied to a chair her hands bound tears streaming down her face. A cloth muffled her cries but I understood what she was trying to tell me: run.

Tears blurred my vision. My legs moved on instinct. The man raised his gun but I ran.

I hid behind a tree outside my chest heaving unable to believe my parents were gone. The night air felt unnaturally cold sharper than usual almost alive. Then the gunshot rang out.

Mommy Leon POV

I had to protect my son even if it cost me my life. Summoning every ounce of strength I kicked the intruder with all I had. Pain exploded in my body as the gun went off. Darkness claimed me. I hoped my son would survive and that he would forgive me and his father.

Leon POV

The world felt hollow after that shot. My mother was gone. The man fled into the shadows.

I ran back inside to see my parents one last time before sprinting to school. I had to tell Miss Linda the teacher I trusted most after my parents what