The Hunter Mage

Vernon gripped his mother tight, maybe a little too tightly but she didn't stop him. He was very scared. Was he going to be taken away? Were the Mage Hunters here for him? "Mama I am scared." He cooed. He didn't need anyone to tell him why they were here. The loud bell was more than enough and Mage Hunters only ever came to their small town for one thing, mages. "I know sweetheart but you're going to have to calm down okay? Mama is here and she won't let anything happen to her baby." She whispered to him. He nodded suddenly feeling a whole lot better, she had protected him for years there was no way this time would be different. He took a deep breath, being agitated wasn't going to help him or her, he knew that much. "Why are they here again? Do you think they are here for me?" He pestered, his puppy eyes looking up at his mother, they were filled with tears. Even though she had told him not to worry, his little mind couldn't help but worry. "No, of course not." She ruffled his hair but her hand shook as she tried to comfort him, Vernon didn't miss this and it made him even more worried. "Remain inside, let me check." Mama nodded and they both watched papa open the door, leaving them both. No sooner did the door close that Vernon's mother rushed to the window and slightly moved the curtains so she could peek outside. Vernon's grip loosened on his mother to allow her to move properly and he would have joined her to look outside but he was too short to reach the window. "We have to go outside," she suddenly announced. "Staying in means we have something to hide." She bent towards Vernon a little, looking down at him from just above her slightly big tummy. "Do you think you can handle it?" He nodded but he knew she could tell he was only saying it because that was what she wanted to hear. His insides were in turmoil and it was taking everything for him not to burst into tears. "Alright, deep breaths." She paused and waited for him to do as she asked before she spoke again. "Good boy, mama is here, okay?" "Okay," he swallowed and she held his hand. "Let's go," she said and slowly opened the door. His father was standing on the porch looking onto the road, his mother moved to stand next to his father, Vernon let go of his mother's hand to grab onto her leg. Though it was dark, Vernon's night vision was exceptional and from the corner of his eyes, he could see Mage Hunters riding into town. Their dark horses were as dark as their cloaks and from where Vernon was he could barely make out their faces not that it mattered, they always wore masks. Black masks that always made looking at them feel like staring into a void. Vernon shut his eyes but opened it immediately but he did not look at the Mage Hunters directly again. The horses rode and didn't stop until they got to a few feet away from his porch. Vernon instinctively froze and almost immediately his mama placed her palm on his head. He knew he had to get a grip but it wasn't easy. Everybody was out of their houses, standing on their porches just like they were and gripping onto one another. Everybody was thinking the same thing, they were all wondering who the Mage Hunters were here for. The Mage Hunters slowly got down from their horses as if they enjoyed the tension and terror they inflicted on the poor homeowners as everyone wondered if it was their house that was getting raided today. The Mage Hunters each made a crunch sound as their boots hit the stones, they didn't bother tying their horses but the animals stayed still. Vernon felt their glare and hid further behind his mother's leg. Then they began to approach them and Vernon heard his mother gasp. Where had they gone wrong? His little mind wondered. Had the neighbors suspected? Was this just an occasional check or someone had spilled the beans? Just before they would get to his porch, the Mage Hunters turned and headed for his next-door neighbor Nevil. Vernon felt all the color drain from his face. This was not good. However, he didn't miss the way his mother's body slacked in relief that she staggered whereas his stiffened even more. Nevil. He watched the Mage Hunters walk through the front gate and onto the path, treading carelessly on the flowers. Vernon flinched, Nevil loved those flowers. "Mrs. Keller," one of the Mage Hunters said, his voice sounding like he was speaking out of some kind of horn. It was gruff and devoid of emotion. "Yes," she replied, blinking rapidly, her voice shook and it was easy to see that she was trying to put up a hard front. It was hard for Vernon to see because of the distance but the Mage Hunters voice was loud for all to hear. "It is believed that you have a mage in your residence and according to the command by King Zachary, all mages should be reported. Do you or do you not have a mage in your household?" This was a trick question and no matter the circumstances the answer must be yes unless proven otherwise. Vernon bit his lower lip as he watched the incident unfold. Mrs. Keller's lower lip quivered and she nodded. There was nothing else she could do even if it wasn't true they would still take her little Nevil, her only child. Nothing she could say or do now could save him. The Mage Hunter must have said something because she then said, "Yes, there is a mage in my household." As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she sank to her knees and tightly hugged her son. The Mage Hunters didn't even give her any time to say a proper goodbye rather they ripped Nevil out of her clutches. She screamed, stretching out her hands to him as Nevil cried and kicked but as always all they could do was cry about it and all the onlookers could do was watch. "He is just a child!" Nevil's mother cried out but they all knew that wasn't going to work after all the mages were children. Vernon squeezed his eyes tight, choosing not to watch the moment unfold though he had seen most of it, he didn't want to see Nevil leave. All of a sudden, he heard a very loud gasp and before he could open his eyes to see what was going on, his father picked him up and placed him on his shoulders, keeping his head tucked to his neck. "No matter what Vernon, keep your eyes closed." His father murmured. Vernon wanted to see what the heck was going on but he knew better than to disobey his father. So, he kept his eyes closed and buried his head in his father's neck even as the tears threatened to pour out. He could feel himself getting emotional and the last thing his parents needed was for him to give himself up so he thought of his happiest memory. He was in the garden and his mother had told him she was going to have a baby. "A boy or a girl?" He had asked, giggling. "I don't know yet, Vernon. We will find out when the baby is born!" He had immediately taken to his heels, screaming and yelling, "I am going to be a brother!" "Vernon!" His mother had called out to him but he had known she didn't want him to come rather she wanted him to be careful. He felt his father start to move but he didn't open his eyes yet, he couldn't. He heard the door close and his daddy gently placed him on the floor. His mother rushed to him and hugged him. "Vernon," she whispered into his hair, sniffing. He slowly opened his eyes and a slight glow brightened the area he was staring at. His mum gasped just as his father went to cover the window to avoid the light from sipping out. It wasn't bright enough to attract attention but once seen everybody knew what it meant. "I got you baby," his mother said, hugging him tightly as she rubbed his back. She was being quite careful because of her baby bump. Her voice got to him and he broke out into a full-out sob, wailing faintly as he cried into her shoulders, staining her cloth with his tears and mucus. She held him until he stopped sobbing. When he started sniffing, she lifted him and placed him onto her lap. She held him until he slept off then carried him to his room, where she placed him carefully on his little bed and watched as he rolled until he was comfortable and then his entire structure relaxed. Without further ado, she covered his small frame with his blanket that was at least thrice his size, so big was it that its edges often touched the ground. She kissed his cheek and wiped a lock of hair from his face. Tonight's incident was going to affect him, it was going to affect all of them, and even though she could breathe easily that it wasn't her son that was taken she couldn't help but fear that she might not be able to hide him for much longer. The Mage Hunters had hit too close to home. Nevil! She needed to go sympathize with Nevil's mother but she doubted the woman would want to hear anything from someone like her who still had her son and worse her husband. Her son was the most affected, aside from the fact that Vernon and Nevil were best friends, her son had gotten a firsthand experience of what would happen if it was found that he could use magic. She hated it, she wished he didn't have to fear what he had and she hated that she couldn't do anything to change that. The only thing she could do was sleep this off and hope that tomorrow would be better, that tomorrow they could look back on today and act like it never happened. Even though it was foolhardy, she hoped it would happen. She rubbed her tummy as a prayer came to her lips, it wasn't a good prayer but she couldn't help it. A child with magic would be put through more suffering than was needed, she couldn't afford that again. She closed Vernon's room door quietly, to avoid waking him even though she knew it would take a band to get him up at this point. He was mentally and physically drained, the loss of Nevil was a blow to all of them. She leaned against the closed door and brought her hands to her chest. She tightly closed her eyes as the sense of relief rushed through her. Her son was still with her, he was behind the closed door and he was safe. "How is he?" Her husband's voice broke her train of thought. "He's fast asleep," she sniffled. She took her step forward, hesitant but he understood immediately and rushed towards her wrapping his arms around her. She lost it and sobbed on his arm. "Shh," he consoled. "He's fine, we are fine." "I-I don't know w-what I'll do if they take him," she mumbled into his arms, her words a bit muffled. It was on the tip of his tongue to say they wouldn't but he knew better, he couldn't guarantee anything, and making promises that couldn't be kept was out of the question instead he rubbed her hair with his free hand, running his hands through their waves. She did have bountiful hair. He couldn't help but wonder if they were going to have a girl and if she would have the same hair as her mother. He hoped she would because Vernon was already stuck with his hair, nasty dreads they could do nothing about. "Let's go to bed," he whispered and she nodded, holding back her tears that restricted her voice. She rested her head on his shoulders and ran her arm through his as they walked together. He glanced in at her and smiled. She was bigger than the day he had told her to marry him, which was expected with the second baby on the way. It would be a miracle if she remained the same. His smile widened, he wasn't complaining he still thought she looked as beautiful as ever and he hurt him that this was happening, and more so that he couldn't do anything about it. He helped her to bed as they got to the room and held her, it took a while but she finally fell asleep and he sighed in relief, he was worried that she was putting too much stress on herself and the baby. Thinking about how long they would be able to keep Vernon a secret, he couldn't help but think it was only going to get harder from now on. His thoughts drove him to sleep. ______________________________ Vernon woke up with a start, a bad dream he knew instantly. He was surprised he had not woken up with a scream. He couldn't remember what the nightmare was about but he remembered the fear as clear as day. He gripped his blanket, his first thought was to go to his parents' bedroom but he was quick to notice that it was Dawn already instead he got out of bed and laid on the couch. "Vernon," his mother's voice called out about two hours later. "What are you doing?" Her voice woke him up and he got up itching his eyes. "I woke early and kind of slept off on the couch." He giggled, for some reason he didn't want to tell her about the nightmare. She smiled faintly at him. "Alright, come let's go make breakfast." The day dragged on for Vernon and more often than not his thoughts strayed to Nevil, it was hard not to think about his only friend and he could help but feel lonely. Barely a month after Nevil was taken, Vernon's household was awakened by loud noise, incessant banging and it wasn't even dawn yet. Vernon jumped out of bed and rang out of his room, wondering what was wrong. He rushed to the living room to find his father tiptoeing to the door while gesturing with his hand that they should stay back. Vernon rushed into his mother's open hand and stayed there. "Who is it?" His father's thunderous voice called out. "Nevil's mother," a soft voice replied. Vernon's mother gasped and his father's reaction was instantaneous, he pulled the door open with worry written all over his face. Each of them was sacred as to what this was about. The opened door revealed her crunched-up figure, she looked smaller than Vernon remembered and he realized he had not seen her since her son was taken away. He thought she looked older. His mother let go of him and ran to meet the neighbor. "What's wrong? Is everything alright?" She rushed out. The woman raised her head and Vernon saw tears streaming down her face. Vernon's mother saw it too and froze in her step. "I am so sorry," the woman began to say. "But I couldn't bear it anymore. Why was it my son and not yours? I asked myself on several nights. I drove myself crazy with thoughts of ``why did you have everything I wanted? Everything I lost! A husband and now my son." At this point her tears had turned to a full-on sob, the atmosphere became tense and Vernon felt a familiar fear, the kind he had felt when he saw them take Nevil away but this time it was stronger. "What did you do Maggie?!" His mother screamed. "What did you do?! How could you?" At this point, her voice softened and Vernon could see her whole body shake. "I am sorry and I didn't think this through but I couldn't take it any longer. I just… I just couldn't." Vernon's father closed the door with a loud bang, not caring that it was likely that Maggie got a face full of the door and it was slightly obvious that he wished she would. Vernon's mother screamed and fell to the floor, his father rushed at her worried she was going to hurt herself. Vernon ran to her. "Mama," he called, his mind refusing to understand. "My baby!" She cried, kissing his forehead and hugging him close. "I am so sorry." Tears streamed down her face and wetted his hair. Before Vernon could say anything, the bell rang the only bell in their little town, the bell that signaled the arrival of the Mage Hunters. "That's too fast!" His father cried. "What do we do? We could hide him, anything. I can't let them take him, we have to stop them…" Vernon's mother pleaded, looking her husband in the eye but even as she ranted and he couldn't bear to look her in the face, she knew they couldn't stop this. "Mama, don't let them take me," Vernon mumbled as tears rolled down his eyes, they were beginning to glow. A surreal red that lit up the room almost instantly. Nobody told him to close his eyes, there was no need, the Mage Hunters were here for him. His mother didn't budge, just stayed on the floor holding him tightly. "I love you," she was saying. "No matter what, I want you to always remember that, okay?" She pulled him away from her to stare at his face. "Yes, mama!" He nodded. "That's my boy!" She replied and pulled him to her chest again. She wanted to be strong for him, to tell him he would be fine but it was hard, it was really hard. They were supposed to be outside but she didn't care, she sat on the floor hugging her son until she heard a knock. A soft tap but it destroyed her world.