Destiny Call: Rise Of the Hunter

Chapter 10: Reality hits hard

I woke to the faint glow of dawn creeping through the shack's grimy windows, my body aching from a night spent in Jake's arms on the cold, hard floor. His warmth had been a comforting refuge, but my mind still reeled from the previous night's events.

As I sat up, Jake's eyes fluttered open, his gaze meeting mine. I smiled softly, and he returned it, his expression fleeting.

The others stirred, rubbing sleep from their eyes. Alex fumbled for his backpack, extracting a mangled phone. "Please tell me we got some evidence," he muttered, examining the device.

Morning, sunshine," Riley said, stretching his arms and yawning across from me.

"More like morning, zombie apocalypse," Mia retorted, rubbing her eyes.

Alex chuckled. "Well, we made it through the night. That's something."

Riley peered over his shoulder. "Did the videos and pictures survive the chaos?"

Alex's face lit up. "Yeah, they're still here!"

Mia smiled, relief etched on her face. "That's something, at least."

Jake stood, his movements fluid and quiet. "Let's scrounge up some food and water. We need to recharge."

We rummaged through our supplies, gathering energy bars and MREs for a hasty breakfast. The silence was filled with the rustling of wrappers and the sound of eating.

As we finished breakfast, Alex spoke up. "So, just to be clear..... What...What did we just see two days ago?"

Riley shook his head. "Magic, wolves, and those things... What are they?"

Mia's brow furrowed. "Fairies? Maybe like Tinker Bell, but isn't she tiny?"

Alex chuckled. "So, we saw mythical creatures that aren't supposed to exist?"

Riley snorted. "Witches, werewolves, and fairies, OH MY!"

Jake's expression turned grave, his eyes darkening like a stormy sky. "You're talking about the Fae."

We all looked directly at Jake, as he spoke. confusion wearing heavily on our faces at his words.

Riley's face twisted from confusion to anger, his eyebrows furrowing and cheeks flushing. "You knew, didn't you?" he spat, his voice laced with accusation. "You knew what we'd see, did you!"

Jake's jaw clenched, the muscles in his neck tensing. "I suspected, but I didn't know for certain," he said, his tone measured, but his eyes betraying a hint of guilt.

Riley's anger boiled over, his face reddening. "You should have warned us!" he exploded, slamming his fist on the makeshift table. "We could've been prepared, or stayed the hell away!"

His words hung in the air, charged with emotion. I placed a calming hand on Riley's arm, but he shook it off.

"You knew something, Jake," I said, my voice soft but probing. "What exactly did you suspect? Did you know that the Legend was real? "

Jake's gaze locked onto mine, his expression guarded. "I'll tell you everything I know," he promised, "but first, we need to get out of here."

Riley's face flushed with anger, his eyes blazing with frustration."

" Are you kidding me?"

"Did you see those monsters, what they did to each other?" he demanded, his voice rising. "Who...what...how the f**k do you expect us to trust you, after you hid the fact there are literal monsters out there. something that can f*****g literally eat my head off my shoulders in one bite?"

His words tumbled out in a frantic rush. "It's kill or be killed in our world, and as far as I was aware, us HUMANS were on top of the list, the kings, the rulers of this world. And in five minutes of my life, I'm told we're not? That it's all bullshit?"

Mia's calm demeanor began to crack. "Riley, I understand—"

"No, you don't understand!" Riley interrupted, his eyes blazing. "You can't just accept this. We're talking about creatures that defy everything we know. They're stronger, faster, and more powerful. What chance do we have?"

Jake's expression turned somber. "We'll figure it out, Riley. We have to."

I placed a hand on Riley's arm, trying to calm him. "We're in this together. We'll find a way to survive."

Riley shook me off, his gaze locked on Jake. "You knew about this, Jake. What else do you know?

The tension hung in the air, heavy with unspoken questions and fears.

Jake sighed, breaking the silence. "I'll tell you everything I know, but first, we need to get home safely." We nodded in agreement, prioritizing our escape.

Gathering around Jake, we pored over the water-damaged map spread on the weathered table.

"Alright, let's assess our options," Jake said, tracing the routes with his finger.

Option 1: Backtrack

"We can head back the way we came," Jake explained, "but it'll add a day and a half to our journey. We risk encountering more... creatures."

Option 2: Waverly Woods

Mia pointed to a section of the map. "Cutting through Waverly Woods might shave off a few hours, but it's treacherous. This symbol indicates rough terrain and potential dangers."

Option 3: Follow the River to Oakwood

"I think our best bet is to follow the river downstream," I suggested. "It's about a day and a half journey to Oakwood, and we can Uber back to our cars from there."

Option 4: Stay and Wait

Riley's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Or we can stay here and wait for... whatever is out there to find us."

We exchanged uneasy glances.

Jake summarized, "So, we have four options. Backtracking adds time and risk. Waverly Woods is faster but perilous. Following the river to Oakwood seems safest. And staying here... isn't an option."

Mia calculated, "If we head to Oakwood, we'll have just enough food to make it."

Alex nodded. "Oakwood it is, then."

Riley agreed, "And we can Uber back to our cars."

Jake folded the map. "Let's move. We've got a long journey ahead."

Alex nodded. "Uber from Oakwood to Willow Creek will be a breeze."

I exhaled, relieved. "Let's get moving."

With our gear secured, we embarked on the journey to Oakwood, the forest's somber mood lifting slightly as we walked. The rustle of leaves and snapping of twigs beneath our feet created a soothing melody, a stark contrast to the eerie silence of the previous night. The overcast sky dripped with occasional drizzle, casting a mystical veil over our surroundings. The scent of damp earth and decaying leaves filled our lungs, a primal reminder of the natural world's resilience.

As we traversed the forest, the weight of our packs and the ache in our legs became secondary to our determination to reach Oakwood safely and then get an Uber or a parent's ride to Willow Creek, just two hours beyond.

The trees, once towering sentinels, now seemed like benevolent guardians, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. The forest floor, once treacherous, was now a soft, moss-covered carpet beneath our feet. Our footsteps synchronized, a rhythmic heartbeat that echoed through the woods. The tension lingered, but our determination to reach Oakwood kept us moving. The overcast sky seemed to mirror our mood, with occasional drizzle reminding us of the unpredictable world we now inhabited.

"Hey, guys? How's everyone holding up?" Alex asked, breaking the silence.

Riley grunted, his eyes fixed on the ground. "Tired, hungry, but alive."

Mia smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "We're almost there."

Jake's gaze scanned the horizon, his expression resolute. "Let's keep moving."

I fell into step beside him, our shoulders occasionally brushing. The familiarity of his presence comforted me, but the unspoken questions still lingered.

We walked for hours, the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the forest. Jake's pace slowed. "We should find shelter for the night."

Mia nodded. "We don't want to risk navigating in the dark."

Riley muttered, "Especially with those...things out there."

Alex glanced around, his eyes narrowing. "Let's find a safe spot."

We settled on a small clearing, surrounded by dense foliage. The sound of running water nearby provided a soothing background noise.

As we set up camp, Jake's promise echoed in my mind: "I will tell you everything, everything that I do know from the stories I've been told, but not till we are home, safe, and rested."

The anticipation of his revelation hung like a promise, a beacon guiding us through the darkness.

As we settled into our makeshift camp, the night's darkness enveloped us. We took turns keeping watch, the silence punctuated only by the crackling fire and the occasional hooting of owls.

Through the night, Jake's promise replayed in my mind like a mantra: "I will tell you everything, everything that I do know from the stories I've been told, but not till we are home, safe, and rested." The anticipation of his revelation hung like a promise, a beacon guiding us through the darkness.

As the hours ticked by, our watch rotation brought a sense of routine to the uneasy night. The shift changes were seamless, each of us moving quietly to avoid disturbing the others.

"Riley, wake up. Your shift's over," Jake whispered, his voice barely audible over the night's sounds.

Riley rubbed the sleep from his eyes, handing Jake the binoculars. "All clear."

Mia took over, her gaze scanning the darkness. "I'll keep watch. Get some rest, Jake."

The final shift change came and went, and as dawn's warmth crept over the horizon, we stirred from our uneasy slumber. The night's chill still clung to our bones, but the forest, once a menacing presence, now seemed subdued, its shadows retreating before the morning light.

We packed up our gear, shoulders creaking in unison, the weight of our backpacks a reminder of the long journey behind us.

"Let's move," Jake said, his voice low and urgent.

We trudged through the forest, the morning mist swirling around our ankles like ethereal tendrils. Miles passed with the hours. Finally, after what felt like a never-ending trek, the trees thinned, revealing a well-worn hiking trail that wound downhill, its serpentine path promising civilization.

"Look's like we're in luck," Alex said, consulting the overly worn map, his fingers tracing the trail's route. "This should take us straight to a parking lot, and then down to Oakwood."

The trail's gravel crunched beneath our feet, a soothing melody that accompanied our descent. The forest's silence gave way to the distant hum of cars, a welcome sound.

As we emerged from the trees, a parking lot came into view, its asphalt gleaming like polished stone. Cars and trucks filled the spaces, a colorful tapestry that seemed almost surreal after our wilderness ordeal.

"Thank God," Mia breathed, her eyes shining with relief.

We made our way toward the lot, our footsteps echoing off the pavement. A tall, muscular figure stood leaning against a black SUV, his eyes fixed intently on us, taking in deep breathes. his rugged features seemed chiseled from granite, his piercing gaze a reminder of his unyielding seriousness.

"Elijah Blackwood?" Alex called out, surprise etched on his face.

Elijah's rugged features seemed chiseled from granite, his piercing gaze a reminder of his unyielding seriousness. His dark hair was cropped short, accentuating his sharp jawline. A hint of warmth flickered in his eyes, like embers beneath ash, as his gaze met Mia's.

Mia's blonde hair cascaded down her back like a river of gold, and her moonlight blue eyes sparkled with curiosity. Elijah's gaze lingered on hers, his expression softening.

"Alex. Long time no see," Elijah said, his voice low and smooth.

A second figure, equally tall and muscular, but with a mischievous grin, stepped out from behind the SUV. Teddy Johns, or TJ, radiated an infectious energy, his bright blue eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Hey, guys!!" TJ exclaimed, his voice booming across the parking lot.

Elijah shot TJ a warning glance, his brow furrowing in a subtle rebuke.

We exchanged uneasy smiles, the tension between us and Elijah palpable.

"What brings you guys out here?" Elijah asked, his tone measured.

Jake hesitated. "Just a camping trip gone wrong. We got caught in the rain, and our phones lost signal."

Elijah's gaze returned to Mia, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You okay? You look a little... shaken."

Mia's cheeks flushed, and she smiled. "I'm fine, thanks. Just tired."

Elijah's gaze lingered on hers, his expression warm. "We'll get you taken care of. Food, rest... whatever you need."

Alex's eyes narrowed slightly, his jaw tensing.

TJ clapped Elijah on the back. "Dude, let's get them fed. I'm starving."

Elijah chuckled, his eyes never leaving Mia's. "Right behind you, TJ."

As we loaded our gear into the SUV, Elijah's hand brushed against Mia's, sending a spark of electricity through the air.

Mia didn't seem to notice, but Elijah's eyes flashed with awareness.

"Let's get moving," TJ said, clapping his hands together.

As we piled into the SUV, Elijah's and TJ's easy banter filled the air. Elijah's gaze drifted to Mia, his eyes burning with an unspoken intensity.