The hunter

Chapter 1

I had just got off the train from London it was just after ten o’clock in the evening and was another warm night. Which made me look like I was melting under all my cos play make up and very itchy wig. A group of friends had decided we should go to Comic Con, deciding to step out of my comfort zone I agreed to go. I decided to go as “the one the only Harley Quinn” for some reason her character always appealed to me, I always felt bad for her she was in love with a guy he treated her like crap, but the more he acted that way the more she wanted him talk about your toxic relationship. Mind if being totally honest with myself my taste was no better, I was drawn to cocky arrogant men, I never thought I could save them or change them just for some reason my stupid self-loved it as they would get under my skin. I have been single now for just over a year, I didn’t go into the ins and out of the breakup with my friends as I was too ashamed and scared for them to know the full extent of what had taken place. It was my cross to bare, they sensed that there was so much to it but they knew me well enough that the more I was pushed to tell them the more I would shut down. If I’m being fully honest with myself even now events that took place still haunt me in my nightmares. Following the breakup I learned to start loving myself, and know my self-worth I like my life I don’t have to explain myself can eat what I want control over the tv remote control which means no football on tv. I have my house which was my parents I can have it styled how I want it without having to compromise so sometimes being selfish is not all together a bad thing. I’m walking the down the stairs taking my time I have no reason to rush, whilst other couples and individuals are in a race to get to their next destination. Resting one hand on the rail the other holding onto my baseball bat, oh yes, I had dressed as the more recent Harley Quinn however with a few slight adjustments to the outfit instead of those boots I was wearing my infamous New Rock boots. Oh, how I loved them they come just above my shin with beautiful yellow and orange flames on them with a demonic image on them. And instead of the red and blue knickers I was a wearing a red tartan skirt, like hell I’m going to walk around the streets in London in a glorified pair of knickers. After finally reaching the bottom, I now walked out into the side street and walked over to the bench sat down, placed my bat next to me then grabbed my handbag of my shoulder unzipped it and reached for my cigarettes and fished one out the packet and lit up. If only mum was here, she would have rolled her eyes at me saying you and your father are both as bad as each other.

pulling myself up from the bench I bent down and grabbed my bat and started on my merry way home. I walked past the train station and headed for the pedestrian crossing. My house wasn’t too far from here once walking over the crossing. I walked through a small estate of houses and then come to a massive piece of open space near an old boarded up warehouse of some kind. I’d always wondered what it used to be, but never really asked anyone but surprised that no one had bought it and turned it into something like a Tesco’s or Sainsburys but then how much would the residents in the area complain. Sadly, many people are so hell bent on keeping thing as they are that they never really think about the possibilities of what could be. The night was ever present and was starting to get very dark. I always hated waking across the green as where they are trees in various locations it made you suspect what could be hiding in them. Clearly, I have watched way too many horror films for my own good, but my house was at least a twenty-minute walk from here and this was the easiest route to take.

As always, my suspicious nature put me on edge but tonight more so then normal, I was very much on edge it felt as if the hairs on the back if my neck had raised up which is impossible given the amount of face paint I’m wearing. When this feeling suddenly took over as if I was not alone, I decided to pick up the pace the sooner I was back in a built-up area the happier I would feel.

all of a sudden, I was knocked to the ground I pushed myself up looking up in the dark ahead of me I could make out some yellow eyes but not cat size eyes then I heard it, the snarl. My mind now frozen I was there just staring ahead wondering what those eyes and snarl could belong to had I fallen asleep on the train, was that just one bad dream. Then I could hear it the panting noise pushing myself up gripping on tightly to my bat I decided to move my backside and get myself back into a well-lit area like right now.

Turning my back, I started to run and I could feel the pressure where being knocked flat clearly whatever this is, its bloody strong and playing with me. So that’s when I decided whatever it is I need to do something to knock it to have a hope in hell of being able to get my ass out of this situation however major problem I’m like the biggest wimp out there I’m so screwed. I can hear it breathing and snarling but where the hell is it, is it waiting watching what I’m doing so it can make its next plan, how the f**k can this even be happening. Pushing myself up tasting grass in my mouth and rust which means clearly, I’ve cut myself somewhere. Deciding that I had to try anything raising my bat up gripping it tighter, I start looking for those eyes and then I see them. What’s more I see what they belon big animal, then I hear it the panting and snorting and it’s coming straight for me. Jesus Christ this is one hell of a long shot, but I decide that I need to smack it as hard as I can, why me I have never really swung a bat accept during pe lessons and that was years ago. sensing this thing is getting closer I see it clearly holy f**k this is not right it looks like a massive wolf I swing my bat and it connects with the face the impact jolts it head to one side. Realising I need to hit this harder so I can get myself anywhere but here time has passed this beast has straightened its head and f**k its drooling, so I raise the bat up but this time I bring it down as hard as I can on its head I can hear the c***k where its connected with its skull the good news is this time it’s had an effect and its nose-dived the floor. Whilst it’s on the ground now blocking my path, I run so whether this is right or wrong I run in the direction of the trees praying it gives me my best chance. I run, and again I hear that noise its right on my ass and then I feel this pain as it’s swiped at me the claws have connected with my back. Suddenly feeling this warm trickle running down my back, it knocked me forward.

Rolling onto my back this monster is on top of me pushing me down with great force. One paw with claws is digging into my right shoulder the pain emanating from the wound is unbearable I feel as if I’m on fire. This beasts face is aligned with my very own. The horrid smell coming from this beast is worse than sewage the stench makes my eyes water, and I can taste vomit rising in my throat, the image of the drool coming from its open mouth is replaced as I can see the canines and knew that if it was to bite me it would definitely puncture my skin. With my left arm free I’m fumbling through the grass reaching for my bat whilst all the time locking eyes with this thing. Frozen in this stare I feel warmth as warm liquid sprays over me the head no longer attached. The creatures body immediately crashes down on top of me and the weight is so heavy knocking whatever breathe I have left in me out.

Stood in front of me holding an axe is this man. The moon hidden behind the clouds crated very limited lighting, I can only make out his pale skin and dark hair. He grabs the dead torso and throws it to the side of me and it lands to my side with a residing thud. Still unable to fathom what’s going on I feel the blood now running cold down my face, instantly wiping away the blood splatter in revulsion. He comes closer and pulls me to my feet noticing my wig that was in place has clearly come lose as strands of my blonde hair are now falling down my face. I’m pulled closer and I can see his eyes which are a very piercing green. still holding on to my hand he looks me up and down and then to my amazement says the last thing I was expecting. “Riley are you hurt”. everything is starting to spin my eyes are blurry, I feel hot and cold all at once all I can hear is this weird noise as if I’m at the seaside. Then from what I can see he turns to the right he shouts, “I’ve got her bring Josh overload the corpse up in the other van with the head we will burn it back at base” Then everything went black, but I could just make it the last thing he said “I’ve got you, quick we need to get her in the other van she’s passed out”.

Coming to I realised I was lying back on the ground with him, kneeling next to me. Where his face was so close to mine, I could make out his green eyes and his head was frowning as if worried about something. For some reason I couldn’t really talk, words literally failed me. Then finally speaking “Riley, I need you to stay with me right now we are going to get you out of here and get you checked over okay”. He got to his legs and then helped me up putting his arm around my waist, where I was unsteady on my feet and to any onlooker, they would easily have jumped to the conclusion that I had way too much to drink.

we walked past the now deserted green we kept walking till we joined a road which had two ominous looking white transit vans one with its door wide open. I’ve listened to enough true crime podcasts to start to feel uncomfortable seeing the classic white creeper vans parked there. sensing my panic, he started to talk again “It’s fine there ours we need to get you out of here and, we also need to destroy the corpse”. Even though I knew deep down he was telling the truth it doesn’t stop the anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach. We got to the van and then he helped me step into it. This was not your average transit van there where seats against the back wall in the right-hand corner was a screen that was displaying the green so somehow this was equipped with cameras for surveillance.

Sitting me down very gently and then clipping me in with the seat built. He sits next to me, all the time constantly monitoring me. He proceeds to check me over with everything that was going on I was so confused as I was just watching in a zombified state whilst not really being able to truly comprehend what was taking place at this moment and time. The pain radiating from my shoulder and back was ever present and was registering with my brain, but I was just frozen unable to show any kind of emotion. Getting up and reaching for what I can only assume is a first aid kit. my shoulder is being checked and I’m pulled forward for him to look at my back “it looks like your bleeding has stopped for now, let’s get you back to the site as it’s gonna need to be cleaned and checked over”. The door is pulled shut and he shouts to the driver “let’s go she doesn’t look good she already flaked once and she’s in shock”. A voice then spoke from the front “Yeah okay but it’s going to be about a forty-minute drive you got to keep her awake”. The engine then roared to life and whoever this guy has clipped himself in and we were then moving.

Again, everything started to spin around and all I can see was sunspots. “Hey, don’t you dare flake out again, come on focus on me okay look into my eyes”. Easy for him to say the room was spinning I couldn’t really make out much so to try and look into his eyes was a tall order. He then reached out and moved my head so that I was looking at him never realising his hand from my cheek. I was feeling hot and sweaty, but his hand was so nice and cool. Why does he look so worried, I mean why does he care so much. The thoughts running through my questioning what’s going on, was any of this real, have I fallen asleep am I still on the train why won’t this spinning stop. “No come on focus on me please” The urgency in his voice and concern so weird. Sitting looking into his eyes was proving to be a challenge I could feel my eyes looking up at the ceiling. No longer able to fight this anymore everything was going dark and the embrace that darkness offered was so enticing that I could not refuse. The last think I heard was “s**t please not now stay with me