The hunter

Chapter 5

It was the first time in a long time where I had a dreamless sleep, I was awoken by Tara gently shaking me. Coming to, I sat upright to see Tyler just sat in his seat staring of into the distance. His eyes gave of that look, as if he was uncertain and was looking into himself trying to find comfort.

Looking back at Tara she smiled, a smile that even radiated in her eyes “well your free to go, Tyler will take you to meet with them now”. Hearing this I felt a sense of dread and fear, was I about to walk into a lions den. Tyler had managed to pull himself out of his thoughts and looked at me, the way he looked at me burned into the depths of my soul. I took a slow deep breathe in to calm my nerves, and pushed myself of the bed, pleading with myself not to let them see how scared I truly was. Righting himself, he ran his hands through his hair “let’s get this over with, follow me”.

Walking in front of me to take the lead, I reached for my bag and clung to it as if I was a child clinging to her favourite teddy bear, seeking the comfort from it. We made it out of the ward and walked out onto a spacious landing that was deserted, to the left was a window that ran nearly the whole length of floor to ceiling. A wooden staircase lead to the next floor, we turned right heading down the stairs looking down at the well maintained wooden floor I wondered to myself what purpose this building used to have. Our footfalls could be heard as we climbed our way down to the ground floor, my breath was taken away by the design of this building. Never seeing marble flooring before this building clearly must have been for people of high status of centuries ago.

The sheer size of it was overwhelming as we continued down a corridor, trying to keep up with Tyler whilst taking in everything that could be seen, as if I was a tourist visiting a national trust building. I wasn’t really paying attention when I walked into someone. Realising this I was about to apologise when a strange male voice sounded confused “Louisa?”. Finally looking at this man he was the same height as me with brown hair, with a very defined face, narrow chin and defined cheekbones. His hair was kept back with a hair band and had a well maintained goatee. The way he was looking at me was if he saw a ghost, “no, sorry I wasn’t really looking where I was going”, for some reason there was familiarity with him however I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before. He smiled at me but the look was still there as if he knew me, maybe a sense of Déjà vu. Tyler had walked back realising that I wasn’t keeping up with him and was watching with curiosity. “Scott, back already I thought you and Akecheta where still out tracking” he turned to Tyler “I was called back in for a meeting, first if you ask me but stranger things of happened, I’m Just fetching him now if I can pull him away from his sketches”after saying this he chucked and headed of in the opposite direction. Grabbing my hand as if to prevent me from wandering of we continued on till we came before a door. All of sudden my throat became dry and I started to feel sick as I had no idea what I was to expect.

Tyler opened the door and walked into the room, the walls where wood panelled there was no windows to allow in natural light and was lit up by several lights built into the ceiling . Two sole chais sat in the very centre of room and further forward where dark mahogany tables. This room gave of such an ominous vibe it did nothing to help quell my nerves, sat behind the tables was eight men, three seats still vacant. I was taken aback as I was expecting high powered business men dressed to the hills, instead the sight before me was middle aged men in T-shirts or hoodies they was one that looked slightly younger but gave of this air of delusional superiority. The one man that was sitting at the centre of the table must have been the head of this council, his dark brown hair was neatly kept and had a few grey streaks which gave him a more distinguished look and he had striking masculine features, his blue eyes showed kindness. Taking one of the seats at the centre of the room I placed my bag next to me and started to tap my foot a habit of mine if nervous or bored. Tyler just slouched in his seat and looked as if he was bored of this before it had even started. It felt like an eternity in that seat, where I was just being stared at no one talking they might as-well have put statues in there place as I doubt you’d be able to tell the difference. Off in the distance you could hear the footfall of two people then Scott and his companion had arrived, Scott casually smiled. His companion then just gave this half smile, he had striking features, defined cheekbones and perfectly arched eyebrows naturally, his skin complexion was so close to latte colour, his long jet black hair tied up at the back in a platt. I wouldn’t say he was handsome but beautiful but he did not give of that air Tyler did, Tyler knew he was handsome and you could tell that he enjoyed woman falling over themselves just to be in his presence.

Taking there place, now there just one seat left vacant, the man who looked as if he was the one with more authority got up and closed the door and then took his place back at the table.

“Clearly Eliot is running his normal five minutes late, gentleman I believe would should proceed with out him for now”. Fixing his gaze onto me, I held my breath not knowing what was going to happen, the silence was bad now it felt as if it was a naughty school child who was about to be reprimanded on my misdeeds. “Welcome Riley, my name is Sean unfortunately Eliot is not here yet, let me introduce you to the rest the of the council”. “Gentlemen if you would kindly stand state your name so we can get the meeting underway”.

The first one rose that sat to the left of Sean, cleared his throat his hair was tied back and was grey with a few streaks of black he had very defined masculine features and a strong jaw line, his eyes where greyish blue “my name is Patrick”, following suit the next man stood up his hair was still blonde and cut short, he had a square set face and could be a twin to Daniel Craig “ Robbie, nice to meet you Riley” his eyes held a twinkle in them. Next was another brown haired man who had a quiff and full facial beard and blue eyes “l’m Jason, Riley”the last person on that side of the table had a rectangular face with white hair and square set jaw with a goatee, with a slight hind of red in it still his eyes where brown with a slight hue of green “ pleased to meet you I’m John”.

The late arrival who was sketching apparently gave a half wave “Akechetah, pleasure to meet you” he was sat on the very end of the table, sat next to him was Scott who was presently rolling a cigarette, without looking up where concentrating “Scott”. Next to him was a slightly younger man with blonde hair “ names Matt” following on was the next man with longish hair that was pure grey that was over shadowed by a full on bushy beard “Riley I’m Darren”.

Last to speak was the one that looked like a massive douche a faint hint of facial hair he had a vey square set jaw and short brown hair “Chris, may I say it’s a privilege to meet Louisa, daughter” after he uttered those words Scott suddenly dropped what he was doing and was looking me over with this sorrowful expression.

Sean cleared his throat and shot a look of daggers right at Chris “ Chris as always your lack of tact dumbfounds me”. Turning his gaze at me he proceeded to talk “ Riley, please excuse Chris he was not so much raised up but dragged up, and wasn’t really the way I wanted to start this off before I continue have you got any questions”. Yeah how about why the hell am I here, who are you and can I go all very valid questions but instead my mouth had engaged before my brain “ what do you mean Louisa’s daughter my mums name was Lynn”. Clearly he wasn’t expecting me to address this first and cleared his throat “ Well actually yes and no your adopted mum was Lynn but your birth mother is Louisa I knew her for many years along with your father, her passing hit us all hard she was the best of us”. “I have already debriefed Tyler about the events of last night, but I think it’s best we find out what knowledge you have, especially where Tyler has not left your side except when meeting with me” On hearing this Chris shot Tyler the most hated of looks, whilst Tyler just replied but smirking at him, sensing there must be some kind of rivalry between the pair of them.

“ wow, so I have had my phone taken from me, all I’m getting is half a story and you expect me to tell you what’s going on, so much for you being a council” my sarcasm hadn’t gone unnoticed however all the older men all started to smile, Scott especially seemed to have this grin on his face which was not what I was expecting. Taking a breath and looking directly at Sean “according to Tyler I was attacked by a werewolf, I was then informed that apparently I come from a family of Hunters like Tyler’s, there your all caught up happy”. Sean clearly found this all highly amusing “Well, nice to now Louisa’s sarcasm is very present in you, and thank you Tyler for actually listening and allowing me to discuss this matter with Riley”. Before Sean was able to continue I felt as if someone was standing over me “gentleman apologies, I was having to deal with a personal matter” turning my head he was right behind me, I assumed he was the last of this party, he was tall and a slightly round face a mole right on his left cheek short, short grey hair and his eyes looked so familiar i could not place why though they where a very deep brown.

Strolling over to his place, Sean stood up and they hugged and did the traditional man pat on the back. “Riley may I introduce you to Elliott, he’s our strongest fighter and the best trainer out there bar non” which Elliott roared with laughter at they then both took there places at the table. Sean then took one look at Elliott before proceeding “ Werewolves and other demons have existed over centuries, they started off as pure blooded for lack of a better word one male one female they slaughtered indiscriminately they had a hunger that could not be satisfied”. “This we learned from ancient texts and journals, these text reveal that people started to rise and fight against them, so the wolves decided to even the playing field in there favour by not just slaughtering countless of humanity but infecting them with there venom with a bite”. Sean was looking a me intently trying to gauge my reaction “ these hybrids or shapeshifters became there guardians, they where able to change from human to wolf form, they where gifted with strength, speed, the ability to heal much faster at the same time as being cursed with there hunger which they can never truly satisfy and where also able to curse others with the venom”. “However some they tried to turn, did not meet the same fate, they did not become a shifter instead they became gifted with the same traits but did not lose there human essence, so they became what is known now as a hunter”. “For centuries we have fought them, never truly being able to rid them from our planes of existence, everyone is a descendant from these Hunters some times it may skip a generation but very rarely”.

I had no idea how to respond was this some kind of sick joke but the way he spoke with such conviction I knew deep down that this was the truth and it made me feel sick because how did I fit into all of this. “Riley you come from this bloodline, as both your mother and father can trace there lineage back centuries to them and I appreciate that this may be overwhelming however for your safety you need to know the truth”. Patrick then spoke up “there have been many of our kind that have not been raised as all of us sat here and lived a normal life to have it cut tragically short as there mission is to rub out of existence our very blood line”. “It was only a matter of time that you where discovered and most likely met the same fate as others before you”.

Not being able to stay silent any longer I took a deep breath to gather myself before I started to question them “ok, but it failed Tyler killed it so surely that’s it, I’m safe now end of crisis I can now go back home and carry on as if this never happened ”. “It’s not that simple, there was more than one, Tyler and the others scared of four more” Patrick gave me this look as if trying to impress the severity of this situation to me. “I don’t understand, I saw one not a pack of them, what do you want from me in all this, I have a life, I never asked for this”. “Riley, your not safe and have no training so aren’t able to protect yourself, they have your scent and we all feel like they have been watching you for some time, believe me when I say they will not stop until your dead”. Patrick then looked to Sean “Patrick is right, and the proposal that we are trying to put before you now is not going to be what you would like, however will be the best for you”. “We all feel that it would be better for you here, yes it will involve sacrifice, but then it also will enable to learn who you truly are and your purpose in life”. I was becoming very annoyed by all this “I’m sorry what, come on what gives you the right to decide what is best for me, I have a life, a job, friends, so what I just magically disappear into thin air things like that just aren’t done”. Elliot cleared his throat and stared at me with this look of sincere compassion “It is for the best, no one is saying they don’t sympathise with your dilemma, but this is they way it must be, otherwise your not also putting your life at danger but what about your friends and loved ones you will be signing there own death certificates can you tell me that your happy to have there blood on your hands, your better than that child”. “We can fake your death, which gives your friends closure it would not be the first time we have done this just ask Joshua when you meet him, he was faced with similar circumstances such as yourself”. “Sean has told you the history but know this, yes we exist in the realms of the shadow to all that don’t need to know the truth, however we have high influences, to provide us with financial stability for lack of a better word, that are able to alter reports of every kind to help keep us hidden”. “This is not for our benefit that they do this, if everyone knew the real truth there would be mass hysteria, chaos, mob mentality would rule, so they aid us in this for the greater good of all of humanity, this is the way it has always been done and will furthermore by the way it must be”

How can this be I didn’t asked to be attacked but realising that the truth in what they where saying could actually harm everyone I care for. I can’t stand the thought of having anyone else’s death on my hands, the burden of my unborn babies death was painful enough I couldn’t fathom the pain of anyone else that I truly care for meeting such a fate.”Okay but where do we go from here, what happens to my life, my home, my money I will be losing everything I have ever had”. I could tell that Sean could sense my unease with this all so stated “Just because on paper your dead does not mean that you will lose everything you have ever had, instead you will keep everything but possesses certain things in a different way, all of that we can start dealing with on Monday” “we have no interest in what is yours financially that is yours and yours alone, however you won’t be able to get any of your clothing or possessions, Scott can take you to buy more suitable clothes as nothing can be out of place if we are to portray your death, no questions can be raised by others”. Studying my face intently he proceeded “ which brings us to other news before you agree to this all, you still have some surviving family members and I appreciate this may not be the best way to introduce you but I feel family is exactly what you need right now”. “Your uncle is still with us, he was your mothers brother”. This was all becoming to much for me I just wanted to run out of the room, I felt as if I was drowning and anytime I started to get to the surface I was hit by another wave pushing me back under the water. Scott then rose from his seat and moved towards me looking overwhelmed himself as if this was the first time he was ever made aware of my existence. He pulled me up from my seat and pulled me into a massive hug and I could feel a stray tear run down my cheek. All the time still being held “Your alive, I thought you died with her, If I had known dear girl I would have taken you in”. “There is so much time that needs to be made up for, but you’re here now and I promise you I will make this right, I should have realised as soon as I saw you after all you look so like her”. I couldn’t speak, after all what can you say when your presented with all of this. “So what say you Riley, are you ready to learn who you truly are”. Realising that Sean was waiting for his answer I gently tapped on Scott’s shoulder and he realised me so I could answer. “Okay after all I feel like there is no other choice really”. “ Perfect, we will give you a few days to adjust to this all then on Monday, we will start moving forward and I know Elliott will be wanting you to start training as soon as possible, in relation to you friends, can you be trusted to keep your phone and avoid contact with them and avoid all social media contact, as if your anything like my children I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be deprived of you music and the ability to watch films” “Scott will show you to one of the spare rooms that will now become yours, along with show you around your new home, on one last note welcome home and m sorry that it had to be done under such circumstances”.

“ Now gentlemen I feel we should wrap this up presently but we have to start making arrangements, are you all in agreement”Sean looked at everyone that was present and they all nodded in favour. Scott then looked at me “why don’t you go find the kitchen and help yourself to a drink and wait for me on the front porch, just walk the way you came and at the staircase turn to your right walk down the corridor and the second door you come to will lead to the kitchen”. Embracing me in another hug and then pulling away to hold my face in his hands and just looked at me I could see that a few tears had started to form in his eyes. He finally dropped them to his side and I picked up my bag and walked out the room, and closed the door behind me. As soon as I had closed he door I finally crumbled and sat down with my back supported by the wall and just held my legs whilst quietly sobbing. Just needing a few moments to try and comprehend everything that had taken place.