The hunter

Chapter 12

Walking back to the house Tyler was so close to me “so how you holding up after yesterday, Jesus if I had been there, I wouldn’t have let you take them on yet, it was stupid, and they should have known better”. “Why because I’m some defenceless princess, wouldn’t it have been stupid to do that as they would have been leaving themselves vulnerable because the wolves would have come for me as easy picking”. He went dead quiet at that clearly; he thought his views was always right which is a bit stupid if you ask me but then what did I know this is not a lifestyle that I know much about. Walking through the door we were greeted by children running around squealing and laughing accept one little girl. She was trailing behind them clutching a pink rabbit with blonde ringlets that where so perfect but natural she had a face that almost looked like a cherub with big beautiful brown eyes, but she looked so lost, and I felt a pull at my heart. She went trailing after then in a denim dungaree dress with a pink tie dye T-shirt underneath. “That’s Emma, she hasn’t spoken now fir two months since her parents were killed in the last fight, her aunt and Uncle are out tracking still but will be getting her once they have finished their mission”. I felt so much for her she was so beautiful how can such innocence have to endure such pain, how could any of them they are children they should not have to be burdened with such complex adult emotions.

“She didn’t see them die did she, she’s only a baby”, scoffing at this “don’t be daft of course she didn’t but we had to break the news to her, they were out with Chris and some of the elders it was two full moons ago, that jack ass tried to run the show the guys ego gets right in the way he left them wide open, we should try to be more spread out and hidden till we go in for the kill”.

He looked really pissed at this, but I could understand “Riley kids like this grow up knowing what dangers they face, it’s how it’s always been done”. That didn’t feel right to me kids should not have to worry about death and dangers they should be encouraged to see the innocence in the world.

Making our way to the kitchen there was all manner of crashing around and was busy with people in it. There was five people running around preparing food one was a very elderly lady in jeans and a T-shirt her brown hair tied up in a French plait she looked at my direction and smiled “ ah you must be the new arrival I’m Jane my dear” shaking her hand “Riley” smiling then making her way back to preparing food “I do hope your hungry we are making you all lasagne, vegetables and sautéed potatoes” that sounded amazing I could not remember the last time I had a home cooked meal that wasn’t prepared by myself. “How are you finding this deary, must be a shock to the system I know it was for all of us”. This statement shocked me did they not grow up in this world, Tyler came up to me “no they aren’t like us, we saved them from one of the werewolves feeding hunts they were homeless, down on their luck”.

“Yes, that is true, you all saved us in more ways than one, after rescuing us they took us in helped provided us with our own home, a job for life something we all thought would never be possible for us” this was all confusing to me. Tyler gently rests his hand on my shoulder “confused are we, what she means is we took them in they cook and clean for us and live of site, usually we just take them back to the streets because there still not with it and it’s best to let them not know the truth, however some are more alert so we help them however we can”.

I hadn’t really given much thought to people who had been caught up in the crossfire of this demonic battle, but the fact that these people where safe and now had a new life goes to show that goodness can come from evil intentions.

The kids then came into the kitchen with the one silent little angelic one the other two were clearly brother and sister they had mousy brown hair and we’re constantly playing tag with each other and where running circles around Jane. “You little terrors we are cooking your dinner, you shouldn’t be here wouldn’t want you to get hurt” she was so jovial with them as she ruffled the boy’s hair.

“What do you three say to a placket of crisps to tide you over but eat in the communal room”.

The little brown hair girl squealed in excitement “the rabbit shaped crisps please, please there my favourite”. Jane went to the pantries looking for these infamous bunny crisps, when I was suddenly joined by the blonde girl, she looked so lost I got down on my knee so I could look at her. Gently moving a ringlet out of her face, she looked like a porcelain doll with her beautiful big eyes, “hi, aren’t you the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, you look like a China doll I was given many years ago” a little smile lit her face but quickly extinguished as soon as it had appeared. Tyler just winked at her “you alright squirt, keeping out of mischief” then went over to where the food was being prepared and started sampling it to a few looks of annoyance but the people that where cooking it all “ what I need to make sure it’s all edible”. This little hand tapped me on my shoulder and I had the feeling someone wanted some attention “what would you like sweetie, I know your name is Emma, well my name is Riley pleased to meet you, now that we have met would you like to introduce me to your bunny”. Taking the bunny out from under her arm she held it out so I could fully see it “well, hello bunny are you going to tell me your name” I then put my ear by its face as if it was actually talking to me “really, you won’t tell me your name only Emma can, well that’s not very nice” I smiled at her and she pulled it into an embrace cradling it as if her most sacred possession.

The other two kids now held the crisps in their possession and waved them at Emma “come on let’s go we can watch to” and just like that they ran off whilst Emma stayed next to me “aren’t you going to join them” she just shook her head “well you don’t want to stay in the kitchen where everyone is cooking surely there must be something you would like to do”. After I said that she ran off “Think you’ve got a new friend there Riley or is it Riles” , “you’re so funny or wait no you’re not, I don’t know why Josh calls me that but I’d rather be called by my name”.

Jane came back over as I righted myself “ he’s right though dear that’s the most animated I have seen her be lately poor lil duck, she is staying with Russell and Anna’s parents but they have said she has just been so closed off they have been worried sick”. There was then the sound of little feet and Emma was back with Mr bunny and a book, she grabbed me by the hand and started to pull making it clear she wanted me to follow her. Tyler just laughed and then went to his phone “I will meet you in the communal room in a moment I’ve just got to deal with this message from Elliot”. I now had this little girl pushing me from behind “okay, okay I’m moving lead the way then”.

As I was being pushed through the corridor till we finally we reached the communal room, she then came round to my side and started to pull me by the hand there was various long sofas and a wall mounted screen to that had well over one hundred and twenty inches. The walls where not wood panelled like everywhere else seemed to be the walls where a very light yellow colour, and all the furniture seemed to be more modern. I was then pushed as if to initiate that I had to sit, so I pretty much followed this demand.

Emma then sat next to me and handed her over the book she was clinging to, looking at her and smiling “would you like me to read this to you” she just looked up at me with this big doll like eyes and I smiled. The book was a typical kids book with surprise surprise rabbits on it called Guess how much I love you. Opening the book she then snuggled into me and I started to read the story to her and I don’t know what came over me but I put my arm around her allowing her to snuggle in as close as possible. Reading the story using different voices for the adult rabbit and baby rabbit. Once the story was finished she looked up at me with expectant eyes as if telling me she wanted the story again. So going back to the first page to re-read the story when I got to how much the big rabbit was saying how much he loved the baby, Akechetah had appeared before s with my axe and dagger in his hand and was mimicking the adult rabbit and was taking over reading the story. Emma looking up at him was smiling “hey kiddo, I thought that was our book, you’re not cheating on me with Riley are you!” She was shaking her head he carefully handed me my weapons which I placed on my opposite side, he went in and started to tickle her which was met by giggles as she squirmed and then tried hiding in me, joining in I pulled her into a tight embrace “nope, she’s mine all mine” and started to tickle her myself. “Go on squirt, join the other two there about to put a film on” she gave us both a big hug grabbed her book and went to join the other two. “She hasn’t had it easy, she’s not spoken since she found out about her parents, and she’s been like a zombie with everyone that’s the most animated she has been”. He then sat down next to me and just looked at me in a way no one has ever looked at me before it was like I was looking inside of me trying to read my soul.

After some time he reached and grabbed my weapons “come on that’s go into your room and you can get a feel for them”

We left the three kids watching the tv and I couldn’t help but just look at Emma I felt so much pain when thinking of what she has had to face lately. Life was never fair and why did it seem the truly innocent where the ones that had to suffer, they should not have to deal with such grown up matters they should have innocence and magic and be surrounded in the beauty that this world offers not have to see the darkness in the shadows like we as grownups did.

Akechetah as holding my weapons and I followed him upstairs as we made our way to my room, unlocking the door, and going in I sat down on my bed and rubbed my temples still thinking about little Emma. He twirled the axe in front of me and then placed it before me so I could pick it up, the handle was light in colour . “The handles are made out of Ash, that wood makes it strong and can handle the resistance in fighting give it a go” picking it up it felt surprisingly light and I just held it and could just feel this strength as if I could handle anything that I was in control of my life. He then started to adjust my grip then walked round to my back holding onto my hands and showing my how to move with it, where the other night I was just guessing but got lucky in fairness.

It was almost as if we were dancing and he was leading me, then removing one of my hands we continued in our own version of a tango the axe was raising up and down with just the slightest of movements and I could feel his breathe running down my neck and I don’t think I have ever felt so close to someone it was as if we were one. “When fighting always keep your grip tight, and always have a strong stance so if they rush you are anchored and you can handle it without being knocked down” . Turning my head so I was looking into his face listening intently to everything he was saying “ always watch them if there heading straight at you and don’t make a move till the last minute, there are always three moves that work for me, which I’m going to show you now trust me and let me have control for now so that you will always have control in battle”. Doing exactly as he said he bought my right hand down whilst clutching onto the axe adjusting my stance with his, our right hand then swinging upwards ferociously as if cutting into a torso of my would be attacker then swinging down and I envisioned it connecting with shoulder, our left hand now joining the handle and swinging down. “Trust in those I promise it will keep you safe, just always watch them never guess what they will do please your life is to precious”

He said this in such a whispered tone in my ear that sent this indescribable feeling down my neck and I could feel my pulse quicken, looking back at his face his brown eyes held a look I’ve never seen in a man before it was almost as if one of longing. Pulling us out this frozen trance we were both in there was a knock at the door “Riley, open up” realising I had forgotten to lock the door the handle started to pull down and there was Tyler “thought your Uncle said no boys in your room” his tone hinted at sarcasm and he looked at me but just glared at Akechetah “mate I’m not a boy and also Scott wouldn’t have an issue because unlike you he actually knows me and fully trusts me and knows I’m not going to take advantage of a situation for my own personal gain as I’m not self-centred”.

“What the hell is up with you two, this is my room and Tyler I can have whoever I want in here and for your information if you must know he’s been showing me my completed axe and helping me get to grips with it because he’s being decent, besides you where the one who was needing to take a call so drop it”. Still held in his embrace I could feel him chuckle and as he slowly withdrew himself from me I could swear he held me tightly before letting me go “before I forget I hear you and Scott are being sent back out we’ve got two weeks before the next full moon and hear that a few have been spotted starting to track in preparation”. “Wait what, Scott’s leaving?, how long for ?” I actually felt upset he was leaving, which made me realise how much I truly enjoyed having Scott around , I know he said this was what he did but the little selfish child in me actually wanted him to stay. “Don’t worry Riley, I’m still here, I’m not going anywhere without you”, I actually wanted to throw something at him right now as the arrogance he was displaying was starting to irk me.

“I love it when you get pissed off, can’t wait to see you training tomorrow I’ve already agreed with Eliot that I will partner up with you and Show you the ropes” Tyler then came up and grabbed me by the arms with this hungry and heated look as if challenging me to say something, this time I felt nothing but revulsion.

His face changed to that of Bens and I was in my house, Bens grip was tightening on my arms and his eyes where almost black his eyebrows arched and nostrils flared where he was pissed. “What did you say to me I only had a couple of drinks it helps with the back pain you know that, your pathetic do you know that, you’re so needy, I don’t know why I’m even with you Riley” Trying to free myself from his grip now feeling his nails digging into me “get off me now, you stink of alcohol, your skanks at the pub may find it attractive but I f*****g don’t, now get off me and don’t you ever touch me again” managing to shove him he dropped his hold from me and knew he was even more angry, I knew he was about to blow so I started to run upstairs to the bathroom if I could get there in time I would be able to lock myself in till he passes out drunk. Starting to run up the stairs his hand comes through the railings and grabs at my foot yanking hard I lose my footing and fall and hit the side of my face on the step. Slightly disoriented the pain burning where my face connected with carpeted step. I then heard it the thumping but no in a steady beat as even in the sound of his steps you could tell his was staggering where heavily intoxicated. “I love it when you struggle and fight back, have you any idea how hard you’ve got me right now” his hand then clutching at my belt dragging me down to him trying to fight this I desperately try and claw at the step. Then I knew he was on top of me I could smell him the alcohol radiating from his pores. I could feel his rough hands as thy made their way under my top desperately trying to push them away, but he became even rougher and I knew he was turned out even before I could feel his arousal. One of his hands was starting to travel upwards to my breasts whilst the other started to go downwards realising I could only stop one hand I tried to clutch his hand and draw it upwards “ that’s it, keep fighting me it only makes me even harder, you should know that be now” I could feel the tears started to fall whilst I begged him to stop and trying to pull his hand away from me but he was digging his hardness into me making me aware that I was his prey and I wouldn’t win and then I felt the pain I had become so accustomed to as his hand finally reached their destination.

I could feel that I actually was crying where reliving that memory because know I was back in my new room and Ben wasn’t here it was Tyler. Pushing him off me as hard as I could I grabbed my hand bag and looked at Akechetah and turned and ran from my room as fast as I could. You could barely hear my foot fall and in no time I was out the house the cool air soothing my now flushed skin I sat on the step and tried to gain control of my breathing and also fight the sobbing that I so desperately wanted to do so I went through my bag my hands shaking and located my cigarettes retrieved one the dug through my bag looking for my lighter. Then In front of me came Akechetah’s hand offering up his lighter I looked up at his face and his hair was now dishevelled instead of tied up neatly in a plait. He face also looked flushed and he came and sat down next to me. And just put his arm around me drawing me into him so I rested my head on his shoulder and lit up in the distance I could her Scott shouting “oi sunshine I don’t think so, I don’t know what the hell is going on but catching the pair of you fighting in my nieces room doesn’t exactly paint a fantastic picture you know, and before you open that mouth of yours I know damn well it was something you did now jog on”. I could hear the door slam shut and then could just feel Scott behind us and coming down the steps sitting one lower than us. He grabbed his baccy and started to roll up every now and then looking up at me trying to suss what was going on. Tossing my butt in make shift ash tray I closed my eyes hoping I could become invisible as I wasn’t sure how I was going to explain why I just legged it “so anyone want to fill this old man in on what happened, like why Riley is out here or how about I caught you two plebs fighting in her room, I’m sure there is a really good explanation to it”. Opening my eyes I just looked at him not able to actually speak my chest was so painful and I just closed my eyes again. I could feel that my breath was short as if I couldn’t take a full proper breath, I felt like I was drowning in water. Then I saw Bens eyes again that cold hard stare the look of pure evil, I tried hard so hard to stay out his way when he was like that, but sometimes I was stupid and would say something telling him to get away from me or calling him out for flirting with random bar skanks, If only I had not said anything. Like he said I was stupid and never knew when to keep my mouth shut something he would remind me of constantly. The pain I n my chest was ever present and felt like almost like I was in a clamp and someone was winding it tighter and tighter and I could tell I was shaking my leg something I did out of habit. “Riley, talk to me what’s going on you look whiter than Josh’s trainers which I didn’t think was possible”. I could tell it was Scott’s voice but it felt like he was talking to me in a different language. “Mate get her back upstairs to her room I’m going to see if I can get her dinner bought up to her”. “Riley, baby girl listen it’s going to be okay, we are going to take you upstairs and how about you and me eat together just the two of us and we can wan watch a film on your iPad, I will even let you choose a chick flick”. Unable to answer I kept my eyes closed afraid to open them thinking I wouldn’t be looking in my uncles eyes but Bens. Suddenly I could feel I was being forced to stand and then was being cradled and I could smell Akechetah’s aftershave and I just buried my head into his chest trying to focus on my breathing. The tears running down my face freely eventually we must have made it to my room as I could feel my feet hit the door as he tried to turn the handle and then he gently placed me on the bed. I could feel the ident of the mattress where he had joined me and feeling his gentle touch where he was gently stroking my head which was such a foreign concept to me as I’m used to being left alone why would he want to be so nice to me, I’m not deserving of such a gesture like Ben would say I was pathetic and if I had common sense I wouldn’t of upset him so that he had no other choice but to hit me.