The hunter

Chapter 11

My mood was suddenly spoiled by Chris casually leaning against my door, you have got to be kidding me, I definitely stand by my word he is a complete douche, even the way he was positioned it was as if he was posing for a magazine shoot but failing miserably. He had on boot cut jeans and was attempting to wear a tight black T-shirt, someone needed to tell the guy the only person who could rock that look was Josh. “Riley, I’ve been waiting for you, look I know you will be starting your training tomorrow but ,I thought I would also offer my services.”. Wow looks like I know who will be winning the bet “um how about no, I’m not really interested in the training you do”, his face flushed with irritation “and what’s that supposed to mean exactly”, trying to not give him any false illusions I kept it short and blunt “well the way that girl was screaming at your door the other day I know exactly what you want and not interested so if you would, move from my door now so I can go inside”. At that he got really pissed of and stormed of, clearly the guys ego wasn’t so good and taking a knock back but to be quite honest I could care less. “What the hell, Lord of the douches, who the hell put this on my door” looking to my left I could see he had ripped it off the door, secretly giggling I got to give it to Josh he was definitely true to his word. I then let myself into the room whilst I could hear the prat shouting demanding to know who put such a sign up, locking my door I headed straight for a shower. Relishing the warmth it offered even if it made my injuries burn it was worth it, after stepping out the shower I walked back into my room and just sat on the bed enjoying the feeling of my hair feeling clean. The only thing that was missing was having some music to listen to, I could quite just sit on the bed with a song on repeat just enjoying the moment for the pure beautiful simplicity of it. Alas I didn’t have that option so I went and pulled out all clean clothes I settled on my flared jeans with a grey flared sleeve gypsy top and got myself dressed.

There was a a knock at my door followed by two my raps “Riles you decent” going to my door and unlocking it was Josh in jeans and black T-shirt finished off with a black shirt sleeve shirt. “Hey, you haven’t come to ask who put the Lord Douche sign up because I’m afraid I have no idea”, “Yeah same here I have no clue, I mean honestly who would be that childish” I loved the fact he was able to say that with a straight deadpan face but with a slight mischievous wink.

“As you have loads of time to kill I thought I would take you for a walk outside so you could try and get your bearings a bit as your going to be spending a lot of time getting used to the woods with your training” nodding in agreement and walked over to retrieve my trainers and sat on the bed whilst lacing them up. “Josh thank you for helping Scott set my room up, you didn’t have to but I really do appreciate it”, “anytime Riles I’ve got your back, I like you”.

We headed out the room I went to lock my door and slid the key into my jeans and we headed downstairs and then out the front door. Despite the fact I couldn’t go home it was nice that I wasn’t actually being treated as a prisoner so maybe life isn’t going to be as bad as I thought it would be.

As we made our way out into meadow Josh turned me around and pointed to the house, I was astounded by the sight before me it looked as it it was a neglected building the front porch had columns and all up the walls was moss and ivy as if nature was reclaiming anything that belonged on its land the walls where red stone but looking at it from this distance it gave off an ominous, eerie vibe yet inside I was immaculate and welcoming. Very much a good testament to never judging a book by its cover, the house also felt quite intimidating and must have been majestic back in its day.

I wonder if they used to hold massive garden parties back when it was newly built, what stories could this building tell us. “Impressive isn’t it Riles, do you want to know what I love so many people are so self involved in themselves that there missing the real truth in life this house being case and point, to any outsider it’s just a run down neglected building but to us it’s our home and keeps us hidden from the world”.

Turning around we made our way through the meadow and walking past my willow tree that was so beautiful with the white and brown interwoven trunk, it provided ample shade and could be a very nice place to sit under and just contemplate life. The grass was nearly up to the top of my calf’s and hidden between the yellow and green blades where red and yellow poppies with wild daisies and dandelions for good measure. Now the grass was starting to thin out and was replaced with muddied paths and the sunlight was being hidden but the trees as if creating a fortress of its own to try and keep evil at bay. I’m not sure if I had made this up but I swear I read somewhere they used to plant yew trees everywhere to ward of evil and low and behold there where two enormous yew trees standing guard at the entrance to this path, the leaves had yet to feel the touch of autumn there leaves where the darkest shade of forest green I had ever seen. Looking across at the track there where a few slight spots of light where rays of sun had managed to pierce its way through the foliage, and you could say the rays of light which gave of a feeling as if you where entering sacred territory. Intermingled between the trees was blackberry bushes, ferns and bracken and as we walked through you could hear the birds happily talking away to its neighbours as if catching each other up on the latest gossip. “So Riles I would personally advise on a serious note getting familiar no path is the same in here and is quite easy to get lost in here, don’t worry I run drills through here with everyone all the time, as this creates a great disadvantage to us in some ways because they are quite able to hide amongst the nature”. Looking ahead of us I could see what he meant the paths weren’t over crowded and every wher was surrounded by all the greenery, it would make hide and seek so easy to them.

“Josh what exactly do you do then if you don’t mind me asking “I thought that would be obvious I’m a trainer aswell, not like Elliott he teaches the art of fighting but I will help get everyone into physical shape, work on your agility and endurance, and I don’t go easy on anyone, but somehow I get the feeling your not exactly a quitter, you have a lot more strength in you then you realise, I just think that you have never really tapped into it before”

“Why does everyone keep saying that, if you actually knew the things I have been through you would possibly feel I was a let down to your kind” he snorted to this “bollocks, strength isn’t just measured in physicallity but also in mentality aswell, I trained one guy that was nearly twice the size of me but when it come down to it he froze, also it’s not my kind it’s our kind”.

“Like you I wasn’t born and raised here my parents ran away from this place after I was born, and we had a good life until I was eighteen we where camping, very much the outdoor family” kicking a stray rock on the floor not wanting to look up “these wolves came out of nowhere, Patrick, Elliot and Scott just showed up but it was to late, my parents didn’t even see them they just attacked us whilst asleep, ever since then I have made it my mission to not let it happen to anyone else”.

“Wow I’m sorry Josh” hugging him “So you see we are kindred spirits, I had to learn to adapt to a new life as well, but in a sense I feel so much more connected with my family and they’re memories live on inside me”. I had never seen it from that view point before, but there was so much truth behind what he said.

“Josh what do you mean by running drills exactly” his eyes light up from his more somber expression “ah as if I’m going to give that away, what’s the fun in that, I’m going to make sure your can handle any obstacle thrown your way”. Great couldn’t wait for that start, oh wait yes I definitely can I have never been that gym person or into competive sports. This is definitely going to be a learning curve for me, Josh then grabbed my wrist indicating that he wanted to start walking. The ground was not even and a couple times I nearly tripped up from raised tree roots also where pot holes had been created in places. Josh took me through a pathway where it was starting to get narrower till we came to a clearing. Sunlight filled this open space and there was an uprooted tree that was laying across the middle of this clearing, White butterflies where darting between the rays of light.

“Riles this area you need to be careful with the most, especially at night, do not get caught in this area” it looked so harmless I walked into him with the clearing itself and still didn’t fully comprehend why to be so cautious. “I don’t get it what’s wrong with this place, it’s so open and light”.

“Ah it may look like that but have you not realised yet appearances are so deceiving, look at the ground, no level footing” Doing as advised I really looked at this place and I could see what he meant there wasn’t just an uprooted tree, there was several old stumps that had been cut down many years ago, that the forest was now reclaiming and could cause you to trip up. Wild vines from ivy spreading across the floor, creating an numerous hazards to trip up on. “Riles close your eyes, and really listen as well”. Upon closing my eyes I could hear the trees moving creaking, the threes rustling how would you be able to differentiate between an oncoming attack if you could hear the trees moving and branches cracking on there own accord.

Opening my eyes Josh went over the the fallen tree and sat on it going to join him, he then stood on the tree with him and I had to cling to him because the tree was starting to rock. “See what I mean now, you will need to learn how to keep your balance, you must always be aware of everything please, there are no do overs for us one wrong move and it’s over”. To I still this statement he let go and I instantly had to put my hands out to keep my balance. He then came charging at me instinctively I put my hands in front and that was enough for me to fall off and hit the floor.

“Okay, I get the point and hand on heart I promise to do my best, just know I’m not a sporty person”

Laughing out loud “So what, if you train and train you will improve, nothing in life is meant to be easy, but from what I have heard about your parents I have a feeling that you will be stronger than you think, after all you handled yesterday a lot better than I expected”. Just looking at him resisting rolling my eyes and shaking my head I think he might be overselling who I am. Jumping off the tree he reached up and pulled me up “trust in your big bro I won’t let you down and will help you become your true self” “big bro huh, well I always wanted to have a sibling” pulling me in and ruffling my hair “yep well you got one now, now how about we head back I feel like making a special sign for lord of the douches so he has his own special seat” “oh I’m game bro” we both made our way back out the woods laughing. As soon as we walked through the clearing Tyler was there pacing back and forth what the hell was up his butt.

“Riley, I’ve been looking for you, I was going to take you to Patrick so you would have your own dagger and axe” Josh just gripped onto my shoulder and held me back “you know I could have taken her Tyler” was Josh still pissed at him for waking him up it’s so weird as Scott and and Josh seem to be very cautious with me and him when really they have nothing to worry about. “ why do I need my own I would have thought there would be loads spare”. Tyler smirked at this “princess it’s a right of passage, our weapons, have a personal touch for lack of a better word in them, come on I will take you there now” grabbing my hand trying to pull my out of Josh’s hold, he didn’t relent “it’s okay I will come to”. “Sorry can’t do Elliot’s looking for you something about working out the princess’s training schedule”. That’s it I’m seriously getting sick of being called princess “Tyler, enough with the nickname because it’s not catching on, and drop the macho s**t, fine I will come with you” then turning to Josh “I will catch up with you soon I have an idea how we can do some photoshop later if your catch my drift. Smiling on this Josh gave me a big squeeze and headed off back to the house looking for Elliott. “Right lead the way to Patrick then” smacking my backside he then pulled me with him as we started walking to what looked like an open barn I could see a glow from the fire, wow this guy must be old school to forge an axe in a fire pit. Making our way over you could hear the fire crackle and as soon as you where near enough to the fire you could feel the heat, it was like stepping into your own sauna.

Patrick had his back to us and even though it was boiling hot had a long sleeve top on with his apron, you could hear him playing with the fire from the sound of the charcoal crunching. Tyler was stood next to me and was resting his hand on my back but not letting it rest in one place, I wasn’t big on how to handsy he was being, it felt like it was a game he was trying to play and wanted to win to cater to his own ego, not really truly caring about the emotional fall out it would have on the others around him. I couldn’t pretend I wasn’t attracted to him but I was all to aware that he would be like quicksand to me ive known this type before and it always ends the same way, there like a tornado once they have achieved what they set out to do, there is a mass trail of devastation left in its wake. I know myself to well and know as much as I will fight my attraction, if I even show one ounce of weakness then he will be able to stake his claim. So trying to move away from him slightly without him noticing as not wanting to play cat and mouse with him. Patrick turned around “Ah finally, you ready to see your weapons being made”, “umm what is the significance in having my own made Patrick”. Just smiling he went back to the fire and retrieved a molten amber glowing cylnder and started to hammer at the very edge of it where amber sparks started to fly and then returning it to the fire. “Because it’s more personal and will be more designed for you, no weapon is a like with us when we go out and truly hunt, now stay here and let’s make something beautiful for you”. I barely knew the guy but I loved the passion he had for what he did, I also loved the way he and Tara where when dancing together it was so pure and passionate at the same time, it was would I had always dreamed of having but never feeling truly worthy of such a powerful moment.

Retrieving the cylinder again he started to beat it bending it to his will and you could see the shape starting to take form. It was now longer a solid cylinder it was now stretched out and had become flat and starting to take the form of an axe. Patrick was almost dancing with his hammer where shaping mending it to his will then placing it back in the fire his hand spinning it around with such due care and attention. Strays stands of his hair would go into his eyes and he would use the back of his gloved hand to try and will the hair back into place. Then after time had passed I now had a fully shaped axe it was not a double head like Tyler’s but so much more perfect it was the perfect length to behead a wolf. He spun it around admiring his hard work you could see the satisfied expression he held then dunked it in a bucket of water. Steam emanating from this and the hiss almost as if announcing that it was now ready for war. Once it was cooled it no longer glowed and was black from being burnt from the harsh fire and Patrick went to sharpen it being methodical with each brush he took sharpening it. Then it was completed the axe head was so beautiful yet so sharp all that was needed was the handle. “Riley may I have your hand for a second” grabbing my hand he turned it palm upright and used the axe so gently that it cut through my skin like butter even though it was not deep as he was so gentle it was more a minor scratch but blood spilled through and he turned my hand and made some of my blood go into where the handle would be fitted. “You’ve now bleed for your axe, and now it will forever bleed and fight to protect you, your both connected to one another in a blood oath and nothing will be able to break that bond”. My hand stung from this one thing but I felt powerful for it and felt as if we where one which took me by surprise.

Patrick then grabbed a new cylinder and started his rhythmic pattern but now instead of an axe a dagger was being made. Watching his process the sparks flying, he had so much passion for his gift and it was truly an art form that generation today would not appreciate. People have long forgotten true old fashioned skills we where now slaves to technology and social media posting the most self centred things to make others either envious or make them feel pity. As we have evolved during time we no longer cared for others but more for ourselves we have all become so self absorbed how was this progress in today’s society. More obsessed with our lives than thinking about how we are all fighting are own battles and battles are not won by just one person. I aiways remember reading somewhere it takes a village to raise a child and that held so much truth in that statement but sadly we have all lost that knowledge. “Wait till you see Akechetah’s handles the man is a master at wood, I swear it talks to him, I will pass them to him and he will add the finishing touches” at the mention of his name Tyler stiffened and a look of annoyance was present, I had no idea what his problem was but there was something so different with Akechetah he seemed to have so much wisdom in him.

Patrick took the blade of the dagger and ran it across my now healing cut to again bind us to one another but this time I felt no pain. “You two go back inside I’m sure it won’t be longer for dinner, I need to clean up and clean myself up need to look good for my lady afterall” he chuckled at this statement he really truly loved her with all his heart such a rare thing to see now a days.