Hunted [First Half] ✓

Chapter Two: Old habits die hard

CHAPTER TWO:

OLD HABITS DIE HARD

{hani blithe's point of view}

This is different. 

    The water splashed as my combat boots collided into the wet ground, creating nothing but wet patches on my jeans. Even then, I couldn't offer a single f**k as that isn't even close to what I should think at this particular moment. We had change course, and I am still unsure if it is for the better. If Nvae isn't being a b***h, we could have been miles away from this place. 

    You can still smell the faint reminder of the rain as you see every evidence of what it has brought into this lively place... and well, that was just enough to get me hooked in this area. Maybe it's because I am getting quite attached for this place as this has been the first time in years that I was in the woods when a rain just happened.

    Rain and forest is a good combination for me. 

    Something about that refreshing vibe that the forest releases and the whole comforting feeling that it produces inside me just makes me feel like I'm home, which of course, is just f*****g crazy.

    For some inane reason, I loathe feeling this comfortable about someplace that we're just meant to leave in the end. I am not someone who is a sucker for bad romances, if I know something will end bad my best decision is just f*****g leave it. Why must someone create something so stupid?

    Slight romance? Why bargain your happiness for something you'll know wouldn't even end right. 

    Nvae, who just woke up from the almost sixteen hours' drive, mumble some colourful compliments as she finally managed to get a grasp to the place while she's carelessly putting a red snapback on her head. She takes her time to look around in awe as I pull the keys out of the ignition so we could take a little stroll around the place.

    The whole place has a very festive feeling today, something that I can conclude is a part of their traditions— and sadly, we aren't very familiar with that tradition quite yet. Unlike before, we didn't have a good background of this particular area since we fled the last one without a great amount of time to research.

    "If we don't leave by tomorrow, I'm afraid I'll grow attached," Nvae mumbled softly as she takes another good look of the place, even mushing up some admiration to the very different vibe around the place.

    This town, no matter how I deny it on the outside, was really quite a beauty. It was surrounded by a very beautiful forest that seems to be treasured by the people who lived around it and don't even get me started with the houses. Instead of those cement building that we always stumble before, the houses in here are all designed to be a cabin. Some were more modern than the others but all of them are cabin styled houses. 

    Yes, they all live in a very cosy, yet very luxurious looking cabins. Can I just say, a-freaking-mazing!

    Our small strides halted into a cabin that's just possible in one's imagination. It wasn't modern or anything luxurious, but it plain beautiful. Just by taking a good look of the exterior makes you see this comfort that it will provide on you, knowing that it would be pretty chilly in this area when the sun descends. There's this sign on the side that's already faded, but it was still visible enough to our eyes.

Cabin for rent.

    "Wow, we're kind of lucky," Nvae breathes out as she carefully lay the small luggage to the ground, "Which is unlikely since you're always carrying bad luck like a f*****g charm."

    "I don't always bring you, the f**k you talking about?" I fired back.

    Instead of firing back her teasing, Nvae was already captivated to the whole place. Her eyes sparkled as she takes a good look of the cabin in front of us, seeing nothing but beauty. There's this whole excitement building inside her body but she was careful enough to hide it from her outside expression. 

    "This place is just plain beautiful."

    I chuckled softly at her innocent reaction, not even realizing that she would create such a big fuss over something like this, "You just haven't seen or lived in a cabin before. Calm yourself."

    "Oh stop being such a liar. You're thinking the same thing, Hani."

    My lips curved into a grin in which she releases this whole triumphant smile in return. I just don't know what the hell got into me when I changed our course. Six hours into the whole trip, we arrived in the first place that Nvae has suggested. Unlike this place, it has all the luxuries that we needed. It even has the technical capacity and everything that I would prefer than anything.

    But then, my body hated the idea of going out of the car and spend a day or two in that place. Deciding to trust my instincts, I continue to make our way towards this place. Somehow, I'm happy that I decided to head towards this town. There was a small part of me knows that unlike other places, we have a high chance of getting a low profile in this kind of area.

    "Well, hello there young ladies." 

    Surprised, we both look over our shoulders simultaneously and we were welcomed by a very petite mature woman who greeted us in a very calming voice. Our body moved to face her, even bowing softly at her presence. Her eyes searched for something that I couldn't quite comprehend, weird. 

    She smiled, "I'm Mrs. Smith, but you can call me Star. My husband built the cabin that you're looking at right now. We hardly even have visitors and to see that it was two young beautiful ladies who are looking at awe in my cabin. I'm glad, I'm glad! Are you two going to rent the cabin?"

    I nodded softly and instead of feeling that distaste for her starting such a draggy conversation, something inside me feel rather relieved at her very sweet and welcoming response; like I was proud of her or something—which is just making me confused as hell. 

    Tired. 

    That's just it. I'm just f*****g tired. Somebody throw me some bed! Please! 

    I nodded before letting a smile to dangle into my lips, "Yes... well, maybe just for a week or less..."

    "Oh, you're just passers. I see... usually the less that I could give people to rent the cabin would be a month but seeing how tired you both look," she trailed, looking at us in a very worried expression as her lips turned into a frown.

    If my expression wasn't masked by something neutral, I must have gasped at her action. We never really encountered someone who looks and talks like she's deeply worried about us, especially when we just met them. Is it really their thing in here to be this welcoming?    

    Or was she plotting something? 

    I know it was bad to think so ill of the person who is offering you nothing but kindness but our job requires that kind of dishonesty to the world. To our twisted mind, everything seemed to reconnect with someone wanting to kill us. 

    Which of course, sucks. We couldn't even breathe properly without being thorough to those who surround us. 

    I just nodded softly toward the lady—I mean we did pass a countless checkpoint in which it was led by some hunters that were tracking the both of us; creating some sort of plan as we go along the way is just really tiring us out.

    A look of determination finally emerge into her face, "I'll give it to the both of you, and the price is much lower in here than in the local motels."

    Nvae's eyes visibly brighten at the old lady's kind words, probably knowing that our budget will finally get back to track, "Really? Oh my gosh, thank you so much! You don't know how much that means to us, Star."

    "Oh no worries, dear child," she chuckled as she shook her head, passing us some yellow paper in which we have no choice —no matter how much we feel grateful towards her— have to fake every little bit of details inside that lease. She flashes this smile before handing me a key, "After you two are done with the documents, just give it to me. I live just five houses before yours, East. Enjoy your stay, girls."

    Nvae nodded cheerfully before giving her a parting hug, in which the old lady gratefully accepted. I know for a fact that no matter how it looks like on the outside, this isn't just a normal parting hug—this is Nvae's way to place a small transceiver in her back so we could check her profile. It wasn't noticeable, kinds of replicate a tape but it was wired with some technical shits that she does. Despite that gut feeling inside us which tells us that we should trust the kind lady, the hunter part inside of us still stirs with nothing but suspicions.

    "Thank you so much, Star! See you later!"

    When she left in glee, Nvae walked inside the cabin before placing her small invention on the coffee table. My feet push the main door closed and the equipment suddenly illuminated some blue lights, scanning the whole place for further information. The blue light faltered, making me flicker the lights inside the cabin as Nvae already making her way towards the basement to place everything that she needed to place.

    Our luggage must seem like a normal suitcase and some gym bag to the naked eye, but inside these so-called normal bags are numerous equipment that Nvae needed for hacking, gathering information, researches and some more classified information that she needed to maintain our protection. 

    Yes, she's that serious in her field.

    And of course, the weapons. 

    Loads and loads of weapons, and even Nvae's trusted rifle. She couldn't even move places without bringing one. That's a marksman for you. 

    "Is the cabin cozy enough for you?" I mumbled softly, indicating a soft message if the place is bugged with things that would expose our identity. Nvae cautiously walked towards the living room and closed the basement door before nodding her head as the device beeped, notifying us that the place is as clean as a sheet. That response was good enough for me to drop into the bed.

    I take an exhausted sigh as I feel the cloud-like feeling of the bed, "Fi—freaking—nally! I mean have you ever once tried to think what joy it would bring to me if you actually learned how to drive? So you know, we can finally change seats from time to time."

    "I did, actually," Nvae take a good look at me before flashing a mocking grin, "but since I love seeing you in huge distress, I push that idea aside."

    My eyes rolled sideways as I walk towards her, checking the things that she needed to hack. In her laptop were countless unfiltered CCTV records in some local places around this area and some personal records of notable people around here. A part of her would always be paranoid if she wasn't aware of everything that was happening around our place, always making sure that we were both safe in every different corner. 

    A soft beep dinged in her laptop in which she just typed out some words and instantly, Mrs. Smith's familiar voice roared in the place.

+bzzt—

"Yes, just passers. Two lovely girls rented our cabins, they seem nice."+

    We both flash a smile at her kind words, making us fully noted that she really is a good person inside and out. Somehow, we release this breath that we hold, like this part of us, we're grateful that the other side of us trust this kind lady.

+bzzt—

"You actually like some passers? Did the hell freeze over, honey?"+

    At the deep voice of a man and a soft chuckle on the other line, I can't help but smile at their passage of words, making me remember a very good memory from my old normal life. 

+bzzt—

"Unlike the others, they don't have a sinister plan towards the forest."

"And this is from a woman who suspects a poor five-year-old boy to some malicious acts towards the forest? Who are you and what have you done with my wife?"+

    Mrs. Smith's loud laughter is followed by our soft chuckles.

+"bzzt—

Well, I'm not sure but I do feel perfectly comfortable towards those girls. You should greet them some time, honey. I mean the whole pack feels the same way."+

    At her words, her husband seems rather satisfied enough but those words weren't clear enough for us. As a matter of fact, that one single word is winding up the keys inside my head as the both of our forehead creased in complete confusion. 

    Pack? 

    Did she mean to say that as the name of this place? But she says the word along the line of, 'the whole pack'. I could define pack itself but with her usage of words, my assumptions are getting nowhere. This is just... plain weird.

    The rests were normal husband and wife conversation but it seems like we can clear Mrs. Smith's profile. Just like that, Nvae's hand continued to type towards the computer in a very fast manner that I just suddenly grew surprised that some pop-outs, records, files, and some other things were suddenly showed in her laptop. A lot of codes were typed inside the computer, sending my head into circles.

    Groaning, I walked away from her to get some proper rest that my body badly needs. That plan somewhat faded as my eyes caught a sight outside the cabin. There were some kids that continued to play around the place, chasing each other as their laughter surround the outdoor place. No one seems to mind of the loud noise since they all have the same agenda for today—and that is to be festive and to be all cheerful.

    Seems like their town is turned into a mini carnival or some sort. There were some countless booths that would let you get a small or big prize, depending on how well you play their game. A tiny sincere smile escapes my lips—something that hasn't happened for quite a while.

    "One down," Nvae announced as her computer beeped.

    And then there's this girl who seems oblivious of what fun really is. She's possibly one of the few women who seem to get their happiness towards killing the monsters, instead of the usual thing that a girl would find fun... like silly jokes, gossips, laughter over nothing and just... enjoying your days with your treasured friends.

    I tilted my head before snapping a finger at her, "Nvae, get out of that computer."

    "Nah," she shook her head as she pushes my finger away from her face, instantly making my brow arch.

     There's always a huge difference between what she shows to other people and how she acts when she's working in front of her laptop. 

    Her finger traced some information in her laptop and her eyes twitch before she gazes her attention to me, "I need to gather background to this area and know about that pack thing."

    "The heck? I'm not asking you, I'm giving you an order," I grumbled as my hand pushed her laptop close. Her eyes followed my line of sight in which she sends some kind of this distaste expression in her eyes. My hand carefully placed the laptop on her safe place, making her brow raise.

    "What the hell is happening?"

    I shrugged before locking the safe, "We're going to the town festival."

    "What the hell!?" Nvae's suddenly spat, making me cringe in her loud voice. I even noticed how her mouth hung low, probably not expecting that reason from me after I just completely push her out of her comfort zone. She shook her head as she held her temple, "You're disrupting all my basic researches because of that crap?"

    "Nvae, I didn't bring you out of that place so you can just continue shielding yourself away from the life that you clearly deserve to see, feel and experience," I pressed softly, making sure that her brain progressed all of that information clearly.

    Some of the female hunters mentioned to me that Nvae lived her whole life in the headquarters. To my surprise, she was a five-month-old baby when the headquarters adopted her, making some of the female hunters to take good care of the poor kid. When she learned how to walk and hold her own milk bottle, that was also the day that the boss decided to let the female warriors train her.

    Can you realize that? A baby—possibly one or two-year-old—is training how to kill someone and to use some weapons that they managed to shrink to her hand size? All her life, she managed to live in a violent environment, not even knowing a single normal thing that a person in her age would do.

    Nvae still seems somewhat confused as she takes a good look at me. My lips twitch into a knowing smile before mumbling out words, "We can work later for your researches, okay? Now, let's get you familiar and knowledgeable about the idea of the festival."

    "I can always research-"

    Before she can even type something in that freaking fast hand of hers, my hand already swipe away the glass phone in her hand, making her startled at my fast reflexes. My eyes bore into her, giving her the death glare of her life, "Get off of this technology and love what the freaking nature brings you before I slit your throat in half."

    "Geez! Fine, fine! No need to be all violent."

    I grin at her, pushing the phone in one of the bags that lay on the table, "Good! Let's go!"

    "This is stupid," I heard her mumbled softly in the wind.

    She says that now. 

    My face morphed into one that seems to ridicule Nvae but she was having fun for me to notice. Here, she was moping not a couple of hours ago saying that everything around this place and stupid and now, she's here and seemingly acting like a child. 

    "This is so much fun!" Nvae exclaimed, smile printed in her lips like she just learned that fun does exist outside of her computer.

    It didn't even take more than five minutes before she dragged me into the cotton candy booth. She was carefully tracing the darts into the moving balloon so she could earn the cotton candy as a prize. My eyes roll sideways, knowing that she's obviously faking that calculating eyes of hers. These are all baby games for her, easy as a f*****g pie. As her hand throws the dart into the board, it caught the red balloon, making it pop as a paper fall into the table.

    Wow, surprise surprise. Please note the sarcasm.

    "Okay, let's see what you got!" The man who managed the booth exclaimed as he walks towards the paper, rolling it open as he flashes a smile—not perverted or creepy, more like sincere, fatherly way—to her, "A prize, indeed."

    Nvae's eyes sparkled as she followed the cotton candy, ready to mouth out her prize but she stopped as she saw something. A flash of something new appeared on her face as she pointed her hand towards one of the largest stuff toys in the booth, a stuffed husky toy dog. To my utter disbelief, she squealed like a five-year-old kid as she hugged—more like squeeze—the whole thing.

    "Oh my god! It's sooo soft!" she exclaimed as her eyes were sparkling in glee for the very first time.

    We continued to move towards the booths and whenever she would like a prize or feel rather intimidated by a game, she would go for it. Luckily for us, these booths don't require money because the folks told us that it's like a treat for somewhat higher to their people. I didn't think much about it since free memories are all that we need by this time.

    "Hani," Nvae softly broke the silence and as soon as I push all my attention to her, she engulfs me into a hug. My eyes grew wide at her action but then a soft smile spread across my face as my hand patted her back, "Thank you for showing all of this to me!"

    I nodded at her as her she pushes herself away from me, making me mess her brown hair in a comforting gesture, "I promised you a life that you deserve, Nvae."

    "And I'm always thankful for that," she softly mumbled as she takes a good look of her stuffed dog. Tiny smiles escape her soft lips and I feel rather grateful that she's been smiling so much more now, "That's why I always choose to work much harder for our protection, you know? I always feel like I cause you enough trouble and I want to give you something in return."

    I chuckled as the way she carelessly expresses her feelings just because of an intense day of nothing but complete euphoria, "You don't cause me trouble."

    Her mouth parted, ready to say another word but it stopped as soon as three male appeared out of nowhere. I saw a very familiar mark on their neck, making me manage to seem neutral even though I was groaning on the inside. 

    Werewolves. 

    Freaking hell. Can we have a decent day without someone ruining it for us? Darn it. Life can be that of a b***h, aye? 

    My eyes scanned the place and I cursed on my head as I realize that our supposed to be 'small trail' suddenly reached somewhat the inner part of the forest.

    "I thought they already got some welcome greeting but seeing that fluffy looking wolf in the hands of that girl makes me think otherwise," the man with deep black coloured eyes muttered and I could almost growl but I keep it inside. Not wanting to anger them any longer.

    Nvae, who seems oblivious about their identity, just gasped at his words, "Wolf!? Oh, no no no! No, it is not! This is a fluffy husky dog!"

    "Na uh, that toy is clearly a wolf," the man on the right chuckle, even shaking his head to what realization entered his brain. He then grabs hold of the toy before showing it to his friends, "This is gold! Look! Her stuffed wolf looks like the beta, man!"

    Oh s**t, you did not just grab her—

    "Hold the motherfucking phone," Nvae gasped as she takes some dangerous step toward the mongrel on the right, the man who just grabs her toy. She has this dangerous look in her eyes as she takes the toy away from him, "How f*****g dare you to touch what's mine!"

    The third man stiffed for some reason, "Do you think that she's the bet—"

    "I wonder that too, actually." 

    The first man shook his head as he takes a good look at me. The other two back away, like they're thinking if this is something out of the ordinary. His nose twitch, meaning that he's taking a good whip of the surroundings before flashing a sinister grin. 

    "No," he announced, red eyes glistering in nothing but a promise for destruction, "They're both humans without a distinguished smell of either the Alpha or the Beta."

    Both of them grin at something that they find amusing before their eyes flashed red. The two mutts look at me very carefully and they seem really surprised that I didn't have some sort of response to the shifting of their eyes. A large sound of a slap and a very agonized scream from a man erupted the clash of our eyes. 

    Nvae held her toy protectively as the third mutt lay on the ground, holding his now scarred cheeks. All of their eyes widen and that's where they saw the silver ring that was placed in Nvae's right hand. It wasn't just a normal ring; it was a sign of alliance, a kind of ring that all hunters wear. A flash of recognition showed in their eyes, finally realizing why I didn't bother to gasp as their eyes flashed into a deep red colour. 

    "Hunters," the man who grabbed her toy suddenly blurts out. 

    Nvae seems to finally notice the situation, making her grew rather stiff. She is extremely dangerous in marksmanship, her aim was always clear and precise that she could kill wolves in one single shot. However, if you were to drag her in hand combat, she would be deeply outnumbered. 

    The three of them back away but then they halted, they were talking inside of their heads and we both know that. I walk towards Nvae in a protective stance and then it happened.

    They shifted.