Selling Myself To The Hunter

Chapter 8

Dahlia

I began cursing as I slapped myself, trying to kill the pesky mosquitoes that kept landing on me as I stormed off. I hated this place. I hated those mosquitoes. And I hated myself. I couldn't get the image of Chris being slowly spun over the fire out of my head. I couldn't stop hearing the sound of his pained moans. Or of the girl on the other side of the tent. Too much, it was all too much. My stomach churned, and I puked into the nearest bush. Chris was dead because of me. It should have been me over that fire. I should have died ten times over by now.

Maybe I was an ignorant human, as The Hunter so bluntly put it. I heaved again.

Even now, after having cheated death so many times, I didn't bother to grab any weapons in my fury, nor any food or water or other supplies when I stormed out of the camp. All I had were the clothes on my back and the whistle around my neck. Hell, the only reason I knew which way to go was also because of The Hunter, not my own natural sense of direction. Prick. Stupid, annoying prick. So what if he saved me twice now? I never asked him to. I didn't owe him anything.

And yet...

Part of me was screaming to go back. To beg for his help. It was obvious he knew how to survive here, that he knew the layout of things too. If anyone could help me find Toby, it would be him. I walked for another ten minutes before stopping and cursing myself. The Hunter has helped me twice now. Surely I could convince him to help me again. But what if he isn't at the camp when I get there? What if I run into trouble on the way? What if he asks to make a deal? What if-

I yelped and jerked back as something cold and wet touched my hand.

"You!" I breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the wolf that has visited me thrice now. "It's you."

He was far more intimidating standing tall and proud next to me. And though he looked bred to kill, something deep in my bones told me that I was safe with him. That he wouldn't attack me. Especially once he licked my hand, and then my face.

"Down boy!" I chuckled, the first laugh I had since I arrived here four days ago.

Only four days.

That cracked something inside of me, the thought of home, enough to have tears streaming down my face. How was it possible for so much to change in such a short time? I was making breakfast, and then ended up here, fighting for my life. It was hard to fathom. It made me worry about Toby all the more.

"How did you find me again, huh?" I asked, tentatively petting the wolf's sleek brown coat. He leaned into my touch, and I swore he smiled at me, his eyes dancing with mischief, triggering my own smile through my tears. "Care to join me for a walk?" I asked, heading further away from the Duendes camp. Further away from The Hunter. Screw him, I might have a better escort now anyway. The wolf answered with a ruff of excitement, brushing up against me playfully.

Good, this was good. I, at the very least, had a friend to walk with in this pit of hell.

- - - - - - - -

Hunter

I envied Hugo.

He was acting like a damn puppy when he first caught up to her. And naturally, Dahlia and Hugo absolutely hit it off. She was smart enough to talk in a hushed tone as she and Hugo navigated the forest. He did an excellent job of avoiding potential threats, as always. Though today he seemed extra cautious, and rightfully so. Nipping at Dahlia's shirt or simply pushing his body against hers, he would change course as they went to avoid trouble.

Seraphina either didn't know, or didn't fully understand the bond between my wolf and I. I think she thought he was some mindless beast at best. She never did meet Hugo. She kept us caged for so long that I was never able to shift. For two years, Hugo remained trapped inside, unable to run like he so desperately needed to. I feared that he might very well become the mindless beast she believed him to be one day because of it. But that was the only saving grace here. Seraphina didn't know that Hugo and I shared such a sacred bond. And it was the only reason why I would allow him to stay with Dahlia. It would do more good than harm. Good for her safety, good for her mental health, good for his too, if I am being honest.

"She doesn't know we are the same," Hugo mused, speaking to me mind-to-mind as he trotted along with Dahlia, both of us reluctantly listening to her go on about her boyfriend she hoped to find. It was a new sort of torment that had me briefly wondering if Seraphina had me under some spell or enchantment. My gut told me she had nothing to do with this sick twist of fate.

"No, and let's keep it that way." I said with a deep exhale. "She needs a friend, and I can't be that for her."

Hugo's sad silence told me that he agreed. I hated that I was right. I hate everything right now. Seraphina. This place. The circumstances. The lost vampire boyfriend. The moon goddess. Myself. Everything.

"... And I know things are a bit stale right now, but maybe this is what will break that. This can't be for nothing," Dahlia said, gesturing to the jungle. "Toby and I will find each other and find a way out, I truly believe that. And maybe then he will finally pop the question." She snorted. "It's only been three years."

Toby was quickly working his way up to the top of my s**t list.

"Though I don't know what has been stopping him all these years, you'd think that after I got better, he would have asked for my hand."

"Got better?" Hugo asked me.

"Addict probably. Drugs, alcohol, you name it. Why else would she have landed here? Humans will do anything for a quick fix. And having a blood-obsessed boyfriend? I'd bet that's how they got here. They probably wanted a quick fix and made a deal with Seraphina, and she finally called in on her end of the deal."

"She is quite thin," Hugo noted. "And not very muscular."

Both true statements, but she was also the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on. What I wouldn't give to be able to gaze into those captivating brown eyes every day, to touch her soft skin, taste her sweet-

"... And I know my mom thinks he and I... well she doesn't seem to think we are a good mix, but she was the one who was absent for years. She hasn't had a chance to see us at our best together..."

Her words were like a bucket of cold water to my growing desire.

"Her mother sounds wise," Hugo said coyly.

"Indeed. But it doesn't matter. In fact, as much as I hate to say it, she will be safer with the blood sucker. Perhaps we should consider finding him for her."

"I disagree," Hugo growled.

There was a twig that snapped that had Hugo and I on high alert. Dahlia didn't even seem to notice it. Not until Hugo nudged her to stop. She went rigid at the sight of his hackles rising, ears back, fighting stance ready, low growl escaping. A set of glowing yellow eyes met ours and that was all we needed to see.

"What-"

Hugo bolted for the threat before Dahlia could get her question out. I could hear her gasp and begin running, hopefully seeking cover. Out of the brush came a Basilisk, a massive snake with an even bigger temper. This scaled beast was small for its kind, probably a juvenile if I had to guess - still twice my size. But juvenile or not, Hugo didn't balk. If anything, I think he was a bit more vicious. He had little to no remorse towards any kind of scaled beast. It hit too close to home for him and me. Too many memories we tried to escape. The fact that this one was threatening Dahlia only made it all the worse.

- - - - - - - -

Dahlia

Run. I had to run.

I only caught a quick glimpse of the unnaturally large snake that the wolf darted towards. I was torn between helping the wolf and running for my life. The latter won out. I felt like a monster leaving him to deal with that thing, but he was an animal, and I was a human. Nature will eventually take its course, so I shouldn't feel so guilty. I shouldn't feel like I should turn right back around and do something, anything to help him. He saved me and I should honor him by not running face-first into death's arms. That's what I told myself anyway, trying to swallow the nausea churning inside of me as I continued to run further away.

Coward. A pitiful, spineless worm. That's how I felt. I damned not only Chris, but now the wolf. I was a wretched human being.

I wiped away my falling tears as I continued to stumble through the jungle, blocking out the snarls and snaps coming from the fight behind me. I looked back only once, when the noises had stopped, and it was my downfall. The air whooshed out of me as I mis-stepped over a log, tumbling to the ground... into a thorny bush.

My limbs shaking with adrenaline, I attempted to stand, only to have more thorns pierce my skin. I winced and slowly extracted my hand, finding three thorns stuck in my palm. They were coated in a bright green substance that I found to be mildly alarming - Chris warned me about brightly colored things. Especially once my hand started to lose feeling... and then my legs, all the way up to my hips. I began to panic, looking around wildly for friend or foe, wondering if the next thing that came across my path would help or hurt me. I plucked the thorns out of my hand; my fingers beginning to tingle and then go numb from the thorns' coating. I tried to wiggle my toes - and failed. Bad, this was so, so bad-

My thundering heart nearly stopped when I heard casual steps approaching. I couldn't run if I wanted to right now. I was a sitting duck for whatever miserable creature was about to find me.

"I see your search is going well then." The Hunter said, towering over me. His bag casually hanging off his shoulder.

"I fell." I said, trying to muster what little composure I had left in me.

"Obviously," he retorted.

I scowled at him. "Are you going to help me or just continue to annoy me?"

"Still deciding." He smiled wickedly. I ran my fingers through my hair, then scowled again, remembering the paralyzing substance on my skin, now in my hair, on my scalp. The Hunter tisked, scanning the area. "At least you made some ground before landing at deaths doorstep again. This must be a new record. I wonder if your blood sucker is fairing any better."

"You know what? You can go to hell."

"Already there. And so are you." He smirked, circling me. "Getting out of this won't be easy on your own."

"I don't need your help." I huffed.

"Ah yes, because you found a friend to help you. Too bad you left him behind with that nasty Basilisk."

"The wolf... is he..."

"Pissed off, but he is fine." He said, his eyes raking over me. "Though I doubt he'll be of much help in this situation."

"Alright. Fine. I need help. What will it take for you to get me out of this predicament?"

"Make a deal with me." He said, his eyes meeting mine.

I was warned about this, deals were dangerous, and could be detrimental. But how could I afford not to right now? I couldn't even stand. I also had no idea if the paralytic would wear off or if I needed an antidote or if I was going to be stuck like this forever. I needed his help.

"What kind of deal?" I asked, my eyes narrowed.

His answering smile was anything but assuring.