The Cold ones. Part 2, Rise of the hunters.

Kyan's POV: It was in the air.... the stench of loss! Our pride, our determination and our lives felt broken. The last time it felt like this here was when my mother died. My father was grieving over Hyvan, a dear friend who he had known since they were just boys. I could see that all the loss he had suffered for so many years was starting to wear him down. Vivian had died from two silver bullets, leaving Vaughn flipping out in the training room, then having a breakdown soon after. We tried our best to console him, but after being in love with her for fifteen years... that pain will be with him for good! I sat by Ellie's bedside watching her chest rise and fall with every breath she took, willing with every minute that she would wake up. Our physician did his best and as soon as my father had spoken to Mayor Jackson, he left Bluebay and personally hand delivered more medical equipment to keep Ellie stable. "Whether she survives this or not, is up to her now, it's up to her body to decide". Our physician had told us after he did all he could to save her. Since then, I've barely left her room. Every time I walk out of her door, the fear of her waking up alone or taking her last breath stops me from leaving her side. I'm not a patient man. I never have been. Every day I demand she wakes up. I tell her she has too. I ask as politely as I can, I beg! But still she gives us nothing.... no flicker or movement to let me know she's staying with us, that I have nothing to fear. I couldn't stop thinking about her lying in my arms that day, finally being able to hold her, only to watch her slipping away. I could crush that hunter's bones all over again and again and again, until she wakes up. She has to wake up... if not for me, then for my father. The guilt he carries with him because she protected him, instead of him protecting her, keeping her safe, just like he always promised.... just like I had always promised! Sweet Ellie! I murmured in my head. We've become too attached to you, please stay... please wake up! I pleaded for the hundredth time as I held her soft hand in mine. "Anything?" Father's voice spoke quietly from the doorway. "No, nothing". I replied, watching his shoulders sink again as more guilt weighed him down. "I think I'll go and sit with Vaughn, he lashed out again this morning". He told me just as he turned to leave. "Any news on Zekan?" I asked, hoping he'd finally heard something. "No. Neither Zekan or Lyra have been seen at Shelter Island. Donny made some calls to further shelters, but no one has seen them". He said, his expression completely bleak, as if he was trying to accept that perhaps they were already dead and the moment we knew that they had never made it to Shelter Island several days ago, it tore at me to think of the hunters catching them before they left. "He'll be ok father. We'll find him. For all we know, they're just keeping their heads low so you don't try and chase down Lyra". I said, in an attempt to ease his worry. "None of that matters now, my son. I just want him home". He spoke in a sullen tone. We needed something... we needed something good! I wanted Ellie to wake up and Zekan to walk through the doors. I wanted my father to feel some joy, and I wanted my brother and our sweet Ellie back. When Mayor Jackson had come here to help Ellie, he also got to see for himself that we too had our own share of enemies and that we grieved just the way his people did. I have to admit, it seemed as though he wanted to do his part to look out for us. He stayed longer than I expected to help clean up all of the mess and remove all the hunter's dead bodies. He helped our physician see to our injured and tried to console my father when he found Hyvan's body under a pile of debris. He had promised us, he would announce to Bluebay of our own sufferings in hopes of reassuring them that we had nothing to do with the attack on our town. Me and Kiko went to that announcement yesterday, whilst father sat with Ellie. Of course, we stayed hidden, but despite the mayor's best efforts, there didn't seem to be many of them that believed him. We could hear the shouts and demands coming from the crowd in front of him, telling him to 'get rid of us'. They were still adamant that we were to blame. "Hi". Kiko whispered as she came into the room. "How is she doing today?" "No different than yesterday, or the days before that!" I sighed. "She'll be ok Kyan, she just needs time. Remember, humans don't heal within minutes like we do". "But Dr Singh said she could go either way". "Well, I think she's not quite done yet. She'll wake up, I guarantee it!". "I hope you're right. She's too young to die, she's barely lived a life yet!" "Are you going to tell her how you feel when she wakes up?" She asked as she carefully sat on the edge of the bed. "How I feel about what?" "Are we really going to do this? where I probe and you deny? And we just go around in circles. Or you can just cut the crap and just be honest". "Kiko, it's not just as easy as telling her how I feel. The last thing she needs if she wakes up is for me to scare her off, or make her feel uncomfortable being here". "But what if she feels the same?" "I really doubt that, Kiko". "Kyan! I've known you for over ten years and this is the first time I've seen you so attached and protective of someone. So doesn't that make it worth knowing?" "I wouldn't even know how to tell her". "Well, when the time comes, it'll just feel right and all you have to do is be honest! Please Kyan! If you love her, then you have a chance at really being happy with someone, after all of these years. All I'm asking is that you be honest with her". "Are you done grilling me?" I asked with an amused smile. "Actually... yes I am! The main reason I came in here is to let you know that while me and Del went out for a hunt today, we found claw marks on two different trees". "Ok, well, did they look like bear marks or of another animal?" "I'd say they were more slashes than marks. Like something or someone was in a fight". "How far from here?" "About a mile and no one left the castle when the hunters came, so....". "You think it could be Zekan or Lyra?" "Yes". She nodded with an anxious expression. "I just have a feeling". "Then, I need to go and look for him". "I'll come with you!". "No!". I quickly forbade. "I need you and Del here. Guard the main hall in case anything happens". "You can't go alone, Kyan". "I'll take a few others with me, I'll go for two hours then come straight back if we don't find anything". "Ok. Your father was on the phone when I came in. You'll have to tell him before you leave". "I'll tell him now. Have Bianca and Constance check in on Ellie every hour". "I will. Just don't trail out too far, we still don't know if its safe enough yet. No further than two miles, Kyan, I mean it!" "Well, someones gotten even bossier!". I grinned at her. "Too much has already happened, Kyan. Let's not add to it". "I promise, ok?" I reassured her as I could see the worry in her eyes. I looked at Ellie, still peacefully resting as I gave her hand one last squeeze and dashed out of the room before I changed my mind about leaving her.