One
1276 Words
It was a beautiful afternoon. The sun was sitting high up in the sky. Its bright light shone sweetly with its beautiful rays illuminating radiantly into the Pierre household.
The Pierre family were all sitting out on the patio, enjoying the weather as well as celebrating. They had just returned from the award ceremony where Hudson Pierre was crowned the greatest Werehunter in Southampton.
"Congrats brother." A woman with blue eyes moseyed towards Hudson and pecked him.
"Thank you, Louisa." Hudson looked behind her. His eyes scanned thoroughly for his best friend.
"Jackson didn't come?"
"He .... "
"Why won't I come?" Jackson's voice rang from the doorway as he approached them.
"Thought you wouldn't come." Hudson stepped away from his sister and took his friend's hand.
"I wouldn't miss this for anything."
They both exchanged a handshake and a side hug.
"How have you been, man?"
"Not the same without you all." Jackson shook his head as he hugged Hudson...
"Hi, Kim." Louisa sauntered to her sister-in-law and they both hugged each other.
"Hi, Louisa."
"How are things in Australia?" Hudson ushered them to the patio where everyone else was celebrating.
"All good." Louisa smiled, still holding Kimberly's hand.
The sisters-in-law have missed each other so much. After all, they were best of friends before they both got married to their respective husbands, who were also best friends.
"Yes, Australia is really good." Jackson concurred and emplaced his hand on Hudson's shoulder. "But not as good as this place."
"Why is that, Jackie?" Hudson turned to him. " I was planning to come to Australia with my family during our next vacation."
"Australia is good, man, but I prefer this place," Jack insisted. "There are lots of things to do over here and less to do over there."
Hudson already understood what his friend was talking about but Kimberly was finding it hard to process what he meant.
"Meaning? Kim crossed her arms as she picked up a glass of wine from the waiter.
"Oh Kim," Louisa deposited her head on Kimberly's shoulder. "Jackson loves Southampton because there are lots of creatures to hunt, but in Australia, there are barely any."
"Oh, I see." Kimberly nodded and squinted her eyes. "Aren't you a businessman? Do you still hunt?
"Business? And me?" Jackson pat his chest and scoffed. "Business isn't my thing, hunting is."
"Really, now?" Kimberly winked teasingly.
"Yes, Kim." Louisa pouted. "It is me who takes care of the business."
"And Jackie? What does he do? Hudson took a sip of his drink.
"What else?" Louisa pouted. "He goes around searching for creatures to hunt."
"Woah, Really? Hudson laughed.
"Yes, man, and that is why I have decided to move back here," Jackson announced. His eyes shone with excitement as he spoke.
"You're moving back here? Kimberly asked unbelievably.
"Yeah, we are." Louisa shrugged.
"Why?" Hudson wanted to know why they were eager to leave a country as good as Australia.
"Because Jackson wants to return to hunting."
"Oh wow, that's great" Kimberly beamed.
"And business?" Hudson asked.
"That is being taken care of by Jackson's assistant, Kris."
"That's good."
"We can go ....." Jackson paused his words as Hudson's phone rang.
"Excuse me." Hudson went aside to answer the phone.
"Mr. Pierre, there has been a creature spotted around Ashurst."
"How authentic is this Intel? Hudson's voice became cold.
"Hundred percent sir." The voice on the phone replied.
"Are you sure?" Hudson asked again. Disappointment and fake Intel are the things he hates the most.
"Sir, there has been an attack on innocent citizens and the wounds show that they were attacked by some creature."
"I'll be there, right away." Hudson dropped the phone in his pocket and gulped his drink.
"Where are you going? Kimberly asked as she saw him scurry off.
"A creature has been spotted around Ashurst. I need to go there now." Hudson placed a kiss on Kim's cheek as he moved to leave.
"Really?" Kimberly beamed with joy. The amount of bliss she derives from hunting were-creatures was undescribable.
"Where is Declan?" Hudson looked around for his son.
"He should be somewhere around, why?" Kim asked. She didn't understand why Hudson would ask for Declan when he was going hunting.
"Get him. It's hunting time."
"What? Kim's eyes expanded. "You're taking him?"
"Yes. I promised to take him when he's eight." Hudson was still looking around for Declan. He had no time to waste.
"He is still too young for that, Hudson, don't you think?
"He is not." Hudson scanned the patio for his Declan. He was running out of time and he hated being late. Especially when it's about hunting creatures. "Just go get him, Kim."
Kim knew what that tone meant; Hudson would do what he wanted no matter what, so she offered. "Let me go with you, instead."
"The guests?" Hudson's gaze traveled around. He was still looking for Declan. "You need to stay back and handle the guests."
"Okay," Kimberly agreed. She knew that it was no use arguing with Hudson because he would only do what he was determined to do. "I'll go get Declan."
"Help Kim out, okay?" Jackson kissed Louisa as he prepared to leave too.
"Where are you going?" Louisa asked, even though she already knew where he was going.
"Do you still have to ask?" Jackson hugged her. "You know how much I have missed hunting."
"But I want to come too," Louisa protested.
"Who will accompany Kim if you do?" Louisa shook her head and forced a smile. "Alright, just go."
"Thanks, Honey." Jackson happily replied. He was excited about going on a hunt as soon as he arrived in Southampton.
It's one of the reasons why he loves the place.
"Dad?" A young sweet voice called from behind them.
"Yes, Son." Hudson turned to see Declan.
"Mom said we're going hunting."
"Yes Son, we are." Hudson patted his hair. "Aren't you excited?"
Hudson was enthusiastic about taking Declan onto the field. He had taught him all he needed to know about being a Werehunter. All that was left was the field experience.
"I'm elated, Dad." Declan jumped with joy.
He had always wanted to go hunting with his parents but they never allowed him. Until his father promised to take him when he clocked eight.
"Good, now let's go get our gear." Hudson excused himself from the party with Jackson and Declan trudging behind him. They went to the basement of the house, to set aside to keep all the gear needed for hunting down their prey.
They set themselves up and left the house in Hudson's truck. He put a call to the sheriff to confirm the information once again.
"What is the status of things over there?"
"There are lots of dead bodies being brought in as of now," the sheriff announced.
"I'm on my way," Hudson assured him and disconnected the call.
Hudson glanced in Declan's direction. He smiled, seeing that he was looking bold and fearless despite attending his first hunt.
Hudson covered the journey of eight miles in less than two hours. He never jokes about his job, especially when several civilians have been injured.
"We're here," Hudson announced and Declan jumped out of the car.
Hudson had a word with his sheriff, the police, and the people around the village. After confirming the news, they went towards the last location where the attack was said to have happened. They searched and followed the trails but it led them nowhere.
There was no creature to catch.
Hudson was about to give up on the search when they heard Declan scream.
"Over there!"
- Writer
