Prologue
Voices pierced the cold night air, along with the sound of boots beating rapidly against the dark dry ground. Dust billowed up and a blonde boy burst through, his tiny hands clutching a bloodstained cloak and a tattered beige satchel. Breath coming out in ragged gasps; he took a few stumbling steps and then glanced back. He could just make out shadows emerging from behind the town gates. Shit.they were still coming. Clenching his teeth, he forced his burning legs to go on. He had to get away. If they caught him. No, he didn't even want to think about it. Shaking his head quickly, he dove behind a large rock.
For a moment, there was silence. The footsteps had faded. He threw the cloak around his shoulders and wrapped his arms around his skinny legs, pulling them close to his chest. Tears burned the corners of his eyes. What was going on? It was just a stupid satchel. He glanced at it lying beside him. Not even anything expensive in it, totally worthless! "Damn." he cursed in a soft whisper. It had been a bad idea to break into that place. Who would have known it was full of Hunters?
He turned and got to his knees, bringing his head inches over the top of the rock. Large green eyes widening, he surveyed the area. Nothing. Had they forgotten?
"You're a pretty lousy fugitive. You should just give up before you get hurt."
The boy whirled around eyes bulging. A woman stood before him, hands on her hips and a smile on her tan girlish face; she couldn't have been over eighteen. She wore the standard Hunter suit, black body suit with a dark red jacket and pants sporting a long white stripe on the sides. Her large metal boots tapped impatiently on the ground. He pressed his back against the rock and glared at her through dirty bangs. His body began to shiver, and his teeth chattered noisily. "You leave me alone, woman." He sneered maliciously.
She laughed. The bitch actually laughed. Crossing her arms over her chest, she leaned down closer to him, light brown long hair falling over her shoulders. "Are you scared, little boy?" Her eyes were so damn blue.
He spat at her feet. To his surprise, she didn't flinch. "Piss off, Hunter. I ain't done nothin' wrong."
She remained smiling and reached down, grasping the satchel before he had a chance to move it. "Oh really? What's this then?"
He glanced at it dangling from her outstretched hand. "It's my father's. Give it back."
"Your father's? Now where's your daddy now?"
The boy shrugged. "Dead, I guess."
The woman's smile faded. "What.?"
"Hey Miss Bragwin! You found him?"
The boy's eyes went frightfully to her face. She looked back at him. It was over. It really was over. They would take him away and do.whatever it was those damn Hunters did. Jail? He could only hope. He blinked back a few tears. Damnit...He couldn't cry. Not now, not in front of her.
The woman closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The boy flinched as she turned towards the voices. "No.I haven't seen him." His eyes widened.
"B-but the shop owner specifically saw him run this way! He can't."
"Are you actually talking back to me?" She cried harshly, hands moving to her hips. "He's probably dead by now; there are monsters everywhere outside of here. Don't worry about it. Go back to the Hunter's Guild. Just tell them to forget about it."
"And the item he stole?"
The Hunter woman waved her hands in the air. "I'll give you the money for it, since I didn't catch him and all. Now please leave. It's not safe around here." The man hesitated, and then nodded slowly, disappearing slowly behind the town gates.
She waited until he was out of sight and then looked back down at the boy. He was still staring at her, green eyes wide and wet. "Why...did you do that?" He asked softly.
She smiled and shrugged. "I guess I felt sorry for you." Her hand clutched the satchel and brought it up level with his eyes. "Is this really your father's?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I followed them here and got it back."
"Them?"
The boy's head drooped, his disheveled blonde hair falling in stringy strands over his eyes. "The men who killed my parents."
"I see..." She said softly, dropping the satchel back to his side. He reached over and grasped it, pulling it close to his chest. He was shaking. From hunger or sadness or both, she didn't know. All she knew was that his state was tugging at her heart...and it was pissing her off. She had to do something. If she didn't... Her gaze went cold. "Get up."
He glanced up quickly. "Huh? You takin' me in? Even after all this...?"
"I said get up!" She cried sharply.
Reluctantly he crawled to his feet. He swayed a bit, and then turned his gaze to her. "Miss...I..."
Her eyes narrowed. "You know who you are in the presence of?" He shook his head. She pursed her lips tight. "I'm Alys Bragwin, you twit!" He stare remained blank. She gave an exasperated sigh. "Does the 'Eight Stroke Warrior' ring a bell?"
Suddenly, his eyes widened and he leaned forward. "Holy shit, you really are her! I was thinking you were, but I wasn't sure! I mean....damn woman! I didn't know you helped people in need, I mean I was a criminal and all and then you were after me and I guess this should be an honor but I'm not sure how to take it and I think I'm..."
She held a hand out and shook her head. "You're rambling, stop it, kid."
"But I..."
A smile came to her lips. "Since you remember me so well...I'll take care of you."
He blinked. "You'll what?"
"I'm taking you in. And that's an order."
He shook his head. "How do I know you aren't just gonna take me to the Guild? How can I trust a crazy broad like you?"
Growling, she swiftly covered his mouth. "You can trust me, as long as you fix that atrocious mouth of yours."
"I'vef heard you'fe said worse, Miff Bragwin." He mumbled through her fingers.
Her cheeks turned pink and she turned away. "Okay, well never mind that, now boy. Come on now." He hesitated. She sighed again. "Listen, I promise I won't turn you in! Seriously! I just..." she reached out and grasped one of his hands, noting how rough and dirty it felt. "I can't leave a little boy out here in the wilderness. Plus, you're too young to be stealing and getting in trouble for stuff like that." He nodded slowly, eyes transfixed on hers. Was she...serious? "And boy," she said gently, pulling him near her. "Seems to me you don't have anywhere else to go..."
He blinked slowly. It was true. He didn't have anywhere to go; ever since the accident that is. But, could he really go and let a stranger take him in? And a Hunter at that... His father would turn in his crudely made grave. Gaze going to her highly polished boots, he nodded quickly. He had to. If he looked at her anymore, he was afraid he would cry.
* * *
"So what's your name, kid?"
"Nuh uh. Dinner first."
Alys snorted and walked to the kitchen. The boy crossed his legs and laid his arms on the table. He glanced around the room. It was a relatively big house, probably one of the largest ones in Aiedo. "You must make a lotta dough as a Hunter, Miss Bragwin." He said whistling slightly. "This is some place."
She walked back in and laughed softly, placing a steaming hot plate of vegetables in front of him. His nose crinkled, but his stomach got the best of him. Normally, he wouldn't eat that shit, but it had been three days since he'd had a meal. He dug in. Alys sat down in front of him and cupped her chin in her hands, staring at him warmly. "You really have been wandering about for days, haven't you?"
"My name's Chaz. Chaz Ashley." The boy said through a mouthful of carrots.
Alys nodded slowly. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Chaz Ashley. Now tell me..." She leaned in closer and touched his dirty hair. "How did you survive out there all by yourself? Where did your parents die?"
Chaz swallowed and then wiped his mouth gently. "Near Mile. Got attacked by some fuckers with sandworms."
"Hey, now...language, Chaz." Alys said softly.
The boy frowned and took another bite. "I'm telling you, they were! They attacked our caravan and killed almost everyone! They stole everything..."
"How long ago was this?"
"'Bout a month ago."
"You seem alright with it..."
Chaz shrugged. "It's not as though I don't miss my parents. I just...I know that everyone dies eventually. Plus, the guys were after my father. He was a pretty wealthy man. Sooner or later, everyone rich dies. They're the first to go."
"How come they didn't kill you?"
"Cuz I ran."
"You ran away while your parents were being killed?"
"Hell no, I didn't do that, woman! They were already dead! You think I want to die for something my father did?"
Alys pushed a long strand of hair from her face. "What did he do?"
"Wanted for lots of things. I never said he became rich for legal reasons."
"Is that why you didn't really care?"
"Oh I care. That's why I tracked them down. That satchel..." He used his fork to point. "Was the only damn thing of my parents' they didn't sell."
"Those Hunters, in the building you broke into...Are they the ones who killed them?"
Chaz nodded slowly. "Yeah, but who would believe my anyways...I'm only a stupid kid."
Alys watched as he began to eat the food faster. He was shaking again. She had a feeling he cared a lot more about his parents' death than he let on. Was he trying to be strong in front of her? If so, then why? It wasn't very healthy. Her eyes moved to his face. He was so young...probably only ten; only a handful of years younger than her. How did a formerly rich kid get a mouth like that in a month, she thought. And those Hunters... They had looked a little too eager to catch him. Her eyes narrowed. Was this little street urchin really telling her the truth? She remembered the way he had looked at her, when he thought she was going to turn him in. There was fear in those wide green eyes. Not the fear of being turned in, but the fear of being placed in the hands of those people.
She closed her eyes and suddenly stood. Chaz brought his fork back to his plate. "Uhh.Miss Bragwin, what's up?"
Alys glanced over at him and smiled. "Call me Alys. After all, I'm calling you Chaz."
He nodded. "Alright...Alys, but where are you going?"
She walked to the door and pulled her Hunter's jacket from the coat rack. Putting it on slowly, she turned to him and flashed a smile. "I'll be right back, alright? You stay here and finish eating. Leave your plate there if you want when you're done. I'll be back soon, okay? Don't hesitate to head on to bed."
"Okay..." Chaz said softly and she waved at him.
* * *
"Are you serious? She didn't find the kid? This is bad...What if he tells someone? I mean he tracked us all the way here...I was sure he'd be dead by now."
"Yeah...Even the 'Eight Stroke Warrior' couldn't find the brat."
"Well that doesn't say too much for her, does it?"
"Quiet! You can't talk bad about Bragwin...it's not..."
"It's not good for your health, is it boys?"
Through the flickering candlelit of the empty dark Hunter's Guild office, two greasy haired men looked up, beady eyes widening. "M-Miss Bragwin...? What are you doing here...?"
Alys smiled from the window sill she was standing on and pulled her coat back, revealing the tip of a tiny slasher. The men drew back, watching the shadows dance on her eerily jovial face. She reached up with the other hand and pushed her bangs from her piercing blue eyes, and placed it back on her hip. "Tsk, tsk, boys....Picking on little children..." She leaned down and reached out, grasping the closest one's shirt collar. "You both have been very bad boys...Giving the Hunters Guild a bad name like that..."
The man snarled. "You can't prove nothin' Bragwin. You're just a stupid crazy bitch and everyone knows it." Immediately, he wished he hadn't of said that.
Her eyebrows arched and she leaned so close, he could feel her hot breath on his crooked nose. "Oh I may be a crazy bitch, but I ain't stupid."
Trembling violently, the other man reached behind him and grasped the hilt of a small laser gun. Alys's gaze snapped to him. "You let go of him, or die!" He cried pointing the gun at her.
She smiled. "You gonna shoot me, punk?" She asked pulling the other man to the side.
"I mean it! I'll fuckin' kill you!"
"Go ahead! Then where will you be? Besides the fact you already murdered a little boys crooked, but still providing, parents..You'll have also killed Alys Bragwin! Oh what a joyride life would be then. You know how many Hunters have tried to kill me?" She sneered. The man she held flinched. "None and you know why?"
"You shut up, bitch! You shut up!"
Alys's smile went ear to ear. "Because they know that every other Hunter here would hunt them down and make sure they suffer a pain worse than death my friend. So it would be quite wise if you put that gun down. I don't want to have to soil my clean jacket with your blood."
The man was trembling so hard, the gun rattled loosely in his fingers. "I..."
"Put it down, boy. I mean it." Ragged nervous gasps escaping his throat, he released his grip. The gun clanged to the hardwood floor. Alys smiled. "Good boy." And with that, she wrapped her arm around the one she was holding's neck and pulled. He gasped loudly and then went limp in her arms. She let him go and he crumpled noisily to the ground.
"What the..." The other man cried gazing down at him with wide eyes. "What the hell did you do to him.?!"
She shrugged. "Oh he's just sleeping. He probably needs it. Those were horrible bags under his eyes."
"You bitch! You stupid lying bitch!" He cried through gritted teeth. "I'll kill you!" He dove for the gun, but Alys was quicker. One foot kicked it out of the way and the other, went straight for his face. Blood flying, he stumbled backwards and over his chair, colliding with the bookcase.
Alys laughed softly and walked to him. He was still conscious and didn't hesitate on calling her a few more names. She leaned down and brought her nose inches away from his. "When you wake up, you tell all your friends..." His eyes widened. "...That Chaz is the new Hunter in town and if I see anyone mess with him.." Her lips parted to show her perfectly white toothly smile. "I'll kill them." He groaned in reply and she brought her forehead down hard on his, knocking him out. She stood slowly and brushed dust from her jacket. "Sweet dreams, twits."
* * *
"Hunter? You mean me?!"
Alys nodded and tousled Chaz's wet and now clean hair. She had ordered him to take a long bath before bed. "Yes, you. I choose to believe you survived the wilderness so long because you're a smart boy."
He blushed a bit. "Yeah, but...I mean...I just...My father wouldn't really like it..."
"You know, not all Hunters are bastards. You like me, right?"
He shrugged. "I guess so. You are bein' pretty nice to me, letting me stay here and all."
She raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, a bit."
Chaz shook his wet head, beads of water spraying every which way. "Hey, Alys." He said when he stopped, peering at her through wet hair. "Why'd a young woman like you want to take me in? You lookin' for a brother or something? Don'tcha got a boyfriend or somethin'?"
Alys's light blue eyes looked down. "Once...but that's old news." She said softly, then smiling, she back at him. "You know, I think I'm just lonely. Some company would be nice and your pretty intelligent for someone your age...How old are you, anyways?"
"Ten. Almost eleven."
She clasped her hands together. "That's great! Hunter's can start training at age eleven! We'll start first thing tomorrow for your training, okay?"
"I thought you just said you have to be eleven. I ain't eleven yet."
She winked at him. "First, we're going to fix that mouth of yours...then I'll start you with some early training. The Guild won't train you until that age, but I'm a different story." He nodded slowly.
Laughing gently, she pulled him into a tight hug. Cheeks red and eyes bulging, he pushed away. "Hey now, Lady. Ain't gonna be none of that. My old woman didn't even hug me.!"
Alys coughed loudly and smiled. "Sorry, I'm just so happy I might be getting a new partner in a few years! My old one, well..." She glanced away for a second, and then brought her gaze back to him. "Never mind that, now, I guess. Too much information for a youngster like you!"
Chaz sat down in a chair near him and made a face. The wilderness, or this crazy broad...He didn't know which was better.
* * *
Out of the darkness a heart beat twice and struggled to beat a third time. It was hard...Without any power. It was almost time. 'He' could feel it in his very soul. They were appearing. One by one they were appearing to bring 'Him' back. Drawing the infinite darkness into 'His' slowly recuperating body, he waited. Soon...it would be time.
Voices pierced the cold night air, along with the sound of boots beating rapidly against the dark dry ground. Dust billowed up and a blonde boy burst through, his tiny hands clutching a bloodstained cloak and a tattered beige satchel. Breath coming out in ragged gasps; he took a few stumbling steps and then glanced back. He could just make out shadows emerging from behind the town gates. Shit.they were still coming. Clenching his teeth, he forced his burning legs to go on. He had to get away. If they caught him. No, he didn't even want to think about it. Shaking his head quickly, he dove behind a large rock.
For a moment, there was silence. The footsteps had faded. He threw the cloak around his shoulders and wrapped his arms around his skinny legs, pulling them close to his chest. Tears burned the corners of his eyes. What was going on? It was just a stupid satchel. He glanced at it lying beside him. Not even anything expensive in it, totally worthless! "Damn." he cursed in a soft whisper. It had been a bad idea to break into that place. Who would have known it was full of Hunters?
He turned and got to his knees, bringing his head inches over the top of the rock. Large green eyes widening, he surveyed the area. Nothing. Had they forgotten?
"You're a pretty lousy fugitive. You should just give up before you get hurt."
The boy whirled around eyes bulging. A woman stood before him, hands on her hips and a smile on her tan girlish face; she couldn't have been over eighteen. She wore the standard Hunter suit, black body suit with a dark red jacket and pants sporting a long white stripe on the sides. Her large metal boots tapped impatiently on the ground. He pressed his back against the rock and glared at her through dirty bangs. His body began to shiver, and his teeth chattered noisily. "You leave me alone, woman." He sneered maliciously.
She laughed. The bitch actually laughed. Crossing her arms over her chest, she leaned down closer to him, light brown long hair falling over her shoulders. "Are you scared, little boy?" Her eyes were so damn blue.
He spat at her feet. To his surprise, she didn't flinch. "Piss off, Hunter. I ain't done nothin' wrong."
She remained smiling and reached down, grasping the satchel before he had a chance to move it. "Oh really? What's this then?"
He glanced at it dangling from her outstretched hand. "It's my father's. Give it back."
"Your father's? Now where's your daddy now?"
The boy shrugged. "Dead, I guess."
The woman's smile faded. "What.?"
"Hey Miss Bragwin! You found him?"
The boy's eyes went frightfully to her face. She looked back at him. It was over. It really was over. They would take him away and do.whatever it was those damn Hunters did. Jail? He could only hope. He blinked back a few tears. Damnit...He couldn't cry. Not now, not in front of her.
The woman closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The boy flinched as she turned towards the voices. "No.I haven't seen him." His eyes widened.
"B-but the shop owner specifically saw him run this way! He can't."
"Are you actually talking back to me?" She cried harshly, hands moving to her hips. "He's probably dead by now; there are monsters everywhere outside of here. Don't worry about it. Go back to the Hunter's Guild. Just tell them to forget about it."
"And the item he stole?"
The Hunter woman waved her hands in the air. "I'll give you the money for it, since I didn't catch him and all. Now please leave. It's not safe around here." The man hesitated, and then nodded slowly, disappearing slowly behind the town gates.
She waited until he was out of sight and then looked back down at the boy. He was still staring at her, green eyes wide and wet. "Why...did you do that?" He asked softly.
She smiled and shrugged. "I guess I felt sorry for you." Her hand clutched the satchel and brought it up level with his eyes. "Is this really your father's?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I followed them here and got it back."
"Them?"
The boy's head drooped, his disheveled blonde hair falling in stringy strands over his eyes. "The men who killed my parents."
"I see..." She said softly, dropping the satchel back to his side. He reached over and grasped it, pulling it close to his chest. He was shaking. From hunger or sadness or both, she didn't know. All she knew was that his state was tugging at her heart...and it was pissing her off. She had to do something. If she didn't... Her gaze went cold. "Get up."
He glanced up quickly. "Huh? You takin' me in? Even after all this...?"
"I said get up!" She cried sharply.
Reluctantly he crawled to his feet. He swayed a bit, and then turned his gaze to her. "Miss...I..."
Her eyes narrowed. "You know who you are in the presence of?" He shook his head. She pursed her lips tight. "I'm Alys Bragwin, you twit!" He stare remained blank. She gave an exasperated sigh. "Does the 'Eight Stroke Warrior' ring a bell?"
Suddenly, his eyes widened and he leaned forward. "Holy shit, you really are her! I was thinking you were, but I wasn't sure! I mean....damn woman! I didn't know you helped people in need, I mean I was a criminal and all and then you were after me and I guess this should be an honor but I'm not sure how to take it and I think I'm..."
She held a hand out and shook her head. "You're rambling, stop it, kid."
"But I..."
A smile came to her lips. "Since you remember me so well...I'll take care of you."
He blinked. "You'll what?"
"I'm taking you in. And that's an order."
He shook his head. "How do I know you aren't just gonna take me to the Guild? How can I trust a crazy broad like you?"
Growling, she swiftly covered his mouth. "You can trust me, as long as you fix that atrocious mouth of yours."
"I'vef heard you'fe said worse, Miff Bragwin." He mumbled through her fingers.
Her cheeks turned pink and she turned away. "Okay, well never mind that, now boy. Come on now." He hesitated. She sighed again. "Listen, I promise I won't turn you in! Seriously! I just..." she reached out and grasped one of his hands, noting how rough and dirty it felt. "I can't leave a little boy out here in the wilderness. Plus, you're too young to be stealing and getting in trouble for stuff like that." He nodded slowly, eyes transfixed on hers. Was she...serious? "And boy," she said gently, pulling him near her. "Seems to me you don't have anywhere else to go..."
He blinked slowly. It was true. He didn't have anywhere to go; ever since the accident that is. But, could he really go and let a stranger take him in? And a Hunter at that... His father would turn in his crudely made grave. Gaze going to her highly polished boots, he nodded quickly. He had to. If he looked at her anymore, he was afraid he would cry.
* * *
"So what's your name, kid?"
"Nuh uh. Dinner first."
Alys snorted and walked to the kitchen. The boy crossed his legs and laid his arms on the table. He glanced around the room. It was a relatively big house, probably one of the largest ones in Aiedo. "You must make a lotta dough as a Hunter, Miss Bragwin." He said whistling slightly. "This is some place."
She walked back in and laughed softly, placing a steaming hot plate of vegetables in front of him. His nose crinkled, but his stomach got the best of him. Normally, he wouldn't eat that shit, but it had been three days since he'd had a meal. He dug in. Alys sat down in front of him and cupped her chin in her hands, staring at him warmly. "You really have been wandering about for days, haven't you?"
"My name's Chaz. Chaz Ashley." The boy said through a mouthful of carrots.
Alys nodded slowly. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Chaz Ashley. Now tell me..." She leaned in closer and touched his dirty hair. "How did you survive out there all by yourself? Where did your parents die?"
Chaz swallowed and then wiped his mouth gently. "Near Mile. Got attacked by some fuckers with sandworms."
"Hey, now...language, Chaz." Alys said softly.
The boy frowned and took another bite. "I'm telling you, they were! They attacked our caravan and killed almost everyone! They stole everything..."
"How long ago was this?"
"'Bout a month ago."
"You seem alright with it..."
Chaz shrugged. "It's not as though I don't miss my parents. I just...I know that everyone dies eventually. Plus, the guys were after my father. He was a pretty wealthy man. Sooner or later, everyone rich dies. They're the first to go."
"How come they didn't kill you?"
"Cuz I ran."
"You ran away while your parents were being killed?"
"Hell no, I didn't do that, woman! They were already dead! You think I want to die for something my father did?"
Alys pushed a long strand of hair from her face. "What did he do?"
"Wanted for lots of things. I never said he became rich for legal reasons."
"Is that why you didn't really care?"
"Oh I care. That's why I tracked them down. That satchel..." He used his fork to point. "Was the only damn thing of my parents' they didn't sell."
"Those Hunters, in the building you broke into...Are they the ones who killed them?"
Chaz nodded slowly. "Yeah, but who would believe my anyways...I'm only a stupid kid."
Alys watched as he began to eat the food faster. He was shaking again. She had a feeling he cared a lot more about his parents' death than he let on. Was he trying to be strong in front of her? If so, then why? It wasn't very healthy. Her eyes moved to his face. He was so young...probably only ten; only a handful of years younger than her. How did a formerly rich kid get a mouth like that in a month, she thought. And those Hunters... They had looked a little too eager to catch him. Her eyes narrowed. Was this little street urchin really telling her the truth? She remembered the way he had looked at her, when he thought she was going to turn him in. There was fear in those wide green eyes. Not the fear of being turned in, but the fear of being placed in the hands of those people.
She closed her eyes and suddenly stood. Chaz brought his fork back to his plate. "Uhh.Miss Bragwin, what's up?"
Alys glanced over at him and smiled. "Call me Alys. After all, I'm calling you Chaz."
He nodded. "Alright...Alys, but where are you going?"
She walked to the door and pulled her Hunter's jacket from the coat rack. Putting it on slowly, she turned to him and flashed a smile. "I'll be right back, alright? You stay here and finish eating. Leave your plate there if you want when you're done. I'll be back soon, okay? Don't hesitate to head on to bed."
"Okay..." Chaz said softly and she waved at him.
* * *
"Are you serious? She didn't find the kid? This is bad...What if he tells someone? I mean he tracked us all the way here...I was sure he'd be dead by now."
"Yeah...Even the 'Eight Stroke Warrior' couldn't find the brat."
"Well that doesn't say too much for her, does it?"
"Quiet! You can't talk bad about Bragwin...it's not..."
"It's not good for your health, is it boys?"
Through the flickering candlelit of the empty dark Hunter's Guild office, two greasy haired men looked up, beady eyes widening. "M-Miss Bragwin...? What are you doing here...?"
Alys smiled from the window sill she was standing on and pulled her coat back, revealing the tip of a tiny slasher. The men drew back, watching the shadows dance on her eerily jovial face. She reached up with the other hand and pushed her bangs from her piercing blue eyes, and placed it back on her hip. "Tsk, tsk, boys....Picking on little children..." She leaned down and reached out, grasping the closest one's shirt collar. "You both have been very bad boys...Giving the Hunters Guild a bad name like that..."
The man snarled. "You can't prove nothin' Bragwin. You're just a stupid crazy bitch and everyone knows it." Immediately, he wished he hadn't of said that.
Her eyebrows arched and she leaned so close, he could feel her hot breath on his crooked nose. "Oh I may be a crazy bitch, but I ain't stupid."
Trembling violently, the other man reached behind him and grasped the hilt of a small laser gun. Alys's gaze snapped to him. "You let go of him, or die!" He cried pointing the gun at her.
She smiled. "You gonna shoot me, punk?" She asked pulling the other man to the side.
"I mean it! I'll fuckin' kill you!"
"Go ahead! Then where will you be? Besides the fact you already murdered a little boys crooked, but still providing, parents..You'll have also killed Alys Bragwin! Oh what a joyride life would be then. You know how many Hunters have tried to kill me?" She sneered. The man she held flinched. "None and you know why?"
"You shut up, bitch! You shut up!"
Alys's smile went ear to ear. "Because they know that every other Hunter here would hunt them down and make sure they suffer a pain worse than death my friend. So it would be quite wise if you put that gun down. I don't want to have to soil my clean jacket with your blood."
The man was trembling so hard, the gun rattled loosely in his fingers. "I..."
"Put it down, boy. I mean it." Ragged nervous gasps escaping his throat, he released his grip. The gun clanged to the hardwood floor. Alys smiled. "Good boy." And with that, she wrapped her arm around the one she was holding's neck and pulled. He gasped loudly and then went limp in her arms. She let him go and he crumpled noisily to the ground.
"What the..." The other man cried gazing down at him with wide eyes. "What the hell did you do to him.?!"
She shrugged. "Oh he's just sleeping. He probably needs it. Those were horrible bags under his eyes."
"You bitch! You stupid lying bitch!" He cried through gritted teeth. "I'll kill you!" He dove for the gun, but Alys was quicker. One foot kicked it out of the way and the other, went straight for his face. Blood flying, he stumbled backwards and over his chair, colliding with the bookcase.
Alys laughed softly and walked to him. He was still conscious and didn't hesitate on calling her a few more names. She leaned down and brought her nose inches away from his. "When you wake up, you tell all your friends..." His eyes widened. "...That Chaz is the new Hunter in town and if I see anyone mess with him.." Her lips parted to show her perfectly white toothly smile. "I'll kill them." He groaned in reply and she brought her forehead down hard on his, knocking him out. She stood slowly and brushed dust from her jacket. "Sweet dreams, twits."
* * *
"Hunter? You mean me?!"
Alys nodded and tousled Chaz's wet and now clean hair. She had ordered him to take a long bath before bed. "Yes, you. I choose to believe you survived the wilderness so long because you're a smart boy."
He blushed a bit. "Yeah, but...I mean...I just...My father wouldn't really like it..."
"You know, not all Hunters are bastards. You like me, right?"
He shrugged. "I guess so. You are bein' pretty nice to me, letting me stay here and all."
She raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, a bit."
Chaz shook his wet head, beads of water spraying every which way. "Hey, Alys." He said when he stopped, peering at her through wet hair. "Why'd a young woman like you want to take me in? You lookin' for a brother or something? Don'tcha got a boyfriend or somethin'?"
Alys's light blue eyes looked down. "Once...but that's old news." She said softly, then smiling, she back at him. "You know, I think I'm just lonely. Some company would be nice and your pretty intelligent for someone your age...How old are you, anyways?"
"Ten. Almost eleven."
She clasped her hands together. "That's great! Hunter's can start training at age eleven! We'll start first thing tomorrow for your training, okay?"
"I thought you just said you have to be eleven. I ain't eleven yet."
She winked at him. "First, we're going to fix that mouth of yours...then I'll start you with some early training. The Guild won't train you until that age, but I'm a different story." He nodded slowly.
Laughing gently, she pulled him into a tight hug. Cheeks red and eyes bulging, he pushed away. "Hey now, Lady. Ain't gonna be none of that. My old woman didn't even hug me.!"
Alys coughed loudly and smiled. "Sorry, I'm just so happy I might be getting a new partner in a few years! My old one, well..." She glanced away for a second, and then brought her gaze back to him. "Never mind that, now, I guess. Too much information for a youngster like you!"
Chaz sat down in a chair near him and made a face. The wilderness, or this crazy broad...He didn't know which was better.
* * *
Out of the darkness a heart beat twice and struggled to beat a third time. It was hard...Without any power. It was almost time. 'He' could feel it in his very soul. They were appearing. One by one they were appearing to bring 'Him' back. Drawing the infinite darkness into 'His' slowly recuperating body, he waited. Soon...it would be time.
