Chapter 2: The Hunter's Song
Despite the fact that she was nowhere near people and in a perfectly calm location, Rayva didn't enjoy living in the woods like she thought she would. Invisible eyes watched her at all hours, even in her tree home, and that flash of blue she took for a bird appeared more often than luck would normally permit.
However, there was nothing she could do about it. The only other place to go would be in town and there were too many people there who could recognize her and get her sent back to the orphanage.
Thoughts of the orphanage made her smile. Right now, the other kids would be stuck in school, under the watchful eyes of Mr. Breemston. Rayva never liked that man, not that she could admit to liking any of the adults in her life but he always seemed the worst. Maybe it was because of the way he had of looking at the kids like they were worth no more than the dirt on his shoe that made her purposely step on his obviously expensive and well cared for shoe. At the time she had thought it was worth it but when the consequence was for her to volunteer at one of the Sharing's charity fund-raisers, Rayva decided it was time to go. Before the nightmares started her best friend had gone to one of the meetings. She liked it so much that she kept going back. It changed her. She was no longer the fun-loving, often-times rebellious girl she had been. Rayva would never set foot into one of those things willingly.
She was at the river again. It was her favorite place and the watching eyes seemed to have gone for now at least. There was no flash of blue and her heart was light at the fact that she was free from everything and everyone. Her only responsibility was to herself. She smiled once again to herself, then opened her mouth and sang.
It was the same tune as before only louder and more clear, with her own made-up lyrics. Despite the constant discords it wasn't a bad song. Just different from what everyone else was used to. It had a definite rhythm, though it was a slow one and had eerie, haunting melody. She knew there was a harmony to it but it was impossible to sing both with one voice. It was lonely and incomplete without the other part but she didn't care. It was her song. No one else knew the other part but her and she would teach it to on one.
Rayva watched the world with bright amber-colored eyes, as the birds seemed to stop their own chirpings to listen in wonder at the human-child's attempt at song. She spun around once, just because it was fun, but before she completed the circle, Rayva froze.
It was the blue again. The Eyes had heard her song. They knew what only she should know. That was unacceptable. She would let the Eyes believe they had won by running, but tonight once they went away she would hunt.