The Lost Chapters of Hunter

Hunter: Chapter 4. 5

"Learning to Defend Myself"

The day after my first kill…

When I awoke the next morning I found the ffre-nya fur lying next to me. I scooped it up and suddenly realized it wasn't just fur anymore but a well made outfit! Holding it to my chest to guess the fit I hurriedly threw off my ratty night gown and slipped the new fur top over my head. Much to my surprise it fit perfectly! I did the same for the bottom and the fit was great too. Did…did Hunter make this for me already? How did he get the measurements so perfect? I spun around to get a feel for the garments. They were very soft and moved with my skin just as well as they had for the original animals. A rare smile washed over my little face. I hadn't had much to smile about for awhile, but this was exciting!

Then I glanced down at the floor and where the ffre-nya furs once were lay a small dagger, sheathed in what looked like leather straps and metal. Gingerly, I reached down, picked up the knife, and pulled it slowly out of its sheath. The blade was jagged near the back and came to a neat deadly point near the end. The handle was lined with leather and ffre-nya fur for comfort. I stared at the blade, so shiny and beautiful. Was this for me too? It must be! A new outfit and a new weapon!

Quickly, I ran from my sleeping corner to find Hunter and thank him for the wonderful new clothes and dagger. My bare feet pattered against the marble-like floor in my search until another sound entered my ears—the sound of metal scraping against metal. I hesitated a moment, unsure if I should go toward the harsh noises. It seemed to be coming from behind the metal door on the far side of the dwelling. Was it Hunter? If so, what was he doing? As quiet as I could I tiptoed closer to the door—the sounds of measured breathing and singing metal came from behind it. When I came close enough the sensor mechanism of the door hissed and the door slid open, allowing me admittance. I darted inside, my eyes taking in everything. The room was large and spacious, like a gymnasium. Various weapons and skulls decorated the walls and the floor was studded with tall carved pillars. I stared upward and saw the ceiling was open to the crimson alien sky allowing light and warmth from the twin suns above.

Finally Hunter came into my view. He was wearing his mask and in his hands he wielded a long spear, much like the one he had back on Earth except this one seemed heavier and the tip was broader and flatter. With great precision he leveled the weapon in one hand, pointing with his other arm and ducking down into a stylized squat. He held perfectly still for a moment, as did I.

Much to my surprise his voice came harsh and terse, "What do you want?"

He almost sounded angry…or at least annoyed. I pursed my lips, not sure I should say anything. Hunter's head turned very slowly in my direction and he stood up out of his pose.

"What do you want?" he repeated, slowly rolling the funny-looking spear in his hand.

"N—nothing." I said quietly.

The huge Predator snorted behind his mask, "Then WHY are you here? If it is nothing then go away."

My little throat tightened, trying to hold back a cry. Deep down I didn't JUST want to thank Hunter for the stuff he'd given me—I wanted to be with someone. Ever since I came to this new planet I hadn't had anyone to play with and no one talked to me except Hunter—and he wasn't exactly keen on conversation. I guess I was just lonely. But apparently Hunter wasn't in the mood for company.

I directed my eyes at the floor and turned, backing away toward the door.

As the door hissed open again I turned away mentioning very softly, "Thank you for the clothes and the knife…"

I wasn't even sure he heard me until he made a short clicking rattle, "Was that all?"

I nodded but didn't look at him.

He expelled a deep breath and said, "Come here."

Without waiting I trotted up to him, making brief eye contact with his eye slats. He knelt down and tugged at the garment around my waist and then at my top, then turned me around once. "Yes. The fit is good."

He held out his hand and I placed the little dagger in it. Hunter instructed me to lift my leg up which I did. Quickly he slipped the dagger sheath up my leg until it stopped around my thigh. I nearly jumped when the small metal parts beeped, automatically tightening the leather straps to fit my leg.

"There. Take care of that knife," he ordered sternly.

I nodded taking a look at the new weapon on my thigh. It wasn't uncomfortable at all. I then asked in a small voice, "Whatcha doin' Hunter?"

He glanced at me and rumbled, "What business is it of yours?"

Shrugging I asked, "Can I watch you?"

Hunter didn't look at me as he stood up and walked away. I sighed and began to back away to the door again. Apparently he didn't want me around.

"I will allow you to watch. But STAYOVER THERE and DON'T get in my way!" he growled pointing to the farthest corner of the huge room.

My face brightened and I raced to the farthest corner, plopping down on my bottom to watch Hunter do whatever he was doing.

Striding to the center of the room Hunter dipped down into the fancy stylized squat he was in earlier. He remained motionless for a few seconds and with a steady breath he spun the funny-looking spear over his head a couple times, thrusting it forward in a stabbing motion. Hunter leaned back on his heels a moment and suddenly flipped his entire body in a sideways spin, the spear ringing through the air. With the grace of a cat he landed on his feet in the same squat before. He expelled a breath.

I was tingling with excitement by the time he finished. Hunter could move so fast and so gracefully it didn't look possible for a creature his size. So I responded in typical human fashion and clapped my hands. Hunter's head perked, turning back at me.

My clapping faded.

The Predator shook his dreadlocks muttering something about Ooman behavior. I couldn't quite catch it all.

Once again Hunter resumed his fancy flips and spear thrusts. He growled deeply and snarled as the combat moves got more aggressive and fast paced. The spear tip thrust forward powerfully and I blinked.

A shadowed image flashed in my mind of a man skewered on the end of that spear.

Hunter spun once, delivering a vicious slice to the air in front of him.

I could see blood slapping the side of the tent.

My little body slowly curled inward.

The screams echoed in my head.

Then at last his spear spun high, low, to the right, to the left in a blurry arc and slammed with finality to the floor. Hunter rattled in a satisfied manner, scraping the tip along the ground a moment before putting the weapon away. All at once his head leaned upward and he stared over at me.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked, confused.

I shook my head, holding my knees close to my body. He tipped his head to the side.

"You're still afraid of me?" his voice was much gentler than before.

Again I shook my head.

He hissed, "Don't lie Little Fighter. Your heart is beating faster. I can hear it from here."

My eyes met his mask a moment, "I'm not afraid."

"Come here," he commanded.

I got up and approached him.

He pointed at my leg, "Take out your knife."

Carefully I did so, unsure what Hunter was going to do. Then he released the pressure hoses from his mask and threw it off, revealing his face. His predatory yellow eyes narrowed.

"Now defend yourself," he growled.

My throat tightened and my eyes widened, "What?"

Suddenly, Hunter reared his arm back, slamming his hand just inches from my feet. I leaped back quickly, terrified. He was ATTACKING ME?! A deep menacing growl rumbled through his massive chest as his eyes followed my every move and his mandibles flared wide.

"Defend yourself!" he growled again.

I was almost too scared to even think. I just dumbly put the knife out in front of me. Every beat of my heart pounded in my head as the fear grew.

Keeping his huge body low to the ground, Hunter made a swipe at me which I somehow managed to dodge by running to the wall.

His voice was almost dangerous, "Don't run from me…DEFEND yourself!"

"WHY are you doing this?!" I almost screamed, cowering against the wall.

Slowly, he got out of his attacking stance and said in all seriousness, "You won't survive if you can't defend yourself. You must shed that fear or you will always be prey."

"Prey?" I asked.

He nodded, "Our prey feels fear and we feed off it. The more fear you feel the more weak you become. You must learn to shed that fear or you will always be weak—the weak don't survive."

My whole body was trembling but I seemed to understand. It still didn't subside my fears.

"Try again. Use the knife to defend yourself."

I didn't want to—my fear was still too great. "I—can't."

"Don't MAKE me change your mind." Hunter warned in a low tone. "Defend yourself."

I clenched my teeth to keep myself from crying. The emotional strain of trying to harness my fear was almost too much. Hunter quite suddenly hooked a claw against my top garment and "gently" tossed me away from the wall, sending me rolling. I gasped trying to think.

Quickly I got to my feet but before I could come up with any kind of plan Hunter leaped over and using a couple fingers shoved me back. I flipped over as I rolled along the floor again, mildly banging my elbows and knees against the floor. The knife somehow remained clenched in my fist.

I shed a few pained, frustrated tears. How can I defend myself? Hunter was ten times my size and thousands of times stronger than me! How could I defend myself against THAT? Then, I remembered my first day on the hunting ship when I struck that Predator. How had I felt then? I was—afraid, but somehow I became angry. Was that the key to it? I got up and backed away as Hunter slowly stalked over to me.

"I'll throw you again. Are you going to LET me?" he warned coming closer.

Then it sparked, way down deep in my chest—anger. The horrible flashbacks of that fateful night replayed in my mind. It was HIS fault! Hunter was the reason for it all! HE was the one who killed my father! HE was the one who took me from my home! HE was the one who was RESPONSIBLE! HE—

I screamed, clenched the dagger handle, and stabbed forward. The anger faded gradually from my heaving chest but only after I saw the fluorescent green blood dripping from Hunter's leg. My hand flew away from the dagger handle but it remained lodged in Hunter's lower thigh.

"I—I—Hunter I'm SORRY!" I managed to blurt out.

Much to my astonishment Hunter merely reached down, tugged the dagger free, and held it out to me.

"Very good Little Fighter. You learn quickly."

"WHAT? But I hurt you! I'm— I'm sorry!" I started to cry falling to my knees in horror at what I had done. I couldn't help it. Covering my wet face I couldn't believe I just stabbed Hunter! Did I really get THAT angry? Then I noticed he was knelt down in front of me, head tipped in a questioning pose.

For reasons I didn't know at the time, I scooted closer to him and put my head against his arm. His whole body seemed to go rigid at my touch. I noticed his yellow eyes had widened just a bit with shock or bewilderment. He tried to edge away from me but I kept close to him, feeling the unusual texture of his flesh against my face somewhat comforting. Slowly, so as not to hurt me, he lifted his arm out of my face's reach but still remained knelt down.

"I'm sorry Hunter. Please don't be mad!" I begged quietly.

He snorted in a softer way, "Don't be foolish. You couldn't hurt me if you wanted to."

I guess I knew he was alright and he didn't sound mad at all. So, I ducked under his arm and hugged his waist. A deep startled rattle buzzed in his throat. His whole body seemed to retract away from me and his hand clenched and opened a couple times. I noticed his upper left mandible was flicking just a bit. He didn't seem to know how to react.I just wanted to feel some contact—something besides pain. My little girl heart still longed for that simple expression of love.

Hunter's body slowly lessened in tension but his demeanor remained uneasy. Lightly, his large clawed hand rested along my back—but only for the briefest moment. As gentle as he could muster he pried me off and made a soft click.

He stood up, keeping his chin up a bit. Then for the first time his voice didn't seem as commandingly confident, "I—I will train you more tomorrow. Go on now."

I gradually made my way to the door and glanced back at Hunter. I'm not sure if my eyes were right—but I could've sworn he was smiling.