Chapter 2
It was so dark, you could barely make out your hand in front of your face. Closing my eyes, I focused on something else – anything else. I could hear the deep stomping of heavy footfalls against the cool metal floor. They sounded far away though, it was no doubt the hunters outside of the room. We had been marched onto the ship and make to stand against one of the walls in the cargo hold. With our hands and feet bound, it made getting comfortable a futile effort.
"Make sure to grab a weapon as soon as you get a chance. We need to arm ourselves." Nora whispered, her breath warm and reassuring against my ear.
I nodded quickly and opened my eyes to stare out into the dark silence of the room.
We were moving for what seemed like forever, the quiet hum of the ship's engine and the whimpers from the females in the room melted together as unseen minutes ticked by. I tested my restraints again and just like the failed attempts before I couldn't figure out how to wiggle free.
Suddenly, light burst into the dark room, and with it loud swooping gusts of wind curled around us, beckoning us forward. My face drained off all blood though as soon as realization dawned on me.
They had opened the door to the cargo hold, that's where the light was coming from. A lush, green forest could be seen past the edge of the cargo hold's lowered entrance.
'They're going to make us jump.' I thought coldly. 'They're going to throw us off the ship.'
I expressed these concerns to Nora, who simply replied, "Then, we'll have to leave on our own terms."
The yautja hunters came into the hold soon after from the other entrance, the one that led into the hallway and from there opened up to the rest of the ship.
As light flooded the area, I finally got a chance to observe my surroundings. Choking back panic as the ship continued to cut through the air of this strange planet, I soon saw exactly what I needed if Nora and I and the rest of the captives were to stand a chance. I followed the small silver trinket as it swung aimlessly from the waist of one of the yautja males.
I tried to think of something quick as he walked past us to press a few buttons on a nearby command board. Knowing that I would regret this later, I lunged at his legs as he walked past us again, my bound wrists making the mission of restraining his ankles near impossible, but it managed to warrant the desired result.
He stumbled.
Righting himself quickly and looking down at me, he snarled and reached out his clawed hand only for the movement to be stopped by a larger male.
Rai.
"Not yet, pup." He growled low, the unspoken threat unveiled and purposeful.
I straightened my back as Rai's focus shifted to me as the other male backed down and moved away. Clenching my fist, I lifted my chin to gaze into his eyes. Like rubies catching the light, we looked at each other in silence as he bent on a knee and leaned in close.
"I trust you've had some time to think about our last conversation, little one. Tell me where the recording is, and I will spare you, Kira." He purred.
I scoffed softly to myself, lowering my eyes in silent resolve.
"Let's end this, Rai. We have no more words to share, only blood to spill." I spat, my eyes all but dead as I lifted them back to his.
"Hmm…As you wish, little bird." He swiftly stood and walked back toward his hunt brothers. He was furious, I could see it curling under his casual demeanor.
I in turn glanced at Nora who was looking at me with uncertain eyes.
"Here. I slipped it from the male I managed to trip." I said in a low voice, sliding her a small metal pick for the lock on the metal restraints.
She spared me another glance of unabashed curiosity before working quickly but quietly to free her hands and feet. I twisted toward her and she moved to free my limbs as well, but before she could fully free both my hands I was yanked up by my arm.
"Listen prey and listen well!" Rai shouted, my body dangling helplessly in his grasp.
"Today, you will serve a noble purpose!" I gritted my teeth as I kicked at him to no avail.
"Today, little ones, you will meet your gods." Rai growled out; his tone cold.
As he started toward the entrance to the hold, the wind picking up significantly with every step, I could feel my heart drop. Lower and lower.
Whoosh. Step.
Whoosh. Step.
Rai held me over the edge, my feet tickled by the open air as my hands grasped desperately at his arm. I noticed absently that one of my hands was beginning to slide through the loosened manacle.
"Last chance. Where is it?" He spat, bringing his face close to mine.
I gritted my teeth, "Go to hell."
With a shout and a stab, Nora sprang into action, the other females following her lead. We were passing over a large body of water, like a lake, and a few of the females took that opportunity to charge through the males and jump. Several others snagged parachutes from the surprised youngbloods and jumped from the hold as well.
"GO! GO!" Nora shouted, ducking swiftly when a young male attempted to grab her.
In all the chaos, Rai's grip on my arm loosened enough for me to twist myself free and follow Nora out of the hold. The ship was slowing down now as it sliced through the air above the water. I felt myself falling and relished the feeling until my descent came to an abrupt stop, my whole body jerking violently as something caught the chains holding my hands together.
I looked up in horror as Rai wrapped strong clawed fingers around the metal chain, the muscles in his arm straining as he began pulling me back on board. I shrieked and kicked and hissed as he pulled me closer to him.
"We aren't done yet." He grinned.
"Yes, we are!" I screamed back, slipping my hand free from the loose manacle and grabbing one of his mandibles.
The appendage was strong but not strong enough to hold me weight, so I wasn't surprised when it snapped. Green florescent blood sprayed across my face, warm and smooth.
I watched in deep satisfaction as the distance between me and him grew. His angry snarls where the last sound I hoped I'd ever hear from him, but, deep down I know this wasn't over.
The hunt has begun, and none of us are safe.
I closed my eyes as the water enveloped me.