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Music:
Fear – Bon Jovi
Haunted – Evanescence
Last generation /(or) No fear – The Rasmus
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Chapter 27: Nahuel – Disappearing
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Several months back, early summer 2008
I ran through the forest, as fast as I could, jumping over every obstacle. Training myself had become important. My curiosity about another hybrid and going to meet her, it had brought danger into our lives. My aunt Huilen was up in the trees, following me easily. Of course I'd always been fit, but being at the top of my game and staying there was vital for survival. I felt the Volturi could come at any time.
We were heading to meet up with the Amazon coven. They taught us how to fight, or at least defend ourselves as best as possible. Yes, we've made big changes in our lives. I was now hunting animals for example. The Cullens made me realise how wrong it was for me to kill innocent humans. I was half human myself after all. Why had I never questioned those actions before?
Probably because I was raised by a vampire. Which wasn't her fault, I created her. 'Sigh', feeling guilty about things would never fully go away. Sure I couldn't help the way I was born or what I did as an infant, but a lot of other decisions could've used more thought. Well, I was trying harder now, to do right by my mother, to make up for all the lives I took.
My aunt also worked on being a 'vegetarian'. She had a hard time with that though, after more than a century of the 'traditional' diet. Thinking back to our early years as blood-drinkers still made me mad. At some point I realised how young my aunt was when I changed her. And my mother was even younger, only sixteen, when she died. How could my father do this? Think of her as disposable. He was really the one responsible for all of it.
I thought of him when I fought Zafrina, Senna and Kachiri. Tough teachers those three. Broke some bones this past year. But I was getting better. Sharpening my senses too. Going by feeling, instinct. – We approached a small river and slowed down. After scouting the area I kneeled at the waters edge to freshen up. While getting back up, I checked my reflection. I was pleased with what I saw.
Broad shoulders, big muscles all around and a faint sheen of sweat on my skin. Never more than that, which I was happy about, not getting drenched in perspiration like full human males. Ugh, nasty business! My sisters will be surprised when they see me again. Hmm, the thought of maybe finding a life partner entered my mind. I'd like that, someone close who wasn't family. But where to look? A big question.
The same was true for my aunt. I've asked her recently if she wouldn't like a man to cuddle up to. Looking after me can't be her priority anymore. She tells me she's wary of other vampires, especially males. Joham, I don't want to call him father, has ruined her trust in them. She's probably also afraid of crowds. That day on the field, with so many others, that certainly hasn't helped. Scared her even more about them coming to get us. No longer a secret, our existence was in the open now.
A minute passed and three tall women jumped from the trees in front of us. It still surprised me how quiet they were, but not as much as when I first met them. Zafrina smiled, moving beside me in a flash. She slapped me on the back in greeting. I coughed and stumbled forward a bit. That woman, she always used too much force, on purpose.
"Looking good, kid," she said. "Yeah, thanks, I replied while scowling at her, I keep working at it." Senna nodded in approval. Ever the silent type. Kachiri greeted aunt Huilen with a gentle hug. They knew she'd rather have limited physical contact with others besides me. We walked to clearing nearby.
I sparred with Zafrina, while my aunt took on Senna, smallest of the sisters. Getting into the flow wasn't hard, I blocked her attacks most of the time. Focussing hard, my inner predator came out and an idea popped up in my head. I wasn't sure if it was good, but I wouldn't know if I didn't try. There was just a surge of energy as her hand connected with my shoulder. My head snapped towards her arm and I bit down as hard as I could.
Screeching she hit me with her other hand and backed away. Blood spurted from my nose and I felt dizzy hitting a tree with a soft thump. As protective as always, my aunt kicked Senna away and rushed to my side in an instant. Her cold fingers gently probed my face. Zafrina was shaking her arm looking at me strange. Then she shook her head and commented: "Wild move, man, I like it!" You can do some damage."
I gave her a big grin, while my relative sighed. We got up and decided to call it a day. "Next time we'll work on this more, Zafrina said, your teeth and venom could become your main weapon." They really are at a vampire level." She was very serious, I heard in her voice. "Okay, I responded, I'm interested in that." Together we all went back to the river to wash off the filth and blood. "Look, she said standing up and turning her arm, 'you left a scar."
I checked it and yes, there was now a faint scar on her skin. Not as defined as with a full vampire one I believe, but still, I managed to give her a reminder of myself. Kachiri came up to me. "Of course from now on, you'd have watch yourself even more," she said. I gave her puzzled look. "We're gonna retaliate you know," she added. My eyes widened in shock.
We had no clue what 'extra' venom would do to me. Aunt Huilen's hand was around her throat in a fraction of a second. Eyes black as she hissed in warning. The three sisters stared, though they should be used to such a reaction. Her fierce side had surfaced during every training session. I got hurt every time before it did. Senna made a shushing sound and put her hand on my aunts shoulder. From the outside this scene must look weird.
Like a lioness calming down a house cat. There was eleven inches between them. One foot four between attacker and the one attacked. Kachiri was the tallest of them. Zafrina said the right words. "We won't bite him during a fight straight away." A stern look was passed to the one being held. "But it is something that needs to be tested," she added while turning to me. "Don't you agree?" I nodded, though I felt a bit apprehensive about it. "Yes, I added, aunt Huilen, let go."
She did so slowly and gave the tall warrior before her a final glare. The others grinned briefly. A change in subject was in order for us relax fully. "We're going to meet up with my sisters soon," I announced. Zafrina arched an eyebrow; "All of them?"
Serena, the oldest, wasn't my favourite at all. She was too much like Joham. Personality wise that is, her looks came from her mother. Medium blonde hair which fell in soft waves onto her shoulders. And ice blue eyes, piercing you when she's angry. With her 5 foot 8 she's taller than me.
Still I felt the need to see her again. So I left messages for her at every contact-address I had for her, even one in Europe. - Last time I spoke to Maysun, she told me they'd travel there with him. We exchanged payphone numbers through letters and set up moments to talk at least once a year. Ah, Maysun, the second child. She could be straight from the stories of 1001 nights. Raven black hair, large lightbrown eyes framed with thick lashes. Her skin had a light tan, no make-up could improve those qualities.
I answered the illusionist; "Yes, I think it's time we all talked, about our meeting with the Volturi especially." Senna hummed and surprised us with a low whispered 'yes', we barely heard it. Everyone stared at her. She just shrugged, a twinkle in her eye.
I was worried however, because only Jennifer had replied. She was the youngest, only seventeen years old. I loved her the most. Her short dark brown curly hair and sparkly green eyes. Smart and witty. Yeah, she always made me smile. Hmm, where would the other two be, it's been three months. My aunt noticed my thoughtful face. "You're worried, she stated gently, aren't you?" I sighed and nodded; "I am, it's been months and still no word from Serena or Maysun."
"That doesn't have to mean there's trouble," Kachiri commented. "No, I reacted, but I just have a bad feeling." A hand touched my shoulder. "Let's check our closest PO-box," my aunt suggested. We split up and headed to Mendoza. On the way we hunted. I chose a big male llama, my aunt caught a caiman. For some reason they were her favourites. Though she felt nothing compared to the taste of human blood.
A few days later we arrived at dusk. We moved through the backstreets and dirty alleys. Avoiding contact with anyone. Going into the building with the PO-boxes. I opened ours, it was empty, except for what we left there ourselves, a mobile phone with adapter. Grabbing it, I plugged it into the nearest electrical output (socket) and turned it on. Why? I'm not sure, another gut feeling I guess.
My aunt seemed to feel something too, her eyes darted around the room nervously. The phone worked, thank goodness. We waited and ten minutes later it rang. An emergency, that's what we agreed to use it for. I flipped it open to answer, no one spoke. Sound of a scuffle came through. Things scraping across the floor. Heavy breathing. My heart pounded so hard, like it was going to jump out of my chest. I couldn't speak and held my breath. A scream sent chills up my spine. "No, leave me alone…!" Jennifer's voice shouted.
Footsteps, running. "Nahuel!" she breathed, before a crushing sound cut off the call. I sucked in some air and looked at my aunt. Terror was on her face as well. They were coming for us, even though they promised to let us be. In a rush I threw the phone back in the box. We left in a hurry. Back to the forest. Paranoia crept up on us, we thought we were being watched right now. Huilen's nostrils flared open as she tried to find the danger. Nothing. But we took no chances. Moving faster than we should, we seemed to be lucky, only passing a few drunks and druggies on the way. No one would believe them.
We ran until I collapsed. My lungs burning, muscles screaming. Heavy rain soaked us to the skin. My aunt carried me to a cave behind a waterfall. The tunnel leading there narrowed towards the end. I barely squeezed through after Huilen. She sealed it shut with a rock while I was catching my breath. The only way out was also narrow and low, we'd have to crawl. Others would have a hard time reaching us here. "What do we do now?" I asked in whisper. She sighed; "I don't know, wait, and think." A long silence followed, leaving a sense of dread.
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Note:
This chapter isn't as long as you're used to getting from me. Sorry for that, but I found it hard. tapping into Nahuel's mind.
PS.: Were you surprised by this POV? If so, the next one will also be surprising. But hey, he's a main character too.