Hunted

Chapter 1

Hello!! This is the first book I have ever completed, so please don't judge too harshly, especially since I'm only 13! I really hope you like it!!! Enjoy! (4-7-15)

Update: I am now almost 16, and I cringe whenever I re-read this. On my last update (Update #2) I said that I will try to edit this, so here it goes. On all my new chapters, there will be a :) at the top of the page. To those of you who actually liked this story, I am not changing any events that occurred, only clearing up confusion, some horrible grammar mistakes, and cleaning stuff that isn't flowing right. (3-19-17)

"Be quiet!" I hiss at Daniel and Isaac, who are whispering about a new video game that's been released. They should know better than to talk while out on a Hunt, especially about shooting fake people on a screen. We're doing much more important things than that right now. I look out from behind the dumpster and shift my metal stake from hand to hand uneasily even though the dark alley is still. "You know they can hear from up to a mile away!"

"That's a myth. And anyway, that's only if they're paying attention." Daniel slips an arm around my waist and I hesitate before leaning into him. We've been dating for around two years, which seems more like two million, but we've been happy in our relationship since our first meeting. Except when we go out on Hunts, when he's the most obnoxious person in the whole group. I'm surprised he hasn't gotten us all killed yet. My anxiety rises at the thought.

"They probably already know we're here, thanks to you." Vampires are extremely cautious creatures, and are constantly on the lookout for Hunters and Huntresses, the only people trained to kill these otherwise indestructible humanoids . We seek out clans that are a danger to humans, and this one has been leaving dead bodies drained of blood in their wake.

"Nothing we can't handle." He rubs my back comfortingly and my shoulders slowly slump in relaxation. This is my third Hunt since the school finally started letting the best students out, so I really shouldn't be so nervous Except for the daunting fact that Vampires are faster, stronger, and sometimes even more intelligent due to their brains working at a different tempo than ours. They are definitely a force to be reckoned with. 

"You guys are so gross," Isaac gags from the other side of Daniel and I playfully punch his arm with a grin. He probably didn't even feel it with the suit he has on. When he returns my grin fully, I know my assumption must be right.

"Ah, young love. Don't you think they're adorable, Alisha?" a silky voice above us sighs. I'm quick to jump to my feet and back away from the dumpster, pulling Daniel along with me. My heart beats painfully in my chest. A tall male Vampire hops gracefully off the dumpster and three more walk out from the alley behind us.

"They are. Too bad it's going to end quickly." One of the Vampires shakes her beautiful dark hair in mock sadness, her golden eyes glittering with excitement. I have never seen an ugly Vampire before, and Alisha is definitely no exception. It probably has to do with the whole 'death' and 'rejuvenating' concept. I mean, you die and come back to life, if that's what the Vampire chooses when they bite you. They can put their venom in your bloodstream or just take some of your blood.

Daniel, Isaac and I back into a tight circle and raise our stakes in front of us. Four against three. If it were opposite, it may be a little closer to fair. Their warm shoulders slide against my own in a calm reminder that they have my back.

I hear four sets of clicking, and I know that the Vampires have clicked in their teeth. It's strange how their cuspid teeth work. They're attached to the back of their human canines, and click down into place when they're feeding or in a fight. You can't even tell that they were originally two parts because it looks like a perfect, sharp, long tooth.

Alisha lunges, and she's aimed at me. It is instinct to go for the weakest of the group, which seems to be me, but I'm just as strong as the boys. I raise my stake and she's unable to stop herself before she pushes her chest into the pointed end. She yelps as her eyes close and she dies for good.

The rest of the Vampires attack and we step forward to meet our opponent, separating from each other. I go for the Vampire that was on the dumpster, his mouth pulled back in an easy smile at the challenge. He seems to be the leader, so maybe if I kill him, my group may be able to have an easier shot at the others.

Before I can brace myself, he runs at me. His Vampire speed is too much for me to fight back, and he easily wraps his hands around my neck in less than a second. I don't think I've ever seen a faster Vampire than him. No! No, he can't! I struggle in his grip, but of course, being Vampire, he doesn't have trouble holding me in place. My lungs wheeze with the effort to draw oxygen in and I can feel my face becoming as red as my hair.

"No, please don't!" I kick out at him and claw at his hand in desperation. I can't become the creature I hunt; it would go against everything I have ever been taught. It would be the worst case of irony. 

"An eye for an eye, little one." His smile grows even wider and he leans into my neck. There's a small breath of air, and then his sharp canine teeth pierce skin and muscle and I can't help but scream in fear although no pain follows. A gentle pulling against my skin alerts me that he's begun drinking my blood, and for a moment I marvel at how painless it is before a fire enters my veins with a burning passion.

He's entered his venom.