Hunter's Daughter

Chapter Two ~ Noah

Coffee number three was bitter. Granule-y. Unfortunately, for everyone else, I was a bit of a chameleon when it came to my drink. Good coffee could put me in a good mood. Seeing as number three wasn't, I decided to be equally unpleasant. Too bad for my opponent. There would be no pleasantries — I would be ruthless. I would win.

"Check-mate."

Incensed, the randomer across from me swiped his hand over the board, tiny chessman somersaulting through the air. He shouted abuse, rambling on about cheating, demanding a rematch — but I wasn't paying attention. Something far, far interesting had caught my eye.

Most would see the girl. Tall, blonde, slim. I saw the gloom surrounding her. So very dark, rolling around like thunderous clouds. Well, this was new. My spirits lifted instantly, eager to investigate.

"Later," I said, leaving the man to rant alone. It fuelled his fire all the more.

If there were less people, I would've whipped across the park to keep up with the girl. She was clearly on a mission, pace brisk, snatching glances over her shoulder. Going somewhere you shouldn't, hm? With an unusual ability like that, I'm sure she put it to good use. But she hadn't met me yet. This was her lucky day.

Her age could pose a problem, though it hadn't ever stopped me. With her potential and my persuasion, I could seal a very handsome deal.

I had to stop from getting ahead of myself, concentrating on tailing her. We were heading for the waterfront it seemed, where the empty workshops lay. But before I ducked down the side street blondie had, there was a flicker in my peripheral vision, bringing me to a halt. Two o'clock, top of a three storey building. Head to toe black uniform.

Hunters.

Turning to face the agent, I gave him opportunity to attack, standing out in the open. Or at least, think he had the upper hand and attack.

The zip arrived just on time, and I raised my hand to greet it, the dart slipping nicely between my fingers. The Hunters' form went rigid, still laid flat on the roof. Sucker.

"Let's go for a home run," I whispered, throwing my arm back purely for the effect.

Silver streaked the air, the whistle sharper than before, almost supersonic. I waited for the head to drop... anddd, bingo. I would've loved to hear how he explained that to his supervisor. A tad embarrassing.

Oh. The girl.

She was long gone. But I wouldn't let the opportunity escape me. This stretch of docks was often short of people, perfect for hush-hush meetings and trade-offs. Sometimes kids borrowed the space for skateboarding, etcetera. They especially liked the empty storage units and open workshop, climbing the shelving and swinging from the chains.

Seemed she knew that crew. Blondie was talking to some scruffy haired twig; others busy showing off, performing stunts. Something wasn't right — a girl like her talking to a guy like him? Laughing, conversing as if they were the best of buds. All the while, he wore what I could only describe as harem pants, and she looked like she'd jumped out of a magazine. Something was very, very wrong.

I bided my time, choosing a wall to perch on as she had a wardrobe change. Secret lifestyle? That worked in my favor. More likely to sign up to something.

In the end though, I didn't approach her. She came to me.

"Can I help you?" she quizzed, hands on hips.

"The question is, can I help you?"

Pushing off of the wall, I mustered up the most charming smile I could, sidling over to the girl. Her eyebrow twitched, still disgruntled. Strangely, I had the urge to leave, not wanting to hang about any longer. It was like a wave, crashing into me, stronger and stronger. Go go go. But I needed to get more info on the girl. But I wanted to leave.