Hunter's Daughter

Chapter Four ~ Alice

The blank piece of paper stared up at me the following morning whilst I did my hair. It was trying to guilt me into speaking the truth, but I would not give in. Dad hadn't provided me with any more information. We'd pulled up outside our house in silence, until he'd patted my hand, and told me not to worry, we'd talk soon. In other words: you can get out. I'm not explaining anything yet.

So why should I?, I thought defiantly, applying a little mascara. Not that I would ever write the truth. My heart was already set on finding the enemy. I would learn all about my power and how to control it. Then I could lock it away in a dark crevice of my soul, and throw away the key, resulting in a somewhat normal life.

Satisfied with my plan, I resolved to put it into action, heading downstairs and toward the door. Today's body-guard fell into step with me, and I tried not to stiffen under his presence. He opened the door and gestured toward the car.

"Where to, Miss Jefferson?"

"The High Street please."

Once again seated in the back, I rummaged through my brain for other locations the mysterious Boravich could be, deciding he'd be amongst the hustle and bustle, like any normal-person would. Strength in numbers maybe? Those soldiers-in-black attacked in a mostly deserted area. They wouldn't attack in a public area.

I guessed. But hopefully I was right.

Soon we parked in the center, on a main road, and a thirty-second walk to the high-stores. I didn't mind so much, but these precautions would become annoying in no time.

An hour dragged by. We had traipsed up and down the walkways, not actually entering any of the shops — which seemed to bug my security detail more and more — with no success. To him, I was window shopping, not tracking down a supposed criminal.

Eventually, I settled on trying the marketplace. Shane had introduced me to this outdoor jumble-sale, which stored many a treasure. Again, the old-me would be horrified to learn her future-self even stepped in the vicinity of the racks and rails and plastic tables full of second-hand goods, nevermind purchasing any of 'that junk'. The new and improved Alice adored losing herself amongst the mess.

The thought of Shane bringing me here, helping me to discover what I truly loved, twisted my insides. Though I didn't have time to mourn our time apart — I'd hit the jackpot.

Noah Boravich was here.

But not for long. His eyes didn't catch mine, instead, scouring the rest of the street from beneath his hoodie, trying to be invisible. His figure disappeared behind the contents of the stalls. I couldn't lose him.

I scanned around for an opportunity to escape, struggling to think clearly amidst the hubbub of people and adrenaline coursing through me. Four rows of tables were lining the courtyard, the middle ones back-to-back, their vendors happy to roam amongst interested ones, some seated in front of their allotted space. A skate-board caught my attention, propped up against an end table on the middle section, slightly hidden by the tall, rotating-rack next to it. The idea that popped into my head was crazy, but there was a chance it could work.

"Oo, look at this!" I exclaimed, rushing over and handling a backpack that hung from the rack. "What do you think?"

My security-detail raised an eyebrow, unamused by my interaction with him. Typical. My father did tend to hire the ones with little to no personality. And fingers-crossed, one that you could easily trick.

Despite his displeasure, he drew closer, and right into the trap. I repeated my exclamation as I ducked behind the rack, not waiting long before spinning 180 degrees. The body-guard still had his back turned as I plucked the skateboard from its spot, sliding belly first onto its back and pushing off. Like some deranged person, I glided — or crawled turtle-style — under the line of tables, undetected by my guard, the buyers, or the sellers.

When I reached the other side, Boravich was headed down a ginnel, toward the masses of shoppers on the main street, about to fade away and be lost all over again. Seeing him here was a miracle. They didn't happen often.

A few had noticed me creep out from under the table, stunned as I abandoned the skateboard, dashing through the markets' customers. There was no time for an explanation or an excuse. My life depended on this.

"Noah!" I called, closing in on him. He whipped around that fast it stopped me right in my tracks. Those brown eyes burned as angrily as they did yesterday, full of contempt, fists curling by his side. "Please listen."

He took a dangerous step forward, hissing, "Don't think you can fool me again."

"I'm not here to fool you," I spluttered, very aware that my body-guard would be frantically searching for me. And I could not let him see us. "I need your help."

"Help you?" he spat. "If you think I'd help someone connected with Hunters, think again."

"I still have no idea what you're talking about, okay?" I threw back. "My father hasn't explained anything to me. He doesn't know I'm looking for you. Or that I even know about powers!"

"Your father?"

Noah's body language completely changed, stepping back from me, shoulders slackening. His thick eyebrows were pinched together, but his eyes widened. By the docks, he'd thought my name was a tip-off, as if to rub it in his face that he was surrounded. But now, he believed me.

I wasn't a Hunter.

The word rolled around in my brain. Hunters. Was that their official name? A nickname?

Either way, it spoke volumes. Dad worked for an organisation that hunted super-human individuals. People like me, like Noah. They had an army at their disposal, agents they could dispatch, that blended in, that were trained to silence and capture and threaten. No wonder Noah didn't trust me.

"Frank Jefferson—" He spoke aloud, as if that would help to absorb the revelation; "is your father?"

"Yes," I responded, praying that it would prove my innocence, not condemn me. "He doesn't like people like us, does he?"

Noah didn't reply, but he didn't need to. So I continued, "He wants to do tests on my friends, I'm guessing to see if they have abilities... How long till he turns around and tests me? I need to be prepared. I need to figure out how to switch it off."

There was still no answer. Noah's expression was calm, and I couldn't figure out if he was empathetic or disinterested. I opted for distracted, as I noticed him looking past me, beyond the alley. It was a reminder of my guard, who could discover us at any moment.

"Help me. Please."

He let out a guttural sigh. "I can put you in contact with someone."

Yes. Yes! Before I could finish my thank you, he put his hand up to stop me, and pointed accusingly. "If you try anything."

"I won't," I promised. "I want to break my curse."

Confirming I was crazy, Noah pulled a face, raising his broken eyebrow in amusement. But I didn't care. I was a step closer to cleaning up the mess Life had dumped on me.

And so I went ahead and arranged to meet more of my father's enemies.