The Hunt

5 Days Before The Hunt

A/N: So you guys know where the story is in time, read the chapter tittle. It'll tell you when that chapter is taking place.
* * *

Two teens were running through the street, one ahead of the other. The one in lead ran free of any weight, while the other was loaded with two heavy looking backpacks.

November 27, 1994. I guess this is where this story begins, on the day we first learned that something was stalking our streets. The day it all began.

"Jackson! Hurry up!" I shouted.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" He panted.

"Why are you so slow?!? It's not like your running in heels!" I teased.

"Yeah, well I'm carrying both of our backpacks!"

"Not my fault you lost the bet." I said. "You're the one who thought you could beat me in a Mario Cart race."

"Yeah, but I didn't know you would cheat!" He hurried to catch up with me.

"It's not cheating," I stated, "Its called bending the rules."

"Mmmppphhh" I heard him snort.

We were walking in silence after that.
Shortly, we reached my house, where I took my bag, said "Good bye, see Ya tomorrow", and went inside. I went straight to my room, and threw my backpack on the ground. It landed with a satisfying THUNK. I then remember heading to the fridge, and taking out some left over red velvet cake. I cut out a decent chunk, then headed for the couch. I sat there thinking about my day, and how I should probably study for that upcoming final. I then heard footsteps coming from the hallway right behind me.

"How was your day?" Asked my mother.

"Ehh." I grumbled through a mouthful of sweet cake. I thought it tasted slightly stale, but that it was still good enough to eat.

"Got any homework?" She asked me. I continued to stuff my mouth with the cake. "Skyler?" She pestered. I swallowed the mouthful and prepared to take another bite when I decided it might not be that smart of an idea to piss off my mom. I set the plate on my lap, and twisted my torso around to face her. I noticed something new about her, she seemed more... more distant and even worried. I knew then something was up. She never got that look unless something had happened.

"No, I don't." I lied. She reached behind her head to scratch it. She walked to my side of the couch, and sat beside me.

"Honey," She started, "I'm afraid that your Dad won't be home for another week or so. He' going to Australia for a bit to work out that business deal with the company." She paused. "He says he's very sorry, and that he'll call tonight to talk to us."

"He's gonna miss the contest." I whispered. Lately I have been trying to learn how to protect my self from danger by taking up knife throwing. My Dad completely approved, and even bought me my first set of knives. But now he can't even come to my first contest.

"I know, sweetheart, but he has to work. He has almost got the break through his company needs to produce their product. I know you wanted him here, but he needs to work for us to be able to have the things we have." She finished, but I registered that the look of concern was still there. I quickly dismissed it, though, focusing on the fact that my dad wouldn't be there.

"Whatever, it's ok." My voice cracked. My eyes were slowly filling with tears. "I'm gonna go to my room." I stood up, leaving the cake behind, and headed towards my room. Slamming the door behind me, I stomped into my room. I plopped myself on the bed, and glared at the wall. I sat there for a while, and sifted through my emotions. A few minutes later, after calming down a little, I reached over to my radio, and clicked the ON button. A soothing song came on, one that I didn't know. I suddenly felt exhausted. I reached for my pillow and wrapped my arms around it. I laid down, and fell asleep.

* * *

BLEEP!! BLEEP!! BLEEP!! BLEEP!!

"Ugh, Mom 5 more minutes!" I groaned. My eyes fluttered open, then closed after a few seconds. I hugged the pillow tighter, smashing my face into it to block the light from the ceiling light.

BLEEP!! BLEEP!! BLEEP!! THIS IS A WARNING!! BLEEP!! BLEEP!!

My eyes bolted open. I had only heard that warning once before. I quickly sat up, and waited for the warning announcement.

BLEEP!! BLE- "This an important local announcement. There is what seems to be a very large and aggressive animal roaming the streets. It has not yet been located, but animal control is searching the county now. This animal has already mauled 2 people, one of which is in critical condition. We warn you to keep inside until the animal has been found." BLEEP!! BLEEP!! BLEEP!! BLEE- I shut off the radio. Great, I thought, now I can't go outside and do anything. I guess I could watch The Wizard of Oz again, but then again I've already seen it twice this week. Maybe I should study... fine, I'll study. I snatched my backpack, and pulled out my notebooks. I flipped it open to the pages I needed, and settled down for a boring few hours.

* * *

"Sklyer! Dinner!"

I snapped my notebook shut. Rubbing my eyes, I rose from my bed and headed towards the kitchen. Yawning, I took my place at the dining table, and waited for my mom to serve me. She set down a steaming plate of spaghetti and sat across form me.

"What were you doing in your room this whole time?" She questioned.

"Studying."

"I thought you said you didn't have any homework."

"Yeah, well I found some."

DING!!

I jumped in my seat.

"Oh, right! The meatballs!" My mom got to her feet and walked to the microwave. She gingerly took out a bowl filled with the meatballs. She moved briskly back to the table and set down the bowl on a mat. "Ouch, that was hot!" She muttered while blowing on and waving her fingers, which looked slightly pink. I used my fork to scoop up a few of the meatballs and put them on my plate. We ate our food, me leaving nothing left but the plate and silver ware, and went to the couch to listen to the news on the radio. I stretched my arm over to the left of me, and turned on the radio. After a slight delay, the loud warning signal came on once again.
BLEEP!! BLEEP!! BLEEP!! BLEEP!!
THIS IS A WARNING!! BLEEP!! BLEEP!! "This is an announcement pertaining to the previous warning message. The animal had not yet been caught, but authorities have tracked it back into the woods on the outskirts of town, near highway 320-"

"Oh good, no one ever goes out there, it won't harm anyone now." I whispered.

"-You may leave your homes once more. If you are going outside, we advise that you stay in large groups. Thank you." BLEEP!! BLEEP!! BLEEP!!BLEEP!! BLEEP!! "This is an announcement pert-" My mom had shut off the radio.

"I'm not listening to that all night." She explained. She stood up, and started towards her room. "Night, Sklyer. I'm going to turn in early."

"Night Mom." I stayed on the couch for a while, thinking over the day's events. I fingered the cushion's fabric, pinching it between my fingers and rubbing my hand along it. The thickly woven strands caught on my fingernails at times, but I found the rest of it comforting. My fingers massaged at the cushion,my hands slowly becoming raw. The roughness of the couch was annoying at times, but now it was soothing. I thought of school, and of upcoming finals, and the trick I played on Jackson. I felt bad about that, but at the same time didn't care. I thought of the animal attack, and of that poor person in the hospital. I thought of my Dad. Oh how I missed him! My thoughts returned then to the attacks and how that animal wouldn't harm anyone again, because it was chased off. I felt safe from harm. I released the couch, and meandered into my room. I undressed, and put on my pajamas. I turned off the ceiling light and plopped into bed. I considered reading, but chose instead to fall asleep.