Still Human

Chapter 8.3: Helena The Huntress

                                                               Chapter 8.3 

                                                     Helena "The Huntress"

The leaves crunch under the heel of a young Lena while she leads her unit through the moonlit forest.

"I was 19 years old, me and my unit were hunting a small group of Lycans. Back then we hunted real Lycans, back then we hunted the real problem and it took real skill of tracking; not all this computer nonsense we use nowadays."

With a bow in hand, Lena follows the prints left behind by the Lycans; she spots one in the distance then runs after it on her own.

"In my youth I was more aggressive, I broke apart from my unit to track down one of the Lycans that had separated from its group."

Lena stalks her prey until it disappears from sight.

The huntress draws her bow; ready for whatever may happen.

The ten foot tall beast drops down from the treeline, knocking Lena down to the ground.

Its hair is sleek, clean and black, its eyes a fierce yellow.

Its saliva drips onto Lena as it hovers over her.

The huntress shows no fear and stares back at the monster.

"I thought I had it dead to rights until I lost sight of it or so I thought... I was just too arrogant to notice it was hunting me... the Lycan dropped down from the trees and knocked me down. My weapon had flown away from me."

Claudia's voice is reminiscent of an eager child "You carried a bow didn't you? Just like the one you brought in here."

Lena entertains the Beta "Yes I did and you know why I carry a bow? Because it's light... and quiet, not even one of you can hear an arrow coming from yards away... anyway this Lycan was hovering over me; ready to claw my body to shreds but I wasn't afraid... I was ready to accept my fate. I mean it's only fair I go out that way... I've killed enough of your kind to get killed by one of you... then suddenly..."

Another massive werewolf tackles Lena's attacker to the ground, the beasts wrestle for a dominant position before Lena's savior tosses the attacker away; the werewolves circle each other.

Lena jumps to her feet then retrieves her bow, she draws her arrow but waits; she watches the beasts interact with one another.

Her face shows incredible confusion.

"Lawrence saved you." says Claudia.

Lena's voice expresses the purest happiness while she speaks "Yes he did... he tackled the Lycan to the ground and with just the glow of his eyes made the other Lycan run away with his tail tucked between his legs... at the time I didn't know any better... I had my bow drawn and ready to fire but... I was frozen... right before my eyes stood... Lawrence... in his true face."

The beast shifts into his human form then places his hands up.

Lena hesitates to lower her bow.

"How'd he look?" asks Claudia.

The question sends Lena deep down a rabbit hole of nostalgia "He had the darkest brown eyes I've ever seen and this quiet strength that most men his age don't carry... I slowly lowered my bow and he said with the softest yet confident voice..."

Lena slowly lowers her bow.

Lawrence smiles then slowly edges forward "Hello, my name is Lawrence."