The Hunters

Fear

CHAPTER FOUR

__________________________

Beep.

I rolled over and put my back to the strange noise.

Beep...beep.

Why is this annoying noise bothering me? I shot up from my position on the ground and looked over to the metallic skeleton as realization flooded through me. The youngling had actually been some creepy contraption. Probably created by the Hunters to capture me.

Its cold eyes stared at me, void of life. It continued to beep, but with each passing minute they would pick up in consistency.

I glared hard at it as I started to become annoyed with its constant reminder of the situation I had gotten myself in. But now wasn't the time to grovel in self pity. I needed to find my way out of here.

I attempted to stand but whimpered in pain as my right foot tried to support my weight. I collapsed onto my knees and huffed in aggravation. I guess I was crawling.

I looked around the small area I was in and noticed several corridors branching off. Which one should I choose? As if to answer my question I heard footsteps echoing off the walls of one of the darker corridors.

My heart jumped to my throat as I feared the worst. The Hunters had come to retrieve me and their metallic freak of nature. I wasn't sure if my assumption was right, but I wasn't going to wait around and find out.

I attempted to stand up again but hit the ground with a thud as my leg gave out beneath me. Why now!

I grunted in frustration as I crawled over to the closest corridor and propped myself up on the wall. I began a fast hobble down the hall as the footsteps continued to grow louder and louder. My heart was threatening to beat its way out my ribcage and I feared whoever was after me could hear it.

Then the footsteps stopped, but I didn't as I pathetically continued to get away. I was no longer able to see and I reached one hand out in front of me to keep me from running into anything. The cold hard rocky surface ran along under my other hand as I trudged onwards.

I could hear muffled voices but they spoke in a language I couldn't understand. Their deep voices caused shivers to cascade down my spine and I couldn't help but let out a small whimper. They were Hunters. I picked up a little speed as fear and adrenaline coursed through me.

I was so busy trying to walk faster that I didn't realize my hand in front of me had stopped on a wall until I ran smack into it. I hit the ground and was momentarily dazed.

No! I mentally screamed as I realized the corridor ended. My hands brushed over the smooth surface in helplessness. I was to tired to fight and I began to hyperventilate as I heard footsteps echoing off the corridor walls.

I got down on my stomach and felt a small pocket where the wall didn't fully reach the ground. Knowing it was the only thing I could do, I quickly rolled into the small area and was disappointed to find the back wall all to quickly. My whole body fit under though with a couple inched to spare as I squeezed myself up farther against the cold stone.

Please don't find me, please don't find me, please don't find me...

The footsteps came closer and closer, each one sending shivers down my spine and fear through my body.

Then ever so slowly light began to fill the room as two tall figures walked into the area. Their white metallic covered boots answered any possibility of them not being Hunters.

"We know you're here," a deep voice whispered. I shivered at its knowing tone and foreign accent.

The two pairs of feet stopped directly in front of me. I saw one begin to bend down and next I saw its hands. Its lifeless reflective face came next.

"Hey sweetheart it's okay," it cooed.

I stifled a scream and tried to back up farther. The Hunter held its hands out in front of me- waving them back and forth.

My heart was ready to give out as it reached up where its face should be. Slowly it began to remove the covering over its skull and that time I screamed.

Quickly it ripped the rest of its...helmet off?

I gasped and my eyes widened in fear and shock. The Hunters pale blue eyes stared down at me with concern. It looked almost like a sister besides the fact I felt my stomach churning with an emotion I had never experienced. It smiled and showed me its perfectly straight white teeth. Short brown hair fell over its eye brows. It's face was also more angular instead of smooth like the sisters faces. What was...he?

I glanced away from his hard glare. I felt my mind struggle, trying to remember how I knew he was...a he.

"See it's ok come on out."

He reached a hand out towards me but I hissed and slapped it away. His face looked hurt for a second before he sat down and looked at me in confusion. The other Hunter crouched down, it's face disguised by the black reflective mask.

"Here," it said while handing the siting Hunter a sleek black cylinder.

"I guess this is the only way," he said as he took the cylinder from the other mans hands.

He turned towards me and aimed the cylinder at my chest. He popped a small trigger from the side. I knew exactly what he was going to do, so I reacted on instincts.

I leaped out from under the crook I had wedged myself in and lunged at him. Black ooze was released from the cylinder and the man yelled in surprise as I tackled him.

My body was quickly engulfed in the sludge along with the hunter. I was stuck against the hard metal of his armor and began squirming in panic. His booming laugh halted my struggles and I froze in fear.

"You weren't supposed to do that!" He said between laughs.

I closed my eyes and tried to pull my legs up in defense but I was completely immobile.

The hunter not stuck with me let out a loud sigh.

"I guess I'll call command down now so we can get you two out of here. You know Cal I don't see why you trust these things so much."

Cal just chuckled, causing my face to heat up. My stomach started twirling inside and I almost gasped at the strange feeling.

What was this hunter doing to me? What kind of sick mind control did he have over me? How much longer until he killed me, why hasn't he already done so?

I hissed out in fear and began thrashing against the strong armor but stopped when I heard the hunter chuckle again, the deep vibrations sending chills down my spine.

"Just cooperate and everything will be fine. What's your name?"

I just glared at him. This was going to be interesting.

__________________________