Hunter

VIII

Jade poured the coffee out into two cups. She really needed some, she had barely gotten any rest from her sleep. Her mind kept spinning in circles from a strange dream she couldn't remember.
The cups steamed and she carried them out, setting one in front of Aric.
He looked up and smiled a thanks.
He gingerly picked up the cup, lifting it up. He took a sip, his face scrunching up.
He stuck out his tongue in disgust, shuddering. "It's so bitter! How are you drinking this?"
Jade rolled her eyes, laughing. "I'll get some sugar."
She walked into the kitchen, grabbing the container off the counter.
Aric grabbed the spoon from the container, scooping two spoonfuls of sugar into his cup.
He took a sip and leaned back.
"Much better."
Jade glanced at him, snorting. "You're gonna get diabetes."
He shrugged. "As long as it tastes good, I don't care what I get."
She took a gulp of her coffee, already feeling the caffeine waking her up.
Her thigh thrummed dully, sending sparks through her leg.
She rubbed it gently, thinking about what she wanted to ask.
She stared at the table before speaking.
"Do you know where that gang is?"
Aric shifted in his chair, so he faced her.
"What?"
"Those men have my mom. I need to find her."
He rubbed his chin with his knuckles.
"I have a faint idea of where they might be. Gangs like them move their location a lot. Maybe if we could find some people, or fellow hunters, or even some monsters- they could help us and lead us to them."
Jade nodded, taking another drink of coffee.
"So when should we go? We can't leave right now, you look terrible. Even though I doubt beauty sleep will do anything for you, you should get some rest."
Aric shook his head, rolling his eyes. "Haha. So funny. I'm fine. We can leave whenever you want."
"How about later today, after we get a chance to rest up? Maybe later tonight, so we can, I don't know, be stealthy and stuff."
Aric nodded, the towel still on his shoulder bobbing.
"Ok, sounds good."
He drained his cup and stood up to put it in the sink.
His black tank top seemed to make his tan skin look golden, making his hair shine like fresh black ink.
His lithe arms were toned like a dancer's, graceful but strong. The metal bands on his wrists glinted.
To Jade, he looked like a wild cat: lanky, beautiful , but impossibly deadly.
She must've been staring because Aric glanced back, brow furrowed.
"What? What's wrong?"
Jade shook her head, her cheeks warming.
"Nothing."
He shrugged and asked,"Is there anywhere I can sleep? I can sleep on the floor if there's a problem."
Jade shook her head. "No, you can sleep in my bed." She felt her face heat up as she realized how that sounded.
Aric smiled cockily, shaking his head slowly. "Well, well. Eager, are we?"
"Uh, that's not what I meant. I'll sleep in my m-mom's bed." Her voice broke on the m-word.
Aric nodded slowly, walking past her.
He squeezed her shoulder gently. "Don't worry, we'll find her."
Jade smiled weakly. "Yeah, ok."
He picked up his book from the table, tucking it under his arm.
He walked away, then backtracked.
"Um, where's your bed exactly?"
Jade finished off her coffee then led him to her room.
"It's not much but-"
Aric shook his head. "It's fine. Good night, Jade."
"Good night."

Jade lay down, pulling the blankets up to her chin.
The bed was soft and smelled like vanilla cream, her mom's favorite perfume.
Tears welled up behind Jade's eyes.
They threatened to spill down her cheeks, and she squeezed her eyes shut.
I'll find you. I'll fight if I have to. I'll find you, Mom.
Those thoughts ran through her head as she fell asleep.
Then the dream came.