The Hunter

Refugees

An arm tightened briefly around Mira’s waist before the body behind her slipped out of their warm cocoon. Her eyes fluttered open. Collin stood next to her with his knife out, but he faced the mouth of the cave. Next to him, Thomas stood on all fours while staring in the same direction.

After blinking a couple of times to wake herself, Mira sat up and sniffed towards the entrance. A small part of her wanted to laugh at the boys for their overprotective attitudes. Worry consumed a bigger part of her as she recognized one of the smells. Something bad had happened.

If Briana had left the campsite, it must have been for something serious. Her battle skills rivaled most pack fighters and she normally stayed at the campsite as a guard. They protected the campsite from both packs and hunters. Too many of the residents had already lost loved ones; the group strived to prevent them from losing anyone else.

“Collin,” she half said his name and half yawned it. “They aren’t a threat.”

“Are you sure?” He never moved his gaze from the entrance.

“Yeah,” Thomas said, while he messed with the strings on his track pants again after shifting. “We know at least one, which means they won’t attack. Ah! What is the bloody point of the stupid strings?”

“I only see one stupid thing in here.” Briana stood in entrance with one of her hands on her hip. “And it definitely isn’t an inanimate object.”

“Nice to see you, too, Briana.” Thomas said as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Mira coughed to hide her laugh. Laughter sounded from next to her, as did the sound of a knife being sheathed. Apparently Collin enjoyed having someone else around who liked to pick on Thomas. Poor Thomas would have the two of them ganging up on him in no time.

The moment that Briana’s gaze switched to Collin, Mira jumped out of the death trap, also known as a sleeping bag, and stood between them. At the sudden movement, a bit of dizziness descended on Mira. Strong hands grabbed her waist to steady her. It vaguely reminded her that she’d been in the same sleeping bag as he was just minutes prior.

Before she could dwell on it too much, Briana spoke again. “Is he safe?”

“Yes,” Mira said while trying to ignore Collin’s hands resting on her hips. “You can bring them in.”

“How many are there?” Collin whispered from behind her when Briana left the cave again. “I could smell them, but not well enough to know the number.”

“Another adult and three pups.” She smiled weakly at him over her shoulder, even if he couldn’t see it in the dark.

As Mira moved forward, Collin tightened his grip to keep her in place. “Why would they have pups out here this late at night?”

“Based on the smell of burnt flesh.” Mira’s voice wavered with the thought of the pups being hurt. “And the half human blood in the pups’ veins, my guess is they are trying to live.”

She pulled out of his grasp and walked slowly to the entrance. Two adults and three pups meant at least one of the pups had to walk most of the way. A light filled the cave, and Mira looked over her shoulder to see Collin sorting through his pack again.

The shadows of Briana, a man and a small child neared the cave. When they got within the light, the man’s limp and charred pants revealed the source of the burnt flesh smell. The child could barely drag his feet forward anymore and stumbled several times. Mira swooped down and lifted him into her arms. He wrapped his arms around her neck and buried his head into her shoulder. Two toddlers, likely twins, were in their arms.