New Beginnings Volume I - The Hunt

The Breath Of Life

Scott stopped the car. Derek's expression turned into a frightened frown.
Scott : "What?!" he said turning to me. Derek's fingers slowly brushed against the patch of skin that formed the hunter's mark on his left side.
Liam : "Derek ... " but he didn't replied. He started at it for a couple more seconds then closed his eyes and let out a loud sigh. He then turned his face away, staring out the window.
Derek : "So what. "
Scott : "So what?!" he said almost yelling.
Hanna :"Scott ... " I said and put my hand on his forearm. He looked at me for a moment and then adjusted his seat and started driving again. Liam got the radio on again, this time on a lower volume, and ate his donuts quietly.
Hanna : "I'm sorry ... " I said and put my hand on Derek's shoulder. He gave me a short look and then turned his face again.
Derek : "It's not your fault. "
Hanna : "Yes it is!" I started. " If you haven't noticed it's all my fault! All of this ... " My eyes were burning but I held my tears back. "I got you all in this! If it wasn't for me ... "
Derek : "Just stop! Ok?!" he said raising his tone. "Stop taking all the guilt on you! It's not your fault you were born this way, it's not your fault that psycho killed even his own daughter and it's not your fault I got marked! So just stop ..." Scott and Liam remained silent.
Hanna : "So what now? Hm ? What do you Mr. Smart Pants, or in your case just Mr. Smart because you clearly wear no pants, or a shirt, or any other clothes, plan on doing ?" he didn't say a word. "Oh! Oh, yeah, right! Great plan! How come I never thought of it?!" I said ironic.
Derek : "What do you suggest ?" he used the same tone that I used with him.
Hanna : "Well unlike you I DO have a plan!" I was lying obviously. "I ... " I bit my lip and basically waited for a brillian idea to hit me, but sadly it didn't happened.
Derek : "Oh, Wow! Your plan is definitely better than mine!"
Liam : "Han? ... "
Hanna : "I don't know! Ok?! I have no freakin' ideea! I am still struggling to survive myself!" I snapped at him. He stared at me in astonishment.
Liam : "I ... I just wanted to tell you that your phone light is on." I put my phone on silent. I didn't recognized the number.
Hanna : "Hello ?"
"Oh, hi dear! " the voice on the other end sounded familiar. "It's me, Elizabeth." she said on a cheerful tone.
Hanna : "Mrs. Grandwood ? " I said amazed. "How did you get my number? And ... is this your number ?" I said still shocked that she knew how to use a phone.
Grandwood : "Oh, your friend ... Lydia I think, she gave it to me. Make sure you save the number honey. Isn't technology wonderful ?"
Hanna : "Yeah ... I guess. Why did you call ?"
Grandwood : "Oh, yes, I have something that might cheer you up! It's a surprise."
Hanna : "Look, I really can't right now ... I have other problems to deal with."
Grandwood : "Are you sure hon ? Because I don't believe you want to miss this!"
Hanna : "Yeah, I'm pretty sure ."
Grandwood : "Oh, just a quick visit. I promise it won't take long!"
Hanna : [sigh] "Ok, I'll see what I can do."
Grandwood : "Ok dear! I'll make some tea." she hang up.
We arrived at Derek's place and got out of the car.
Scott : "Hey, aren't you coming ?" Scott said noticing that I wasn't following them inside.
Hanna : "No I ... have something else to do. "
Liam : "At this hour ?" he said lifting his eyebrows.
Hanna : "I have to go see Mrs Grandwood."
Scott : "We'll go after."
Hanna : "No, I'll ... I'll just walk. It's not really far from here." I said then turned my back and started walking.
Liam : "Is she nuts?" his voice was funny.
Scott :" I believe so. " I heard them talking but I kept walking. Today was clearly not a good day for heels. Actually, no day was a good day for heels lately. Don't ask me why I kept wearing them, I mean if I die at least I die with style. I rang the doorbell at Mrs. Grandwood's .
Grandwood : "Come on in." she said with a grin on her face. I walked inside and she told me to sit.
Hanna : "So, what's this about ?" I said and yawned.
Grandwood : "Close your eyes." I looked at her for a moment then did as she said. I felt something cold in my hands. I quickly opened my eyes hoping I wasn't wrong, and damn I wasn't! My face lightened and I kept starting at it - my mom's silver necklace with the amethyst! I squeezed it hard and then hugged her.
Hanna : "Where do you have this from ? " I said unable to hold my big grin.
Grandwood : "I told you you don't want to miss this. " she smiled back. " I won't lie to you, it wasn't easy taking it back."
Hanna : "Back ?" I said a bit confused.
Grandwood : " From them, the hunters." My eyes widened.
Hanna : "You did what ?!" she giggled.
Grandwood : "Oh don't worry dear, I'm safe and sound. They didn't even realize it's missing." I laughed softly and shook my head.
Hanna : "Excuse me but you are really nuts. " I said smiling. She chuckled and finished her tea.
Grandwood : "So how are you? " she said looking back to me. "You know, after all this. " My smile quickly vanished as I remembered what was going on.
Hanna : "I'm holding on ... or trying to. "
Grandwood : "I'm sorry honey, I didn't mean to upset you. Is there anything I can do for you?"
Hanna : "I ... I don't think so. "
Grandwood : "Are you sure ?"
Hanna : "Trust me, this is way worse than you can imagine. "
Grandwood : "Try me." she said still slightly smiling.
Hanna : [sighs] " Something bad happened tonight. It's ... I don't know how to start. "
Grandwood : "Just say it."
Hanna : " Someone got marked." She dropped her tea and broke the cup. After that, she cleared her throat and started to pick up the shattered pieces.
Grandwood : "Excuse me. " she said looking down.
Hanna : "I ... I should probabily leave. "
Grandwood : "No. Just ... tell me.. tell me one thing." She said and grabbed my hands. " The one who got marked ... " she swallowed hard. "Is it you ?"
Hanna : "What? No. I'm fine but ... " she sighed in relief. "But a friend of mine did. "
Grandwood : "A ... a friend ? " she cleared her throat again, taking a more serious tone. "It's that blonde girl you were with today ?"
Hanna : "Who? Malia? No, It's Derek."
Grandwood : "Derek? Is he ... one of them ?" I looked at her confused.
Hanna : "A werewolf you mean ?" she closed her eyes for a second then opened them back.
Grandwood : " Rather blood-thirsty beast but call it as you want ."
Hanna : "Do you know any way to break the mark ? Any way at all ?" I said deperately.
Grandwood : "I can't help you." she said breaking every hope that I had left. She gave me a sober look and then turned to walk away but then I grabbed her forearm. "Please!" I was practically begging her. She sighed and told me to wait there. She returned with a book with brown covers that had inscriptions. She sat on the couch and I followed.
Grandwood : "Now where is it ... " she said concentrated, flipping through the pages of the book. I could see all sorts of images in that book. There were strange creatures and artifacts that I never saw before. "There it was." she stopped suddenly. "Faeries were known to be some of the best healers. vut over the centuries they lost most of the healing abilities, developing more their elememtal powers. Even so, it is known that Earth Fairies are the most powerful of all kinds and that they might still be able to heal due to their special ability."
Hanna : "Which is ? " she raised her eyes from the book to face me.
Grandwood : "Fairy dust."
Hanna : "Fairy dust?" I said giving her an untrusty look and chuckled nervously. "Really?!"
Grandwood : "It may sound like a fairytale but it's true. When a fairy is born some of her vital power is sealed in an object that is close to her. Your mom's amethyst was her linked gemstone, it contains a part of her. I presume you already know what your linked object is." she said and pulled her sleeve revealing a golden bracelet just like mine, but with light yellow gemstones. I looked at her confused. "When I gave you the bracelet I knew you were special. Yes, the other bracelets belonged to my friends. You all reminded me of us. But your bracelet was not mine or my friends' , it was yours already."
Hanna : "I don't think I understand. "
Grandwood : "It contains your vital energy. The gems symbolize who you are!" I pulled out my bracelet and stared at it. She took it and placed it on my left wrist. I felt it's soothing energy jolting through my body. "Now listen close, this is very dangerous and to be honest I don't know what would really happen. You can do it only once."
Hanna : "What happens if I try to do it again ? "
Grandwood : "Your vital energy is linked to that gemstone, so if you waste it ... " I realized what she meant.
Hanna : "Ok .. I'll ..." but right then all the lights, except for a perfumed candle that she lit when I got here, went out. The window broke with a loud sound and a dart hit Mrs. Grandwood in her stomach.
Hanna : "Mrs. Grandwood!" I screamed and held her from hitting the floor.
Grandwood : "Go ... " she said softly, breathing heavily. "before it's too late. "
Hanna : "No! No! " tears bursted out, climbing down my cheeks." I can't ... I can't, I can't ... no ... please!" she squeezed my hand. I took a deep breath and then focused all the energy that I had left on the Star Moonstone gems. Blood started to come out of her mouth. I closed my eyes and focused harder. Nothing happened at first but soon I felt the heat coming out of the bracelet. I opened my eyes to see the gems glowing in a light blue shade, just like the moonlight. I put my hand on her chest and channelized my energy to her body.

      It felt like something was draining me out of life but I didn't stop. Her body started to glow in the same shade and the heat from the bracelet was unbearable. She opened her eyes and I quickly threw the bracelet away. "You ... managed to do it. " she said astonished. " I owe you my life. " she said and hugged me. She helped me get up and picked the bracelet but then suddenly stopped, staring at it. I looked closely and I could notice that the white gems were cracked, almost broken. She handed it to me. "Keep that safe. And don't remove it from your hand."

Hanna : "Ok." I said and grabbed my bag.
Grandwood : "Hanna!" I turned to her. "You realize how defenseless you are right now, don't you? You consumed most of your vital energy saving my life. Those gems weren't supposed to crack. You are very weak right now. And remember that your powers are blocked until the next full moon. You can't go, you must stay here."
Hanna : " I ... "
Grandwood : "Hanna! Face the reality, you can do nothing now. "
Hanna : "No!" I said and raised my face. She met my gaze. "I know exactly what I have to do." I got out and started to run. The fresh air of the night was hitting my face as I was approaching my destination. This was the last chance to get alive out of this. You know what they say - If you can't defeat them be like them- or something like that. The light was still on and I could see Chris crafting something. I stormed in and he quickly loaded his gun and pointed it at me. He sighed in relief when he saw me. I stood unmoved and looked his straight in the eyes.
"Teach me." I said with a confident tone.