The Dark Hunters

Chapter 24

Odeya POV

The sun is starting to set.

"Hey." Braden puts the palm of his hand on my cheek. "I think we should stop for the night. We're both dirty, hungry, and exhausted. Plus, It's getting dark, and I'm sure the market isn't open at night, and since it's dark we won't be able to see him."

He looks at me with such puppy dog eyes, I cave in. "Fine." I smile slightly.

He takes my hand again and we walk along the square. Buildings line both sides of the street.

We find an Inn called the Stay In Inn. They have a pool, and a breakfast table in the morning. We can order room service. And they even have a microwave, mini-fridge, AND TV in each room.

We decide to stay there.

After we check in, I look out our room's window, and see some of the shops are still open. Including a clothes store.

I have taken my bow and quiver off, and they now sit on one of the two beds. Along with the backpack, and my weapons belt.

I continue to stare out the window, and Braden comes up behind me and wraps my arms around me.

"Braden?" I ask, and turn around in his arms.
"Yeah?" He replies.
"I know we should probably shower and stuff first, but I noticed that a clothes store is still open, just across the street, and all my clothes are ripped and stained beyond repair. So I am wondering if I could go over and get a couple of things?" I look up at him with hopeful eyes. He looks down at me and smiles.
"Of course you can!" He says. "Just be back in a half in hour or so. I don't think it's safe for us to be apart for too long." He smiles. "Plus you really don't need to ask me permission to go. You just go, so long as you leave a note or something."

I smile, grab the money, and stuff it in the pocket of my pants. I kiss him quickly, and I'm out the door.

I walk up to the door, and it makes a ding sound as I open it.

"Can I help you?" A woman's voice immediately asks me. I shake my head, and start exploring the store.

After about 20 minutes, I have a teal nightdress, two pairs of yoga pants, a couple of undergarments, a short sleeve shirt, a purple sweater, a couple of simple dresses, a silky long sleeve shirt, and some make-up.

I pay for my things, and dash back to the hotel, to my room. I realize I forgot the key, so I knock on the door.

After a couple of moments, Braden opens it. He changed his old dirty clothes, into new gray shirt, and jeans. He took a shower.

I smile, slip past him, and into the bathroom, shutting the door and locking it behind me.

"Alright then." He says through the door. "I'll leave you to it."
I smile and start to undress. It feels so good to be clean, although the cuts sting a little under the hot water. I could heal the cuts, but I don't want to waste my energy, especially since is my power is starting to fade.

After I'm done, I throw on my lacy, teal, nightdress and yell through the door, "Braden?!"
"Yeah?"
"Could you get me my backpack? It's on my bed." I say.
"Sure." He yells back.

A couple seconds later there's a thump outside the door. I open it, and pull the backpack inside the bathroom.

I unzip the zipper and pull out my hairbrush. I slowly try to brush out my unkempt hair. I hold back tears until I finally get all my blonde curls brushed out. My ears are ringing, as I shove my hairbrush back inside my backpack.

I stumble out into the room. Braden is watching a Sci-Fi movie on TV, but he mutes it when he see's me.

I come over and sit next to him, then curl my knees to my chest, and lay my head in his lap. He gently strokes my fine curls. "You ok?" He asks me.
"Yeah." I reply. "I'm just tired. I haven't slept on a bed for a pretty long time." I trail off as my eyes start to close. He leans down, kisses my cheek, and slowly brings me fully onto his lap. Then stands up off the bed, and still holding me, pulls back the covers and gently lays me down.