Liber De Morte

Chapter Two

“Jeez, Alana, large game you got there!” Patrick grinned, rubbing his hands together as his feet spread apart. His white apron was matted with animal blood. His brown beard was frizzy, his square green eyes filled with excitement. Pulling on his gloves, he approached the large deer.

“Looks like really big kidneys, intestine…” He continued to study my game. Patrick’s wife, Elizabeth (Patrick and I call her Liz), entered the room, their daughter Felicia at her heels. “My, my…” Liz began. “That deer… You hunted that, Alana?” I nodded, as if it were obvious. “Looks like it’s going to be good year for you, Alana!” I grinned. “Saw a group of them just after I killed this one,” I told her.

“How many?”

“Dozens, Liz. Dozens and dozens.” Liz smiled. “How’s the rifle doin’ for ya?” I felt the weight of the large rifle on my back. Patrick bought me it for Christmas. “Absolutely marvelous. I can shoot accurately with it, very useful.”

Felicia giggled and hugged my leg. “I’m gonna hunt animals, just like you when I grow up, Alana!” Patrick frowned. “Won’t you be a butcher like your daddy?” He questioned. “Daddy…” Liz laughed, picking up Felicia. “You’ll decide what you want to be when you’re older. Don’t let your father influence you,” Liz explained to Felicia, while rocking her daughter back in forth in her arms.

~

When I left their deli, I had been paid a wad of cash for the game. I stuffed it into my coat pocket, beginning to stroll back into the woods.

The people in the city bustled through the streets. Hundreds of cars honked in the streets, pedestrians hurried along on the sidewalks, business men talking on their phone, teenage girls chatting to each other about the latest Channing Tatum movie while holding dozens of shopping bags, children happily playing tag at the park.

I took a left off of the main road, walking towards a small suburban neighborhood, where few cars drove, barely anyone walking down the sidewalk. The more I escaped from the busy main street, the quieter the silence grew. I wasn’t use to the honking cars, to the loud people chattering on the sidewalks and restaurants. What I was used to, was the quiet breeze of the wind, ringing the leaves and grass in the forest, the birds chirping and the recent crunch of grass, every time a bunny moved.

Suddenly, a firm hand grabbed me by the arm, another hand following to my other. A boy, three years older than me, about nineteen, approached me, adjusting his ski cap. Kyle. “So, little miss Katniss Everdeen, how much cash did you get from, what’s his name? Peter?”

“Patrick,” I mutter between my gritting teeth.

“Whatever,” Kyle says, pulling my chin up, as his clenched fists met my face in a thud. “How much cash do you have, Alana?” He asked again.

I don’t answer.

“Ha, suit yourself. Guys, beat her up.” The boys holding my arms suddenly shove me to the ground, the three of them all attacking me at once. I manage to roll away from them just as they were about to dive to me. I didn’t have the urge to fight back at the time. The only word my mind was telling me was, run.

I roll to my feet in a sudden burst of adrenaline, bolting away. Of course, Kyle grabbed me by the collar of my shirt and pulled me back, and I lost my chance to escape. The only thing left to do was fight.

I swung a punch across Kyle’s face, he simply returned it back with a hard kick to my shins. Wincing, I dig my elbow into his stomach with a sudden and swift movement.

Kyle groaned, stumbling back and grasping his stomach. “Get her, you idiots! Get her!” He groaned, as the two other boys--Daniel and Evan--charge at me with clenched fists, knuckles pale white, and visages angry. Daniel, the boy on the right, wore a navy blue jacket, jeans, and running shoes. His teeth were disgustingly yellow and crooked. Evan, on the other hand, was had blonde hair to the tip of his ears and halfway past his forehead, and blue eyes that filled with horror, yet a hint of joy and kindness. He had a long hooked nose. I met him once in the city when my father took me here once. He was kinder back then. Yet, there was a scar right at his jaw line.

How could I see all of these details while they’re still charging at me? I do not know. I dodge just in time before the two can grab my shoulders. I drop to the ground, kicking my knee out and tripping them. Kyle grabbed me from behind, his hand over my mouth, and his other arm at my neck. I struggled.

Suddenly, a girl jumped out from behind Evan and Daniel. She had bright green eyes, a pointed nose, and thin lips. Her brown hair was tied into a pony tail. The girl wore simple jeans and a long sleeved shirt, with a leather jacket and combat boots.

She knocked them out with her bare hands in a matter of seconds. Kyle let go of me and dropped me on the ground, his jaw dropped.

“What are you looking at?” The girl questioned, stepping toward him. “Scram!”

In a flash, Kyle bolted away, sprinting down the sidewalk. “Hey, you okay?” The girl held out a hand. I nod, taking her hand as she pulls me up. “It happens every week. I’m fine.” I reply. She gives me a faint smile. “I’m Annabelle. Anna, for short.” She winks.

“I’m--”

“Alana Easton, yes, I know. The-- Well, I’ll explain it to you later. Ethan! Aaron! Come here!” She calls out. How did she know my name? I suddenly look up to the sky, wondering if there were video cameras all around me, in the forest all along, watching my every move. I suddenly feel extremely uncomfortable.

Two boys, about seventeen had approached. The one on the left, had a cocky grin and dark, playful brown eyes. His black hair was combed back, his hands in his pockets. I could see a hint of ink right at the edge of his collarbone-- A tattoo. The one on the right had an edgy jaw line, stern blue eyes, but a contagious smile. His hair was shaved, but he looked like a brunette. The one with the tattoo spoke up. “She’s Alana? She doesn’t look anything like J--”

The boy on the left elbowed him hard. “Ouch!”

“That’s Ethan,” Annabelle assured, pointing to the boy with the playful brown eyes. “And that’s Aaron.” She pointed to the boy with the stern blue eyes. I gave them a reassuring smile. “If you don’t mind, could you take us to your home? I‘m sure you‘re very suspicious on how we know your name. Surely we can answer that if we can talk in private.” I nod. I was aching to know how they know my name. I led them deep into the forest, studying their every move, their grins, their eyes. Everything. Suspicion and curiosity grew in me rapidly, like a fire brewing higher and higher, the more you fed it.