Hood

CHAPTER II: Safe Haven

                Out of all people, why does it have to be him?

Jacob Braun. The idiot I’m looking at right now. He is known as the top male Hunter on our batch so he’s pretty much on my level. But to me he’s an idiot, a big idiot, “Jesus, Red Riding Hood, you really are a trouble maker are you?”

I clicked my tongue, “Just what are you doing here, Braun?”

He chuckled, “Is that how you say ‘thank you’ to the one who saved your damn life?”

Before I could answer back, we heard a huge roar deep inside the woods as a flock of crows scattered throughout the sky.

“We better get out of here, don’t want any ‘big bad wolves’ to attack little Red again…” he said.

“For your information, my name isn’t Little Red, it is Esmeralda Fang!” I felt my fists clench as I said that out loud, but he just raised an eyebrow at me and said, “Fine, whatever you say, Esmeralda.”

As we got to the barrier, I gaze upon the wall that surrounds our land, Terrarium. The walls are about 40 feet high, the tops lined with places for the archers to attack. Sometimes, in case of emergencies, we use cannons to kill the Outcasts. Not only has the wall protected our land. During the night, like now, a strong force field covers it, making us more secure. But when dawn approaches, it disappears, leaving only the hard concrete wall to protect us. The force field and wall have been protecting us for 299 years, and tomorrow was our 300th.

The guards saw us arriving so they signaled to open the gate. The gates were huge metallic doors that were created by the hands of the master blacksmiths. It also has big holes that every time an enemy tries to break the gate, sharp spikes pop out of them. As we got inside, dance music, sounds of people laughing and chatting already filled the air.

Terrarium. A huge vast land with the radius of 550 km, filled with hills, valleys, and grasslands. Roof-tiled houses and brick-wall buildings scattered around the place. In the outside, it looks like a place for a rich kingdom but in the inside, it’s just a regular town with people always starving and worrying about their safety. But for the past few weeks, it’s different. Everyone is really busy preparing for the party food, decorations, and all that for the 300th year celebration. And for us Hunters? We just got extra load for supply runs. Hooray.

As we walked through the town, people stopped and looked at us, while mothers and elder women shot us mean looks, saying that how unwomanly we are being Hunters. Well, I’m not going to sit in a chair all day, sewing some clothes and cooking stew when I could be fighting to save mankind from Outcasts.

“They’re here! They’re finally here! The Hood!,” I heard a squeaky voice in the crowd. I turned and saw a young girl about 10 years old, with auburn hair and bright blue eyes.

I couldn’t help but smile. I used to be like that when I was just a kid. Always wanted to go outside to fight, just like my father.

“And why are we smiling all of the sudden?” my thoughts broke when I heard Jacob’s voice.

I suddenly put on a scowl, “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t lie. I saw you grinning earlier.” He said. Jacob Braun was the most aloof and irritating person I’ve ever met. The strange thing about the he does his tasks alone. But he always manages to complete them faster than an average task for a group of Hunters. I admit he’s a strong fighter and opponent, but doing jobs alone and coming back alive in one piece, it’s just abnormal. He is also the main topic every time I bathe in the girl’s shower room. They say he’s amazing, impressive, and handsome. I barely even notice his looks; long dark hair that could almost graze on his shoulders, tall with lean muscles and tanned skin, and gold eyes like Bliss, only his are darker.

“Hey! Jake! You’re back!” I suddenly saw a boy running towards us, with ashy blond hair and deep turquoise eyes. He’s Lucas Raven, Jacob’s best friend. As he stops to meet us, I got a closer look at his face. All over were black smudges, and one was covering a scar on his cheek.

Jacob had a questioning look on his face, "What happened to you?"

"Training." he glanced over Jacob's shoulder and saw us, “Well, even Red Riding Hood and her ‘gang’ is here.” Lucas said.

“We prefer to be called the Hood, Lucas.” Maria corrected.

Lucas laughed, “I know about that Maria.” He turned to Jacob, “So, have you heard anything from Commander Valdez lately?”

“Nothing much. She still too busy with Squads.” Jacob answered. Lucas nodded at his reply, “Well, since we’re all here, how about I treat you all for dinner?” Everyone nodded and agreed at his suggestion.

“I think I’m tired. I’ll just go home for now.” I said.

“Are you sure Esme? You haven’t eaten yet.” Bliss said worryingly.

“I’ll be fine. Just go on. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

 The door creaked as I opened it and got inside my home. My boots clacked against the wooden floorboards. I removed my red cloak and hung it on the wall along with my two katanas. I went to the bathroom and removed my clothes to take a shower. The cold water clashed against skin and down to my toes. I admit I’m a bit short-tempered, but a bath always seems to clear my head. I got into my nightclothes as soon as got out, and untangled my long black hair.

Three hundred years, and we’ve been living in this prison, I thought as I lay down on my bed. The truth is, I don’t know why it’s so important to celebrate our 300th year in the walls. I mean, I know we should be happy surviving up to now, but why should we celebrate? We’re not even halfway on making all the Outcasts extinct and being free.

Being free… I wonder what it would be like… Not risking your life just to get food, not being trapped for all your life, going wherever you like without knowing there are monsters out to get you…

A peaceful world, a safe haven.