The Hunt

Chapter 1: Naya

The only sounds I hear in the forest now are the eery cries of the night birds, and the rustling of a cold wind through the array of oak trees and pine trees.

I've waited hours now, just after everyone was too deep into sleep to notice me, and now, I sit up slowly, not making any sound.

The three of them are fast asleep, curled up in their thin blankets. I slowly but surely haul myself to my feet. I've long since mastered the technique of stealth. I think it may be my greatest ability. Out here, it's very helpful.

I place my footsteps carefully, so no footprints are made and so no sounds escape my shoes. I feel for the soft curve of the knife in my belt.

I make out the figure of the sleeping girl, the one that is the weakest and yet the most cared for. The one who earlier today had threatened to kick me out of the group.

The funny thing is, I never wanted to be in their group.

I lean down, crouching over her, and look around me one last time. Then, before I can think twice about it, my calloused hand slips over her mouth, and I slip the knife out from my belt.

In one, soundless motion, the girl is dead.

I keep my hand over her mouth, making sure she's really dead, and then stand up slowly.

Now, I begin dripping the blood, making big splotches leading right up to my bed. And then, I place the knife under my pillow.

Then, I carefully wipe my bloody hands off on one of my jackets, and stow the jacket away in my bag so nobody can see.

Next, I make my way to the other side of the campsite, where this one guy, Sebastian I think he said, keeps his things. I rummage through the sack a bit, quietly, and find what I am looking for. It's a golden chain. It could be sold at a very good price, but I think it's sentimental to Sebastian, so he keeps it.

I take the chain and go over to an oak tree I spotted before, right on the edge of the camp, and lodge it into a small notch in the trunk.

Now I take a small stone, go back to my sleeping spot, and lie down, organizing myself so I am all bundled in the blankets.

I flip the stone in my hand a few times, gaze through the dark trees to see my target, and then launch it. The second the stone leaves my hand, I close my eyes and retract my arm into the blankets.

And as I do, there is a loud sound of the stone rustling through the undergrowth, far out into the forest, as it hits its mark.

It takes a few seconds for Sebastian and his friend to wake up. But when they do, there are shouts of surprise, cries of anger.

I pretend to wake up, moaning and looking around. Then I make a few reactions, pretend to study the scene, and stand up to face the two men who are looking at the dead girl.

"What happened?!" the one man shouts at Sebastian.

"Why are you looking at me, I was asleep!" Sebastian bellows.

The other man leans down by the dead girl, "I can't believe someone would do this. Kill her just like that," then he stands up, "Nicklas told you to keep her safe! That was the last thing he asked of you, and you threw it away!"

Sebastian steps towards the man, "You know as well as anyone that I didn't betray Nicklas! And what about you?!"

This fight goes on for a few more seconds, but I don't pay attention much. It's just some backstory between the group. None of my business really. Of course, I store it in the back of my brain. Who knows when it could come to use.