A Vampire Tale

Chapter 37

  Brenda
I will become a hunter. Hopefully with my mom's help, I can sign up, or enlist, here. If only I had a map of this place, I might have found the president of this place.

As I walked, I noticed someone in the distance right away. This being the first time ever seeing my mother dressed like a hunter, I was surprised. "Mom? Is that really you?"

She turned at the sound of my voice and smiled. "Hello honey, I'm glad to see you safe." She walked over and gave me a big, warm hug before making me look at her. "I know that face anywhere. I have seen it on so many children, especially Trey and your boyfriend, Taylor. You want to join the association."

I didn't bother to hide it, figuring it would save us some time. I nodded and asked, "can you take me to the president of this place?"

In return, she shook her no. "Your not qualified to be a hunter, Brenda. You never were." I didn't know what she meant by that. I thought hunters were trained, so how could I not be qualified?

"How do you know? I have never been trained," I told her.

She nodded. "When you and your brother were young, I brought you here. I had to know which child was born with the instincts of a hunter." Getting serious now, she looked me in the eye and said, "Trey was born a hunter. You were born for other things."

Shaking my head no, I demanded proof. She took my hand, as if I were a little girl crossing the street, and led me into a small room with five screens, reminding me of the security station at the mall.

"Screen one, Trey Hernandez. Video one. Screen two, Taylor Garcia. Video one. Screen three, Hailey Anderson. Video one. Screen four, Brenda Hernandez. Video one." Four of the five screens responded to her voice, quickly searching for the data. One by one, videos began to play. I noticed the date in the corner was from ten years ago as the brightest part in the videos.

Trey was walking walking around in the dark until something jumped out at him. He dodged it and fought against it, despite the fact he was getting hurt as well. My eyes moved to each screen as each person I know soon become covered in blood until I landed on my screen.

There I was cowardly trying to run away. I couldn't help but notice the tears running down my cheeks as I called out for my parents.

"Face it, Brenda. You were born to love, not kill. You can not become a hunter." I couldn't help but take a step as she tried to get close to me. I couldn't help being angry for how delicate she still thinks I am.

"Taylor was never born into a hunter family. How can you explain that?" I demanded.

"That is correct. Neither of his birth parents were, but somewhere in his ancestry, there were hunters," she said matter of fact. "Not to mention his foster parents are well known hunters."

"I don't care about what you show me. I will become a hunter," I told her. She stopped me with two words.

"No, Brenda."

I turned back to her before looking back at the screens. The little girl I saw on the screen cried into her mother's shoulder. With eyes as red as a tomato, she cried "promise me I won't ever have to do this again. Please, mommy." The mother promised her and carried her away.

"I'm sure Taylor has explained this to you already. A hunter always keeps their promises. That is why I can't let you do this, and if you are a member of a hunter's family, you should understand as well."

I shook my head no. "I was a little kid then. I want to try again, mom. If the choice was open for Trey, then why not me?"

She sighed and closed her eyes as if thinking of a way around it. "the life of a hunter is hard and covered in blood. We can easily loose our lives trying to protect the humans who don't know we exist. Are you sure you want this life?" she asked me as she opened her eyes.

I nodded, "I want to become strong for everyone."

She smiled before saying "if you think you can handle the harsh life of a hunter, ending lives of former humans, or naturally born creatures, then prove yourself worthy of calling yourself a hunter."

"I'll accept any challenge you give me. I'm tired of being so useless. I want to become someone everyone can depend on, not just push away when things get dangerous." I could see how proud my mother was of me by her eyes. I must have passed the oral examination. And yet, I still can't pass my drivers test...

"In a few minutes, the training arena will be set up for you. Wait here patiently while I inform the president."

As the doors closed behind her, my mind began to wander. I couldn't help but imagine what the test would be like. Based on what I saw on the screen, the skill level is set to beginners for children. It shouldn't be too difficult for me, especially if I use the necklace Taylor gave me.

When mom came back, a man, who I assume is the president, was behind her. He took one look at me then smiled. "This must be your daughter, Brenda. The last time I seen her, she was about five years old."

Mom shook her head no. "She was six. Nice try, though."

He ignored her and said "you want to join, don't you? Hasn't your mother explained to you about the troublesome life of a hunter?"

I nodded, "it is a brutal life, but I want to help my friends fight against the evil creatures."

He grew serious all of a sudden. Every hint of his happiness was swept away like a feather floating in the wind. "You have determination of a hunter, but you must also have the strength and instincts as well."

With a smile on my face, I said "I may look delicate, but I will prove that I am capable of becoming a hunter."

The president glanced at mom for a second before saying "you really are Susana's daughter. Prepare yourself because this test is not as easy as it appear."