The Hunters Mark

P R O L O G U E

{ Cora ~ Core - ah }

-✧-

I T was the 7th of May 1994 when the recruitment trucks came round. One child from each household must be chosen to undergo testing. No parent knew what this 'testing' was and after the last 'testing' they had resulted in in a new dangerous species being released into the world, so obviously no one was particularly keen to give up their child.
Cora was five when it all happened. She was a newly only child after the disappearance and suspected death of her sister, Reina, four months ago. When the werewolves were released in January Cora had watched her sister be dragged by the legs off somewhere into the Silva screaming out her name. Without the joy of her sister Cora was quiet, distant.
At 8:36 there was a wailing ding of their doorbell echoing around the house, and Cora put down her dolls and ran to the cupboard below the stairs as quietly as she could. She watched her mother walk slowly to the door and open it, revealing a man and a woman dressed in blue. The lady was cheerful and began asking my mother questions while the man peered into the house.
"They're here for me" Cora thought. Her heartbeat sped up and her breathing quickened. Cora put a hand over her mouth in an attempt to hide her heavy breath while the people continued to question her mother.
"Are there any children below the age of nine in this household madam?" the man asked, sounding bored and slightly irritated.
My mother shook her head without speaking and looked down at the floor.
The man sighed and pulled out a notepad and began flicking through pages.
"Angela Micheal, correct?"
My mother nodded again, this time looking the man straight in the eye.
"Well Mrs.Micheal, it says here you have two daughters named Cora and Reina aged five and four, is this correct?" The man said, tapping his foot.
Cora's mother flinched slightly at the mention of her eldest daughter, Reina. Her name hadn't been mentioned since her disappearance.
"Both of my daughters have been missing since the experiment." her mother said bluntly and began to close the door "Now if you wouldn't mind, supper is about to burn an—"
The lady quickly slid her foot in to stop the door from closing. Her attitude changed completely as she pushed past my mother and into the house. Cora whimpered as her mother was flung against the banister.
"Where is the girl Angela!" the lady screamed, bending down to my mothers crumpled state. Her mother began to shy away from the woman, and the woman got up and began to tiptoe round the house. Cora held her breath in anticipation. The man looked under the stairs. He stared at the cupboard for a moment and Cora thought he had found her but he stood up and continued to search. Cora sighed in relief.
To Cora's surprise, the woman suddenly pulled open the cupboard door and smiled, dragging Cora out by her arm. Cora squealed, holding an arm out for her mother to grab it, desperately trying to escape. Cora's hand brushed against her mothers but it was roughly snatched out and Cora was pulled outside as she kicked and screamed. She watched as her mother cried in defeat.
The lady roughly put Cora in a seat in the back of the van with 7 other children, all sitting in silence. The woman slammed the doors shut and they began to drive away. Cora began to silently weep as her home became further and further away and she curled up into a small ball. She felt a small hand pat her arm and she looked up to see the small girl sitting next to her smiling sympathetically.
"It's okay" she said, reaching for Cora's hand "You're going to be okay. I'll look after you forever, I promise. My name is Ilana, I'll protect you." she squeezed Cora's hand and Cora lied on her lap as Ilana stroked her hair. Cora tightly held her hand, fearing that it would disappear just like her mothers did, and quickly fell asleep.

-✧-

" C O R A ! " someone said cheerfully, "Cora?". Cora was shook roughly and awoke, hitting away the hands. Ilana laughed and smiled, brushing a hand through Cora's hair.
"We're here." Ilana said. Cora swallowed as she took in a large white building surrounded by high electric fences. The lady from before had disappeared and she had been replaced with a blonde lady in a white coat. The woman held out her hand for Cora to take but Cora simply stared at it and got out of her seat herself and hopped out the truck. Ilana followed, taking the Lady's hand however. Ilana thanked her quietly and joined Cora again. Cora didn't trust this lady. The rest of the children were helped out of the truck and they all stood in a group. It was dark and cold. Cora shivered noticeably and the lady hurried the children inside.