The Last Hunter

Chapter 1- Gone

"Wake up Artemis."

I pushed my hands on the ground, and started sitting up, eyes still closed. I could feel the grass around me was damp from the rain last night.

I blinked, my eyes adjusted to the brightness and started to focus. About two inches away from me was a boy's brown eyed face staring back at me.

"Ahh!" I exclaimed, scrambling back, and slamming my head right into a maple tree.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you," he replied, reaching his hand towards me to help me up.

I groaned, waving him away with one hand, rubbing my head with the other. "It's fine, Ryan. I just never expected to wake up to a huge nose right in front of my face," I joked.

"Hey, would you stop it with the nose stuff?" he retorted, pretending to be annoyed, pulling his hand back and crossing his arms. But I could still hear a note of amusement in his voice.

I smirked at him. "Okay, I will. . . for today."

He rolled his eyes.

I used the tree behind my back to stand up, pushing with my legs until I was standing. Definitely not the most normal way to stand up. . .

I could hear Ryan snort at me. I pretend not to notice.

"So, what's up?" I asked casually. Ryan broke eye contact, staring at the ground, then back at me.

"Well. . . we. . . I mean the Council. . . they finally decided it's about time you told us why you're hunting... you know... this... murderer," Ryan answered, more timidly than normal.

I looked back at the others in our group, all gathering up their tents to start the day's work. I sighed, looking down. I've still been sleeping on the ground. The one reminder I still wasn't part of the Hunters.

"But I thought we were moving sites today," I muttered.

"We have just enough time beforehand. . . look it's been three months," Ryan pestered, "and it's time that we better understand your motive. I know that there's more than the fact that this mysterious terrorist is part of the government overthrow. 'Cuz we're hunting the bombers already, and if there's someone else we need to track, then we need to know. Besides. . . "

"Alright!" I relented. I heaved a sigh. "I suppose there's no way to keep it from the Council at this point. Let's just go get some breakfast." I began heading towards the kitchen area, Ryan still staring at me. Clearly he expected me to say no. I chuckled to myself.

He finally snapped out of it, and started following me. ". . . Great!" This means you can finally be part of us. I've been trying to help you almost as you've helped me."

Ryan and I sat down at a collapsible wooden picnic table for breakfast. Usually Ryan ran off to eat breakfast with everyone else, or to deliver a message, but every once in a while, like today, he'd join me for breakfast outside the kitchen.

The Hunters on table waiting duty brought us bowls of steaming porridge and plastic cups full of collected rainwater. I ate slowly, savoring each bite. I don't understand why other people hate oatmeal. It's my favorite breakfast—hot, sweet, creamy, and so filling. I didn't notice Ryan leave, but once I saw him come back I was almost done.

As I was finishing my last spoonful of the porridge, Counselor Drew came up to me and tapped me on the shoulder.

"I've heard you're ready for your hearing? We've been more than patient; we usually don't have to wait more than a few weeks for new recruits, but we were kind to you because of how you helped Ryan."