The Hunt [BOOK 2: WAR OF MORTALS] [Completed]

The still before the storm

Stepping into the building is different from looking at it on the outside. The inside is 186,000 by 197,000 with 7 windows, 2 doors, a skylight, 4 bathrooms, and 17 feet from the floor to the ceiling. The walls are a shade of evergreen. I watch as each group sets up tents and campfires. They discuss battle strategies and who's weapons are better. I look toward the ceiling and notice broken light fixtures dangling. I look around the room before walking toward Mr. Darkrose. He's huddled around a fire laughing at one of my dad's stupid jokes. My mom scoffs before gesturing for me to come closer. I carefully step up to the fire and sit next to my mother.

"I remember when she was a child, she would cry over a dead worm!" My dad muses. I now know that these aren't jokes their laughing at. Its small, insignificant details from my childhood. I sigh.

"Yeah. Grandma says you used to dip your food in sand as a child!" I retort. My dad face palms as we all chuckle. "Nonetheless, I need to talk to Mr. Darkrose alone for a moment." Mr. Darkrose nods before standing up and giving me his hand. I graciously take it, stand and walk to a secluded area of the building.

"What is it you wanted to talk about?"

"Sammy."

"Sammy?"

"I need someone to join my group of 5 to go in, get Sammy while we distract everyone. Get her out of there and straight here. I was hoping I could trust you with the job." Mr. Darkrose smiles gently.

"Of course." I nod.

"Great. You'll stay with your group unill Fe opens the back door. From there, I want you to run in, grab Sammy and get out. Waste no time."

~~~

"WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, MY FRIEND!!! AS WE BUST DONE MICHIL'S DOOR!!!" Cheshire sings during our giant bonfire. We all laugh and joke around. We almost forget the war we're stepping into tomorrow. I feel like the courier of bad news. I stand up and clear my throat. Everyone's eyes are now on me.

"Sorry to break the fun, but Doc and Jack came in finally, but with a letter of ransom." Whispers fill the room. "They are asking for the Edrasos' Book of Spirits and in return they'll give us Arlo." Silence fills the room. I rip the letter in half and throw it in the fire. I hold up a letter of my own. "Felix, would you mind delivering this to Michil. It states that we will return the book if they return Arlo and Sammy."

"We're not really talking about a truce, are we?" Volt asks.

"Oh, hell no. We're still going to war. We will still kill them all." Cheers erupt all around me as Fe heads out with the letter. What I didn't tell them is I asked for a face to face conference.

~~~

The wind blows past me, ruffling my purple hair. James and Cheshire stand to my left as Melody and Felix stand to my right. So far, we stand alone in this empty area between our base and Michil's Suddenly, out of the dust, Michil and 3 men I've never seen walk toward us. 10 feet. 7 feet. 5 feet. 2 feet. Michil stops 2 feet in front of us. His white hair seems to shimmer in the moonlight. I start to notice that things about him are different.

"Jess-"

"Let's cut the small talk before we start. Where's my daughter?" Michil tilts his head like a confused puppy. A small smirk plays on his lips.

"I didn't know you had a kid! Congrats! Who's is it? James' or Jason's?" I freeze. How did he know about Jason? I was with him before I met James and it was only one night. I suddenly realize what he's doing.

"She belongs to me and James. She is outs and your pathetic excuse for a dad took her! Now, I'll ask only once more. Where is Sammy?" Michil smiles evilly.