Survive 30 Days

Chapter 4: Cameron

I just can't handle these 'woke up in a start.'

Thankfully it was not the monsters that awoke me with an scream, but it was a Shadow Hunter. When my eye lids revealed what was in front of me, an old, wrinkly, disgusting pale brown face was in inch close to my face. We were almost nose to nose and this guy smelled like rotten eggs.  I scrambled away from him my feet pushing the ground and my hands reaching farther from the Shadow Hunter.  I than accidentally bumped into a tree that ants crawled. Hopefully non-poisonous.

"Good morning young Cameron." The Shadow Hunter greeted like an robot with out the accent though. He dipped his head politely and I copied him dipping my head. The man wore black robes with a black fancy leather shoes. His hoodie was not worn, reveling his few pieces of grey hair. There was silence to make me scared. My mouth quivered, my hands was sweating. 

"You are new." The Shadow Hunter said. "A newcomer like you would need help surviving. I invite you to the palace, a place to learn advanced needing, full survival skills, and provide what you food, water, a cozy bed, medicine, treatment for a week." He said plainly his expression unreadable. 

I expected his presence hearing from Luna and Harley but it was still quite terrifying as sweat poured down my forehead. My hands shook , my finger wobbled. The Shadow Hunter continued, explaining about the Trial of Death. It was the same description as Luna said before, a life or death battle field.

"Your Trial If Death will be on January 12th. Please attend to it or I have to kill you painfully." He sounded sorry while saying that he have to kill me if necessary. Chill crept over my back like ants crawling behind my back. (And they might cause I might've destroyed their home) January 12th, it was Friday from what I remembered. I will never ever say something like 'Fun Friday'. It's not.

"I must go invite the other survivors. Have an nice day." Instead of walking away, the Shadow Hunter disappeared in a second like a silent ninja. It took few moments for my small brain to process.

"Morning Cam we caught an tiger. Care for a good breakfast?" Harley appeared out of the leaves of the jungle. I nodded than followed his way. I guessed that Luna was going to be quite mad at me for waking up late and not contributing in the hunt.

In a small open area, fire rose and smoke smelled as I sniffed the air. Juicy delicious smell was mixed in the smoke my mouth watery. Luna was watching the meat burn on a grey rock that was secured on top of the fire. Three juicy looking big pieces of meat cooked and hunger took over me.

Surprisingly Luna did not say anything to me. She didn't hiss, yowl, or growl nor drew her sword down my chin. I blinked at her than focused on the meat.

"How's the meat Lulu?" Harley asked with his full sunshine smile. Luna smiled back warmly, a smile she has never showed to me. I can tell that the seven year old and the happy guy trusted each other fully their bond unbreakable. But not the romantic bond, it was an bond of friendship and team mate.

"It's cooking great Harley, we should be able to eat in five minutes or so." Luna replied her eyes observing the tiger cooking meat. When the purple haired princess sat still without her scary side showing, I realized she was very beautiful. Her face was small, her black brownish eye brows was thin and long, and the perfect pair of eyes glittered of fire sparks reflecting. Sometimes, I wonder what kind of life she had as an daughter of King Enzo. Scared? Lonely? Embarrassing? Or puffing up with pride?

Harley settled next to his yellow backpack that was leaning against a tree. He started to scramble inside his backpack looking for something. The chubby boy handed Luna something. "Treat that nasty scar you got on your bicep. It might infect."