Demon Hunterz: Annihilation (Book 3)

Chapter 9: Winter's eve II

A moment of dreadful silence dawns on all three of us. The tension was so thick, that I could hardly think straight. I can definitely say the same for those two boys. Who's eyes are now locked on each other. Neither one of them moving the slightest inch.

Jason seems more focused on me than anything, than the much older-looking boy in front of him. There was something strange in the other boy's eyes too. But I can't exactly pinpoint what's so eerie about them. Besides the fact that they looked...hungry for something.

"Fine then, forget them!" Jason snaps, balling up his fists. His eyes land on solely just me. That's when he untightens his fist and grins at me. His eyes hanging suggestively low. "Looks like it's just me and you now. How about we get to know each other-"

The boy was on him in a flash. In a blur, he dishes out a furious blow to the jaw. Jason stumbles back a few steps. Shaken, but not down for the count. To finally notice the mystery kid, who somehow traveled several yards in just under a second--and boy, does he look pissed! Flared nostrils, heaving chest, and eyes tight with anger!

"Hey, didn't you get the memo?" The older boy barks. "I said leave the girl alone. If you're really feeling brave, then how about you try hitting me for starters? Let's see how long you last then, pussy."

Jason lowers his guard. Blinking. He looks lost. Probably still dazed from that last punch. Judging from my past experiences with Freddie, and now this, boys really do hit hard--and fast!

Jason slowly backs away. His eyes widen as he suddenly jerks in realization. "Wait a second...I heard about you. You're that street punk everyone's been talking about! Yeah, Marco. The guy who never lost a fight and took on an entire gang by himself. Man, you became quite the stud over the years huh? Bet you're feeling like a big shot right about now."

Marco huh? That name actually suits him. I like it.

"Well, to hell with fighting a monster like you. I'm outta here!" Jason ends up running away. I was half-expecting Marco to chase after Jason. But he never moved from the same spot he was in. Instead, he was curiously staring at the pool of blood. Where the boy was just at.

"H-Hey," I say weakly, rising halfway up. Marco snaps out of his daze. Then turns to face me. "Thanks for saving me just now. I-I owe you one."

"You don't need to thank me. So save it." Marco dismisses it with a wave of his hand. Then stoops down to lend me his hand. His eyes divert the other way. "Need a hand?"

I stare at him. He seems different from the rest. Sure he may be a delinquent like Jason. But he seems more chill about it. At first, I thought all boys were like that. Just loud-mouth morons who only knew how to express themselves through potty mouth jokes and fistfights.

But Marco...seems more noble about it. There's just this aura about him...that's just so inviting.

Now that I take a closer look, he is pretty tall for his age. Had to be teetering over the six feet range. Probably around six foot one to be exact. And he appears to be around the same age as me. A bit on the older side. I'm thinking sixteen.

He has a rather large build. A wide chest. That stacks up nicely with his broad, firm shoulders. He has lanky arms. That showcase his muscles every time he flexes them in a certain way. While his skin tone matches that of an acorn.

His body contrasts from that youthful face of his. Which comes with stern, commanding eyes. That carries behind them a sense of intensity like no other. He has spiky, jet-black hair. A small nose. A strong jawline. And there is just this energetic look to it all. That makes me feel safe beside him.