Hunter Academy

Chapter 39: Bird Without a Song

"Wake up." I feel a rush of cool air as Lilith rips off my blanket.

I groan and curl into a little ball, trying to go back to that peaceful abyss. It's the only time I don't hear the voice. At least my dreams are my own.

"We're going hunting today." I finally opened my eyes and saw Lilith in full gear.

Hunting for the Wendigo. The voice chimed.

"Fuck." I groan and roll off the bed. I land on my back with a hard thunk, but I don't feel any pain.

Sometimes it would be so much easier if I was human. Running around trying to live my short life, all the while ruining the earth.

I hope you don't mean that.

I wouldn't have to deal with you.

You won't have to deal with me much longer, I promise.

This conversation although short, felt like I had been talking to them for over an hour. I felt sick each time we had "long" conversations. It was hard to multitask while talking them. I cursed as I put on my gear backwards. Gear was very annoying to put on, but it kept us safe.

We had spells put on our gear to repel arrows and bullets. Every gear is different, as we increase in performance we add more defenses to it. I had put as many defenses that I could think of on mine. Mine was one of the older versions, I took what I could find in the old training rooms in the capital.

They abused us, neglected us.

I sighed and began to put on my gear, correctly this time. I didn't want to think about my time at the capital. Although they didn't dare hurt me after the incident, that didn't mean they welcomed me. Though some tried, but I could practically see the greed clouding their eyes. Some wanted me as a pet, to do God knows what. When it fit their agenda they would teach me about the political system and some things about the human world. I didn't know much about the human world as I'd like too.

The only one that showed me kindness was Evergood. She taught me how to read and even let me use her study at the capital. I was forever indebted to her, though she didn't seem to understand that.

It made me want to take revenge on them but I knew I already took it. They were just scared of what I could do. I had to move on.

"Easier said than done."

"Need some help?" Lilith started towards me.

"How long have you been standing there?" I tried for a playful tone, but it came out sounding worried.

She crushed her lips in a thin line "A while." She signaled for me to turn around and she zipped up my gear. I jolted as her cold fingers brushed against the back of my neck. She quickly pulled back.

"Sorry." She mumbled.

One second passed in silence. Two seconds. Three seconds. Guilt was eating and pestering me. A fire burned in my mind and throat. Remorse hit me like a sledgehammer. I shouldn't have told her about my past, or what was happening.

"It's fine." I turned around and hugged her.

She turned to stone in my arms and a pain went through my heart. I released her.

"What's wrong? Did you talk to your dad?" I asked.

She nodded, a pained expression settling on her features. I noticed she looked wan, as if she hadn't slept. Her eyes were the color of bruises.