Off With His Head

05. I took Archery in High School

I'm not sure what I had expected when I told them my condition.

Maybe outright refusal, or since I was feeling optimistic, possibly even a sigh of relief that another person would be willing to join their ranks. But the two of them staring at me in stunned silence for a while, before bursting into laughter, was not even on my list. Up until now, I didn't think Zach was even capable of cracking a smile. He proves me wrong as he chuckles at my request.

"What's so funny?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest, my eyes narrowed. But they continue as though I haven't spoken, as if me wanting to be a Hunter is the most hilarious thing they have ever heard.

Eventually they calm down slightly and Caleb seems to take pity on me. "No offense, Jennings, but I don't think that's possible. Most of us train to be Hunters since birth. Others are chosen because of their cunning, physical strength or their knowledge of weaponry."

"I took archery in high school," I retort. Although, if I'm honest; I barely remember how to string a bow. But they don't need to know that.

This sets off another round of laughter, Zach going as far as slapping his leg repeatedly, like I'm the punch line of a hilarious joke. I am beginning to get quite irritated by them; I don't believe that I'm the first person to make this request. They're acting like I've just asked to be turned into a unicorn.

I must remember to ask Caleb if those actually do exist or not.

"Peyton," Zach finally sobers up, clearly picking up on my annoyance. "Why would you want to do this in the first place? It's a dangerous life and a lonely one. You see things that can turn even the sanest people into raging lunatics."

I walk over to the window, looking out into the cloudy sky while I try think of the best way to explain it. It takes a few minutes to formulate my response and when I turn back to face them with my argument prepared, they are both looking at me expectantly. Zach has gone back to serious, eyeing me warily, but Caleb has his ever present smirk on, the one I would really like to punch off.

"What happened with Henry-," I hesitate, unsure of how to go on or if they will even understand where I'm coming from. "I can't explain it, but I feel violated. I thought I knew him and it turns out that he is a monster. I kissed him, I held his hand, I started caring deeply for him. Meanwhile, he was killing people. He had me completely fooled. "

"Peyton, becoming a Hunter isn't a way for you to fulfil your personal vendetta," Zach advises. "It's an entire lifestyle change and not a decision to take lightly. Besides, we already told you; we're going to kill Henry. He will be exterminated and you can move on from this."

"It's not just about Henry," I admit, although he did play a massive role in my decision. "I don't want what happened to me to happen to anyone else. I want to stop other people getting killed and hurt. I want to help."

"Jennings," looks like it's Caleb's turn to try talk some sense into me. "This life isn't easy. It requires a hundred per cent commitment. It's a full time job. You won't be able to go to college, or see your friends, or have a boyfriend."

I shrug, that's the least of my worries. "Clearly I have terrible taste in men anyway."

"What about Naomi? Your parents?"

"I barely ever see my parents. They're always travelling." Something shifts in Caleb when I say this, the smirk slips off his face and he averts his gaze from mine. I'm guessing he understands the feeling. Maybe he doesn't see much of his parents either. "As for Naomi, that's an easy one. I can tell her I've gone home or to meet up with my folks in Africa."

"You need to take some time to consider this Peyton." Zach looks really concerned. "You would have to give up everything and it will take years to train you."