The Night Walkers

by Elaine McGregor-Dawson

  The tears invading her eyes had begun to slowly slip down her cheeks at his words. Levi had always reminded her of a poet, had always reminded her of an artist and someone who would give everything just to be with her and for that she realized that she couldn't have survived without him. "I love," you said instead, "I really love you."

  His long fingers gently brushed the tears away and that was the only answer she needed as she looked into his loving eyes filled with life.

  * * *

  By the time they reached the Academy Headmistress sent those who were injured to the infirmary with the help of their very best healers while everyone else went to the main hall for something that Headmistress thought was a good idea to have. Kit walked beside Levi who hadn't let her out of his sight. He'd said moments before that he'd lost her once and she'd been tortured, he'd simply never let that happen again.

  They pushed past a flurry of people who were crowding around the front of the hall watching eagerly for some news. The word had spread around like a wildfire that Claudius was killed and so had all his Hybrid’s along with him. There were tears and cries coming from the students in the crowd after hearing news of their friends dying and inside it hurt Kit to watch the scene unfold before her eyes.

  “Can I have everyone’s attention please?” Headmistress’s voice boomed above the uncontrollable voices of those in the hall and suddenly everyone’s eyes flicked to the front of the podium where the wise looking woman eyed them all with the same sorrow they all had. “I wanted to spread my condolences to everyone who has lost someone in the war.”

  She broke off, allowing her words to carry through the echoing hall.

  “We will all mourn and acknowledge everyone in this hall who has shown the greatest courage this Academy has ever seen. I would also like to acknowledge those who fought their way into the war but were unable to escape alive. We have brought those students who lost their lives saving everyone here and for that I think it would be best to have a moment of silence.”

  She put her head down and closed her eyes and after her a wave of students – all dressed in black – lay their head down in unison. Kit could feel the anger in her soul that she wished she could have done something. Maybe she could have even saved some of the Night Walkers and helped them. Yet deep down she knew it was nearly impossible.

  The silence dragged on for what felt like an eternity as she thought back to the war. She closed her eyes and remembered the screams and roars, she could almost hear the metal on metal sound that came from the swords as they crashed down on the enemy as though everyone was one person fighting for the same reason.

  Salvation.

  By the time to silence ended Kit had to wipe tears from her eyes as she fought for them to not fall as easily as they had been the past few days.

  Everyone’s eyes gently turned up to land on Headmistress.

  “Thank you everyone, a memorial will be held on this day every year to remember those who fought, suffered and died defending our kind. I want to thank everyone one of you. A tree will also be planted to commemorate each one of you. You may get the rest of the week off as we begin the fight to get past this devastating time. Thank you once again.”

  Kit waited a while for the crowd of Night Walkers to pass before she and Levi headed back to his dorm. She never thought one thing could impact so many people all at once and as she walked towards the west wing clutching Levi’s hand in hers she realized just how many people had been crying. She past girls who had tears running down their faces, she past guys who were staring into empty space – probably remembering the battle and how they’d come dangerously close to dying or being turned.

  She felt his arms wrap around her shoulders. She peered up at him and looked into his eyes. She thought back to their first mission together – she could almost feel the way he watched her every move, making sure nothing ever got to her.

  They reached his dorm and she avoided any sight of the other guys who were looking at her weirdly as she stepped inside. The room smelt like Levi, even though she’d never been able to pick what his scent was, she just knew that he smelt familiar with a fragrance that made her think of sunshine’s and oceans that stretched miles and miles over heavenly waters.

  He lay his hand on her arm and pulled her into his hard chest. “I promise I will never let you out of my sight.” He said and played with a strand of her wavy brown hair.

  Kit closed her eyes and listened to his breaths, loving the way they were so balanced and deep and the powerful electric-feeling she got from being this close to him made her want to smile and laugh with delight. “You don’t have to protect me, I’m capable of doing that myself.” She stepped backwards and sat on the edge of his bed. Books were strewn along the ground and she watched them with the picture of him lying down with his head resting on the pillow and his eyes scanning the hundreds of words for hours on end.

  He sat down next to her and looked into her eyes. “I know you are,” he lifted his hand and ran his fingers across her porcelain skin, “I know that more than anyone.” He traced his fingers down along her collar bone and returned it up to her lips.

  “You know I’m tougher than you t- “Her sentence was cut off by the soft press of Levi’s lips against hers and suddenly she was drowning in the wave of sunshine that filled the darkness that radiated from his every touch. She was drawn towards him as his lips settled on hers with his large hands cupping the side of her face.

  She lay backwards until her head was pressed up against the pillow and watched as he gently kissed the side of her neck. His breaths were short and sweet, and his eyes watched her with renewed hunger that he seemed to always carry when he was around her.

  Kit felt the exact same emotions whenever she was around him. It was almost as though she were filled with darkness and Levi was filled with light. She thought about light driving out darkness and darkness not being able to drive out light. It was that way with them both – when Kit was upset Levi would be there to get the darkness away – no one else had ever been able to do that with her.

  She gently glided her lips across his skin and pulled his t-shirt over his head, revealing his sexy six-pack. She traced across the lines that marked his abs and felt her cheeks flame as he watched her, breaths racing like the wind.

  “I love you,” she said, “I love you so much it hurts.”

  He smiled back with his teeth and grinned, “Do you know how much I love you?”

  She smiled and bit her lip. “How much?”

  He sat forwards with his lips twisting into the hottest smile she’d ever seen as he brought her small frame down on his and whispered tangibly against her ear. “This much,” and he with that he pressed his lips back against hers and put his hands across her shoulders until everything went black with the night, leaving her lying against his chest with the sound of his heartbeat beating against her ear.

  Levi gently curled his fingers under the hem of her t-shirt and looked at her as if it was okay. She nodded her head, cheeks lighted with colour as he pulled it over her head, revealing a black lacy bra. She watched his eyes scan across her body as though he were a blue-eyed lion staring down at a little lamb.

  * * * * * *

  (LEVI’S P.O.V)

  Levi woke to the sight of the rising sun that set across his face. He was aware of Kit’s small breaths as they gently timed with his heartbeat. She had her eyes closed and her brown hair was covering the side of her face. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, she looked as peaceful as she slept and the only clear sign that she was alive was the slow rise and fall of her chest.

  Levi smiled as closed his eyes, continues of her head resting against his shoulder with the blanket pulled over her bare chest. He gently lifted his hand and drew her hair away from her eyes, so he could see her clear beauty. Kit would have to be the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. Her skin was pale, her eyes always shone with light even though her soul was filled with horror by everything she had seen. There were so many things a
bout her that separated her from everyone else.

  Suddenly her eyes fluttered open revealing her blue eyes scattered with grey-coloured irises. Her lips curved into a smile as she stared up at him with tired eyes. "Good morning," she breathed.

  He smiled and touched a strand of her hair with his hands and swept it away from her face. "Did I wake you?" he asked as she shook her head.

  "No, you didn't. The sun did." She stretched her arms above her head and let out a yawn. She sat up, covering her breasts as she did and looked at him. "What time is it? I've never slept that long in my life." She smiled, bent down and kissed him gently on the lips. He laughed.

  "Me neither." He sat up too and collected their clothes from the floor. He handed her hers and she looked at him thankfully as her cheeks reddened as she put her clothes back on. Levi turned his back and slid his t-shirt over his head and buckled up his jeans.

  Kit climbed out of bed, fully dressed, and stared back at him with a goofy looking smile. "We better get going so we can see Sally at the infirmary." She inquired as he stood up after her. He had on his jeans and a white t-shirt.

  He nodded his head, a few more minutes wouldn't hurt. "Okay, come on." He stepped out the door with Kit right beside him and slowly he reached out and took her tony hand in his. She was so small then and there as she looked at him through a slight tangle of brown curls. She laughed and stepped down the stone stairs. Not many Night Walkers were awake, but the ones that were sent Levi and Kit an odd look, but Kit didn't seem to mind as they walked side by side to the infirmary.

  * * *

  (KIT'S P.O.V)

  By the time they reached the infirmary Kit was reminded of the fact that there weren't just ten or so students lying in those dull white beds, there were at least thirty, or maybe even fifty. She looked down at her feet and shook her head. She felt horrible for everyone here, they all looked sick. The lucky ones had only broken arms or fractured bones but nothing serious. The unlucky ones had cuts and bruises scattered across their faces and body and they looked broken or scared. Some even had serious cases of fright from what they’d seen.

  She peered over at Levi, watching the way his expression matched hers. His face looked completely worried and guilty, as though he were thinking about what he could have done to save them. Kit was thinking the exact same thing, but they were in good hands now and hopefully everything would turn out fine for them all.

  “Can I help you?” The woman asked at the desk with her large brown eyes curiously studying Kit and Levi’s wellbeing. She frowned, and Kit thought that it was probably due to how unharmed they were. “Is everything alright?”

  Kit nodded her head. “Everything’s fine, I was just wondering if I could speak with Sally, she should be here.”

  The woman nodded her head worryingly and scanned her eyes across the schedule on her desk. She nodded her head to herself and started muttering words. After a few clicks on her computer she looked up with a small smile. “Your friend Sally should be in the Recovery Sector three doors down and one to the left. Have a nice day.”

  “Thank you.” Kit answered and made her way to the Recovery Sector which was exactly where the woman had said it was. When she opened the door – heart racing – she felt as though a cloud of worry had parted right before her eyes as her gaze settled on a blond-haired girl who had her head in a book.

  “Sally!” Kit called and walked past the other beds of patients who all watched her with alarm. Levi followed with a small smile playing on his lips.

  Sally looked up from her book and smiled. “Hey Kit,” she said with a weak little smile and sat up. She dropped her training book on the small table and looked at Levi as well. “Hi Levi.”

  “Hi, Sally.” Levi said and followed Kit next to Sally’s bed. Kit pulled the curtains around her bed closed and sat down on the chair next to the bed. Levi stayed near the door and watched them both curiously.

  “What happened? I’m so sorry I couldn’t get to you in time. I was so worried. I really wanted to go back and get you, but Claudius had to be stopped- “

  Kit’s sentence was cut off by Sally’s words. “Kit, it’s okay, they got to me in time. I got your message before and Headmistress told us everything you two did. When I was taken away, one of Claudius’s hybrids were in transition and captured me. I couldn't see who it was, I could just remember how he locked me up and tortured me." Her cheeks flamed red suddenly as she stared at her hands. "Then Tom Harris came and got me out." She laughed and looked sheepishly at the door. "He rescued me Kit! He saved my life." Sally had this weird look on her face which made Kit shake her head with a laugh.

  "I'm just glad you got out okay."

  "Me too," said Levi who had remained silent during the entire conversation. He stepped forwards from the doorway and looked down at Sally. "I know it was my fault that you were taken, and I spent ages looking for Kit and when we lost you everything was difficult. We had a decision to make, it was fighter we risk the lives of everyone for you, or we risk your life for everyone's. I made the decision and lived with the guilt. I'm so sorry Sally-"

  "It's not your fault either. If you had of saved me then we would still be in that mess that we were in before. Claudius would probably still be out there planning more attacks and instead Headmistress received his dead body and burnt it." She stared at her hands which had an angry scar slashed across her skin. "They may have tortured me, but everyone else would have died."

  Levi bit his lip. "Thank you, Sally."

  "For what?" She asked.

  "For understanding everything. I'm just so glad you're okay, now this mess is over and no one else can get hurt." He looked at Kit and gently glided his fingers across her skin, creating electric shocks coursing through her body. She smiled, and Sally looked between them with an amused look. "I'm just glad you two lovebirds are okay." She winked at Kit as her cheeks flamed red.

  "Well, we can't all win."

  Sally's eyes widened. "How's Debra? Is she alright?" Sally's questioning look made Kit turn her back and face the wall. She hadn't thought about Debra since last night, Levi had completely distracted her with his-

  Never mind, everything seemed alright last night and now suddenly Kit realized the impact she'd created. Kit shook her head and turned back with her eyes settling on Sally. She deserved to know. Sally was looking at her weirdly, but as Kit opened her mouth she found it even harder to say what had happened.

  "Debra was scratched by a Hybrid and was in transition. She was wondering through the woods, you know, about to turn when a guy named Dorian found her and told her that the only cure was to become a Night Hunter." She shook her head. "I shouldn't have left her alone. This is all my fault." Tears welled up in her eyes. "She one of them now and she can't be changed back to one of us. Our kids are different, we may not be enemies, but we keep away from each other."

  Sally looked at her with an odd expression. She raked her hands through her blond hair and stared up at Kit with an unreadable gaze. "Y-you mean she's a Night Hunter now?" Sally asked and looked between Levi's sullen expression and Kit's angry one. "I've heard of them, but never knew they wanted to turn Night Walkers."

  "I know the feeling, believe me. She's been my best friend since I first got here." Kit felt horrible once again for allowing the words "Debra isn't one of us anymore" to escape her lips. It was impossible to imagine a life where she and her best friend’s paths would never again cross. She wanted to tell Debra about last night with Levi, wanted to hug her after the battle and tell her everything that had happened. But now she was left with the cold hard truth that she wasn't going to get her best friend back.

  All she had was Levi.

  Sally let out a small yawn, bringing Kit back from her angry reverie. She looked down at the small blond-haired girl who looked impossibly pale in the white room and smiled. "We'll let you get some rest. I'm sorry I had to tell you this way."

  Sally nodded with an understandable expression. “Thanks for telling me this.” And with
that Kit gave the girl one last small smile before closing the door to a bleak light shining in her eyes.

  * * * * *

  Whispers in the hall carried through the open corridors as many eyes followed Kit and Levi’s. She’d almost forgotten what it was like to be back in the halls of The Luna Academy with hundreds of others that were just like her. Everyone here carried a similar twisted story, everyone here had to experience similar assignment that would live with them forever.

  There truly weren’t many Night Walkers that had been through the same things Kit had been through. The only one who had gone through similar things to Kit were Levi. They’d undergone their very first mission together and had even left the darkness of that house with unanswered questions.

  But now everything was different. Kit had asked herself so many questions that she thought couldn’t be answered. But now she realized as she stared down the halls and across the stain glass windows just how important those questions she asked herself was. Without them she wouldn’t have gotten the answers she got.

  She stopped where she was walking and turned around with Levi’s gaze gliding to settle on her figure. She looked at him and smiled.

  “Do you remember that time when I was afraid and wasn’t sure what to do?”

  She watched as he thought back with that deep lost expression he had on his face whenever he thought. “There’s been a lot of those times Kit, you’re going to have to narrow it down slightly.” He grinned devilishly and stepped closer.

  “Fine,” she started again, “remember that time when I was afraid and wasn’t sure what to do and we climbed up near the roof overlooking the city and kissed for the very first time?” She bit her lip and raised her eyebrows.

  He craned his head down to look her in the eyes and nodded. “Oh, I remember that really well.” He traced his fingers along the side of her cheek. “What about it?”