by Al K. Line
Would she be smart, sassy and wise? Or would she be exactly the same, just thinking things differently, hormone levels and brain development and all that went with it different enough to make her to all intents and purposes a different version of herself?
Would that be good? Or bad? She had no way of knowing and was unsure she would have ever wanted to find out, not that she had the option now anyway. Mostly, she just got annoyed with herself now and then. She could stop herself hurting with a simple thought, internal mastery was complete, but she forgot. That wasn't how true adults acted, was it? You remembered to do that kind of thing, not let your mind wander, get caught up in the now and in adventure and not let your mind think deeply and clearly about things.
That was how it should be, how it was for those with bodies that matched their minds. Right?
It wasn't the first time Arcene had such thoughts and it wouldn't be the last, but there was never an easy answer. How much of how she was now was a result of her static existence and how much was her personality shining through no matter what? She came to the same conclusion she always did — being an adult, be that twenty-five or three hundred and five, never made you a better person or due respect merely because of your age.
People were people. Some were good. Others were very bad.
Maybe she would deal with the bad ones differently if she had allowed her mind to mature, but she doubted it. She showed respect to those that acted in a way that deserved it, and expected the same. There were good and bad people in the world and age had nothing to do with it.
While they walked, bellies still full from lunch, although it was approaching supper time so they would have to stop soon, Arcene focused and let the struggle between the wild child of youth and the adult mind that could consider options with detachment and clarity slip away. Her mind opened to her own nature and searched for the right way to proceed. Her wild side said, turn around, slice them to bits. Her more sensible side said, keep on moving, get home, cuddle Lucien and leave them to their fruitless search.
Was it worth the risk, just for revenge over something she had already escaped from? Was it fair to the next unfortunate soul for her to allow them to continue? What were the chances of another one anyway? Would this be lesson enough for them and they would change their ways? Doubtful, but you never knew. What would her friends do? They would tell her to leave well alone, that's what. That she had responsibilities. She was a mother and she should value her safety so she could see her child grow and mature.
But maybe not. Maybe they would say it was her duty to get rid of the bad in the world if she encountered it, so that the good people could live, not be scared and have to hide. To make the country a better place now there were so few left. She had a duty to ensure the survival of the pure and the kind, no matter the risk to her own personal safety.
There had to be an answer, a right answer, but both were certainly an option. No, who was she kidding? There was one answer. Arcene had never backed down from a fight in her life, and she wasn't about to do it now. Not when leaving well alone meant that some other poor person would find themselves running for their lives, terrified, alone and confused by such barbarism.
For sport! She and Leel hunted because that was the natural way of things if you wanted to eat, they didn't do it for fun and entertainment. It was survival, and they never made their prey suffer. That was unthinkable. To let it happen to an innocent human being? She would play no part in it, would not let it continue. She could never forgive herself. Never.
Mind made up, her mood lifted. She felt lighter and happier about life now she had come to a firm decision. She noted for the first time that her surroundings had completely changed. She stopped and turned.
The city mangled the skyline, broken dreams of her ancestors. A reminder of what had been tried. It wasn't the end, far from it. This was just the beginning and there were those in the world trying to make things better. Like The Commorancy, a place where people could stay as long as they needed to, learn how to Awaken, become something more, return to the world and make a change for the better. Her home, where her family and friends lived, where she belonged as much as she belonged out under the open sky, playing her own small part to improve things, even if she went about it in rather an unconventional way.
Arcene smiled. How wonderful it all was. Who would deny an innocent person the chance to live in such a world for as long as they possibly could?
Woof?
"Good idea. Sorry for being so quiet this afternoon, Leel. I've had a lot to think about. Being serious and using the old brain cells takes a lot out of you, so let's stop and have a rest."
Woof, woof.
"Yes, and something to eat." Arcene smiled at Leel, stupid dog that she was.
How Frogs Live
The city was lost to sight. Its absence made the day feel like a dream, like none of it was real. Like she was on her way home and had slept with a full belly as she sheltered from the strong afternoon sun while the humidity increased and the insects began to bite.
It was the dark, and the damp, and the drip, drip, dripping. That was what sent her thoughts into disarray, made her feel like a frog hiding in a muddy river bed, or maybe right next to her under a rock in a pool of mineral-enriched water.
She could smell it, the minerals and salts that seeped through the rock. Natural things crucial to life, tiny molecules that combined with carbon to make you function properly and have such bizarre thoughts.
The cave felt delicious. Cool and dark and with only a few insects whining near the entrance, not bothering to come in as deep as her and Leel. They both sat on a perfectly flat rock, on a blanket, nice and dry while everything else was wet with moisture that ever so slowly seeped through the rock above and splish-sploshed into the shallow pool at Arcene's feet.
Once they found themselves in proper countryside, Arcene looked for a suitable place to rest. The cave seemed perfect. They weren't in too deep, that would be silly. They had merely walked into the gaping mouth of the massive cave sunk into the hillside and found it so peaceful and cool after a strenuous and taxing day that their thoughts had dulled, senses calmed. Both sat, lost in nothingness for a while, enjoying the sounds of water that might have taken years to percolate from the top of the cliff far above.
This was what life was all about. Getting back to the simple things and being a part of the real world, if only for a while. Obviously, Arcene would go mad if she lived a life this quiet, but for a little rest it was perfect.
She would have to think about food soon, but this was not the place to cook. There was no dry wood inside for a start, and smoke would billow out the entrance even if she dragged some in.
"Let's sit here for a while longer, Leel, and relax. It's nice to not be walking or looking over our shoulder, right?" Arcene turned to Leel when she didn't answer. "Leel?"
Leel turned her head and their noses touched, the hazel eyes somewhat distant, like she wasn't really paying attention. "What you doing, girl? Something happening?" Leel just sat, her breath hot on Arcene's face. "You're a strange one at times, you know that, right?" Leel licked Arcene's chin. "Leel! Gross." Leel seemed to snap out of it and padded to the mouth of the cave.
Ah, she was listening. She wants to stay on guard. She's a good dog. Arcene watched as Leel scanned the curved bowl of land outside the cave, then, seemingly satisfied, she lay down and rested her head on her paws. Amazingly, she didn't instantly fall asleep. Her open eyes sparkled in the reflected sun. Leel really must be concerned about those that would do them harm.
The peace returned and Arcene let it permeate her mind and body, almost as though she could gain strength from the solitude. Maybe that was exactly what was happening? The enriched air in the cave permeating her bones and giving her vibrancy, a natural occurrence of forces in The Noise seeping through into the physical world. Whatever it was, Arcene let it in. She needed this quiet, this damp place where she felt safe, like she could sit for a million years and do noth
ing but listen to the water.
Woof. Woof, woof, woof. Grrr. Woof.
Before she even knew what she was doing, Arcene was splashing through the water, sword out and held two handed to her right, blade pointing back and low, ready to deal with what Leel had seen. Pupils expanded, allowing her to see through the gloom to the entrance, but there was just Leel, stood tall with hackles raised, ears like daggers warning the intruder to stay away. Whatever it was, Leel was not happy about it. This was no casual warning to a passing animal, this was serious.
Arcene crept toward the entrance, allowing her pupils to contract naturally as the light increased. Stupid. Shouldn't be in a cave. There's only one way out. She placed her feet carefully, aware that her footsteps could give away her position even though there was no way Leel would let anyone inside without a fight.
Grrr. Grrr. Woof.
"Can you call off the dog?" came the voice from outside, confident yet clearly afraid of the growling sentry.
Arcene moved to the entrance and stood beside Leel. No point trying to hide, she'd been found.
The brightness of the afternoon came as a shock after the cool and dark of the interior, and it took a moment to remember it was daytime and warm. Arcene stared at the woman that had caused all of this, at Talia.
She looked like a perfect female. Slender, curvy in all the right places, unlike her. Pretty and tanned, the only thing out of place the swirls of raised tattoos curving across her face, just like all the other people on The Island. It was a strange design, intricate yet simple at the same time, but Arcene had seen weirder tattoos. Weirder everything.
She scanned the curved land but as far as she could see Talia was alone. That wasn't enough though, and Arcene let her senses expand, found no people — they would be hiding themselves through The Noise — but did find a fire over the other side of the ridge, maybe a half mile away. Probably their camp. They would be there if they weren't sneaking up on her ready to attack from all directions.
Arcene squared her shoulders, lowered the sword and held it loosely in one hand, blade pointing to the rocky ground. "What do you want? Come to put down your 'Prey,' is that it?" Arcene moved into a stance that would allow her the most number of options depending on how Talia attacked. If she attacked. Arcene's mind was clear from the rest in the cave and she took in the scene of Talia alone with a glance. Her short sword was out but she wasn't acting threatening. This was no fight pose, she held it as if she would defend herself if need be, but wasn't looking for a confrontation. Her body language said the same thing, but Arcene had seen enough to know that this could just as easily be a ploy, a feint to make her let her guard down rather than a genuine act of submission.
"Can we talk? Please?" Talia moved slowly, and put her short sword back in the scabbard at her side then held out her arms to her sides.
Grrr.
"Quiet, Leel, good girl." Arcene lifted an arm and stroked Leel gently, the hackles feeling strange, almost hard, as they still stood erect along the ridge of her spine. "Why would I want to talk to you? I should kill you right here, or let Leel do it. No, Leel!" Arcene managed to grab Leel's collar before she lunged at Talia, who jumped back and moved to pull out her sword.
"If you pull that out then she'll rip your face off. Leel, stop, it's okay. You be good." Leel turned and glanced at Arcene. She nodded and Leel relaxed a little. It had been close — Arcene would not have been able to control her if she'd left it a second later to command her to stop.
"Okay, look, the sword stays put. Will she attack?"
Arena shrugged. "Depends. What do you want?"
"Like I said, I want to talk. Please?"
Keeping hold of Leel, Arcene took another look around. "Suit yourself, but I'm not in the mood for games. Come on then." Arcene retreated into the calming atmosphere of the cave, releasing Leel.
"Um, the dog?"
"Her name's Leel," Arcene said over her shoulder. "She won't attack as long as you aren't here to kill us. She can tell." It wasn't strictly true, but Talia didn't need to know that.
Talia edged forward, and keeping a watchful eye on Leel, who followed her every move, she backed up to the rock face and sidled into the darkness.
Arcene was sure Leel smiled. She was enjoying herself!
We Need to Talk
Talia knew she was taking a massive risk seeking out Arcene and her dog, but the more she had talked with Cashae and Erato, the more she felt she had little choice. As the city was left behind, and they found themselves in open countryside, the true nature of the part of the world known as Great Britain, country of England, once known throughout the world even though it was a tiny island compared to most other first world countries of repute, almost overwhelmed them all.
Such beauty, such wonder, such space. None of them had any reference point. They had never known so much land, couldn't have ever imagined what it would be like. Yet here it was in all its glory. Stark then lush, harsh then welcoming, rugged and alien and utterly delightful. Vorce and Elder Janean were clearly unhappy about them experiencing the world at large. Another reason, Talia suspected, why The Hunt was conducted in such a specific place. If every Hunter got to see their rightful inheritance would they ever want to return home?
As they walked through open country, the friends found themselves able to talk. And the more they saw of the world, the more they spoke of what they had been missing. They said things they had never thought they would utter to another human being, opened themselves and told of their doubts, their fears and their astonishment of the world they found themselves in.
They had been duped, denied true life experience. The Hunt was a sham, fake, there to keep the population mollified. A reality show to keep them focused rather than give real Justice. They had been part of something that was wrong. Raised to believe it and knew no different.
The world was not how they had imagined, and they all told of their doubts about continuing to chase down Arcene and killing her. Who were they to Judge an outsider when she had grown up in such a place? Her ways were different. How could they compare her to them?
The conversations began stilted and uncomfortable, but they saw the truth in each other's eyes. They were having second thoughts about the whole thing, about everything they thought they knew. They needed to do something, but what?
As they followed the scent of Arcene and Leel, a skill Janean had never shared but was clearly very advanced at, the friends spoke when they could, but none of them knew what to do. It seemed impossible to defy Vorce. His power over them was so strong, but they knew this was wrong, that they had been fooled. Just like all the other islanders.
They felt, they hated to admit it, like little children who believed what their parents told them and that the fish King was real. Vorce had his reasons, they knew that, and the history of The Hunt was long and they knew the tale — what they had been taught, anyway — and that he had not so much instigated it as allowed it to flourish because it was what the people wanted. But was that really true? He was manipulating them all. They had to act.
When they made camp, as Elder Janean said she needed to rest — it was too tiring expanding her scent sense for too long — Talia decided she would try to do something about it. They had all agreed that if they had the chance they would try to get to Arcene and maybe save her, but they also agreed that if it came down to them or her it would have to be her.
Their survival was important. They had to get home and tell of the world at large, and, after all, she had been exceptionally rude. Although death was rather extreme, they owed it to their people to spread the word. They had to stay together if they were to have any chance of that succeeding.
While they rested, Janean looking exhausted from her immersion in The Noise, Vorce left to scout ahead. Talia knew he was going in the wrong direction. She'd picked up on Arcene a while back, never interfering, letting the Elder lead the way, but often she knew of faster routes, knew which direction to go, but said nothing, needing time to thin
k.
Now was her chance, and with a quick word to her friends she left, telling them to stay in touch through The Noise and to give her warning if Vorce returned. She could dash back, make an excuse, if she didn't get into trouble. They weren't happy, but knew this might be their only chance. Reluctantly, they let Talia try to put an end to the madness before they had no other choice but to continue The Hunt.
Now here she was, stood in a cave with the girl, or woman really. It was hard to pin Arcene down, she was a mass of contradictions and unlike anyone Talia had ever met in her long, yet what was now clearly sheltered life. Talia studied Arcene as she sat.
Arcene was settled on a flat rock on the opposite side of a shallow pool, legs dangling. The black socks with pink rabbits stitched up the sides gave a childlike first impression, yet somehow a warning too — an "I don't care, I like it," attitude. She was slim but there was muscle, and she had an air of the boy about her. Although, at the same time she was extremely pretty, and her hair was stunning. It was her frame, not well-rounded or overtly that of a woman, and her walk and whole demeanor was that of a swaggering boy who knew he couldn't be beaten. Inner confidence not relying on the opinion of others. A true sense of self.
The girl-woman sat with her back erect, arm raised where it gripped the sword hilt. The blade's tip rested on the rock below her as if she had just now pulled it out.
She looks regal, that's what it is. Like the rock is a throne and she is holding court. A child, and I am the lowly subject she is about to... Judge!
Talia wondered if she was doing it on purpose, reversing the roles. Sat up high on her stone throne, aware of the impression she was creating and the meaning behind it as she looked down to Talia, waiting for her to prostrate herself and offer respect to her Queen. The effect was confusing. Emotions fought with each other. She was a child. Talia was almost a century older than this girl, so why did she feel like the one who was the baby?
