by Kelly Hall
As he patted his last pocket, he realized he didn’t have anything that could be a wallet but did feel something in his front pocket. Thinking he’d been robbed, he put his hand in it and felt some kind of pebbles. He took one out. The tiny green stone had to be a hint of some kind, but he didn’t know what. So he put it back with the others and continued down the road until he came to a campsite.
The place looked abandoned, but there was a firepit and a stack of sticks someone had left behind. He had no way of starting a fire but decided to venture into the woods and see if there was another site nearby or any sign of someone who could help him. Unfortunately, the campsite was a dead end that led to a marsh.
The water was murky, but perhaps he could catch a fish. He was feeling hungry, and he had no idea how long it had been since he’d eaten. His eyes followed a dragonfly to a blade of grass close to the ground, and that was where he saw a muddy boot print. His heart pounded inside his chest.
There had been someone there recently. He walked along the water and decided to call for help. “Is anyone out here?” He waited for an answer. “Could you help me, please?” He heard the howl of a coyote and stopped in his tracks. The trees were thick around the water, and he wasn’t sure what kind of animals were lurking about. Maybe calling out wasn’t the best idea after all.
He decided to continue down the banks, and after another few steps, he found a fishing pole lying on the ground, its line still in the water. “This is too good to be true!” There was a tan tackle box and everything he needed to fish just sitting there for him. He looked around and called out, sure that someone had left it. “Hello? Is there anyone out there?”
The grass was not as high in that area, and whoever had left the tackle and pole must have been the one camping nearby. He opened it up to see what was inside. There was a lighter and a can of something called potted meat. He ripped open the can, raked his dirty finger through the pale pink mash, and then licked it clean. He fought his gag reflex and knew being sick wouldn’t help him any.
He thought a moment about the last time he threw up but couldn’t remember. Had he been sick before?
He took the potted meat a bit slower and then held his nose as he forced it down. A minute later, he tossed the can back into the box and took out the lighter and gave it a flick. He looked around at the ground and wondered if he should make a torch or just go back to the camp and build a fire there.
He could fish tomorrow. Now, he felt like he needed to rest. He hoped someone came along before then. Not sure what to do, he got to his feet. That was when he realized he didn’t have anything to drink.
He looked to the murky water. He couldn’t exactly drink that. Not without building a fire. He could use the potted meat can to boil some of it perhaps? He looked around and hoped a bottle of water would magically appear too. But that was when he spotted something bright orange in the grass. He moved closer and found it was a camouflage pack.
“No way!” He couldn’t believe his luck. He quickly made his way over and pulled it out of the tall grass. “Thank heavens. It’s a miracle.”
The pack had something written in black ink next to the label. Comeaux.
Is that my name?
He quickly unzipped the pack. “Thank God,” he said, seeing bottled water and even a can of mosquito spray. While he couldn’t remember ever using any, he faintly somehow knew what it was. There was a bag of trail mix, and while that should have sounded familiar to him, he’d never seen that brand. He quickly opened the bag and tasted a chewy piece of fruit.
As he looked down, there was something else lying just under where the bag had been. He dropped the pack and left it near the tackle box. Then he moved in closer, seeing it was a piece of cloth, and realized there was a boot sole sticking out of the tall grass.
Who would be out here without their boots? He leaned over and moved the cloth, which was only a scrap, and when he picked up the boot, which seemed to be intact, something moved in the water. Something big. The water sloshed up onto the shore and under his feet.
He kept his eyes on the water and then took another look at the boot in his hand. As soon as he saw the shredded bone, he dropped the boot and backed away, tripping over the soft ground and falling to his ass.
His eyes were fixed on the bloody stub of a leg sticking out of the top of the boot. Something had killed whoever had left the items behind. Probably whatever had moved in the water. He scrambled to his feet and grabbed the tackle box as he hurried to move away from the water.
There was a killer animal out there, and he wondered if that was what had happened to him. Had he known the person the foot belonged to? Had he stumbled running away and hit his head? Had Comeaux been his friend?
He kept his eyes on the water as he planned to get the fishing pole. It was too good of a find to leave behind. Especially since he had no idea how long he’d have to wait until someone came along to help him.
If anyone would come along at all.
He thought of the lighter and had an idea. I could set the woods on fire, and then someone would have to come.
Knowing he had to get away from the water, he made a dash for the fishing pole. Once he had it in his hand, he turned to hurry away, and that was when he saw the biggest monster he’d ever seen. At least, that he remembered.
The alligator had to be at least twenty feet if an inch, and he was sure he was about to soil himself as the monster’s mouth opened and it hissed at him.
“Oh, please God, help me,” he whispered.
Chapter 7
Rebekah had spent the past half hour waiting for Timms to wake up from his nap, while Frankie finished up a phone call from her aunt who lived back home in the states. Instead of sitting around, she decided she’d go to the kitchen to see Lulu.
The old woman was standing over her stove, where she had just pulled another batch of cookies from the oven. “I hope you’re here to eat cookies.”
“You’re baking more?” she asked.
“Yes, I might as well do something, and besides, you never know who else is going to come along wanting something for the road. I’ve already dealt out four dozen since yesterday, not counting the ones we’ve eaten. I figure Jarreth and Delilah will come along soon to tell me they need some for the road. They’ll probably go after their friends.”
Rebekah realized that Canter and Mace must have gotten some for their journeys. “Well, they are delicious, as always.”
Lulu pulled off her oven mitts and tossed them on the counter. “Ah, so you’ve come in here to deliver some more fun news? I can tell by the compliments.”
“Now, Lulu, I always compliment your cooking. You are one of the best cooks I know. And I’ve known a lot of them.”
“More flattery. Tell me what you need, Huntress.”
“Well, now that you mention it, I do need to tell you something. We have more guests coming. With us down so many, I thought I should call in some reinforcements. They should arrive late tonight or early tomorrow. You may have to go to the market, but that will be fine. Get whatever you need.”
“Well, as long as they aren’t of the fanged variety, I will feed them.” She gave Rebekah a sideward look that bordered on sour. “Have you heard anything about Liam? Is he still alive? Or should I say, undead now?”
“I’m sure that he’s being taken care of. Or I wouldn’t have suggested sending him to Kayne.”
Lulu didn’t look convinced. “I’m keeping my opinions to myself. But only because they wouldn’t do any good now.”
Rebekah sighed. “That’s probably for the best. But I will be checking on him soon. I’m just as curious about his welfare as everyone else.”
“I’m sure you are. It can’t be an easy thing to do, especially with so many mixed opinions. But I know Katie’s loss has been tough on you too.”
“Thank you for saying that. So, we’ll be expecting a band of hungry hunters soon. You may want to have something ready for them.”
“I hope they l
ike peanut butter chocolate chip,” she said, flipping one of the cookies off the pan onto a plate. “If there’s any left.” She handed Rebekah the cookie, and even though she didn’t feel like eating, she went ahead and took it.
“Thanks. I better go and see if Frankie is done with her call.” She really hoped to speak with Timms, but the poor old soul had been through a lot in the past five days as well, with the first attack leaving him injured and then Katie’s funeral.
She was surprised to see them both coming down the stairs as she left the kitchen. “You’re up again?” Rebekah knew he was fast healing, but the pain meds had made him horribly sick.
“I’m fine,” he said. “I’ve had so much sleep in the last few days that I am good for the next several months. And if I didn’t get out of that room, I was going to lose my mind.”
Rebekah walked over and checked his arm. “Looks good as new.”
“It’s been fine. It was those horrible pain pills that kept me down. Remind me never to need those again.”
“So how is your arm strength?”
“A little weaker than before, I admit, but I think I’ll still be able to wield my sword for you when needed.” He gave her a hopeful smile.
“Let’s hope it’s not needed anytime soon. But I did want to tell you that we’re expecting guests. In light of everything that’s happened, I decided to call in some backup.”
“Backup? You mean one of the local hunting camps?”
“No, it’s actually our friends from the 2K rogues. Brock and his men have scattered, and they will be joining us. But aside from that, I needed to speak with you about a problem concerning Canter. Mace left to go after him, but he’s hellbent on getting revenge on Ignis. I’m afraid he might try and kill him, even though I’ve explained to him that would not be good for the future of the hunters.”
Timms face paled. “I can see why that would be a problem.”
Frankie turned her attention to Rebekah. “What does that mean? You have to remember that I’m not up to speed on your relations.”
Father Timms shrank a bit as he responded. “Ignis is the mage who created Rebekah, and we are all changed by the spell he used to create her. Or at least, a variation of it.”
Rebekah sighed. “Which ultimately means if Canter kills Ignis, we’re out of hunters once this recent generation of hunters dies off. There could possibly never be any other created.”
“Oh, I see.” She put her hand over her stomach. “That would be terrible.”
Timms shook his head. “The terrible part is that Canter made the threat. Anyone who goes against Ignis goes against the Huntress. Or else someone was liable to have killed him off years ago just for being different.”
“The younger generations have all taken that knowledge for granted, not really having us in the picture. I guess I shouldn’t have made myself such a private figure after all. But you understand my dilemma?”
“I do. But have you made such exceptions in the past? Have you allowed others to live for such threats against our kind?” He knew if anyone else caught wind of his accusations or actions and Rebekah did nothing, the Fellowship would see it as direct disrespect and possibly turn against her. What would they have to lose at that point?
“No, I’ve always handled that how the Great Hunter set it up. But this is different, isn’t it? I mean, Canter was only in this position because of me, and Ignis is mostly angry with me for digging into his personal life. It’s my fault what happened to Katie and that Canter is in such pain. I have to get the others to form a search party, but I’m not sure what to do with Canter when we find him.”
“I’m afraid that’s a decision you’d have to make on your own. I understand mercy, but you can’t let this kind of thing go unpunished.”
“But he’s hurting and—”
“And if he acts? What will his pain have caused? The end of the hunters or the end of the world as we know it? Think about this, Rebekah. If the enemy is able to prevail, then what will happen to the human race?”
Rebekah knew he was right, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to order a bounty on his head. “He told me he’d give me time. I will make sure he holds up that agreement.” She wanted to believe that he would do the right thing, but a man lost in his grief was capable of doing horrible things. She knew she had to find him. “I’ll talk to Jarreth and Delilah. Perhaps they could bring him home or at least talk sense to him.”
“I hate to change the subject,” said Frankie, “but on a much brighter note, the doctor said he would be here soon. He wanted to talk to me about my bloodwork.”
“Is everything okay?” asked Rebekah, knowing the baby’s health was just as important to the human race and the world as Ignis’s. “Wasn’t he just here a couple of days ago?”
“He assured me things were fine over the phone, but I am a bit anxious. I mean, if something was wrong, he probably would want to tell me in person.”
Rebekah had a sinking feeling. “You’re absolutely right,” she mumbled, hoping nothing would be wrong with the baby.
Timms cleared his throat. “Now, ladies, let’s not worry about things we aren’t sure of. I’m certain everything is fine.”
“Well, at least I won’t have to wait long. He should be arriving any minute.”
Just as the words left her mouth, a honk from outside announced his arrival.
“That must be him,” said Timms, who stepped away to go to the door while the ladies waited in the front room.
“Would you like to go with me while he does the exam? He can let you listen to the heartbeat.”
“I’d like that,” Rebekah said with a sense of relief. She had always wondered what it would be like to carry her own child. To have a little life growing inside of her. She had wanted it so badly in her days with Ethan. They’d always tried and been hopeful, but nothing had ever come of it.
Now, she hadn’t had the desire in so long, and she had given up on that dream. She’d imagined their child, dark haired like her, but with eyes as piercing as Ethan’s. Their son would have grown up to be as fierce a warrior as his father and a protector of the Earth just like his mother.
That dream had died long ago with the hope that she and Ethan would be together forever. She put her hand on her own stomach, feeling the void inside that would forever be.
The doctor entered the room and bowed to Rebekah. “It’s good to see you again, Huntress.”
“Hello, Dr. Moore. I appreciate you taking good care of Frankie for me.”
“She’s a good patient.” He turned and gave Timms a sideward look. “Unlike others.”
“I blame it all on those pills you gave me,” said Timms.
“Well, I’m going to check you out while I’m here too.” He gave Rebekah a wink and then turned toward Timms. “Let’s get a look at you.”
“I’m fine,” he said. “I was just telling the ladies; I’m as good as new.”
“You heal fast, but that doesn’t mean you’re as good as new. Trauma takes a toll. So, again, I’ll ask you to please remove your shirt.” He turned his palm up and gestured for Timms to move forward with it. “Come on. The quicker I look you over, the better.”
Timms groaned. “Fine! But keep your drugs to yourself. I’m not taking any more of those pills.”
Rebekah stood watch as he removed his shirt, his face twisting in pain as he lifted his arm. He glanced at her and quickly looked away, handing his shirt to Frankie. “I’m fine. It’s nothing a little stretching won’t help.”
“You’re a stubborn man,” said Frankie, who winced right along with him.
“Well, he is, but I’m afraid he is also right. He needs a little bit of rehab to get things back to normal. I’m going to leave you with a list of exercises that you can do, and we’ll keep an eye on you.”
“As long as you don’t leave me with a prescription, I’m good with that.”
“The problem with healing quickly is that sometimes we don’t heal properly. It’s rare, but in so
me cases, things stitch closed before they stitch back together. I hope that isn’t what we’re looking at here. We’ll know in time. I don’t want to recommend surgery until we know more.”
“Surgery?” Timms scoffed. “I’ve rarely known a hunter that needed to go under the knife.” The very idea of it was insulting.
“If that were true, then I would be working in a hospital somewhere and not the Dublin Academy.”
“I’m glad you’re near,” said Rebekah. “It gives me peace of mind that Frankie has care nearby.”
“Me too.” Frankie handed Timms his shirt, which he quickly put over his head.
“Now, Frances. Would you like to do the examination in the upstairs room again, or should we go somewhere else? I didn’t do a full pelvic exam the other day, but it’s time we do one.”
“The upstairs room is fine, but I’d like Rebekah to be with me today.”
“Of course, Huntress.” He gave another bow to Rebekah.
Timms let out a sigh. “I’ll be down here stretching my arm.”
Rebekah followed them upstairs, and while the doctor did the pelvic exam, she stared out the window to give Frankie her privacy. When he was done, he helped her sit up, and Rebekah joined them.
“She wanted to listen to the heartbeat, doctor.”
He pulled a small white instrument from his bag and then connected it to a wand. “Okay, let’s see if we can all hear.”
A moment later, after some strange sounds and rumblings, there was a strong, steady thump that sounded a lot like a galloping horse. “There it is,” he said. “Strong and healthy.”
Rebekah couldn’t believe how fast it sounded. “It’s amazing. I can’t wait to meet that little one.” She felt full inside, glad there was one less thing to worry about. “Thank you.”
“No problem,” he said, taking the device and putting it away.
Frankie smiled and cradled her stomach. “So, what did you want to tell me about the bloodwork?” she asked with a tinge of worry in her voice.
