Hunter of the Dark

by Graham, J A

  “You wanna fight?”

  The guy’s palms hit his thighs in a mock parody of toughness. He stumbled forward, quickly refinding his feet.

  “Bring it on.”

  Cameron stepped up behind Cheyne and the guy took one look at the tall foreboding rugby player and took off, taking his alcohol with him. Cameron smiled lightly but tensely.

  “See. What would have happened if I wasn’t here?”

  Cheyne merely snorted then worked his way through the maze of people into the kitchen. He seemed to have his eye on a tall blonde. Cameron looked to Tanitha and Tanitha looked back with wide-eyed innocence. Seleena and Christian were nowhere to be seen. This disconcerted Tanitha a little. She wondered where they had got to, or even more importantly, what they were doing. Cameron broke into her thoughts.

  “Care to dance?”

  Tanitha hesitated a little before nodding her acceptance. What harm could one dance do? He took her hand and, as they moved, Tanitha could feel the muscles gained by exercise working easily.

  The song changed to a slower, more placid beat and suddenly Christian’s face was there. Tanitha breathed an inaudible sigh of relief.

  “Mind if I cut in?” He asked Cameron before whispering to Tanitha, “You still owe me one anyway.”

  Cameron shook his head and went to find and dance with Seleena. Tanitha smiled nervously up at Christian. They moved closer together and found the slow rhythm with their footfalls. Christian sighed, rolling his eyes slightly. It was clear that he wasn’t going to take advantage of the closeness and Tanitha was glad for that. She knew Cameron would have tried something.

  “You know how annoyingly obnoxious that Seleena is?”

  Tanitha giggled, relaxing, as she was always able to do in Christian’s presence. It felt so much easier to be able to dance without living in fear that you were going to be kissed.

  “No, fill me in.”

  “She talks too much.”

  He pulled apart from her and flicked the hair out of his face. He batted his eyelashes and said, “Hi, you wanna go to bed with me?” in a high squeaky voice. Tanitha laughed.

  “And the loser she hangs out with, don’t even get me started on him.”

  Tanitha’s grin dropped but Christian was unconscious of that fact. With him, once he started something, it took a lot to stop him.

  “What’s wrong with Cam?”

  “Oh, everything. Mister ‘I’m too big and arrogant to hang out with commoners’. Get my drift?”

  Suddenly Tanitha was pushed roughly aside as Christian was shoved. Christian tripped, nearly falling, but was able to hold his precarious balance with acrobatic ease. He faced Cameron, who was standing there with a steady scowl on his face. Christian seemed unfazed but Tanitha could see the cold sweat that had broken on his untainted forehead.

  “If you think you’re so man enough, why don’t you say it to my face?!”

  The angry rain cloud that had settled now marred Cameron’s once handsome face. With his expression so dark and thunderous, Tanitha hardly recognised him. She knew that he wasn’t pleased and was voicing his intentions clearly.

  “Hey, man, can’t you take a joke?” Christian said, trying to sweet talk himself out of it. Drifting stragglers had now crowded themselves around the two fighters, eager to view all the upcoming action. The two guys in the middle and Tanitha slightly off to one side didn’t take any notice of the group that had formed a circle around them like a pack of wolves waiting overeagerly for the kill.

  “Obviously not.” Cameron retorted, his eyes glistening with an uncontrolled fury. He shoved Christian harshly again and Christian stumbled backwards but held his ground firmly, not wanting to reveal that he would come out as the weaker of the two. Cameron was built for action; his muscles solid from countless hours of training, making his body all the more impressive. Christian was slight of bone and couldn’t seem to get the weight on. He ran a hand through his hair.

  “Now, we don’t have to get all uptight about this…”

  Cameron’s punch was expected. His intentions were quite clear in the way his muscles bunched in his left arm, for he was left-handed, and in the way his eyes scanned Christian’s body in search for the most vulnerable area. Tanitha clapped her hands over her mouth, barely smothering a scream.

  “Stop it!” She shrieked unsuccessfully. Christian was now a couple of feet away, holding a trembling hand to his mouth, then bringing it away covered in blood.

  “Now that was uncalled for!” He shouted, spitting out the blood that seemed to invade his orifice. He lunged at Cameron who swung another punch, missing where he had aimed, Christian’s chest, and instead hitting him on his left shoulder. Tanitha’s eyes widened. Her slight hit had hit him there not long before and he had overreacted big time. She scanned Christian’s eyes for emotion. Was it her imagination or did the usual green flare ten times brighter than usual? Whether it was a trick of the light or not, it disappeared a few seconds later. Christian leapt forwards, taking Cameron unprepared, and knocked him down. He hooked Cameron’s face with his good hand three times, before Tanitha ran out of the room, shoving people out of her way. She glanced back to see Cheyne moving in to break the two up before she burst out the front door, tears trickling down her face. Had she really just experienced that horrific scene of uncontrolled blood lust? If this was what parties and popularity were all about, she wanted absolutely no part in it.

  A call, her name, brought her to her senses. She turned around, sobbing her fears. Christian came limping out, clutching his left arm. Blood pulsed steadily from between his fingers, leaving a trail of dripping crimson, but he took no notice of his source of agony.

  “Tanitha, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t.” She whispered, backing up with every step he took closer, still crying. She felt a tremor of fear and realised she was now scared of him. “Don’t do this.”

  “Tanith…”

  Tanitha started off at a brisk run. She knew he wouldn’t be able to catch up to her in his state.

  “Tanitha! Tan…”

  He broke off as a ripple of pain invaded his senses. He snarled as he dropped to his knees, trying to fight the overwhelming sense of destruction heavily implying itself on his mind. His headache beat mercilessly. He crumpled to the ground, writhing with pain.

  Chapter Eight

  He was free again. The moon shone brightly overhead, no darkness preventing its eerie glow. Clouds swathed hungrily around it like a thick scarf, each reaching for the light that could be found there and hanging on with a sense of heightened gloom. The Canine’s eyesight appreciated this fact. Soon the moon would be completely undercover as the vapour took over and then, there would be his destiny. To feast, to satisfy, to kill. His mind was on one thing, which was to quench his ever-growing hunger once again. He slinked silently into the forest, his pads pounding, unrelenting, on the crumbling dust. Trees reached for him, screaming his name into the wind, calling him to eat from their caverns. He accepted that call, diving into the forest quickly. His keen nose scented the smell of fear and distress. He shook his head and chuckled lightly, his human traits showing through briefly. One of the first rules of survival was never let your fear show, for if you did, you would never be seen alive again. It was as simple as that. His lope became a fast gallop and the breeze sent a song of freedom flowing through his ears and veins. His blood pumped with the memory of the precious life force that lay within every animal.

  His eyes caught the first sight of the girl, and he knew she could hear him, but couldn’t see him. The moon had disappeared, submitting itself to its fate within the clouds. He trotted after her, footfall for footfall. She turned a few times and each time he slid deep within the shadows. His open maw was curved into an awful smile. He was playing with her, biding his time, letting her fears increase with each gasp, each step she took. Soon. Soon he would satisfy the gnawing hunger that devoured all within.

  The girl stumbled and the Canine laughed at her stupidity. H
e was immediately there, on top of her, as she lay sprawled out on the grass, sobbing her eyes out. He paused at the sound but refused to let it get to him this time. Tilting his head to the side, he surveyed her carefully, digging his claws into the bare skin on her back. Poor pitiful human. Nothing to live for, nothing to die for. He mused about this quietly as the girl turned to view her assailant. Something in that movement caught the Canine and held him as she glanced into his eyes. The dancing fire that was normally captured in the grey quivered, and then died, like a candle finally surrendering to the wind. Something about those eyes…Ancient memories sifted and stirred. Something snapped within and he released his grip.

  No! Something screamed from within. The time to quench your thirst has come. Take it, for it is an offering to your power, a sacrifice to your name.

  Something else was there too; a more humane side and the Canine tilted his head to the other side as he listened.

  Here is your friend. Can you harm such a beautiful creature, made in the image of God? For if there was a name for beauty, it is she.

  The Canine jumped off her back as Tanitha peered after him, lowered his head to look at her with gleaming green eyes, and then was gone.

  Chapter Nine

  Tanitha stood up, trembling. That creature must have been the attacker of the previous victim. But why had he spared her life? Her out of all people. She was confused and it showed clearly. Then, still shaking, she went to seek Christian, suddenly wanting his comfort more than ever. He was her friend. Tanitha had no doubt about it.

  But there was something about that dog…Dog? Or wolf? No, Tanitha told herself, there are no wolves in New Zealand. Tanitha knew that much. A soft rustling alerted her and she spun wildly, facing the bushes surrounding a particularly tall pine tree.

  “Who’s there?!” She screamed hysterically, frightened out of her mind. “Please! Who’s there?!”

  She felt strong arms wrap around her and she stiffened, muffling a scream. She then relaxed and turned, sobbing onto Cameron’s broad chest. Cameron smoothed her messed hair, making quiet soothing sounds. The place where the dog’s claws had dug into her back throbbed and flamed bright red. Cameron’s torch lit the once night-covered area.

  “What happened?” He asked after a while of just standing there comforting her. Tanitha pulled away and scanned him through red-rimmed eyes. His face was bloodied and he housed a black eye but he didn’t seem physically exhausted after the fight.

  “Something…tried to…attack me…”

  “The same ‘something’ that killed that child?”

  Tanitha nodded, her head spinning. Cameron kissed her on the cheek then took her hand, leading her back towards the house. Tanitha’s mind flashed back to Christian. Her mouth opened and she pulled away from Cameron, stumbling forward as she found her own feet. Cameron caught her on the wrist and spun her around, his face clouding unattractively again. One thing she noticed with Christian was that even when he was angry, he still managed to stay cute, unlike Cameron.

  “What the hell are you at?!”

  “Chris…he’s out there! With that…thing…”

  Cameron’s face softened as worry flickered over her features like the last lightning worrying a storm.

  “You really care about him, don’t you?”

  Tanitha nodded, the only thing she could do as she realised she did care about him. And why shouldn’t she? He was her friend, maybe her only friend. She had reason to keep an eye out for his well being.

  Cameron sighed.

  “Okay, let’s go look for him then.” He said, resigning to his fate. Tanitha padded slowly into the forest. Her eyes were wary and watchful. She could hear Cameron’s footsteps not far off behind her. She breathed in the fresh smell on pine, but something marred the sweet scent. Something with an irony tang to it. Tanitha’s stomach lurched as she recognised the smell. It took all she could to fight back the bitter repulsive bile that threatened to surface. But she carried on, her confidence resurfacing at the brush of Cameron’s arm. The torchlight flickered ahead of her and all Tanitha noticed was red. Red layered with a darker crimson in the rounded lit area. Not a touch of green, a hint of auburn. Just a deathly, blood-sickening red. The torch traveled along the pathway that had been created by someone…something…dragging its victim along. A hand peeked into the light, covered with the glisten of crimson. Cameron paused, glancing at Tanitha, unsure whether to carry on. Tanitha nodded her head stiffly and Cameron’s torch slowly traveled up the torn body, past the disheveled hair and rested on the face. Tanitha screamed and Cameron dropped the torch to slap his hands over her face. But the image was deeply imprinted into her mind. As fresh as if she was still staring the figure right now.

  The face had been torn and disfigured, but unmistakable. And indescribable.

  She knew this person.

  It was Seleena.

  With the press of Cameron’s muscle-laced body hard against her, Tanitha felt the sobs racking her body. She may not have liked Seleena much but she was Cameron’s best friend. She could feel Cameron’s pain edging in on her guilt.

  She was dead and Cameron was here, seeing her violated carcass.

  She was dead because the animal that had attacked Tanitha decided to attack Seleena instead.

  She was dead.

  Chapter Ten

  Tanitha woke up the next morning with her eyes puffy red from sleeplessness. All that night she hadn’t been able to get to sleep, due to Seleena’s carcass imprinting itself in her mind. Each time she’d wake up, gaping and panting as the blood seemed to spill over her eyes and blind all vision. Then she could only focus on the body, in its slashed glory. And Sadie didn’t make matters any easier either, by whimpering under that window all night. Finally, giving up on trying to get back to sleep, she got up and decided to get ready for school. Once ready, with her bag slung over one shoulder carelessly, she entered Dinah’s room. The usual sickly-sweet smell of alcohol greeted her sleep-deprived senses and she sighed at the mess. She shook Dinah slightly. Her dogs stayed in the hallway. It was almost as if the smell bothered them as much as it did Tanitha.

  “Wha…oh, hi sweetie. How was the party?”

  “Good.” Tanitha managed to sigh. Dinah’s wandering eyes scanned Tanitha’s pale and worn face. A frown flickered across Dinah’s expression.

  “Honey, are you alright?”

  Tanitha nodded, trying to convince herself and her mother. It didn’t seem to be working. Tanitha exhaled the sigh she held in.

  “Are you sure? You don’t look all right. Do you have a hangover?”

  Tanitha’s eyes widened and she shook her head wildly. How could her own mother think such a thing about her?

  “I’m fine really, Dinah. I’m ready to go to school now.”

  Dinah’s expression was that of curiosity and concern. Tanitha felt annoyance creeping over her.

  “What?!” She breathed heavily. Dinah shook her head sadly.

  “Honey, it’s Saturday.”

  Tanitha blinked in surprise, Dinah’s comment biting off her retorting remark. Of course!

  “Are you sure you’re alright? You’re usually not that forgetful…”

  “Look, mother, I’ll be fine! Just stop worrying!”

  At the mention of the maternal name combined with frustration and anger, Dinah looked crestfallen. Tanitha immediately regretted her harsh words and stepped forward.

  “Listen, Dinah, I…”

  “No.” She said, getting out of bed, her eyes flooding with tears. “No. Don’t say a word! I understand. I understand all too well. You think you’re too grown up to have your mother fussing over you, don’t you?”

  “No, I didn’t mean it like that…”

  But Dinah merely ignored her. She walked briskly to the bathroom and slammed the door. Through the paper-thin walls, Tanitha could hear her mother’s sobbing and she felt racked with guilt. Yet she didn’t go in and comfort her mother, as she once would have done. She sighed and opened the front
door. Sorsa licked her hand, but she whipped it away and glared at the dog.

  “I’m going out, Dinah.” She yelled out.

  Silence greeted her. A cold, foreboding silence. Tanitha slipped quietly out through the front door and into the murky streets. The dogs followed her like shadows, and she didn’t have the heart to take them back inside. A fresh blast of cool air greeted her with an overzealous curiosity. Her heart raged with anger, anger at her mother, anger at the harsh whipping wind and most of all, anger at Christian. She screamed, the wind carrying her tone into distant places, smothering and killing it off, whipping her hair around her round face and taming the frizz into angry curls. Sadie skittered sideways at this unearthly noise, and Sorsa whined with worry, but she ignored the dogs. Even they couldn’t comfort her today. Then she began to run; a steady two-tone beat, faster and faster. Her bare feet slapped the ground furiously. Slap, slap, slap, slap, keeping up a consistent rhythm. She reveled in the freedom that could be found in the storm-like wind.

  An hour later, she could still be found sprinting. Sure, now her breath came in ragged gasps but some sort of energy pulsed through her veins. Sweat matted her mane against her forehead and trickled down her neck, leaving rivulets that soon cooled with the chilly atmosphere. By now she had no idea where she was but had the feeling she had just run in a big loop, because the school could be seen blurred hazily on the horizon. The dogs were also following behind her, their tongues lolling, like they thought it was a game.

  Suddenly something seemed to tug at her. Her gaze was drawn to a decrepit little house. She slowed down and stopped, looking at the house with curiosity etched into her eyes. Her breathing slowed as she stood there. She retained her position till she was breathing lightly once again. Her hair had tamed itself into a more manageable form and her eyes no longer housed the light of freedom and invulnerability. She stood there, intense gaze taking in the peeling of the paintwork, the crooked wooden steps, and the partially opened door. She walked down the cracked pavement leading to the front door, almost in a trance. She turned back to see the dogs hadn’t moved from the front gate. Sorsa was whining, and Sadie didn’t seem keen to go further. She left them there. She knew they wouldn’t move, and maybe it was better for them.