The Unsuspecting

Chapter 10

*Annabelle's POV*

    The week went on in a blur of bliss. Our group hung out between classes throughout each day and were planning on going off campus for pizza later tonight. I was the last one to get out of class and had to drop by my dorm room to leave my books then meet everyone in the courtyard. I sent a quick text to Haylee saying I won't be much longer and stalled at the door thinking I should bring a jacket incase we're out too late. I leave the door slightly ajar and go back to grab a cardigan. I'm putting it on when I hear the door slam shut from someone entering.

    "Haylee, I'm almost ready! Did you forget something or are you just tired of being alone with the guys?" I yelled. There was no reply so I went through my door into our dorm room's common area to see what was wrong. But it wasn't Haylee who entered. Instead there were two strange men standing there. The shorter one was leaning against the door and the other one was sitting leisurely on the couch like they're just waiting for something.

    "Umm... Hi. Are you guys friends of Haylee's?" I ask nervously. The one sitting on the couch looks me up and down then leans forward so he can rest his elbows on his knees. 

    "No honey, I reckon we're here for you." he said with a British accent.

    "What?" I say without even thinking that this is one of those times I should be keeping quiet and figuring out how to get out of here. As my brain wracks for a way out I start to slowly lift my cellphone out of my back pocket and start pressing buttons that I think will send a call through to Sean or Haylee. Luckily they were both the last two people I've texted, so the odds of selecting one of their names are in my favor. 

    "I think you heard me. We're just waiting on a friend of ours to meet us here so we can confirm our suspicions before we move onto our next step."

    "Suspicions?"

    "That you're the one we're looking for. Our compass was supposed to lead us to the closest dark hunter and it led us here. Now we just need to make sure you're the correct dark hunter."

    "Hunter? Sorry, but I've never gone hunting before. I do know a couple people back home who enjoy deer hunting every now and then if you're looking for some game..."

    "Not animal hunting. Dark hunting, as in hunting demons and other supernatural troublemakers. Our charmed compass led us here to you, so don't even try denying. In fact it would probably be in your best interest to not say anything at all until our friend gets here."

    I stand there completely still certain that these guys are off their rockers. I'm hoping their friend will get here soon and tell them they have the wrong person. In the past I heard that its usually better to go along with psychopaths rather than continue arguing with them. Is there a mental hospital near here? 

    I only have to stand there for a minute before we hear a knock on the door. I break out in a nervous sweat as it hits me that their friend might also be just as unstable as them. I try sending a text to Sean or Haylee again. I figure that it doesn't even have to be readable, they just need to get anything so they know something is wrong. I've been going in and out of the apps to ensure I get at least one message to go through.

    The shorter guy guarding the door turns to the side to let someone into the room. As he turns I can see a distinct scar going from his cheekbone into his hairline. After the door is completely open, in walks an older woman with graying hair leaning over a vintage cane. She looks at me then at the two guys with an incredulous look.

    "Are you kidding me? Have you ever even seen a dark hunter? There is no way this short and shaking little girl is a dark hunter. She doesn't even have any knives hidden on her!" She yells at them and whacks the shorter man with her cane.

    "The compass you gave us pointed to her!" the shorter man yelled back in defense.

    "Give me that!" She screams at him as she snatches it out of the British man's hand. She opens the lid and starts moving the compass towards and away from me. She walks towards me slowly and I can see the face of the compass turn from a deep dark red to completely black. Now I've never actually used a compass before, but I'm sure that's not supposed to happen. I look back at her to find her looking at me closely.

    "Well, I have never met a dark hunter with such soft features before. It's like you've had no training at all."

    "Sorry, but I am not a hunter. I've shot a gun before, but I've never actually tried to kill anything. I think you're looking for someone else." I'm rambling as I realize I'm so screwed.

    "Don't worry, we have another test we have to do before we're certain you're the correct one. Though I wouldn't get your hopes up if I were you considering how few dark hunters there are left in the world." She turns to the boys, "Alright lets get her to the alter so we can check, then we'll kill her. Tie her up."

    What?! The boys start approaching me and the taller one grabs ropes from his bag and I start backing up. My back hits the wall and I'm on the verge of a full panic attack when the door flies open. A giant burly man with a full grown beard followed by a girl a couple years younger than me stand in the doorway. The girl has a little bag in her hand and I see her grab a handful of powder out of it and quickly blows it towards the old lady who's closest to the door. The lady instantly drops to the floor like a sack of rocks and the two men stop  approaching me and charge at them instead. The burly man's eyes turn yellow and I can see his nails extend from his fingers. He catches the first guy by the neck quickly followed by the next guy in the same manner choking the life out of them. The girl has more powder out of her bag at this point and blows it into their faces to make them still instantly. The man drops them to the floor and looks at the girl. The girl looks around as if searching for others. 

    "It's all clear. Good thing too because I've already used all of the somnus powder." the girl says as she starts putting her empty pouch away.

    "You should've prepared a little better" the burly man gruffs at her.

    "Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea how long it takes to make that stuff?  Next time you can spend 12 hours grinding and drying herbs then mixing the perfect amount to ensure they will be asleep for the longest amount of time possible. Not to mention the five other things I had to prepare for this trip as well. Maybe next time I'll just stay home and let you wolves do everything on your own, you ungrateful lot." This girl rambles on as she steps over the unconscious bodies and collects random items from their pockets. She puts each item into her satchel but keeps the compass in her hands. After examining the outside of it she finally opens it up and observes the colors change on the inside as she moves it in different directions.

    "Interesting. My mother's mentioned that they used to charm compasses to find certain things, but I've never actually seen one before." She looks up at me as she realizes it's pointing to me, "Why were they after you?"

    All I can do is stand there in silence as I look between her and the burly man who is now moving the bodies to the side of the room. I know she asked me a question, but my brain is a little behind as it tries to process what just happened. My instincts are telling me that even if this man can transform into a monster and the girl is an occultist, they are probably not going to kill me. The girl is waiting patiently as my brain slowly figures out what's going on. Eventually I'm able to mumble out, "Hunter."

    "Hunter? Is that your name?"

    "No, I'm Annabelle."

    "Okay are they looking for someone named Hunter?"

    "No she said I'm a hunter. A dark hunter. But I've never even gone hunting." I said in a daze. The burly man looks up at me with an exasperated look.

    "Are you kidding me? If you're a dark hunter then why the h**l didn't you just take care of these guys yourself! Why are we even here?"

    "Oh shut up Jax! You barely even did anything and we're here because your alpha ordered you to find these guys to see what they're planning. You have the worst work ethic I've ever seen. Now pick one of them up and take them to the car."  

    I watch as Jax picks up the tall guy first and heads out the door as I hear several pounding footsteps coming from down the hall. 

    "Jax? What're you doing here?" I instantly recognize the voice as Tommy's and a few moments later I'm engulfed in a strong hug that sends calming tingles all throughout my body.