Oct. 5
I, in fact, did not get much sleep. After my rough interaction with the void of Death this morning. I was afraid to shut my eyes. Now it was midnight, I was bone-tired, and I had to meet up the other hunters.
Reyes told me that he would be there, along with his colleague, a female hunter that didn’t like disclosing her true identity. While he told me, there was a mild sense of apprehension in his voice. Maybe there was something about her that made him tense, or she just was that way with everyone? Still, I was glad to hear there were female huntsmen; I hadn’t met any other and worried the whole group was some eternal boys club.
The grandfather tolled throughout the household, showing both hands facing the sky. My brother and I sat in the moonlit foyer of the house, waiting for our grandmother to go to bed. When we heard the gentle sound of her C-pap machine, we knew she was fast asleep.
I secured my mask to my side, then gave my brother a hug. We had both transformed to our true selves. His short shaven head looked like a patch of neon green grass budding out of his head, but his eyes were indistinguishable. “Be careful out there.”
“Thanks,” I held him close, making sure he was really there. “If Bubbe asks, cover for me okay?”
“I just wish I was there to help you.” He sighed, then let go of our embrace.
I decided not to respond. Maybe it was better he didn’t have to deal with this Hallowed night thing, along with everything else in his life. I transformed with the power of my mask, slipped out of the front door and headed to my old middle school -- the spawning ground for tonight's demon.
Sierra Pyros Middle School, home of bad memories and even worse school lunches. One time there was a school-wide food poisoning epidemic because of spoiled pumpkin pie, ironically enough. I reached the steely archway of the entrance, where I saw two people arguing.
I stood behind in the darkness, eavesdropping, “-Well if you just told me you could’ve hung out. I would have invited you! It’s not my fault you flake on every time I ask.” I recognized the voice as Reyes’, but he was already in his hunter apparel.
The person he was fighting with wasn’t familiar to me. From her posture and skirt, I assumed she was a girl, but I I didn’t get she was a hunter until I noticed her shimmering ladybug shaped mask. She spoke harshly, “That's not the point, it is still nice to be invited to dinner. Especially if we were hunting together. Speaking of where is that new one you were talking about, is she as punctual as you.”
For some reason, I chose that moment to pop out of the shadow. My voice squeaked, “I’m here!” Their faces turned to me, staring under their masks. I felt like I made the situation worse it was already. “I didn’t hear anything I swear- I’m sorry - I was just-”
The female hunter raised her hand in the air telling me to stop. “It’s fine.” She spoke with a cool, monotonous tone. “I’m Junebug.”
“Hi nice to meet you, I’m Gr-”
Reyes placed his hand over my shoulder, “Remember what I said? You never know who may be listening, never use your human name.”
“Grrrr…” Crap, I didn’t think of a codename. The Reyes had a scarecrow mask, his name was Scarecrow. Caleb used a baseball bat, his name was Batter. Think Grace what was a good codename?
Suddenly, I was twinged with the thought of Death. The voice said I had a special bond with it and a thought came to mind. “Grim. My name is Grim.”
There was a brush of silence. Then Junebug spoke, “Grim, okay. The hunt should start soon. I’m taking roost in the trees.” She stared back at Reyes. “Scarecrow, make sure she doesn’t die on your watch.” In a flash, she soared into the air with a mighty leap, disappearing into the treeline.
“Make sure she doesn’t die on your watch she says,” mimicking her tone.
I looked stared up at him mumbling to himself, “Is there something going on between you two?”
Reyes’ voice rose three octaves, “N-no!” Yeah, there was something going on between them, but it wasn’t the right time.
Like the other night. The earth began to quake from under us. In an instant cracks sprout out rows of forest green vines, littering the entrance way. They climbed up the archway, covering it in its evil roots. I hopped out of the way, but I was still not used to my newfound power. Stupidly, I jumped ten feet into the air, smacking my head on the arch then falling to the ground. Quickly I saw the vines envelop me, blocking out all light. I screamed out, “Help Me!” I struggled until I felt a cold darkness. It became hard to breathe, the tightness of the vines crushing my body. Then, from everywhere an instance of liquid began seeping through the cage’s walls. I tried to scream but to no avail.
Dark thoughts rushed into my head. I was dead. Even more dead than before. I would be crushed or drowned or whatever. I failed my brother. I failed my friends. I failed everyone. I’m stupid. I’m unwanted. I’m-
Then out of nowhere, the voice of Death laughed, “Is this where your time will end young one. Pity, I saw much potential in you.”
I mentally called out, “Please help me! I don’t want to die!”
“You are being consumed by the wrath. First the body, then the mind. Don’t let your mind be tainted with negativity.” He was right. I don’t know what it was, but the black ooze consuming me had a powerful negative aura. I felt a rush of strength and began to struggle my way out. I could see the vined walls breaking, being slashed to bits. Moonlight poured out and I saw a hand reaching out. Grasping it, it pulled me out of the liquid, heaving me back to life.
Reyes’ breath was heavy, tired from yanking me out of the evil sludge. “Are. you. Okay?”
I laid on the pavement, coughing up blood from potentially broken ribs. “Doing...just fine.”
He helped me stand up, using his silver blade as a cane. “Sadly it’s not over yet.” We both looked up to the archway. On the top of the archway, the mess of vines twisted to make a single root. It shook violently until, from the end, an orange crocus bloomed.
Just when all seemed at peace. The flower let out a ear-rattling screech. Like nails to a chalkboard, the deafening noise filled the air. I reached for my ears. From all around us, the vines came to life, swinging irrationally.
Still covering my ears under my hood, Scarecrow pointed to the flower. I could hear him scream over the wail: “Get the Flower!” Then he dashed up the arch. I proceeded to follow him. The voice of Death implanted a thought in my ear, “Let us see if your survival was worth its salt.”
From the air, I felt the presence of something, at grasped something firmly in my hand. Pulling it out from nothing, a bright orange pole appeared in my hands, just like it did my first night. Just as a vine came barreling my way, I was able to parry it. A crescent blade sprouted from the pole and cut the arm from its base. It fell limp to the ground, dissolving into black sludge.
“Great job!” Scarecrow yelled out. We continued through the aggressive forest. Every so often a vine would try to attack one of us. I was able to slash a few out of my way, but the majority was taken care of by our ally in the trees. I would hear the muffled sound of a gunshot, then a root would be obliterated.
Reyes and I were nearing the flower. It continued to shriek, getting louder as we approached it. Just before his sword swing could reach the stem, he was knocked off of the arch by a flailing arm. He screamed out, “Cut it now!” I readied my pole, and with a powerful scream, used the scythe blade to disconnect the flower from the rest of the plant. Like when you used up an airhorn, the crocus hushed, falling limp and withered on the ground.
With the silence, the rest of the vines fell limp, then all began dissolving into nothing. All that was left were some orange petals and two tired people in masks.
I jumped off the arch to check on Reyes. He had fallen more than twenty feet to the rough blacktop, but he seemed fine. From the skyline Junebug met us on the ground, her flowing colored hair bouncing as she fell. “Did we do it?” I was panting hysterically.
“Yes, the demon is silenced for tonight.” Jasmine picked up the few lingering petals and put it in her pocket. Why I wasn’t sure, but I probably would find out in the future. “Okay, good night.”
“Wait-” Too late, she leaped into the trees once again, disappearing into the night sky.
Reyes laughed, “Don’t worry about her. She’s always like that.” Still, I couldn’t help but wonder who she was. Junebug, the hunter who didn’t want to be known. “Now come on, lets head home. We have school in the morning!”
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