2 Chapter 1

Hunter

I woke up to loud barking. I checked the clock, but it's only two in the morning, it's too early. I got a lantern ready, dressed warmly, and ran out into the bitter cold to find my dog.

"Storm! Come here girl!" I shouted once I got close enough to my shepherd dog's barking. There was a frail girl huddling close to the fence, trembling and scared. Storm backed off of her and I knelt down in her place, and set down the lantern on the grass. She'd been crying and she's all skin and bones, red messy hair, and she's short. She looked at me with squinted, bloodshot, blue eyes, and they were filled with pure terror. I reached my hand out to her, but she backed away into the fence and protected her head with her hands, like I was going to hit her.

I backed away and she huddled in on herself to keep warm with the thin and ripped clothing she had on. "Are you okay?"

She said nothing.

"What's your name?"

Still nothing.

"Can you understand me?"

"Em… I, I mean Emily. Emily Youngblood."

Those words, those are my soulmate words. It's been two years and I finally found her. I smiled.

"Hello, Emily. I'm Hunter. What are you doing out here at a time like this?"

"I'm sorry. I should probably leave before I cause you more trouble. I'm really sorry. You can hit me, or do whatever you want to punish me. I'm really, really, really sorry. I didn't see where I was going and-"

I cut her off, she was talking nonsense, and she looked tense as she rambled. Scared even. "Punish you? Why would I do that?"

"Because I did something wrong."

"You didn't do anything wrong. So you don't need to apologize. And I'm not going to punish you."

"You- you're not?"

"No, but it is cold. Do you live around here?"

She nodded her head slightly.

"I'll give you a ride home. Let's go."

She froze which meant that I said her soulmate's words to her. I went to grab the lantern and she bursted out, "No! No, please. Sorry, I yelled"

"Why not?"

"I can just sleep here, but please don't take me home."

What? Why not? She's not sleeping here either. What happened to her? I sighed. "You're not sleeping out here in this weather with that on. It's cold. You can stay the night."

"But I don't want to be a burden to you. It's fine, it's not the first, I'll just-" She trailed off. She passed out. I picked her up, and carried her frail, frozen, and sticky body inside, Storm trotting by my side carrying the lantern.

"Thanks girl." I patted her head, took it from her mouth,put it out, and put it away. Then I led her to my bedroom. I put some of my comfy clothes on so she could stay warm. I would let my mother take care of her in the morning. I tucked her in my bed, and fell asleep next to my soulmate.

I woke up around six, and she still was sleeping. Perfect time to ask mother. I walked downstairs. "Mother. I need your help."

"What is it son?"

"Follow me." I led her to my room and showed her Emily.

"Oh my goodness!" She covered her mouth with her hands.

"Can you get her cleaned up and everything?"

"Of course, son. Give me thirty minutes."

"Thanks mother." We smiled and hugged each other, and she carried her to the bathroom to bathe her and get her dressed. After thirty minutes, mother came out of the room and carried her to my bedroom and set her on the bed. She sat next to me.

"I'm guessing she's the one son?"

"Yes. She arrived at two and Storm greeted her, but not in a nice way."

She laughed, then took in a sharp inhale.

"What is it mother?"

"She's scarred."

"Scarred?"

"Her body was covered in scars, bruises, and dried blood. So I wrapped her in bandages."

"That's why she didn't want to go home. She reacted as if I would hurt her."

"She's so skinny..."

"I'm assuming she doesn't want us to know yet, so we'll have to hide it."

"Of course son."

Storm trotted into the room and sniffed Emily.

"Well, I have to get to work, we can talk later."

"Of course." I kissed her check and she left for work. I looked at Emily and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. Then I looked at Storm and we left for chores.

We came back inside, and she was still sleeping. I decided to make her brunch so she could eat when she woke up. My father already left for his work in town as a salesman for our farm. My mother left so she could do her vet work, so it was just the two of us. While I was cooking bacon, Storm left my side, and I heard the light patter of small feet with stockings descending the wooden stairs.

"Hello there." Came a happy voice from where Storm went to. She was awake. I turned to look at her, and she was sitting on the floor, petting Storm, and smiling. She looked up at me, and stood nervously.

"Um, thanks. For everything, but I can't-"

"You must. My mother cleaned and dressed you. She was okay with it."

"Oh, well thank you."

"Are you hungry?" I'm almost positive that her "thank you" meant more than the bath and clothes.

"I don't want to worry you."

"I'm already making brunch."

"Oh, then yes. Please. Um, it would be nice?"

She fumbled over her worlds from not being used to this hospitality.

"You can sit at the table if you want."

"Thank you." She timidly walked to the table and sat, looking uncomfortable. I set down her plate and mine, along with silverware and napkins, with a glass of apple cider for each of us.

"Oh, um are you sure?"

"Dig in." I said and smiled.