Encounter 3

Mara 16 years old...

It has been two years since my aunt left to be in court. I haven't received any communication from her yet. It wasn't like there was any link between court and us anyway. They simply dictate and we must follow. It has been always like that.

If she could have sent any word to us, then she would, I imagine? My heart refuses to believe any other alternative, like how she won't like to be in contact with us anymore.

Though her fight with grandma was sure ugly. But I know grandma misses her too. When she was in our home, there used to be animated conversations about anything under the sun. Now our conversation was very limited and forced. I'm slowly coming to terms with her abandonment. My feelings took a blow, which was slowly recovering from my parent's death.

Though I can't blame her for leaving, I know I would but not to the court. Though I want to go there. Like in movies where protagonist go there for an ultimate showdown. The high and mighty villains suddenly readily available for the killing, their security only turned out to be a joke.

My aunt says I live in my head a lot. It wasn't like I could do something else like watching mindless TV. Lycans blame technology for humans turning against them. It was logical because without technology we were nothing. Like batman without his suit.

I'm digressing, as usual I'm one of those people who have imaginary conversations with self. I'm crazy, though we don't have a psychologist to confirm that. They have banned schools and colleges. There was nothing for us to do but work.

Children under 17 won't have to work,, but before you comment on their goodness let me tell you if you don't work you don't earn your ration. According to them, children don't eat, but parent's usually share their food with young ones if they have any. But children are rare, and so is food.

It's very dark I know,, but it's our reality. We, too, wish this wasn't real. Though this would make a horrible movie, no one will pay to watch this much doom and despair.

I decided to go for a walk to clear my head and also catch a game, which was very limited because of the war. I held my bow and arrows close to my heart. Likewise, I made it with my hands. My father trained me with the latest models, but now without him, it gives me some level of comfort.

These wooden bow and arrows made sure of the fact I won't be starving. I doubt that he knew I have to fend for myself. Fathers have a way of looking out for daughters.

I heard a slight noise, I was immediately on my alert. I pointed my arrow in the direction of the sound. It was heavy compared to the other small things. I only prayed it wasn't a tiger. With my wooden bow and arrow, I was hardly it's match. I took a deep sigh, I wasn't going down without a fight.

I took small steps to take a look. To my surprise, it wasn't an animal but a man, a big one at that. He was wearing odd clothes, something different. I haven't seen a shirt like that before. But it looked dirty and old. I breathed a sigh, relieved that I wasn't going to be eaten.

But my femininity couldn't stop appreciating the fine specimen before my eyes. My body though malnourished, couldn't stop itself from eyeing this new guy. It was as though it has a new kind of hunger which was unfamiliar to me.

"You shouldn't be here. What are you doing here?", I asked him? My bow was still poised, I may have come across threatening, but I wasn't going to let go of my only weapon.

" Shouldn't I ask you that question?", came a bored voice. I was immediately offended. How dare he's coming here and talking like that. "It's forbidden by lycans I was only warning you", I answered him, but I can't help a thrill going over me at our cute banter.

"Thanks for the heads-up ", he said, still not looking at me. " I haven't seen you before", I told him, wanting to prolong our conversation.

"If you haven't noticed me all this time, then you are a terrible hunter", he said. I was infuriated, how dare he question me on my sole skill? " I have been coming here all these years. I sure must have noticed you if you are here all this time", I clapped back at him.

"It's my first day here. I wanted some alone time to clear my head", he said, slightly annoyed. How dare he act as though I was trespassing his territory when he clearly was in mine. " I guess you should go elsewhere to think because this is my place. I hunt here. You will scare away my game", I huffed at him.

"Isn't it forbidden by lycans to hunt here?", he questioned me. " Well what they don't know won't kill them", I said or me I added in my thoughts.

"Where are your parents, kid?", he asked me. The kid comment hurt a little if I was honest. " I'm here to put some food in my belly", I answered him. He looked at me curiously, trying to figure me out. His body was chiseled like sculpture. I assume he was at least thirty, there wasn't a hint of boyishness in him.

I tried to look tall and confident, not like a crushing teenager. "Can I ask you something?", he asked me. I opened my mouth and then closed without having something clever to say, I nodded my head. " What will you do if your father ask you to do something you prefer not to do", he asked me.

"My father is dead", I said. " I'm sorry, kid", he said. "It's ok he died a brave death defending his home", I said, my voice tight.

His eyes hardened for a second, then heaved a sigh. " I have to go ", he said out of the blue. My mood was now further down. I believed for a second he was staying here. Maybe we would be even become unwilling friends. I wanted to pout, but somehow bought my face to a neutral expression.

" Until we meet again ", he paused for a second. " Mara ", I finished for him. He nodded his head. " Wait, what's your name"?, I asked. "Lucien ", he gave me a small smile. He left a little fast like he wants to escape me. I stood there dazed.