The Beginning

Throughout the classroom we hear a ding, the sound of the intercom turning on. A female voice comes on, "Teachers, please release all students to the gymnasium." The students in my class look at the teacher, Mr. Rodriguez. "Well, you heard the lady, go ahead." He too had a puzzled expression. After what seemed like forever, all the students arrived. Some were out of breath, and some soaking wet as it was raining. The principal, a short fat man, turns on the microphone. "Hello students, today we have a special announcement regarding one of you." Instantly the room is filled with voices, students gossiping about who it is or what it could be. I could even hear someone ask if another student who had been absent that day had died. The principal with his short, fat fingers, tapped the microphone to quiet us. "That's enough. Since you all seem so curious, I guess we'll avoid the 'ceremony.' Caleb König, come stand next to me, please." I was confused. I'm not anyone special. I have average grades, looks, and style. I hadn't done anything bad that I could think of. Hell, all I do is sit around on my phone and play videogames! What could they possibly want from me? I thought all these things as I walked down the gym's stairs. I realized my hands were shaking. I was scared, I didn't like talking to people, much less stand in front of almost a thousand of them. When I arrived beside the principal, I felt my face flush red with embarrassment. He put his arm on my shoulder, something I don't even let my parents do anymore. "Today we would like to announce, for the first time ever, a student from Sam Austin High will become a Hunter!" The gym instantly went quiet. I could feel my mind going blank and my body becoming weak. I started sweating. A hunter is practically a death sentence! How could he be happy sending one of his students to death? He continued, although he seemed disappointed that no one had clapped, "This is a great honor, not only for Caleb, but for all of us here. Who knows, Caleb may become the new Night!" I could hear a student laugh, others whisper. This was getting to much for me. The principal again silenced the conversing students and continued, "After today Caleb will be transferred to the brand new hunter academy based near Dallas, TX. This will most likely be the last you see of your young, daring friend. We wish you luck on your training and hunts. Now all students back to class." He kept ahold of me, as if he was telling me to stay. As everyone was leaving I could feel their stares leaving with them. "Now, lets head to my office for a moment." I reluctantly followed him. It wasn't like I had much of an option. He lets me enter first, I immediately notice two big men sitting in the chairs in front of his desk. All of a sudden this situation was feeling a lot more real. The one on the right stands up to greet me. He was the classic military type, a large man with broad shoulders, buzzed black hair, and basically full muscle. "Hello Caleb." The man says as he reaches for my hand, which I shake sheepishly. The officer was massive, it made sense to be scared of the guy. "Please sit down for me." As he says this, the man in the left chair immediately stands up and moves off to the left side of the room. The first officer motions towards the chair he was sitting in. I sit down, at this point I feel more nervous than when I was up in front of everyone. The principal takes the chair by the door, the first officer moves to take the principals chair with the other man behind him. "I am Sergeant Major Taylor, behind me is Corporal Lewis. As you are aware, you have been selected to be a Hunter. Are you aware of the process we take to decide this?" He said this all so seriously I still couldn't tell if it was all real or a dream, but how could I possibly be dreaming all of THIS? I opened my mouth for a moment to answer, the words couldn't come out. Taylor looked at me for a moment, then at the principal. I remember how to speak and answer, "To be honest, not really. I know you look at our annual blood tests but that is really it." Taylor seemed satisfied with this answer and proceeded, "We look at a special gene in everyone's DNA, scientists have nicknamed it the Harbinger strand. Only select few people have it, and those few are selected for Hunters." I looked at Taylor, absolutely baffled at what I'm hearing. I'm hearing what I couldn't even think possible, I'm actually special. Of course this didn't excuse the fact I'm being sent to my death but it did help a bit. "So let me get this straight. I'm unique? Dude I'm not going to lie to you, I'm 17 years old and all I do is play games. Hell everything about me is average, and you expect me to believe I have some special DNA strand that makes me stronger and able to kill monsters the size of the fucking Empire State Building? Sorry chief but that sounds like a load of bullshit." Taylor looked amazed that the kid who barely had the balls to shake his hand just said that. He cleared his throat, "Well..." He trailed off in thought for a moment, "Yes, you are unique. Give it a chance, who knows you may meet someone you like." I started to laugh hysterically, even crying a bit. Taylor looked even more confused when I did this. Eventually I wiped the tears from my eyes. "Just for that stupid comment I think I'll try it. Hell I don't have anything else to do, might as well get in shape or something." Taylor must have liked that response. "Alright kid, let's head out. Corporal go get the car ready, we got a long trip ahead of us." Lewis saluted and left the room. We sat in silence until Taylor got a radio call saying the car was outside ready for us. He stood up and shook the principals hand, and held the door open for me. The principal got a nod from me, I had had enough physical touch today. As we were about to walk through the exit of the school I heard someone call my name, it was Mr. Rodriguez. I stopped as he walked up to me and Taylor. "Mr. König, be careful out there. I don't want to see you in the paper anytime soon." I looked at him surprised, but I thanked him and promised I would try my damnedest to not die anytime soon. He smiled. With that Taylor told me to get moving, a sentence I feel like I will get tired of soon. We got into the car, and all of a sudden reality hit me like a train. My life was about to become incredibly different and much more dangerous.