A steady rhythmical whirring seeped into her ears, and Minnow blinked as her eyes adjusted.An expansive room with a high ceiling and smooth concrete walls stretched out in front of her.She first thought, have I just stepped into a military base? There were desktops alongside the slate grey walls with multiple laptops and computers, the hard-disk access light flickered in the dim glow, and the drives made a high-pitched whining noise as they received continuous data.Above the desks hung large screens displaying what looked like surveillance footage from numerous foreign locations. On the opposite wall were countless glass cabinets with a vast arsenal of weapons.Under a warm light was an old wooden bookshelf adorned with ancient inky treasures lined by size. The wood on the bookshelf looked like it was once a part of a mighty ship that had washed up on a beach one day. But, now finally sat in its forever harbour, in this room. A sturdy steel table stood in the middle, with docume
"We hunt those who hunt us" - The Hunter's Code."As long as there have been werewolves, Hunter has hunted them. These werewolf Hunter families are people who have dedicated their lives to tracking werewolves and other supernatural beings whom they consider a threat to humanity. The Venandi family are part of this elite league and come from a long line of expert Hunters. As a result, they possess extensive knowledge of these creatures and hunt and fight against them successfully. In addition, they have a vast arsenal of weapons and technology purposefully designed to eliminate werewolves. Even though the Venandis are incredibly proud of their Hunting business, they have to keep it a secret. Ordinary citizens must not find out about these creatures prowling in the night to keep the peace and order in their rural community. So, they work regular nine to five jobs during the day, leaving the hunting until after the cover of night.Once a member of a Hunters family turns eighteen, gene
A sharp rustling noise followed by a bright light burning through her closed eyelids woke Minnow from her restless slumber.Soon, the sun's high position on the cloud-free sky flooded the sizable bedroom. After the housemaid, Ariella pulled the thick dark curtains apart in the two large bay windows facing the bed. "Hey, what are you think you are doing" Minnow hissed, annoyed and threw herself around in the elegant four-poster bed and away from the harsh rays.Ariella didn't care; this wasn't the first time someone in the wealthy Venandi family had yelled at her."Your mother wants you downstairs for brunch," Ariella said instead and walked out of the room and closed the door after her.Minnow grunted unhappily. "Why doesn't anyone understand I don't want to see people?" she rolled out of bed and sauntered to her ensuite. She slipped out of her golden silk nightie and looked at her naked body in the floor mirror.Her previously curvy body had become unattractively thin, and her pale
The bright sunlight had faded into a warm afternoon glow basking the bedroom in golden glimmers when they finally woke up from their midday nap.Minnow was lying on her stomach. She stretched and yawned, then turned her face towards Saylor's and met his suspicious glare. She could feel the chilled air trail over her bare skin. Minnow immediately pulled down her jumper to cover her back."Why, do you have a bruise from a boot on your back?" Saylor whispered. His voice was horrified.Minnow buried her face in the pillow to compose herself. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it." She grumbled from inside the soft, fluffy layers."Um, I am going to worry about it, ok." Saylor's tone was determined, and Minnow knew he wouldn't back down. "I don't want to talk about it." She whispered and finally met his concerned eyes. Minnow sat up on the bed, and her shoulders slumped."I think you will feel better if you do." His eyes were soft but seemed decided on getting her talking. He reached ou
Deceived by sleep, Minnow was back in the forest on that dreadful night.She could hear her laboured breaths as she ran out into the small grass-covered clearing amongst the towering trees.The air was crisp and heavy with damp moss and decomposing leaves. Minnow could see her parent's mansion, situated slightly above the Oakheart town. The light at the main gate shone like a searchlight in the distance.Scattered pearls of the faraway gas giants spilt out over the navy blue sky's backdrop in beautiful patterns above the open area.She smiled at the night's hidden beauty and admired how the moon rays basked the playground's shiny metal equipment in glistening silver.Minnow stumbled as her high heels sunk into the moist earth, and for a split second, she thought about taking them off so she could run faster.But being drunk lulled her into a false sense of security that there was no need since she was nearly home anyway.Suddenly, Minnow's stomach churned, and she felt an unfamiliar
Dovie stopped them before they could escape through the extensive front door. "Minnow darling, don't forget you have a dress fitting later today for your birthday," her mother called out from the top of the wide staircase. Minnow sighed, her shoulders slumped, and her feet dragged a few steps. "Ok, mother, I won't forget. She grumbled without looking back. "Mrs Venandi, you look younger each time I see you." Saylor smiled and waved at her mother, and Minnow could hear Dovie snicker approvingly. Minnow rolled her eyes. "You are so gross." His eyebrows rose, "I can't help that older women love me." he chuckled in defence. "Pretty much all women love you?" Minnow corrected, pushed open the doors, and let in the crisp autumn air. "Well, I didn't want to sound too presumptuous." He winked and walked past her towards the waiting car. Their private chauffeur walked around the side of the shiny black sedan and opened the passenger door. His weathered face broke into a friendly smile wh
The walking track around the lake looked quiet despite the beautiful autumn weather.They stopped and ordered coffees from a pink vintage coffee van set up for the lakes, usually many visitors.Saylor added a couple of the van's owner's homebaked cookies. He handed the small brown paper bag to Minnow, and the aromas of freshly brewed coffee and warm buttery vanilla filled her nostrils, wrapping around her senses like a comforting blanket.The gravel crunched under their feet as they headed down the dirt track towards their favourite spot at the water's edge. The lake lay motionless and blank in the middle of the network of paths, reflecting the surrounding landscape like an old faded photograph. "I am sorry for before." Minnow felt so ashamed for her behaviour, especially now when she had calmed down. "I thought I was ready," she mumbled and sipped her hot coffee."You don't have to apologise. What happened to you will take time to heal. I am, in fact, proud of you for being so brav
Back in her room, she finally could breathe again. Her whole body ached from the exhaustion of pretending everything was ok.Minnow grabbed her one photo album from the desk drawer and lay on her stomach on the large bed.She loved looking through the photos of Saylor and her at the lake under the liquidambar tree. In the album's first photos, the two of them couldn't be more than ten years old. Oh, how they had grown practically adults now.Minnow's face broke into a heartfelt grin as she glanced at the younger versions of themselves. So happy, innocent and carefree.Her face soon turned into a frown as the sadness of losing that innocence washed over her. These strange men, these monsters, had stolen something from her that could never be brought back—her virginity and trust in human beings.Minnow's phone chimed, and she secretly hoped it was Saylor. She could need some of his kind words and cheer up.She glanced at the display, and curls rolled like waves through her body."Oh, no