Rise Of The Hunters - Chapter 66

Xun’s father found the tunnel first.

“I think I can hear someone in there, but I don’t fit.”

Xun came forward, and examined the small tunnel. Thinking hard, he finally nodded to himself.

“I think I can fit.” He took off his backpack and slipped his heavy coat off. It was very cold standing without it in the undercity, but he was determined to find the other child. There were too many times in his life he had prayed for someone to come and save him. This was his chance to save someone else.

Handing his coat to Craig, he ducked into the tunnel and found it was going to be tighter than he thought. He had to stretch his arms out in front of him and wiggle the whole way, but he fit. By the time he had managed to squirm into the small room on the other side he was shivering more than wiggling. Settling back on his heels, he wrapped his arms around his knees and looked around as his eyes adjusted to the dim light.

In a corner, covered with so many furs and scraps of cloth, was a small figure, curled into a ball. He had to move the furs carefully to uncover him, he was so small. Laying his hand on the boy’s cold ċhėst, he was just bȧrėly able to feel movement.

Xun looked back at the tunnel, trying to figure out how he was going to get the boy through it without hurting him. He finally wrapped him back up in the largest fur he could find, and shoved him into the tunnel. By pushing him in front of him as he squeezed back through the tight fit, he was able to get him close enough that his dad could grab the kid and pull him out. When he got close enough himself, Craig grabbed his arms and pulled him out as well.

“He’s so cold, I’m not sure he’ll live.” Craig looked at his dad and they both nodded to each other.

Xun had to put his coat and backpack on, sprinting after them as they took off back towards where the others had gone with the girl. The run felt good as his shivering slowed.

“Where’s Tommy?” asked a scared voice as they arrived at the door to the small room the others had chosen to set up camp in.

“He’s here,” said Xun’s dad, as he entered carrying Tommy still wrapped in the fur.

The girl, who Xun soon learned was named Matilda, had taken care of the two of them pretty well despite the circumstances after all the ȧduŀts were killed or left. She had used a snaring technique used by the hunters, to catch rats for them to eat. Everyone, including Xun, was very impressed.

Gerald had made a fire, burning some of the furniture that was too big for Matilda to break, and had started some soup. She was already drinking a cup of tea.

Xun watched in fascination as they warmed the boy and coaxed some tea into him. He was in much worse condition than the girl. As they were checking him over, they discovered several scratches that could be werewolf marks.

“We don’t know how long it’s been since he was infected,” said Byrd, gazing at the sleeping children by the fire.

They had moved away to discuss their next move, so as not to disturb them as they slept.

“We don’t even know that the scratches came from a werewolf…” said Craig.

“They came from a werewolf, and the boy is very close to turning. I think the cold has held it at bay, regardless of how long ago it was. He will turn.”

They were all quiet after Xun’s dad made his remark.

“My blood changed you, maybe it would help him?” wondered Xun out loud.

He could tell by the glance between Gerald and Craig, they had already thought of that but hadn’t said anything. Xun’s dad saw the look, too.

“It might, do you want to try?” he asked, looking Xun in the eyes.

Xun saw a struggle there, between man and wolf. They were still fighting each other. His father was strong, but was the boy strong enough to overpower his wolf?

Pulling out his knife, Xun stepped towards the sleeping children. The ȧduŀts got out of his way, letting him make the final decision on what to do.

Tommy was weak, by all accounts, he should have been dead long before they arrived. Perhaps it was the wolf who was still alive, and if Xun touched him with his blood, it would cause the wolf to die, and thus the boy, too. On the other hand, every werewolf he had spoken to, or listened to after reverting to their human form, had talked about pain being the only thing they knew as a wolf. Xun hesitated right above the boy. Maybe he should just kill him. If this didn’t work…

Matilda looked up at him with groggy eyes that grew large at the sight of the knife. Before she could move or make any noise, Xun struck.

A drop of blood welled up from his finger, where he had poked himself. He quickly returned the knife to his sheath, and moved his finger to the boy’s mouth. He wasn’t sure it would absorb into the skin like it had with his father, so he let the drop land on the boys partially opened mouth, then drew back so he didn’t get bit if the boy reacted suddenly.

Matilda watched, fear and confusion warring on her face, as Tommy’s eyes popped open. His tongue flicked out and licked the blood from his lips. Not a single sound was uttered, but the color of his eyes changed from a deep brown to a vivid blue.

Everyone watched, almost holding their breath, as Tommy rolled over and went back to sleep. Matilda looked at them, still confused, for a few more minutes, before the warmth and a full stomach lulled her back to sleep as well.