Rise Of The Hunters - Chapter 89

“So, what’s the purpose of having an underground city?” asked Gerald, once they managed to get back to the compound proper.

Xun was anxious about when the vampire might return, and about his friends. Where they okay? He had already checked on things, since he was the official leader, to make sure everyone was handling things alright.

“Well, it’s main purpose was to bring more people back into the world, once all the monsters were gone. Our ancestors were all chosen based on the fact we weren’t related to each other. Though that obviously didn’t happen,” Theo explained.

“Well, I can’t say it wasn’t a good plan in the beginning, I just think they could have thought up something better when it came to food and medicine.” Gerald had heard about how so many had died from starvation and sickness when they first arrived.

“What good are they to us now?” asked Joe. Even though he had promised to follow Xun, he still had strong opinions.

“They have knowledge on how to do things, that have been lost to us,” said Lola.

“And we should listen to you why?” asked Joe again.

“Because she’s my mother,” said Xun. He had hoped to keep that a secret until his dad had a chance to see her, just in case, but his dad had chosen to go hunting right before he returned, and hadn’t come back yet.

Joe sighed. “I mean no disrespect, Xun, but how do you know she’s your mother? When you first came here only a four or five months ago, you were an orphan with no parents. Now you have a father and a mother, and some kind of tie to a vampire, who if I’m not mistaken, is supposed to be on the bad guys’ side.”

Gerald stepped forward to defend him, but he touched his arm.

“You are right, Joe, I don’t know. And the fact that I have gotten both my parents back in this day and age, are miraculous. I imagine everyone who has heard, or will hear, will be very upset at the fairness of it. As for the vampire, I don’t know what is up with him. He seems to be insane, but if siding with him will keep this compound safe, I’m willing to go with it. I think that if the previous leaders had done what was right, instead of what had always been done before, it wouldn’t be in such a mess right now. I am not proposing we hand over any of our people to the vampires, as Mary wanted, nor am I trying to kill people as Lisa was trying to do. I am only asking that these people, who have no home, be allowed to remain and possibly provide us with knowledge we don’t have.”

“I’m against siding with a vampire, but these people have done no harm. We’ve lost more people in the past couple of months than they will replace, so there’s plenty of room for them.”

“Then it’s agreed,” said Gerald, shaking hands with Theo and the others.

Standing up, Xun made his way to Bob’s bar. He wanted to have some quiet to himself and something to eat before he found a bed to sleep in.

Bob had a plate and a drink waiting for him, and he couldn’t help but smile.

“You’re tired, but you’re also not safe here. You should leave.”

His words were soft, and Xun could tell that no one else had heard him.

“Why?” he asked, picking up his fork.

“You should take the werewolf and his sister, and leave with your parents. They’ll care for the kids like their own, after all, they took care of you.”

Xun looked at him. This guy had always seemed odd to him. Could he have something special about him, like his mom had?

“These people need a good leader,” he said between bites.

“And you think you’re it? Face it Xun, you’re only twelve. Gerald and Theo would make better leaders then you. They’ve got tons of experience with leading.”

Xun watched him shine the counter, then pick up a glass to wipe away imaginary spots.

“Where would we go?” Xun wasn’t sure he wanted to leave, but he was interested to see what Bob had to say.

“Well, the south would be out, the elders are going to send troops down there looking for Dr. Achak soon. The north wouldn’t be bad, but there’s more Slavers and werewolves to deal with. You could go back east, the way you came. You know the territory there, and it’s relatively safe.”

“But, what will happen to the people here?” He was watching Bob carefully, wondering how he got his information.

“Do you really want to know?”

Xun thought about that. Was he really thinking of leaving? It almost seemed like running away. If there were vampire troops heading south, there was a strong possibility those troops would come here, and if they did, one or three vampires wouldn’t be able to protect these people. With it being winter, trying to get them to leave, would be laughable. They would all die, and they knew it.

He thought about the underground city. It would be a good place for all the people to go to, there was plenty of room, far more than there was here, it was warmer, and all it needed was supplies taken. But they would have to go past the vampire to get there. Could he convince them to let him deal with the vampire? Would they be willing to go to the city? Would he be able to barter safe passage with the vampire? There were so many questions swirling in his head.