Between Us

Chapter 1: Ashes

Anthony's Pov:

"Headmasters called for you."

I stopped walking and looked down at her. "And who are you?"

"Kate Fox." She said saluting. "The private escort." She winked at me.

"Please. Ants would make a better escort than you."

She gasped. "Ugh. All of you hunters are so full of yourselves!"

My hand tightened into a fist. People like her were lurking everywhere. I'd just slayed to Nauls and she won't even give me a break. Everyone down in this section of the city thinks we're a joke. "It's people like you." I spat as I began to walk again.

A military vehicle pulled up along side me.

"I told you so." She cried.

I nodded at the driver and he gestured for me to hop in. I looked back at the girl. "Will she becoming with us?"

"Yes sir."

"Very well. If she says anything, please do get rid of her."

She gasped. "I haven't done anything to you!"

"Yes, but you are awfully annoying. And I've had enough of it. Just take me to where I need to be."

The driver turned his attention to her. "Madam, please. The hunter is very tired. For there was an attack on the left wing on the kingdom. Seven Nauls to be exact. Please keep your tongue."

"My apologies." She said as the car started. "I had no idea. I shouldn't have snapped on you like that."

I held my hand up. "Don't sweat it. I'm just trying to do what's right. I don't wanna be a hero."

"Of course." She said sinking back into her chair and stared out the window.

I was glad she had stopped talking. I hated when people would praise me. It wasn't really my thing. I preferred to be a helping hand in all of this. Even though the headmaster and council members prefer the word hero.

We arrived at city hall and I climbed out of the car. Kate climbed out of the car and stood beside me. "I'll take you to the lowest level."

We walked into the building and she pushed the button for a pod.

She sighed. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I hope to never see you again."

"Gee, thanks."

She put her hand on my shoulder. "Once you are down stairs you'll understand."

The pod arrived and I took one last look at her. There were tears in her eyes. What was wrong with her. Was she one of those hybrid children?

"Thank you Hunter. I'll never forget about you.."

I stepped into the pod. "Take care of yourself Kate."

A small smile crept onto her face.

The doors of the pod closed and I shot down.

That was so strange. What was she talking about? Maybe she took those stress relievers my mother used to take. I knew it had some strange side effects but I'd never seen someone act like that.

The doors opened again and I stepped out. A large conference table was lying out in front of me.

Everyone stopped talking and looked at me. The headmaster stood up from his seat. "Anthony Thorn. I'm so glad you got the message. Take a seat."

"Yes sir." I sat down in the chair. And looked right at him.

"Mr. Thorn. We greatly do appreciate everything you have done for the kingdom."

Ah, here we go again. The whole praise speech I hated.

"We didn't bring you here to discuss average hunter work." He stopped talking and looked at the lady sitting next to him.

She stood up. "Mr. Thorn, I'm Dr. Welsh. Pleasure to meet you. I'll get straight to the point. The aftermath started thirty years ago, but I'm sure this is not new to you."

I nodded.

"We have invented a.... a time machine."

I gasped. "Are you suggesting...."

"Yes, Mr. Thorn. We want you to be our hero. We want you to go back in time and stop the aftermath from ever happening."

"What do I do?"

"It's not that simple." She said. "If you go back in time and stop the aftermath....." she bit her lip. "This future..... it won't exist."

I jumped from my chair. "What?"

"You will be trapped in the past. Because no time machine would have ever been invented."

I took in a deep breath. "I could stop the aftermath and save the lives of millions?"

"Yes."

"I'll do whatever it takes. Sacrifice a mouse to save a city. Besides this is what I'm trained for."

She smiled. "Your job will be simple. Don't let the Goddess die. She goes by the name Aviana Black."