The Hunter

Sophia and Dekker

Carefully she brushed her flaming red hair back. Someone coughed near the front and she looked up from her pale, small hands. It was one of the new students. There was maybe 50 of them. Everyone different. Human, elf, vampire, wolf, even a few half breeds were there. But non of them had her unnatural hair colour. It was so red, it looked like hair dye, but she had been born that way.

She looked around. The whole place...the keep...was made of dark stone. This former throne room had been converted into a big meeting room. The front was lined with chairs facing the front where the old black polished stone throne still stood, proud and intimidating. If the Headmaster was anything like his throne, this would be a very interesting time. At the bottom of the few steps that led to the throne stood multiple extravagant chairs. Only one was empty, one of the closest ones to the throne. This place was about as intimidating as it was depressing.

"Why did you come here Sophia? That was a dumb idea. You shouldn't have come here." She mumbled to herself. She proceeded to tell herself again why. "Remember, your mom is over the top hyper and delusional and you have 5 older brothers. You really needed to get out Sophia, and this place offered a chance for solitude. And maybe some answers."

"Are you often in the habit of talking to yourself?" A tanned boy plopped down in the seat beside her and grinned. His yellow eyes sparkled mischievously.

"Uhm uhm...no...I-I mean yes?" Sophia was shy beyond belief, and a random stranger, specifically a random teenage boy her age, talking to her and even sitting beside her was...unusual to say the least. And enough to put her off. She blushed and looked down.

"Sorry, did I offend you?" The boy frowned and cocked his head. With his messy, short, black hair, and those shining gold eyes he looked like a comical bird. Sophia couldn't help but giggle.

"No." She paused and looked at him. "I'm just not used to being noticed."

"Really? Wow how weird." He grinned again. "By the way, hi! My name is Dekker Friess. I'm a werewolf." He howled playfully and grinned. "Figured I should be a Hunter. Got my whole family being smart and businessy. They all wanted me to be a football player. I said no thanks I got brains." Sophia giggled again. "So whats your name?"

"I'm Sophia Meier. Human." She smiled shyly. "Nothing special about me really."

"I'd say your hair is pretty unusal. Really cool too!" Dekker gently pulled on a strain of hair. "That just looks wicked. I never seen red hair like that."

Sophia pulled her hair back over her left shoulder, away from him. "I don't like it."

"Really? I think it looks cute. It matches your blue eyes perfectly." He grinned. "You'll fit right in here."

Sophia opened her mouth when there was some commotion from the press behind her. Dekker and her turned around, with the rest of the students. Several rather intimidating guards walked in. Everyone in a full blown body armour you'd only see on swat teams. Bulletproof vests, silver lined shirts, and combat boots. No helmets though. Their faces were open and stern. The guards walked down the middle isle, in two rows, one on the left side, and one on the right. They walked all the way to the front of the "throne room", and took their place there. There was silence, and many students shared looks, an obvious question on their faces: What next? Sophia looked at Dekker. He just shrugged.

With a twirl of sword and fabric and then a bow a woman entered. "At arms!" She commanded the guards, with a stern voice that spoke of experience and authority, definitely belying her youthful appearance. She wore a tight black shirt that showed of her figure. Her arms were adorned with golden arm bangles. A black high-drop skirt flowed down to just above her knees. The gold threat made it glint with a peculiar shimmer. As she brushed back her slick, long, black hair she revealed tanned skin, round eyes, full lips, and a solid gold Egyptian collar around her neck and shoulders. The low heels of her black and golden, knee high boots echoed through the chamber as she approached the throne. Silence had fallen, though there were a few whispers. Her skin was the colour of cappuccino.