The Fallen Hunter

1-Chance Encounter

                                      Mia POV

If there's one thing I don't believe in, it's chance. I don't think anything happens by accident. What is meant to be will be. All of our stories, I imagine, are written down in a book somewhere. Whether it be God writing them or another higher power watching us. But fate has no place in the life of a Hunter. It can be distracting & I personally believe it to be overrated.

Ben snapped his fingers in front of my face. Bringing my brain back to reality, I realized it was my turn on the mat.
Riley stepped up in front of me, a lock of brown curly hair shielding his grey eyes. Hand to hand combat is my favorite, especially against one of the guys.
Let's just say I have a knack for it.

Our instructor, Liam, approached Riley and whispered in his ear. Riley grinned & shook his head. Liam then walked to my corner next & whispered "I told him not to take it easy on you, I know you'd hate it if he did." He gave my shoulder a squeeze & walked to the sidelines.

"Are you both ready?" Liam asked.
With the shake of both Riley's head & mine, our instructor yelled, "Begin!"

Riley circled me, trying to read my body language. I spun onto the ground, leg extended & knocked him to the mat. I smiled, getting back in to position. Riley huffed as he gathered his composure & glared at me.

"What's wrong Ri, can't keep up?" I purred.

Riley caught my arm, twisting it behind my back. Irritated to have lost my focus, I raised my knee to try to knock him off balance.
Sensing my movement, Riley took his other hand & blocked my knee.

"You've been practicing," I gawked at him, impressed.
"A bit but not everyone is as good as you. You're a natural." He lowered his mouth to my neck.
I felt his breath which sent uninvited shivers up my spine. Taking my free hand, I grabbed the back of his neck.
"Don't start something you can't finish Riley." I was centimeters from his face.

I felt his grip on my arm loosen.

Knowing I had him, I ripped my arm free & pulled him to the ground. Since I had him pinned, Liam declared the match over.
"Train harder next time if you want to beat me."

I stood up and brushed the dust off my legs. Riley sat up, confused.

"That wasn't a fair fight and you know it."
I couldn't help but stifle a giggle. I walked over to Ben who was waiting to give me a high-five.

"Nice job. A little un-traditional but still a win."
I grabbed my water bottle & took a drink.

"Hey, he started it. He has a way of bringing out the worst in me." Ben frowned, knowing I was talking about much more than combat.

Riley & I had dated for a while a few yeas back.
I was haunted by the death of my family and he was there to comfort me.
Turns out he comforted a lot of girls. Behind my back.
I've learned to trust no one. Not even those you love.

People say time heals all wounds but they've never seen how deep mine run.

"You guys, listen up!" Liam yelled.
"Tomorrow is the last day of class before the Hunters ball. I want all of you here at 8 am. It will be light training but I'm not going to let you slack off on the councils account."

Ben rolled his eyes.
I was actually looking forward to the ball. It's how the council celebrates our achievements and how we kick off the new year.
And they make some killer drinks.

Everyone gathered their belongings and filed out the classroom doors.
"Mia! Wait up!" I turned around to find my roommate Annie running after me.
"Have you found a dress for the ball tomorrow?" She asked, breathlessly. I clicked my tongue, annoyed.

That part I hated. Shopping has never been something I went out of my way to do.
"No, I haven't." I replied.
"Great! You can come shopping with me!" She squealed.

An hour later, we walked in to Demeanor. They're the best dress shop on the west coast.
With daddy's credit card in hand, Annie ran for a rack of expensive looking dresses.
I skimmed around and settled for the clearance rack. Nothing was really catching my eye.

Out of nowhere I felt a chill.
My senses were on high alert.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention.
I felt like someone or something was watching me. That's when I saw the shadow. I gasped, clutching the dagger strapped between my thighs.

This dagger is the last thing I have of my mothers.
I've never had to use it but I'm not afraid to.

However, as quickly as it had shown itself, it was gone. Looking around the store, there was no trace of it.

My tracker hadn't gone off either which was strange. I made a mental note to tell Liam about this later.
Annie had to have tried on at least 20 dresses. I was starting to get irritated. I still hadn't found anything I liked.

A store attendant tapped me on my shoulder. "Are you Mia Grey?" She asked me.
"Yes? Is something wrong?" I asked.
"No, no! I was just letting you know that the dress you choose today is on the house. Your bill will be paid in full." She smiled at me & returned behind the register counter.
Shocked, I walked over to Annie who was checking out already.

"Hey, you didn't pay for my dress did you?"
She looked at me, baffled. "Uh no sweetie, my dad would kill me."
I breathed a sigh of relief and filled her in on what the store attendant told me.
Her eyes widened.

"Mia- It's not everyday you get a ball gown for free!" She tapped me on the forehead. I nodded, reluctantly.
I skimmed around the racks until I came across the most beautiful dress I've ever seen. I grabbed it off the rack and went straight for the dressing room.

But something was nagging at me.
Nothing is ever free.