Chapter 59: Hunters’ Invasion

Chapter 59: Hunters’ Invasion
We got back to town late in the afternoon. We already felt that something was wrong at the border. The warriors who usually guarded the area were gone. They are the ones who checks every car or vehicle that past through the territory of Elwood.

“This doesn’t feel right,” I said quietly, glancing at the empty checkpoint. “There should be at least four warriors here.”

Aslan was surprised. His eyes flicked toward the sides of the road, scanning the familiar structures that now felt oddly abandoned. “They never leave the border unattended,” he muttered, more to himself than to me. “Not unless something serious happened.”

We continued driving home to town but as we got closer to the center, we really felt the change in the atmosphere. The air was heavy and tense.

“Do you feel that?” I asked.

“Yes,” Aslan answered shortly. “Everyone does.”

It was far from the quiet town when we left. Something must have happened when we were gone.

We arrived downtown. There were hardly any people outside. Some of the people we passed were hurrying to get into their homes or shops. Their faces were anxious, their moves rigid and careful.

“Why is everyone rushing?” I asked. “It’s like they’re afraid to be seen.”

“They are afraid,” Aslan replied. “They wouldn’t act like this otherwise.”

We passed one of the warriors. He was going to the town’s gymnasium. Our car stopped. The warrior immediately recognized who owned it. He stopped immediately, straightened his posture, and bowed the moment the door opened. When he saw Aslan, his eyes widened slightly.

“Alpha,” he said, bowing deeper.

“What’s going on here?” Aslan asked. “Where are the warriors guarding the town?”

“Alpha,” he hesitated, shifting his weight from one foot to another. His voice lowered. “I… I’m not sure how to explain it properly.”

“Explain it anyway,” Aslan said firmly.

“Most of the warriors guarding the borders are injured,” the man finally said. “They were moved here for treatment.”

“Injured how?” Aslan pressed.

“There was an attack,” the warrior admitted. “It happened fast.”

Aslan’s jaw tightened. “Someone got into town.”

“Yes, Alpha,” the warrior replied. “They did.”

Aslan didn’t say anything more. He nodded once, signaling the warrior to move along, then started the car again.

Aslan drove the car quickly. I noticed how tightly he was holding the steering wheel.

“You’re gripping it too hard,” I said carefully.

He didn’t look at me. “This shouldn’t have happened.”

Only a few minutes passed and we arrived in front of the Elwood gymnasium.

“Stay here.”

“Aslan—”

“Cosette,” he cut in, finally turning to look at me. “Stay here.”

He got out of the car. The warriors in the area immediately greeted him.

“Alpha.”

“Alpha.”

He acknowledged them with a nod and entered the gym door. Warriors were going in and out. A lot of them had stains of blood in their clothing and injuries in their body.

“That’s blood,” I whispered to myself.

I couldn’t stand it. I got out of the car and followed inside the gym. Some warriors stopped me.

“Miss Cosette, it’s better if you don’t go in yet.”

“I need to talk to Aslan.”

“Miss Cosette, please—”

“But Miss Cosette—”

“I need to see him,” I insisted. “Right now.”

I passed them. I knew they couldn’t stop me completely.

When I entered, a hallway greeted me. The surroundings became quiet and slightly dark. I looked at the floor, next to my shoes were drops of blood on the floor.

“Oh my god,” I breathed.

I walked again. The only sound resonating on the hallway was my footsteps. The mixed smell of alcohol and blood enveloped the surroundings.

“This is bad,” I whispered.

I gradually heard the noises. Voices shouting frantically.

“Hold him down!”

“Careful, don’t move his arm!”

“Someone get more bandages!”

Screams of pain echoed, followed by hurried footsteps on the floor.

I stopped walking when I was at the end of the hallway. I hesitated to look behind the big door.

“I shouldn’t be here,” I told myself. “I shouldn’t see this.”

I know what I will see inside can ruin me. I grabbed the door and slowly pushed it.

I froze.

Blood.

Every body I saw in the place were stained with blood. There were injured warriors lying on the floor.

“Here, drink this.”

“Stay awake. Don’t close your eyes.”

Others were leaning against the wall, breathing heavily, faces pale. Some nurses from the local hospital of Elwood were in the area.

“We need more clean cloth!”

“His wound is too deep.”

They and the remaining warriors were treating the injured.

Out of the corners of my eyes, I saw Aslan. He was talking to Kieran.

“Kieran,” I whispered in shock.

I almost covered my mouth when I saw that even Kieran was injured. A bandage covered part of his back.

“Does it hurt?” Aslan asked him quietly.

“I’ve had worse,” Kieran replied, forcing a weak smile. “But this… this was different.”

I went to check on him but I stopped when I heard his conversation with Aslan.

“They were prepared,” Kieran said. “This wasn’t random.”

“Who did this?” Aslan asked.

Kieran’s jaw clenched. “Hunters.”

My breath caught.

“They have entered the territory,” Kieran continued. “And they won’t stop here.”

Aslan’s fists tightened. “How many?”

“Enough to be dangerous.”

I backed away. I quietly shook my head.

“No,” I whispered. “No…”

I walked away completely. My legs were shaking.

“This can’t be happening,” I told myself. “Not again.”

I got back in the car but I couldn’t calm down.

“Breathe,” I whispered. “Just breathe.”

A few minutes passed but I still couldn’t calm down. I knew Aslan wouldn’t be back anytime soon.

“He has too much to deal with,” I said quietly.

I started the car engine and started it. Some warriors tried to stop me from leaving.

“Miss Cosette, Alpha needs to know—”

“I need to go home,” I said from the open window. “Tell Aslan I’m heading to the mansion.”

“But Miss Cosette—”

“Please,” I added. “Just tell him.”

They stepped back.

I left completely.

“I need answers,” I said as I drove away. “And I won’t get them by waiting.”

I need to know the truth. If it doesn’t come from Aslan, I might as well find out using this thing.

My hand tightened around it.

“This is the only thing I know,” I whispered, “that can explain everything.”