C2 Kristine

Tomorrow seemed like forever away. Kristine was glowing with anticipation to meet her new friend. Michelo. That was her new friends name. She whispered it to herself to remember it every step of the way home. Something was different about him, this much she knew. He didn't seem like a regular boy. She didn't mind either way. She had made a new friend and couldn't wait to tell her mom about him. Her dad, well, that was a different story. He forbade her from doing anything on her own, always afraid.

As she trudged back to her fathers voice, something caught her eye. It was fast, alarmingly fast. Quickly she picked up her strides. She was so close to the border of her territory, she could feel it. Continuing to move as quick as her little legs could carry her, the mysterious figure was gaining on her, and quickly. It was only a matter of time before it caught up to her. Panicked, she ran. She ran as fast as she could.

"Kristine! Where the hell are you?"

"Daddy! I'm here, I'm right here!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. She had finally crossed the border, but the figure was still chasing her. Closer and closer, every second she tried to speed up, the closer it got to her. Fear coursed through her veins. Willing her little legs to move as quickly as possible, she saw a figure she couldn't be more excited to see in that very moment.

"Daddy! Something's chasing me! Help!" She cried. Her father and a few of his men sprinted towards her as quickly as possible. The mysterious figure grasped at her. She felt the brush of its fingers across her arm. An arrow quickly passed by her face, hitting the mysterious figure in the thigh. It released a tremendous scream, forcing Kristine to fall forward, bracing herself on her knees and skidding to a stop across the roots and twigs sticking up from the ground. The pain from her now bleeding knees was nothing compared to the fear she felt spread through her body. Terrified, she kneeled there, shaking to her very core. More arrows flew by her, the force of the wind tossing her hair behind her shoulders.

Before she could comprehend what was happening next, her father rushed to her side, scooping her in his arms and running towards the castle. She snuggled into his warm chest, praying that the screams that mysterious figure released would soon leave her mind. Her father, holding her closely, mumbled curses under his breath. She didn't honestly care how much trouble she was in or was going to be in. She was just grateful to be in her fathers arms and close to the safety of her home. Nothing could ever compare to the fear she was feeling at this very moment. She was home. She was safely at home.

"Kristine! Where the hell have you been? You could have been killed! What were you thinking?" Her fathers voice dripping with fear, exhaustion and anger. He put her on her feet, checking her all over for any marks that she may have gotten. Kristine kept her head down, fearful of her father's temper. When he was done looking her over, he pulled her into his arms.

"I was so worried about you. What were you doing?" He pulled her away from him, lifting her chin so she was face to face with him. She looked into his eyes. Fear, compassion, anger, and love swirled through them, their direct attention on her.

"I'm sorry, daddy. I went exploring." Kristine stiffened her stance, straightening her back up and smiling told him of her adventure. She told him of the little pond she had found, how she had fallen into the water and a young man showed up, the new friend she made, and of her travels back home. She knew she wasn't allowed to wander off alone, but she couldn't help it. There were so many wonders out past the tree lines; knowing that, there was nothing stopping her from exploring them.

Her father sighed, hugged her again and kissed the top of her head. "You are just like me and your mother when we were young. Alright, if you're going to wonder off on your own, then I think it's time to teach you the ways of the Hunter." He stood up straight, brushed off his vest and held his hand out for her to take.

Kristine's heart pounded in her ears. Did she hear him right? She was going to be trained? Joy, excitement and fear for what lied ahead coursed through her veins. Standing up, she grabbed a hold of his hand and started to walk towards the castle. Tomorrow, her training would start and she would meet her new friend again.