Chapter 7

Werewolf Hunters

Ava was only thinking about how she could run without attracting their attention after watching them for almost an hour, the men had finally vanished from view. She moved slowly and looked around to make sure no one was nearby before coming out from her hiding spot.

Once she was sure, she hurriedly packed her belongings and resumed her journey, Even though she was exhausted, she couldn’t afford to relax just not until she was certain of her safety.

As night drew near, Ava still hadn't found a comfortable place to spend the night. She chose to take a short break because her legs were starting to hurt. She took a seat under a little shade tree and stayed there for some time.

After a while, she decided to take a quick nap. but not long after, she heard footsteps coming from different directions . She glanced about, but saw no one. It was almost to nightfall, making it difficult to see moving figures.

She was in too much of a hurry to find out who or what it was. She hastily packed her belongings, and the moment she entered the wide field, a thick, metal chain dropped upon her. She tried to struggle free, but nothing she did was working.

“Why am I unable to cut myself free ? I should be able to escape this chain even if I’m not strong enough to do so right now” Ava thought to herself as she tried in vain to free herself from the chains, her body beginning was already weak due to the chains apparent physical effects. If the chains had been normal, she ought to have been able to free herself, but this was abnormal in every way.

“No! It’s a silver chain” Ava saw a clear glimpse of the chain and knew she was doomed. To her species, silver was akin to poison; it could destroy any werewolf and could take a werewolf down with a single silver bullet. The sound of footsteps in front of her interrupted her thoughts.

"Well, well, well, look what we have right here, " A tall, unclean-looking hunter with a false golden tooth spoke first, his face plastered with a smile. It would be hard to get away from them, Ava realized as she looked around and saw that there were six of them.

“Please let me go” Ava tried pleading

“Why would a werewolf hunter let go of his prey?” He grabbed her hair violently in response. Ava screamed in pain, feeling as though her hair was being pulled out of her head.

“Boss, we caught a good one this time” another voice said

“We sure did, let’s take her back” he replied letting go of Ava’s hair.

“Get up” .He ordered and Ava obeyed and stood up , one of the hunters violently took the chain off her, she was in pain no doubt about that and had bruises all over her body; she just wanted to cry. Now that her right shoulder was completely wrapped in chain, the pain was killing her.

Ava was taken back to their camp and placed in a cage that was still secured with silver chains. She was shaking with anxiety already. Growing up, she heard horrific stories about werewolves being hunted by wolf hunters. She was certain that whatever they planned to do to her, it wouldn’t end well. They might sell her for money, skin her alive for her fur and skin, or maybe just murder her.

The light from the burning wood was the only source of light as it was almost midnight. The men were eating and drinking like barbarians, laughing and talking among themselves. They spoke about what they were going to do to her as soon as the daybreak.

A couple of hours later

The firelight was already out. The surroundings were peaceful but the air was very cold. The night owls were crying somewhere around the tress. Ava was unable to fall asleep, but how could she when as soon as day break she would already be as good as dead. But on the other hand, the men were sleeping soundly inside their tents.

“Perhaps this marks the end of my journey; perhaps I will never be able to achieve the freedom I long for in this life, and perhaps I will only be completely free when i finally leave this world.” Ava thought to herself as she let out a heavy sigh, she gave up on her faith and closed her eyes, allowing tears to run down her cheek.

A few minutes later, she began to hear the sound of footsteps close to her cage and before she knew what was happening, the door of the cage flew open.

“Who’s there? She whispered looking around trying to see who was there but got no reply.

Looking over her opened cage she was hesitant to escape her prison. She didn’t know if someone was trying to help her escape or maybe It might just be another trap. She sniffed around trying to get the person scent, but she couldn’t smell them plus it was still dark to see who it was but she was sure that she felt someone’s presence.

Before Ava could think of anything else, she suddenly heard a strange voice,

“Run” The presence she had sensed before disappeared as soon as a voice spoke.

She would definitely find time to thank whoever or whatever had freed her later, but for now, she had to get away quickly. At once she was on her heels, running as fast as her legs could carry her.

The night was gradually giving way to full sunshine as morning approached. Ava was running barefoot and was already tired but she couldn't stop.

As soon as she was sure she had reached a safe distance, she stopped to rest and take a moment to regain her strength.

"There she is, catch her at once." A voice called from a distance .

How did they find me? Ava muttered under her breath “I can’t let them catch me again” she thought as she continued running, her injuries made it difficult for her to keep moving, as the voices were getting louder she was unable to move much faster.

Ava arrived reached the edge of the mountains top. She was standing over a massive waterfall and was unable to move forward for fear of drowning.

The only possible option now was to go back. As soon as she turned, she came face to face with the werewolf hunters.

“How dare you make us run this far? You sure do run fast for a girl.”  A harsh voice said.

“What are we going to do to her, boss?” another questioned

“We’re going to give this bitch a lesson, I suppose.” He grinned. “Take her.” The men started to approach Ava as he gave the order.

Ava continued to slowly move backyard until she got to the brink, she knew that there was no way out for her, she was already surrounded and she couldn’t swim, but still she decided to take matters into to her own hands and take the risk rather than being taken prisoner once more. She then jumped into the flowing river