Devin was right. Why was he always right?
Kal stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Her eyes were red, and they wouldn't change back. The movie Cherry'd picked was pretty deserted. Even in the back, six rows away from the nearest other people, Kal couldn't focus. It didn't help that the chosen movie was a horror film based on an older console game.
So here Kal was, washing her face in the bathroom, trying not to think about blood. It was supposed to be a fun night out, something to distract from everything bad that had happened recently. She didn't want to give Cherry a reason to be afraid. She didn't want her to have to lose anyone else.
I only agreed to come here to help take her mind off things.
The bathroom door opened and closed. Kal held her breath as she dried her face on a small paper towel. The other person's steps were oddly quiet. The hair on the back of Kal's neck stood on end. The air was electric. Danger.
Kal dropped the towel and looked up. Their eyes met. The woman was about Kal's age, with dark black hair pulled back into a tight braid. Her grey eyes contained no emotion as she slashed with a small dagger; this was purely business.
"Whoa! I don't know what you think I did, but I didn't." Kal jumped back. She didn't move fast enough; the blade cut into her shoulder. It caused her to stumble back into the far wall of the bathroom, her blood staining the tiles. She needed to get out of here. Lead the woman away from Cherry. The woman was blocking the door.
Kal backed into the stall behind her, trying to lure the girl away from the exit. She couldn't hear footsteps, but she could see the woman's shadow approaching from under the divider. Kal waited until the hunter was in front of the door. Then she jumped into the next stall and threw the door open.
The woman didn't lose balance, giving Kal enough time to escape the bathroom. She ran as fast as possible through the lobby, out the entrance, and into the parking lot. The hunter was behind her, somehow able to keep up.
How can a human be so fast?
Kal jumped between two cars. Her shoulder hadn't stopped bleeding. This was bad; she couldn't fight, could barely lift her arm. While the hunter had a weapon, there was no way to get close enough. She was trying desperately to think of a way to get the dagger away from the woman without being cut again.
The hunter was still right behind her. Kal felt the blade cut the air next to her, barely able to dodge slightly. It still caught her across the hip. She stumbled, falling into the car beside her. The hunter was so close. Kal tried to get up, but her feet kept slipping on the rocky ground.
There was this strange crackling noise. Someone else was here. The hunter shifted her weight; her expression seemed annoyed. Then, suddenly, she ran, disappearing into the distance. As quiet as when she'd appeared.
Why am I not healing?
Kal leaned back into the jeep behind her. So tired. She closed her eyes. If she could rest for a minute, then she'd be okay. She thought she heard someone calling her name. Opening her eyes, she saw Cherry looking at her.
"What the hell?" Cherry asked.
"She…attacked…" Kal said. It was painful to talk.
"Yeah. I saw that part. I think I chased her off. I mean, why?" Cherry knelt to get a better look. There was a lot of blood.
"Dun…no…" Kal coughed.
"Here, let me help you into the jeep. I'll get you to a hospital."
"No. Bad." Kal pushed her away.
"Oh, right. I'll get you home?" Cherry helped her into the passenger seat, pulling the buckle into place. She grabbed a handful of napkins from the center console and pressed them into the wound on Kal's side, forcing the other girl's hands over them.
"Hold those there. The other injury doesn't look as deep. Hang on, okay?" She sounded panicked.
Kal heard the jeep rumble to life, gently backing out of the parking spot. Somewhere along the way, she blacked out; they'd already arrived when she came to. Someone was with Cherry helping her up the stairs. Their hands felt warm. Voices were talking in whispers, but she didn't understand the words.
Everything was dark again.
---
Kal wasn't sure how much time had passed. There was light coming through the windows downstairs. It must have been some time the following day when she woke. She could hear the faint protests of the couch as someone shifted their weight.
When Kal sat up, pain shot through her side and her shoulder. Pulling up her shirt, she saw several sets of neat stitches closing the wound from last night. At least I'm not bleeding anymore.
"Try not to move too much. It should heal, but a bit slower than you're used to." Devin said.
Kal hadn't noticed him sitting next to her on the bed. How long had he been there?
"Looks like you had a rough night." He said.
"That's an understatement," she leaned back into the pillows. When she closed her eyes, she could still see the dark-haired woman's face, her emotionless eyes.
"Your friend told me what happened. I ran into her outside your door." He said.
He's checking in on me. That's kinda nice. Or he doesn't trust me. That's more likely. "The stitches?"
"Your brother." He replied.
Kal winced. What if I'd woken up? It seemed stupid to get him involved.
"I convinced him to go home, but she refused to leave. She's sleeping downstairs." Devin pointed toward the living room.
"So that's who's on the couch." Of course, Cherry wouldn't have left. Not without knowing she was okay.
"You should eat something." He disappeared downstairs, returning a few seconds later with a can from the fridge. She accepted it gratefully and took a sip. It was cold, but she drank it without pause. She felt a little better.
"I didn't think she was still in town," Devin said. It was almost as if he were talking to himself or thinking out loud.
"Wait? You know that psycho?"
"Somewhat. We normally avoid each other. I tend to keep to myself." He replied.
"Of course you do." Kal felt numb. Why hadn't he warned me? Even if she wasn't in town, I should at least know something like that is out there. "What is she? There's no way she's human."
"She's human, like your friend. Only," He paused, searching for the right way to phrase it. Finally, he added. "She hunts things that hunt humans."
Great, just what I need. Someone else who wants to kill me. Kal curled up under the covers, pulling a pillow over her head. Maybe if she just stayed in bed, she would be safe.
"So did you?" Devin turned to look at her.
"Did I what?" She dropped the pillow and stared at the ceiling. She was annoyed he even had to ask.
"Hunt."
"No, not tonight. She attacked out of nowhere." She hated to think what would have happened if Cherry hadn't found them. If she hadn't chased the hunter off.