Hunter

So, she was new here. And scared, but she wouldn't admit it. Hunter lifted her head a bit higher, her eyes looking at the world head on. She would not be intimidated. She would not back down. She took a deep breath, and stepped onto the bridge. Her hand was light as she lightly dragged it across the boards. She stopped near the center, leaning against the railing to stare down at the water below. Her blue and silver eyes were seeking out something, but what she didn't know.

A fog began to settle around her, hugging her in its midst as if trying to comfort her lost soul. As if she was seeking shelter. She scowled at that. The young teen didn't need comfort, she didn't need anybody. Do you hear that world? I don't need no one. She thought silently. She had tried getting a job, but no one wanted a tiny young girl working with them, especially one who looked as if she was always up to no good. Which, she normally wasn't doing anything good nor bad. She was just another kid, just another lost soul in this big world. She felt a tear run down her cheek and fall to the water below. Okay, so maybe she did want comfort, maybe she did want a home. Maybe she did want a place to belong. She wouldn't let anyone know that though, no indeed. For the Hunter she present to the world was cold, emotionless and silent. The real Hunter was warm, gentle and loved being with smaller children. And animals, ah yes she loved animals. She thought painfully about her chocolate lab that she had had to release into the wild. A decent amount of money was in the bank now that she had sold her truck, and her only other means of transportation had been a horse but she had sold Storm as well. It doesn't matter. I don't care. She said to herself. But she did. Oh, she really really did. Those two creatures had been the only thing she had left. Her mom was dead. Her dad was always to drugged up to care or want anything to do with his daughter. So, she had been shoved into a foster home. Ran away. Another foster home. Ran away. Now, she was hiding from everyone and everything. She wanted nothing to do with cops, nothing to do with people. Well, actually human companionship would be nice. If she could get it somewhere. It'd be great. She sighed softly. Would anyone want to be her friend though?

Flames to Dust
Lovers to fighters
Why do all good things come to an end?

Zach, Samanatha, Conner, & Tiger

In the distance, four figures began to emerge from the thickening fog. The setting sun did little to pierce the thick vapor in the air, and lit the four up only enough to reveal that three were people, and one was a canine.

As the group moved along from the east side of the bridge, their forms began to take on more shape distinction. Closer they came to Hunter, until their faces were now visible. The tallest of the three was an older teen, who's jet-black hair stuck out just a bit from the grey hoodie cover in his head. Fierce blue eyes were striking set against his pale face, and prominent cheek bones.

Beside him were two younger teens, both of which were similiar gray hoodies. One was a girl, who's pale blonde hair hung stringy and ragged where it fell out from the hoodie. Her face was peppered with equally pale freckles.

The other teen was a boy, with brown hair and soft brown eyes. And by the way he and the girl held hands, it was apparent they were a 'thing'.

The forth figure could now be seen as a wolfish canine with a bit of dark gray on his head and rump, with the rest of his body being white. His yellow eyes were definitely those of a wolf, but he looked to have some dog in him as well. A muzzle covered up a deep scar and crushed-in area of the canine's nose, from a past fight, and kept the wild-looking hybrid from biting anyone.

Handing the hybrid's leash to a nervous Conner, the older teen was first to speak with Hunter, "Well, what do we have here? You look to be all alone out here. Don't you know this is the CrypticSilver's turf?" Zach asked, with a devious grin.

Conner and Samantha closed in around Hunter, though niehter seemed quite as intense as Zach. Snarling quietly, Tiger tried to pull away from Conner a few times, but after getting a sharp kick in the side, he stopped. Thin and beaten, Tiger knew fighting them was pointless.

Hunter

Her eyes lifted to see another standing near. To near. Her now dyed blonde hair shaped her face, giving her the look of an angel. To bad her expression wasn't serene and calm. Indeed, her expression was cold, emotionless. Don't see your name anywhere, kid. He was probably older then her, but she herself could pass for twenty with the right make up. To bad she wasn't wearing any. She leaned against the railing, her arms folding over her stomach. Her own hoodie was black, with skulls on it and a pair of dark colored jeans clung to her like a second skin. She looked comfortable, at peace but always alert. She didn't even pay attention to the dog, she knew he offered no harm to her yet. Even if it is, wouldn't stop me. Guess you just have to deal with me being here, hot shot. Now, leave me in peace. I got better things to do then worry about the likes of you. She turned back around, as if dismissing them. They were of no use to her.

Zach, Samanatha, Conner, & Tiger

"Ooo, did you hear that guys?" Zach exclaimed with a laugh as he looked at the other two, "We've got a fiesty lass on our land!" The older teen reached out suddenly to grab Hunter by the shoulder as he tried to spin her back around to face him. "You'll learn soon enough who's boss around these parts, now face me when I talk to you!"

The canine seemed to be reguard all the teens as if they could spring at him at any moment and beat him. He glared heatedly at them before something in the distance caught his attention. Tall ears perked up as he heard the howl of a familiar voice. With an urgent whine, he plunged at the end of the leash and nearly pulled Conner off balance, "Dammit, Tiger! NO!" The younger kid shouted, kicking the hybrid a few times until he stopped trying to pull away.

Samantha quickly circled around to the other side of Hunter, ignoring her boyfriend's trouble with Tiger, "Don't worry, we'll 'deal' with you, honey."

Hunter

She knew it was coming. She felt the placement of a hand on her shoulder, and about that time she whirled around, knife in hand. She pressed it to Zachs throat, her eyes aflame. Don't touch me. She moved the knife, just a small shift of movement to get her point across. I'll deal with the three of you before you could even scream children. For the first time her eyes drifted to Conner and as he began kicking Tiger, she suddenly threw the knife at him. Her aim wasn't to kill, no indeed just aiming for his arm. The only time she didn't hit her target was when she wasn't in control. She was VERY much in control right now and she wanted to keep it that way.

Zach, Samanatha, Conner, & Tiger

Zach flinched and drew back slightly, but froze when the blade pressed against his throat. Despite a sudden surge of fear and adrenhaline, this wasn't the first time - nor the last - that his life had been threatened. "Alright, sassafrass." He replied, holding his hands up in a neutral position, speaking cool and calm to keep the situation from getting worse. Before the older teen could react, Hunter tossed the weapon.

A yelping cry wrung out as Conner sprung back like he had been shot. Dropping the leash, he groped at his arm, where the first inch of the knife had pierced into his arm. Luckily for him, it had only hit muscle, and missed bone and vital bloodways. Still, it hurt like hell and the sight of blood seeping through his shirt didn't help to calm his nerves.

'Tiger' didn't waste any time. With a muzzle on, he wasn't able to exact revenge on his captors. So when the opportunity presented itself and the teen dropped the leash, the hybrid bolted. He carried a horrible limp from previous beatings, but he still ran quick.

Samantha screeched as if she were the one to get stabbed. She ran to her boyfriend while screaming hysterically at Hunter about being a crazy this and that... while trying at the same time to asses Conner's wound and pull the blade out.

During all this comotion, Zach wasted no time trying to flip the situation. He wanted this fiesty teen in the CrypticSilver Gang, but whether that was going to happen or not, she needed to learn a lesson. Reacting like he had dozens of times in the past, the older teen snatched a pistol from his side pocket. Rather than shot at the girl, he swung the weapon for the side of her face, trying to smash the heavy metal against her skull and knock her to the ground. If he was able to do this, he'd quickly throw in a few swift kicks to the gut to keep her down until Conner and Sam could join him in the beating.

Shasta/Mouse

After Mouse broke free of his master's grip, he raced to the group that was invading 'his' territory. The Saluki growled and snapped as a warning.

Shasta ran after her dog, ignoring the possible danger. She grabbed Mouse's collar, trying to get him under control. She looked at the group. "Sorry...my dog's just...crazy." She said timidly. She had to pick Mouse up to keep him from attacking, knowing that he would never attack her. But there was nothing between him and the teens. He was a fierce canine, and he knew it. He was about to prove it, too. He reached out and snapped at Zach, seeing that he looked like the "alpha" of this "pack." Shasta fell to the ground as Mouse fought. "Mouse! STOP IT!" She exclaimed, holding the dog's collar. She put her right arm around his neck, restraining him as best as she could. Finally, fear overwhelmed the young woman. "Please don't kill me or my dog!" She cried, rising to her feet and still holing Mouse. She had a fear of gangsters for no reason in particular.

Hunter

Hunter smirked as her aim hit, and was about to turn back to Zach when suddenly she was hit in the face. Stunned, she hit her knees her eyes watering but she wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of her tears. Shasta provided the perfect distraction for her though, and she thanked God for that. She leapt up as quickly as she could, her world fading in and out and made an attempt at tackling Zach and giving Shasta time to run. Go! She hissed to the other girl.

Shasta/Mouse

Shasta nodded and began to try to lure Mouse away with treats and soft words. But she looked back at Zach and sneered. "If Mouse escapes from me again and eats you, I won't be sorry." She said, finding courage. "If I were you, I would be wise and leave the girl alone. Before I sick my dog on you!"

Mouse growled and put all his strength in staying where he was and putting the gangsters in their place. If they wanted to live, they would have to submit to him. He was top dog here. If he was in Shasta's grip, the cruel humans were safe. But Shasta couldn't hold on forever. Mouse pulled and pulled, almost strangling himself.

Zach, Samanatha & Conner

Sparing a moment to look to Shasta, Zach spat out a harsh warning, "If that mutt gets any closer, it'll get a nice bullet in the head!" As he turned back to give Hunter a kick, he was surprised to see her lunging at him. Hardly thinking, the black-haired teen directed his gun at the girl and fired a shot just as she tackled him. With a fierce yell, he swung his fist for her head, while rolling quickly to the side to throw her off...

Conner screamed as the knife was pulled from his arm. A torent of blood came seeping from his arm; at least, that's what it seemed like to him. It was far from a fatal wound, but by the way the kid's face was turning pale, it looked like was about to die. In reality, he was on the verge of passing out. As tough as he tried to be, Conner wasn't really cut out to be a hard-core gang member. Not quiet yet, anyway.

Samantha whirled around, eyes flaring at the sight of Shasta, "If i were you, I'd get out of here before you wind up dead!" The teen yelled, waving the bloodied knife in the air. By the wild light in her eyes and the furious look on her pale features, it didn't look like she was bluffing one bit.

Ryan J. Sohmers

He was on his last patrol of the night, and had just found a homeless child when the sound of fighting could be heard in the other end of the bridge. While he was reluctant to leave Ellie on her own, Ryan couldn't ignore the sudden gunshot and the screaming that was now filling the air. After instructing the homeless girl to get into his squad car, the young officer jogged across the length of the bridge, eyes trying to scythe through the thick fog that enveloped the place.

About three quarters of the way across the bridge, he saw the group fighting. "Hey! Break it up, right now!" He shouted, pulling out his own gun as a precaution as he moved in closer to the quarreling group. "Drop your weapons and back away from each other!" He demanded harshly, his heart racing as he spotted the gray hoodies. Oh great, the CrypticSilver Gang...

Shasta/Mouse

Shasta glared at Samantha. "Maybe you should shut up." She hissed. "Like you could kill me...Listen, little girl, I'm not a baby like you. I'm stronger, braver, and all around better. If I were you, I'd shut it." A grin grew upon her face as she hid her fear. She looked at Zach. "You think you could take on my dog? You've got your wish. Mouse! Go!" She exclaimed, letting go of her dog's collar.

Mouse rushed forward, snarling like a rabid beast. He lunged at Zach, mouth wide open. He completely ignored the officer, seeing that he was doing no harm. To him, Shasta and the officer were the good guys.

Hunter

She felt a searing pain, so sharp in her arm as Zach fired his gun. As she was thrown off of him, she landed hard on her side, but this time she couldn't get up. Not again. She heard a voice, but only dimly and she made an attempt to do as he said. She trembled, her hands shaking and her eyes slightly glazed but slowly she stood. Leaning heavily on the railing, she took a deep breath and let it out. Great. Cops.

Ryan, Zach, Samanatha & Conner

"You think you're some hot-shot? I'll teach you a lesson!" Samantha retorted, suddenly rushing at Shasta with the blade held poised to stab the girl in the chest.

"Wait, m'am, hey!" Ryan shouted out, first speaking to Shasta as she released her dog. "Control your dog! Call him off... you, sit down!" He glanced briefly at Conner, who was about to tag along after Sam. Instantly, the younger teen sat down.

As Samantha lunged for the other girl, Officer Sohmers leaped just as quickly and caught her by the wrist. With a furious yell, she turned on him and began to punch and kick the man. After wrestling the weapon from her grasp, he twisted her arm back and mananged to pin her to the gorund, "Stop resisting, m'am- oofh" A foot to the gut made Ryan double over, but he eventually had Samantha pinned to the ground with hand cuffs on.

As Sam and Ryan were struggling, Zach was just picking himself up. But before he got far, a set of gaping fangs were headed his way. "Oh, shi-" The teen had just enough time to put his arm up as those jaws closed around his flesh. With a pained cry, he worked quickly to save himself from further injury. As he had with Hunter, Zach swung his pistol down, trying to smash the end of it against the dog's skull and stun him.

With Conner and Hunter obliging his commands, and Samantha under control, Ryan turned to the other two, "Call your dog of! Sir, drop your weapon!" As he waited for them to comply, he pulled out his reciever, "This is Officer Sohmers, requesting back up at the west end of Carver's Bridge. I need medical assistance, for two... three victims." He stated, seeing Zach getting tagged on the arm.

Shasta/Mouse

Shasta seemed to hiss as Samantha rushed for her. She then looked at Ryan as he gave her a command. "Mouse! Come!" She exclaimed, running to the Saluki. But she was too late. The gun came down on Mouse's head with great force. He yelped and fell to the ground, but quickly got up and attempted to attack again.

But before he could do so, Shasta put her right arm around Mouse's neck, and her left around his belly, pulling him away. "If you touch my dog again he'll tear you to pieces." She believed that Mouse was capable of killing, and Mouse did too. He was a hunter, fast and strong enough to bring down a large antelope.

Hunter

As Ryan turned around, Hunter saw her chance. Silently she stepped back, one, two three steps and would halt each time he looked at her. She wasn't sticking around, no indeed. She had to go, as fast and far as she could. Her steps were soft, so very gentle. Suddenly, Hunter turned and took off at a run. She prayed her vision would quit failing her, she could hardly see and her movements felt sluggish to her normally fit body, but she pressed on. Ryan could easily out run her, he was taller and probably used to chasing down people. She was only used to running when the time suited her.

Ryan, Zach, Samanatha & Conner

A side glance was thrown to Hunter before he looked back to Zach, "Put the weapon DOWN!" Now Ryan has his own gun drawn, held in two hands as he pointed it squarely at the teen. He knew how dangerous this individual could be, and wasn't going to take things easy right now.

Zach remained still for a moment, a cocky grin on his pale face despite the pain he had just gone through. After a moment of thought, he eased down and dropped the gun. "Happy now, Ryan? I'll give you a choice; either you can help the..."

"Shut up, get on your knees, and put your hands behind your back!" Ryan ordered, cutting Zach off as he took a few steps closer to the teen. But Zach went right on with talk.

"...the teen who's about to run away, and has a bullet in her. Or leave her suffer and try to catch one of us!" With a suddenly look to Conner and Sam, Zach bolted. He was definitely use to running, wether it be after enemies, victims, or away from cops. In a few quick strides, he had gotten caught up with Hunter. "Should have taken our side, Sweetie." He hissed sinisterly as he gave her a violet shove, trying to push her over the bridge as he went by.

Samantha had gotten the message. Just before Ryan was going to take chase, she manuevered herself about and kicked her legs, tripping the officer in mid-stride. Conner snapped back to his senses and scrambled to help his cuffed girlfriend to her feet. As Ryan was picking himself up, the two dashed over and snatched up both the knife of Hunter's, and the pistol of Zach's. And then they were off, fleeing into the night.

Cussing under his breath, Ryan got to his feet, yelling for them to stop. As he began to chase after the three, he glanced briefly to Shasta, "Stay here!" And then he was off, rushing down the bridge after the gang. Only, he didn't get far before he saw Zach bypass Hunter and give the girl a violent shove. "ZACH!" He yelled out furiously, but changed his course for Hunter now, rushing to try and catch her before she might fall...

Hunter

She heard them coming, how could she not. She was on the bridge, had no where to go. She put all her energy into her sprint, but Zach was faster. She felt the shove, felt herself falling. She knew the best thing to do, curl up and just roll. Then a hand snatched her wrist and she stopped. Long blonde hair framing her face, she felt tears fill her eyes. He was going to send her back. Back to the bad place, back to the people.

"I'm sorry Hunter, but we have to move you to a new family. This one says your not.....That your not the kind of teenage daughter they want." The office was crowded. She hated its feeling, how claustraphobic she felt. "You mean I'm not right. That I'm not perfect. Well then who the Hell is?! TELL ME! Tell me what I can do to make it all better!" She hated the look in her social workers eyes. Pity. Sympathy. Deep inside, Hunter felt apart of herself die. The fire, that once flamed was now just an ember. "I'm sorry Hunter."

Hunter had bolted. No one could have caught her then, she wasn't dizzy. She wasn't sick. She was just....Angry. Now Hunter fought to find that anger, but all she felt was a pain in her that just wouldn't go away. She tried to jerk from Ryans grasp, her eyes frantic. I'm sorry! I won't do anything again, I promise I didn't do anything. Please, let me go. Don't take me back. In a soft whisper she said I don't want to go back. She was trembling, and with each jerk to free her arm it sent pain shooting through her entire system. Why do all good things come to an end? She thought silently to herself.

Ryan J. Sohmers

He quickly grabbed her shoulder, trying to hold her still and keep her from fighting against his grasp, "Woah, calm down, I just need to talk with you!" Ryan tried to explain, focusing on the injured teen while he was forced to let the other three escape. "You're not in any trouble yet, I just need to find out what started this fight!" He assured next, thinking she was talking about going to jail, "And you need to have your arm check out; an ambulance is on the way." He could see turmoil in her eyes, a pain that was more than just the physical agony of her wounded arm. Something else obviously troubled this young girl. With a younger sibling of his own, Ryan always felt a soft spot for the young, and couldn't help but wonder why bothered Hunter.

Hunter

She wouldn't cry. No, she wouldn't give Ryan that satisfaction either. I can take care of it, please let me go. But her struggles had stopped, and she stood trembling. The skies opened, and rain fell upon them. Soon, Hunters hair was plastered to her face and made her look so much younger, so much more vulnerable and worn. She made no more noise, no sound of pain. Blood was streaming down her black hoodie, mixing with the rain. Don't make this any harder on yourself, Hunter. A voice from the past, and she closed her eyes against it. No more. Her eyes lifted to Ryans, wary but tired. So very tired.

Ryan J. Sohmers

Ah, great... The young man thought, as droplets of rain began to pelt him. Straining to hear, the sound of sirens couldn't be detected in the distance. Where the hell was the ambulance he had requested? Well, he couldn't just stand out here in the rain and wait forever... Ellie! He had almost forgotten about her.

"M'am, I can't just let you go with this injury...." Squinting against the growing rain, he looked to Shasta, "It's best if you went home now. And kept your dog under control." As much as he liked to see Zach getting what he deserved, Ryan knew he had to uphold the law. For Shasta's sake, he wouldn't charge her with anything; besides, she could easily claim it was self defense, and Ryan wasn't about to argue against her.

Back to Hunter, Ryan spoke again, "I tell you what, come with me and I'll take you to the hospital. At least get your arm checked out, ok?" Taking a risk, he let go of the teen, and took a step back.

Hunter

She was silent and still, so very still. Hunter looked like an angelic ghost, with her blonde hair and soft features but her pale skin was beyond white, and she knew it. Once her arm was released, she stepped back three steps, out of reaching distance. She didn't like being touched, not after the bad things had happened. I can't pay for it. Her voice was flat, but none the less calm and very soothing. She had been a good kid at one point in time, but what had gone wrong? She could pay to have the bullet removed, she knew she could but that was less money that she had. Until she had a job, she wanted to keep as much as she could. Come on, Hunter. Walk on the wild side. Jareds voice had her scowling, but she said nothing and looked at the ground. You have others to take care of, sir. They're more important then a teenage punk with no past or future. Why don't you just go save someone else? She was trying to put a bite of anger in her voice, but she couldn't. It wasn't his fault.

Ryan J. Sohmers

The officer almost stepped forward when she stepped back, but figured that would only drive her off for sure, "Don't worry about paying for that, I'll handle it." Speaking before thinking, Ryan almost regretted those words. Damn gambling debts... his one vice, but it was a big one and he struggled for money now and then. Well, he couldn't take back his offer now. "Just let me take you to the hospital, and get your arm checked out. After that... you're free to go." Ryan promised, although he was try to pry some information out of her anyway, if she agreed to go with him. For starters, where her parents were. But by the way she acted and talked of having little money, he wondered if she were homeless as well.

Hunter

Indecision was in her eyes. Go with and risk him finding out who she was? Or go 'home' and dig it out with her - SHIT! Zach took her knife. A look of fury crossed her face and she raised her arms in the air in exasperation. That bastard stole my knife! She turned her back to Ryan and stomped away a couple steps then came back. No, she couldn't risk him catching her and saying she had tried to run from the law. Fine. I'll go to the hospital, but after that, I leave. I'll owe you one, one Hotshot. After that, me and you got no ties, and we go back to pretending we don't know one another, okay? She tried sounding as if she was from here, all tough and stuff but now and again a faint irish accent would enter her voice. No, she wasn't from here.

Ryan J. Sohmers

Dark eyebrows lifted in surprise as he listened to her words and saw the change in her attitude, but something else troubled him. If she were the stuborn type, and he was willing to bet that was the case, then she'd be after Zach in no time to get her knife back. He might as well get her in the car before he brought up that subject, or risk loosing her. "Fine by me, it's a deal." He began to head towards the squad car, but offered a glance to the teen, "My name's Ryan, by the way..." At that he trailed off, hoping she'd offer her name in return.

Hunter

As he offered his deal, she was quiet. Then his name came up. Biting her lower lip, she thought hard. Shadow. Everyone calls me Shadow. Her hands were jammed in her front pockets, and her eyes on the ground as she made her way towards the squad car. In all honesty? Her greatest fear was hospitals. They'd have to make it quick, or they'd have a terified and potentially dangerous teen on their hands.

Shasta/Mouse

Shasta nodded as the officer spoke, running the way she came. Mouse growled and snarled, but followed his owner. He had nothing to do here now that his enemies were gone.

Ryan J. Sohmers

As he trudged back towards the car, he gave a slightly nod, "Shadow, is it? I'll give you a fair bit of advice; stay away from the kids that wear the gray hoodies. They're no good. But..." He stole a glance at her arm, "...you already know that." Reaching the car, Ryan opened the door to the backseat. There was another young teen already in the car, with her pet hampster.

"There has been a little change of plans, but don't worry." Ryan said, speaking to Ellie before moving aside to let Hunter in. When she was in, Ryan got into the front seat and picked up his reciever. Calling off the ambulance, he put an alert out for the three CrypticSilver Gang members. Then he drove to the Hospital.