Zion
Present Day
"Where's Casper? I asked Arwan, who had a slight irritation on his face. Most likely from the trainees he just worked with.
"Russia." He answered. "He is on his way no doubt. He should arrive by tomorrow morning, I am sure."
We settled by the campfire as the sunlight starts seeping through trees. We needed every bit of heat we can get here, so this small fire was surrounded by campers. Of course, me, Desta, Arwan and Casper do not stay at these camps long. We do not care for the rest of the Mars males. They either follow the ridiculous governmental traditions or rebel against them. We choose to lead our own life away from the problematic lives of the political.
"Why was he there?" Desta asked as he slices meat off the bone of a Twese. Its coat hanging to dry right next to him.
Arwan only laughed at Desta's question. "You know why."
Yes, we did. Casper was the more eccentric one out of the four of us. His innocent looks fooled the women and he took advantage of that. If it was not a woman in bed with him, he was in the most luxurious clothing shops. Of course, they were all made for Flairs mostly. But he did not have a care and commonly sported a corset and heeled boots. I still have no idea how that man fights in those clothes. But I do not say anything when he does wear it. He is still deadly no matter what and for that I admire him.
I stared down at my hands, snake like scales covering them. I loved how they look, dark undertones and smooth to the touch. Their pattern rigid but the colouring made them resemble a tattoo. The upper part of my chest was covered with them as well and my teeth sharp enough to rip the throat out of an enemy. Desta always tease me because of them, saying that I look like every teenage girl's vampire dream. He always bragged about how his full set is sharpened and I only have the two.
Of course, we would always retaliate by saying that my skin tone and features does not fit the criteria for a vampire. He of course jokes and says I'm racist for believing vampires are all pale and white. I usually stop the meaningless bickering there. All four of us were luckier than most when we became Mars. We have unique features but none that would be considered ugly or monstrous. I've heard of others killing themselves, disgusted by what they've become.
One thing I am glad stayed the same is my eyes. I may not remember my mother but the photo's I had of her gave me enough. We had the same eyes me and her, the left blue and the right green. A unique trait since most of my family had darker eyes.
"You need to shave your beard. You look like a hobo." Desta spoke. His mouth stuffed with food. Arwan's face contorted in disgust and rolled his eyes as he continued eating his own food.
"Says the one who's hair looks like one of the many women he takes to bed." Arwan snorted with laughter while Desta's smile fell.
"I'll cut mine if you shave off that jungle." He said unamused. Of course, I know he is lying, but a trim wouldn't hurt.
"Fine." I say as I stab a piece of meat with my knife.
"Hey wait a minute!" Desta spoke up and glared towards Arwan, of whom only glared in confusion back. "His hair is longer than mine and his is barely braided. He practically screams feminine."
"When has any bit of femininity ever bothered you Desta?" Arwan said casually and continued with his meal. I only smiled and shook my head.
A big smile appeared on Desta's face. "You're right! Which reminds me." He said as he stands looking around. "I feel like fetching some femininity at this very moment."
He left without another word while me and Arwan only shook our heads. "Careful Desta! Some of these Mars boys are more feminine than the Flairs here!" Arwan called after him.
Desta only stopped briefly, and I could see the gears turning in his head. He seemed to understand what Arwan meant, shivered, and continued his search.
"I swear that man is going come back to one of these places and find a child just like him." I said and finished my food, throwing the bones in the fire.
"Yes, well maybe that will teach him to keep it in his pants every once and a while." Arwan smiled. I slowly nodded and stared around me.
I saw an old bridge at the far end of the camp and decided to head towards it. As I reached it, I admire the beauty that it holds. Nature taking over the metal wires and concrete pathway, Half of the bridge was lost somewhere along the line it seems. Vines and trees replacing what was once its former glory. I sit down next to it with my legs dangling down the cliff, staring into nothing but fog that still lingers underneath.
I stare down at my hands once more, playing around with the rings on my fingers. A subtle wind blew around me and the few strands of my hair tickled my face. I hear footstep on my left and turned my head to see Arwan heading towards me. His face was void of emotion as he approached, settling down beside me.
"There was a situation with some of the donnas. Apparently, a group mixed of Flairs and Mars attacked them." He turned his head towards me. "Anything I should know?"
I sighed, not wanting to tell this information without Casper or Desta present. "We had one at our previous camp, except there wasn't any Mars in the group. The Flairs though resembled us."
Arwan's face contorted into confusion. "This isn't normal. I've asked if any other events have been reported but it seems that you and the donnas were the only ones with these encounters." It was now my turn to look confused.
"What are you saying? That we are being targeted?" He didn't answer me, there was no need. I looked down once again. "Well, they did seem to want to kill me. They were the least interested in Desta and the others. They were only collateral damage for them."
We sat there in silence once more until our moment of peace was ruined by Desta's loud voice.
"There you guys are! Are we going or what? My hands are itching for a hunt." He said smiling. He smacked both Arwan and me on the back and turned to leave.
"I suppose the silence was too good to be true." Arwan says and swiftly stood up, holding his hand out to me.
I only stared at him unamused. "You and I both know that if you were to help me up, we are both falling down this cliff." Arwan only laughs and shakes his head. "But thank you for the gesture."
We made our way towards the edge of the camp, where the snow starts. It's a strange phenomenon where two seasons seem to live right next door to one another. Almost as if the environment is divided into zones of different weather and temperatures. When the snow on this side melts away and gets replaced by greenery, the other side turn dry and humid. Although, very confusing and annoying. The camp is perfectly situated between a constant environment of food and water sources. If one side dies, the other is born again.
I see Desta and a few Mars standing by the forest's edge as we approach. A long-forgotten building that once held life of a previous world stood idly with its fallen bricks. The broken walls still protected us mostly from animals or unwanted weather. The sides of the few remaining walls are being held together by structures built from the surrounding woods. The need for decoration is useless since green moss takes over in the warmer seasons. Cold seasons are duller, but most days still brightened by yellow flowers climbing themselves over the walls. Veins of yellow almost frozen along with the ice. I usually refer to them as Fetu o le Taumalulu or Fetu's for short. The Stars of Winter.
My attention was brought back to the group as Desta's loud voice erupted from him. He never does know how to be subtle or quiet about anything except when it comes to hunting.
"Alright ladies! You know the rules. We hunt and you hide, it's as simple as that. When we find you, you will have the exciting opportunity to do what ever dare we give you tomorrow morning." Desta says as he rubs his hands excitedly.
"You mean if you find us." A scrawny kid said confidentially. A few of his friends snickering with him, they clearly underestimate our skills and overestimate theirs.
"I wouldn't be so sure mutt!" Arwan said as he casually sharpens his blade while staring directly into the eyes of the kid.
I swear I could smell the sudden fear from him. His dog tail is situated right between his legs and his ears dropped low. He really did not strike a lucky bargain with looks. His features a mixture of an ugly street dog rather than purebred. I only smiled and shook my head at Arwan's intimidating glare of which only seems to work on everyone else except me.
"There's fifteen of you, meaning that each of us need to find five. Any less by sunrise and we must do a dare chosen by those who won. No weapons, no lights and barely any cover." Desta smiled, "Good luck!"
Desta fired an arrow at the tree closest to him, "If sunlight touches the arrow by morning the game is over. You have half an hour and only until the perimeter ends for your hideouts. And yes, we will know if you pass them. Our guards are hidden everywhere and will blow a horn if they see you."
"What if there's danger coming?" Another kid from the crowd asked.
"One long blow will be when you passed them, if we hear it, we run towards the sound. You have depending on how far away we are to find a hiding place. Two short blows mean danger and you either hide as best as you can or get back to camp immediately. You are on your own out there, we cannot help you if you cannot at least protect yourself." Desta finishes and a few of the members shift uncomfortably.
They know the risks out here. It is only best if we use these games as a form of training. Stealth is one of the most important factors in these times. If they can't manage to stay away or hide, then they will not last long anywhere.
The rest of the camp has gathered around to see the event take place. It is always an entertaining moment for when we play. Anyone can join if they want to but usually the new ones or those who want more training take part. The others with training and experience like us will find this challenge far too easy.
Desta blowed a horn and the group ran into the woods, disappearing into the thin layer of fog covering the entrance. We quietly sat and waited for the time to go by. When we could enter my senses started jolting awake. My joy for a hunt at its finest hour. All three of us smiled and nodded at each other as well entered the woods. It's time to catch the prey.