Chapter two

The tatto

CAROLINE

Nina continued as we left the closet.

"Your mum was a legendary hunter, slaying whatever hunted she came across." Her lips raised in admiration.

Though I didn't show it, it felt good to hear my mum being praised.

"So how did this hunter and hunted came about?" I said.

"Actually, hunter and hunted are just names we use to differentiate us, plus, the hunted are also called rippers." She stopped to rub her eyes.

"We are actually witches and warlocks or just witches from the descendants of Diana- the huntress"

S

I stopped in my step, bewildered. I first heard about Diana the myth goddess from mum. She always read it to me at night and it became my favorite story, so how is this even possible?

"So did I manage to blow your mind?" Nina said, her voice laced with delight.

I was dumbstruck, I couldn't figure out what to say to her.

"I guess so" she chuckled.

After a minute of processing everything, I asked, "so why did you guys decide to use the name hunter and hunted?"

"Centuries ago, we were just witches and warlocks, we lived peacefully amongst each other, then few warlocks and witches , who were the strongest, decided to start an ambush against the people of the ordinary world-mere humans. Other witches and warlocks, who were less stronger decided to join forces and fight against them. Slowly, the war between the hunter and hunted started , and then they decided to go there separate ways. The stronger ones are always the hunted and the less stronger ones becomes the hunter, except for…" her voice trailed.

"Except for what Nina?"

She gave me a skeptical look before she said "Except for your mum Carrie, she is as strong as the hunted but she chose to be a hunter"

My brows raised in confusion.

"I'm confused too myself" Nina said, noticing my confusion.

"I guess that's why she is the legend" Nina said.

We walked a few blocks, my mind still conflicted, not fully understanding everything.

"So how are you connected to all this? Is your mum or dad a hunter or a hunter?" I asked.

Her faced darkened, her lips pressed together as her eyes gloomed.

"Did I say something wrong Nina?"

"No you didn't." I noticed as the tone of her voice changed.

"it's okay if you don't want to talk about it Nina" i touched her shoulder, trying to comfort her.

"It's okay Carrie" she half smiled.

"My dad was a hunted, one of Elfreda's minions" 

My jaw dropped as my eyes widened in shock. Does she mean the Elfreda? The one that I've been running from for the past ten years? Is that the reason why she attacked mum that night? 

My face squeezed in fury as I recalled the incident that took place that night. 

But then, why has she been attacking me non-stop?.

Exhausted, I let out a loud breath, my thoughts occupied .

"Elfreda later killed my dad when he refused her and my mum left after, wanting to have nothing to do with me" Nina's lips curved in a rueful smile as she said.

"So that sums up everything about me" she added. Her eyes looked cold, a bit stern, as if holding the tear that forming in her eyes.

Taken aback by her revelation, I said, "so what about you? Hunter or Hunted?"

"Even though I wanted to be a hunted , I'm not as strong plus I don't have their gene and my tattoo has only two stars"

"What gene and what tattoo?" I asked.

She rowed her puff sleeves up, revealing a tattoo. It's a silver bow gleaming with moonlight with a crescent moon on it. There are two stars above it complimenting the moon.

I could recognize that tattoo anywhere because I have had it my whole life. On my thigh. The only difference is that mine has five stars and I don't know why. Mum made sure I covered it and made me promise never to show it to anyone.

I can remember asking mum about the tattoo once and she told me that it was marks for special kids . Thinking about it now, I think that's Diana's mark-nocturnal huntress.

"Recognize it" Nina asked, as if suspecting that I was holding something back.

Conflicted, I hesitated a moment before I said, " can I trust you with something Nina?"

She nodded her head.

We went to the nearest bathroom where I took off my black pants showing her my tattoo.

"I've had this ever since I was born" I tell her.

She looked fazed, her jaw dropped as she stared in awe, as if blown off by what she has seen. I was beginning to have second thoughts.

"Why do you look so shocked?" I asked.

She closed her mouth, then opened it again, as if finding the wrote words to say.

"I'm not surprised by the tattoo…but this". She said as she used her fingers to count the stars .

"Five! Carrie five! Do you even know what that means?" She looked at me, her gaze piercing through, as if trying to figure me out.

"No! I don't " her reaction made me regretted my decision, I shouldn't have shown her this mark, I should have kept my promise to mum.

Nina just stared at me, she looked scared, scared of me? I doubt that. If anything i should be the one scared, I mean I watched her make a freaking fire from her palm.

"I should go, I shouldn't be here" her voice was shaky. She is really scared. She retraced her step slowly, heading for the door.

I don't know if it was instinct that made me rush towards her and gripped her. I didn't mean to scare her nor hold her arm so tight but still I couldn't let her go like that. I had just revealed one of my secret to her and I know for sure that she is holding something back from me.

"Let go of me!" She shouted.

I didn't, I couldn't, not until she promises not to tell anyone else about that tattoo. I don't what made her reacted that way, but I can't let her tell anyone else.

"Promise you won't tell anyone Nina? " I said.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, meeting her freckles, highlighting their quiet beauty.

"Let go of me you ripper" she let out.

I let go of her, shocked by what she had called me. I stared at her, looking for answers.

"You're just like them" she said , her voice laced with rage, just before she ran out the door.