A Guide to Surviving Against Monsters

My eyes were wide and unfocused.

My parents? My... Mom? Dad?

Hazy memories flooded my mind. I was frozen, hanging onto the silence. Waiting for her to continue.

"We knew them," Toby continued. "We recognize your last name. We're sorry for your loss."

They know nothing useful.

"I'm sorry too. I'll see you around, twins."

With that, I walked away, crossing my arms. The walls and floor seemed out of line as I wandered out of the building, staring at the sky. It was blue in reality, but seemed so very gray as I pictured my parents' faces.

Damn it, I thought as a tear rolled down my cheek. I thought I had more time. Why are people already bringing up the dead?

A distant memory floated into mind. It was me, maybe at age six, before I'd gone to the Academy. My family was a hunter one, so I knew I'd be going, but in the memory, we were all together. My brother, my parents, and myself.

He chased me around the backyard, our parents laughing as I tripped and fell. He went from chasing me to carrying me over to them, trying to stop me from crying. Back then, I was a fast, strong child, but I wasn't powerful or skilled. My parents were still amused as my mother took me in her arms, shushing my crying. My brother curled up next to our dad, poking my cheek as I sulked.

"Don't be sad, Emmy! It's almost the day of Nicolai!"

The day of Nicolai. A single day for families to celebrate. A blessing fell over the world that made monsters almost entirely passive for the entire twenty-four hours, said to have been created by the Celestial realm. People would have picnics outside of protected cities, explore the world, and celebrate before returning home before the stroke of midnight.

"Are you going to cry then, too?" He prodded, pulling my cheek. "You're so silly, crybaby."

I swatted his hand. "You're just mean," I said thickly. "Leave me alone, bully."

"I'll never leave you alone, Emmy."

The day of Nicolai. It was the twenty-fifth of December, which was in two days. Next year would mark ten years since my parents passed away, and this was my ninth day of Nicolai without them.

Everyone, I thought, everyone will be celebrating with their families outside the protection line on Tuesday.

I think I'll just hunt all day again.

My feet took me in a random direction, the cold weather easily ignored as I wandered. It was mid winter, but the city never got much snow. Most of the time, it only rained. Hence why I wasn't surprised to see the fat droplets falling from the sky. They soaked through my clothes, not that it mattered. The gray darkened and felt heavier, but I didn't mind. My dark hair stuck to my forehead, dripping.

This is ridiculous. How could it already be raining this hard after three minutes?

"Emmalyn?"

I glanced at the road. Pulled up to the curb was none other than the elusive Luca, his window barely rolled down.

"What?" I asked, ignoring the rain that rolled down my nose. "You need something?"

He snorted. "I think you're the one who needs something. Like, a ride?"

I shuffled to face him, brushing my sopping wet hair out of my eye. "Why?"

He scowled. "What is wrong with you? It's raining cats and dogs, you weirdo."

"I'll get your car wet."

Luca paused.

I paused.

The rain beat down around us, practically washing his car.

"So? It's a car, it'll survive."

I lifted my hand, watching the rain drops hit. "So will I."

A door slammed shut and I looked up, Luca towering above me, the rain soaking his jacket. The fellow hunter grabbed me by my shoulders, frowning.

"You're acting spacey and weird. Just get in the car, Emmalyn," he insisted. "Whatever's going on can be put aside, you're going to get sick."

"I don't get sick," I muttered, my thoughts muddled.

"Just... Oh my god, you're insufferable."

I nearly screamed as my feet left the ground. Luca bent down and scooped me up, barely blinking at my weight considering our sizes were so different. I didn't fight him, staring out the window as he set me down in his car. The seat made a squishing noise from the water, and Luca rolled his eyes as he got into the driver's side and pulled back out onto the road. The car was well-used but a newer model, and the radio played quietly.

"Why are you wandering around town?"

"Why do you care?"

"I don't," Luca said stiffly. "You just looked so pathetic."

I hummed, staring at the gray sky. "Maybe I am pathetic."

"You're a famous hunter, Emmalyn. Don't be ridiculous."

"People died because of me," I pointed out quietly, "doesn't that tarnish my reputation?"

He rolled his eyes. "I'm not a therapist, Emmalyn. I'm not even your friend. I can't give you any good comfort, you know."

I snorted. "That's one of the most rational things I've ever heard a comrade say."

Luca sighed, glancing over at me. I finally tore my eyes away from the gray sky, managing to pull myself out of the dark depths of my mind. It was like resurfacing out of the deep end of a lake, the cool air an appreciated shock. Luca and I met gazes, both of us hunters with dry, pessimistic views. Yet, he had taken the time to get my stubborn ass out of the rain.

A minute passed by before I dipped my head to him in acknowledgement. "Thanks for this, Luca."

"It's not a big deal."

"I know."

We sat in silence, driving around until something occured to me.

"Luca... Do you know where I live?"

"No. I haven't got a clue."