Dragging her back to the shed to debone her meat, I made an X on the calendar to mark a successful hunt. I averaged two a month. Between the meat from them and the vegetables in my garden, it kept me fed.
My pa taught me not to waste anything. With the bones, I made furniture. I whittled and carved the bones into designs and sold the pieces at the local craft store. It kept my money in my pocket so I didn’t have to dip into my nest egg my dad left me.
Then the next week after a hunt, I would find new prey to stalk.
Chapter Two
Marseille
Sometimes I felt like I’m the only person in the world. I could be in the middle of a crowd and still be all alone.
I never had any siblings growing up, and was kept isolated most of my childhood. My father was always away on business while my mother was always doing charity events. My nanny, Mildred, spent more time with me than anyone else, although she made sure to maintain as much of an emotional distance as she could.
I always wanted to be the center of attention to my parents, or anyone really. Always trying to excel in school to gain their approval, always being a good girl so they wouldn’t be burdened. Except, all that did was make them ignore me more.
Reading books was my getaway. I could escape into other worlds where passion and real families thrived and took care of each other. My guilty pleasure was romance books. I knew I would be mocked if anyone knew, so I would hide them inside my school textbooks.
I’d studied so hard in school, gotten started on a doctorate in psychology, then decided, if being alone was what I would always be, then why not study abroad? Maybe I would find my happily ever after away from here.
My parents were more than happy to pay any price, as long as it didn’t interfere with their plans, so I made plans to attend Oxford University. I would be wrapping things up here at home, then leaving to start my new life. Maybe there I would find someone, anyone, and the romance I so desperately craved that I could make a part of my existence.
Havoc
There was never a plan on who I would pick. I knew the Universe thought certain people were more special than others, and it would guide me to them when I would go out to find my newest acquisition.
My family had always been trackers and hunters. We believed there was a spiritual connection to what you put in your body. My pa taught me all of the skills I needed to live off of the land. To survive, to pass our message on.
When I left to start the five-hour trek to town, I never expected to find the soul I would happen upon, or the ramifications it would have on my entire existence.
Seeing her for the first time, I knew she was perfect. My next choice. She, like so many before her, didn’t seem to be aware of her surroundings at all. She wasn’t focused on any electronics, she simply just seemed to be unaware of everything around her. Or, maybe just not bothered by it. I watched her the entire day, even her two mile walk back to her very large home. She didn’t seem to care for automobiles, using her feet for all of her getting around.
That would help her when I took her, give her a small advantage. Not enough to get away, but enough to feel like she was going to. That last pump of adrenaline, when it kicked in, right before they died, always made the meat taste better.
Marseille
I was going to miss this town. It was quaint, in its own way. Quiet, with small stores that were run by the owners making the experience more personal.
The bookstores were my home away from home when my classes were over. I would read literature all day, everyday, for the rest of my life if I could.
Walking kept me in shape, both in body and mind. Much to my nanny's despair, I never found the need to get my driver’s license. Anywhere I needed to go, I could walk. If it was necessary to go to a further distance, there were cabs I could call, or George, our butler, would offer to take me.
I much preferred the fresh air, no matter the weather or time of day. I was used to being alone, and had walked these roads since I was a young girl. I found the quickest paths to my home, but made sure it was the safest. I wasn’t naïve, but I also knew we lived in a pretty safe neighborhood with a really low crime rate so I didn’t feel the need to be overly cautious by carrying a weapon or anything. That thought made me giggle. I could not even imagine what I would do with a weapon let alone try and defend myself with it.
I only thought of it, because, the town is so small, most of us know each other, at least well enough to nod our heads. However, today I noticed this behemoth of a man glancing at me. He was dreamy. I normally didn’t notice men, not because I was against men, on the contrary, I would love to meet a man, but this area was sparse with single eligible bachelors.
He had an air of authority about him. Military or some sort of work where he would be a commander. His eyes mesmerized me, even though he only glanced at me for a moment. They were a silver blue.
Well, whoever the lucky girl was that he was here to visit, I hope she appreciated him. Girls like me would kill
