amberly

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

With shoes, stocks, long pants, long sleeve shirt (clean and still in one piece) and gloved hands, he looked more prepared for a meal than a fight. But a fight this would be.

He charged down the stairs at her, a thick walking cane as his chosen defensive tool.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

She could be heard making a mess on the lower floor. Andrew stretched his legs to the floor. 'I should put on pants before she finds me again.' He crept through the dining room to the main hall and started up the grand staircase.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

Andrew bolted the door and leaned his weight against it with a sigh of relief. He heard movement upstairs. She was in the house! "This is a nightmare." He muttered.

Grunting he removed himself from the door. On either side of the grand entrance were two smaller doors. Behind one was a coat closet. Andrew went through the other closing it softly behind him. Down the stairs a hallway brought him to the kitchen. He pressed a towel against his wound and tied another around his chest to hold it in place. He'd left his shirt on, expecting another encounter with his hunter. Sleeves would protect her from accidentally injury, or worse.

He needed to keep moving. Thankfully this castle had many secrets. He sat on the edge of the dumbwaiter scrunched himself into a ball and scootted himself back into it. He stretched one hand out around the corner to flip the lever upward. Gears strained and the cables groaned but successfully carried him to the little staging area just beside the dining room doors.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

He winced at her kick and moved his sandled foot away from her. "Fine. Keep your business out of mine. You're the only one here that wants to kill."

Pushing up and away from her he ran. He scooped up her nearest weapon from the ground. Then he dashed for the safety of his front door.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

The wound in his side ached but he didn't dare hold a hand to his side. How could he deal with her, without having to kill her? He was afraid she would leave him with no choice.

"Why am I appointed to die by your hand?" Andrew asked adjusting his grip against her straining. His eyes boring into hers.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

That had actually worked? He might have been as surprised as the hunter. Andrew's gloved hands moved to hold her arms against the ground. He manuvered to be sure no part of his skin would brush against hers.

"What kind of reckless arrogant name do you have for yourself, Miss Bringer of Death and Doom? And are you staying for supper? Or have you remembered you were going to leave me alone!"

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

He turned his head avoiding the spray of dirt and rocks. Some of the gravel landed beyond him in the lush grass.

"Leave my lawn alone! It's the only thing I haven't accidentally killed!"

With rage he ducked below where he expected her next attack to be aimed and lunged toward her waist to tackle her.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

Andrew spun, one arm raising above his head with a flourish. He danced this way and that unpredictable, except that he was growing closer to the castle entrance. It helped him avoid being killed, though he received a gash in his side. It leaked blood onto his white shirt. She was more dangerous at a distance, firing at him. It occurred to him that in fact he needed her to catch up. He needed her in arms length. Now he turned back and charged at her reaching for one of her weapons with each of his hands.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

It seemed she was gaining on him. He was gaping for each desperate breath. "Stop so you can kill me? Thank you, no!"

The castle could be seen in the distance through the trees. Andrew turned again, not toward the garden gates that opened to a grassy hill and the dining room doors. He didn't want to be an easy target out in the open. Additionally, should he survive, he knew he would regret leaving footprints in the lawn. He ran searching for the driveway, for the gate he'd left open. He was afraid of stumbling upon actual forest creatures, as if his huter wasn't enough to worry about.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

If only he was a forest creature he might know where to hide, Andrew mused. He abruptly changed directions rounding a large tree. The Hunter's shot tore across the skin of his shoulder. He growled and was surprised how animalistic it did sound. The pain spurred him on, running faster. Andrew doubted his luck would hold much longer.

He dodged and wove through the trees back toward the castle grounds. Home was his only hope of turning the tables on her.