amberly

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

Andrew awoke in golden morning light to a chittering argument. I'm gonna catch both those squirrels, that will take care of that. His eyes opened wide in surprise, where had that thought come from? He sat up and stretched carefully. He was sore but felt much better than he had expected to feel. Yesterday he could have sworn he'd broken a rib, but it must have only been a branch snapping over him. He could take a full breath without any pain.

This was strange water, and he wasn't sure he needed any more of it. Andrew pulled his legs out of the spring and waited for them to dry before pulling on his shoes. Now he would only be the normal amount of hindrance going with Angel.

"I hope he had a worse night than I did. I feel amazing. How are you doing over there?"

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

He's drifting off but if she wants to talk he'll stay awake. When that's done feel free to make something happen in the night or skip to morning. Whenever the next thing is going to happen :)

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

Andrew sank down onto the moist ground as soon as they reached the edge. "Thank you, Angel. If you ever think of something you want, I'll be glad to thank you by getting it for you if at all possible," He promised.

Andrew pulled off his boots and socks. He bunched his pants legs up around his knees, rolling the cuffs over and over would be too much work. He lay back and slid both feet into the spring. The water burbled against his calves and he exhaled slowly, contentedly. "I don't think I'll have any trouble sleeping out here after all," he murmured to himself. Again his eyes closed for a long night's sleep and the distant sound of critters in the forest lulled him to dreams. Angel was around somewhere, a protector.

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

A faint smile crossed his features. Andrew cracked opened his eyes to look at the woman, he supposed she did look tired.

"No, I suspect it wasn't easy," he agreed. Then Andrew dared to ask a favor, since she was so careful in her touch. "Do you think you could help me over to the water? I'll get much better rest there than sitting here all night."

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

Andrew watched Angel's fingers as she worked. She was careful. Straining to focus wasn't actually helping so he let his eyes close again, trusting her to help him without hurting herself.

Finally her sigh wore through any hope of his getting rest while she lingered.

"Angel, that creature is going to have to kill something. What if it finds a woman gardening, or a man driving his cart down the road in its attempt to heal? You need to track it before it's too late. It's too important to wait any longer. You know where to find me. And if you stop the creature, I'll be safe enough here. Split up, go without me. They're counting on you." He told her, fully convinced that it was the best plan they had.

First, we steal an airship.

Bump

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

"And you're alright?"

Andrew asked sagging against a tree for support. Who cared if the tear in his shirt brushed the bark, the tree was already drained. The cut in his arm stung and he repositioned his weight. He swallowed with the pain, the color drained from his face. He wasn't getting home to bed soon enough to get any rest. Out here, in the creature's mess would just have to do. Angel could go on and track the monster herself. She would kill it, he was certain. She was relentless. He sat down against the tree, the sky spun above him, it was better with his eyes closed.

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

Glad the huntress had finally relented, the creature slunk away to tend his wounds in some other refuge.

The weight on Andrew lessened as branches fell away under Angel's blade. It felt like he lay there forever, just trying to breathe past the pain. In reality it probably wasn't very long before enough branches had been removed. He groaned and grumbled as he got to his feet.

"Thank you for the help. Is he dead?"

Andrew was almost embarrassed that he hoped the creature was dead. He wanted to go drain the moisture out of something so he could heal more quickly, what better victim than that creature? Otherwise he would have to settle for laying in his own bed and munching on whole heads of lettuce and cabbages.

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

The creature turned around again following after Angel. It snarled as she was faster and better armed, he knew she could just toy with him. He would never catch up to her this way. When the creature saw two opponents he changed tactics.

The mighty arms wrapped around the trunk of the nearest tree. The dry wood snapped and splintered leaving the roots and lower part of the trunk jutting out of the ground. The upper part of the tree was top-heavy and the creature directed the fall down onto his opponents.

"Run!" Andrew yelled turning to try and push angel ahead of him. The tree was wide and tall, mostly free of dead leaves already shead.

Andrew groaned as the tree hit him from above and the ground rushed up to meet him. As if he hadn't been in pain enough from his own battles with angel. He tried to slide forward and get out from the tangle if branches. It was a struggle, these injuries hurt much worse.

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

Eeeeek this is exciting, but I just want to clarify so we're both on the same page. You mentioned she didn't see Andrew until it was too late.

Are you thinking they collide?
Or
When she was attacking it accidentally hit him?
Or
Something else?
(I'm game for any of it I just want to be sure I know what you're thinking)