Episode 9

The next time I woke up, it was dark outside again, as I could see through the fabric walls of the tent. So I must have slept for half an eternity, and surprisingly well despite the not very comfortable cot.

I discovered clothes on the chair and hurriedly put on the black pants and black long-sleeved shirt. The clothes couldn't possibly have been made by a Hunter because they fit me. Maybe I was wearing a lover's clothes.

Better get used to it , it rang in my head. You should take Nikk's offer. 

I made a face. This thought no longer seemed as absurd as it had been the day before, because at least I had rammed a bottle into my boss's chest. With that I was sure to get rid of my job. And if Baris didn't survive, I would be held accountable for it. If not from a Hunter, at least from Baris' men.

The entrance to the tent was moving and I struggled to straighten up when the leader walked in.

"You're awake. Good, ”he said, stepping over to a table on the other side. He looked at a written note and nodded. “The examination of your blood showed nothing abnormal. Everything in the normal range. "

Blood test? When did that happen?

"Can you walk?" He continued, looking at my right foot.

" Probably not with that ... thing on," I replied, stepping cautiously. It still hurt, but not as much as the night before. I even took a few steps forward without flinching. "What's this? A miracle cure? "

"A special gel that restores damaged bone material," he told me and crouched down in front of me. His fingers felt around my foot and I winced slightly. "And a plaster cast to hold the foot until it's completely healed."

“A miracle cure then. I said that. "

The corners of his mouth twisted into a faint smile. He looked so ... normal and absolutely not like the head of a dangerous combat force. If I hadn't noticed that he could adopt an authoritarian and very strict tone, I probably wouldn't believe that he really was the leader of the Hunter.

But what did I know about the Hunter? Just what you heard about her. You should be cold-hearted and unrelenting; obey their orders regardless of loss. And that wasn't exactly the case with the man before me. He seemed to be acting prudently and fairly. To have principles. Nikk didn't leave me a negative impression either. At least not until his arrogant appearance a few hours ago.

"We have found your boss," said the chief into my thoughts and straightened himself up to his full height. It towered over me by a good two heads.

I tensed up immediately and waited for the words that announced that I had killed someone.

"He's alive," he went on, and I let out an audible breath. "You got him badly, but he survived and is currently being cared for."

"Here?" I asked, tensing even more.

"No, in a hospital in the East Quarter."

“And where am I here? If I may ask, sir. "

"At a Hunter base in the north," he explained. "We found you on one of our patrols in the forest."

“Oh, right. When the wild dogs attacked me, ”I confirmed, shuddering slightly at the memory of the barking and snapping animals attacking me. "And you shot her," I went on.

"Yes. Otherwise they would have bitten you to death. "

"I know. That shouldn't be a reproach. ”It wasn't my first encounter with wild animals. During my years of fleeing through the country, I had already encountered this danger one time or another and had also only survived by eliminating it or escaping in time. “I want to thank you for that, sir. For the help and medical care, ”I added.

He accepted my thanks with a curt nod. "Are you hungry?" He asked.

I automatically put a hand on my stomach, and as if he had only been waiting for his question, he let out a low growl. "Yes, sir."

“I'll have something brought to you. Stay in the tent. "

I watched him slip out and wondered what would happen next. Baris wasn't dead, so I wasn't going to be punished because his injury was only because I had struggled. But I doubted he would let me work in his bar after that night. How am I going to earn money now to pay for the protection Karen, Danika and I received in our home and the food? I needed new work, but getting a job was difficult, especially when Baris was going to blackmail me with the other businessmen. And he would, so I didn't have to get any false hopes. Maybe he wanted to take revenge ...