The Huntress

“There weren't always dragons in the Valley.”

“Hmm?” Jackie faced the window. A dark cloud of smoke billowed through the white clouds. Bursts of fire soon followed. The roars of the beasts sounded like thunder but more deadly. She felt her insides vibrate with each roar.

She turned from the window to give the young teen sitting in the nearly empty classroom her attention. “What did you say?”

“I was talking about the dragons, Mama. I know they weren’t always in the Valley, and they aren’t always going to be there. It’s just that season, you know?”

Jackie tried to give her daughter a reassuring smile, but only the left side of her mouth lifted. “I know, baby. I’m not worried.”

The young teen closed the book she’d been reading. “If you say so, Mama. But I know that look on your face.”

“And what look is that?”

“You look scared.”

Jackie sat at the edge of her daughter’s desk. “I am scared, Zazie. I don’t like when the dragons come. I don’t like this season because when the dragons come, so do the others.”

Zazie nodded. “And the others are worse than the dragons.”

Jackie sighed. “So much worse.”

“Maybe it’ll be the last time. Grandpapa always tells me stories about the times before the dragons. I don’t remember much about it. He thinks we’ll get back there one day.”

“Perhaps your grandfather is right, baby, but as for now we need to keep moving as if the dragons and the others are here to stay.”

The conversation was interrupted by the shrill sound of the school bell. Jackie stood and smoothed down her skirt.

“Ok, kid study period is over. You need to get to your Celestial Magick class. Come on, I’ll walk with you. I need to head to the greenhouse to prepare for my Herbalism students.”

Zazie placed her book in her backpack and stood to give her mother a hug. “Don’t worry, Mom. Tis season too shall pass. Isn’t that what you always tell me?”

“Yeah, I kinda say that a lot don’t I.” She kissed her daughter on top of her big, curly hair.

“Just a bit.”

***

The air and energy of the plants put Jackie more at ease, but her body still stiffened with every roar and with every burst of flames she could see out of the corner of her eye. Her students had been distracting, but now that she was left to clean up the greenhouse by herself, her thoughts were getting the better of her again.

Her eyes watered as she sat on one of the benches trying to bag the herbs back up. She sneezed three times in quick succession. The beginning of Spring always brought on her allergies.

Students walked all around the campus. Some were in groups laughing, joking, throwing frisbees around. They stood on the balcony of the dorms watching the smoke and fire show with glee. The return of the dragons didn’t seem to faze any of them.

“I guess they were able to adapt to the new world a lot better that the adults,” Jackie said to herself.

“Young people have the remarkable ability to not give a fuck, Jack.”

Jackie tensed but didn’t turn around. She continued putting the herbs back in their little pouches. “And you have the remarkable ability to always sneak up on me, Sasha.”

“That’s the superpower of little sisters everywhere.”

Sasha walked around running her finger across all the plants. Jackie allowed her eyes follow her sister around the room. It was undeniable that they were related. Same brown skin, same curly haired they also shared with Zazie. Though Sasha was more fit, strong than Jackie was at the moment.

“Who knew you playing with plants all the time when we were kids would pay off in this new world,” Sasha said.

“Not so new anymore. Been almost ten years now.”

“Ten years too many.”

“Sasha, you know you can’t talk like that. Especially here. I don’t need you losing your job and freeloading off me.”

Sasha shrugged. “Not that I love teaching here in the first place. Most of these kids have no use for combat training. There much rather do the magick classes.”

“Even still just watch your language,” Jackie said as finished sorting the herbs and put them away. “What are you doing here anyway?”

“As everyone knows, the dragons are in the Valley. And when the dragons come – “

“- the whispering winds aren’t far behind, “Jackie finished for her.

“Exactly, and I don’t care for what they have to say,” Sasha said with her crossed against her chest.

“I fear what they have to say. It didn’t end well the last time they talked to me.”

“That’s why we have to act before they come, Jack.”

“Act on what?” Jackie wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

“I need to go to Gate 5 and I need you to come with me.”

“Sasha, no! Why do you want to go there?” Jackie stood and paced around the greenhouse.

“The seasons are changing. We need to stock up on supplies. And the best place to do that is Gate 5.”

“No, it’s not. We can get food right down the street.”

“No, sis. I’m not talking about food. We need supplies in case we have to defend ourselves.”

Jackie twirled her hand around in a circle. “We are in the land of magick here at Golden Academy. It’s all the protection we need.”

Sasha grabbed her sister’s arm, so she’d stop pacing. “You know the rumors,” she lowered her voice, “about what you can find in Gate 5. We need it and I want to get it today.”

Jackie shook her head. “No, It’s dangerous. What if they stop us at one of the check points?”

Sasha smiled, “I have ways around that.”

“Sasha, I can’t just leave Zazie.”

“This is the safest place Zazie can be. And you have nothing else to do today. And you wouldn’t want your little sister to go on Gate 5 all by her lonesome, now, would you?”

“Don’t try to guilt me into going with you.”

“You’re the only person I know that is as capable in a fight as me. I need you there.”

“My fighting days are over, Sasha.”

“Don’t let what happened to Craig stop you from – “

Jackie raised her hand. “Stop. Don’t talk about Craig. Not with the dragons back again. I can’t have that conversation right now.”

Sasha put an arm around her sister. “I’m sorry, Jack. You know I just be running my mouth without taking sometimes. I didn’t mean no harm.”

Jackie nodded. “Yeah, I know.”

“You gonna meet you at my car in 30 minutes?”

“Yeah, fine.”

Sasha gestured with her head towards the set of lockers in the back of the greenhouse. “Don’t forget to bring the family jewels.”

***

Living on the coast had always been enviable. Driving on the highway with a clear view of the Pacific felt like heaven in the past. Now the ocean was filled with things she didn’t want to see. Creatures that were only a myth for most of her life had become very real. Monsters that were half grotesque human and half sea beast. Some lingered on the sand and some dived in and out of the water. Their mouths opened wide putting their sharp fangs on full display. Jackie closed her eyes and looked away.

The sisters were always comfortable in silence. They rode with the sound of the waves as their only background. The silence was occasionally broken by Jackie sneezing from the ragweed in the air.

Every few miles they had to check-in at the toll booths along the highway. The government had turned them into checkpoints. Jackie and Sasha cleared each one. Credentials from the Golden Academy could take you far.

There weren’t many cars on the road. By they got to the exit leading to Gate 5, Sasha’s SVU was the only vehicle on the road. She slowed down when she spotted the roadblock; the final checkpoint to Gate 5. Military clad humans and not-so-humans walked up and down the road holding various firearms.

“Jesus help us,” Jackie mumbled a quick prayer that was ingrained during her youth.

“We’re way past what Jesus could do for us,” Sasha said.

She pulled up to the barrier and rolled down the window. “Hello, here to do a little shopping in the Gate 5 shops,” Sasha said as she showed the guard her and Jackie’s Academy IDs.

The guard only grunted and tossed the IDs back to them and let them through the window.

“Any weapons?” The guard asked.

Sasha pointed to the backseat. “Swords in case we meet with some not-so-friendly beasties.”

He checked in the backseat. Satisfied that the swords met code, he let them drive through Gate 5.

The roads behind the gate were filled with fancy restaurants that were no longer open, boutiques that have been turned into command centers, and houses long abandoned.

“I remember when Mom used to take us on this side of town when we were kids,” Sasha said. “She used to buy us each a dress from one of those fancy shops. Looks completely different now.”

“Yeah, everything is different,” Jackie said. She wasn’t in the mood to go down memory lane. She pointed at the structure sitting in the middle of a huge parking lot. “That’s what you’re looking for isn’t it.”

Sasha nodded. “There it is.”

“If you find what you’re looking for I still don’t know how we’re going to get it out of here.”

“That’s where my magical sister comes in.” She opened the glove compartment. “Swiped some of your herbs to take with me. You can create one of those glamours to make it look like we have nothing but large packages of rice and beans and other practical supplies.”

“Damnit, Sasha. I just can’t come up with a spell on a moment’s notice. I need time to go through my notes and make sure I have the right herbs. This is going to be a disaster.”

“I have faith in you, sis.” Sasha winked at her as she parked the car.

Jackie jumped out. She’d changed into jeans and boots for the road trip, almost matching her sister’s daily uniform. She took one sword and gave Sasha the other. “You may as well go find that thing that’s probably going to get us locked up, and I’ll go get some real supplies.”

Sasha shrugged. “Sounds like a plan.” She tossed her sister a walkie-talkie. “Use it if you run into some trouble.”

The trees swayed as Spring winds came in at full force. Trees bent and swayed. Jackie closed her eyes. She heard a faint whisper. Chills ran down her body. She almost recognized a word in the faint whisper when an elbow was pushed into her side.

"What are you doing, Jack? Don't listen to them." Sasha grabbed Jackie’s upper arms.

Jackie’s whole body shuddered. "Yeah, you're right. Sorry."’

“It’s ok. They’re tricky. Let’s just get inside.”

The supply store had no workers. You can only enter by badging in. Jackie went left once they entered while Sasha went right. Always one to be prepared, Jackie had brought her canvas totes to collect anything she and Zazie may need. She filled the bags with cans of food, body washes, and toothpaste. She was even able to snag a couple of chocolate candy bars, a rare find. She came across the baby section. She almost pivoted away with it, but something called her to it. She ran her hand across the cute baby clothes trying not to think about the what-ifs.

“It never does me any good,” she said out loud to herself.

"Jackie, we have a problem here." Sasha's voice crackled over the walkie-talkie. She was trying to sound calm, but Jackie could hear the strain.

Jackie tensed and her heart pumped faster. She hit the talk button on her walkie. "What's going on, Sasha?"

“Some of the Others are here. Back of the store. They haven't spotted me yet, but they're moving towards you."

"Damnit." Jackie took the sword out of the carrier on her back. "I’m coming to get you and then we’re getting out of here."

"If they're coming this way, they're going to be blocking the entrance soon," Sasha said over the walkie.

Jackie made her way to the front of the store. Sasha had crouched down behind a clothing rack. She held her sword in both hands. She nodded to her sister as Jackie hit the floor and crawled over to her. A herd of about fifty ghoul-like creatures ambled down the aisles unaware that fresh blood was right in front of them.

Jackie felt the moisture hit her hands before her brain registered what happened. When the eyes of the ghouls turned towards them in unison, she realized she’d sneezed. They’d been found out.

The two of them immediately jumped into action. Sasha cut off heads and arms. Jackie cut down two at a time with her sword. They worked together seamlessly, but it seemed like the more that they killed, the more that came at them.

"We need to get out of here," Jackie shouted. "They're going to overtake us soon."

“There should be another exit behind us,” Sasha said.

They ran towards the room only to come to a stop when they rounded the corner. A lone woman was fighting off a smaller herd of ghouls. With no time for questions, the sisters joined to woman’s fight.

"Shit," Sasha cried out as a ghoul’s sharp claws latched onto her leg. She fell to the ground. Just as the snarling creature went in for the bite, brain matter and blood splattered over her. Jackie stood over her with their Daddy’s pistol.

"You okay?" Jackie asked.

"I'm good. Thanks for the save. Good thing you brought that"

Jackie nodded at her. "You know he told us to always be prepared."

Both herds closed in on them. The fight began to seem futile.

"We need shelter," Jackie yelled over the chaos.

"Storage room. About three feet to our left. We can make it," the mysterious woman said.

The women took off in tandem and almost dived into the storage room while slamming the doors on the fast-approaching ghouls.

The mystery woman took off her backpack and gently placed it on the table in the middle of the room. She leaned against said table as the sisters stared at her. "That was one helluva fight. I'm Violet. Any of you ladies ever build a bazooka?"

***

Violet wore her short hair pulled back with a headband. Her yellow crop top stood out against the black and white plaid shirt she wore over it. Her light-colored jeans fit slightly loose, and a pair of black combat boots adorned her feet. Her face was the perfect portrait of concentration as she mixed a concoction together at the table.

Sasha had her back to the double doors to act as an extra barricade to the ghouls beating on the door.

Jackie stood in fight mode off to the side; her attention split between watching the door and watching Violet.

"Those random items are going to make a gun?" Jackie asked.

"Not a gun,” Violet said in her southern drawl. “A very powerful rocket launcher. It's just a bit of science. I once brought down a helicopter full of very bad men with something similar. I think it can handle a few of those ugly bastards out there."

"Hmm," Jackie said. "And you just happen to have all of the necessary supplies to make it right in your bag?"

"Never leave home without 'em." Violet looked up. "What's your name again, doll?"

"Jackie."

"I see you looking skeptical, Jackie. Can't say that I blame you. I would be leery of some chick making a weapon out of moonshine and toy soldiers too. I see how skilled you are with that sword, but it's not going to cut through all our friends out there. You need me."

Jackie nodded and looked towards the door. "Fair enough." She could see the ghouls through the tiny window on the door. Not getting out of that room wasn't an option. She couldn’t leave Zazie in this world without her.

Loud growls and the banging on the door grew louder. “Anytime you want to finish making your little creation would be good," Sasha said.

Violet lifted the device that looked like three large tin cans glued together. "All ready. When I trigger this there'll be a blast. You ladies should hide behind the door once it's opened. I'll take out the majority, but we'll need to run as fast as we can around the fire and fight off the stragglers."

Jackie looked over at Sasha. "You ready?"

"Let's do this," Sasha said back.

They stood on either side of the double doors with a hand on the knobs; ready to pull them open on cue.

Violet positioned herself in the middle of the room and lifted the homemade weapon to her shoulder. "Okay, ladies. One...two...three...Go!"

A fireball blasted through the open door knocking several of the ghouls down. The back of the floor was engulfed in flames. The women ran out, plowing through the creatures that were still on their feet. They ran until they made it to the parking lot.

“Shit! The guards will be coming soon. I don’t know if even the Golden Academy can get us out of this,” Jackie screamed. “I knew we shouldn’t have come here.”

“Calm down, sis.” Sasha said. “They know how the ghouls are. We might get some heat for ruining the supply depot, but they’re not going to throw us in jail.”

“You better hope not.”

Violet watched the sisters fight as took a swig from her canteen that was in her backpack.

She then pulled out a pair of sunglasses from her pocket and slid them on her face. "You two going to be done soon? I don’t think the guards finding us here with y’all arguing is going to help the situation any.”

Jackie walked up to her. “And what are you going to say when they ask why you are here? I have a strange feeling you didn’t go through any of the checkpoints.”

Violet smiled. “You would be correct. I have my ways of getting around.”

“Why are you here?” Jackie studied the woman She was obviously a capable survivor. She was no doubt strong, but she saw through the tough girl act.

"What's with the third degree? I saved y'alls asses back there. I don't need this."

Violet tried to walk off, but Jackie blocked her path.

"The way I remember it is we saved each other's asses." Sasha said.

Violet looked both sisters up and down then grinned. "Good point."

She nodded her head towards their badges. “I see y’all are from the Academy. That’s exactly where I need to be next. You mind if I catch a ride with you ladies? I think we could be mutually beneficial to each other.”

“How do you know you’re not crazy? And we’re supposed to take you back to the Academy?” Sasha asked.

“Y’all are supposed to be all-knowing and full of kundalini and magick there. Shouldn’t you know my true heart or some shit? Anyway, I can get us out of here before the guards come.”

Jackie and Sasha had a silent convo with their eyes as the sound of the sirens bounced off the empty buildings. Violet was either going to be a great asset or their biggest mistake.