Monster Hunter

A story I wrote for English back in 8th grade. Got an A. Lots of grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes probably. But I did get an A on it. :)

        "I'm going home!" I shout into the almost empty Pet Kingdom, where I work on fridays.
    "Ok! See you next friday, Tri!" My boss, Dani shouts back.
    I walk out of the shop, my bag my purse and Messenger Bag along with me.
    As I near my ferrari, I start to ask myself silent questions.
    'What is Ted doing right now, at home? Reading? Watching T.V? Video Games? Is Mom back to normal? Is Dad back?'
    But, These are the questions I ask myself every night and every day. And, every Day and every night I'm disappointed by the answers that I find. 
    I finally reach my car. And I unlock the door. When I get in I look at myself in the Mirror.
    My straight shoulder-length black hair now has traces of wood shavings. My usual bright Green eyes, are now dull and have dark bags under them from working night 
shifts. My blue and green checkered uniform for Pet Kingdom is wrinkled, and smells of animal droppings. 
    I wrinkle my nose in disgust as I start the engine, and peel out of the parking lot. 
    I turn on my radio aas I start down the long, empty road towards Elm Street.As I drive, I can see a small figure in the distance, walking down the street towrds me. 
As I get nearer and nearer I see that this figure has a backpack on his back. When I'm finally about 12 feet away, they look up towards me, freeze, turn away from me so that their 
back is to me, and bow their head.
    There is only one person that I know that does that.
    'Ted'
    "I swear, Ted. You better have a great reason for this." I grumbled to myself as I pulled over to the side of the road, a couple of feet away from the figure.
    They didn't move from their spot as I got out of the car and approached them.
    As I approached, they started to squirm in place and look uncomfortable. But, they didn't run. Thankfully. I wouldn't want to chase them down and tackle them to 
find out why he or she was looking so uncomfortable, when just standing there.
    Well, I know who it is. But, what I don't know is what he's doing all the way out here near my work.
    "Ted?" I sighed and added, "What are you doing here?"
    He looked up at me, so I can now see his face clearly. His Green eyes shone with guilt, his short straight black hair is sticking up in the back, most likely from walking 
outside against the strong blow of the wind. I can see that his tanned skin has a slight sunburn, which, indicates that he started walking in the day when the sun was still out. He 
wears his normal black jeans that are a little to large for him, yet he still wears no belt. He has a Gray T-shirt that has an image of black skull and crossbones, that hangs loosely on 
his slender figure. Over that he wears a purple and black hoodie. On his feet are a pair of black converse.
    What he wears usually leads people to think that hes Goth or Emo. But, thats not the case. ted is just going through some....phases? Yes, phases. Not that I'm against 
Goths or Emos or anything.
    "I'm Walking..." He murmurs, kicking at a pebble lying on the sidewalk.
    "Well, i can obviously see that. But, what I really mean is why are you walking all the way out here? So far away from home?" I asked walking around him, so that I can 
put my hands on his shoulders, and started to lead him towards the car.
    He chooses to not respond with words, and instead to just shrug his shoulders like the answer didn't matter. 
    "Fine." I sigh, tiredly. "Just, get into the car, please."
    He nods and slings his backpack off of his back and into the backseat. Then climbs into the car, pulling the seat belt over his slender body.
    I sigh and follow suit. When I'm in the car, seat belt buckled, hands on the steering wheel. I sigh and turn towards Ted, in the passenger seat. "So? Are you going to stay 
mute all the way home? or, are you going to explain why you were out here? Were you running away? Hoping to get abducted?"
    He slumps into the seat, most likely hoping to disappear, and crossed his arms in front of his chest, looking out the window. "That place isn't home. You should know that." 
He mumbles.
    "Come on, Ted! Just because of a little trouble in this life of ours, you're just going to run away and hide? You were just going to leave? Leave Mom? Leave Me? You 
were going to abandon all hope of dad coming home?" I question, turning the key in the ignition, starting the car again.
    He doesn't respond this time, he just sits slumped in the seat, arms crossed, looking out the window.
    I sigh and nod. "fine,"
    The whole ride back was spent in a long, awkward, uncomfortable silence. Me just sitting there starring straight ahead, focusing on driving, a grimace on my face. Him 
sitting slumped in the seat, being as stubborn as usual, maybe even more then usual.
    When we arrive, Ted quickly gets out of the car and runs into the house, slamming the door so loudly that I think it even echoed. I am now alone, in the car.
    I sigh and slump into my seat, much like Ted had done. 
    I can remember when Dad was here. When, things were good. If something like this happened between me and Ted, Mom and Dad would come to me and they would 
say comforting things like, "Whats wrong, baby girl?" and "You alright, Baby?". Things that would make me feel instantly better. things that would make me stop crying and smile.
 Things that would take away the hurt. Then, Ted would come to me within four to five minutes, and say he was sorry and that he loves me.
    But now. No one comes out to comfort me. No one makes me stop hurting. No one comes up to me and gives me and say the three words I haven't heard for a long 
time, "I love you." I'm truly alone. I can feel the tears come to my eyes as the feelings overwhelm my heart despair, grief, hurt. I can't seem to stop them. The feelings are 
running throughout my whole body,  pumped through my veins by my heart.
    'This isn't fair.' I think to myself. 'Dad just left us. Left us to suffer. He left me. He broke Mom. And, worst of all. He took the real Ted with him. The 13 year old boy, that 
was just in my car about a minute ago was NOT Ted. Not the Ted I know. That boy was a stranger.'
    The thoughts start to bring more pain and tears, so I quickly push them away. I got up out of the car, and head towards the house, knowing what I'll find inside.
    Mom is in the family room, even though the word 'family' is pointless to use, anymore. She's sitting on the couch, watching T.V. as usual. Face blank of any emotion.
    "I'm Home." I say, tossing my messenger bag onto the coffee table, and joining her on the couch.
    "I know." Is all she says, eyes on the screen.
    "Um...I think Ted has had a rough day, today." I say slowly, trying to get her off the couch and to talk to Ted. 
    "Then someone should talk to him."
    'Annnnd....another failed attempt.' I think sourly.
    "I would, but, I think he needs you right now. He needs his Mom. And, to tell the truth? I need you to. Please?"
    "I'm busy."
    Of course shes 'busy'. She's always busy. But, busy with what? Grieving? Or, Watching reruns of 'Dates Gone Wild'?
    "Oh...Um,ok. I guess I'll get dinner ready? I was thinking sandwiches?" I ask, disappointedly. I start to run my hands through my hair, trying to get the wood shavings 
out.
    "I already ate. I think Ted made a quick something when he came in aswell. So, you just need to make yourself something."
    "Oh. Ok. See you later." I said, once again, disappointed.
    "Ok."
    I decide to skip dinner, and to go up to my room. Once in there I threw myself onto my bed. "Good night, Ted!" I yell, knowing that hes able to hear me from next door. 
There's no answer. Which means hes either asleep, or ignoring me. Most likely the later.
    I quickly change into my favorite light blue and light pink striped pjs. Then, I return to bed, after turning out the lights. Soon, I can feel my eyelids becoming heavier and 
heavier, until I finally fall asleep.
    I'm only asleep for what seems like three seconds, until I hear a loud crash from nearby, which causes my eyes to shoot wide open, I look at my clock. 12:45. 
    "Ted! This is not the time for messing around!" I groan, then I remember that this isn't the old Ted. This is a new serious Ted. This Ted doesn't mess around.
    "Ted?" I ask getting up and going into the hallway. I flip the switch once. Twice, a third time. Nothing. 
    "Great." I mumble, glumly. "Stupid power."
    I finally reach Ted's room, in the Dark and open the door, and gasp. 
    There's a tall silhouette, in the room, outlined by the moonlight shining through the window. 
    I quickly flick on the lights so I can see the figure. It's a tall man wearing a black trench coat. From behind, I can tell he has black shaggy hair. Before, I can determine 
anything else, the figure spins towards me, and I remember that I have turned on the lights, alerting him to my presence. I can now see that his eyes are a terrifying dark blood 
red. His lips are pale and chapped. His skin is a very powdery white. He wears a strange black tee that has red symbols scribbled all over it. His jeans are a black that looks like the color of utter darkness and evil.
    "W-Who are you?" I ask, horrified.
    He laughs and studied me with his blood red eyes. "You're afraid of me already? Thats good. Very good."
    "Who are y-you?" I repeat, legs shaking. I want to run. I want to scream for help. But, it seems that I can't.
    "Ah, my kind do not believe in using names to identify ourselves. But, you may call me...Asphial. Yes, I like that. You're a Baker, correct?" He asks, smiling studying my face.
    'His kind? What does that mean?' I think.
    "Yes." I find myself saying, seemingly against my will.
    "Ah, thats good. Very good. That means I can take both children, instead of one." He murmurs.
    It just then hits me whos room we're standing in. "W-Wheres Ted?"
    He looks up startled, almost as if if he forgot I was here. He recovers quickly and smiles, "Ted? Ah, you must mean you're brother. Why, hes right here!" He steps 
aside, and I can now see Ted lying on the floor, skin pale, as if the blood has been drained out of him. He looks terrible.
    "Ted!" I find myself screaming, "I-Is he...?" I ask, unable to finish my sentence.
    "Dead? No. But, now that you're here I can take you with me.." He murmurs, looks at me and smiles. "Seems like a great deal, aye? You stay with your brother, and I 
get revenge." With that he takes a step towards me.
    "No! Tori! Get Down!" A familiar voice shouts from behind me, I quickly drop to the floor. Looking up I see a dart wizz past where my head was just at, and hits Asphial. 
He wails in pain and I can almost imagine a fire burning as he looks past me towards my savior, with unmistakable rage. 
    "Lydia. One day. One day! I'll finish you off like your husband!" He screams in rage.
    'Lydia? Mom!?'
    Before I or my mom could speak, He threw something down at the ground, filling the room with a black smoke."A little something I picked up about four years ago. 
Seem familiar? It should, you've used it on me plenty after all."
    "I gave up the hunting business! Why are you here creature?" Mom yells into the room. 
    'Hunting Business? Creature? This is just my day.'
    "For revenge! You killed the ones I loved! Now I'll take what I came for! I'll take the boy. But, you can keep the girl. Perhaps, she'll give you a chance in this battle. 
Perhaps." He replies with an evil crackle.
    "Ted! No!" I find myself screaming along with Mom.
    "Goodbye, Baker family! And, don't try to hard. We all know you'll lose this one." He calls. A few seconds later, I can hear glass shattering, and I realize that he has jumped out the window.
    The room quickly empties of smoke, since there is now a hole in Ted's window. 
    "Tori? Tori? Are you all right?" I hear Mom ask. But I can't answer. I won't, and I don't.
    " Tori! I need you to answer me! Are. You. All. Right." She asks desperately.
    I look away from the broken window to her. "T-Ted..." I whisper, my voice hoarse from screaming so much.
    "Look." She whispers, taking my hands in hers. " I need to tell you something. I never wanted you to know about Jacky's and mine's previous...occupation. But, it 
seems I must now. I'm going to need you to trust me."
    "Jacky? Who's Jacky?" I question.
    "Jackys your father's real name-"
    " And why should I trust you? You sat by idly while Ted an I went through everything alone! You pretty much abandoned us, just like dad!"I said annoyed, pulling my hands away from hers.
    "Don't you talk to me like that! I was grieving! And Your father never abandoned us! The truth is, he went missing in action about four years ago!" She snaps irritated.
    "You were 'grieving' for FOUR years-"
    "I loved Jacky tons! I loved him more than anyone else in the world!"
    I took a deep breath and started to count to 15. 'Calm down, Tori. Calm down.'
    "How did he go missing in action?"
    "Well, why don't I start from the beginning?" She asks.
    I nod, "Probably for the best."
    "Your father and I were Monster Hunters. The times when we dropped you and your brother off at daycare for no reason? We were being called in to fight." She sighs 
and starts to fiddle with her wedding ring. "Then, one day we got called in to fight. I could feel that this would be diffrent as soon as we entered headquarters. Every single 
Monster Hunter in the areas were there."
    "Headquarters? Wheres that?"
    "Classified, sorry." She says, giving me a small smile. "Anyways, the general said that we were about to face the biggest threat we'll ever see. Thousands of monsters 
were gathering in the sierra desert. Their leader? The very horrible creature that was just in this room, and has Ted."
    "He told me his name is Asphial." I interrupt, to give her this detail.
    "Asphial? Well, ok. Their leader was Asphial. We geared up for battle and prepared for days and days of battle in the hot desert. When we arrived, they got the 
advantage. They had been there longer and had been able to set up some kind of fortress. Complete with cannons, lasers, and outposts. We were instantly attacked, and quickly 
overwhelmed. But we continued to fight on. Jacky destroyed over a dozen of them the first day."
    "A dozen?!"
    "Yes. He was quite the soldier your father was. Yet, on the final day of battle. Jacky went up against Asphial, himself. He banished Asphial, to somewhere unknown to 
us, but Jacky was taken with the creature. I haven't seen either ever since, until now."
    It was silent for a while afterwards. "Thats it?" I asked, frowning.
    "Well, yes. That's pretty much it. Except that you and your brother both have hunter blood in you."
    "Really? Cool!"
    "You sound like a child."
    "You sound like a parent." I snap back.
    She sighs and rubs her forehead. "Are we going to get back into this?"
    "Well, not now. But, maybe later."
    "Good. Because, theres a battle coming that you'll have to fight."
    "Me? By myself?"
    "Goodness, no! We'd all be doomed! I'll fight alongside you. And if Teds all good, perhaps he can fight to."
    "Me and Ted? We have no training."
    "Yet."
    "Ok. You'll train me? What about Ted?"
    "Eh. Hes got Hunter blood in him. He'll catch on, eventually."
    "Eventually?"
    "Yes. Now, lets start, shall we?"
    The next few days are rough. Mom revealed to me a secret room that was complete with an armory, gym, training room, and simulator. She trains me how to use the 
different kinds of weapons. Theres one called 'The Lullaby' that puts creatures to sleep. My favorite, called the 'Lucky Shot' which is basically a golden revolver, with special 
ammunition that paralyzes them until given the antidote, unless theres something in the way such as a person, wall, animal, monster then it hits the target every single time. I, of course, hit my target every time. Then theres the Baton, which is basically a bo staff but a lot smaller, and is coated in a special metal that burns Monsters.
    Then theres the different kinds of gear that'll help me on my siege against Asphial. Theres the Dematerializer, which is a timed 'bomb' that when it goes off it 
dematerializes the object it was attached to. The climbing axes, which will allow me to scale the walls of the fortress.
    Then, theres my uniform. Its a black long-sleeved shirt that has built in fiber armor, which is basically really light fabric made of steel. Then the same goes for my 
jeans, which are white. Then, my shoes are designed to keep me balanced, keep the spring in my step when running, and to muffle my footsteps. My belt has enough pouches to 
hold ammunition for the 'Lucky Shot', charges for the 'Dematerializer' and 'The Lullaby'. Then I have two hoisters on my thighs, one on each, to hold my two 'Lucky Shot's. One 
more on my left arm for 'The Lullaby'. Then a clips on my belt for the 'Dematerializer' and my Climbing Axes.
    Mom's is the same except hers is all White.
    Today, I stand in front of Mom, who has unexpectedly called for me while I was training. She looks upset about something.
    "Whats wrong, Mom?" 
    "I've found where Asphial is. He's gained some more followers since we last saw him. A dozen or so."
    "And he has Ted with him?"
    "Yes."
    "Where are they located?"
    She sighs and rests her head in her hands. "The sierra Desert. Thats where they're located."
    I feel a large lump form in my throat. "You mean...the same fortress where..."
    "Where Jacky disappeared? Yes, that Fortress."
    "Oh."
    She nods and leans back in her chair. "Yeah."
    "You don't have to go if you don't want to." I offer.
    She looks at me with a look of offense. "I would never forgive myself if I don't go. I owe it to Jacky. Besides, if Asphial is back..."
    It dawns on me why she really wants to come with me, after all her years of retirement. "You think that since Asphial is back, that perhaps dad came back, too?"
    She nods a tear slips down her cheek, "They went away together. It would make since if they came back together, right?"
    I don't think it makes since at all, but I don't have the heart to tell her that. It would crush her hopes. "Yeah. It does make since, Mom. We'll find him. I won't rest 
until I do."
    She smiles at me. "Thank You. Now, go get in uniform. We're going."
    "Woah,woah. Woah! We're going now?"
    "Of course we are, or else I wouldn't have called you in."
    "But...What if I mess up...or-"
    "You'll do great, baby."
    "I love you." I whisper.
    "I love you, too" She whispers back, and plants a small kiss on my fore head. "Now, go suit up. We need to get a move on."
    Two hours later, I'm laying on a sand dune only 100 meters from the giant fortress, next to my mom. "There it is." I mumble to my Mom, as I look through the 
binoculars I brought. 
    "Yes, I see it. It looks just like I remember it...It brings back memories. Bad memories."
    "Why didn't you guys destroy this thing after the war? I mean, it would make this a bit easier if they had to build a whole new one."I whisper.
    "If we destroyed it, we would have to use explosives. Which would make to much noise, attracting the governments attention towards this place, and towards us." She 
whispers back.
    "Right...Is anything going to be easy?"
    "Probably not."
    "Thanks for the pep talk, Mom. How are we going to do this?"
    "We scale opposite walls. You on the west wall. Me on the south. You'll get over the wall and nearby there'll be the holding cells. If Ted'll be anywhere he'll be in there. 
Free him and head towards that tall tower over there, see it?"
    "Yeah,I see it. May I ask what you'll be doing?"
    "I'll be taking this place down to the ground." She replies with a small smile.
    "Awesome."
    "Enough chat. Lets go do this thing."
    I nod my head. "Good luck. Don't die."
    "You too, Tori. I'm sorry I've been such a terrible parent. I hope you can forgive me."
    "Don't say that. You're amazing. Now, lets do this."
    With that we both get up and jog towards our assigned walls.
    When I reach mine, I quickly pull the climbing axes from my belt, and start to climb, my shoes staying on the wall like glue. When I reach the top, I find a ladder, and 
slide down to the ground.
    'No sign of any creepies..so far so good.'
    I look around until I find a door with a wooden slab nailed sloppily next to it, that reads: 
                                           Holding Chambers
                                       Authorized Personnel Only
                                                  No Humans.
    "Very subtle."I muttered. I can remember Mom saying that some monsters weren't very bright but, come on. Really?
I open the door and slip in. I can hear a conversation going on now.
    "So, you're like a dude thats about to attend a costume convention, right?" A young voice asks.
    'Ted!' I think excitedly, but only for a few seconds, as the next voice isn't a voice I'd like to hear again.
    "I'm starting to wish that I took your sister instead, you know that?" Asphial asks.
    "Yeah, I find that a lot of people prefer her over me, you know?"
    "Shut up!" Asphial groans.
    "Ok, ok. So, you're not the social type? Believe it our not. Neither am I."
    "I find that somewhat hard to believe."
    "Really?"
    I slip one of my Lucky Shots from its holster. I take a step towards the opening.
    "So, if you're not a social type, then why are you talking so much?"
    "Well, I guess you're a little more easier to open up to then others, ya' know?"
    'Well, that hurt. He's able to open up to the monster that kidnapped him easier then his own sister?'
    I bite my lip and c**k my gun.
    "Well, isn't that-" He paused halfway through his sentence.
    "What is it?"
    "Someone else is here."
    'Well, there goes the stealthy approach.'
    "Come on out, little girl!" Asphial called. "Have you come to save your brother?"
    I step out from my hiding spot, raise the Lucky Shot and fire off multiple rounds. 1, 2, 3, 4...
    They slam into him alright. But they do nothing. He stands there, amused.
    "Tori?!" Ted gasps running up to the bars and grabbing them, pressing his face between them, to see through.
    "Hey, Ted! You alright?"I ask.
    He shrugs "I've been better."
    "Aw. How cute. But, honestly, did you expect those puny little toys to work on me? The general of monsters?" He asks, raising his hand up and swiping it to the left. 
The gun flies out of my hands, and skids stopping a bit in front of the bars of Ted's 'cage'.
    "I somewhat didn't think I would encounter you." I said, standing my ground.
    "Ah, yes. Which means that Mommy hasn't taught you to be a full Hunter, eh? What's their moto? Expect the unexpected? yes, that sounds right."
    He continues to talk, but I choose to tune him out as I look around rapidly with my eyes. 'C'mon, Tori! Think!' I look down at the Dematerializer clipped to my belt. 
Dissolves anything...lets test that.
    I see Ted pick up my discarded Lucky Shot, and aim it at Asphial. And fires. "Hey, chapped lips!" He calls.
    Asphial growls and turns on him, his back now to me. 'Now.'
    I unclip the dematerializer and sprint at him, shoes muffling my steps.
    'Give me that! I'm going to-Ah!" He exclaimed as I jumped onto his back.
    "Get off! You little brat! what are you doing!" He shouts, trying to shake me off, but I hang onto his shoulders tightly. I quickly place the small round device onto his 
back and put it to activate in three seconds. I smirk and jump off.
    'Please let this work.'
    Just then Mom bursts in. "Tori! Whats taking you so-" She pauses as she sees Asphial. "Oh."
    "MOM?!" Ted shouts from in the cage.
    Then, the dematerializer activates. Asphial gasps and claws at his neck. "Wh-What have you done?" He wails. He falls to the floor and we all watch in horror as he slowly disappears."It worked!" I cheered happily.
    Mom looks at me quizzically, "What worked? What happened?"
    Ted speaks for me. "Tori placed that thing on his back." Ted said pointing to the chargeless Dematerializer. 
    Mom looks at me in amazement. "You dematerialized him? You're brilliant!" She says hugging me. 
    We then turned to Ted and set him free.    
    About 30 minutes later, we watch from a safe distance as the charges Mom set go off, destroying the fortress, and the rest of the monsters in it.
    I smile, "It's over."
    "For now. Theres plenty more monsters out there to be taken care of, if you choose to continue, that is." Mom replies turning and walking towards the car we used to 
get here, Ted and I following close behind.
    "Are you kidding? I just started and I took out the General of Monsters! Well, with Ted's help of course." I reply getting in the car.
    "I'll be down with hunting these things, if you're willing to train me, Mom."
    She smiles at us. "Of course, I'm willing!"
    With that we drive back towards our home, leaving the tall column of black smoke behind us.
    Two weeks later, I stand on the roof of my house, in uniform. Ted is downstairs training with Mom, so I decided to get a breather. 
    "Tori! Come help me untangle Ted, please!"
    I smile,"Coming!"
    But, Before I go back downstairs I look back at the setting sun. 'Now, THIS is a family. Well, kind of.'
    "Look out world. My name is Tori Baker, and I'm a Monster Hunter."