"Hurry up," the section leader yelled as Malcolm ran out late. Last to get in the van, sweat could be seen coming down his face. He was also breathing heavily.
"Hope you got a diaper in there for when you poop yourself," a more popular student teased Malcolm as he got in the van. Everyone laughed at him and wondered why he had so much luggage with him. Everyone knows to take only what you need into battle.
Malcolm just ignored everyone as usual. He was typically unpopular and bullied on a daily basis. Most people left him alone after Jake, a high-ranked student, went too far and broke one of Malcolm's inventions. Malcolm shot Jake with one of his inventions that had Jake stuck on the wall with an insanely sticky substance. It took over twenty-four hours to get him down. Since then, people stuck to snide remarks. No one touched him or his things.
The ride was long. They left the hidden base. They were in the middle of nowhere for hours, first driving miles on a road through the woods, then miles on a dirt road until they finally turned onto a main highway. There were four vans back to back full of students. They were all on their first hunt; some were excited and some were nervous.
There was a captain in every van. He divided everyone into groups of five and explained to everyone their part in this hunt. There are several veteran teams deployed to this hunt as well. They were informed that young hunters would be participating, so they will be looking out for everyone just in case you guys can't handle the situation. Me and the other two captains will also be watching over you guys as well. Make sure you all look out for each other as well. You are all one unit. Teamwork is how we will get home.
The vans finally came to a halt. Malcolm was the first to get off his van, followed by his team. A small girl with pink eyes that matched her long straight pink hair. Her name was Alley.
Then the tall boy with big arms and broad shoulders that insulted Malcolm hopped off next. His name was Booker. His dark brown eyes and dark brown hair, with his strong jawline and charming smile, made it easy for him to pick up girls. "Feels good to stretch my legs," he said as he began to stretch.
"Yeah, I'd rather run back than ride back," said another boy getting off behind them. He had a slender build, wielding two swords sheathed on his left hip. He had low-cut wavy hair, tapered down on the sides and back, milky caramel-brown skin, maple eyes, and a mustache at ten years old.
"You are always saying some wild sh*t like that, bro." A boy identical to him hopped off behind him. Kill and Trill were identical twins. Trill, like his brother, carried two swords on his left side, but he also carried a single nunchuck on his other side. The nunchuck was glowing purple, and what looked like vines were sealed into the chucks somehow. That was Malcolm's team: Malcolm, Alley, Booker, Kill, and Trill.
"Everyone line up," the head captain shouted, and the groups of five lined up in order behind each other as if they had practiced a million times. "We're leaving the vehicles here. The town is up ahead. I'm not going to tell you guys to be careful. Don't do anything stupid. If you run into an alpha, do not engage. Let the vets handle him. Here is a map of the town and the surrounding woods," he said as another captain passed the maps out. "The red circle is where we are now. This is where we will meet back up when it's over. Everyone is able to approach the town and act on their own free volition until the mission is over. Any questions?" he asked.
"Head Captain Zero!" Eddie shouted.
"Speak," Head Captain Zero said as he walked directly in front of Eddie.
"Am I to assume if we kill the Alpha that the battle will be over?" Eddie questioned.
"Actually, no," he responded. "But when the Alpha is killed, that will demoralize the enemy, and that may cause the pack to surrender or retreat. But if it's a proud pack, they will fight till everyone is dead and leave their children to fend for themselves. You just make sure you got your learning goggles on, kid." He said as he patted Eddie on the head. "Now move out!" he shouted, and everyone scattered in their own direction through the woods. Some would hop from tree to tree, all moving full speed toward battle.
"Guys," Malcolm said, gathering his group. "We should approach from here." He pointed at the map. "This will be perfect to give us cover, and also we will have space to handle whatever comes our way."
"Honestly, that's a great idea," Booker interjected. "I'll take the lead. Kill and Trill will follow up on the sides, and Malcolm, Alley, you two take the flank. Let's take this route to get there." They mapped it out and agreed with Booker and moved out.
"Is that wolfsbane infused in your nunchuck?" Malcolm asked Trill as he marveled at the sight.
"Yeah, it's been in my family for generations," Trill replied proudly.
"Since the beginning, our family has been werewolf slayers," Kill jumped in.
"The craftsmanship on it is remarkable," Malcolm complimented.
"What's wolfsbane?" Booker chimed in.
"You really are on a werewolf hunt and you don't know what wolfsbane is?" Alley finally broke her silence. "I hope everyone here isn't as incompetent as you." There was a small giggle from everyone.
"Wolfsbane is the weakness of werewolves," Malcolm informed him. "Wait here, let me give you something." He set his bag down and pulled out a spear. The properties of the spear, like the nunchucks, had glowing vine-like lights throughout the whole shaft. Then the blade was clear as diamond and strong too. "You're going to need a weapon infused with wolfsbane in this battle," he said as he pushed up his glasses that were sliding down his nose.
"Thanks, but what are you going to use?" Booker asked.
"I have got something else for me," he replied. "I also brought weapons just in case you guys needed them."
"Hey, I know I talk a lot of trash, but you're actually pretty helpful," Booker complimented.
"What type of weapon suits you, Alley?" Malcolm asked, realizing he had never seen her in combat before.
"Don't worry, I got it covered," she said with a slightly menacing smirk on her face.
"We're approaching the entry point. Do you hear that?" Kill asked. Everyone stopped talking and listened, and they could hear the battle—the clashing of weapons and flesh tearing. The war cries were heard as they got closer.
Out of nowhere, a wolf dropped in between them and slashed at Trill with its huge claws. It was all so fast. In a purple blur, Kill slashed its arm off and stabbed its chest instantly, poisoning its heart and killing it swiftly before it could harm anyone. Kill smiled. "Stay on guard, it's game time, baby." The demonic smile on his face after killing the wolf sent chills through Malcolm's body.
"Don't worry," Alley grabbed Malcolm's hand, which made him blush. "I will personally look after you."
It was at that moment Malcolm realized how cute Alley was—her adorable smile, big unique pink eyes. They were both thirteen and had been in classes together, which is why she knew someone was probably going to have to look out for him. "Thanks, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve too," he smiled awkwardly. (I will not be useless here,) he thought to himself.