Hunter and the Hunted

Hunter and the Hunted

Stupid. That's what this is. Stupid and pointless. I've been a first rate detective for fifteen years, I've solved every case they've thrown at me, and yet they ask me to do this trivial case. Allegedly people have been disappearing inside this hunting store called Guns 'n Ammo. So far, my partner and I have been on a stakeout for two days, and every person that has gone in has come out. I looked down at the radio and started changing stations, searching for some means of entertainment. I sighed, "Dude, this is pointless. It's almost closing time, again, and still nothing. When can we go home?"

"The captain says that we have to solve this one."

"But there's nothing to solve!" I raised my voice. I was pissed.

"Calm down. We have two more days left before we can go- hold up. It's closing time." My partner looked out the window of the car again and squinted.

"Anyone still inside?"

"Not that I can see… But that guy with his son didn't come out."

"Damn… We'll wait till opening time and see if they come out."

We waited. And waited. And waited. Finally, my partner suggested that we sneak inside and investigate. Seeing as we had absolutely nothing else to do, I agreed. We grabbed our guns, badges, and ammunition and headed into the store. It was unlocked. I glanced around. The place was creepy; there were animal heads and hides everywhere. I thought I saw a human skull, but it was probably my imagination.
"Look over there," my partner said under his breath. He nudged me and pointed to a dimly lit hallway.

We quietly snuck towards the light until we reached a locked door. As soon as we tried the handle, a slit opened to reveal a pair of cold-looking eyes. "Are you the hunters or the hunted?"

Our puzzled expression must have been the only answer the person needed. The door was thrust open and we were held at gunpoint by two men with ski masks on. One grabbed my arm, pulled me into the room, and pressed a stinking cloth over my mouth. Everything went black.

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When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was how cold it was. I was lying on my stomach on stone floor. My head was throbbing. I sat up and looked around. I could hardly see anything. My clothes were torn and there were shackles on my wrists and ankles. What the hell is going on!? How long was I out? I stood up and began to wander around. I got lost over and over. The paths seemed endless. My stomach snarled painfully, forcing me to change my search from an exit to food. I quickly found it. A loaf of bread and cheese. I sat and began to scarf down my food. I began to think, every sense alert. Then it struck me. Where'd my partner go? What happened to him? Did they knock him out too? God, if they did, then he's down here somewhere?
I stood again, but the cocking of a gun made me freeze. "They said they got fresh prey. Two cops in fact," one voice said.

Another replied, "Yeah. And one's a chick too. Maybe I can buy her off their hands before she goes crazy," the voice laughed.

Two indistinguishable figures stepped around the corner. "Speak of the devil! There she is!"

"Get her!"

I ran. I don't know for how long or to where, but I ran as fast as I could through the labyrinth until the shouts and guns were out of earshot. I slowed to a brisk walk and began to organize my thoughts, Hunter and the Hunted. That's what this is about. This is why people have been disappearing… God, these people are disgusting… I sat in a dark corner and waited. I knew some martial arts, so maybe I could disarm one of them before they shot me.

"Angela?" I jumped at the sound of my name. I looked around and saw my partner. My eyes narrowed when I saw he had his gear and a gun.

"What are you doing? Didn't they capture you?"

"No. I'm a hunter. The deadliest, in fact," a sadistic smirk crawled across his face, sending shivers down my spine. I had a visceral feeling, like I was going to throw up. He continued with his monologue, "I've been waiting for this day for ten years. I can't believe it's finally here."

"What the hell are you talking about!?" I snarled. I was shocked. Already this whole "prey" thing was turning me into some kind of feral animal.

"Let me put it this way: you get a thirty second head start. Starting now. One. Two. Three…"

I turned and ran.