Chapter 1 – Memories:
“Marilyn!” I cried while sitting on a tree branch and swinging my legs. Marilyn looked up and narrowed her eyes.
“Flo, you’re already an official Gunner. You have to set a good example to others and stop acting so immature.” Marilyn said. I sighed.
“I’m eight-years-old.”
“Me too.”
I really hate it when Marilyn starts reprimanding me when I try to have fun. She’s been so uptight ever since she became an official Brawler. With precision, I jumped from the branch and landed right in front of her. She didn’t even flinch.
Suddenly, our transmitter started beeping. Taking mine out from my pocket, my commanding officer started speaking, “Gunners, there have been sightings of strange monsters in the Forest of Death. I want anyone who is within a 5-km range to go check it out and send me a report on the monster.” Marilyn looked at me. She received the same message as well.
“According to my transmitter, I’m the closest Brawler to the area.”
“According to my transmitter, I’m the closest Gunner to the area.”
We grinned at each other. Placing my transmitter back into my pocket, we set off for the Forest of Death.
“As always, this place is as intimidating as its name.” Marilyn commented. And she was right.
Countless of shrubs covered the entrance to the Forest of Death and we had to use our skill to destroy every single one of them before we could pass through. The further Marilyn and I walked into the forest, the less light there is. The trees loomed ominously over us, covering any possible traces of sunlight.
Closing my eyes briefly, I tried to get used to the dark.
“Did you see that?” Marilyn whispered.
Startled by her voice, I quickly opened my eyes.
“No, I was closing my eyes so that I can have a better night vision, why?”
“I saw something move just now.”
Our movements came to a halt instantaneously.
That was when we first saw it.
The sightings were right; this was a monster we had never seen before. Taking out my gun, I immediately jumped onto the nearest tree.
“It looks like a werewolf.” Marilyn observed.
“I know, but werewolves aren’t white.” I replied.
Growling, the white werewolf crouched and bared its teeth menacingly.
Everything seemed to turn into slow-motion. In less than a second, the wolf was already in front of me and I couldn’t dodge its slash. I heard Marilyn cry out “Flo!” before I fell to the ground in a pool of blood. Was I dying? Nah, death wouldn’t be this painful. I clutched my arm and felt something warm and wet. It was my blood.
“Marilyn!” I managed to cry out weakly. I don’t know if she heard me since there was no response. However, I didn’t see the wolf anywhere as well. Slowly, I sat up and this time, with more strength, I managed to give a decent shout, “Marilyn!”
Silence.
Out of the blue, the wolf flew backwards and crashed into a tree not far from where I was sitting. That was when I saw Marilyn with her knuckle covered in blood. Her white, cold eyes were staring at me and I noticed that her hair had turned white too.
“Marilyn, what happened to you?” I asked in horror.
She looked away from me and didn’t answer me but instead walked towards the yelping wolf. The wolf’s snow white coat of fur was stained with blood and there was a huge cut on its thigh. Marilyn continued walking towards it and the wolf’s yelp got louder.
“Marilyn! Snap out of it! The wolf can’t move, it won’t do anything to us! Don’t hurt it anymore!” I cried in desperation. My best friend had turned into the coldest stranger. My words stopped Marilyn in her tracks and she looked at me. Her eyes and hair returned to their normal colour before she passed out cold.
