• "I'll never find her," he said running frantically down the sidewalk. "She could be anywhere!"

    He ducked as the sound of a loud explosion reverberated from down the street, followed by the cries of several civilians. Fear consumed him as he watched the screaming people rush past him.

    "Oh no," he said to himself. "What has she done?"





    "You want to try that again?"

    Geo was standing her ground now, glaring ominously at the three men before her. One had just attempted to attack her, but she'd stopped his punch easily with the help of the wind.

    And much to his surprise. Now he was on the ground, his eyes wide with both fear and perplex.

    "W-what are you?"

    Geo smirked. "What was it you called it? A Pariah?"

    The man glared from under his lashes as the two other men picked him up onto his feet.

    "Yeah, that's what I said. And that's I meant. You don't belong here."

    She'd hoped he wouldn't try to attack her again, but here he came, fists blaring. This guy didn't stand a chance against Geo as she raised her hands, preparing her own attack.

    Just as both of them were about to make contact, they were stopped by a block of cement separating them. The man slammed into it with a thud. Geo stood stunned by the sudden interruption.

    She glanced over and saw Hunter with his hands on the ground now, something like electricity snapping around his hands.

    He stood up onto his feet and looked at the men. "I suggest you all get out of here now."

    They seemed shocked to find a high ranking officer in their midst. "S-sir! Don't you see that this woman is a Pariah?! She doesn't belong here!"

    Hunter sighed angrily before stomping over and grabbing one of them by the shirt. "That doesn't concern you. Now I said—you'd better get out of here."

    It seemed clear by the man's face that he didn't agree with Hunter's suggestion, but backed up nonetheless. "Let's go, guys."

    All of them begrudgingly dusted off their clothes before leaving. Now there was a crowd of people surrounding them, most of them with looks of shock, but some with looks of disgust, especially toward Geo.

    "That goes for all of you," Hunter shouted. He looked toward Geo then with a very stern expression.

    But Geo only returned the gaze. She wasn't ashamed.

    "What happened," he asked.

    Geo looked away. "What does it look like? I was attacked."

    Hunter walked over before giving Geo the look over. "You're not hurt?"

    "Seriously? Those guys couldn't even touch me."

    "I don't mean just physically."

    Did he honestly care? But the honest look in his green eyes gave her the sudden impression that he did.

    "I'm fine."

    She felt suddenly uncomfortable by the way he was scrutinizing her, as if trying to find out if she was lying or not.

    "We need to talk," he finally said. Geo breathed a sigh of relief.

    "About what?"

    "About what happened earlier, with Commander Phat."

    Geo didn't want to talk about him. And she no longer wanted anything to do with the reason they'd brought her here.

    "I tell you what. Follow me."

    She waited there a moment after he turned to leave, but curiosity got the best of her, and she bitterly followed behind.





    "So how is it?"

    Geo paused mid-bit with the spoon in her mouth. She swallowed awkwardly. "It's good...obviously."

    Hunter gave a small, light-hearted laugh. "I guess I've never been much of an ice-cream fan, myself."

    "What?!"

    "I know, I know. Even as a kid actually."

    Geo felt suddenly suspicious of such a person. She finished her last bite and set the spoon gingerly in the bowl. "Okay, so what was it you wanted to talk to me about, Colonel?"

    "Actually, you can call me Hunter if you'd like. I think it's better that way."

    Geo looked at him surprised. "Oh. Okay—Hunter."

    He seemed pleased. "So firstly," he began. "I'd like to apologize."

    Geo found herself unexpectedly taken by surprise.

    "What the Commander said back there and how he treated you...I don't agree with him."

    "Y-you don't?"

    "No. In fact, I was the one who recommended bringing you here. So maybe I'm the one to blame. I needed help, and I was desperate."

    Desperate? So bringing her here was an act of desperation? She was about to spout something off sarcastically, but he interrupted.

    "You see—I don't like admitting that I need help. But when I discovered someone with such a reputation as yourself, I knew I had to drop my pride. And I knew that the Commander would see how much we needed you too eventually."

    Geo relented slightly of her previous assumption. So he really believed she was that strong? She subconsciously began twiddling her fingers.

    "Will you help us?"

    It was a question she wasn't sure of the answer to. He seemed genuine in his pursuit for help. And he seemed to really believe that Geo was that help. The most surprising part was that he didn't seem to harbor any prejudice toward her nationality.

    "And what's in it for me," she asked feebly. It was a selfish question, but he didn't seem put off by it.

    "Money, of course. And honestly anything you need."

    This made her perk up instantly. "Anything? Like—for my village?"

    He smiled warmly. "Of course. We'd be in your debt."

    Anything. She couldn't believe it. This was the chance she'd been waiting for—to finally help her villagers. "What if I asked for better security parameters? To protect us against attacks?"

    "You'd have it."

    "Clean water?"

    "Done."

    Amazing. She leaned forward on her elbows and peered seriously into Hunter's eyes. His discomfort was obvious, but Geo wanted to gauge his honesty. When she seemed satisfied, she sat back pleased.

    "Okay, Hunter. You have yourself a deal."

    His smile reached all the way to his eyes. "Excellent! I think we'd better discuss this in private, then."





    He took her back to the capitol where he'd then shown her into another smaller office. The commander, thankfully, was not there.

    "So," he began. "Here's the gist of it. It's been my responsibility to investigate the recent violent behavior of the Dryads. They've been randomly attacking our settlements, and since we are at peace with them, this is a bit unusual. I know you've probably had more experience with them than me, unfortunately might I add. What do you think about this?"

    Geo tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Why don't you just ask them?"

    Hunter's expression immediately turned to disappointment.

    "Well? How 'bout it," she insisted.

    "Sure!"

    Geo pouted at his sarcastic tone.

    "We'll just waltz right up to their leader and say, 'Hey! How come you're attacking us?'"

    Geo scowled. "Well, why did you ask for my opinion then?"

    "I was asking why you think they might be attacking."

    "How would I know that?"

    Hunter felt himself losing his patience. Was this really the formidable soldier that he'd heard about? "Okay," he breathed. "I guess that's a fair point. My question then is: will you help me find out?"

    She puckered her lips broodingly. "I guess I'll help you. But that commander is bad news."

    "And how is that?"

    "I don't know. Something about him just makes me uncomfortable."

    Hunter gave her a droll stare. "Do you have these feelings often?"

    "Yes. As a matter of fact I do."

    "Okay, okay," he relented. "You'll have minimal communication with the commander then. Fair?"

    "That's fair," she agreed.

    "Great. Then I think we can call it a day. I take it you won't mind staying a night here?"

    Geo's stomach knotted a bit. Truthfully, she wanted to be home with her family. "Sure. But I'd like to go home soon to speak with my mother and sister."

    "Of course," he said warmly. "I understand. I'll take you back tomorrow to at least talk to your family."

    "Thank you," she said genuinely grateful.

    "In the meantime," Hunter said with a pensive glint in his eye. "I think I have an idea."

    Casperia: Part 4