Free Matt Archer: Monster Hunter (Matt Archer #1) by Kendra C. Highley Page A

leading a small team into Afghanistan to check out
some newly reported supernatural incidents. The peacekeeping effort is my
cover.”
    “So you can’t stay here,” I said.
    “I wish I could, but I’m needed elsewhere.” Mike let my arm
go, his eyes sad. “The human race is in this together, Chief. Most people just
don’t know it yet, and we hope they never find out.”
    I walked to the window, staring out at the traffic moving
along the road. I was smart enough to understand what this meant, even if I was
frightened out of my mind. Was I going to act like a scared brat, knowing more
pregnant women, maybe even kids, could be killed if I begged Mike to stay?
    I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “Okay. I’m in.”
     
    * * *
     
    Mike and I jogged along the same road we’d taken to the
woods in the morning, but now it was busy, with trucks and Humvees rattling by.
Squatty, gray buildings lined the street, all square and boring, especially
compared to the forest and mountains abutting the base. Camo was everywhere and
barked orders filled the air.
    The afternoon had warmed up into the seventies so I traded
the sweats for shorts and a t-shirt—all standard issue. I felt better, too.
Having a plan, even in the face of total insanity, was better than curling up
in a corner.
    “So when do I get my Class B uniform?”
    Mike snorted. “When you’re eighteen, and then only if you
enlist. I’d prefer that you go to college first and come in as an officer. For
now, though, let’s just focus on keeping you alive that long, okay?”
    I hoped he was kind of joking about the keeping me alive
part, but I didn’t think so. “Sure, okay.”
    We headed for the woods at a gentle trot. Now that I wasn’t
totally freaked and alone in the dark, I could appreciate the juniper and
pinyon trees, along with a scattered aspen here or there. My Plant Science
merit badge came in handy sometimes. As the branches swayed, the warm afternoon
breeze filled with the sharp scent of pine. Sagebrush grew up along the trees,
covering the ground, its grayish-green fronds poking out in all directions. It
was a relaxing scene when you weren’t expecting an ambush.
    At the trailhead, we met up with a soldier I recognized from
the meeting this morning.
    “Oy, Major. So, this is the wunderkind.” Master Sergeant
Schmitz was the smallest member of the team, only about five-eight, but totally
spit and polish. His hair was a faint, dark smudge on his skull, and his brown
eyes darted constantly, like he expected enemies to leap from the bushes at any
second. “Hello, Mr. Archer. Just so you know, I’m here to teach you something.”
    Mike dragged me past him, following the narrow dirt path
we’d run on in the morning. Surprised we didn’t even stop to say hello, I
asked, “Aren’t we gonna wait for the Master Sergeant?”
    I turned back to ask Schmitz what I’d be learning. He was
gone. Poof. Like a ghost. “Whoa! He was right there!”
    “Who was right there?” Mike asked. “I don’t see anyone.”
    “Schmitz, you idiot. Where did he go?”
    “Careful or I’ll make you drop and give me fifty.” Mike
grinned, then cupped his hands around his mouth. “Schmitz!”
    “Sir,” he called, from somewhere in front of us.
    “How did he move so fast without us seeing him?” I hadn’t
seen or heard a thing, but in thirty seconds he’d gotten past us.
    Mike yawned. “That’s what you’re here to learn. I’m going to
take a nap. Major’s privilege.” After a sly glance, he turned toward base. “You
can come back once you find him.”
    “Oh, that’s just great!” I kicked at the ground. “Find a
ghost in the forest. Great.”
    Schmitz called out—now behind me to the left. “Have a good
nap, sir. This’ll be a while.”
    “Can someone tell me why I’m hunting the invisible man in
the woods?” I thrashed through the sagebrush along the trail, not finding
anything but moss and a few crickets.
    “Because if you can learn to