[ OT ] Writing Workshop # 23 : Natural Dialogue

`` You know, stair climbers do n't get you used to the elevation here,'' Christina panted. Even though the wind sheared through her yoga pants and wool sweater, she still had to wipe sweat from her forehead. She had a pretty face when it was n't streaked with salt. `` Or the cold.'' 
 
 `` Well, it's a good thing we're nearly there,'' she could see Eric's breath as he laughed in front of her, his Scottish accent strong as ever. He did n't laugh much, she thought. But then again in the last few days, neither had she. 
 
 Christina felt the silence build as they trudged on, following behind him on the grassy slopes of the mountain ridge, which despite the brush, seemed to still be caking mud on her boots. She glared quickly at the overcast sky that had made everything so wet, but it was much less dark now that the clouds shed some water. `` Try not to mind the weather, Christina, you ca n't change it any more than you can change what's happening. Plus, you'll be staying here a while.'' 
 
 `` I might be able to do something if you would tell me what's actually happening, instead of telling me to trust you all the time. And I told you. Call me Chrissy.'' She was trying hard not to be frustrated with him. After all, not that many people would save you from a bunch of knife-wielding attackers. 
 
 `` Okay, Chrissy, what do you want to know?'' If he was feeling talkative, she was n't going to miss her chance to ask questions. 
 
 `` Let's start with the obvious. You still have n't told me who those guys were.'' Chrissy pressed on behind him, trying to keep pace. 
 
 Eric shook his head lightly. `` I told you, actually. Hunters.'' 
 
 `` Well why are they coming after me?'' 
 
 `` Because, Chrissy,'' he stopped for the first time that morning and turned to face her. `` You're a seeker.'' 
 
 She stopped abruptly before she knocked heads with him. `` A what?'' she asked, still panting. 
 
 `` A seeker, for their evil Quidditch team.'' Eric turned and put distance between them before she huffed and jogged after him. `` Actually, I'm not too sure what you are. That's why we're coming here, to find out.'' He hooked right around a large bush and gestured to an outcrop of rocks in front of them. `` All I know is, they want you for a reason, and it ca n't be good.'' 
 
 Chrissy stood arms crossed, unimpressed. `` Are rocks different in Scotland than they are in America? Or is there something else here?'' 
 
 `` This, missy, is where the Protectors come, to save sorry arses like yours.'' Eric gave her a good up-down before facing the outcropping again. `` This is our base, here underneath these stones. You can only get in if you're with a Protector. Aaand know the right magic spell.'' He shook his hands down once and a blue energy cracked from his fingers. The magic dripped from his fingertips. 
 
 Chrissy had seen is before, but she was still startled by his power. `` So this is where all the Protectors come?'' she was n't looking at him anymore, but the rock outcrop. `` This is where they all meet?'' She took a few steps forward, and suddenly felt a jolt in her chest. Her head sank, and she felt sleepy. When Chrissy looked at her stomach, there was a hole in the middle. Still glowing blue at the edges. 
 
 `` Shh, shh, shh, I got you sweetie.'' Eric grabbed her before she fell and cradled her to the ground. `` I'm sorry, but I could n't lead a Hunter to our hideout, no matter how pretty she was.'' 
 
 Chrissy coughed a little, blood trailing out of her mouth. `` How did you know?'' She mumbled, eyes already growing foggy. 
 
 `` That night we spent together. Your muscle tone, that earring you left on the night stand. I checked your phone and found a tracker. I knew it was all too easy.'' 
 
 `` Yeah, it was.'' She touched his face. `` I hate you. I hate your kind. I'd kill you in a heart beat.'' 
 
 Eric found himself solemn. `` I know, Christina. I know.'' 
 
 `` I thought I told you. Call..'' she went limp. 
 
 Eric shut her eyes and carried her to the outcrop. He laid her in a nook and placed stones over her. It was easier to hide a body in the highlands than the city. `` Bye Chrissy.'' He nodded to her one last time before starting the trip to the real Protector sanctuary. 
 
 *** 
 
 Please, criticism welcome. ( Yes, it's 744 words, before you ask: P ) Tell me about dialogue, pacing, whatever. If it seems rushed, tell me, because I did n't edit for length at all.
