My Everything

The Start of A Hunt

The beauty of the clouds shone through the plane’s window. Before me were the remains of my ginger tea, a laptop, a copy of the newspaper and the Prince on the mahogany table. The main caption of the front page read Casino King being arrested for fraud and tax evasion. 

Peter in jail was one less problem for me to worry about and would keep those others in check about getting higher aspirations.

I lifted the laptop screen up, checking again the cold vacation area of Notaridge: Why had I chosen to have this hunt? That answer was lost to me, or maybe I didn’t want to find it at all. I did this even out of the best judgement of my security detail. It took a lot of convincing and maneuvering to pull this entire thing off to give me this few moments of freedom before I would finally have to give it right back up. I had hardly ever used much of any guns before, maybe it was the frustration. Away in this cold, remote place would be far better than being another second in the city besieged by my own crazy thoughts.

A cigarette, I could do with one, but then I might bring the whole plane down.

“How far are we from landing?” I asked the bodyguard. He didn’t seem to have the answer, so my eyes turned to Rose.

She looked far paler now than anytime I had seen her before, almost like she hadn’t seen the sun in days. Was it the orange shoulder dress or her bright red nails that seemed to make her skins stand out even more? She half smiled showing me her brown eyes looking back at the pilot, her black hair wagged in the ponytail she had it in.

“What time would we be landing?” she said loud enough to the cockpit.

“We should be there within the hour mam,” the pilot responded.

An hour, I sat myself back in the chair. I was tired of being stationary like this for so long.

The bodyguard looked at me scratching his clean shaven beard. “Mam if I may speak, I believe that the security detail for you up here is far too small and why did you only choose me to accompany you on the plane.”

I shifted myself up in the chair. “What for a hunt no one knows where exactly I am going. The profile is low.”

“True,” Rose said.

The bodyguard began, “What if---.”

“The admission club name wasn’t really original. It was just deer hunting club with two guns crossing it. What name did you use?” Rose asked.

 “What I signed up at the hunting club for was not under my actual name, so there is no genuine risk and besides. I am partnered with some other woman for my first time she’s supposed to be a pro, so I should be in expert hands.”

“Sounds good, yes the name of that woman is a Diane. I have everything about her here would you like to look?”

“No, I would rather figure her out myself.” I replied.

Rose turned to the bodyguard. “The area is remote and a small town. The people they hardly watch any TV further know how to operate much of anything. They spend most of their time doing hard work. Ms. Valentina can go and come and no one would have a clue about who she is.”

“But the percentage of just one person figuring out who she is. Could put her in danger or tip of others,” the body guard said.

“I get your concern, but it won’t be that long and it’s just for hunting. If there was a red flag, I am sure you would have already told me.” I turned to the bodyguard. “I got you and Rose to join the trip with me.” Pausing, I looked up. “For me that’s more than enough, I just want to feel like a normal human again for a little while.”

“I never did this before,” Rose said, rubbing her eye before adjusting her glasses and focusing on the laptop. A constant clicking followed it.

“Oh, you’re not going there to hunt. I brought you along to keep up with work and make sure things are running smoothly. You do the things that I won’t, monitor Angelo for me and everyone else. You’re the best at getting your nose into places other people would rather have you out.”

“Got it so then why did you ask to place another name?”

“That’s for…” I looked at the bodyguard. “You know I never once asked you, your name.”

He adjusted his black tie that stood out against his blue suit, coming forward slightly from the chair. “Brad, mam, this was the most I spent in your company so it makes sense why you might not know my name but I am sure you know my entire resume.”

Rose looked up for a moment before her head went back down on the screen. “Brad your name for the trip will be Brandon."

“Brad, it’s a pleasure to finally know your name. I have so many guards rotating around me sometimes that I don’t remember the names like I know the faces and your right Rose does all of that for me.”

“I understand,” Brad said.

“Well, Brad, you will be partnered with another gentleman, civilian just as a small precaution you will be near but I will still have my space so leave me alone, okay?”

“Understood, may I ask a question, Mam?”

“Sure.”

“Why did you select me out of everyone for this job?”

“I don’t know. For this trip, I don’t want to know anything at all. I want to be a tourist, a regular person and you have been quite good recently I hope your able to continue your outstanding work.”

The land in the sky from this height looked insignificant to believe so many men fight over something they couldn’t truly claim. I picked up the Prince and read it to myself. Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries for heavy ones they cannot. Are you enjoying the conditions you’re living under now, Peter? That was the price you paid for coming against me.

***

Unorganized, how long was this girl going to keep me waiting. I took a deep breath, observing the contents of the wooden log house I had entered. They were many deer heads that stood as trophies, looking back at me like something out of a horror movie. The small fireplace crackled in preparation for the shifting coldness outside. The outdated furniture resembled something they had picked up on the side of the road. Was I supposed to sit on that? How much money did I really pay for this again?

Being here in my green and brown camouflage looking gear and holding this rifle on my shoulder, I was beginning to have second thoughts about this whim of mine to come here and vent my frustration. Was this something I really wanted to do? I could have just gone for some damn ice cream and chilled in a hotel instead of this rebellion.

“Sorry about the wait?” a voice came from the back.

They were a few creaking sounds on the wooden floor before a girl came out. Was she an adult? She barely looked legal. She was thin, flat chested and tall with braces rocking a brown Mohawk hair style and every word that came from her mouth sounded like a screech.

“Welcome to River Shore Hunting Club, I am Lisa and will answer any questions that you may have. First, can I see a copy of your gun licenses?”

“Sure,” I said as I produced my licenses. She then checked Brad’s one as well and another two persons behind us. “Great, everything looks fine here.”

“Now I won’t have a repeat of the information we already sent you on what the land is here but as you know you will be working with pairs and I will lay down some ground rules first, this is our ledger book here, everyone is to sign in on arrival.”

I signed my fake name on the paper Barba Strong it read and when everyone else was done Lisa signaled for us to follow.

Lisa showed us our beds where we would be staying, the beds, marking locations to hunt and general cleanup rules. She talked, talked and talked some more before finally bringing us outside to meet the people. I saw the relief in the others face to get a way. Outside, looking at who was there, we were going to be paired with the locals. The sunlight was bright, causing me to squint as I observed the other people who were busy at work checking their gear and chatting to each other. The land was on a few acres of plain surrounded by a forest that seemed to reach for the sky. Not too far away was a small ditch of a parking lot that would give a regular car hell to park in. This area it was remote from everywhere else. The next gas station was hours away, and small flakes of snow were falling.

“Barba?” a voice called behind me at first I didn’t pay it mind until I realized that was my stage name.

“Yes,” I responded, turning to meet the voice. It was a plump woman with olive skin. She wore similar military camouflage, a rifle on her shoulder and what looked like the equivalent of an army bag on her back. She was beautiful and looked out of place her round face held a pleasant smile. I paused for a moment before I spoke.

“Who are you?” I asked, stepping forward towards her. Her head was only up to my chest, causing her to look up to me.

Her eyebrow arched in response as she contemplated her words. “I am your partner for today, my name is Diane.”

“Ah, okay.”

 “I heard this was your first time hunting?” 

“Yes, it is.”

“It can be a lot for some people the first time.”

“It won’t be a problem for me.”

“I see but don’t worry, I will make sure I take my time to show you everything.”

“No problem, I will follow your lead but don’t go easy on me.”

“Great, come let’s not waste time waiting on the others, I know a good spot we can mark.” She pulled out her phone and held my hand and pulled me along, causing me to secure my gun for a short while.

Tsk.I pulled away my hand and stumbled before I caught my footing. “I can walk on my own, you know.”

“Sorry, I just get a little excited sometimes and I know how the others are quick to grab spots. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“It’s fine, just don’t do it again,” I said. I followed behind her, glancing back at Brad and giving a nod with my head.

He nodded back to me as we walked into the forest to the chirp of many birds before Diane walked a few feet and came to a halt, leaning upon a tree. The many tall trees blocked the glare of the oppressive sun, and the chilly breeze was a refreshing taste upon my skin. Diane seemed entirely lost in what looked like her phone.

“What are you doing?” I asked her.

“Marking the spot that we will go to hunt didn’t you hear Lisa say it back there everyone marks there spot so we don’t cross over each other.”

“Oh, I wasn’t paying much attention to her, she talks---.”

“A lot, everyone says that, but she is a really nice girl,” Diane replied, “Ok, done let’s get moving.” 

“Okay,” I responded.

The walk through the forest was quiet between us, with only the noises of the branches cracking beneath my foot. Diane on the other hand moved through the forest as if she was a ninja. Not a single sound came from her steps. How was she doing it, I wondered?

“So if I had to see a deer now, and I shot it, would I be able to claim it?”

Right here? Well, no one has claimed this spot but they don’t come this side they're usually further in.”

“That’s why you have all that camp gear?”

Yup, it would be in the case we can’t get back in time for the night or if we go too far out. No guarantee, we might get something.”

So how long were you hunting am...?”

“Diane.”

“Right.”

“I have been hunting all of my life honestly.”

“So you do this for a living?”

“Yes, and no. It’s one job of many.”

How many jobs do you work?”

“A few, sometimes at the supermarket, other times I work the family farm a bit of gun training and hunting. Whatever else is available, it’s a small town.”

“How did you learn the gun and hunting?”

 My father taught me, and it’s more of a family thing.”

“Family?”

“Yeah.”

 “I am surprised you’re here then to teach me.”

“Well, my father is no longer with us and my brother and sister don’t come as much as I do. Plus, this is also a part of our tourism and to help newcomers.”

“Ok.”

“What about you Barba, what do you do?”

“I work in sales… this is my escape for it from now.”

“What you got a tough boss back where you live.”

“You can say that.”

“We rarely get as many pretty girls as you down here travelling in.”

“I guess I am a bit of an oddity, but the same can be said about you too.”

Diane made a glance towards me. “I wouldn’t say I am the prettiest but I guess that makes us have something in common.”

“Who ever said you were pretty? I was referring to the fact that we are so odd.” I replied.

Diane chuckled in response. “You can be a bit harsh, can you Barba?”

“Sometimes, I can be.”

“Look there is the spot we will be using.” Debra pointed with her hand to a river following through the forest.

This was it this was the moment I actually would be hunting something.