The Final Hunt

Chapter One - Kyle

Life was going great for Kyle and Maggie; they'd graduated high school and had been and just come back from their first vacation together in Greece.

The sun was gorgeously hot and Maggie had managed to swing them an apartment with a private pool so they lounged all day every day for most of the 14 days they were there; they'd gone turtle spotting one of the others days, wandering along the beach and hiring a boat for a full day to explore the waters for the other two.

He'd read about a small cove that wasn't often common knowledge among tourists; he'd taken them there with a picnic and a blanket and they'd made love on the secluded beach.

"Kyle," she'd sighed as they lay together on the beach.

"Yes my love?" He'd propped himself up on his elbow and then kissed down her arm whilst awaiting her questions.

"I've been thinking... I want to take a year out before college, travel and see more of the world, but mostly," she pulled his face up to look at her and he did with a confused smile on his face, "I want to have time to just be! I want to live and enjoy things, without the pressures of school as well, now that I've got the chance; I want to grab it with both hands." She was sat up then, and was so excited while she spoke, she lit up and he felt himself light up too.

"We have a plan, Maggie" he hated to burst her bubble; but the longer they'd put it off the longer they'd wait before starting their family and the rest of their lives.

"I know, I know." She said, disappointed.

"We can do all that after, can't we? We can't guarantee our places if we put it off a year, then what would we do?" He'd surprised himself. If anyone had asked him a year ago he'd have jumped at the chance of having a year off, drinking, sleeping around and travelling.

He was far more sensible now though; he had Maggie to look after and had taken on the role of the protector expertly well.

She'd just shrugged and lay back down, deflated after opening up; he did hate to disappoint her but he knew she'd regret it if she lost her place.

That was their last day there; she'd not really spoken much after that, even on the flight home; she'd avoided his hands as well and opted to put her arms around him, he'd done the same.

They'd taken a bus back from the airport and reached her little bug at 11pm, both exhausted but now only an hour's drive back home.

The drive was quiet, awkward; he drove and told her to nap but she didn't. Maggie continued to change radio stations as they drove, unable to settle on one for more than a few minutes; she sighed and sunk down into her chair.

"Maggie, honey what is it? You've been off since the beach." He had to break the awkwardness and head the issue straight on.

She looked over and offered him a gentle smile, it didn't reach her eyes; "Sorry, Kyle, I'm just tired. I'm ready to be in my own bed." He smiled back at her and she faced the window again until they were home.

Once they'd arrived, Kyle grabbed their bags and headed in, dumping the bags just behind the door for the morning.

"Shall we go to bed and deal with all that in the morning?" He yawned, jerking his thumb towards their cases; she nodded and grabbed them both a water before heading up to bed.

Maggie undressed and changed in silence; she wasn't as shy anymore and changed in the same room as him but tonight she turned away so as not to look at him whilst she undressed. Kyle brushed his teeth and climbed in to bed whilst he waited for Maggie to be ready; the tension in the room was getting more palpable by the second.

"Maggie, come and get into bed, come on." He hurried her and she moved slowly, gently across the floor and into bed, curled into herself and scooted backwards a little so she pressed against him but faced away. She made her cute little noises as she got settled and ready to sleep.

"Excuse me, lady, I want to talk." He sniggered into her ear as he pulled her into him, she giggled slightly and tried to pull away, he was too strong for her.

"I'm too tired baby; can we wait til the morning?" It wasn't really a question, but he wasn't prepared to let it go another night.

"I just want to know what's going on." He reached around her waist and found her hand, grabbed it quickly before she could pull away and knew exactly what was going on.

"I see," the pain was clear in his voice, she turned to him and her face was sad, "you're going to take the year anyway, with or without me." He couldn't help but retreat from her a little bit; he lay flat on his back, one arm behind his head, the other rested on his belly. He could feel her anxiety growing around them, the air grew thicker and he breathed deeper to account for the decrease in oxygen until she spoke; only she didn't, and he started to cough as he found it more and more difficult to breathe.