The hunter

Chapter 14

“No, please Ben stop it, please get off me” his hands pinning mine down whilst he was sat on my chest his mouth turned into that snarl, the blackness of his soul reaching through and reflected into his eyes. I then sat bolt upright taking in deep breathes thankful it was just a nightmare he wasn’t here, I hated this I was never safe in my sleep even though it’s been a year he still haunts me and the memories are so vivid putting my face in my hands trying to snap out of this. Trying to remind myself that he has gone and now safe from him because he can’t find me even, I don’t know where I am. I went to my bedside table retrieving my iPad and touching the screen to see that it was half three in the morning placing the device next to me my hand went to the back of my neck whilst trying shake of my most recent nightmare, knowing I didn’t want to go back to sleep because if I closed my eyes I would see Bens face and the coldness of his eyes. Even though I know I need to be well rested as today I start training with this Elliot and the way everyone is speaking about him it sounds like I will have my work cut out for me. I just can’t bring myself to attempt anymore sleep, plus I wasn’t looking forward to the fact Scott would be leaving today and then also to top it off I also had to have a meeting with Sean to discuss my air quote death. Which means I will never be able to go back to my old life, I won’t ever be able to see my friends again, and the worst pat was I could never return to my home. That was my sanctuary and held so many memories of my parents and now I had to give it up and walk away from it as if it was nothing.

It was like I was losing them all over again, but then I needed to face the fact that this was the only way. Playing devils advocate here what if I had not been alone that night Tyler found me what if I was with my friends they might have been killed and then I would have to live with that hanging over my head and I don’t think I could have lived with it. I see what it has done to Tyler and deep down my heart went out to him, and no matter how much time may pass the pain from there death will still forever haunt him. After all when your awake you can push it to the back of your mind, distract yourself but when you asleep all barriers you have built up will come crashing down because you are no longer in control. After all our memories can hit us like a tidal wave knocking us and taking us along for the ride. Thinking about how my life has already changed so drastically I’ve gained an uncle and made new friends like Josh and then there was Akechetah he was so different, nothing seemed to bother him he always had this calm composure he was truly Intune with who he was as a person. Trying not to dwell on thinking about him too much after all I’m nothing special and I have given up on the idea of finding that man you can’t live without. Tapping my iPad I could now see it was four o’clock, the thought of trying to get anymore sleep was defiantly not going to happen.

Picking up my tablet I decided that I needed to start getting my life together so opening a notepad app I started to write down a list of all the things I owned so at least with my meeting I could find out if it was possible to get some of my things back and there were two things I so desperately wanted and that was my babbies picture and my teddy bear that I was given many years ago. I’m sure Josh would give me plenty of stick, but I loved that stuffed animal it was when I used to be obsessed with the Care Bears and one Christmas, I was given Brave Heart Lion from my parents. They knew he was my favourite but when I had him the adventures, we would go on he never left my side, I would watch the movie on repeat, whilst clutching onto him and making him do the care bear stare. Smiling at myself whilst reliving that moment in my head and just seeing my dad roaring with laughter at me. Placing my tablet down it suddenly dawned on me today I would be starting the process of being declared dead and when that happens then maybe I will be safe from Ben. He can’t look for a dead person after all, and as much as there is good reason for my death being declared it was still a lie and it will hurt my friends and then there was Wendy and I hated myself for the pain it will cause her even if it is for the greater good. She has been such a key part of my life especially after my mum and dad’s death, and now I will never be able to see her again but if it means she is safe that was a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things, but it still didn’t ease the pain from that thought.

I get life is not meant to be easy but was it so wrong for wanting such a simple life no dramas, just everything be normal but then I suppose want is normal to me wouldn’t be normal to others. Rubbing my face I decided to get up and have a shower and try and start gearing myself up mentally for what lay ahead of me today. Turning the temperature up on the shower and testing to make sure it wasn’t going to burn me I then went back into my room and grabbed my towel of the radiator, then finally realising I had slept in my clothes last night, geez I really needed to pull my s**t together undressing I then climbed into the bath and pulled the curtain across. Savouring the hot water and how much comfort the heat was providing I then proceeded to wash myself leaving washing my hair till last. Satisfied I drew the curtain open and reached for my fluffy towel wrapping it round myself and stepping out. Picking up my dirty clothes I dumped them in the washing basket and went to make my bed. Once finally making sure there were no creases one of my biggest bug bears, I went to my draws and got my underwear opting for a sports bra and grabbing a baggy white t-shirt and picking out a pair of work out leggings ugh really into the sportswear style especially as it just meant the fabric clung to you highlighting parts of your body but when needs must. Getting dressed Jesus I hated this clothing choice already making sure the t-shirt reached below my backside as I didn’t like the way it stuck out. Then pulling a hoodie out of my wardrobe and zipped it up and then sat on the bed it was only half five. I know that Scott mentioned that people would be up but doubt anyone who I have met so I went back to my iPad opening it up and looked through the Podcasts and selected one of my favourite murder mystery ones and stretched out on the bed.

“Riley, wakey wakey” followed by loud knocking stretching on the bed I half mumbled “Alright, I’m coming” nearly half falling of the bed I made it to the door. Upon opening it I was greeted by Scott dressed in his work gear he was now in boots, combats, t-shirt and hoodie and his hair pulled away from his face with a bandana. Rubbing my eyes where half asleep can’t believe I feel back asleep, Scott reached into his hoodie and chucked be two packs of baccy, I completely forgot I only had one smoke left the man is a legend. “Sorry I fell back asleep, also thanks for the baccy you’re a live saver”, laughing “don’t worry I got you covered that will keep you going for a while we have a cupboard full for everyone who smokes but will save you asking for quite a while if not speak with Josh and he will point you in the right direction”. Putting my finger up as trying to remind myself of something it then dawned on me the plates on my chest of draws quickly running to collect them, I then walked out my room whilst clutching them. “Man, I thought there was something I forgot, pass the, over Riley, I will take them in the kitchen in the way to dining room”. I couldn’t resist it “tut, tut now you can’t have ago at me if my room is a bit messy when you come back” that was it he roared with laughter. “I don’t give a damn if your room is messy as long as I find no items that belong to men in there or you will be getting me as a roommate”. So pretending to feign a shocked face “please I’m a good girl, and would never have boys in my room especially at night time what do you take me for I’m offended”, “My ass are you offended I have already caught boys in your room”. “Ah but the ones invited you approved of so technically I’m off the hook as you never said they weren’t allowed in” then I just smiled very sweetly at him. I could see that he I had got him but wasn’t going to push my luck with a bit of sassiness in case he did live up to his threat of being a roommate, and I don’t think I could cope with that I like being able to close a door to everyone and just being myself.

Making our wat downstairs Chris was leaning up against the wall with one of his latest’s conquests draped all over him. From what I could see she was definitely a fake blonde as the hair was more yellow than blonde and looked as almost as if the hair was straw instead of hair, it fell lose around her. She was wearing a pair pf the brightest pink trainers I have ever seen teamed with the tightest legging and a tightly fitted jumper. The outfit left very little to imagination the way it clung to her body.

Clearly he clocked us both walking down the stairs as within the next moment he was pushing her off him. “Babe, what is that for I was just getting started” she looked in our direction and instantly I was met with daggers, and she instantly gave off that vibe of being one of those girls who would have been a bully at school that I aptly labelled the b***h brigade, she was quite plan looking but overly done up the makeup that made who look like she was a kid that had gone through her sisters make up trying to be a grown up and instead looked more like a clown. Her large eyes where drwafed by fake eyelashes and she looked very similar to Miss piggy trying to stop from laughing because that would have been just plain rude. The girls face turned into a sneer “eugh so that’s the newbie, I don’t see what is so special about her that Tyler and Akechetah would be fighting over her”. I wanted to slap the b***h as soon as her bitchy retort had left that mouth but being the grown up I am, I just laughed instead the best way to piss them off was to show you really didn’t give an actual f**k about what they thought. “Beth, don’t be petty just because she stands out more I mean look at her, I feel bad for those two as when she comes to her senses and realises I’m the man around here she won’t give them a second look”. That was a repulsive thought and was looking forward to telling him to hold his breathe as that would never happen but it had riled her that she slapped him “your such a pig” then stormed off towards the front door and slammed it behind her. Scott just looked at me and shook his head, “oh lord Douche have you upset your little toy be careful keep doing that she might come to her senses and the only way you will be getting some is with your own hands” Josh then appeared form the room next to him and knocked him as he barged past him making him go off balance for one moment and I couldn’t help but laugh, even though he was dressed in work out gear consisting of a grey unzipped hoodie a white vest and black jogging bottoms teamed up with more white trainers he looked good. “Riles, looking good see told you the leggings would look good” he continued to walk over and gave Scott the traditional man greet of the head nod, what was it with blokes and just giving one another a head nod I never understood the gesture.

Turning back he then carried on “besides I hate to break it to you mate, Riley has class and I can tell you with utmost confidence dream on as you got no chance in hell with her”. I was hoping he would have stormed off into another room but instead it seemed like he just at a gauntlet thrown at his feet and was all for accepting the challenge. So walking up to where I was whilst shooting Josh a look that glare screamed bite me, “Good morning beautiful, how about you drop Elliot as your trainer I will give you the best work out here”. Trying to resist the urge of vomiting as I knew exactly what he meant and he was not talking about this elusive training I was due to start today. Without realising what I was saying I just opened my mouth “Chris whats that on your neck, is that a love bite bit tacky isn’t it, I mean what are you twelve” carrying on with my remark “oh I get it shes marked you as she owns you, well if you want me and josh can always get you a collar to wear and we can get it engraved with um what’s her name Josh”. He eyes where lit up clearly enjoying the shade being thrown at Chris “Beth” returning my gaze to him “Yeah we can get in engraved with Beths b***h on it so everyone knows who your owner is”. Scott just sniggered whilst josh was laughing so hard he actually bent over however before anything else could be said Elliot was coming down the stairs “Chris, your not training anyone you little prick, the girl needs to learn to fight not how to run and hide like a little b***h” he then walked past me and winked, that was weird as he comes of so cold am I still sleeping. He was in work out attire a plain black tshirt and grey jogging bottoms “Riley I will collect you later once you have finished with Sean and Patrick” and then he made his way into the dining room. Chris clearly sulking from how his face turned to that of a petulant child stormed of muttering “Old s**t, I will have the last laugh when I put you on your ass” after this remark the door was slammed shut yet again. All the excitement was to much Scott was now gripping his knees whilst trying to hold onto the dirty plates from last night, roaring with laughter and josh was using Scott as a prop where laughing so hard and his head was nearly touching the floor due to being bent over clutching his side as he laughed. The laughing was so infectious that I was now giggling away to the extent tears where running down my face and was making my mouth sore where clearly using muscles that had not been used in such a long time.

After finally composing ourselves Josh and myself made our way into the dining room whilst Scott finally took our dinner plates into the kitchen. The layout of the room was quite impressive and the very back of the room there where tables facing the walls width ways and where draped in white table linens and had Bain marries clearly containing hot food, along with several toasters that was accompanied by loaves of bread and a variety of jams, butter and spreads, a couple of jugs of juice and what looked to a tea and coffee Urn with milk and a sugar. Then tables in the centre of the room running lengthways, with numerous people sitting and tucking into there breakfasts. I was able to make out a few of the faces I could see spread throughout the room where the committee members with what I assumed to be there families and partners. Tara was further away holding a hot drink whilst busily going through her laptop whilst Patrick was sitting besides her his hand gently resting on her back. Even in such a small gesture you could feel such love and sincerity from it, and briefly for a second made me long for such a thing. Scolding myself as soon as the thought came to my head reminding myself to get a grip, things like that don’t happen for me and never will. Tyler was surrounded by several other random females all laughing at something he said, I think Scott was right he had a few player vibes himself. Aside from my uncle there was one person missing and without realising I was scanning the room looking again for him in case I had overlooked him. “Riley by any chance are you looking for a particular individual, with say long black hair that tends to be worn tied up in a specific way and whose name starts with an A”. I could feel my face starting to heat up from blushing looking at Josh, I gave him one of my looks to say be quiet whilst his eyes with twinkling as a smirk was edged in his face and eyes.

“Riley why I do declare, you seem to be blushing anything you want to share with me” without even thinking I playfully slapped him on the arm; however, he anticipated this and had already moved out the way so all I felt was air. Josh then grabbed my hand and dragged me over to the food where there was plates and cutlery set out despite the delicious aroma from the hot food and opted for toast and butter and strawberry jam and once josh had piled his plate high with sausages, bacon, scrambled egg and good knows what else made our way to a table at the very front of the room that was deserted, setting our plates down Josh then looked at me “Coffee or tea and how do you take it", wow maybe he was feeling bad for his little joke but I was definitely going to take advantage of this “Coffee, milk two sugars please”. He then sauntered off to fetch our drinks and I was then joined by Scott who also had his plate stacked high and instead of being neatly arranged like Josh’s was just all heaped on it one massive pile. “Wow, by any chance are you hungry, I don’t think I’ve seen a plate weighed down with as much food” he just nodded and started to tuck in. I then had my coffee waved in my face and the aroma was so intoxicating I had to resist the urge to drink it straight aways as the warmth radiating from the cup was a warning that it needs to cool other, I would burn my mouth. Josh then sat on the opposite side of us and before he dug a mischievous grin spread across his face oh s**t what was he up to “say Scott where’s Akechetah as Riley has been looking all over for him, if I didn’t know any better I might be led to believe she’s missing him” he then put his hand to his chin as if deeply pondering this statement as if he was a detective trying to solve a case. However, this remark had caught my uncles attention and I could see he was looking and me before turning his attention on Josh “He left earlier this morning said there was something he needed to do before we headed out so will catch up with me in a bit”, again turning his gaze at me clearly a downside with everyone being Hunters was they were way to observant for their own good.

So trying not to be caught up in his gaze any longer I decided to eat my breakfast whilst giving Josh a look to say stop it, which he kindly responded with a kiss I had to give it to him the guy was a good a laugh because we carried on with our banter “Sorry Josh I have a slight itch” using my middle finger itching my eyebrow he just laughed “Love you to Riles”.

By this point Scott had pretty much inhaled his plate and pushed it into the middle of the table then stretched his arms out “Right kiddo the old man needs a coffee then I will be right back” Josh saw this an opening for him to continue on his wind up mission “Riles I’m sorry you won’t get to see Akechetah before he left on his mission, you know he would of rocked up in his uniform you throwing yourself into his arms begging him to be careful and come home in one piece the tears running down your face as you told him you loved him”. I couldn’t help but laugh “yeah because that really is something I would do oh wait no I wouldn’t” taking a breath and thinking how Josh was wrong “besides what makes you think that either one of us are attracted to each other I barely now the guy”. Scoffing at this “yeah yeah, the way two you have been acting and you’re going to claim innocence, bullshit I see how you two are and it screams of one of those cliché romance novels” trying to turn the heat of his wrong assumption “you read trashy romance novels, oh my days I’m horrified, I mean you think you know a person and then you find something as disturbing as that out I thought you were better than that, I mean I’m genuinely shocked you and trashy romance novels wow”. He suddenly looked horrified “like hell do I read those books” oh I got a rise out of him and now it was my turn to wind him up “well you seem to know a lot about them just saying” then putting my hands up in defence.

Scott than reappeared “Who knows a lot about what?” as he sat back down, I replied with “Oh Josh and romance novels” he just about spat his coffee out “Wow man you’re letting the side down a bit aren’t you, romance books didn’t see you being the type of person that would read that stuff”. I then turned to smile sweetly at Josh showing that I could give as good as I get. Then turning to face me “well kiddo, I will be heading out in half an hour, Josh I know I don’t need to ask this but watch out for” “hey man I’ve got your covered, she will be fine as I’m not going anywhere”. I didn’t know if I should be flattered or slightly insulted after all I’m a grown ass adult. “You know I’m a big girl now right, I can even dress myself now, “I know but I’m still allowed to be worried about you and it’s not like I will be able to get in touch with you whilst out tracking, but I promise I will be back as soon as we have finished” we were then greeted by one of the kitchen helpers as they were starting to clear up everything I have no idea how much time had actually passed Scott continued “I’ve just got to head up in my room and get my gear I will meet you out on the steps and have a smoke before I leave”, the three of us stood up in unison and headed out of the hall whilst Scott then turned to go upstairs whilst I went and headed to the door “Crap, I’ve forgot my lighter” and Josh handed me his “no worried baby girl I’ve got your back, I will catch up with you in a bit as need to take care of man’s business and then I’m going to start planning a course for you as your working with me tomorrow” oh joy I can’t wait for that actual exercise fun not. I then watched as Josh went out the door and I followed and sat down and started to make a roll up crap I have no idea what time I’m meant to have this meeting with Sean and Patrick hopefully they wouldn’t mind waiting. After some time of looking at my smoke Scott came and sat down, and he followed suit and made himself one and tucked his pouch in his pocket and I could see that he was now wearing a hiking rucksack. Finally lighting up my smoke I peered over at him “you will come back, right?” he laughed “of course I will don’t worry about me, I get this is all very new to you but I’ve been doing tracking for years now and I can hold my own” I didn’t realise at first till he looked at me but I had let out a sigh “relax kid, i am coming back that’s a promise and having you here now gives me even more incentive to come back in one piece, and whilst I’m away and you have any bad memories promise you will speak with Tara” I nodded my head at this and then just sat in silence whilst we both finished smoking and then at the same time we both put the now non-existent butt in the make shift ash tray. Scott then stood up and went down a step then turned to face me and reached his hand out, which I accepted and stood up “Give this old man a hug before he heads out to track down the evil” so I gave him a big hug “be careful please”. I got feel his chest move where trying to fight the urge of laughing “Riley don’t worry I will be back in no time and then you can fill me in on how you hate all the training, just remember no boys in your room, also I know this may sound a bit cheesy, but I love you very much please look after yourself whilst I’m away”. Pulling himself into the hug he smiled at me kissed my forehead and then turned around before I could even say anything and I watched as he walked away he was already past the willow tree before I silently said love you too Uncle Scott I wasn’t ready to say it where he could hear it but I know deep down I did care for him even though it was such a short brief encounter but I knew we had many years ahead of us being a family. At this point he was now nearing the woods and as if he was a ghost, he managed to disappear form view as if he had never even been there to begin with.