Runaway | Kurapika x Reader

Chapter 2 - A Strange Gift

I stumbled back in confusion.

"Happy Birthday, (Y/n). I'll get straight to the point.
Your father would like to see you and I'll make sure that happens. If you want to make this easy, check your texts. If you'd rather play a little game of hide-and-seek, so be it.

Sincerely,
Antonio"

What is this? Is this his idea of a prank?

I turned my phone on to see some new messages, one from the blonde boy and one from Antonio. I immediately clicked on Antonio's name.

"Dayroad Park. October 19th. 8:00 p.m."

Today, hm? What a great way to spend my birthday... Is it wise to show up? I would like to know what the hell is going on, but if Antonio is serious, I could be in danger. I'll just have to keep my guard up.

I looked back to the small box given to me by Antonio. A necklace with a sapphire pendant was still inside. The sunlight that peeked through the window forced the pendant to glimmer.

Why even bother giving me a gift? I mean, it's beautiful. But I'm definitely not wearing it. It's common for people to put curses and trackers in things like these.

Immediately running downstairs, I threw the necklace into the fireplace. After a few moments, I put the fire out and checked to see if the necklace was destroyed.

That did nothing?? What do I do now?

I picked up the pendant. Stupid idea.

"Shit," I said after realizing I burnt myself. I threw the necklace back onto the cold floor and grabbed it again once it cooled down. I sprinted outside and to the river nearby. A slight smile washed up onto my face as the necklace splashed in, and then I returned to the mansion. I unlocked my phone once again to view my new messages from the blonde.

"Oh, please. You seemed to be in a hurry. I didn't want to keep you."

I responded immediately.

"Not buying it."

I grinned a bit before remembering what was happening with Antonio and scowling.

"Whatever. Regardless of what's happening today, I'm going to look hot," I mumbled to myself.

I strolled over to my closet and grabbed a few outfits, trying on each of them and analyzing which one was most fitting for me. I eventually decided, getting dressed and doing my hair and makeup. My phone vibrated in my bag and I took it out to see who the caller was.

"...Serene?"

What? What am I even going to say? It's been 3 years. And she's calling right on my 18th birthday. Has she really been thinking of me all this time?

I took a deep breath and answered the call.

"Serene? Hello..."

"(Y/N)! I can't believe I'm hearing your voice after all this time... is it really you?" Serene responded, an emotional tone in her voice.

I chuckled. "Of course it is. Well, I'm finally eighteen."

"I know! Happy birthday. So... do you wanna know what's happened since you left?"

"Not really," I said.

"Too bad. So the day you left, we had to pretend you were still at my house. Then, when you didn't show up at your training, we told your mom that you went to get breakfast and didn't come back. Instead of any sense of sadness, she was furious. She called the police and missing signs were posted everywhere. I'm surprised you weren't found by someone up there. Maybe the signs didn't reach York New. Anyways, your mom has been acting rather... content? since you left. And it's like every time I come across her, she seems to be scheming something. It's odd. Your siblings on the other hand... they really seem to miss you. Zero especially. Although I think Fiona moved or something," Serene explained.

"Wow, so my mom is happier since my disappearance? That's upsetting but not shocking. Oh my god, Zero. I didn't even see them before leaving that morning. I hope they're okay," I said, my voice getting quieter as I spoke.

"Yeah," Serene replied. "Your turn! Tell me everything that's happened since you left!"

"Well, I got to your family's mansion within a few days of being here. I expected some sort of relatives to live here, but I guess I was wrong. That fake I.D. helped me get a job when I first arrived. I made some money but then quit because I wanted to take the hunter exam."

"You wanted to be a hunter? I had no clue. I took the hunter exam a few months ago as well," Serene said, sounding slightly surprised. "Did you pass?"

"I did. I learned a lot over the past three years, like how to protect myself, things like that. But... there's been some trouble recently," I responded.

"...What do you mean?"

"Well, there's a guy I thought I was friends with. It turns out he's been spying on me or something and is trying to bring me back to my dad," I said, trying to make that sound as normal as possible.

"What the hell? What's his name?" Serene said cautiously.

"Antonio."

The name used to be like music to my ears, as he was a friend I'd make sure to visit a couple of times each month. Now, though, hearing the name drew in a wave of emotions I couldn't quite figure out. Perhaps it was confusion, frustration, sadness, or something else.

"What a creep. I wonder what business he has with your family. How he's affiliated. When did you first meet him?" Serene inquired.

"About five months ago? If he's really been spying on me this whole time, why is he just now wanting to take me to my father? He had so many chances. He could've kidnapped me or something. It seems he just wants to play a game of cat and mouse."

I paused for a moment.

"He invited me to Dayroad Park today. He didn't say what for. But how do I know he isn't going to try anything? Speaking of... the birthday gift he gave me, it was a necklace. I think he might've infused it with Nen or something," I finished my story.

"Really? Why do you think that?"

I walked over to my mirror and gasped. The pendant was now wrapped around my neck. I brought my hand down to my collarbones and felt the necklace.

I just hurled it into the river. Why is it back in the house? How did it get here?

"I just know," I said, leaving out the rest of the information.