MANHUNT

Chapter 4

Everything about Renzo freaked me out, he was weird. Very weird. But a part of me felt a little comforted by his presence.

The night was beginning to fall and I couldn't help but think of home-my warm and cosy bed just waiting for me, what about mum? She must be worried sick. Oh well. Who cares. She hated Caden and now I hate her.

"So..?" I jumped at the sound of Renzo's voice.

"Oh sorry, what was you saying again?" I hadn't realised that I was completely oblivious during my thoughts of home.

"Don't tell me you're thinking of your old man again."

I didn't know how to react to that. I felt like punching him in the face again but he's clearly not one to learn, and I certainly wasn't going to start crying again. So instead I began walking away from him at a fast pace, Who the hell does this guy think he is? I started to pick up my pace and eventually I found myself running from this heartless freak; only to find that he was chasing right behind.

"Stop following me, leave me alone, I don't need you, I don't need anyone." Tears were beginning to form in my eyes but I wasn't going to cry. Not this time.  

"I didn't mean it, I know how much Caden meant to you, it's just I'm so used to being ignored, I came here to get away from the people who didn't give a shit about me, so I guess it just really pissed me off when you dazed off earlier. I'm sorry."

This was the first time Renzo actually spoke about himself however the shock wasn't enough to overtake my anger.

"Oh, poor little Renzo boy, takes the piss out of a dead man because he hates being ignored. You must have the worst life ever."

"Imogen, you know nothing about my life." When he said this he didn't look angry, just sad and somewhat depressed.

"Yes, you're right, I don't know anything about you but it doesn't take a genuis to figure out that you're some twisted freak."

"You're angry. You'll feel better in the morning once you get some sleep."

"Yes of course! Because I'm just going to causually fall asleep in forest." I said sarcastically.

"Imogen, its very unlikely that your going to find your way home at this time in the night- I know a comfortable spot."

I laughed without humour "no, I'd rather die than trust a freak like you."

"Imogen, don't be so stubborn, follow me." And with that been said he grabbed my hands and directed me towards a large tree, it was decorated with a long ladder hanging down. Renzo climbed up and I followed helplessly behind.

The tree house was large with a slanted roof. It seemed abandoned, brooding and neglected; it was obvious that Renzo had made a real effort, however it was covered with green paint peeling off in spots. As I stepped into the room I realised that the edges were covered in streaks of black as the moulds from the damp nights began to seep in. The entire room was plastered with lichen, this horrible sight caused my entire body to shiver.

I felt embarrassed as I realised that Renzo was standing there watching me check out his tree house.

"It's nice." I lied, trying to break the awkward silence.

He gazed into my eyes and chuckled "well, lie down then-you need to get some sleep."

"I doubt that I'll even be able to shut my eyes." I moaned however He didn't respond;he just laid down on the boarded floor as if directing me to do the same.

After awhile I followed his directions and reluctantly laid down next to him. I felt uncomfortable. But can you blame me? I'm in the middle of a forest with some strange guy that I don't even know. All I wanted was to go home, I don't care about mum or anyone anymore, I just want my warm cosy bed but instead I'm in the freezing cold trembling like the wings of an angry bee.

"You're cold aren't you?" Renzo asked foolishly.

"No, I'm just trembling because of the heat." Sarcasm was becoming my new thing.

Renzo didn't reply, instead he just wrapped his thick arms around me. I wanted to just shove him off but I couldn't. It was too cold. Way too cold. Instead I just wrapped my arms tightly around him and we shivered in the misty cold together.