MANHUNT

Chapter 5

Renzo instantly fell asleep;I could barely close my eyes but once I did, I felt relieved as Caden's soft lips touched mine, his sensitive glance created a lining of butterflies in my stomach , I loved everything about him, from the way he ran his large hands through my long brown hair to the way he wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Imogen, you are so beautiful"

His soft velvet voice was like music to my ears, I burrowed my head into his gigantic chest but it wasn't at all comfortable-it felt hard, like wood. Wait. It is wood, its the wood from the floorboard of the tree house. I slowly opened my eyes and realised Caden was gone, he wasn't here at all for he was gone and never coming back. I felt as though I had lost him all over again. Like a part of me was missing, like a fish without fins, a bee without wings. Life without Caden is completely pointless.

I sat up, feeling a little uncomfortable as I observed the world around me. I was distracted by Renzo snoring, he was still in deep sleep. It was the first time I actually acknowledged his looks, His russet skin complemented his deep brown eyes framed by his short black hair. My eyes rested upon his enormous hands, his fingers were long but strong looking, my eyes were now wandering up his arm and to his strong forearm which was covered by the sleeves of a ragged top. I was now observing every detail of his face, from his thick, defined jaw line to his broad nose, he looked not white, nor black, but a mixture of both. As much as I hate to admit it, he was slightly hot, not beautiful but definitely hot.

Renzo continued to sleep, and I just sat there, feeling like a waste of space, completely and utterly worthless. Ever since Caden died my existence seemed unnecessary, I was not of value to anyone, mum hadn't even bothered trying to find me and I doubt anyone else even notices my absence. Life without Caden is completely pointless. I continued to repeat these words to myself until I came to a conclusion.

I climbed over the wall of the tree house, about 7 feet up, I wanted to jump but then I thought of Caden, he would hate this. Was I really strong enough to kill myself? I let loose one of my hands and closed my eyes as I tried to let loose the other hand, only to find I was interrupted by a force trying to pull me backwards.

"Imogen, get down! Are you mad, get down!" I shivered at the sound of Renzo's husky voice.

"Leave me alone, I want to do this." My voice came out a lot louder than intended, and tears began to flood my eyes.

"You jump, I jump"

"Don't be so stupid Renzo, you don't even know me"

"I know, I just felt like it was a recap of titanic 'you jump I jump' remember?" He laughed.

"I am on the verge of killing myself, and all you can do is make pathetic jokes?"

Renzo didn't reply, instead he supported my body with his muscular arms and tried to lift me off.

"Let go, get off, Renzo I said get off." I screamed.

Renzo was successful he rested my body on the floorboard and let out a long and depressed sigh.

"Imogen, don't you ever do that again."

"What do you care, you don't even know me." I replied coldly.

"I know that you're a good person, and that you deserve more, life won't be like this forever. One day things will get better, you will be happy again."

"Well, Caden is never coming back so there's no chance of happiness."

"Imogen, you just need to clear your head, its hard loosing someone close to you, I know that much."

"You don't know what I'm feeling, and if you say you do then you are lying, nobody knows what I am feeling."

"I know what its like to loose someone that means everything to you." His voice came out low and shaky, he blinked more often than usual as if trying to blink away tears. I keep saying I don't know anything about Renzo, but I've never even bothered to ask.

"Why, Who have you lost?"

He slowly got up and then spoke "I think its time we found something to eat."

"Renzo, don't ignore me, who have you lost?"

"I'd prefer not to speak of it, we must find something to eat, you must be starving."

Renzo didn't seem himself whenever he spoke of his personal life, so I decided to leave it besides he was right, I was hungry, very hungry but my appetite had been demolished since the moment Caden died. Renzo picked up a tool that reassembled a bow and arrow, it probably was for I had no idea what a bow and arrow was.

"Come, there are some good rabbits about at this time." And he held my hands and led me down the long ladder.

The forrest seemed smaller than I remember but that's probably because I was starting to feel a little more comfortable.

"There's one!" Renzo exclaimed excitedly whilst firing the arrow and watching in amazement as the rabbit fell dead. He laughed hysterically, it was good seeing him so happy, I don't know why but I get the feeling Renzo has been extremely lonely here in this isolated forest.

"Imogen, your turn" his excitement now reminded me of a toddler playing a game.

"I have not the slightest idea how to fire an arrow."

"I'll show you." and with that been said, he stood directly behind me, holding my arms up. It was only up until now that I realised Renzo was extremely tall, about 6'7", with a built body, not usual for a seventeen year old. He directed my arms towards a big rabbit, and I was successful first time round. I felt proud, and Renzo was most certainly overjoyed, he gave me a wide smile revealing his white teeth. He gave me a tight hug, it felt weird but I was beginning to like Renzo, he was a cool guy, where would I be now if he hadn't of found me?

"Well done Imogen, not too bad for a girl like yourself." He said teasingly

"Shut up Renzo!" I said whilst giving him a gentle punch in the arm.

"Let's get back to the tree house and get these Rabbits ready." He said excitedly. I laughed at him, Renzo seemed incredibly happy and seemed to really appreciate my company. He held my hands and began leading me back towards the tree house, however we were interrupted by a distant scream. A voice. Calling a name. My name.

"Imogen!" The voice came from an unfamiliar man, I didn't recognise it, but then I heard several voices calling my name and out of the many voices, only one stood out, it was my mum.

"Imogen!" The voices came closer, Renzo and I just stood there in shock.

"Come Imogen, we need to get back to the tree house" his voice seemed rushed and desperate, his hands began to shake and his breathing rate increased, he seemed panicked.

"But its my mum, she's trying to find me, she does care." A sense of relief triggered my body, hearing my mothers voice was so comforting.

"No, Imogen, they don't care about you-I am the only one who gives a shit. Please don't go."

"Renzo I don't even know you."

"You can get to know me, I will tell you everything, please, don't go Imogen." He begged.

The voices came closer and Renzo became more panicked.

"Imogen, come with me." He held my hands and began blinking frequently as if trying to fight tears.

"Having a companion, has been the best feeling ever. Imogen, you're presence has made me a happier, better person, I feel like I need to have you in my life." his grasp on my hands grew tighter and he began pulling me towards the tree house.

The voices were now very close, and I wanted my mother now more than ever.

"Get off me, you freak" I shouted.

"No, no. Imogen don't do this, please."

"I said get off me"

His eyes began to water, and he looked at me with complete disappointment, he shook his head and slowly walked away.

"Renzo!" I screamed after him, but he was gone.