Kevin Vol. 1

The Hunt

Chapter VIII: The Son

NORWAY, 1508

Riding into the town he had taken refuge in seven years ago; Kevin took note of just how much had changed. He searched for the old building in which Agatha had told him of the power he held. Much to Kevin's disappointment, he only found a new building where that worn-down building once stood. Making sure not to linger on this thought too long, Kevin continued on his journey. He'd been on the trail for seven years now, and he was not about to pass up this opportunity.

Taking a slow ride through town, Kevin noticed the old shopkeeper who once gave him food and work was no longer where they once were. The building still stood, but the shopkeeper and the business did not. Kevin rode on still, thinking about how each relic from his time in this town was gone. As soon as he was out of the town, Kevin commanded Fortnite to book it. Taking a route all too familiar to the pair, they rode off to a place Kevin thought he would never see again.

Kevin recognized the path all too well, and the scenery became more and more familiar as he rode. Taking a deep sigh, Kevin continued on headstrong. As he came over the hill, he saw it for the first time in seven years. His home, rebuilt. From the top of the hill he could see a figure doing the chores Kevin had done time and time again. Kevin gritted his teeth as he stared at the figure. His blood boiling, he could muster one simple name, "Mason."

Kevin rode down the hill towards his brother, unsure of what to say. As Kevin approached, Mason took notice and put down the axe he used to chop wood. Putting his hand above his eyes to block out the evening sun, Mason saw his brother. Mason smiled and waved, catching Kevin off guard. Could the hate he held for his siblings all this time be for nothing? Did they never hate him? Kevin brushed it off and continued riding until he came right up to Mason. The brothers looked at each other for a moment before Mason broke the silence. "You're late," he said, jokingly, "let's go to the house, I bet you're thirsty."

Mason and Kevin walked to the house they had grown up in. Even rebuilt, the house had the same charm it did those years ago when it was burned down. As the brothers approached the door, Kevin paused for a moment to take it all in. Mason opened the door for Kevin and motioned him in. Walking in, Kevin saw that the interior had retained its layout. Mason came in behind Kevin, shutting the door and putting down the axe. Kevin walked into the dining area and sat at the table, still with twelve seats at it. "You did a good job here," Kevin complimented his brother.

Grabbing a bottle of whiskey out of the cabinet, Mason turned to his brother. "How do you mean?" He asked.

"It looks identical to how it did when we were kids," Kevin clarified. Mason poured Kevin a glass and slid it towards him. Kevin grabbed the glass and took a sip.

"You were the last to come back, you know," Mason said as he sat down, "why'd it take you so long?"

Kevin thought hard about his response. He took another sip of whiskey before he responded. "I wasn't ready," he said, "I couldn't come back to a place I hated so much." The brothers sat in silence for a minute before Kevin picked the conversation up again. "So, you've seen the others now?"

"Yeah," Mason responded, "they all came back within a year or two. I gave them a roof and food so long as they helped out, just like when we were kids."

"I bet it was tough work," Kevin joked, "with less people to work with and all."

"Most all of the work dad made us do was superficial anyways," Mason said, taking a drink. Mason looked up at his younger brother. His gaze was serious, though not intimidating. "I came back the day after the fire. I buried mom and dad up on the hill," Mason revealed to his brother.