Hunt

Chapter 20: Love, Fear, and A History Lesson

The drive back home was spent continuing our conversation from dinner. Eventually we arrive at the topic of future plans. Reyna talks extensively about her dream to become a wildlife photographer, traveling the world and exploring every nook and cranny to show what the farthest reaches of the world had to offer. Places where nobody had ever seen before. I was happy to listen to her, something about her passion was intoxicating.

"What about you Kyle? What're you planning on doing after graduation?" Reyna asks, suddenly turning the conversation onto me.

Hunting until it kills me? I catch myself thinking. I immediately shelve the thought, knowing I couldn't use that as my answer. "I don't really know. I've always wanted to travel, but I don't really know what I want to do with my life yet." I grip the steering wheel tighter, knowing my true answer is quite a bit darker. Not something I'm really comfortable thinking about.

The only thing I've felt passion for in the same way Reyna talked about photography was hunting. All my other dreams seemed to burn away when I picked up that gun for the first time. Nothing else seems nearly as important. I guess I haven't really admitted it to myself yet, but deep down I know that this job will be the death of me. Something will happen out there and I won't be able to stop it. But for some reason it doesn't scare me like it should. Something about knowing how you'll die is a comfort to me. As weird as that sounds.

"There's nothing wrong with that, just means you haven't found your dream yet." Reyna replies, pulling me out of my steepening downward spiral. "You could always come with me though, travel the world and carry my stuff." She laughs. "Until you get an idea of what you want to do. I'm sure you'll find something that catches your soul, find a group that will help foster your passions."

"Ah yes, until then I'll just be a glorified pack mule," I say laughing, " I guess it does has a nice ring to it, Kyle Parker: equipment hauler."

We both laugh.

Before I knew it I was pulling into Reyna's driveway, that sinking feeling in my gut slowly returning. This night had been wonderful, and I hate to see it end so soon. As I'm walking her to the door she stops me.

"Tonight was amazing Kyle. Once again you picked the best place." She says softly, pulling my forward into a kiss.

The sinking feeling that had been growing since we left the waterfront dissolves in that very moment. It was quick, but it felt like it lasted forever. Her soft lips on mine quickly reminded me how much my heart longed for this feeling, for genuine human connection. I'm  finally able to put a name to what I felt when I was around her.

Love.

She pulls away first, staring deeply into my eyes with the cutest of blushes. "Thanks for the wonderful night. Let's have another soon."

I reply softly, "Can't wait." My face felt like it was on fire.

"Oh!" She exclaims, beginning to unbutton the flannel I had loaned her, "I think this belongs to you!"

"Thanks," I say with a smile, "Goodnight Reyna."

"Goodnight Kyle."

My heart was racing as I returned to the car, a stupid smile plastered on my face. Catching myself in the rear view mirror I snort, barely containing a laugh. I looked so dopey, I couldn't help but find it amusing.

Turning the key I begin to reverse down the driveway. Stopping at the bottom to pulling my phone out. 10:30... Jeez, I think as I'm once again greeted with Nick's text at the Lock Screen. Pulling out of Reyna's neighborhood I stop off along the side of the road. I finally could take the time to open the message: