DEMON HUNT

Chapter 38: Moving on

Mari gasps, sitting upright as he screams.

Mari: Don't touch me!

He soon realizes he's on a comfy bed, alone, in a nicely decorated room. He collapses on the bed as he sighs, the feeling of déjà vu building in him. He tries to recollect the events that may have lead to this moment, ultimately trying to know how long he may have slept. He's relatively at ease, he knows where he's at. The door opens, an elderly woman walks in, holding a bowl. The fumes indicate its contents are hot. The woman is dressed to fight away the cold. She moves over to shut the windows, an attempt to stop the chilly air from entering the room. Mari recognizes her, he stays quiet. She takes a seat by the bedside and places the bowl on a tray, on top of a relatively small wooden table. She passes the tray to Mari, who takes it and just stares at it. Mari opens his mouth to speak but stops, just short of vocalizing. Anita soon realizes she forgot to bring a spoon. She walks back to the kitchen, gets a metal spoon and returns, handing it to Mari. Mari takes the spoon and begins to demolish the meal. Anita breaks the silence.

Anita: Why are you here? Are you okay? I went to drop some flowers for Carmy and found you out cold, presumably asleep. I was scared. You should have told me you were coming...why did you come?

Mari replies softly.

Mari: I came to...it's the anniversary of her...
It's Carmen's...

Mari struggles to arrange his words. He bites his lower lip, feeling bitter. Anita places her left hand on his thigh.

Anita: We've already been through this before. You really have to move on. I don't think you should keep coming here...like this.

Mari: I have moved on.

Anita: Yeah? Well, it doesn't look like it. You need to open up more to the world. Look at you, you're a shadow of what you used to be. You have to move on, Carmen would have wanted that.

Mari stops just short of yelling. He settles for a muffled statement instead.

Mari: You don't know that.

Anita: What was that?

Mari speaks audibly.

Mari: You don't know that.

Anita smiles warmly. Her eyes catch something else, prompting her to chuckle.

Anita: oh, sweet child. You've grown quite the appetite since when I last saw you. Back then, you only had a stomach for candy bars and lollipops.

Mari looks at her in surprise. His eyes fall slowly on the bowl he was served with. He'd demolished the meal, but that isn't his chief concern. Somehow, he still feels hungry. An appetite of this magnitude is mostly uncharacteristic of him.

Anita: Do you want more?

Mari answers swiftly.

Mari: No, thank you. I've had enough.

Anita stands up, walks to the closed glass window, and stares outside.

Anita: My son, her father, died when she was just six. Her mother followed soon after. It broke her. She never spoke much about it, but I could see it. She shut herself away and stopped socializing. She walked up to me one day, and she requested to change school. It was her birthday request. She asked until I couldn't say no. I thought it'd help her feel herself again...I agreed to send her to boarding school. Away from Plainville, southeastwards...to Calantis.

Mari: That's how we met.

Anita: Yes. She opened up again thanks to you. She'd always talk about you when she came home to Plainville. Mari, the unique kid at school...she genuinely found happiness again. Until...

Mari: Until tragedy struck.

Anita: I received a call from the regional zoo. A lion escaped and efforts to retrieve the lion were hampered by several factors. The lion was retrieved but...

Anita's voice becomes shaky, depicting her emotions.

Anita: It got to her first.

Mari stares at Anita, who begins to sob quietly by the window.

Mari: (thought) I should say something to her. Something to cheer her up. I want to, I need to, but yet...yet I'm not doing it. It feels like my emotions are messed up...or are they disappearing completely?

Mari spaces out, coming back to see Anita wiping her tears, and taking her seat. Her voice is still a little shaky, but much better.

Anita: I forgot to ask. What have you been up to, since the last year. How's school?

Mari puts up a fake smile.

Mari: School is fine.

Anita: You still go to that school?

Mari: You have a problem with my school?

Anita: I have a problem with everything DDI related. I still receive letters and so-called compensations in the form of money, items, services... I feel like there's something else.

Mari: It all doesn't make sense?

Anita: No, it makes too much sense. Everything feels so orderly and proper and perfect.

Mari: I miss her, too.

Mari places his hand on Anita's.

Mari: But it is what it is. I'm glad the zoo took responsibility. I have made friends. I'm okay. You don't have to worry about me. I'm sorry I didn't inform you, and sorry I made you worry. I promise I'll ask for your opinion next time. I made a decision to make her proud...you're not the only one who knows what she'd want. I know, too. (Thought) she'd want us to establish peace.

Anita smiles happily.

Anita: I suddenly feel much better. Thank you, Mari. I'm glad you've opened up again. Carmen would be proud.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Two days later, back home at Calantis, not so far away from Mari's residence, a small gathering of hunters convene to welcome the hero of the week. They are all dressed in their hunt suits, their face not covered with their masks. Sung and Jim Jim, among other hunters await his arrival. They anticipate his arrival. They all seem happy. It's a calm, cool, sunset evening at their meeting spot. He finally arrives, the man of the moment. Mari walks in, dressed in his uniform. He smiles brightly. He prepares to speak.

Mari: Ladies and gentlemen, hunters of all heights and hair colour. Allow me to present the man of the moment. The man who saved countless lives in the west. The latest hunter to be promoted in DDI. With a loud ovation, please welcome, class one hunter, the kid I babysit, Mario Cadel!

They all begin to clap and cheer as Mario walks in, dressed in a fancy black suit, with a matching tie. His facial expression ends the cheering. Mario looks around and then opens his mouth to speak.

Mario: You all seriously gathered here for this? Or did Mari brainwash you...it's no big deal. I finally killed a couple of weak demons and saved a few people in the process. No big deal.

Mari smirks.

Mari: No need to be modest. I know you want to brag about it so badly.

Mario: I don't.

Mari: You do.

Mario: I do not!

They both begin to bicker, repeating the same words. The others just watch with different facial expressions, unsure of what to do. They all go on, unaware of the assignment given to the captains by Father. Negotiations and interrogations continue in secrecy.