A Stolen Life

Part 6

I scratch my head and go back to Hunter's place. When I walk in he is in the kitchen making lunch. I smile and sit on the couch in the livingroom. It's not until I plop down that I realize just how tired and sore my body is. I close my eyes and let myself drift away.

When I open my eyes Hunter is in front of me holding a plate of food. He smiles brightly, "Right on time! Hurry to the table to eat."

I jump up and sit at the table, he puts the plate in front of me. He goes back to the kitchen to get his own food. I turn to look at him, "Why do you always get my food first? You know I can get my own food right?"

He chuckles, "I don't know. I just like getting it for you."

He sits down next to me. I stretch my arms before digging in, "This is delicious! You never cease to amaze me."

He grabs his fork but doesn't take a bite, "About earlier... You took out so many monster and then ran for so long... You must be tired. Get some rest after you eat. I'll wake you when it's dinnertime."

I scratch my head, "I was tired... But I feel better after that nap. Besides, I'd rather go do some work. I should probably start patrolling the village at every opportunity."

He takes a few bite before speaking again, "Okay. Do what you want. I won't stop you. But you shouldn't push yourself too much. If you tire yourself out then you might get hurt... Or die... We need you. If it wasn't for you, this little village might have been destroyed already."

I shake my head, "Are you kidding me? If it wasn't for this village I would probably be dead right now. Besides, from what I know, there weren't any monster here before I appeared."

He looks down, "Oh... You knew... But... it's not your fault. They would have found this place eventually anyway. So don't blame yourself. You should never blame yourself no matter what happens, you hear me?"

I scarf down the rest of the food and go to my room. He follows after me but I close the door on him. I slide down the door and sit on the floor, (How can I not blame myself? If it wasn't for me, Malakai would be safe. If it wasn't for me, Arnel would be alive. If it wasn't for me... No! It's his fault! He is doing all of this to make me hate my brother. I can't let him win!)

I crawl onto my bed and drift to sleep. Not long after I hear hunter calling out, "Dinner!"

I slowly get out of bed and walk to the door, "Okay, let me freshen up then I'll go to eat okay?"

He covers the food with a nod, "Okay, hurry now. You don't want the food to get cold, do you?"

I run into the bathroom and quickly wash my hands and face. I grab a towel and start drying my hands and face when I suddenly hear something. A loud thud, as if someone broke the door down. I scratch my head and walk out of the bathroom. The front door is laying on the ground in the livingroom. When I look up I see a man in a black cloak surrounded by monsters. I drop eth towel in shock, "Y-you... Why are you-"

He starts laughing, "My monsters found you, so I thought I'd come drop by to see how you're doing. (He looks around) You seem to be living quite the life, don't you know that your brother is suffering?"

I look to the kitchen but Hunter isn't there, "Where's the man that was just in the kitchen?"

He points behind him with a laugh, "Oh, do you mean this weakling?"

A tall monster duck in. It is holding Hunter by the throat, he is struggling to breathe. He squirms, "F-falem... Just... Run..."

I grab my sword hilt, "No! How could I just run and leave you to die!?"