I keep tapping my left foot anxiously as I sit on one of the vacant seats outside the office. Despite attempting to appear calm, my hands keep playing through my hair and messing it up, indicating my nervousness. My attire is still stained with Logan's blood, the sight of which does little to help my nerves. I keep glancing at the closed door of the office, hoping it will open soon, but to no avail. I wonder how long they'll take before letting me in considering how desperate they were for my presence
Bastards! Couldn't they wait for Logan to be out of danger to summon me?!
I let out a groan in frustration, unable to comprehend their urgency in bringing me while Logan's life was still on the line. I realize that this meeting is probably crucial, but I can't help but feel annoyed at the lack of concern for Logan's condition. I wonder how much they actually care about it.
Frustrated, I take out my phone and dial the most recent caller on my list, waiting for my friend, Marcus, to pick up. My breath comes out in short bursts as I wait for a response. Finally, a voice greets me from the other end. "Collen...", Marcus's tired tone rings in my ear.
"Any report?!", I almost shout even though I am doing my best to remain calm.
"No, he's still in there with the doctors. They...they're trying to stitch his shoulder back." I wince at the response, already knowing how terrible the situation is. I saw it firsthand. But hearing about it makes it even harder to stay put. I bury my face in my palm and breathe heavily, my shoulders trembling. I turn my phone away from me and try to have a stronger grip on my emotions. "Focus on the headquarters, Collen. Gwen and I are here for him. Calm down. He'll be fine. You know how resilient he is.", the voice comes back, its gentle tone helping to soothe my frayed nerves.
I barely nod in response although I know he can't see it through the phone. My tears drip down and gather in my hands and I struggle to not sniffle or break down. After all, hunters don't cry.
The call disconnects, leaving me in a silence that gnaws at my heart. I quickly wipe away my tears and take a deep breath to compose myself before the sudden voice makes me jump. I turn my attention towards the door, which now stands open, and a stern voice commands, "Collen Ezra, you may enter now."
Gulping the lump choking me, I take a moment to compose myself and quickly wipe the tears from my eyes with my sleeve, leaving no trace of weakness. Taking a deep breath, I gather my courage, rise from my seat, shove my phone back into my pocket, and walk through the open door. I find myself in front of a desk with a male in his mid-fifties sitting behind it. He scrolls through the document on his tablet when I enter, but doesn't acknowledge me. I stand in front of the desk, waiting impatiently to be addressed. A small platinum board with his name, William Carlos, sits proudly by his elbow.
The lead supervisor lifts his gaze past his reading glasses and finally acknowledges my presence, but he doesn't seem impressed. He hums to himself and says, "Collen Ezra... partner of Logan Cross. So much potential just being wasted..." His words don't do much to lift my spirits but I nod in agreement. "I got reported of the incident by the receptionist at the hospital. The doctors are yet to give me theirs. I suppose they are still treating him?"
"Yes, sir...", I answer in a quiet voice, trying to stay composed despite the male's stern expression. My hands, which are hidden behind my back, have begun to fidget with my sleeves.
"I also believe that you two retreated without eliminating your assigned target?", he asks and I give a small nod in response. "That will be negative 10 points each." My eyes widen in shock when I hear his verdict.
"Wait, negative points?", I ask, my voice tinged with disbelief.
William's eyes narrow down to thin lines, and he appears annoyed by my questioning of his decision. "Indeed. After all, city hunts pose a significantly lesser challenge compared to the forest ones. If you can't even handle these, then you're not prepared for a higher tag anyway.", he says, his tone full of criticism. "The monsters here don't even dare to retaliate, whereas out there, the beasts are more apt to attack. You could end up being the one getting hunted instead just for turning your back to them."
