Hunter

Learning the game

Hunter

I observed Mason and Gail when they thought I wasn't around. Mason wanted me for one reason, while Gail had her own reasons. They had two distinct personalities that clashed.

But Gail underestimated Mason. Mason was an expert chess player. He moved chess pieces around to his advantage while Gail reacted. I needed to temper her personality so she didn't piss off Mason. The guy didn't get where he was without learning the game.

"Will you stop?" I asked Gail in her bedroom.

"Stop what? I have no idea what you mean." Gail acted all innocent and shit.

"Don't hand me that innocent bullshit. You know what I mean. You're badgering Mason to see how far you can push him. Mason won't hesitate to make you disappear where no one will question your disappearance."

"That sounds like a threat."

I shook my head. "It's not a threat. It's the truth. And I won't let anything happen to you."

"What do you mean?"

"I only returned because I didn't want anything to happen to you. You don't deserve this life. I didn't have a choice."

"We all have choices, Hunter."

Hunter shook his head. "No. I killed my father and ran."

Gail gaped at me.

"Either I killed him, or he would have killed me."

"Oh, God." Gail gasped and covered her mouth.

"I didn't know my mother. I had no protection. I had to learn how to survive on my own. Mason knows everything about me."

I didn't tell Gail the truth to shock her. But she needed to understand the game and her opponent. Mason makes it his mission to learn about people. He digs up information and watches them to figure out their weakness. He found out mine was Gail.

Gail lowered her hand and sighed. "Fine. But only because you asked so nicely."

I rolled my eyes. "Smartass."

Gail snorted a laugh.

I walked over to the oversized chair and plopped down. My life hasn't been the same since Mason found me. As much as I hate to admit it, my life became better.

"What are you thinking about?" Gail sat on her bed.

"I'm not used to anyone caring about me. It's not real. All I've known is pain and suffering."

"Could you be experiencing real emotions and not a robot version?"

I looked at Gail. "Who says I'm a robot?"

"Hunter, you don't give off that warm and friendly vibe to people. You're an enigma to people."

"How do you care about someone when no one has cared about you?"

"You give them a chance. It doesn't mean you allow anyone to get close, but at least a few. Everyone needs love."

I regarded Gail. I haven't met anyone like her before. She didn't look at me as something to gain or treat me like I was a piece of shit. The wall around my heart started cracking more and more around her.

*******
Gail

What have people done to Hunter? They took this person and hurt him without giving a shit about him. No one deserves to have people treat them like a dog.

I got up, walked toward Hunter, and sat beside his legs. I wrapped my arms around his legs and laid my head on one.

He ran his fingers through my hair softly. "You have the softest hair."