Hunt

Chapter 83 (Kyle): Blurred Lines

                              -One Week Ago-

"...Come on in son. Take a seat, you look like you've been through a lot."

I step tentatively across the threshold and into the house. Awkwardly walking into the living room of the place where I had my first conversation with David Anderson. The belly of the beast. Even now, after everything that's happened, I can't seem to shake the feeling that I'm in serious danger just by being here. I slowly ease myself into a seat, making mental note of every available exit I could take should an escape route be necessary.

"I assure you that you aren't in any danger Mr. Parker. Please try to relax. Stressing like that will take years off your life." David says as he takes a seat across from me, reading me like an open book. Despite his attempt to diffuse my anxiety his words don't do much to help my restless body. "I take it that my misguided daughter failed in purifying you. That's why you're here."

I slowly nod, finding it hard to meet David's eye. Something deep in my heart was pulling my eyes to the carpet a couple inches from him. Like instinct trying to keep me in a submissive posture. "Y-yes. The ritual she used on me didn't work. I ended up being unconscious for a week."

David falls silent as he leans back in his chair. Scratching his chin as if deep in thought, his eyes soften as he looks back up towards me. "I see. I'm very sorry you had to go through that. I'll be sure to help fix whatever she may have damaged."

There's a spark in the back of my mind. A small tingle of a thought like a warning sign. It's just enough to get me to sit up straighter. "Damaged?"

Was Reyna aware of this? Could it have been intentional?

"I don't exactly know the extent of it, but I can tell already that there's an imbalance in you. Don't worry, you're going to be fine. Nothing we can't straighten out." He reassures with a kind smile, a genuine smile. The first time I think I could recognize it as such. "Look Kyle. I know we aren't exactly on good terms. We've both done things that I'm sure we both regret..."

I blink the image of the memorial stone from my mind. Vince's name etched into the black slate. I swallow hard to drown the pain welling up in my chest as David leans forward, pulling something out from behind him. A flash of metal catches the light, putting me instantly on edge. I quickly stand up from my seat as he reveals a handgun.

"I do believe this belongs to you." David says calmly, setting the weapon on the coffee table between us. "It doesn't feel quite right to not give it back to you."

As my sudden spike of adrenaline fades I quickly recognize the gun. My graduation gift from Paul, symbolizing me as a full fledged hunter in his eyes. I haven't touched a weapon since I got turned, my heart is racing as I reach for my seemingly last link to my hunter life. My hand trembles as I grip it tentatively. I check the chamber and drop the mag with a deftness only muscle memory can provide. Much to my surprise I find that the gun is still loaded. Clearing the chamber I catch the bullet that's thrown clear, causing an uncomfortable tingle to rocket through my hand and up my arm. Much like an electric shock.

"I take it you haven't felt the effect of silver yet." David says as he watches me. "I know how much hunters treasure their tools and weapons, I will admit it's amusing to have your first experience with silver come from your own gun."

As I continue to grip the silver bullet the tingle begins to morph rapidly into a painful burn, growing more intense and painful by the second. Inserting the bullet into the mag I load the gun, chambering the round before setting it back down on the coffee table. I clench my hand tight, which helps relieves the pain just a little.