Man Eater

6 • Sunset

The day seemed to dig in its heels and hang on to every strand of light. I had been tasked as a rooftop lookout, and all day all I could think about was what would happen tonight. I could barely hold my rifle, my hands shook as if they were frozen. I leaned back in the leather seat of my car, taking a deep breath to clear my head as I ran a hand through my dark brown hair. I had pondered all day how I would convince Moon to stay here. We couldn't change the future- Tiny's visions always came true, no matter what I did. If Rising Sun had to die- then I had to keep Moon here, Moon couldn't die. We needed her, I needed her, as selfish as it sounds.

A knocking made my heart jump straight of my throat as I quickly looked up, sighing in relief as I saw Redback had walked in front of my car, gently knocking on the hood and flashing me a smile as he went by. Can I tell him what his father's trying to do? I pointed at him to acknowledge I saw him, earning a chuckle from the younger man. His bright and cheery smile, his scruffy dark hair, his hopeful eyes... It all eased me. Was it that he reminded me of Tiny? Or was it that his optimism made this Hell seem a little less dark?

I pulled the shining silver door handle and pushed the dark leather-lined door open with my knee, swinging my legs over as I grabbed my keys and stood up out of my car. I shut the door, gently swiping off some dirt from the side view mirror and heading towards the old mansion. I pushed my sunglasses on top of my head, shoving my silver keys into my pocket and pulling off my suit coat, carefully laying it over my arm. As I started to climb the porch steps, I happened to turn my head towards Man-Eater's enclosure, tilting my head a little. The setting sun turned the sky to a mix of reds, maroons, and soft lavenders. My heart slowed, everything felt different, new, and better. How could something bad happen beneath such a beautiful sky? I knew this was false hope, and I knew that beneath the stars would be a useless attempt to save someone who didn't want to be saved.

Taking in a deep breath I pressed forward, going in through the weathered French doors, greeting those I passed as I started up the grand staircase. I paced into a light jog, catching up to Redback. I slowed into a walk, bumping my shoulder into his arm. His smile brightened a bit as he just about pushed me right over. "Alright, alright, jackass. I didn't hit you that hard." I gave him a gentle punch to the arm as he chuckled. I looked down and focused on the steps, my hand on the wrought-iron railing. "Is your dad around?"

"I don't think so." He shook his head. "I didn't see his car, he had mentioned going on a supply run for Tiny. I'm supposed to be drug running with Judge." Judge was a runner about Redback's age, a bit shorter with slightly tanner skin and dark freckles across his nose. "I couldn't find Judge so I'm just going with Brandy later, if she lets me." he shrugged. "Brandy's pretty cool, you know."

"Yeah." I was too distracted to take in what he was saying, I was just relieved that Snake-Heart was missing.. but did that mean I was too late? Did he have Rising Sun with him? My heart began to race again. "I gotta talk to Moon, I'll catch up with you in a bit- I'll come with you two."

"Yeah, good luck with that." He stopped once we reached a hallway, his hands in his pockets.

My heart stopped, I turned to look at him. "What do you mean?" I took the sunglasses off my head, folding them and gently shoving them in my pocket, my jaw slightly open.

"She's on the warpath for you. You pissed off her little girlfriend." He shrugged with a chuckle. "She was looking for you earlier, maybe you'll learn how I got my name." He teased, walking past me. "Good luck, One-eye! I'll see you later." he called non-chalantly, walking calmly away.

I remembered now when he got his name- earning it was a punishment in itself. A scathing reminder. While everyone had names like Steele, Sun, and Judge- he was named after the example Moon made out of him for everyone else. Three long scars were scratched across his back with an old pocketknife, and to try and cover it up he started to have Judge add little tally marks for each kill.