To Put A Leash On The Master

Hunter

~ HEIDI ~

As my hurried paces bounce off the walls, I throw a glance over my shoulder to wash off the lingering feeling of being followed.

The pressure overwhelms me sooner and unease seizes my chest. I break into a run.

I don't look back. And I don't stop until I reach the stair flight. There, I bend over, hands on my knees as I gasp for air but stand alert when I hear gentle footsteps coming from the lower stairs.

It could be an Officer. Or not. A policeman's wallet wouldn't get him near those brown-polished shoes appearing on the steps below.

Curiosity marks the trail for my eyes to travel upward—looking over black pressed pants to a leather belt of the same color, resting briefly on the red tie over a crisp white shirt that's tucked neatly into a black vest before moving to the inked neck introducing the face bearing a darkened eye.

I'm not scared, not angry either. Just tired; tired like I had just finished a long hike up the mountain.

The motherfucker found me already, and there's no more running.

"Hunter," I breathe out, my shoulders dropping from exhaustion.

As I let out a hollow laugh, the man stops ascending the stairs and looks at me.

He cocks his head to the side and says flatly. "Come now, Love. Time to go home."

~

TWENTY-EIGHT HOURS AGO.

Last I checked it was past nine in the morning, and I've spent the past eight hours preparing for the event that'll soon create a rift throughout the country.

I stand on the balcony and clutch the handrail before inclining against it, sniffing in crisp fresh air as the late morning dews kiss my skin.

Staring at the distant foggy mountains, my face cracks with a smile. And I'm pleased with how the snowflakes drop slowly. But then the moment is disrupted when my cell phone dings in my apron pocket.

"Fuck!"

My hands work fast as I put the phone to silence so as not to piss off the person in the bathroom. His ears are the sharpest, that one. So is his tongue.

He'd stroll into the room wearing underpants while slinging a towel over his shoulder.

'The hell are you doing on my balcony, Heidi?' the bugger would say with a raspy voice. 'And leave that phone of yours somewhere that's not my room, will ya?' he'd add just before yanking me out the door.

I unlock the phone and tap an unread message.

General Yosvolec: When I gave you my address it was to come over, not send presents.

Another message pops in immediately.

General Yosvolec: *crying emojis*

I can't help but giggle as my fingers dance on the phone screen.

Heidi: Happy birthday, love xx

General Yosvolec: I want only youuu *crying emoji*

I try to imagine his expression while typing that. But then there's the haze in my mind called worry. Worry that I may never get to see my lover in real life. That he'll soon get frustrated with my excuses and call the relationship off.

He's my first-ever romantic partner and we've been texting for over a year. I'm certain I made the right choice, except there's still the case of meeting face-to-face.