The Lantern Bearers

chapter 34: Nathan

Nathan Oliver Carson....

That is my full name...

During my days as a thug, a hoodlum if you may, i often called myself the NOCturnal huntsman.

It was my bounty hunter and lantern bearer nickname. Made me sound cool and intimidating, but in hindsight, it sounds dumb, but hey, i was young at the time and i thought i was invincible and badass as fuck.

Depending on who i worked for, i would often "persuade" my client to give me more money for my "valiant efforts" through means of intimidation......which sometimes got my own ass kicked and got less than what we made a deal on.

I was an arrogant sonovabitch. Cocky as all get out.

I wasn't proud of what i used to do though.

My jobs mainly involved kidnapping tainted and taking them to sellers, as well as run aways and bringing them back to their owners. This was all before striders took on the job with higher proficiency.

Regardless of age, background, morals, they were all money signs to me. They would often beg for me to let them go, but i would often ignore or beat the shit outta them till they shut up.

One woman would change my life though, and an escapee at that.

Her name was Beatrice.

She was a strong, outspoken black woman that could and would kick my ass, as she's done several times in the past.

After several attempts to nab her, each encounter became.....spicier than the last.

Some flirtatious comments here.
Some innuendos there.

There was a spark between us and an energy we were sending back and forth.

It was certainly magical.

Before we knew it, our "encounters" simply became dates. Eventually, i helped fake her death and had her owner call off the search.

I would make her mine, and me, her own.

We moved into a haven together and started raising a family. I loved my children so nuch and it gave my heart and soul back. We'd play games, laugh, and have a good time as a family.

However, things turned sour over time, when my old sins came back.

The wild cats gang.

I was involved with them, prior to becoming a lantern bearer. We were a tight knit group, believing that were all members of a "family" or "pride", per say. They were crazy individuals that would ride around in vehicles and prey on bearers, wanders, and escapees alike, taking their goods and even butchering them for food.....yes, some where cannibals.

I had to detach myself from them years ago, due to them just being absolutely unbearable to be around, with their barbaric tendencies and unsanitary nature. I'd become a lone lantern bearer and bounty hunter soon after.

But now....
Now they found me, my wife, and kids!

They would reek havok on the haven, setting things on fire, blowing shit up, and gunning down helpless denizens.

I held my own against them, but i couldn't protect my family.

I would have to watch in horror as they shot my wife and kids, chop them up and eat them.

I went on a rampage, killing every single one of those motherfuckers one by one.

But one fateful explosion cut it short.

A rocket was fired into my house i was in. All i seen was a bright flash of white and my ears ringing.

Hours went by and i would find myself just outside of the haven, with the light from the flames being the only thing protecting me from being eaten by the darkness.

By the grace of god himself, however, a lantern was by my side and functioning.

My legs were done.

I couldn't walk.

I had to crawl way from the carnage on my own.

In a matter of days, maybe a week, i came across haven 38 and sullivan got me in a wheelchair and didn't question me.

To make up for my past sins, i vowed to help any man, woman, or little ones i can, especially children in honor of my late wife and children, that i know are happy in the afterlife.

San....you keep your head up, and lead your group to prosperity. Keep those kiddos safe and happy.