Keep On Walking (A Hunter Hayes Fanfiction, Book 3 of the Hardships Saga)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

❝remember (pronounced rɪˈmɛmbə or ri-mem-ber), verb
to recall to the mind by an act or effort of memory.❞

They all sat around the living room after dinner. Naomi was curled up in Will's arms, sleeping, and Hunter and Ryan sat together on the couch, Elle and Phoenix asleep beside them. Carter, Mira, Winnie and Iris were smiling widely, and so were Ryan and Hunter. Will just quietly stroked Naomi's hair, kissing the top of her head gently. "Ma, Pa, are we going back tonight?" asked Winnie softly.

"We can't tonight," replied Carter. "I didn't think that far ahead. I haven't bought plane tickets yet, and we can't very well drive back."

"That's alright," said Hunter. "Winnie and Iris can have Elle's room. Elle can sleep in Nick's room, you two can sleep in mine and Ryan's bedroom, and Will and Naomi can stay in the guest room."

"Where will you two be?"

"The couch is fine. It stretches out into a bed," said Ryan. "Does anyone want something to drink? Tea, coffee, wine, water?"

"I'll have some wine," said Will quietly. "I'll put Nomi to bed." He lifted her up gently, and she stirred slightly. He carried her to the room.

"He still calls her Nomi," said Mira softly. "How sweet."

"We'll get Elle and Nick to bed as well," said Ryan, and Hunter stood up, carrying Elle. Ryan held Nick, and they walked to Nick's bedroom together.

"Well, I can't say it hasn't been an eventful day," said Hunter as he tucked Elle in on the bed. They had gotten Nick and Elle twin-sized beds, just in case something like this happened. Ryan smiled at Hunter gently.

"It sure has," she said. "Do you have work tomorrow? I'm not going to go to school, I need to take care of my family until they leave."

"No, I'll tell the company what happened. A couple of days off never hurt anyone. I'll just make up for it later."

She suddenly leaned up and kissed Hunter gently. His hands immediately wrapped around her waist, and he pulled her closer, breathing in the sweet scent of strawberries. She pulled away. "Sorry," she said. "Couldn't resist."

A slow grin spread on his face. "Trust me, you're welcome to do that whenever you like."

She smiled. "I'm glad."

He put an arm around her waist. "Let's go down and get everyone something to drink."

They poured everyone a bit of wine, and everyone sat together, quietly observing each other. Will was staring at the fire, a blank expression on his face.

"Will?" said Mira softly.

"Yes, Ma?"

"What... what happened, exactly? How did you survive?"

He stared into the fire, and for the first time, Hunter realise just how tired he looked. How much older he had gotten from his ordeal, even though he was still young. Then, he looked up, and smiled. There was something... disturbing about it. It was twisted, dark, and it didn't suit him. "You really wanna know?" he asked, his voice chilling Hunter to the bone. It made him feel unsettled, like it had earlier, when he had threatened Hunter about looking after Ryan.

There was silence, until Winnie said, "Yes. I want to know. Even if the rest of you don't."

"No," said Iris. "I do, too."

"Aye. Me, too," said Carter. Mira nodded, and Ryan moved closer to Hunter. He wrapped an arm around her and squeezed her gently in a reassuring way. Truthfully, though, he needed her comfort just as much.