The Hunter [completed]

ONE

"Do you have everything?" My mum was stood above me, peaking through my back pack. I zipped it up and patted it. "All good to go". and before she could continue; "I've checked three times. I've got everything". She meant well, my mum, but for a 17 year old it could easily be mistaken for nagging and interference, which was what I felt back then. She looked at me and smiled as I got up on my feet. "Be careful, and call home at least once or twice if you can. And have a great celebration. You're lucky to have such good friends". I knew, but I didn't know. I guess I was just in that weird phase where you're not sure who you are, let alone your friends.

I concentrated on myself, and must now admit that I was pretty self-centered and self-reliable in my late teens. Nonetheless, I had been looking forward to this trip for a whole month. I felt kind of special, when three of my best friends one day stopped their scooters in my driveway and informed me that they had come up with the greatest idea for my birthday celebration. Sean, Sam and Lee... and me. What 17 year old girl would not like to celebrate her birthday in the company of three guys, being the only girl and therefor enjoying all their attention solely? For the attention loving Leo that I was (and sadly still am), I was thrilled. Even though we hung out at each others' houses every day after school, it would be fun to do something else than watch them play Call of Duty on their laptops and listen to their shitty trance music all day long. Looking back, although it seemed like a drag then, I now treasure those days as the best days of my so far lived life. We were young, reckless and without worries worse than next test's marks. The future was just a bright light at the end of a still very long tunnel. We lived in the present. It was also enticing to me to be allowed in to the guys' sanctuary and inner circle. They regarded me as a sister, and treated me like one, with friendly banter and overprotection when it came to other guys. At the same time I could still enjoy being the centre of attention wherever we went. 'Bro's before hoes', they always said. And I was one of them.

The plan was this: we pack up some gear, get some parents to drive us to Sean's aunt and uncle's cabin. We stay there from Wednesday to Sunday, barbecuing, drinking, playing music and enjoy being young and unsupervised for once. It couldn't go wrong.

Ten minutes later we heard the honk from a car. Mum almost ushered me out the door, waving at Sam's dad, who waved back, smiling. "Now, have fun and don't forget to call. And be careful," my mum said before pulling me in for a hug. Sam honked the horn. "I will," I said and gave her a smile. I'll call when we get there." Mum followed me down to the car, and instantly started chatting with Sam's dad. "Do you dare to send your daughter in to the woods with these two?" he asked my mum, pointing at his son and Sean, who were both grinning from ear to ear. I smiled at them. "I know they're good lads. I'm not worried." She looked at me. "As long as she checks in from time to time, that is," she added. "You need to take care of each other," Sam's dad told us. Sam rolled his eyes and waved a hand. "Yeah, yeah." Sam's dad started the engine. "I will pick them up on Sunday. We've agreed around 15.00PM. I'll make sure she gets home in one piece." My mum nodded and smiled. "Have fun you guys." We all said our goodbyes and went to pick up the last menace; Lee.

The trip to the parking lot took us about an hour and a half. To get there we had to get off the main road and down a mile long dust road that led to yet another stretch of dust road. From the parking space where Sam's dad dropped us off, we had to walk some kilometres through the woods in order to get to the cabin. We were now many miles from the nearest inhabited house. He said his goodbyes and the usual warnings about being careful and taking care of each other, then he turned the car around for the long way back home.

I was stood with my backpack between my legs, checking out the pathway. It was barely noticeable through the trees. "They rarely use it," Sean explained. "My uncle used it for hunting once a year." Sam rummaged through his backpack and a can of beer appeared. "One for the road guys?" I shook my head. Sean and Lee didn't have to be asked twice. "Seriously Mia, when are you gonna start drinking? You're just about to turn seventeen. Everyone drinks, and many for years already." Sean grinned. I knew he was only pulling my leg. "Fuck off," I replied, and off we went.