What's a bad boy?

Chapter 17// Casting shadows

Chapter 17: Casting Shadows

"W-Why d-do you have this, Hunter?"

My voice is a stuttering mess, making my quaking body even more noticeable. I'm unable to process what has just happened. The cool metal of the gun continuing to rest on my foot.

"You weren't supposed to see that" he repeats, his voice a mixture of dangerous masculinity and regret.

Everything about him has changed all of a sudden. He stands slightly taller, the light from the hallway casting dark and ominous shadows over his face. The boy standing in front of me isn't the Hunter Jones who had been only moments ago begging for my forgiveness. No, this Hunter is a dark replica of his previous self.

"Why do you have it?"

This time my voice is blunt and demanding, nothing wavering about it. However, he ignores my forcefulness, remaining as silent as the dead, his eyes never leaving mine, the intensity of his gaze challenging me to try to run from him.

"ANSWER THE GODDAMN QUESTION HUNTER!"

This time the corner of his eye twitches, leaving a crack in his facade. Yet, he remains silent as though unsure of what to do but afraid to show it. Any other girl in the universe would have only seen anger and danger in his eyes, but as he has told me multiple times in the past few weeks.

I'm not like other girls.

I see straight through his facade and recognise that all of the danger in his face is based on fear of what I'll do. Still, the murderous look he is giving me is enough to send fear prickling through every one of my bones.

When he continues to stand there, refusing me my answer, I take the chance in reaching swiftly down to the floor and grabbing the gun. The movement is just slow enough for him to register it but quick enough so that he can't do anything about it.

The metallic weight in my hands is foreign and frightening but I clasp it as though I know exactly how to use it.

Raising it in my slightly unsteady hands, I point it at Hunter, aiming the bullet straight between his eyes - though with my shaking hands I'd be lucky to get it anywhere near him.

"You're overreacting, Vee" he says steadily, attempting to reassure me.

"For the last f^cking time, stop calling me that!"

Unlike all the other times I had asked him not to, this time he recognises the seriousness in my tone - probably due to my sudden outburst of curse words - and raises his arms in surrender.

"Just drop the gun" his voice is deep and authoritative, however I am more likely to shoot him than give in to his demands.

"Just shut up and listen" I growl, "this is how it's going to go. You will slowly step to the side and let me walk out of this room and then out the front door. You will leave me the hell alone until I say otherwise and if you don't, then I'll call the cops."

He opens his mouth to object, but the clicking of the safety has him immediately snapping his mouth shut. Then he slowly starts to step out of the way. I wait for a few seconds, cautiously watching his every move.

My heart is beating like thunder, making my lips quiver ever so slightly in fear. He seems to notice the small movement as his face softens. Nevertheless, I continue towards the door, the gunpoint staying firmly on his forehead.