The Hunt [BOOK 2: WAR OF MORTALS] [Completed]

Who's to Blame?

We stand in a room just recently added to the warehouse at the request of Arlo, it was built for training new recruits so as one can imagine the room is massive. The pale cream colored walls and towering ceiling standing a proud 108 feet. Directly ahead of me at about 65 to 67 feet away are several dozen pull up bar stands bolted directly into the cold concrete floor of the room. To my immediate left 170 feet away stands Cheshire and Fe as they talk to a new recruit near the 25 ft climbing ropes that claim that side of the new room, this gives me a few more seconds to look around. Off to my right again about 170 feet are 2 heavy steel core doors painted blue, behind them lies the warehouses pool. At nearly 8 ft deep and spanning the size of about half a football field, it's a very large pool. This extension to the warehouse is all kinds of oddly shaped and constructed but it'll have to do for now.

"So who is this James person?" Papa questions as he waddles up to me. Ever since we got back from Landwest today, he's been waddling. Ok, more like limping. I sigh slightly and grab a chair sliding it up next to me.

"Sit, papa. You're gonna hurt yourself even more." Papa glares at me for a moment before sitting down in the chair.

"Are you going to answer my question, Jessaline?" I let out another small sigh.

"James is a cop that pulled me over back in 3002 on the day that Melody was shot. He apparently followed me that day and saved my life. I brought him back here and he stayed here for a good year. When I graduated me, Fe, Cheshire, and James all decided to go to Apaland. In all honesty I was looking for Arlo Alpin, but when I found him James started acting weird. Like really weird," I state. I cast my eyes to the floor trying to keep myself from crying. "James disappeared the day before we were suppose to come home. I've had the entire FOTD searching for him since and we've found him, but then he's disappeared again before we could do anything. I'm so stupid!! If I hadn't suggested we go to Apaland to find Arlo none of this would have happen!!" I hiss toward myself. Papa grabs my hand and turns me toward him.

"You're not stupid, Jessa. You are far from it. You just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time." My father's calming words oddly don't do me any justice. I watch my father lightly rub the back of his dark brown hair covered head. "Look, I know my words probably mean nothing to you right now, but I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying here and I can promise you that you are a brilliant young lady. I don't think anyone could plot something like what you pulled earlier today if they didn't have guts and smarts." I smile softly at my father's kind words.

"Thanks, papa. That actually means a lot t-"

"MAMA!!!!!" I turn toward the happy voice of Samantha and smile brightly.

"Hey, kiddo!"

"You're home!! Did you find papa? Is he okay?" She asks hopefully. My heart sinks knowing that I now have to break the news to Sammy that James is still out there. That James may be dead out there.

Stop thinking that and just tell her! I sigh slightly and try to keep a small smile on my face in hopes of helping her keep up hope.

"As much as I hate to say, darling. No, we didn't find him, but we're going to. I got a call earlier today that someone might have found him." Sammy happy expression falls slightly before she speaks again.

"You're gonna be gone for a long time again, aren't you?" She questions. I pick her up and place her on my hip.

"Sadly." Expression falls a little more. "But you won't be alone this time with Fe. Remember the stories I told you about my papa?" I ask her carefully. Sammy's eyes light up only slightly as she nods her head. I turn back toward Papa. His brown eyes are as bright as the sun. "Say hi to Grandpa Shane, Sammy!" I coo.