Hunt

Chapter 5: Why my Homework is Missing

Well met me be the first to tell you that I didn't finish all of my homework that night. Given the circumstances I felt it was an acceptable price to pay. However, I wouldn't be able to give the real reason for not actually completing the work. I only managed to get a couple hours sleep that night, I was still jittery from the hunt with Nick, and something kept nagging at me. How did I let that ghoul sneak up on me?

A majority of my night is spent reviewing the hunt over and over in my head. Examining it at every angle to see what I did wrong. I'm confident that I did everything right, that maybe I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I wrack my brain, trying to find where I had slipped up and put myself into a dangerous situation. High schoolers tend to over analyze themselves, a high schooler that hunt monsters in his off hours is even worse. I just couldn't seem to get it out of my head, finding myself fixating on every small detail. Hyper-analyzing every perceived mistake that I made. Before I knew it I was spiraling into a deep pit of self-analysis and harsh self-criticism.

It was around two in the morning when I finally tried to get some sleep. Sometimes it's better to pull the all nighter. Tonight wasn't going to be one of those nights. But I hadn't been trying for long before something yanks me from my attempt to sleep. A text buzzes my phone, vibrating my whole bed and pulling me from half asleep state. So close to sleep and yet so far at the same time. Who would want to message me at this ungodly hour?

"Kyle. I know you're probably asleep. Look, I need to talk to you about what happened at school."

I knew the number. It was one I deleted from my phone a long time ago. But I still remember Heather's number. I now regret not having blocked it. A follow up text comes quickly:

"Can we meet? I'll be by the old park if you're awake."

I hoped that I was just hallucinating. That I was dreaming and my mind was just playing a cruel trick on me. I really didn't want to go back out there again tonight, and the very last thing I wanted to do is have a talk with Heather. However, much to my disappointment, looking back at my phone a minute later the texts were still there. Staring me straight in the face. With a grunt and a groan I roll out of my bed and gather my hunting gear again. I didn't know if she knew about my nighttime 'extracurricular' activities and I really didn't want her to know. But I still didn't want to take an unnecessary risks. Vampires tend to get twitchy and unpredictable when they're hungry and I had no idea when she had blood last. Checking the magazine I could count only a handful of bullets left. Not ideal, but it would have to do. I'd have to remind myself later to talk with Paul about getting more.

I could easily walk to the meetup point, so I didn't risk the noise of driving. It's a cold and stressful walk, filled with a lot of 'fun' thoughts bouncing around in my head. When I arrive at the park I can only make out the silhouette of the old slide and swing set that perpetually swung in the breeze. Creaking and groaning with rusted chains, having long been neglected. I couldn't see anyone around, but I knew she was there. I could almost feel her watching me from the darkness...

"Kyle?" A small voice behind me breaks the silence, "You actually came, I wasn't sure if you'd be awake." Turning I can see a woman's figure walking out from a gap in-between two trees. I remain silent as she approaches, my hand begins reaching instinctually up to my chest as I have to force it down. The other rests on the pistol in my waistband. "I didn't feel comfortable talking to you anywhere but here. I'm sorry for the sudden text."

"Talk. Fast." I state slowly. I really didn't want to be here any longer than I had to. "It's beyond late and a school night."

"O-ok. Um, well I want to first apologize for cornering Julie at school..." She fidgets. She sounded sincere.