The Hunting

Chapter 27

We sat in silence while we waited for the boys to catch up with us. I was sitting up whereas Pietra was laying on her side. The silence was helping me however because I couldn't get those our conversation out of my head. The sun was high in the sky now. Pietra grabbed my attention as she spoke, "Hey, I am going to rest my eyes for a second. Keep your eyes peeled and wake me up if you see the boys. I don't want them to know that I trust you."

My eyes widened, "You trust me?"

She scoffed as she rolled over and put her hands behind her head, "Don't get cocky now. I've just learned that you do not have the guts to kill someone, so I'm not too worried."

I was about to argue, but then I paused. Could I kill a person? I sighed, "Yeah, you're probably right. I don't think I could kill a person."

Pietra didn't say another word as she closed her eyes. After I could hear her breathing soften. I stood up and started slowly walking around the trees. Could I kill a person? I don't know. I've never thought about it before. I looked at Pietra. I know I am capable of hurting someone if I need to defend myself. But I don't think I could kill someone. I wonder if my father could kill someone. I shook my head. No, I should not be thinking about that. I don't even remember him. I thought back to his memorial in the Burrow. The wolf. I sighed as I thought about my dad. Is he proud of the person I've become? What I am doing? I wonder what he would do if he was in my situation. I looked down at his necklace that is hanging around my neck. I took it off my neck and held the arrow in my hand. I ran my thumb across it. I smiled down at it. One thing that most people couldn't see about this necklace was that his initials are carved into it. Granted, this arrowhead is worn down so even I can barely see it. R.A. Ryan Able. This is the man my mother fell in love with. I took a shaky breath as I held back tears as I thought of her. My poor mother. Now she is truly all alone. I hope my friends are keeping her company. I hope I will be able to see her again... My thoughts trailed off as I looked around. I sighed audibly as I walked back towards Pietra.

After a while of waiting, sitting, contemplating my life choices and more waiting, I finally saw the boys at the top of the hill. I tapped Pietra lightly to wake her up. She sat up without a word. We were both standing up by the time that they got down to us. Calum strode over to Pietra and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. I turned my attention to Jaiver, who's face was tense. He didn't meet my gaze. What's up with him? I looked at Don, who winked at me when he saw me looking at him. I raised my eyebrows questioningly and he shook his head and mouthed "later." With that, he walked to talk to his sister and Calum, Javier not too far behind him.

I then looked at Nate who looked annoyed. I took a couple of steps towards him. I spoke, "What's wrong?"

He shrugged, "Nothing is wrong, why would anything be wrong?"

I rolled my eyes, "Nate, talk to me. What's up with you?"

He sighed, "We were discussing strategy while we were catching up with you two and there was a disagreement."

I continued my pestering, "What kind of disagreement?"

He looked down at the ground, "The kind where they possibly want to split us up into groups and possibly have a certain someone try to kill those shitbag scavengers. Possibly."

"Possibly? Who might that certain someone be?"

"That certain someone might be very skilled with a bow and arrow and is hands down the most badass person I ever met. However, this person is also a person who doesn't kill because they don't see the valor in that. I know this certain person well enough to know that they would not be comfortable with doing such a thing and I spoke up about it, but certain people thought otherwise."

There it is. They want me to help them kill the scavengers. I sighed, "Nate, I appreciate you doing that for the certain someone. I agree with you, that certain someone would not kill someone."

Nate gasped, "Oh thank the –"

I continued, "But, this person might have to even if they don't want to. If this person can help, they most certainly will." I muttered, "even though the feeling of killing someone makes me want to puke, it needs to be done. Who thought that though?"

He put his hand on my face, brushing the hair out of my face with his thumb, "Calum and Jaiver wanted to send you with Don and Pietra. I refused and argued against it. It was Don's idea to let you choose." Jaiver wants me to kill? The thought resonated in me. Nate snapped my attention back to him as he continued to speak, "Arden, you do not have to do this. They will ask you and you have the right to say no. I don't like that they are so insistent on you doing it, but it is your choice. Do not let anyone sway your opinion. Taking someone's life is a very serious matter and only you can choose that path. No matter what you decide I will be there if you need me. I will always be there for you."

I looked up at Nate, I realized how close we were. I took a step back, trying to stop a blush from spreading across my face. "Nate, you're right. It is my decision, but if this is the only way, I will have to do it. I appreciate you telling me this. Thank you."

He looked at me, eyes saddened, "No problem."

I turned around to face the hunters, they were all still talking. The only one that paid us any attention was Jaiver. This time, he met my eyes. I think he knew what Nate told me. He quickly looked away from me and towards the group. I started walking towards the hunters with Nate not too far behind me. This is going to be an interesting conversation.