Hunt the Hunter (Revised Version To Be Uploaded)

Beginning Or End

~Shika~

I watched from the doorway as his figure disappeared down the hall, and I couldn't help but feel stupid that I was gullible enough to believe he'd change that quickly.

I was stupid.

I turned back into the room, looking at the torrent of scattered papers everywhere. Whatever they were doing, it was as if they made sure to make it a mess before I got here. But with all their tight restrictions, I had all the time in the world to organise it and research for myself.

Yay.

"They left again?"

I whipped my head around quickly to see who had spoken, relaxing when it was only Rick.

"Yeah they left again. Without me. Again." I huffed out.

Rick gave a low chuckle, "You may not understand, but its–"

"Say “for  your own good” I swear I will up and beat you to a pulp." I hissed.

Rick held up his hands in surrender and I turned back to the papers.

"You've heard that a lot?" I heard him pick up a few papers of his own.

"One too many times." I mumbled.

Rick didn't say anything for a bit. I heard another rustle of papers as I got up before a hand touched my shoulder.

"You didn't hear this from me, but I think checking out the fort right now would do you much good than mulling around here."

I stopped what I was doing and faced Rick apprehensively.

"You're actually suggesting that I go against their orders and leave the mountains anyways?" I asked suspiciously.

Rick raised his hands, "Like I said, you didn't hear it from me."

"Yeah, and you wouldn't believe who the idea came from."

I looked towards the door to see Ash wide eyed holding Katy by the shoulders.

"You?" I stated at Katy with widened eyes, any wider and I would've put those ancient nocturnal birds to shame.

Katy ignored us all with a simple roll of her eyes.

"This is the first time I am willingly going “rogue”–"

"–Never gonna be the last!" Ash cut in.

Katy glared at her hard before continuing, "So, I'd like to get this over and done with."

I smiled at them, "You would actually do that?"

"Without question." Katy smiled back, "Now let's go highjack a few bikes before that dark haired comes back."

They walked out and I started to follow them, when I felt a large, worked, yet gentle hand land on my shoulder. Something brushed against my side and I turned to face Rick.

"You will need that when you get the ring." He said gently and nudged me out the door.

It bounced around in my mind but I didn't think much on it. I caught up to Ash and Katy. They had stopped in front of one of the doors leading to the garage.

"So, you guys are gonna drive a jeep to the fort." It was a suspicious I-don't-trust-your-driving kind of question rather than a statement. And my trust was right to be fickle, especially after the grin Ash gave me.

"Ash I had no intention of dying today!"

I was holding on to Ash for dear life as we rolled over the dessert dunes on quad bikes. I should've taken Katy's offer to ride with her instead of with the maniac I called my friend.