Chapter 8

Hunter Clarington

10 years before

"Ryan pshh Ryan"

Little Hunter poked at his little brother Ryan's leg as his nose could detect smoke

"Omg Hunter I'm tired leave me alone I'm tired and have to be up early for school in the morning

"That's your fault for staying up all night to sneak and play video games"

Ryan groaned as he turned over on his stomach throwing a pillow over his head

"Ryan I smell smoke"

"Hunter it could be coming from outside you have that super smell,you know you could smell anything"

"I smell it"

"Thank you Regan I know I wasn't tripping"

Hunter,Regan and Ryan all shared rooms the 3 musketeers they all labeled theirselves, they were all attached at the hips not too far apart in age Hunter 9, Regan 7 and Ryan 6

Their parents did well off for themselves but the 3 musketeers insisted on sharing rooms together in their huge home that their parents had just purchased the home was a beauty and even though they were still young nothing could compare to the home they considered their childhood home that their parents still owned across town it might've been cheaper and smaller but held so many memories

"Regan let's go check it out"

Regan was always Hunter's partner in crime when they were spying on their 2 older sisters or playing tricks on their sister which was closes in age to them Emma, Ryan would be the look out for their parents or one of them but this particular night Regan decided to stay back

"Buddy you gotta do this mission on your own I'm with Ryan I'm tired, tell me what you found in the morning,I'm quite sure it's nothing to worry about Hunter like Ryan said it might be from outside"

He laid back in bed and closed his eyes

"You guys are so lazy,I guess I'll have to do this mission on my own,get your beauty rest ,you hags"

Hunter threw a pillow at them both then stepped out of his bed tip toeing out of his room he snuck into the kitchen first looking out of the big picture window the neighborhood was eerily quiet like usual and he detected no sign of smoke in the air the smell became stronger in his nose and he couldn't take it anymore, his little brother was right he did have super smell which he considered a good thing in his case,he could always smell the oven first when his mom or older sisters mistakenly left it on after cooking or if the food was burning in the oven or microwave saving their meals from becoming a disaster

"Ahhh!"

He screamed as a hand touched his shoulder he looked up in big hazel eyes of his older sister Mambi as he called her,Mambi's first name started with a M but Hunter nicknamed her Mambi at a very young age

He told her that her big hazel eyes reminded him of the Disney character Bambi the cute white tailed deer,and since her birth name started with a M it was only right to call her Mambi that name stuck with her, even her family and friends and teachers at her school called her Mambi,it got to the point that some people never knew her real name

"Mambi you scared me"

"Hunter you should be in bed"

"I'm sorry I smell smoke Mambi and it's bothering me I was just checking to see where it was coming from"

"I do too I'm trying to figure that out now stay here"

Mambi looked scared and that was one look he never seen in his older sister she was strong and helped hold her family together becoming a mother figure to them,their parents were hard workers and had very demanding jobs,with their mother being a Physical Therapist and their dad being a Neurologist ,Mambi would pick up the slack when they weren't around making sure her baby brothers and sisters were ok

She was like a super hero only 16 but managed to help her parents with her siblings while still being a straight A student in school,captain of the Cheer team and president of her class,his second older sister Spencer was only 13 but she helped out as much as she could too, also staying up on her grades he worshipped them, and looked at them like they were super Heroes he felt that they could do anything if they put their minds to it

Hunter followed Mambi into the hallway and watched her go up the stairs to check on their parents

She looked back at him one last time before she made it to the top step

"Hunter something doesn't feel right,go find Emma she's not in her room,I'll meet you back down here after I check on mom and dad"

"Ok,Mambi?"

"Yes Hunter?"

"I love you"

She gave him a weak smile

"I love you too baby,now go find your sister"

Hunter continued to watch her until she disappeared into the hallway

"Emma? Emma?"

He walked through the dark house searching for Emma with no sign of her he wondered where she could be at that time of night,Emma was different she had just turned 9 only 10 months younger than him but had so much anger in her,her family didn't know why,their parents even took her to see a specialist a few times,some said she suffered from a personality disorder,most say she was perfectly fine majority ruled and their parents went with perfectly fine,but even Hunter could see something wasn't right,Emma would get angry at the littlest things,their parents or sisters tell her to take a bath she get angry,they tell her it's bed time she get angry,she didn't understand that disciplined comes with being a kid and growing up,then some days she would act like a normal child taking orders,happy,playful then go back to being a loner,it was always up and down with her,she was the closest with Hunter and Mambi, she treated Mambi like a parent more than their own parents

Hunter searched the home all over,even the basement for Emma,but still couldn't find her,he was becoming concerned,the last stop he had left to check was upstairs where Mambi descended to,the whole top floor was his parents so they rarely went up there,if Emma was up there he was sure Mambi or his parents had already discovered her,that gave him a little relief knowing she could be up there safe and sound,he waited at the bottom of the stairs it seem like for an eternity

He heard Mambi scream

"Momma! Daddy!"

Then a loud boom the house shook and the force was so strong it knocked him back onto his back he winced in pain closing his eyes until the pain subsided

When he opened his eyes he started coughing all he could see is black smoke descending down the stairs through the smoke he could see the red/orange fire

"Mambi!"

"Hunter!"

He could hear a strangled screamed calling him back

"Mommy! Daddy!"

He screamed for his parents struggling to get up to run up the stairs

"Hunter get your brothers and sisters and get out of the house now run far,far away! Oh Lord have Mercy please! Momma! Daddy! Nooo!"

"Mambi no I'm not leaving you guys! What is happening Mambi!?"

He was finally able to reach the stairs when he touched the railing he snatched his hand back the railing was scorching hot, he attempted to run up the stairs and jumped back again the stairs were so hot he burnt the bottom of his left foot

The fire from the upstairs started traveling down the stairs towards him,it was like a wild fire or like someone had formed a trail of gasoline

"Mambi!"

"Hunter if you never listened to anything I said now is the time, get you guys out of here now! I love you baby! I love all of you!"

She told him muffled her voice suddenly became further and further and at that moment Hunter realized that his parents and older sister were gone,that her I love you was a goodbye

"I love you"

He said in a whisper he ran out of the hall the hall filled with fire and smoke the fire kept traveling throughout the house as he ran screaming for his brothers

"Help! I'm trapped!"

He could hear his sister screaming from her room

"Hunter! Help!"

He could hear his brothers screaming for him he ran towards his room to try to save them but they were trapped,everyone was trapped and he was on his way to being trapped with them

"Emma!"

He screamed for Emma with no reply the home was thick with reddish orange fire and smoke and he was beginning to inhale it he suddenly felt a small hand attach with his pulling him out to the only clear area the front door

Once he was outside of the home he realized it was Emma

"Emma we have to save the others"

He told her as he snatched from her embrace

He tried to run back into the home but a loud boom filled the air and him and Emma was knocked back all the way to the sidewalk onto their backs they hit the pavement hard and both screamed in agony

When they sat up the whole home was in flames all Hunter could do was cry there was no coming back from this,his whole family was gone,sirens filled the air as the fire trucks showed up,him and Emily sat there watching the black smoke and now Blue fire they were silent just sitting there watching the fire take their family lives

"Emma what happened? Where were you? Did you do this?"

He needed answers he knew how Emma would do spiteful things when she was mad or even bored he wondered was she being curious playing with things she had no business playing with or did she do something spiteful towards her parents because they told her no not knowing her little trick would cause her family theirs lives

Emma never answered him instead she stared at him with those same hazel eyes as Mambi an officer approached them throwing a ton of questions towards them,they separated them to interrogate them by theirselves

"Hunter can you tell me what happened?"

"I smelled smoke so I got up to check it out,my older sister smelled it too,she went up to the top level to check on my parents and I went to find Emma but had no luck so I assumed that she might've been up on the top level as well when I came back that's when I heard a loud boom,smoke filled the up stairs and I saw fire,I was screaming for my sister and parents,but my sister was telling me to run and save the others,I was reluctant to go at first but went anyway,the smoke started traveling through the house and it became difficult to see,hear or breath,my siblings were trapped in their rooms they were all screaming for help but I couldn't save them,I suddenly felt a hand pulling me away it was Emma pulling me outside,I tried to go back in but we both were knocked back,now were here and my family is gone"

"Where was Emma?"

"I don't know we couldn't find her,at first I thought she was upstairs but then I realized she wasn't"

"Does she disappear a lot"

"Yes from time to time Emma is what you would call a loner"

"Has she ever became angry and did something spiteful? Ever been curious?"

"Yes some thought that she suffered from a personality disorder,some say she was fine,my parents went with fine.,curious? Yes"

"Hmmm"

The officer wrote vigorously on a note pad with his brows furrowed

Hunter realized he said too much and wished he could take it back,even though in the back of his mind he felt that Emma could be capable of the tragedy he hoped in his heart she weren't,all these thoughts started running through his mind what if Emma did do this could he forgive her? How would they survive since everyone is gone will they be put in to foster care? Will they be adopted together or separated? Would he ever be able to get over his families death?" If they're adopted will they be treated poorly or have a good life?"

He had a lot of questions but no strength to seek the answers,he never would've thought that at 9 he would lose his whole family except one he wouldn't wish this on his worst enemy

"Are you twins you both stated you were 9?"

The officer asked him pulling him out of his thoughts

"No sir we're 10 months apart I will be turning 10 soon"

"Ok Hunter were going to investigate this,this could be a homicide"

"What a homicide? Do you think someone purposely did this?"

"Right now young man we're not sure what to think that's why we're investigating,do you have family you could stay with?"

"No don't know our family"

The officer sighed and took his jacket off wrapping it around Hunter shoulders

He led Hunter and Emily to a marked car Emily laid across his lap in the back seat covered in another officer's jacket Hunter stared straight ahead daring not to look at his home or his family members lifeless bodies being pulled out of the home,he rubbed his hands through Emma's hair humming her to sleep

He wanted to scream at Emma and pry for more answers to see if she was the culprit behind this,but decided to ask her at a later time

"Mambi where is she?"

Emma asked as she fought her sleep

"Mambi's gone Emma"

"No she's not she's standing right..."

She pointed and her little hand fell as she fell asleep from exhaustion her shallow breaths and her warm breath on his pajama covered leg let him know she was sleep,he stared at the space she pointed to out the window but saw nothing,maybe she was just desirous because Mambi was gone and she wasn't coming back ever

He scared himself because he was sane,too sane,he wondered would he be one who hold all of this in then snap years later,he needed answers from Emma promising that he would ask her not now not but soon,he laid his head back and fell into a sleep fog right behind Emma,he heard the officers entering the car,he felt the car moving and wanted to get one last look of his home even if it weren't standing anymore but couldn't find the strength to do it, his head felt heavy and it seem as if it was being held back by a ton of bricks

He felled deeper into slumber and his life changed from there.. after that night and all the drama with the media,his family funeral and other thing else going on in his life he was adopted he never got those answers because him and Emma were separated he barely ever got a good nights sleep after that tragic night..tossing and turning every night replaying everything in his mind and still wanting answers,he became some what resentful towards Emma,even though she wasn't in his life anymore a part of him still wanted to believe that she was the cause

He searched for her until he was 17 to seek answers for his questions and to see her,even though that tragedy happened,he still had love for his baby sister because at the end of the day no matter what she did or what he thought she did that was still his flesh and blood

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

10.5 years later

"My baby boy I'm going to miss you oh so much"

Her hazel eyes filled with tears as she helped her son pack his last remaining items preparing him for his move to California

"Don't worry mom I will be fine,I will visit you and dad every chance I get"

"But California is so far away from Ohio dear"

"I know mom it's for the better I know I don't know anyone but this move would be good for me,different climate,different cultures I'm excited and you should be excited for me"

"I know I know sweetie mommy's just sad she won't have her handsome man here to keep her on her toes or your dad for that matter,just finish your major at Ohio State you only have 2 years to go"

"Hey now don't speak for me I'm happy for you son your mom just doesn't want you to grow up you're 19 you will be 20 this year if you wanna step out on Faith I say go for it"

He pulled Hunter into a hug

"Thanks dad, mom I want to finish my major in another environment don't be sad"

"Well let's see you off honey before I hold you hostage"

His mom chuckled as they all walked out the door to his truck all packed up and ready to go

His mother couldn't stop the tears from flowing once they made it to his truck

"I remember when we first adopted you, I thought you were so handsome and mature for your age I was scared to adopt a 9 year old I felt at 9 a child is already stuck in their ways I didn't know how you would respond to us, I couldn't bare children and was only willing to adopt if I could adopt a newborn,but your dad talked me into agreeing to adopt you and that was the best thing that ever happened to me, you were so distance at first,and so sad from the tragedy that happened,I wanted to comfort you but was scared that you were angry you didn't even want our last name you wanted to keep Clarington your family's name and I didn't blame you for that,I would just stare at you,I remember you caught me staring I thought you would lash out on me,but instead you got up crawled onto my lap and hugged me,holding on to me for dear life,you cried and you cried and I cried with you,you said "you're my mom now,please don't hurt me or leave me like my family did,please..you and dad don't leave me I won't be able to take it" and from there our bond became so strong as a family,your dad and I love you so much like I birthed you myself, I want you to be careful baby,you're 19 but don't let no one I mean no one hurt you,don't let anyone deter you from your goals,don't fall under peer pressure allowing someone to force you to do what you don't want to do,don't forgot about your dad and I and don't let these fast tail girls trap you, I don't want you bringing home no babies until you're successful, and last but not least keep your Christian faith and stay prayed up"

"I promise Mom,I love you and Dad so much thank you for giving me a good life"

"No Thank you Son"

His dad replied

They all embraced in a group hugged,hugging and crying until Hunter forcefully pulled away if he stayed any longer if wouldn't go

He got in his truck and pulled off watching them in the rearview mirror until he couldn't see them anymore we he turned on the road taking his journey to California he cried so hard,he was leaving his friends behind and the girl he dated off and on but that didn't bother him,what bothered him the most was leaving his parents behind

"Cali hear I come"

He said to himself as he pushed on the gas

He drove for 3 and a half days exploring,Praying,talking to his parents and meeting new people on his journey,once he made it to his already furnished apartment he stepped out and breathed in the fresh air,the weather in Cali was beautiful compared to Ohio and it put a smile on his face,he walked over to the leasing office to pick up his keys and made his way to his apartment making a few trips back and forth to unpack his truck

When he walked into his place he smiled,kicking his shoes off and falling back on the huge couch the apartment was beautifully decorated in expensive colored furniture the rent was expensive but it was worth it,the theme of the apartment reminded him of a beach house

He couldn't wait to start this new life in Cali, his plans was to go to school,not work for a least 6 months and just have fun

He was well off from the insurance money he received from his parents death, from the bank account his well off adopted parents set up for him,and from money of his own he worked for back in Ohio,he didn't want for nothing and really didn't have to work a day in his life,but one thing both of his old men taught him was nothing in life was free and you have to work for things,they also taught him that no women wanted a lazy man rather he was rich or not even though he didn't have to work he wanted to..not working for 6 months wasn't too bad

He ordered out and got to unpacking his things and redecorating his place he wanted to,he searched for a market and briefly left out to go grocery shopping by the time he was done he was exhausted he showered and went to sleep excited for the next day he had 1 day free until school started back at USC,he was going to take an advantage of it exploring California,he texted his mom and dad goodnight,said a quick prayer and drifted off to sleep

The next morning he got up bright and early saying a Prayer before he stepped out of the bed stretching his arms,he looked over at his night stand rubbing his hand over the pictures of his deceased family and pics of his Mom and dad,he then texted a GoodMorning and I love you to his parents..it was a ritual for him to Pray and praise before he even step out of bed, then admiring his family and deceased family pics,then walking into his parents room saying GoodMorning and placing a kiss on their cheeks even if they were still asleep, saying I love you before he even walk out of the room,now he had to do that through text messages

He looked out of the window,he could see that it was a beautiful crisp Sunday morning,the aroma of apples hung in the air. He watched a older women across the street wearing a straw hat and rolled-up jeans,stroll to the end of the driveway of her home with her gardening shears to prune back the bushes,he could get use to the pleasantness he walked to his bathroom and started the shower,opening the window letting the beautiful breeze in

He stripped down and stepped into the warm shower letting it run over his sore stiff body

"Today's going to be a good day"

He said to himself as he closed his eyes humming while he enjoyed the warmth of the water

After he finished he did his normal skin regimen and brushed his teeth,before he rubbed his body down with lotion

He dressed in a nice tank top, some kaki shorts and Oxford shoes,he looked down at his attire

"Yea I need to buy me some gym shoes and clothes to dress down in"

Hunter always dressed like he just stepped out of a catalog,even when he hung out with his friends,so he barely owed gym shoes or comfortable wear other then what he would wear to play sports,he wouldn't be caught dead in that especially not in California one of the worlds fashion capitals

He threw his big shades on and grabbed his keys,laptop and a apple as he made his way out the door

He decided to not drive but walked as he learned the area he was living in

So far the people were friendly California was just so different from other places he lived and he lived many places,he was born in Texas staying there until his family died,then moved to Nashville Tennessee until it was time to go to high school,then his parents moved them all to Ohio from there,he could honestly say,there was nothing like California.. You know how you could compare similarities from states to others like how Michigan was so similar to Ohio as far as weather,sports and accents, well he couldn't compare California to anything maybe as far was the weather, but not the people,the people were so different in Cali in a good way

He walked,ate and talked to people the whole time

He was having a good day until he was bumped into by someone who almost made him drop his MacBook

He was standing there looking at artwork on this building when he felt a push in the shoulder almost dropping his laptop

"Oh my bad bro"

It was 3 guys walking and laughing one was Asian and muscular,one was tall blond and muscular and the one that bumped him was muscular with a Tan complexion and Mohawk Hunter couldn't quite figure out his race he looked like he could be black and maybe Cuban

The all barely acknowledge him and kept walking the other two almost bumping him as well,those were the first rude people he came across,maybe they weren't really rude but they were walking like they were the only ones on the side walk pushing their muscular bodies through the crowds

"Damn juice heads"

He said to himself as he went back to looking at the artwork

Besides that his day went well he went home made dinner and got his things ready for school the next day

His first day in USC was cool he met you really cool people but had found yet to click with anyone

He noticed this one girl in his psychology class that looked oddly familiar to him

"Hey dude you see her she's dope"

A guy sitting next to him tapped him and pointed straight ahead

"Un-huh"

Hunter absentmindedly said when he look at her he didn't feel attraction he felt a sense of familiarity

"This project you guys will be doing you will be partnered up I don't know all of your names yet so I'm going to point for now, you and you together, you and you..."

The professor said pointing to each one of them to his luck he was partnered up with the familiar girl

When he sat she smiled at him

"Hi"

"Hi do I know you from somewhere?"

He got right to it

She stared at him with a look of panic on her face

"Ummmm no, here's my number and gmail we can talk later about the project"

She scribbled quickly on a piece of paper handing it to him then stood up and walked away

He looked down at thepaper it read

"Psychology project partner with a number and email but no name, her email didn't even gave a name away"

He grabbed his things and jumped up chasing after her

"Wait I didn't get your name!"

She was walking with two other girls they all glanced back at him but kept walking the other two girls gave him a flirtatious smile like they liked what they saw but her gazed lingered a min before turning her head

"Those eyes, those eyes"

He whispered to himself

"I know those eyes...Emma? It can't be no that can't be her Emma's hair is dark brown no that's not her it couldn't be"

"Hunter,Hunter wake up baby"

"Mom?"

He opened his eyes and he was laying in a hospital bed why was his parents there why was he in a hospital bed

He slightly panicked for a min until his mom grabbed on to his hand relaxing him

"What happened mom and dad?"

"You tell us sweetie?"

"The last thing I remember was being at work talking to Mercedes then I started thinking of what happened to my family mom it's like I was there mom like I traveled back to that time I could feel the scorching heat from the fire I could smell the smoke it was so real then it went black from there I can't remember what happened or what I thought about after that"

"Oh Hunter dear"

His mom grabbed his head pushing it to her stomach rubbing her hands through his hair he closed his eyes taking in her smell he missed her he missed them he missed this he wanted to pack up and go back to his parents in Ohio things had changed for him since he found his sister he wouldn't dare tell his parents he found her, she made him do exactly what his mom told him don't do don't let anyone pressure you to do anything you don't want too he did it, she made him she was even slowly making him lose focus on his Christian faith he was praying less and less his mind was cloudy Thou should not hate that's what he was taught but he was starting to hate her more than he already did

"It's ok son"

His dad rubbed his back

It was slowly starting to come back to him he remember feeling Mercedes warm breath on his ear

"Hunter come back at this second if you don't I'm embarrassing you and. Calling for help,Hunter get up now!"

He must've scared the hell outta her

"Mercedes where's Mercedes?"

He said muffled as his head still rested on his mother's stomach

"Her and all your friends are out in the lobby they've been here everyday she was the one that contacted your dad and I she's a good friend they all are they left to go to school and work but would come right back Mercedes talked to your professors for you they informed her that you could make up your school work online"

"Friends?"

"Yea son as a matter of fact I'll see if it's ok for them all to come in I'm sure the Doc won't mind"

His dad said before he left out of the room

"How long have I been out mom?"

"A few days"

"Are you serious?"

"Yes baby"

All Mercedes and her friends came in

Mercedes ran to him and hugged him super tight

"Oh Hunter you scared me so bad"

"What's up Hunter welcome back to earth"

A mohawked tanned guy said

"Yea welcome back Bro"

Both Sam and a Asian guy said omg those were the guys he called juice heads now that they're all together he recognized them wow small world they weren't douches like he thought

"Hi Hunter I'm sorry we all had to meet under these circumstances"

A pretty Asian girl said

Mercedes smiled

"Bad Timing Hunter but this is the crew you know Sam from that unpleasant encounter"

"Yea my bad bro"

Sam said

"This is Mike and Puck, Tina... we're just missing two Santana and Chord this is the crew! We come as a team"

She said with a chuckle

"Nice to meet you guys I really appreciate you all being here"

"Any friend of Mercedes is a friend of ours right guys"

Tina said everyone agreed but Sam did it reluctantly and not too surely

"Nice to see you awake Hunter"

The doctor came walking in with his chart

"Can I get some time alone to check Hunter? parents you could stay friends sorry but you can't I'll let you know when it's ok to come back in

They all stepped out and the doctor got to checking him a hour later they were allowed to come back in as he talked to the parents

"Well he's as healthy as a horse don't know what happened or the cause he seemed to go into extreme shock from there a coma it's weird but he's really fine, now were you thinking of something before it happened?"

"Yea my family's tragedy"

Hunter answered

"Well that makes sense were going to give him a psych exam if everything looks good he's free to go"

"Psych exam like a exam exam like a school test?"

Puck whispered over to Sam and Mike dumbfound

"No you fucking idiot a psych exam like to see if his mind right"

Mike answered

"So he crazy?"

Puck whispered again

"We will find that out after the exam"

Sam answered

"You know I worry about you sometimes you're not right in the head maybe you should be the one getting the exam"

Mike jokingly said

"Ha! funny"

Puck replied

"We've all been hanging around each other too much we all do the Ha! even Chord"

Mike said with a chuckle

They all hung around talking to Hunter's parents while Hunter left for the exam

"Well he's as sane as sane could get"

The doctor said walking back into the room with Hunter

"He's free to go, just try not to stress and think so much Hunter when you find yourself thinking about the tragedy take a deep breath and relax this is the first time this happened but maybe doing volunteer work or just talking it out would help even

counseling from time to time could help"

They all decided to go out to dinner

The crew sat around the lobby while Hunter got ready they watched Hunter parents stop and have a conversation

They all sat back watching them Mercedes laughed to herself Hunter's parents was just as primped and preppy as him Hunter always looked like he stepped off of an Armani runway show now they all were standing there looking like they stepped outta of a Ralph Lauren catalog Hunters mother cute little polo button up fitted to her small frame her cute little khaki shorts and polo loafers made her look professional but youthful, his handsome dad had swag with his polo button up khaki shorts and polo Oxford shoes showing off his muscled legs then came Hunter just as cute and preppy as he wanna be dressed similar to his dad but sporting a stylist blazer with his attire

"Look at them"

Puck said thinking like Mercedes

"Shits funny they're so preppy and well put together they look like a little rich good-looking family I bet they are rich they probably stay in a mini mansion or a huge home with a white picket fence around it probably got a dog with a weird ass name like axle or some shit,it's hard to believe he's adopted look just like them"

"You know what they say feed someone for so long you start to look like them"

Mercedes replied

"Right rich white people problems boy I tell you Sam your people is crazy"

"My people? Your people too"

Sam answered

"No no no I'm part Jewish"

"And what else? As long as we've been knowing you Puck we could never guess your ethnic background besides the Jewish part

Tina asked

"I'll never tell"

Puck said in a sing-song voice

"Because he's a damn Mut,what are you Puck Jewish, Native American, Jewish Cuban"

Mike replied

"Jewish black or all of them"

Sam joined in

"He's a Mut I tell you a Mut!"

Mike joked and everyone had a laughing fit

"Fuck y'all"

Puck said giving them the middle finger

Hunter pulled himself out of his parents convo and looked over at Mercedes and the crew when they started laughing he admired their friendship they were a family and he dreamed of that now that he's in California he can admit his friends used him for his money and social status money didn't buy happiness he would give up his money just to have a family like that without his parents in Cali..he was lonely he ached for friendship that's why he got so attached to Mercedes when he first met her because she gave him a chance and now considers him a best friend he had other motives at first but now he could honestly say he loved Mercedes like his own flesh and blood he didn't want to hurt her he wanted to talk to her himself before she found out he didn't mean it he didn't mean to get so deep in

He felt a arm around his shoulders

"Bro you ready we gotta get take you shopping to dress a little more urban you preppy little guy"

Puck told him a chuckle

"You guys ready!?"

Mercedes came bouncing on her heels next to them

"For sure Thanks Mercedes for everything"

Hunter said hugging her

"No problem"

"Hey hey hey you're trying to take my fiancé? Hands off"

Sam came up joking but you could tell it was seriousness around it

They all slowly started leaving Tina could feel someone staring it was Emily lingering around the corner

Tina slowly fell back from the crew and eased her way to Emily

She grabbed Emily arm and Emily snatched away

"Let me go Tina!"

"What are you doing here?"

Tina said in a hushed but harsh tone

"I'm just making sure Sam's friend ok"

"Bullshit you know Hunter don't you?"

"I do not..the most I know of him is from school"

"You're lying to me I know you are tell me right now"

"Tina get away from me!"

"Bitch!"

Tina raised her fist and a hand cut it mid punch she looked back to see Puck

"What's going on here?"

"Ask her?"

Tina said to Puck snatching her arm away and walking away from them

Puck stared at Emily blankly

"What's going on?"

Emily ignored him and walked towards the crew

"Hi got room for one more?"

Emily said walking up

Hunter gave her a simple

"Hell No"

"Hunter! Watch your mouth and we do not treat people nor talk to people like that you were raised better than that yes dear and who might you be?"

"I'm Emily I'm a friend of Sam"

Emily replied

"Bitch got her nerves!"

Mercedes tried to rush towards her Mike pushed her back

"This is not the time nor place Cedes now when we're out in the street whoop her ass but we're in the hospital your friend was just discharged let's act like we got some decency around his parents"

"Fine!"

Mercedes huffed and straighten herself up walking towards Sam and wrapping a arm around his slender waist

"What is going on here?

Hunters dad said after he noticed Mercedes rushing towards Emily

But Hunter's mother cut him off

"I'm sure Hunter and his friends don't mind?"

She said smiling and glancing at all of them they all wanted to say hell no but shrugged to show some respect

"Good"

They all finally left out with Emily lingering in the back

"Who she riding with in your ride with you Tina and I Puck?"

Mike asked Puck

"Bullshit..no..no not with us"

Puck replied

"You and Cedes Sam?"

Puck asked

"Nah"

Sam replied shaking his head

"You could ride with us sweetie"

Hunter's mother told Emily feeling bad that no one wanted her around she whispered over to Hunter

"What's going? Why do y'all hate her so much she's obviously someone's friend if she's here"

"I don't know her but I hear things about her the one I know the most is Mercedes,Emily's just a conniving obsessive girl chasing after Mercedes man Sam"

"Wow young kids are a trip"

Hunter's dad replied

They decided on a old fashion hamburger joint called The Apple Pan"

Mercedes and the crew was talking amongst theirselves while Emily started a conversation with Hunter's family Hunter was not enthused

"So where are you guys from? Is Hunter your only child? where do you live now?"

"You ask a lot of questions dear"

Hunters mother said with a chuckle

Hunter jumped up and stormed towards the restrooms

"I'll check on him Ma'am"

Emily said placing a hand on Hunter's mother's hand

She got up to follow Hunter

"Hunter?"

"Why are you asking my family questions? Leave my mother and father alone"

"Your mother and father no they're not you were adopted"

"I knew my real parents briefly they worked so hard but I would never forget them, but those two those are my parents blood couldn't make us any closer, stay the fuck away from my parents stay the fuck away from Sam and their friends and stay the fuck away from Mercedes!"

"Oh so you love her huh?! You love her more than me?!"

"Yes I do and I would hurt you if anything happen to her"

She chuckled

"You better enjoy your friendship now because when she finds you out boy is she going to be hurt I can't wait to see the look on that bitch face I hate her for having Sam and I hate her for taking you"

"I'm nothing to you! Get that in your thick skull! I barely know you! And what you have showed me since you've been in my life I don't wanna know you"

"Oooh that's how you do me wait until I hurt your best friend your precious Mercedes"

"You're not going to lay one hand on her"

"And why not do you know what i'm capable of?"

She sinisterly said

"You did do it didn't you?"

Hunter asked her with wide eyes

"All of these years I wondered... you did it right?"

He grabbed her arm

"Get off of me!"

She snatched away

"I thought you loved me?!"

Hunter walked closely to her

"I thought I did but I hate you I hate you with every fiber in my being"

She pulled her phone out and dialed a number

"Megan you were right about him he doesn't love me he doesn't love you"

Hunter snatched the phone outta her hand

"Hello?"

The number was disconnected,he looked at the screen then back at her with wide eyes

"Mambi where is she?"

"Mambi's gone Emma"

"No she's not she's standing right..."

He tossed the phone back to her he knew that number that number had been disconnected for 10 and a half years his eyes began to water he started backing up from her

"You need help Emma, you need help I'm going to pray for you I pray you get help I pray I can forgive you I pray I could love you again"

"My name's Emily!"

She reached out to him

"Hunter please"

"Hunter?"

Mercedes appeared from around the corner

"You ok? What's going on?"

He quickly wiped his eyes

"I'm not feeling well"

"Hunter maybe you should go back to the hospital I'll get your parents"

She attempted to walk away but he grabbed her arm and securely pulled her to him

"No stay with me for a second please"

"Ok I'm right here just relax"

She said as she rubbed soothing circles along his back Hunter why were you talking to her stay away from her"

"She just wanted to check on me"

"And that's totally fine but she's trouble"

"I heard"

"Is everything ok?"

Sam said coming around the corner

Emily stood back watching Sam and Hunter interacting with Mercedes and her hate intensified for her why does everyone love Mercedes? What's so special about that fat bitch I watch everyone jump through hoops to protect her,Sam her friends.. It's always the Mercedes show, fuck her..she discreetly eased away Sam stood back and watched her walk away he looked from her to Hunter

"Hunter oh Hunter are you who I think you are if so wait until you feel the wrath of me"

He mumbled himself

"Hunter go check on your parents you've been gone to long they're concerned"

Hunter nodded his head and walked away

"Mercedes watch him"

"I'm not about to start this with you Sam"

"I'm not trying to argue Cedes just please whatever you do watch him"

"Ok Sam fine"

Sam pulled his phone out and sent a group message to Mike,Puck and Tina"

"I really have my suspicions about Hunter and Emily"

They all agreed he then texted Santana

Sam:Where are you I think I'm on to Emily and Hunter I need your nosey,loose cannon, private investigator ass to help me figure some things out, bring your ass home whenever you're at"

Santana:"I'm on my way home ASAP already on the road!"

Sam:"Good hurry!"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

3 days earlier

Sam was at work jamming to his music he felled a presence next to him and screamed snatching his ear phones off

"Got dammit Emily! you scared the crap outta me you do that all the time give a guy a tap on the shoulder or something damn before you just ease up like that, you're like a ghost just appear"

"Sorry"

She said in a innocent tone

"Don't worry about it,do you ever work you're always lingering around somewhere"

"I work"

"Could've fooled me"

"Oh hush Sam"

Sam's phone kept vibrating in his pocket first he ignored it but it kept going and going"

He pulled his phone out and noticed 30 missed calls all together from Mercedes, Puck and Mike

"Emily cover me please"

He didn't even wait on her to answer he rushed to the restroom and dialed Mercedes phone she answered distraught

"Sam! something is wrong with Hunter!"

He could hear Tina's voice in the background "shhh calm down Mercedes it's going to be ok"

"What if I waited too long to call for help what if he's dead!"

"I'm on my way!"

Sam ran to his station and grabbed his things

"What's wrong Sam?!"

Emily asked concerned

"I gotta go check on Mercedes something is wrong with her friend Hunter!"

"Hunter?!"

"Emily I can't talk I gotta go"

He ran into his supervisors office

"Go Sam I don't know what's wrong but if it's your son or fiancé go, you're a exactly worker take all the time you need"

Sam clocked out and ran as fast as he could to his truck he cranked it up and sped off

When he got there Mike and Puck was pulling up at the same time as him

"We came as fast as we could"

They both said in unison

Mercedes was sitting on a stair with her face in her hands crying while Tina protectively held her arms around her

"Baby?"

When she heard Sam's voice she jumped up falling right in his arms

"Sam!"

"He's going to be ok baby"

"He's going to be just right Mercedes and we're all going to be there for him until he recovers right guys?"

Tina asked and they all agreed

Tina felt someone looking at them and turned around to see Emily in a distance she was the only one that noticed her

"I'll be back"

She eased away and walked towards Emily

Emily threw her hands up in defense

"Tina I don't have time for this"

"I don't either what are you doing here?"

"Checking on Sam and Mercedes"

"You're a lie they don't even like you, you can't tell me you left work for them"

Emily ignored and watched the paramedics bring Hunter out on a stretcher she stared intently with a look of panic

Tina looked from Hunter to Emily

"Do you know him?"

"No Tina"

"You're lying now tell me the truth"

"Leave me alone Tina!"

Emily jumped in her car and sped off

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Present time

"That bitch made us stay in Texas for nothing I knew she wasn't going to meet us this trip was in vain we didn't find out shit talking about she's going to text me I know she's not going to text me"

"Don't call that woman out her name Santana she might just busy"

Chord responded

"Busy? Not trying to be evil but I don't think too much is going on in her life sitting in a hospice with her brain dead son and I totally didn't mean that in a harsh way I mean he's dead she need to just pull the plug already"

"Weren't you the one crying on my chest when we first met them? Well her? So hurt about their situation"

"Yes and I'm still hurt about it but Chord even you could see he's gone"

"Yea but I believe in Miracles and let her grieve in her own way Tan she will let him go when she's ready and have some sympathy it's probably hard for her to talk to us about her son and his girlfriend she says she will text you have faith that she will"

"You're right I feel like such an ass thanks for talking some sense in me and you're not as dumb as I thought you were you're not just muscles and a pretty face you're actually kind of cool and smart"

"Ummm I wanna say thank you but I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or an insult"

He said with a raised eyebrow

"Oh it's both"

Santana replied

"Ok...well I won't say anything then"

"Where are you? I think I'm on to Emily and Hunter I need your nosey,loose cannon, private investigator ass to help me figure some things out, bring your ass home whenever you're at"

"Sam just texted me it's been so much going on when've been outta the loop I need to get home to my loves"

Chord pushed on the gas making their way back to California