A/N: The views... they never stop growing... I have become mad with power. Anyways, here's a chapter I think you'll like.

The sound of the crackling fire was almost enough to muffle out the sounds of the dying deer. That, combined with the already lively sounds of the forest, was enough to make the hunter feel at home. He hoisted his rifle over his shoulder and marched back to his camp, where he seated himself on a dead tree.

The sun was trickling in through the open branches of the trees, casting a warm glow on the man in his cold leather coat. He slowly removed his wide-brimmed hat and placed it aside as he wiped his knife clean of the blood that coated it. With each stroke through the grass it grew cleaner still, until the point where he could see his hazel eyes reflected in it.

He wondered for a moment if it would be the weapon to claim his prey. If the notches on its handle were testament to its experience, it was certainly worthy of such an honor. It or the heavy rifle leaning against the log.

Jeremy Caine ran a gloved hand over his shaven head and closed his eyes. If Master Gates wants it... he shall have it.

He opened his eyes and removed the fragment of paper from his pocket. On it were two angelic figures, seemingly descending from the heavens with a glowing orb in their hands. A man and a woman stood on a nearby rock overlooking the sea, standing on as the beautiful light from the orb lit up the sky and gave it life.

It was always tragic for a huntsman to end a life, be it man or beast. Worse still when the majesty of the being was lost to the world forever. Loved ones looking on crying, wondering what force would ever bereave them of everything they cherished...

But that was the huntsman's role. In the realm of the mortals, there were those who gave life... and those who took it. Man ruled above beast, for he was of greater mind. If every creature were allowed to live, there wouldn't be anything for anyone.

And if there was good in the world... then there needed to be evil as well.

I arrived back at headquarters late that day, probably from the newest influx of tourists. Too many people just milling about, totally unaware of the danger Alto Mare was in. For a moment I wondered if a life free from responsibility would be satisfying. A life where I could be a lost, overweight man in khakis walking alongside my friends, BLOCKING THE ENTIRE SIDEWALK.

Now isn't the time for sidetracking... Now isn't the time for sidetracking... I reminded myself as I reached in my pocket for my keys. "Oh no..." I felt my fingers fall through... what was that, a hole? Okay, okay... I just need to stop and think; retrace my steps.

I put these shorts on earlier today and the keys were in them. The problem was... now they weren't. I grumbled and looked up at the balcony. Well, at least this was happening on Daniel Lee's watch, otherwise I would've died from shame a long time ago.

I sunk my fingers into the gaps between the bricks of the condo, slowly making my way up the side of the building. As I neared the balcony, I made a quick jump from the bricks over to the metal railing and grabbed hold of that. Fortunately, I not only had enough upper body strength to pull myself up, but had also left the sliding door unlocked. I stumbled into the upstairs hallway with a scowl on my face.

This could not get any worse.

Ohhhh, how I wish I hadn't thought that. After leaving my dirty sandals next to the bedroom, I walked down the stairs to find not only a heaping pile of trash on the floor, but the dining room window hanging wide open. I stepped over to the mess and nudged it with my foot, expecting some drunk vagrant to crawl out and try to kiss me.

Aren't these the cereal boxes I threw away? I was fortunate there was nothing under the pile, because knowing my luck, there very well could have been. Of course, this was just the beginning of my concerns. After all, the dining room window was open for... God only knows how long.

Alright, now I KNOW I didn't do this. I stomped over to the window and slammed it shut, making sure the lock was... Wait, where was the window lock? My eyes narrowed at the sight of the familiar metal object... laying outside on the street. "H-how...?"

It was of little use trying to focus on that, because I felt a cold gust of air hit me in the face. I only needed to turn my head just a little bit to the right to see that someone had tipped the refrigerator over and shoved pillows in it.

"Deeeugggh!" I scrambled over to the mess with my hands pulling on my hair. "What. The. Hell? What did I do to deserve this?"

I couldn't even get a moment to think, for God's sake, because as soon as I tried, I heard someone knocking on the front door. Frankly, I was fed up and ready to break. Hell, I was looking for someone or something to take my anger out on, even if it happened to be the mailman...

I practically sprinted to the door, tripping several times over the discarded cereal boxes and the crumbs they had left. I found myself angrier than ever as I threw an empty cardboard box over at the mini-bar, inadvertently knocking over several glass bottles. Then there was some more knocking.

"YOU KNOW WHAT?!" I screamed, nearly ripping the door off of its hinges.

There was no one there.

I clenched my teeth and pulled my lips back as far as they would go. I really didn't want to get that frustrated over something like that, but that just crossed the line. I was so enraged, I was almost tempted enough to find the pistol I had stashed with my supplies.

I just need to calm down. Just need to grab a meal and calm down. I released the tension from my shoulders and took a deep breath. "Alright. Yeah... I have more important things to be worrying about." I turned around and headed into the kitchen, ignoring the disastrous mess around me.

"A nice, nutritious meal of dry, off brand cereal will take my mind off of this..." I exhaled again, closing my eyes and focusing. "I'll grab a bowl..." I turned towards the surprisingly intact rows of cabinets above the kitchen counter and removed a bowl. "Take a spoon..." I pulled a drawer below the counter open and removed said piece of silverware.

"Then I'll reach up into this cabinet..." I gently opened the cabinet nearest to me. "Take the cereal from this woman in the cabinet..." A hand appeared in front of me holding the cereal I was after.

"Here you go."

"Thanks," I took the box and closed the cabinet. "I'll go over to the sink and get myself some tap water." I sauntered over to another cabinet and found a cup, proceeding to fill it with some cold water from the sink. "Now I'm gonna go into the living room..."

I walked into the living room and found a spot on the sofa that wasn't covered with trash. I plopped down, grabbed the remote to the television, and reclined. "Now I'm gonna find something cool to watch." I flipped through several channels, noticing that there was pretty much nothing on except children's shows.

"Johnston rigged the television to only get children's shows, but I'm not gonna let that bug me." I settled on some show where a talking puppy was counting bouncing numbers. "Now I'll put my feet up and relax." I said, doing exactly that as I took a bite of my meal. I hardly noticed the couch sink a little as I chewed my food.

"Now you'll turn up the volume a little because I can't hear."

"Now I'll turn up the volume a little because she can't hear." I said mindlessly, my fingers errantly pressing the volume controls.

"Then you'll pass me some of that because I'm hungry."

I began humming along, finding my thoughts suddenly so clear. "Then I'll pass her some of that because she's hungry~" I held the bowl in my hands to right and heard a crunching noise.

"Now you'll go get me a glass of water because this tastes like dog food."

"Now I'll go get a glass of water because this tastes like dog food~" I strutted back into the kitchen and filled another cup. I paid the locks of brown hair laying over the back of the couch no mind as I sat back down and held the cup out. "Man... I feel, like, so peaceful..." I found myself mumbling.

"That's cool."

"I know, right?" I found myself strangely satisfied with the flashing colors on the television.

"One, two, three! A, B, C! Sing with me! La dee dee!" My eyes sank a little as a grin overcame my face at the sight of the cartoon animal. I think I would have fallen asleep if it weren't for the knocking at the front door.

"Could you go get that?"

"Yeah, yeah..." I shuffled over to the metal door and opened it up. I stared into space and held it open as whoever was outside walked in. I could see them waving their hand in my face, so I just gestured over to the sofa. Then I walked back over and sat back down.

"...Gordon? Are you feeling okay...?" A voice on my left asked.

I closed my eyes and nodded. "Yeah, yeah..."

"...Why is there trash everywhere?" It asked.

"That's for later." A voice on my right replied.

"That's for later." I repeated.

"...Okay..." I could hear someone sinking back on the couch. "And what is this we're watching?"

"Pee Pee's Playhouse."

"Pee Pee's Playhouse." I mumbled.

I heard what sounded like an uncomfortable groan. "And who is that?"

"Mah buddy."

"Mah buddy." I chuckled and slung an arm around whatever was next to me.

I could hear the groan of the couch springs as someone stood up. "...Alright... How do I put this?" There was a pause. "...You are seriously scaring me. You're sitting in a dimly-lit room with a complete stranger, watching a children's show while covered in discarded cereal boxes. Your eyes are closed and you're mumbling..." I heard the door squeak back open. "In the case that you actually are Gordon... I think I'll come back tomorrow." A cool blast of air hit me in the face as the door slipped shut.