I'll Be The One
Chapter 14:
=Normal POV=
[Saturday, 12/22/2018-5:15 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Odin's Dragons Hideout]
Three weeks had passed since Tallon and Hunter shared a fun night talking and drinking, but nothing too crazy since Hunter still had class the next morning. The two were getting along well and enjoyed each other's company when together. Tallon spent a good deal of time with the other friends, working in their gang business while Hunter mainly took care of his schooling and few apartment chores such as cleaning, laundry, or shopping. Hunter hung out when he could, but this past week; the friends had barely seen or heard from him at all. None of them quite understood why Hunter was suddenly quiet. Tonight, the friends met at 3 pm at the hideout to get some minor work done, but now that it was handled; they were sitting around, and all had the same thought in mind.
"Has anyone heard from him?" Tallon asked.
"No," the group replied.
"Flynn, he's your roommate; surely you've seen him?" Drew stated.
"Not really," Flynn shook his head. "Honestly, I don't think he's been home much. The one or two times I've seen him is when he comes in or leaves, but he hasn't said a word to me. The times he is home; Hunter is in his bedroom. I ask him if he's hungry and he says he already ate,"
"Seems like something might be wrong," Avery pointed out.
"I was getting that feeling too," Madison nodded.
"Sounds like something is bothering him and he's closing himself off to deal with it," Harper added.
"Maybe we should go to the apartment? Check on him, offer an ear to listen?" Trevor suggested.
"If he wants to talk, of course," Seth interjected.
"That's probably a good idea," Tallon agreed. "Alright, let's pack up and go," he rallied the others. With nothing further said; the friends headed out of the underground hideout.
. . .
[5:30 pm]
[Arc Isle]
Returning to normal level on the streets of the mainland; the friends began to head over to the transportation center park and ride lot. Reaching their vehicles; they began to prepare to leave.
"So, we'll meet at the apartment? And talk to Hunter, or try to," Avery inquired.
"Hang on," Flynn stopped them while looking at his phone.
"What's up?" Drew asked.
"I messaged Hunter, asking if he was home because he wasn't when I left the apartment to come to the hang out," Flynn informed. "He just replied saying; Not home. Don't wait up for me," he added.
"What now? He's not home, and doesn't sound like he will be for a while," Roxanne stated.
"I think we should find him," Seth suggested. "This isn't that big of an island,"
"What are you talking about? It's huge!" TJ stated.
"But Hunter won't wander anywhere where people could bother him. He doesn't like the limelight, so he'd be wearing his hoodie disguise and keeping his head down while minding his own business," Drew mentioned.
"Drew is right. Hunter wouldn't draw attention to himself or go to heavily populated areas," Elijah nodded.
"You mean like this area?" Flynn stated.
"Probably this or something quieter like where the apartment building is," Trevor said.
"No. I meant that I think I see him, over there walking down the street," Flynn pointed. The friends looked as they saw a male about Hunter's height wearing a black hoodie and hands in the front pouch with the head slightly down towards the road. As Hunter stated; it didn't seem like he was going anywhere in particular, but just walking freely.
"We should probably try to go talk to him, maybe convince him not to wander freely. I don't see his guards following him, not even at a distance," Tallon pointed out.
"Yeah…True; it's not safe, especially if he isn't okay and admitted to that," Avery agreed.
"Well, I don't think we should rush him either, maybe just pass him and strike up a conversation?" Flynn offered.
"Sounds good," the others nodded, agreeing with the idea.
"Alright, let's go see if we can't provide some comfort or assistance," Tallon stated as they began making their way to catch up with Hunter and get on the other side of the street. Hunter kept walking; it seemed like he was dragging his feet until he reached a building where he stopped and glanced at it; then contemplated briefly going in or not.
"Do we instantly follow?" Roxanne asked, looking at the others.
"I think we should just sit back, for now. Maybe sit in the café and watch?" Trevor looked at Tallon for confirmation.
"No, let's go in, but sit with our backs to him and observe. Then perhaps we can walk by or approach and be like, hey, fancy running into you here, see if we can engage him in conversation," Tallon stated.
"Alright," the others nodded.
. . .
[5:45 pm]
[The Viking's Tavern]
The group walked in, taking two tables which were showing a view of Hunter, but not them to him. Hunter sat at the bar toward the end where the counter met the wall. Hunter kept his hood up, arms folded on the bar top and just sitting there as the bartender came over.
"Bit young to be in here lad," said the man with a smile. Hunter slid his license forward. "Well, can't argue with that, and an honor to serve you this evening," he smiled as Hunter put his identification away.
"Keep it on the downlow if you wouldn't mind," Hunter asked.
"No problem. What can I get for you?" the man stated.
"Something strong; don't care what," Hunter replied.
"What's ailing ya?" the man inquired. "Might be able to find something to help out,"
"Mourning a loss," Hunter informed.
"Ah, got you," the man remarked as he grabbed two double shot glasses. "Friend or family?"
"Little bit of both," Hunter said as the man got the Southern Comfort and Jack Daniels. Pouring two full shots, the man also set a mixed drink in front of him.
"You're good with getting home?" the man inquired.
"I live fifteen minutes away; I walked, and I can arrange a ride if necessary," Hunter assured.
"Then enjoy, and let me know when you're ready for another," the man gave a wave. "Name is Steven, but most call me Steve or Stevie," he added.
"Thanks," Hunter said looking at the two shots and mixed drink. The friends watched quietly as Hunter down the two shots with ease and then take a minor pause before drinking from the paper cup.
"Wonder what he gave him for a mixed drink," Seth looked at the others.
"Probably something basic," Tallon stated. "What concerns me is that he's already had the equivalent of four shots and now the drink,"
"We'll watch his back; seems like Hunter can handle his alcohol," Elijah said.
"That was controlled in moderation with friends, not solo and rapid fire," Trevor rolled his eyes.
"Good point," Drew nodded. "We'll still watch him,"
"For now," Tallon informed.
. . .
[8:15 pm]
For about two hours; the friends made no attempt to casually stroll up to Hunter and strike up a conversation. It became apparent since they walked in that Hunter was entirely down and wanted to be alone, but he could absolutely handle his alcohol while drinking solo. On top of the two double shots and mixed drink Hunter began with; he also had a shot of Crown Royal, two beers, a rum and coke; now working on a third beer, but drinking it slowly while just keeping his head down or scrolling on his phone. Occasionally, Hunter would send a text or two, then set the phone down. Hunter had also pulled his hood off and continue to sit in his same spot. It seemed the bartended took care of making sure no one bothered Hunter despite the shocked looks of other patrons seeing the president's son in the bar.
"Tal, I think it's time to make ourselves known," Avery suggested. Tallon looked at Hunter now, feeling bad and not wanting to bother him; the guy seemed like he was deep in thought.
"Yeah, he's had a lot and maybe it hasn't affected him yet…But it will when he finally stands up," Harper added in. Tallon nodded, preparing stand up.
"I'll go," Tallon offered. However, as he was about to approach Hunter; someone approached Hunter hesitantly.
"Excuse me?" the woman said. Hunter sat up, looking at her.
"Do you mind if I get a picture with you? My dad serves overseas and will never believe me if I tell him that I saw the president's son at the bar on my twenty-first…" the girl hoped.
Hunter gave a smile. "Sure," he replied as the girl was thankful and had her friend get ready. Hunter turned in his chair, as the girl stood beside him with a broad smile. Hunter gave a genuine one as well as the friend took the picture of them.
"Thank you so much!" the girl said to him.
"You're welcome," Hunter stated as the girls giggled while walking away. Hunter sighed a bit, glancing around before getting his beer and finishing it off. Hunter gave the bottle a little shake as Steven made his way down with a smile.
"Calling it a night?" Steven asked.
"Nah. And don't worry; I'm fine," Hunter informed.
"I would have cut you off if I didn't think you were," Steven chuckled. "You've drank in moderation; I can tell you're a guy who knows his limit because you aren't slamming them back. What else you having?"
"Let's go Jack and Coke," Hunter said.
"You got it," Steven made up the drink and set it in front of him. "Oh," he stopped quick before walking away and poured Hunter a shot of Fireball Whiskey. "That is from those lovely ladies over there; a thank you for the picture you took with one of them," Hunter looked at the girls who were lifting their shots; Hunter grabbed his and held it up for the acknowledgment before drinking it back. The girls squealed that Hunter did it with them. Hunter flashed a smile before turning back to his drink. Hunter knew they were recording, and he didn't mind. It's not like he was acting foolish though intoxicated.
"Well, as a thank you then," Hunter pulled a twenty from his wallet and gave it to Steve. "Their next round is on me," he instructed.
"No problem," Steven nodded.
"Wow, that was super nice of him," Madison smiled.
"He still has an image to uphold," Trevor reminded. "Despite whatever personal things he has going on; he'll act accordingly to the situation,"
"Steve?" Hunter asked.
"Yeah?" Steven replied.
"I can take this out on the terrace, right?" Hunter inquired, motioning to his drink.
"Absolutely," Steven nodded with a smile. Hunter grabbed his cup, turning and getting off the stool while walking through the door to get on the terrace where there was hardly anyone outside. Once there, Hunter set his drink on the railing and leaned with a sigh.
"Alright, come on," Tallon told the others. The friends nodded as they got up and moved to the terrace, quietly. "I'll start it, play along," he said. When the noise from the bar was faded behind the terrace doors, Hunter took a long drink from his cup.
"Should I play along with the illusion that we conveniently ended up at the same place as well?" Hunter asked before Tallon could say a word to him.
"You…Knew we were here?" TJ asked.
"I've known since you sat down after I arrived," Hunter stated without looking at them. "I also know its because you're worried about me," he added. "Not hard to figure out when you showed up moments after I did, and were sitting behind me thinking I wouldn't see you,"
"I told you we should have sat farther back," Seth mumbled.
"Wouldn't have mattered; behind the bar has mirrors and that's how I saw you walk in and sit down," Hunter informed calmly. "You could have just come asked if I was alright if you were curious," he turned and faced them; his arms on the railing while holding his cup in his left hand as he took a drink.
"You looked like you wanted to be alone," Drew mentioned.
"I did, which I why I didn't come to the hang out when offered by Flynn. But you came in search of me anyway, so why make it all stalker-level mysterious?" Hunter inquired.
"Didn't really search, we saw you walking," Flynn pointed out.
"So why not make yourselves known instead of making it weird like the bartender mentioning there was a group of people sitting behind me and continuously talking low and watching me?" Hunter questioned. "Not mad, just wondering," he added. "Doesn't matter; I came out here because I figured you wanted a chance to get me alone and talk,"
Tallon stepped forward. "We just wanted to make sure you were okay, Hunter. Flynn said he's hardly seen you all week, and when you are there; you don't come out of the room. Not that it's a problem, but we felt as your friends that maybe something was going on and wanted to be here if you needed a couple sets of ears to listen," he enlightened gently.
Hunter stared a moment before turning back to lean over the railing quietly. "That's…Real nice of you, to go out of your way to make sure I'm alright,"
"Not like we came far; we had been at the hangout," TJ said as Roxanne elbowed him in the arm. Hunter chuckled a little.
"You don't have to tell us, and we can go if you want to be alone. We shouldn't have tried to pry," Tallon said.
Hunter looked down a bit, shaking his head to them. "No, you're fine," Hunter said before taking a deep breath.
"You don't mind us being here?" Avery asked.
"Public place, not my call if you stay or not," Hunter responded.
"Well, we only came to check on you," Seth mentioned.
"You wanna know that bad, huh?" Hunter inquired.
"We just want to know if you're okay," Tallon assured.
"I'm not," Hunter stated as he looked out into the night. "Come on," he said.
"Where we going?" Harper asked.
"Apartment complex," Hunter informed.
"Um, why?" Elijah wondered.
"More private for talking, so, come on," Hunter invited while walking towards the bar entrance again and the friends followed. Getting inside, Hunter moved to the bar as Steven approached while Hunter sucked back the last of his drink.
"Heading out?" Steven smiled.
"Yeah, close my tab out," Hunter said as he fished his card out of his wallet, leaning on the bar a bit. "Them too," he said quietly, motioning to the group walking up behind him.
"Got it," Steven nodded as he turned to the computer and tapped a few things before getting Hunter's card from him. A few moments later, Steven returned it with the receipt. Hunter signed it after filling in the tip and final total. "Have a good holiday!"
"You as well," Hunter replied before headed out.
"We'll meet you there," Drew said.
"What's our total?" Flynn asked.
"You're taken care of," Steven informed.
"Huh?" the group blinked.
"Mr. Haddock covered yours and his," Steven chuckled. The friends rushed after Hunter now, finding him on his phone and sending a text message; then slipping the phone away into his pocket.
"Meet you at the apartment," Hunter said as a black car drove up; a man stepped out and opened the door for Hunter as he slid in comfortably.
"Hunter, why'd you pay for us?" Tallon questioned.
"I'm a nice guy and you're my friends. See you there," the man shut the door after Hunter said that and then the car pulled away down the street. Unable to argue much since Hunter left; they hurried to get to their vehicles and return to Dreki Apartments.
. . .
[8:45 pm]
[Dreki Apartments; A1]
The friends arrived and Flynn let them in. Hunter was just walking out of his room wearing a light long sleeve shirt and sleep pants with a drink in hand; it looked like Southern Comfort and Coke. "So, you wanna know why I've been distant this past week?" he asked them after Flynn closed the door.
"If you want to tell us," Madison mentioned softly. Hunter stepped back into his room after taking a drink.
"Come on in," Hunter invited the group. Cautiously, as they'd never seen inside Hunter's room before; the friends walked into his bedroom. "You can sit anywhere, or stand. Whatever you wanna do," he informed. After everyone found a comfortable spot; they looked at him.
"So, what's going on?" Trevor asked.
"The easiest way to put it; not looking forward to Snoggletog," Hunter stated calmly. "I typically love the holiday, but this year is hard. Next couple might be for me, Dad, and Greg," he added in.
"Did…Something happen around this time of year for it to be hard?" Tallon asked gently.
Hunter sat down on a bench near his bedroom window; it appeared to be connected to Hunter's computer desk; it hard two arms, and a comfy-looking cushion with a couple pillows. Hunter's green eyes fell on a picture that was on the nightstand; he nodded his head to it as the others looked seeing a photo of Salvatore, Gregory, Hunter, and a woman with autumn hair and blue/green eyes. "That death in the family I mentioned…" Hunter trailed off a little. "It was my mom,"
"Oh, my Gods…Hunter," Harper gasped in shock with the others.
"It didn't happen over Snoggletog; it was just this past April on the 29th…Two months after I turned twenty-one. The reason it's hard is because this is the first big holiday without her; I started feeling down when December started, but as Snoggletog has gotten closer…" Hunter said.
"It's gotten harder to deal with," Avery frowned. "Oh, Hunter, I'm so sorry,"
"How did she pass?" Drew inquired softly.
"Cancer," Hunter took a deep breath. "Mom started feeling real tired and sick a couple years ago, right around the time dad was elected to his second term…She got checked out and they found it; I think it was Ovarian Cancer. The doctors said there wasn't anything they could really do except try to stay off symptoms and make her comfortable, but they didn't give mom more than a year to live. My mom, of course, beat those odds for about three years. It started to get to the end when we knew she couldn't fight anymore around Snoggletog last year…"
"She sounds like a strong woman; I feel that you probably get that from her," Tallon offered sympathetically. Hunter nodded once, trying to smile but ended up no-so-discreetly turning his head.
"Y-Yeah," Hunter tried to quickly wipe his cheek. The friends saw tear slip, but said nothing because they knew Hunter had to be hurting. Hunter's eyes still had tears in them, unshed, and refusing to fall. "Dad has been staying busy with running the Archipelago and Greg has the military. But me, well; I'm not as busy and distracted as before since I'm single and no longer working. Even school isn't terribly challenging, so I have all this time to myself and I guess it hits harder,"
"Is that why you decided to drink tonight?" Elijah asked.
Hunter shook his head. "To be honest; I never intended on drinking at all. I didn't want to drive, or be here, so I bundled up and started walking around. Going wherever the wind took me; ended up at the bar to warm up a bit. Bartender started me with something strong when I mentioned mourning and here I am Odin only knows how many drinks in or how drunk I actually am. I typically don't drink to solve my emotional status at the time, but I guess it that's just how tonight played out," he explained.
"Dulls the mind, relaxes you for a short period of time. You super drunk?" Tallon inquired.
"Don't know. Didn't feel much at the bar, home now and it's starting to hit. I feel like this one is my limit, any further and I might just hit the floor," Hunter chuckled a little, going to take another drink and finishing it. "So yeah, now you know…" he added while standing up and faltering a bit to hold his balance.
"Are you, uh, okay?" TJ asked when Hunter swayed a bit and closed his eyes to hold back what it appeared to be as possibly throwing up.
"Yeah…F-Fine…" Hunter managed taking a moment to try and focus. However; it failed as he went to take a step and almost fell forward. Tallon caught Hunter, and steadied him on his feet.
"I'd like to say you're probably a little past your limit, my friend. Time to call it a night," Tallon suggested. Hunter didn't answer at first. "Hunter?" Tallon asked.
"I think he's done," Elijah said now.
Hunter closed his eyes, taking a few deep breaths. "Tal, I'd move him to the bathroom or closer to a garbage can, like now…" Drew said quickly. No sooner than he said it; Hunter broke off from Tallon and staggered his way to the bathroom, shutting the door behind him and puking harshly in the toilet more than once; it came in waves. Hunter would throw up, then cough and groan. "And that's why I said what I did,"
"I think he'll be alright once he gets some of it up; he's not black out drunk," Flynn mentioned. Tallon went to get a water bottle for Hunter, and waited until the vomiting ceased. Tallon knocked on the door a few times lightly.
"Hunt? Hey, you alright in there?" Tallon asked.
"Ugh…" Hunter moaned. The toilet flushed and then the sink was heard running before it turned off and the door opened. Hunter weakly leaned against the door frame.
"Come on, time to get some rest," Tallon smiled softly as the others cleared off of the bed, preparing it for Hunter to lay down in. Tallon set the water bottle on the nightstand, helping Hunter to the bed as he eased himself in. Tallon pulled the garbage can over and stepped back.
"Thanks," Hunter yawned tiredly. "Glad I have such good friends," he nodded off, falling asleep instantly.
"You got him, Flynn?" Harper inquired.
"I'll stay," Tallon informed. "In case he needs help through the night or tomorrow morning. We both know Flynn sleeps like a rock when he's out,"
"Fair enough," the others agreed. Tallon grabbed a spare blanket and set it up on the window seat; the others said their goodbyes and left Hunter's room. Tallon shut off the lights and laid down on the bench, getting comfortable while checking his phone.
Harry Anderson, 9:30 pm
How is he?
9:31 pm
Drunk, emotional, but fast asleep now. I'll stay with him.
Harry Anderson, 9:32 pm
Understood.
Tallon set his phone on the window sill and sighed while watching Hunter from his spot. If only I could tell you the truth, and I hope the day you find out; you'll forgive me. Tallon thought before closing his eyes and letting sleep take him.