I was too depressed at the moment to do anything but think. The apartment wasn't helping any. Sighing I stood and left not really telling Jess where I was going other than hunting and to have the smoker going when I got back. I walked through the streets looking at people as I passed venders and merchants. A group of children ran past bumping into my legs. I had one too many thoughts buzzing in my head and one to many were depressing.
I reached the gate and signed my name for a horse and gun for the day. I was going hunting. I wanted to make sure Jess that enough meat to last the winter. I hoped to get a deer.
I rode the horse to a denser area of woods and tied the horse up. I looked for tracks zigzagging back and forth through the trees. Eventually I did find a fresh set of tracks heading towards the creek just downhill. Quietly I followed the prints. Lucky for me it had rained during the night soaking the fallen leaves, so they didn't crunch when I stepped on them.
I swung my rifle around when the sturdy buck came into view. He had a nice rack with six points. Perfectly legal to shoot. Taking aim I waited for him to turn broadside for a clear shot. Turning the safety off I fired. A few birds scattered from their perches at the bang.
I breathed a sigh of relief when he took three strangled steps before collapsing. Taking out my knife I approached cautiously. He tried to move when he seen me, but I took the chance to jump on him and finish the job. I plunged the knife into his neck severing his main artery. I realized I was crying with thoughts of my father. He laid still next to the creek blood turning the clear, cold water crimson. My shoes were soaked through freezing my toes. Quickly I got out and dragged the buck onto the bank. There would be enough meat for Jess and then some. The pelt would bring some extra money as would the antlers.
I sliced away the fur from the meat peeling the coat back a little more with each swipe of my knife, biting my lip to hold back sobs. Dad had given it to me the day he had died because I had planned to go hunting that afternoon and would need a knife to skin them with. His initials were carved into the hilt. I slit the belly open spilling the internals onto the damp earth. It didn't smell too bad yet.
I missed him. I missed Grandpa. I wished the world wasn't so cruel. I hoped where ever they were it was better than here.
I put the intestines and a few other organs into a bag to sell. Jess nor Michael and I really cared for the liver or heart. I let the deer bleed out while I went to get my horse.
I took the thick thighs and back strap first. My mouth was watering at the thought of venison stew. I cut the meat from the neck and front legs. Soon nothing was left but the bones. The horse did a fine job of carrying the load back for me. Bad part was I had to carry everything back once I reached the gate. A guard did offer to help me carry, but I could tell that he wanted payed just not in cash. So I declined. Lucky for me Jess didn't live but a few blocks from the gate.
She had the smoker going strong when I got there. We'd done this before so while I processed the meat she strung it up in smoker and kept he fire going.
"Gosh, I'll have more than enough for winter! Michael too!"
"That was the plan." I told her. I finished slicing up the stew meat. "Hey, I'm going to get this to market before it spoils." I held up the bag of organs. She just nodded with a scrunched up nose. I grabbed the pelt and antlers, too.
I made a nice sum of money, most of it coming from the intestines since it was used to make arrows and such.
There was a bitter chill in the air. Winter was just around the corner and probably closer than anyone wanted to admit. My bruises were sore along with my back. When I got back to the apartment I heated water for a nice hot bath.
"I invited Levi, Erwin, and Hanji to eat with us for your birthday, so don't be in there too long!" she shouted at me. I glared even though I couldn't see her. Michael should be getting here soon, too.
I stripped my clothing trying not to look at the teeth shaped bruises. I sunk into the tub and groaned with relief. I felt my muscles relax and the pain in my abdomen and upper thighs numb away.
I knew I'd been in here far too long because the sun had set and I could smell the stew. Jess had brought in a kettle of hot water every once in a while, but now the water was lukewarm so I got out. I wrapped myself in a towel. Jess opened the door peeking in.
"Levi, Erwin, and that crazy girl Hanji showed up. Are you feeling alright? If you want you can lay down on my bed." She offered.
"Thanks, but I'm alright. I'll be out there in a minute." I told her getting to drying myself off. I needed to remind myself to have more faith in Jess.
"How ya feeling?" Michael asked me when I exited the washroom.
"Better now." I stretched hearing my back pop in a few places.
"Kira! Taste this." Jess shoved a spoon in my mouth before I could say anything.
"It tastes fine." Jess always lacked confidence in her cooking skills. I glared at her as she complained it would taste better if I had made it and that she couldn't figure out what it was missing.
"You're hair's a mess by the way."
"Yes, I'm sure it is. I haven't brushed it yet." I could literally feel Levi's glare.
"No, Levi, don't you dare!" I jumped behind Jess using her as a shield. He only frowned harder. Erwin tried to cover his smile while Hanji just doubled over laughing.
"Hey, don't use me as a shield!" Jess shrieked trying to get a way. Levi scoffed at me with a roll of his grey eyes.
"Who's hungry? I know I am." Michael broke our little stare down. I let Jess go so she could serve up five bowls.
"Is there meat in this?" Levi asked poking around at his stew.
"Yep. Got it this afternoon. The rest it out smoking." I told him.
"I better go check on the fire." Jess excused herself from the table.
"How are you healing, Kira?" Erwin asked me. It'd been nearly three weeks since I'd left the hospital.
"Better. I probably worked myself over too much today carrying the meat, but it was nothing a hot bath couldn't fix." I took a bite of soup chewing the tasty piece of meat.
"That's good to hear. We hope you'll be returning to the Corp soon." Hanji smiled.
"I hope to. I'm bored as hell just sitting around here." We ate in silence for a while. "When do you plan to leave next?"
"In one week." Levi replied since Erwin's mouth was full. "When we get back you and I need to talk." I looked down at my browned reflection in the soup. I couldn't think of anything that Levi and I need to talk about and it couldn't be that important if he was willing to wait till after the next scout. Should be interesting I'm sure.
