I'll Be The One

Chapter 21:

=Tallon's POV=
[Friday, 1/25/2019-5:00 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Dreki Apartment; A10]

None of us have heard or really seen Hunter since the 15th. We knew he was either at school or working after the night we relaxed to drink a bit knowing Hunter had a lot on his mind with the anniversary of his mom dying coming up in three months, and still feeling something for his ex-girlfriend or at least the girl she used to be when they got together. I know Hunter, Flynn, Harper, TJ, and Roxanne started midterms on the 21st, so that had to be a reason Hunter was busy. And I assume that Hunter likely had work or things with his dad to handle after school. To be honest; I felt like he was avoiding us, but I wasn't sure why. Flynn confirmed that even when Hunter was in the apartment; he didn't leave his room much except to go outside of the complex. Hunter didn't have a need to leave his bedroom since he had a mini-fridge, microwave, a bathroom; everything he could need. Truthfully, we were worried about him, but weren't sure how to approach the situation. The last time Hunter was like this; it was before Snoggletog when he was mourning his mom, when he learned that she didn't have long left. Hunter had been miserable and went drinking.

"Tal...Hey Tallon?" someone called.

"What's with him?" asked another voice.

I heard my friends talking to me; we were all in my apartment to relax and enjoy the first semester officially being over for Flynn, Harper, TJ and Roxanne. Grades closed today, and starting on the 4th of February was the second half of the year. I'm positive that TJ, Roxanne, Harper, along with Hunter would be done with college come June. I think Flynn was done with his college stuff, but still had three years of law school to go before he was a full lawyer. Unfortunately; I had my mind on Hunter, as it had been for the last ten days since I kissed his forehead goodnight. I wasn't in Hunter's life by accident; I was put here for a specific reason and the problem was that personal feelings are becoming a factor. I'm starting to feel something for Hunter, as in a crush. I knew it was practically forbidden in the current state of things, but sometimes you can't help how you feel. I can't tell anyone about this, of course.

"TALLON!" the group yelled at me now.

"For fucks sake, what?!" I finally replied.

"Odin above, welcome back to Midgard," Drew laughed.

"Where the hell were you, man?" Seth asked.

"Am I not entitled to be deep in thought now and then?" I grumbled.

"Well, you are, but it's not like you to do it at random with everyone over," Harper informed.

"What's on your mind, dude?" Trevor inquired.

"If you want honesty…Hunter's on my mind," I admitted. "I'm worried about him,"

"Why?" Elijah questioned.

"Don't you think he's been just a bit too quiet lately?" I looked at them.

"I suppose, but it's not exactly our job to be on his ass all the time…" Avery pointed out.

"It…Actually kind of is," I reminded.

"Yeah, Tal is right about that," Drew nodded. "He has been quiet, but what can we do? We're supposed to monitor,"

"As friends," Seth interjected.

"Which would entail acting as concerned friends," Flynn stated. "As…Far as I know he's still at the school, but his final class should have let out around 4 pm,"

"It's…Just 5 pm now. Did he have work tonight?" Madison wondered after checking her phone for the time.

"Friday nights are a usual work night for him," Flynn replied.

I sighed as I got his phone and dialed a number. "It's Raseri. Where is Night Fury?" I listened to who I had called. "He's not with my group and his roommate reported that he was not seen at apartment after class let out an hour ago," another pause. "Well, panicking isn't going to make matters any better. Let's not call in anything until we've checked all possible locations. Let's retrace his steps and if we find nothing, we'll inform the president," I stood up. "We'll take care of the apartment, school, and local bars; you take anywhere else he may go," I ended the call.

"What's going on?" Drew asked.

"None of them have a visual on Hunter. They've assumed he's in the apartment, but I informed them that Flynn reported Hunter never returning to the complex at 4 pm after class," I mentioned.

"What's the plan?" Elijah stood with Trevor and Drew. Seth and Avery weren't far behind them.

"We're gonna check Flynn and Hunter's apartment, maybe he came in after Flynn came here. If nothing there; we're checking the bars and school," I informed. "The others are checking places they know Hunter could be such as work or favorite places that we aren't aware of,"

"Let's move," Trevor nodded.

. . .

=Normal POV=
[5:10 pm]
[Dreki Apartments; A1]

Flynn let himself and the others into the apartment, glancing around. "Hunter?" Flynn asked. No reply. Flynn shrugged as Tallon began looking around more; then getting to Hunter's room. Tallon knocked a few times.

"Hunter?" Tallon asked. Nothing. "Hunter, hey? You in there?" Still nothing. "I don't hear any movement, or the shower," he reported.

"Well, is the door unlocked?" Seth inquired. Tallon turned the handle and the door opened. "Just see if he's in there then?" Tallon sighed, opening the door more and looking around the room before backing out.

"No, nothing," Tallon said.

"Let's move on to the school," Drew stated firmly.

"I'll stay here, in case he comes back while you're searching," Flynn informed.

"I'll stay too," Harper volunteered.

"Me too," Madison offered.

"I'll stay back as well," Seth moved next to the others who were staying.

"Alright, the rest of us will keep going," Trevor nodded. The group left the apartment and moved on to exit the building and get to the school and check if Hunter might still be there.

. . .

[5:30 pm]
[Archia Island University]

After twenty minutes of searching, still nothing. "He's not here either," Elijah confirmed for Tallon when they grouped up at the gates.

"Bars next," Avery asked.

Tallon shook his head. "Bryant, Cody, Andrew, and Harry have already checked every bar between the complex and Meade Hall, even ones closer to The Archian House," he reported. "No; he's not at the school either," he said into his phone that was next to his ear.

"Is Hunter at The Archian House?" Trevor suggested.

"No," Tallon told them after whoever was on the phone confirmed Hunter wasn't at the Archian House. "I think it's time to call it in," he sighed.

"Wait, Tal!" Drew was looking over his phone.

"What is it, Drew?" Elijah asked.

"Madison told Harper to message me and suggest we try one more place," Drew paused looking at Tallon. "The cemetery; his mother is buried in Valhalla's Gate,"

"Alright, let's go then," Tallon urged them to get moving. "What?" he asked. "Alright, keep me posted," he ended the call. "Harry and Cody are going, but if nothing; we have to tell the boss. Let's get back to the apartment," he informed. The rest nodded and returned to Dreki Apartments.

. . .

[6:15 pm]
[Dreki Apartments; A1]

The others were left in waiting for information, but Tallon never heard from the guards on Hunter's status. Finally, the door to the apartment opened as Andrew walked in, holding the door as Harry walked in carrying Hunter's body.

"What happened?" Tallon got to his feet instantly. "Where was he?"

"Cemetery. He's had a bit to drink, but nothing of concern," Cody stated.

"He was drinking, alone, and now passed out? This doesn't concern you?" Elijah remarked.

"He's sleeping because he knocked out on the ride back; he didn't have a lot, just a couple beers," Bryant informed. Harry set Hunter down on the couch carefully and stepped back. "He had a six pack with him, but drank four of them. I'm certain he's buzzed,"

"Give him a little bit; he won't be out long. It's likely emotional overload, or so his father says," Andrew shrugged.

"You've spoken with him already?" Tallon questioned.

"There wasn't much choice when he couldn't get a hold of Hunter on the cell phone; we were contacted to make sure he was alright," Harry replied. "Mr. President mentioned that Hunter may try to slip away from us to be alone, and that unless we needed to step in, leave him be,"

"We already told his father how we found him, and the orders were to ensure he's alright and return him here; provide the update when he wakes up and his father plans to call him or stop by when the information is received," Bryant enlightened calmly, but in a serious voice.

Tallon nodded, understanding. "Yes, of course,"

"We're returning to our posts. You will report in when he wakes," Bryant ordered.

"I will message you to maintain cover," Tallon nodded again. The four guards left, and the door shut as the eyes in the room fell on Hunter's slumbering form.

"Let's leave him alone for now," Flynn said getting the blanket off the back of the chair and draping it over Hunter's figure.

. . .

[7:30]

The friends were quietly watching a movie on the TV while Hunter slept; they were surprised he was still out. The guard said he wouldn't be out long, but Hunter must have been really tired after all. When the movie ended, and the room was silent for a moment; they heard buzzing.

"Who is vibrating?" Elijah asked. "It's not me," he said after checking his phone.

"None of us," Harper shook her head. Hunter groaned and shifted a bit, turning onto his side with his arm draped over the edge of the couch, but otherwise, remained asleep. The next sound was a ding as Flynn got up to check who was buzzing the apartment.

"It's his dad," Flynn stated. "Come right in," he said into the speaker, pressing the button to unlock the entry doors. Tallon had Flynn move aside as he opened the apartment door to greet Salvatore, and soon finding that Gregory was there as well, but that should have been expected; the two were always together when it came to Hunter.

"Evening, Mr. President," Tallon offered a slight bow.

"Hello, Tallon," Salvatore replied.

"Where's the lad?" Gregory asked.

Tallon moved aside a bit to let them in. "Still out,"

Salvatore sighed a bit, moving closer to Hunter. "Sal, he's fine," Gregory stated.

"He slipped his guards and went to drink alone, again, and did it in the worst place to be by himself," Salvatore remarked.

"I know, but what did you expect, Sal?" Gregory stood next to him, leaning on the back of the couch as Salvatore looked at his friend. "It wasn't an easy loss for him. Hell, I think it hurts him more than losing Vanessa…"

"Not likely," Salvatore rolled his eyes.

"It is likely, my friend," Gregory stared. "Hunter had time to sit with the diagnosis of Vanessa being sick; time to accept and spend with her before she died. But this one; he didn't get all that. It just happened, and no matter what you do or how much time passes; it's always going to hurt him,"

"I know that, Greg…He'll heal with time," Salvatore said.

"Sal, it's been two years…Even you knew as soon as you woke up today that Hunter was going to be a mess. I told that today was not the one to just let him be alone and sit with things. Odin only knows how long he'd been at the cemetery before he was found…Odin only knows how much he drank today. Maybe not all at once, but different sections after lunch. I told you he wasn't going to be alright, not when it came to this death," Gregory reminded.

Salvatore sighed. "Greg, I tried to get him to agree to spend the day with us; he said no. Hell, he snapped at both us to back off and leave him alone. You really think I want to be on the receiving end of my son's anger? No thank you. And don't even give me that it's not that bad because the last time he got mad; you were just as terrified as I was…"

"Yeah, yeah…I know. Kid has a temper that holds the wrath of the Gods behind it…" Gregory shook a bit. "Still…You should have made sure there were more guards on him today…You remember what happened when he found out two years ago,"

"Aye…I do…" Salvatore nodded.

"And it was worse last year because he was losing his mom too," Gregory remarked.

"Greg, I know! But what do you want me to do? You know how Hunter-," Salvatore started as Hunter sat up, glaring at both of them.

"Oh, my Gods! Can you fucking stop?!" Hunter stated. "I've been listening to it for the past five goddamn minutes!"

"Hunter, don't get mad…We're just worried about you…" Salvatore tried. Hunter got the blanket off and stood up.

"Don't," Hunter said angrily. "I'm fine, so get off my ass,"

"Hunter…" Gregory attempted now.

"I said don't…." Hunter stared hard. "Just don't. I don't need the concern or worry. You don't need to watch my every move; I'm not gonna lose it,"

"Hunter, you're already losing it. Slipping your guards, hiding out all-," Salvatore started.

"Dad, for Odin's sake; I slip my guards weekly for at least an hour or two. I told you I don't need to be babysat! I'm twenty-two-years old! You promised you'd lay off on the bodyguards!" Hunter glared.

"Lad, you're not okay. You're hiding it with anger…Or alcohol. Just…Talk to us. We know it's hard, but-," Gregory began.

Hunter cracked his knuckles by tightening his hands into fists. "If you want anger, I'll give you anger. This is tired and annoyed that you two have to argue right next to me when I'm sleeping! For your fucking information; I was not drinking all day. I wasn't even at the cemetery all day. I went to school, took my last midterm, and hung out in the music room until 3:30; then I grabbed a six pack of beer that is less than eight percent alcohol and sat in front of the grave until Harry, Cody, Andrew, and Bryant showed up. I fell asleep in the car; I wasn't even buzzed. You have nothing to worry about because I got it. Okay? I fucking got it. I'll handle this by myself because that's what I want to do. So back off, alright?" Hunter went for his room, barely looking back as he opened the door to it. "Just go back home and leave me alone for a bit…I'll come to you when I damn good and ready to," he walked in his room, slamming the door shut making Gregory and Salvatore tense up.

"Well, that could have gone better…" Gregory sighed.

"At least he didn't take his frustration out on sparring with you again," Salvatore reminded.

"Pfft, he put us both on our asses…" Gregory huffed. "I wonder where he gets his anger from…" he mumbled.

"His mother…" Salvatore muttered.

"The both of ya," Gregory rolled his eyes. "Boar-headed and stubborn, like you back in the day,"

"I fucking heard that!" Hunter yelled. "Would you two take your damn bickering back to the Archian House before I actually put you both on your asses again in an attempt to get out just a fraction of the rage I'm currently feeling right now?" he opened the door, eyes still narrowed.

"You wouldn't…" Gregory said.

"Test me…" Hunter warned, cracking his neck on both sides.

"I'm good!" Gregory and Salvatore said quickly, tensing.

"That's what I fucking thought. You wanna talk about me behind my back, at least do it out of earshot!" Hunter stepped back. "Now go home and I'll see you tomorrow for the inauguration," he remarked, closing the door again.

"Come on, Greg," Salvatore urged. "There's nothing more we can do right now; he's gotta calm down before we try and talk to him,"

"Aye," Gregory nodded.

"Should…We evacuate too?" Seth wondered quietly.

"Nah, you should be safe as long as you don't push him," Gregory informed. "Just…Make sure he doesn't overdo anything. It's that particular anger when he's actually upset when he'll start drinking again…"

"If it gets out of hand; just call the others to restrain him; he'll struggle until he tires himself out and falls asleep," Salvatore mentioned.

"Got it," Tallon nodded affirmatively. Salvatore and Gregory left the apartment quietly, instantly starting to talk once they were in the hallway. Tallon heard the shower going as he sighed. "Maybe a shower will calm him down,"

"We gonna try and ask about all this, or see if he tells us on his own?" Drew looked at Tallon.

"It's not our job to pry, so we'll just continue to do what we do and see what happens," Tallon reminded.

"Understood," the group nodded to him.

. . .

[8:30 pm]

Hunter waited until he knew his father and uncle left; he didn't mean to get harsh with them, but what he was dealing with wasn't easy and all he wanted was to get a little buzz going and relax for the night since midterms were over; he had a week off school, and didn't have to work more than three days next week. Also, Hunter had the inauguration of his father being president for the next four years tomorrow night at 5 pm, but the ceremony was at 3 pm. Hunter assumed things would be over around 10:30 or 11 pm, and once again; he was granted the power to handle entertainment. Normally, there would be live music and bands to play for the event, but Salvatore hired his son because it was ten times cheaper and Hunter could do a mix of live and requested songs. For now, Hunter just wanted to try and get his head together for tomorrow.

At the moment; Hunter had gotten out of the shower and dressed into something comfortable for the night. Hunter sat on his bed while looking on his phone through old pictures of him and someone else; there was a beer in his hand as he stopped on a picture and stared at it for a few minutes before he realized he was crying. Hunter felt the tears falling from his eyes, slipping down his cheeks. Hunter couldn't stop it, and honestly; he wanted to cry. No matter how hard he'd tried to hold it back; he couldn't because it hurt too much to hold in this pain.

Outside the room, the friends had been quiet, hoping for Hunter to come out after his shower was over. However, they heard the sniffling and light coughs and knew Hunter was crying. For now, they would leave him alone and let him cry it out because it seemed like he needed to do it. The friends minded their own business and went back to talking and watching TV or listening to music.