I'll Be The One Chapter 52, a how to train your dragon fanfic

I'll Be The One

Chapter 52:

=Hunter's POV=
[Friday, 5/17/2019-4:00 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Dreki Apartments; A1]

I could honestly say I was happy to return to my apartment after everything. I stayed at the Archian House until the 10th, to appease dad so he'd feel better that I spent some time recovering from what happened. I apologized to dad and assured him I wouldn't slip my guards anymore, and spent Tuesday through to the Friday night I left catching up on all the missed work. I still had more to do, but I got a good portion of it done. I let the family doctor take a look at me to make sure everything was fine. When dad had all that confirmation; he felt better in letting me return home. Saturday, the 11th of May; I spent all day at home relaxing between my room and the main room working on my term paper because it was due very soon. I also worked on my term paper though Sunday, but Tallon and the friends came over to keep my company. I didn't mind; it was nice to spend time with them. Dad called every day, and texted me throughout the day; Greg too, but not nearly as much as dad.

I returned on the Monday the 13th. I turned in all the work I did already, and obviously got new work that needed to be done. All assignments were supposed to be due on the 24th, but since my situation was that I got kidnapped for six days, and had only two days of exams, which were Monday the 27th and Wednesday the 29th; I had the extension of Friday the 31st to get everything done. So on top of current work, makeup work, and the term paper; I had to study for my three finals. I couldn't wait to be done with school; it's been fun, but I was ready to not have to do it anymore. I went back to McViking on Tuesday the 14th. I worked 5 am to 2 pm shift; everyone was happy to see me and relieved I was alright. I'm only working about three days a week since I have a lot of school stuff to do. And I made sure they knew that my last day was June 7th.

And then all I had to do were the jobs I set up for after college ended. And thankfully, a lot of those could be done at home for designing and meetings. I only had to go in-office for the building aspects, and most of that was all computer work over physical. It didn't matter; I was excited to take it on. I basically work for myself, so I set my hours; that would be nice seeing as I want time to spend with friends and my boyfriend. Tallon and I would be together three months on Monday, but since I have school and stuff; we're gonna celebrate on Sunday the 19th. I had no idea what we were doing yet. I was mostly healed from the kidnapping injuries, and fully recovered from the transplant surgery. I had a couple bruises that were in final heal stage from the beatings I took. It was good to have things be normal again, but I knew the danger wasn't over.

The man who had me kidnapped was still out there, and I knew a time would come where we'd meet again. Didn't know how, why, or when, but I knew it would happen, and I would be ready this time. Tallon and I have gone on a couple dates in the past two weeks; we haven't done anything intimate. There was no reason behind why we hadn't; just never got that turned on or had the desire too. I'm kind of glad too; our relationship wasn't about all that, though, very enjoyable to partake in. I was also really happy that Tallon and I had the mutual feelings of love raging between us. At the moment; I'm just getting home from school and then plan to go to the Archian House. There was some kind of event tonight, but dad wouldn't say what. Either way, as usual; I'm in charge of entertainment and it starts at 5:00 pm. I might as well go early and get ready. Getting into my apartment; I dropped my stuff in my room and instantly went to shower.

. . .

=Normal POV=
[4:45 pm]
[Archian House]

Staff opened the door when there was a knock. "Welcome," smiled the male. "The president is waiting," the group walked in and were taken right to where Gregory and Salvatore were.

"Sir," Salvatore looked up. "Your guests have arrived,"

"Thank you," Salvatore smiled as he rose and Gregory did the same. "Come in, come in," he laughed.

"You're right on time," Gregory said.

The guests who came were Hunter's friends, boyfriend, and all their families. It had been planned behind Hunter's back, but this was the night Arianna was doing her song. Arianna wanted to surprise Hunter and do it in front of everyone because she confided in him that she had stage fright, despite wanting to be a singer. Hunter tried to help her with it the night she wrote her song, but she got scared. Hunter told her the only way to conquer the fear was to just do it head on. With everything going on, Hunter hadn't been able to work with her much due to the kidnapping for six days and then spending the rest of the time catching up on his work. Arianna spoke with Tallon about putting on a big event for her song reveal, and Tallon helped her set it all up to be at the Archian House. Everyone knew that Hunter wouldn't tell his father no to an event being held there where he had to make an appearance.

"So…Where is Hunter?" Arianna wondered quickly.

"Odin only knows," Salvatore chuckled. "He's been here since 4:30 pm, and haven't seen him since he said hi to us,"

"Is he okay?" Tallon felt like he should ask.

"We been asking ourselves that," Gregory shrugged. "Seems fine,"

"Well, he only goes a few places when here. Suppose we could check them," Salvatore suggested.

"Sounds good," Dustin nodded.

"Your lead, Mr. President," Silas Jorgenson offered.

"Silas, formalities not required if just this group. We're all friends here," Salvatore smiled as he started walking and the rest followed. The first place checked was Hunter's bedroom, but no such luck finding Hunter. The group moved onto Hunter's music space, but still nothing.

"Sal, how…Has he been since the kidnapping?" Rachel decided to inquired while walking.

"Busy," Gregory mentioned.

"Yeah, that's a good word to describe it," Salvatore nodded. "He's been extremely busy getting back to work and school, doing all the makeup stuff, studying for finals next week,"

"But I mean mentally. Nothing that happened is bothering him, right? Sometimes that comes on after the initial situation has ended. Where it just kind of hits about what he went through. Nightmares, trauma, anything at all?"

"Didn't see anything here," Salvatore said.

"But Hunter spent a lot of time in his room, Sal. He kept asking us to back off so he could work," Gregory reminded.

"Suppose it's possible he could be dealing with some stuff," Salvatore informed.

"How about with you, Tallon?" Rachel looked to her eldest son now.

"Been normal with me. Smiling, laughing…Yes to all the makeup work and stuff, but he let's us hang with him while he does it," Tallon replied. "I've spent the night with him a couple times too, no nightmares,"

"Just making sure," Rachel said. "Where are we headed next?"

"I suppose he could be in the training area or on the range," Gregory offered.

"Might as well check," Tallon responded.

The group continued to move forward; Hunter wasn't in the training area, or even the stables. Salvatore informed them that Vanessa loved to ride horses and there were four in the stables, which sometimes, Hunter spent a lot of time in. Hunter did know how to ride, and was very good at it. Vanessa Haddock had a horse named Cloudjumper. Two others were Grump and Thornado. Finally, there Hunter's horse; a stunning all black Mustang, who he called Toothless. However, Hunter wasn't there, so they were still looking. The next spot checked was the training area, but Hunter wasn't there either. Who knew it was hard to locate one twenty-two-year-old male?

"I suppose this leaves the range," Salvatore said. The group traveled outside, heading for the shooting range. Sure enough, Hunter was there standing in his lane with a gun in hand. "Figures," he mumbled.

"Oh, stop. You know he loves it," Gregory rolled his eyes.

"You trained him how to shoot, didn't you, Greg?" Tallon inquired.

"Yeah, when he was about thirteen because he wanted to join the army," Gregory replied.

"Does that bother him?" Avery wondered. "Nothing being able to join because of his leg?"

"I'd like to think so. Perhaps more than he lets on sometimes. Hunter was all for it; he studied like hell to know everything about joining. He made sure he was fit, could do all the times exercises with the required amount needing to be done. Learned different types of fighting styles, guns, shooting. That boy knew what he wanted to do with his life from the time he was like, five. And then after fifteen, that dream had crashed," Gregory said.

"Until he got into designing, building, and inventing," Salvatore shrugged. "Think he chose to do that around seventeen or so,"

"But the soldier mentality remains, Sal. You've seen it; he's a protector at heart. Not wanting to hurt or kill, but would absolutely do it if there was no choice. Doesn't want to fight, but will if it means the people he cares about are safe because he understands-," Gregory began.

"That somethings are worth fighting for. Yes, I know, Greg," Salvatore nodded. "Well, let's get his attention," he smiled. "HUNTER!" he yelled. The sudden sound threw Hunter off guard as he whipped around, pointing it at his father and the others behind him.

"Woah! Easy, lad!" Gregory told him. Hunter instantly lowered the weapon.

"I'm fine…I'm good," Hunter stated. However, his eyes fell on his father. "What the hell is wrong with you?! Never, ever sneak up on someone! Especially those with weapons! For fuck's sake; we're all on high alert with the guy who had me kidnapped still being on the loose. People sneaking up on me is exactly how I got taken! I could have killed you!" he glared.

"Hunter; it was fine. You wouldn't have made that kind of shot as soon as you turned around," Salvatore said calmly.

"Eh…I wouldn't go that far, Sal…Hunter's a pretty good shot. Even if he missed you; there's a bunch of others behind you…He's right; you shouldn't have gotten his attention that way," Gregory reminded.

"Greg, even you can't make a shot that fast," Salvatore huffed. Hunter gave a lame-eyed look to his father, still annoyed, though. Hunter raised the gun, turning fast and firing at the target on the range. The bullet hit the target where the heart would be. Salvatore blinked.

"Like I said; damn good shot," Gregory rolled his eyes.

"I would have absolutely killed you, Dad," Hunter said. "Now…What do you want? I got all my stuff set up in the dining room already; I left word with my guards that I'd be back in for 5," he asked. "And why are all of you here?"

"We…Are the event, Hunter. Well, guests of," Drew smiled. Hunter noticed that Miya was beside him, and he knew they were back together. Tallon told Hunter about it during one of their date nights. Apparently, it happened while he was kidnapped because Drew, like everyone else, was worried for Hunter. And another relationship was in the works; Avery and Trevor had been going on dates and discussing getting together.

"Going to need you to be more specific?" Hunter asked.

"It was my idea, Hunter," Arianna came forward. "I remember what you said about facing your fears and just going right into things, so I asked Tallon to help me set up a bigger than family scale event for my first song performance,"

"All this was so you could do your song and get over stage fright?" Hunter arched a brow. Arianna nodded to him. "Huh, well…Alright then," he smiled some. "Let me finish this round," he reloaded his gun.

"Come along. We'll move off to the side here," Gregory motioned along the bulletproof glass where they'd be able to see Hunter shooting still, but safely. "We're good to go on this side, lad,"

"Kay," Hunter nodded as he put his headphones in and tapped the screen of his phone before he also took his stance. Focusing on only his target; he fired and struck the neck. Going again; he hit the chest. Hunter pulling the trigger came faster as he continued to hit places that would be considered an instant kill. When the clip was empty; he started putting everything away in the cabinet and then locked it with a key that was clipped to his key ring. Hunter pressed a few numbers on a digital pad as the light turned red, signal for alarmed and locked. Hunter started back for the house as the group looked at Salvatore.

"Are we following?" Elijah questioned.

"I would assume so," Gregory shrugged. Feeling that there wasn't much else of a choice; they all headed inside the Archian House. Hunter made sure the microphone and laptop were ready to go for Arianna before finally pausing his music and pulling out his headphones with a smile.

"Ready?" Hunter asked, glancing to Arianna.

"Mmhm," Arianna nodded. Hunter motioned with his hand for her to come up with him.

"Do you prefer earpiece or handheld mic?" Hunter inquired.

"Uh…Probably earpiece," Arianna responded. Hunter nodded as he grabbed the device and hooked it up. Hunter turned it on an tapped it to make sure it was working properly. Hunter headed back over to his computer and messed with a few things before looking at her and gave a thumbs up. Arianna nervously gave one back.

"Family and friends, I give you Arianna Raseri with her career kick off song; Make It Shine!" Hunter announced as he pressed the space bar and the music began. Arianna took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. Hunter grabbed his guitar and slipped it over his shoulder and readied it to play on cue as he stood beside her with an assuring smile. "Words of advice when you don't feel confident that I learned from my uncle are that if you survive death, you can survive anything. You got this, Ari," Hunter started in on his mark to do so and nodded to her.

"Here I am, once again. Feeling lost, but now and then. I breathe it in to let it go. And you don't know where you are now, or what it would come to if only somebody could hear. When you figure out how, you're lost in the moment; you disappear!" Arianna started, holding the note a moment. Hunter smiled as he kept playing.

"Woo! Sing it, baby girl!" Rachel cheered as Arianna giggled, stepping forward a bit, but Hunter stayed back.

"Reaching high, feeling low. I'm holding on, but letting go. I like to shine; I'll shine for you. And its time to show the world how. It's a little bit closer as long as I'm ready to go. As long as you feel it inside, you know!" Arianna continued happily.

"You don't have to be afraid to put your dream in action. You're never gonna fade; you'll be the main attraction. Just remember me when it turns out right. Because you know that if you live in your imagination. Tomorrow you'll be everybody's fascination! In my victory. Just remember me when I make it shine!" Arianna took a breath. Hunter kept playing his spots, using his foot to keep with the beat.

"Rock it, Ari!" people smiled and hollered happily. Arianna was doing a fantastic job with the singing, and Hunter was rocking with his guitar; it sounded amazing and definitely appeared that Arianna conquered her fear of stage fright. Yes, this was family and friends, but there were some strangers that Arianna didn't know well, but knew by association because there were Tallon's friends' families.

"Everyone can tell you how its all been said and done. And harder times will change your mind and make you wanna run. But you want it. And you need it. Like you need to breathe the air. If they doubt you, just believe it. That's enough to get you there!" Arianna smiled as the music dulled a moment; the rose.

"You don't have to be afraid to put your dream in action. You're never gonna fade; you'll be the main attraction. Just remember me when it turns out right. Because you know that if you live in your imagination. Tomorrow you'll be everybody's fascination! In my victory. Just remember me when I make it shine!" Arianna finished along with Hunter guitar playing as the music just cut. Arianna breathed heavily. Everyone was smiling, cheering, and clapping at the performance. Hunter stepped beside her as Arianna wanted to cry; she'd done it, and it came out great!

"Take a bow, Ari. That applause is for you," Hunter urged. Arianna blushed a bit, bowing before her miniature crowd. "Well done," Hunter congratulated. Arianna turned fast and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you," Arianna whispered. "For helping me with the song, and conquering the fear…The kidney, again…Just everything. You're an amazing person, Hunter," she smiled. Hunter was a bit shocked at her confession, but hugged her back.

"You're welcome," Hunter replied softly. The two broke the embrace as other came up to congratulate her with hugs and supportive words. Hunter went to put his guitar away on the stand while fiddling with a few computer things. Tallon moved over to him smiling.

"Whatcha working on, babe?" Tallon asked.

"Hm? Nothing, baby. Just shutting down the computer to put it away," Hunter said.

"Keep it out," Gregory stated.

"Why?" Hunter looked at him.

"Well…We're all here, hanging out. Why don't you perform a couple songs, son?" Salvatore suggested. Hunter gave a bored look and sighed.

"Fine," Hunter agreed. It wasn't the plan he had for this evening, but sure, why not have some fun? He'd been working hard all week and at least he could have a good time when it was just family and friends here for performances. The friends cheered that Hunter agreed to do a couple songs. Looks like it would be a hang out night with friends and family, and Hunter honestly didn't mind one bit.