I'll Be The One

Chapter 55:

=Normal POV=
[Saturday, 6/15/2019-2:00 pm]
[Archipelago; Arc Isle]
[Archian House]

Hunter, unfortunately, ended up having food poisoning and it lasted about four days, feeling better on the fourth night and waking up day five feeling fantastic. Hunter only missed a day of work, but it didn't matter because his last day had been the 7th. With permission for corporate; they shut McViking down that Friday night at 6:00 pm, and the whole crew got together to throw Hunter a going away party inside the building. Hunter did have Tallon join him as his lover, but not the other friends. There was pizza, soda, chips, dip, and lots of talk about memories of them all when they met Hunter, and worked alongside him. Daryl was the official new General Manager, hand picked and trained by Hunter himself, so there was no worry of an outsider coming in and messing up the exceptional business from this particular store in the chain of restaurants around the Archipelago. A few of the closer employees to Hunter who had been with him from when he started at fourteen years old all went out for an after the first party celebration; it involved going to a quiet bar for a couple drinks.

Everything since then had been relaxing, spending time with friends, and attending other graduation parties. Heather, Roxanne, and TJ were all done with college too now. Flynn was still had law school for the next three years. Hunter spent a good majority of time making sure his upcoming projects were organized, deciding how many to take on, and even beginning a few of the designs parts. Today, though; it was Hunter's graduation party. Hunter's diploma came in the mail yesterday, and he was super excited about it because he meant he was officially done with school and survived it all despite being the president's son. Everyone was currently at the Archian House for said celebration; it began at 2 pm, but it seemed Hunter was running slightly behind to his own party. Hunter was in the Archian House, but nowhere to be found.

"I swear that boy…" Salvatore mumbled.

"Oh, leave him alone, Sal," Gregory chuckled. "He's never where you want him to be when you want him to be there, even if the party is for him,"

"Sad, but true," Salvatore sighed.

"And I only do it because I know it annoys you, Dad," came Hunter's voice as he walked up.

"Must you?" Salvatore asked.

"Oh, I must," Hunter nodded. "I was ready hours ago, and decided that this doesn't start til I get here anyway, so…There is now official time to begin until I say," he chuckled. "Besides, I was working on something,"

"New song?" Arianna giggled.

"Sort of," Hunter replied. "But it doesn't matter right now," he smiled. "Let's get this party started," Hunter started the music from his phone because it was all Bluetooth and then went over to Tallon, kissing him lightly.

. . .

[5:00 pm]

Everything was going great; plenty of snacks, food, and drinks. Hunter spent most of it with his boyfriend and friends while the adults talked among themselves. Hunter noticed that his father had invited a couple of his friends. Hunter didn't care, though; it might be his graduation party, but it felt more like just a regular get together. However, something didn't feel right; the air had changed and Hunter was picking it up. Hunter felt on edge, something bad was going to happen soon.

"Hunter, babe? Hello? You there?" Tallon got his attention. Hunter shook his head a bit and looked at Tallon.

"I'm sorry, babe. What did you say?" Hunter asked.

"I asked if you were coming back to the complex tonight or tomorrow morning?" Tallon inquired

"Yeah, probably," Hunter said; he glanced around the room, which his friends and boyfriend noticed.

"Probably what? Staying here or coming back tonight?" Seth pushed.

"Going to the complex tonight," Hunter clarified.

"Hunter, is…Something wrong?" Madison decided to ask the question they were all wondering.

"Hm?" Hunter looked at them again.

"Is something wrong?" Drew repeated.

"No, nothing at all. Why do you think something is wrong?" Hunter asked with a smile.

"Because you keep looking around the room," TJ mentioned.

"Like you're looking for something," Roxanne added.

"Or that you're waiting for something to happen," Harper stated.

"No, it's good," Hunter said, but his eyes shifted around again.

"See, you did it again," Avery pointed at him.

"And you keep zoning out too," Elijah informed.

"Come on, Hunt," Trevor said. "Talk to us. What's going on?"

"What's wrong, baby?" Tallon tried, putting a hand on Hunter's shoulder.

Hunter sighed closing his eyes. "I feel like something is gonna happen. I don't know what or when, but something will. I've been on edge all day, watching everything. It's…The same feeling I got in the park before I got kidnapped,"

"What do you mean?" Tallon inquired.

"When I was in the park, about a minute from the hideout entrance; I got this weird feeling that I wasn't alone. And I mean, the park was empty. I was just about to message you, Tal, when I got grabbed from behind. But…Right before all that happened; I had this strange, nagging, strong feeling that I wasn't alone and being watched," Hunter explained.

"And…You're getting that same feeling again?" Flynn questioned. Hunter nodded to him.

"Well, nothing is gonna happen here," Madison shrugged.

"Too many people, and the security," Avery nodded assuringly.

"And knowing that should set me at ease, but it's not. I haven't been at ease since the day I got threatened about that guy wanting revenge. It's been a nagging feeling since then; that I'm being watched by others who aren't on my guard detail…You know, from the shadows. But today; it's just been everywhere and I…" Hunter paused.

"You…What, love?" Tallon asked seeing Hunter put his head down. Tallon lifted his head with a finger under his chin so their eyes would meet. "Tell me,"

"I don't feel safe, Tallon," Hunter confessed, surprising the friends. "Even with all this; everyone around…I sense something bad is going to happen before this night is over; it's gonna be big and something out of everyone's control…And I don't feel safe. I'm on edge, I can't relax, and I hate it. Every time something bad happens; I get a feeling like this about it. It happened when my grandparents all died, Jay, Mom…And I wasn't wrong. Before each of them passed; I'd get a sick, nervous feeling…But I was never wrong to assume something bad happened, or would happen,"

"What do you want to do?" Seth asked.

"Why are you asking me? I'm not in charge of what happens…That's my dad's call," Hunter said, closing his eyes and sighing.

"But you don't feet safe, Hunter. You're getting the feeling that something is going to happen, something bad. That's worth taking seriously, and you're the one feeling it…So what do you want to do?" Tallon stated.

Hunter didn't answer him; the feeling was getting worse and he couldn't ignore it anymore. Something, perhaps even someone was telling him to be on guard and watch his back. Watch everything. Hunter got a feeling to shift a bit; a familiar voice came through the chatter and music, something he couldn't just overlook. "That voice…" Hunter said. Tallon and the others didn't understand. What was Hunter talking about? Hunter's eyes opened, narrowing as he zeroed in on a slender man talking with his father and Gregory.

"Hunter?" Harper said, but Hunter ignored her.

"Babe?" Tallon tried.

"He's here…" Hunter mentioned.

"Who is?" Drew questioned.

"The guy who had me kidnapped…The leader of that group. He's here…" Hunter said firmly. The friends stared at him, what was Hunter talking about? The guy who was responsible for Hunter being kidnapped for six days was present in the Archian House tonight? There was no way.

"Hunter…I think maybe it's time to call it a night and you get some sleep?" Avery offered.

"What?" Hunter looked at her quickly. "Do you think I'm joking?'

"Hunter…Listen to yourself," Seth remarked.

"It does sound farfetched…The guy who kidnapped you here tonight? He'd never make the front gate," Elijah informed.

"I think the threat is getting to you," Madison stated gently. "You're…Paranoid, Hunter. It's been busy since the kidnapping. You know, with school, and work…"

"You don't believe me, do you?" Hunter stared. None of them answered. Hunter took a few steps away from them as Tallon felt bad and tried to reach for his boyfriend. "Fine, whatever. Don't believe me then, but I know what I'm talking about. He's fucking here; I heard his voice. I'd never forget it!"

"Hunter, easy…We…Want to believe you but…" Drew began.

"How can we? There is talking and music going; how can you pick out his voice in all this? You admitted you never saw his face, and-," Avery tried.

"It doesn't matter! None of that matters when I'm telling you what I hear! I don't know how, okay? I don't. But it's no different than me feeling like something bad is about to happen. I know what I'm talking about, and you should just trust me!" Hunter headed towards his father, uncle, and few others. "Dad…"

"Hi, son. Having a good time?" Salvatore smiled.

"Yeah, great. Um…Can we talk? Alone?" Hunter requested.

"Can't it wait until later, Hunter?" Salvatore looked at him.

"No, it can't," Hunter remarked firmly.

"I'll be back in a moment," Salvatore stepped off to the side with Hunter. "What is it, son?"

"Look, I know it's going to sound…Crazy, but I'm certain the guy who had me kidnapped is here tonight," Hunter told him.

"You're right; you sound crazy," Salvatore replied as Hunter sighed.

"Dad, I heard his voice; I'd never forget it. I'm telling you, he's here…And something bad is gonna happen," Hunter tried.

"Hunter; that guy would never get in. Every person here was checked and invited…" Salvatore insisted.

"And how do you know he didn't get in!? No one knows what he looks like, but I know his voice, and I fucking heard it. He's here…" Hunter warned.

"Then where, Hunter? How could you have possibly pulled his voice out of all this?" Salvatore asked.

"I don't know…I don't know, but I did, Dad. Maybe during the song change when it was partially quiet, but I heard it; I'm positive I did," Hunter assured.

"Son, I think it's time you maybe go upstairs or go outside and clear your head," Salvatore said sternly.

"It's aggravating that you aren't taking me more seriously. I was the one who got kidnapped! I was the one who took all that shit for six days!" Hunter snapped as Salvatore bit back. "I was the one who got threatened about this guy wanting to get revenge on me! All that prompted secure measures be taken for my safety, but this?! Me telling you that guy is here tonight, and you act like I've lost my mind and treat it like a joke?!"

"Hunter, I need you to point out where this…Voice came from. But even then…You can't go around accusing people based on…Sound. We're working on finding the guy by going through his people to get a description. I know it's making you anxious and worried, but you have to trust we're doing everything we can," Salvatore put a hand on his shoulder.

"It's Giovanni, Dad…But lord knows you're gonna tell me he's an old friend even being he ran against you in every election. But still, no way it could be him. Forget it…I give up. My friends, boyfriend, and now you don't believe me. And I really wish you'd trust me…" Hunter shrugged his hand off and walked away. Salvatore followed behind as Hunter was on the path past the people Sal had been talking to originally.

"Everything okay?" Gregory asked Salvatore.

"Yes," Salvatore nodded. "I think Hunter is a bit stressed and panicky over the threat he got," he sighed. Hunter was sitting in a chair near his music stuff, arms crossed over his chest and peering around the room.

"He did go through a rough time with those people," Rachel told Salvatore gently.

"Seems he has a bit of…Paranoia, yes?" stated the male on Salvatore's left.

"Aye, seems so, Giovanni," Salvatore replied to his friend. "He…Uh…He thought you were the one who had him kidnapped," Salvatore laughed a little.

"Well, I'm sure it will pass," Giovanni informed lightly; he was a tall man, gray hair and blue eyes, kind of old looking in his fifties. Giovanni set his hands behind his back, grabbing something in his hand. Hunter's eyes were locked on Giovanni intently; his movements were suspicious. "What a silly concept, me kidnapping him," he laughed some. "I love it,"

"Yeah, I'm sure it'll calm down when the culprit is caught," Salvatore nodded. "I apologize for him assuming it was you,"

"Not to worry, old friend," Giovanni smiled. "I understand," he added before he brought his arm around and held a gun on Salvatore as his face fell. The guards reacted, pulling their weapons as the room fell to silence. "Anyone moves and I'll shoot him," Giovanni warned coldly.

"Giovanni…What are you doing?" Salvatore asked.

"Something I should have done a long time ago when you got in the way of my plans to take over the islands under the cover of president," Giovanni remarked. "Unfortunately for you, Salvatore…Your boy was right," Salvatore flinched.

"It may be considered not the time, but…I FUCKING TOLD YOU SO!" Hunter yelled from his spot. "I told you…I fucking told a bunch of you the guy who was responsible was here tonight, and you either didn't believe me or said I was crazy!" he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Hunter!" Gregory glared.

"No, I will not be silenced! You did that once, just moments ago, and look where we are now?! Dad, I told you I recognized my kidnapper's voice. I told you, in front of my boyfriend, friends, and the director or law enforcement that I could pull his voice if I heard it again! I recognize his figure, his eyes, the accent! Did you think I would honestly accuse someone of such a crime if I wasn't absolutely, beyond the shadow of a doubt, sure of myself?! I told you it was Giovanni, and you basically called me insane. I called this, and you all pushed it off as no big deal!" Hunter remarked.

"Can we talk about this later?!" Salvatore shot his son an unamused look.

"Enough! This bickering is pointless!" Giovanni yelled.

"Oh, you shut up," Hunter huffed. "I ain't the mood for your shit,"

"Excuse me, who do you think you're talking to? I'm the one with the gun!" Giovanni glared.

"You're also the one who was stupid enough to come here and give yourself away," Hunter rolled his eyes. Giovanni's brow twitched in aggravation. Salvatore and Gregory recognized it instantly; Hunter was pissed off and in that mood where you couldn't exactly talk to him until he calmed down. Right now, everyone was a target for his sarcasm, and anger; including Giovanni.

"I'll kill him!" Giovanni threatened.

"No, you won't," Hunter remarked taking a few steps towards him.

"I told you not to move," Giovanni glared.

"And I told you that I don't care. You won't do it," Hunter stated, approaching more.

"You don't think so?" Giovanni smirked.

"I know so," Hunter made it to Giovanni's left. "Because you aren't here for him," Giovanni didn't move, but showed a peak in curiosity. Hunter moved between his father and Giovanni; the gun pointed at his forehead now. Hunter pushed his father away towards the safety of his body guards. "You're here for me, as you made sure your delivery boy informed me of," Hunter said. "You want revenge right? I tipped the cops off where I was. I messed up your operation to take all the drugs, weapons, and money outside of the Archipelago's boundaries,"

"And you're just giving yourself up, like that?" Giovanni asked.

"If I don't, you'll just start going after people I care about until I stop resisting. So why bother?" Hunter shrugged his shoulders. "I give you me, and you leave them alone,"

"Smart boy," Giovanni grinned.

"Yeah, yeah. Been told that once or twice," Hunter replied. "I also know you won't kill me here; you plan to take me hostage to keep any of them from moving in because you know my dad won't let them open fire at the risk of hitting me,"

"Clever…Clever indeed," Giovanni nodded. "Seems you got it all figured out, good on you, lad,"

"Wasn't that hard. It's kind of common sense that you need me alive as your insurance to make it out of the Archipelago with your life intact," Hunter retorted with an eye roll.

"You don't seem the least bit concerned," Giovanni mentioned.

"Why should I be?" Hunter asked as Giovanni stared. "All of this could have been avoided if anyone had listened to me. Doesn't seem anyone was the least bit concerned for my well-being when I knew and warned them something was going to happen. What difference does it make now that my life is actually in danger? There's nothing any of them can do now; I suppose my fate is sealed," he shrugged.

"Well, in that case," Giovanni chuckled. "Any last words, Hunter?"

"I just have a question for you," Hunter said with his eyes closed.

"And that is?" Giovanni arched a curious brow.

"You're well aware that this whole plan has already failed?" Hunter stated.

"I fail to see how," Giovanni replied.

"You've failed to do two things that would have probably made this successful," Hunter smiled.

"Enlighten me," Giovanni invited.

"Well, for one…" Hunter paused as he shifted left, bringing up his right arm to grab Giovanni's arm.

Hunter's eyes snapped open with a deadly glare. "Ut-oh," Salvatore and Gregory winced a bit.

"What? What's happening?" Tallon asked.

"Remember when we mentioned a while back that you don't ever want to find out what happens when Hunter actually gets mad?" Gregory asked them. The group nodded.

"And all the times he's yelled and seemed mad?" Salvatore added as they nodded again.

"That was nothing compared to this and you're about to find out what happens when Hunter actually gets pissed off. That boy has a temper with the wrath of the Gods behind him…" Gregory stated.

Giovanni tried to shift, but Hunter had him stationed in one spot; he twisted Giovanni's wrist so he'd release the gun. Hunter kicked the weapon, sliding it out of reach.

"Surprised he's still so calm," Salvatore mentioned.

"You underestimated your opponent," he informed. "And two," Hunter's eyes narrowed as he had Giovanni's arm locked in place so he couldn't run. Hunter pulled back his left fist. "I'll tell you when I'm done kicking your ass!" he rammed his fist into Giovanni's face hard, making the man stagger back a few steps.

"You had to say something, didn't you?" Gregory sighed. Giovanni got up as he charged at Hunter, who was ready for it and the two started fighting one another. "And…Now it's out of our hands," Gregory mumbled. All anyone could do was watch; it seemed that Gregory and Salvatore made it clear that Hunter was pissed, and weren't willing to step in out of what seemed to be fear of Hunter's anger. The group stayed back and out of the way.