Luz was sitting at the table looking at the breakfast Eda had made. She was tired but it wasn't that bad, she ended up talking to Amity most of the night about what happened. It actually made her feel much better about everything that happened. Eda smiled at Luz.

"You seem to be in high spirits. Did something good happen?"

Luz looked at Eda and blushed.

"A bit. I talked to Amity about it and it really helped."

"Well, that's good… Will it be enough to go to school today?"

Luz looked at Eda, concern, and confusion mixed together on her face. Eda defended.

"I know, I know it's soon but we can't just let you keep skipping. Bump and your other friends will start worrying about you."

Luz tapped on the table and thought for a moment.

I don't want to go to school, it might be dangerous… But if I don't everyone will come over here and that might cause Hunter to panic…

Luz groaned.

"I don't know Eda, I mean I should but what if Belos attacks me there. It might not be safe."

Eda put a hand on Luz's shoulder.

"Luz, Bump won't let anyone hurt you. He's a good teacher and cares for you so it'll be okay."

Eda gave her a knowing grin

"Besides, your cotton candy-haired goddess will be there."

Luz blushed as she gave Eda a bashful smile.

"Yeah."

King hopped onto the table.

"Where's the blond? I have questions like what was his favorite part of my book."

Luz and Eda looked at King with amusement. The more they watched him prattle on the more relaxed they felt. Like the mindscape trip never happened to Luz and Hunter. As Luz watched him a thought crossed her mind. She asked Eda aloud, worried.

"Eda, will you be okay? I mean if I go to school you'll be here alone with Hunter and knowing Belos he may have put out wanted posters for him."

Eda chuckled at Luz's ridiculous question.

"Luz, please I'll be fine. None of Belos's men can match me, magic or no magic. It'll be okay."

Luz smiled at Eda's reassurances as she went up and got ready for school. Eda watched her as she cleaned up the dishes, setting aside a plate for Hunter.

I wonder when Hunter will get up… I think after I drop Luz off I'll check on him… Wait, no! I can't leave him here alone but if I take him with us…

Hooty yelled out, breaking Eda's train of thought.

"Luz, Amity's here!"

"I'll be right down."

Luz replied. Eda walked into the living home and waved to Amity. Amity walked over to Eda a bit worried as she asked.

"Eda, I heard what happened and I know about… Will he be okay? I know he's a jerk and Belos's right-hand man but… I know Luz cares about him… for some reason but will he be alright."

Eda smiled at her.

"He'll be fine, I know he will be."

Amity smiled at Eda. Luz came down and hugged Amity ready to go, giving her a peck on the check causing Amity to blush.

"Come on, let's go. I know I'm safe with you."

Amity's blush grew redder as she headed out the door. Eda smiled at them as she followed them to the door.

"Keep her safe Amity and if anything happens you let me know asap."

They looked back at Eda and waved to her. Eda smiled as she went back into the house. She looked around and sighed.

I should let him sleep but… he really should get something to eat all Hunter had was that stew and that was last night… Well, that and I should check on him.

"Oh, come on! Let me in!"

Eda looked towards the stairs as she heard King yell. She went up and looked at King yelling at Hunter's door. She cocked an eyebrow as she asked King.

"What are you doing?"

King looked at Eda and frowned, frustrated.

"I just wanted to interrogate him with François. But he won't open the door."

Eda sighed heavily, rubbing her temple.

Oh, King interrogate is not the word to use right now.

"King, why don't you go downstairs? I'll get him to come out."

King wanted to protest but he decided not to add to Eda's stress. He sighed

"Okay, Eda. But if he yells at you again, I'll sick François on him."

King held up Fancois moving the toy's arms to try and make it intimidating. Eda smirked as she rolled her eyes, patting King's head.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll try to make sure that doesn't happen. Now get."

She nudged him towards the stairs and watched as he ran down them. Eda sighed, she felt a knot start to form in her stomach. She looked at the door sighing more heavily as she knocked lightly on it.

"Hey, Hunter, are you awake?"

No answer. The knot twisted and she grabbed the doorknob, turning it, saying.

"Alright, I'm coming in."

She looked around the room. The bed hadn't been touched at all, a few stacks of books had been moved. Eda didn't see Hunter. Her eyes widened in fear.

"Kid!?"

Did Belos get him!?

Her ears twitched as she looked over to the corner of the room. Something made a noise in the corner, she walked towards it, the knot twisted again. She sighed, Hunter was curled in the corner of the room, his pailsman nestled into his hair. Hunter looked like death, his black circles were somehow blacker than before. His eyes had no gleam in them and his hair was a mess, he was hugging himself. Eda noticed the tears staining his face, and her heart sank.

He looks worse than when he got here… Did he sleep?

Eda reached out to him, as she did he blinked at her, coming to life. He breathed in quickly and let go of himself, quickly defending himself from her.

"Don't hurt me!"

His voice was hoarse. Eda pulled away, he was afraid of her.

Did he cry all night!? Oh, Hunter…

Eda inhaled and exhaled slowly as she sat down across from him and watched him. He was shaking, taking short breaths. Eda swallowed.

"Hunter, do you know where you are?"

"Belos wants me dead. I don't… He does care for me, right?... No, he doesn't, he made a point of that….When he told that thing…. But he told me he was proud of me… I…"

He took a shaky breath. His eyes hurt as he wiped them, grabbing his chest. His heart felt like it was breaking all over again and his head hurt. Eda tried again.

"Hunter, do you know where you are?"

Hunter snapped his head up, finally noticing Eda.

What? Why is the owl lady here… Right, I'm at her house with the hum-Luz.

He swallowed down the lump in his throat.

"I'm in… your home."

Eda smiled

"Good you know where you are. So, what happened?"

Hunter looked away from her. He didn't want to tell her that he didn't sleep. He couldn't stop thinking about what happened. All the lies he was fed and how everything he knew was all a lie. That anytime he did fall asleep last night he would wake up immediately from the nightmares that followed. Flapjack hopped down out of his hair and rubbed his face. Hunter flinched but quickly relaxed as Flapjack's warmth and soft feathers gave him a sense of comfort. Eda sighed and reached her hand out to him. He looked at it, hesitating for a moment before taking her hand. She helped him up looking at him, she wanted to ask what happened again but decided that now wasn't the time. She asked.

"Do you think you can make it downstairs to get some breakfast?"

He avoided her gaze, he didn't like the way she was looking at him. The pity in her eyes annoyed him.

She's pitying me again? Why?

"Uh, yeah."

He pulled his hand out of her grasp and looked at her cautiously. Eda stepped aside and let him go first he walked ahead of her. They made their way downstairs to the kitchen. He sat down and looked at the table. Eda placed the plate down in front of him and watched him. He didn't make a move for it, just looked at it. He wobbled a bit before asking.

"...It's not poisoned, right?"

Eda pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.

"Hunter, no I didn't poison it. I would never do that. So please just eat it."

He looked at it again, his stomach turned. He pushed it away.

"Can I just have water?"

Eda sighed, defeated. She gave him a glass of water as she got rid of the plate. Eda watched him, concerned.

He won't eat and he won't sleep. This isn't good at the rate he's going he'll get sick.

King hopped onto the table startling Hunter, he choked on the water.

"So, a little birdie told me you liked my book. And I wanted to know what you liked about it the most."

"Wha?"

"I mean, I've met my fans before but one in the emperor's coven well I didn't think any of those bone heads could even read."

Hunter sighed.

"Bone head… maybe I am a bone head."

Eda frowned at that quip he made. Hunter got up, ignoring King. Making his way into the living room. Eda sighed.

"King, why don't you leave him alone for a while. He's… well he's not very… good to be around right now."

King looked down.

"I'm sorry Eda. I was just trying to help."

Eda smiled at King.

"I know and I appreciate it but I don't want him to snap at you. He's not well and if he snaps at you, I might snap at him and if that happens. I'll lose whatever small amount of trust I have with him."

King sighed

"All right Eda, I understand."

Eda patted his head.

"It's okay King. I know your hearts in the right place."

King smiled at Eda as they headed into the living room.

It had been a few hours and Eda hadn't made any progress with Hunter. He refused to talk to Eda, even when he started to panic again. It was bothering Eda but she couldn't push him or else he might retreat into himself. But she also couldn't take it anymore; she was going nuts, not knowing what he was thinking. His every movement bothered Eda. She was trying her best not to watch him but she couldn't help it. He would bite his lip, his face contorting into fear. He would grab his head, clearly shaking away the thoughts that tormented him. Tears clinging to the corners of his puffy red and black-rimmed eyes. Eda hated every minute of it but anytime he saw her glaring he stopped and glared back angrily at her. His pailsman was barely able to calm him down. Eda had finally had enough. She moved closer to him.

"Alright, I let you wallow for long enough, now tell me what's going on in that head of yours."

He looked at her, annoyed with those tired eyes of his glaring at her, considering what to say. Eda thought for a moment.

Come on, kid! I know I told you you didn't have to say it but... You need the help right now, are you really that stubborn?

He looked away, sighing.

"It doesn't matter what I think. What I feel. None of it matters."

"Yes, it does."

Eda insisted, in a kind tone.

"It does matter becau-"

Hunter snapped at her. His pailsman flying nearby chirping at him, worried.

"No, it doesn't! They're all right! Belos, my uncle lied to me about everything! My whole life is a joke! And I bought every word of it! Every time he said those kind words, those sweet lies. And I fell for it, for years and years! And even now… I want him to tell me it wasn't what I thought, that he wasn't lying but…He showed us those memories on purpose, testing me and I failed. All because I questioned him… I can't go back because if I do. If I step foot anywhere near the castle he'll kill me. Just like the rest of the failed grimwalkers… He never cared about me… right?!"

His voice broke on the last word as tears gathered in the corners of his eyes again. Eda felt like she had been punched in the gut. She couldn't believe how deep Belos's abuse ran in the kid, even now he wanted to go to him. Eda inhaled.

"Hunter, I know you're… confused but you're not a failure."

"Yes, I am!"

He snapped back. Taking in quick short breaths. The panic was starting to consume him. Eda's heart sank.

"No, you're not. You're sixteen, you're a kid and you shouldn't have to deal with all of this. And I know you're upset but you can't keep it bottled up… it's not healthy for you. All that guilt and sorrow and-"

"What do you know!? You, the owl lady, don't know anything! You can't possibly understand what I'm going through!? How I feel!? What I know!? Your just some crazy witch who-"

"That's enough!"

Eda snapped back at him but she immediately regretted it. He flinched fearfully at her, bracing himself for the punishment he surely earned. Eda looked at Hunter, her heart sank even further into her chest.

He's afraid, I'll hit him. What did Belos do to him when he showed any emotions?... Did he… Did he hurt him…. Is that scar on his face from Belos?

Eda sighed, backing down. Hunter opened his eyes and saw that Eda had retreated. She hadn't punished him like he thought she would.

She didn't hit me… But I spoke out of turn.. Why didn't she punish me?

King, who was watching the whole time, couldn't stay quiet anymore. He hated seeing someone yell at Eda.

"Hey don't yell at Eda, she's trying to help! It's not her fault you don't want to take the help."

Hunter glanced down at King. His fears were replaced with anger.

The rats lecturing me! What does he know!?

"What do you know rat!? You're a pampered pet that has a good life. You don't have any problems to deal with! You're just a sad little rat mad that someone can match your master in a yelling match!"

King frowned as tears formed in his eyes.

"That's not true. I'm not a pet… You're just jealous."

"Boys stop it!"

Eda snapped, but Hunter didn't stop. He narrowed his eyes at King taking another dig at him.

"Jealous!? Of what!? You're just some weird rat, dog thing. I don't need your pity or input. So go play war in your ignorant little dream world. After all, we'll all be dead soon anyway. So you might as well enjoy your sad little life for a few days longer, rat!"

He had done it, that jab had made King cry and run away. Eda's jaw was slack as she watched King flee, she felt her blood boiling.

"King, wait."

Her call fell on deaf ears.

"He's just a little kid. Younger than you and Luz! So you can take your anger out on me but leave King alone!"

Eda scolded Hunter. She turned around and looked at Hunter. As she looked at him her anger fell. He was wide-eyed looking at where King had been. He bit his lower lip, his hands shaking.

"Why did I… I didn't mean to, I just…"

Hunter held his shaky hands, his pailsman landing on his shoulder to comfort him. Eda sighed heavily. She really didn't want to comfort him right now, she wanted to comfort King instead. But Eda knew better. King would be okay for a little bit but Hunter wouldn't be.

"Hunter, I know you didn't mean it. You're just upset. We can apologize to King together if you want."

"... I don't think he wants to be near me… I ruined everything."

Eda looked at him. He was curled into the corner of the couch.

Ugh, I am not equipped to deal with this. He is worse than yesterday… Good job Belos you turned a perfectly good kid into a depressed mess.

"You don't ruin everything. Look I'm going to talk to King so just relax and collect your thoughts… The nice ones and when you're ready come and apologize to him."

Hunter didn't move. Eda sighed as she went to King. She looked at King. He was wiping his eyes.

"King, are you alright?"

King sniffled.

"Why did he say that Eda? It was really mean."

Eda patted King's head.

"He didn't mean it, King. Even if it was mean he didn't mean it. He already feels bad about it."

"But he doesn't get that I also have feelings… That I don't know who I am. And that I want to find out the truth… I'm not just some pet."

Eda gave him an empathic smile.

"I know King, but he doesn't. And you're not some pet, you're King Clawthorn, my kid… Hunter just doesn't know you like me and Luz do. He's just going through a lot right now."

King sighed. His tears were gone.

"I know but that doesn't give him the right to yell at me."

Eda smiled.

King sure does say some smart stuff sometimes.

"You're right King. It doesn't give him the right to yell at you."

King was happy to see Eda agreeing with him.

"Yeah, I should tell him that. And make him apologize. "

"Uh, King now's not the best time. He'll apologize when he's ready."

King didn't like that answer.

"But Eda."

King whined.

"No buts. It'll keep you and me out of trouble with his ever-changing temper…. He's hard to handle."

King nodded in agreement.

Hunter hated this, he hated this feeling. It was smothering and suffocating and worse of all it was making him irrational. He yelled at both of the people who were trying to help him when he didn't mean to. He actually wanted them near him, he didn't want to be alone anymore with his thoughts. His thoughts were the worst thing about the whole ordeal. They tormented him and lied to him, making him feel so alone. Even with Flapjack by his side, his grim twisted thoughts wouldn't leave him alone. Belos's lies and kind words mixing together in his mind confused him. He sighed.

I… I don't want to be alone. I don't… Why do I fail at everything? I can't even tell one person how I feel properly without yelling or getting upset. Or showing emotion. Why can't I just talk to the Owl Lady?

Belos's words suddenly rang out in his mind.

Hunter, how many times do I have to tell you. You don't need to feel anything to get the job done. The wild witches that you're arresting, the pailsman you bring me don't matter. If you let your emotions keep controlling you, you'll lose your way and I'll be disappointed in you after all the Titan has big plans for you. You can't let silly things like emotions ruin that, can you?

Hunter bit his lip as the words rang out in his mind. Another lie he was told. To keep him in check, to keep him as detached from his emotions as possible. He always felt it was wrong what they were doing but the justification was always greater than the thought that it was wrong. Hunter could feel the tears coming again.

Why can't I stop crying!?... It's pitiful?

Another old memory sprang forward.

Oh, Hunter why are you crying this little cut is just a reminder that I care about you. After all, we can't have you showing sympathy to any wild witchs they can kill you if you do. Besides it's pitiful, you're eight years old. I thought you would have had your emotions in check by now.

Yes, unc- Emperor Belos. I'll work harder on it, I promise.

Belos smiled at him with a caring smile, he patted his head.

Good.

The memory was warm at first but the more it played the more Hunter realized the lies. The cracks in Belos's words. Another memory sprang forward, Hunter couldn't stop it.

Hunter, you did a good job on your last mission. I think you deserved a reward. What would you like?

Oh, um just some books.

Belos frowned at him.

Really? Books. Nothing more.

Yeah, just books.

Belos smiled at him, a loving smile. He brought his hand up, rubbing Hunter's scarred cheek.

Alright books it is

Hunter could see his face so clearly in the memory. He grabbed onto his head. Belos was smiling at him fondly, he had never done so before. Hunter's breathing hitched, the more he envisioned Belos's face, the sicker he felt, his mind lying to him.

He's not smiling at you. You can see it in his eyes, that cold detached look in his eyes. It's a fake smile to keep you in line. To keep you coming back, craving his affection. You know it don't you?

Hunter couldn't take it anymore the thoughts, the lies, the memories. He cried aloud a broken, dying croak.

Eda and King ran into the room, afraid that Belos's men had gotten past Hooty. Instead, they were greeted to the broken mess Hunter had turned into. Eda was about to move in till she heard his voice come forward through his sobs.

"Why can't I be normal!? Why… Why can't I live up to anyone's expectations?... I can't even tell the Owl Lady that I don't want to be alone with these sicking thoughts anymore. With these memories! All I do is ruin everything!"

Eda was shooked. Hunter wasn't just confused, he hated himself. Eda didn't know what to do, she had never seen anyone so broken and defeated.

Hunter…. Do you really feel that way? That you can't live up to his expectations? That you're not normal?... Oh, kid if that's what's going on in your head then Belos is at fault here, not you.

Eda took in a breath as she approached him and she placed a hand on his shoulder. He gasped, trying not to move, afraid of the consequences.

"Hunter."

He glanced up at her.

"I'm not going to leave you. I-"

Hunter sniffled as he moved forward and grabbed Eda. Eda was alarmed at the sudden movement but quickly realized that he moved on his own accord, wanting some kind of comfort he so clearly lacked. She placed her hands around him returning the hug. He broke again as he held her tighter.

"I'm sorry! I can't do anything right! I can't even.."

"Shhh. It's okay, you're going to be okay."

Eda patted his back in a soothing manner. Doing her best to keep him calm as he sobbed on her. They stayed like that for a few minutes, Hunters' sobs dying down. Eda slowly pulled away, noticing that he had worn himself out and had fallen asleep on her. She pulled herself out from under him and laid him down on the couch. Eda sighed as she leaned into the other side of the couch, conflicted. King asked

"Uh Eda, was that normal?"

Eda looked at Hunter, he looked somewhat peaceful as he slept.

"I don't know. All I know for now is that he doesn't want to be alone and I guess that means I'm staying right here."

"... Do you think he'll be better now?"

"No."

Eda answered coldly, knowing that whatever Belos did to him, whatever he said to him was so ingrained into Hunter that he didn't know how to ask for help. That he didn't know how to rely on anyone else but Belos, his supposed Uncle. A title Eda thought Belos should never have.

Grimwalker or not, he's a kid with feelings, emotion, intelligence, and all the bells and whistles any other witch, demon, or human has. And Belos abused that. If I could I would punch him in his stupid face right now!

Eda looked at King. King was clearly worried.

"King, he may not be better for years, days or weeks. But what I do know is that we'll be here for him and so will Luz. So don't worry too much right now, okay?"

King nodded his head. Eda smiled at him and then looked at Hunter.

Kid, you better believe I won't let Belos hurt you ever again. Because from now on you're my kid and no one messes with my kids.

Original I wasn't going to write anything more for this. An with Edge of the World airing we know this didn't happen. But dang it the mind wanted to show how broken our boy really is, so creative liberties. For those who read this thank you and I hope you enjoyed, this display of pure devastation. Let's get this boy some therapy and a better parent. Eda, Darius or Raine will do nicely.