Author's Note:
Welcome to the next chapter of my story. In this chapter Hunter and Carmina's relationship will grow stronger, new allies will be made, and some secrets may come to light.
Almost Two weeks have passed, since the Captain arrived in Hope County and things were slowly starting to improve. Prosperity is building itself up nicely,but without Rush's knowledge of building communities they won't be able to take things to the next level.
Four more days have passed in the Scavengers war, against The Highwaymen; Marcus has been continuing in his search for Rush by interrogating any Highwaymen or his companion get their hand on, but any they do get their hands on either don't know where he is, and the one's who do know something won't tell them no matter how hard they beat them.
Ever since, Jerome was rescued, he went back to work in liberating the people imprisoned by the Highwaymen,by launching ambushes on Prisoner Trucks. Hunter was concerned that Jerome would end up being captured again, he just got him back and didn't want to lose him again, but he promised Hunter that he would be OK.
The Highwaymen aren't gonna remain on the defensive for long, so they need to find Rush, so he can help build up Prosperity.
For now, Marcus and his friends must focus on the Highwaymen and gathering more allies to aid them in their fight against, the Twins Mickey and Lou.
In a Highwayman camp up in the north, Nick Rye was held prisoner there, being forced to work on their vehicles everyday. It's been months since he's seen his family, and wants nothing more than to see their faces again, but as the days pass Nick loses hope that he would see his family again.
Nick was working on a Highwayman Truck, working on its engine, he took off his cap wiping sweat off his forehead,then putting his cap back on. As Nick was about to get back to work he began thinking about his family: Kim, Carmina and even Hunter. Every day he hopes he'll get out of this camp and return to his Family.
"Get back to work redneck!" A Highwayman ordered, hitting Nick in the back with the butt of his rifle, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"OW!" Nick groaned in pain, he fell down to the ground, placing a hand on his head, clasping on the spot where the guy hit him.
Nick got up from the ground and turned around to face the Highwayman,keeping a hand on the bruised part of his head. "Sorry man... I was just... thinking." Nick apologized, stammering.
The man grabbed two large parts of Nick's red shirt, pulling him closer to him."We're not keeping you around here so you can "think" redneck, we're keeping you around so you can fix our vehicles." The guy informed Nick, then continued "If I ever catch you not working again redneck, like you're supposed to be, I'm gonna give you something to think about." The Highwayman threatened.
Nick raised his hands up, nodding in fear. "OK! I promise not to get distracted."
The Highwayman let go of Nick then raised a finger at him."I hope so, because your plane in the Boat Shed down there still needs to be finished, so we can present it to Mickey and Lou, then after that you're gonna build another one for us." He told Nick.
"OK, you got it." Nick nodded.
The Highwayman nodded then walked off, leaving Nick to continue working on the soon as the man was gone Nick pulled out a radio he hid in the engine of the truck, a week ago he secretly took a radio from a Highwayman who was retrieving a vehicle he repaired.
As soon as nobody was looking at him, he tuned the radio and held it up to his lips."Uh, anybody out there? It's Nick Rye." Nick whispered.
Marcus,Hunter,and Carmina along with Jerome were searching for more allies to help fight the Highwaymen, they agreed to split up to cover more ground, Hunter went off on his own, Carmina and Jerome went to try and liberate an Ethanol Refinery controlled by the Highwaymen, and Marcus was gonna lead an attack on an outpost called "The Forge." Which was used to manufacture weapons for their forces.
As Hunter split off from the group, he thought about the Kiss that Carmina gave him, he wasn't sure how to feel about it. He had feelings for her, but he didn't know if she felt the same way he did, but now he knew that she felt the same way.
Hunter searched for allies and eventually he found one.
At Signal Point, at an abandoned corn tower Hunter was trying to convince an old woman named "Nana" to join in the fight against the Highwaymen. Hunter didn't think much of her at first,but as soon as he saw her Sharpshooting skills his opinion of her quickly changed, he's been trying to get to her join, but she said that she would be happy to help, but only if he could impress her by completing her Sniper course. Hunter agreed to her challenge to prove that he was a good Marksman.
As Hunter completed Nana's challenges, she admitted that he was a good shot. Before she could comply to join Prosperity, a group of Highwaymen came to attack them. Hunter and Nana fought hard against them, Nana sniped them atop the Corn Tower while Hunter fought them on the ground with his bow. They managed to fight off the Highwaymen and when they were gone Nana came down to congratulate Hunter.
"Gotta say young man, you are an excellent shot with that bow of yours." Nana complimented, glancing at Hunter's bow.
"Thank you." Hunter said, nodding in appreciation.
Nana adjusted her glasses to get a better look at Hunter. "I have never seen a boy who possesses such talent, like you before. You're sharp, quick-witted, and a hell of a shot. Quite the combination to have in such a respectful young person in these times"
"Thanks, I practice a lot." Hunter said, then got down to business. "OK, we had a deal, I beat your course, and helped you deal with these Highwaymen. Will you join us?" Hunter asked.
"Of course I will, young man, everyone needs someone looking out for them out here. Even me, once in a blue moon. You consider me a part of the family. I'll look after you kiddo." Nana stated.
"Good to know." Hunter said then held out his hand. "Friends?"
Nana grabbed Hunter's hand, shaking it. "Friends."
Hunter then turned away from Nana, he pulled out his radio to contact Marcus. "Hey Cap, you there?"
The radio cackled to life."I'm here Hunter, do you have anything to report?"
"Yeah, I made a new ally, an old woman who's a helluva shot. Her name is Nana." Hunter informed, glancing at Nana.
"Hmm, sounds promising. Carmina and Jerome have just informed me that they've taken the refinery. Me and the Scavengers have taken the Broken Forge." Marcus informed over the radio."It's starting to get late, so we're heading back to Prosperity, you gonna meet us there?" Marcus asked.
"Yeah,we're on our way." Hunter said.
"OK, see ya there." Hunter then put his radio back then turned to Nana."Head for Prosperity, I'll meet you there."
"See you there." Nana said, as she walked off to Prosperity.
As soon as Nana was gone, Hunter's radio suddenly cackled to life. "Uh, anybody out there? It's Nick Rye." A voice said on the radio, whispering.
Hunter's eyes widened, he recognized the voice on his radio, it was Nick's voice, he hasn't heard anything from him in a while, so hearing his voice was a real surprise. Hunter grabbed his radio again, holding it up to his mouth. "N... Nick, is that... you?" Hunter asked, stammering.
His radio stood quiet for a moment then Nick replied. "Oh my god, Hunter is that you?" Nick asked incredulously, whispering over the radio.
"Yeah," Hunter answered, still surprised to hear Nick's voice.
"Hunter, oh my god. It's good to hear your voice. Is Kim OK? How's Carmina? Is she OK?" Nick asked, releasing a bunch of questions.
"They're fine Nick. They're both OK, but they really miss you." Hunter informed.
Hunter heard a sigh of relief over the radio. "I miss them too, it's good to hear they're both OK though. Listen I don't have much time, so I need to be brief with you."
"Nick are you OK? Where are you?"Hunter asked, worry filling his voice.
"I'm fine, and I'm at a Highwayman camp called Grease monkey's Cage, can you help me get out of here." Nick asked Hunter.
Hunter knew where the place was, he saw it on Kim's map. Hunter nodded. "OK, I'll notify Kim and Carmina, they'll be overjoyed to hear from you." Hunter was just about to Contact Kim but Nick spoke up."WAIT!" Nick whisper shouted.
"What?" Hunter asked.
"Don't tell Kim or Carmina, I want to surprise them." Nick said.
"What, why?" Hunter asked, surprised by Nick's request.
"Hunter please, just do it... for me?" Nick begged.
Hunter then sighed,putting a hand on his face. "Fine." He complied.
"Thank you, oh shit I gotta go." Nick said.
Hunter's radio then cut off, he thought of a plan to rescue Nick. "Shit, how am I gonna rescue Nick from Grease Monkey's cage. That place is guarded by Skilled Highwaymen, they're stronger and better equipped compared to the one's I have been fighting. If I'm gonna rescue Nick, I'm gonna need a little help." Hunter said to himself.
Hunter thought about who to call, he promised he wouldn't tell Kim or Carmina, Prosperity couldn't spare any people at the moment and Jerome was helping out with the people of Prosperity. Hunter then realized Marcus could help.
"Marcus are you there?" Hunter asked.
He waited for a moment then the radio cackled to life. "Yeah, I'm here, is something wrong?"
"No, but can you meet me at The old Corn Tower? It's southwest of Signal Point." Hunter asked.
"Why?" Marcus asked.
"Just do it, please?" Hunter asked.
"Ugh fine, I'll grab a truck and meet you there as soon as I can." Marcus said.
"OK, I'll be waiting." Hunter said then turned off his radio, putting it away. Hunter sat down, waiting for Marcus to arrive.
Hunter waited at least fifteen minutes, it was almost knight-fall. Hunter waited a little bit longer, then Marcus arrived.
Marcus pulled up alongside him, he got out of his truck and walked up to him.
"It's about time." Hunter said sarcastically.
"Had a few run-ins with a few Highwayman patrols."Marcus explained. "Can you explain why you called me out here?" Marcus asked.
Hunter nodded."Yeah, I got a radio contact."
"From who?" Marcus asked.
"I'll need to give you the full rundown." Hunter said then began. "As our newest ally "Nana'' left for Prosperity, I was about to head to Prosperity too but, my radio suddenly crackled to life and the guy on the other end was Nick Rye, Carmina's Dad and Kim's Husband.
"What?" Marcus asked incredulously. "Why didn't you tell Kim or Carmina about this?"
"I was going to, but he begged me not to, he wanted to surprise them, when I rescued him. Nick managed to get a hold of a Highwayman radio and I picked up his transmission. He told me that he's being held at Grease Monkey's cage. I was going to rescue him, but I need your help." Hunter explained.
Marcus sighed and nodded."OK, let's move."
"OK, Grandpa" Hunter Jokes.
Marcus chuckled."I'm Twenty-Seven." He corrected
"Whatever, so are we gonna just stand around here or are we gonna go rescue that man." Hunter asked, eager to rescue him.
Marcus sighed. "Alright, let's go to work."
Hunter nodded, then they got into a truck and drove to the shop, where Nick was being held captive.
As Marcus was driving, he decided to pass the time by talking.
"So, how close were you with Nick?" Marcus asked.
"He's Carmina's Dad, he's one of the nicest people you could ever know. He's the one who taught me and Carmina how to drive cars, as you already know Kim is also a good person. They've been looking after me for almost my entire life."
"He sounds like a good man." Marcus commented."So is he like a father figure to you?"
"No!" Hunter quickly answered, but in an aggressive tone.
Marcus looked at Hunter, surprised by his sudden outburst."Whoa, what was that?"
Hunter then quickly realized that he went off at him unnecessarily."Sorry, no he's not a father figure, Pastor Jerome was the one who pretty much raised me all my life, so he's my father figure." Hunter said.
"Whatever happened to your real parents?" Marcus asked.
Hunter then frowned, every time somebody brings up his real parents, it always depresses him, he doesn't mind telling people, but he never tells the whole truth about his parents. He knew about his parents, he knew his Dad was the Junior Deputy and his Mom was a Huntress, but he never really knew his Mom or Dad. He never told people the whole truth because it never mattered to him.
"I...I... I never really knew them. My mom took off when I was born and my Dad never really got the chance to know about me, before the world went to shit." Hunter explained.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know." Marcus apologized.
Hunter sighed."It's OK, I'm fine with it. I got over it a long time ago."
"Maybe you'll meet them one day." Marcus said.
Hunter nodded "I hope so." Hunter always wanted to meet and actually get to know his parents,but if he ever did, he wondered if he could actually face them. His Mom abandoned him and his Dad doesn't even know he exists. He always held anger at his Mom for abandoning him, he may be able to get along with his Dad, but he didn't know if he could forgive his mom if he ever met her.
"We're almost there." Marcus said,pulling Hunter out of his thoughts.
Hunter looked to see that Marcus was right, Marcus pulled up the truck to a dirt path, They both got out of the truck. Marcus pulled out his rife out of the truck, then looked at the young archer who was equipping his bow."OK,now let's get to work."
Marcus and Hunter did recon before attacking, Hunter counted five guards, but these Highwaymen had better armor and weapons, so they needed to be smart.
Hunter and Marcus cleared out the camp, the Highwayman guarding the camp put up a better fight than the ones they've been fighting, but they prevailed. Hunter hit the weak points of their armor hitting the neck,arms,legs. Marcus fought well, by shooting them in the faces.
Nick emerged from his cover, running up to Marcus and Hunter. "Hunter, man it's good to see you." Nick said, giving him a quick hug, then turned to Marcus "And whoever you are, hank you, you just saved my life."
"I'm the Captain, my name is Marcus." He introduced himself to Nick.
"Oh right, I've been hearing a lot about you from the Highwaymen, they say you're really kicking them in the butt." Nick said.
"Not just me, your daughter and Hunter here have been helping me." Marcus said,glancing at Hunter.
"Hey we should get back to Prosperity, Kim will begin to worry that we're not back." Hunter said.
"Wait, I have something that I'm not leaving here without." Nick stated.
"What is it?" Hunter asked.
"You remember Hunter, The plane you and I have been secretly working on for Carmina?" Nick said, trying to get Hunter to remember
"Oh" Hunter nodded. Hunter knew exactly what plane he was talking about, he was talking about the one Nick and him were rebuilding to give to Carmina for her Eighteenth Birthday so he could teach her how to fly. Hunter used to help him work on it a lot without telling Carmina. Carmina wouldn't stop talking about her dream to fly, she would talk to him about it a lot.
Marcus walked up to them."Hunter, head back to Prosperity. We'll meet you there" Marcus ordered.
"What about you?" Hunter asked.
"Me and Nick are gonna take the plane he's been working on,"Marcus informed.
"Alright, I'll be waiting," Hunter said as he left, heading to the truck, driving back to Prosperity.
After Hunter got back to Prosperity, he found Nana working on her Sniper-rifle on the weapons table. He talked to her for a little bit,then decided to wait by the door into the House until Marcus and Nick arrived.
As Hunter was leaning beside the door, Marcus and Nick walked up right in front of him.
"Kim's inside, if you want to surprise her now's the time."Hunter whispered to Nick.
Nick slowly walked inside where he saw his wife, Kim searching for something. "Carmina, do you know where my wire cutters are?"
Hunter and Marcus stood right beside Nick as he looked at his, the first time in months. "Kim" Nick whispered.
"I know I put them here somewhere." Kim muttered to herself as she searched for them.
Nick shot glances at Marcus and Hunter, he raised hands at them "Hold on." Nick whispered to them,they nodded,staying back as Nick slowly walked up to Kim.
"They were just did I put them-" Kim said as she moved her arm, Nick then gently grabbed it.
"You lose something darling?" Nick asked.
Kim stopped breathing for a second as she heard Nick's voice, she quickly turned around to look at the person standing behind her. Her eyes went wide as she saw that the man behind her was her husband Nick, who's been gone for months. Marcus and Hunter smiled as they watched Nick and Kim reunite.
"Hey Baby" Nick said happily.
"Hi.." Kim pulled Nick into a hug, wrapping her arms tightly around him, burying her face into his chest as tears of happiness ran down her face.
Nick broke the hug to look at her, keeping his hands on her. "Hey you know, if you're busy I can always come ba-" Nick joked, smiling at her, but Kim cut him off by hugging him again.
A single tear of happiness ran down Hunter's face as he watched Nick and Kim reunite, Kim and Carmina have been pushing themselves hard lately, and it's time they had a reward. Hunter felt a sense of accomplishment, he fulfilled his promise to Carmina, he helped bring her Dad back home.
Hunter turned his head to the door, seeing Carmina walk in. As soon as she saw her dad, she began laughing in joy with tears of happiness running down her cheeks. Nick and Kim looked at her, they both extended a hand to her. Inviting her into the hug. "Hey kiddo..." Nick said, happy to see his daughter again for the first time in months. Carmina ran up to them, joining in the hug. "Hi..." Carmina said to Nick, hugging both her Mom and Dad. She turned her head and looked at Marcus and Hunter, smiling at them for bringing her Dad back. "Thank you." She turned back to her parents.
Marcus and Hunter looked at each other, knowing that they should leave them alone, Marcus walked out of the room as Hunter was about to leave the room Nick spoke up to him. "Whoa Hunter, where you going?" Nick said to him.
Hunter turned back to look at them, he was surprised that Nick was talking to him, while he was in the middle of reuniting with his family."Um... I was gonna leave you and your family alone."
Nick chuckled, raising an arm to Hunter. "It isn't a family hug without the entire family, Hunter."
Hunter's eyes widened in surprise, he never knew that Nick thought of him as a part of his family, he looked at Kim and Carmina who both had faces that showed that they agreed with Nick.
"R...Really?" Hunter asked, incredulously.
"Come on Hunter, you're just as a part of this family than any of us." Kim said.
Hunter looked at them before another moment, then smiled as he walked up to them, Nick and Carmina pulled him in into their hug. As they hugged, Hunter felt a sense of happiness.
A little while later, Nick and Kim fell asleep, Hunter was sitting alone on the grass outside in the Courtyard, thinking while looking at the lights that illuminate the sky of Hope County every night. As he was thinking, he suddenly heard footsteps, he stood up,looking to see that the person walking up to him was Carmina. Hunter sat back down on the grass, Carmina sat down right beside him, he looked at her and smiled. "Hey."
Carmina giggled."Hey" She replied, smiling at Hunter, she stood quiet for a moment then spoke. "Thank you, for saving my Dad."
Hunter looked at her, seeing the happiness in her eyes."I promised you that I would bring him back, and that's a promise I intended to keep." Hunter replied.
Carmina then grabbed Hunter,wrapping her arms around him."Thank you, thank you so much." Carmina thanked Hunter, as she buried her face in his chest. Hunter stood motionless for a moment then returned the hug. They both hugged each other for a few seconds then Carmina broke off the hug, sitting beside Hunter. "How did you find him?" Carmina asked.
"He managed to get a hold of a radio and send a transmission and I picked up his transmission on my radio." Hunter replied.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Carmina asked.
"I was going to, but Nick begged me not to, because he wanted to surprise you both, when he came home." Hunter said.
Carmina sighed."That sounds just like him, but it still would've been nice to hear that he was OK."
"I'm sorry." Hunter apologized.
"No, it's OK. I'm just happy that he's back." Carmina said, waving him off.
They both sat in silence for a few moments then Hunter spoke up. "Hey Carmina, I was...thinking about... something." He admitted to Carmina.
"What?" Carmina asked.
"I was wondering that -"As Hunter was about to confess his feelings to Carmina, he hesitated. Fear began filling up inside him,fear that she would reject him or leave him. Jerome said that he believed that He and Carmina could hit it off, but he didn't know if he believed that. He knew Carmina had the same feelings for him, but he wasn't sure if she would say "yes" if he asked her if they could hit it off. Hunter worried that if he confessed his feelings to Carmina right now she would say "NO" and she won't wanna be around him anymore.
"What were you thinking about?" Carmina asked again, curiously.
After thinking about it for a moment, Hunter realized he may not get another chance like this: He was alone with her, it was a beautiful night, and she was in a good mood. He decided to just confess his feelings to her, here and now.
Hunter looked at her and replied. "I was wondering that... Do you think that we could have a relationship?" Hunter asked.
Carmina's eyes widened at Hunter's question."W...w...what?"
"I know it's an odd question to ask you, but I've been thinking about it for awhile and I realized that... I really like you Carmina, I like you a lot." Hunter confessed to Carmina, then continued. "I mean, we've been best friends since we were kids, we've always had a strong bond and we've never turned our backs on each other. As we grew up, I've been developing...feelings for you. I never told you about them because, I was afraid that you didn't feel the same way." Hunter explained.
"If I'm weirding you out right now, I won't blame you if you don't wanna talk to me anymore." Hunter finished, he lowered his head in depression.
Carmina's cheeks started to turn red as she looked at Hunter, tears then started running down her cheeks. She raised her arm, placing her hand on Hunter's cheek, and turned his head to face hers, she looked at Hunter for a second, then said."Hunter, you're not weirding me out...I'm actually relieved to hear that, you like me."
"Wait, really?" Hunter asked, surprised to hear her say that. He honestly expected Carmina to turn him down and walk away at this moment, but she was instead, relived to hear that he actually has feelings for her.
She nodded."Yeah, Hunter, I feel the same way about you too. I never told you because... I was afraid that you didn't feel the same way about me." Carmina admitted. "But, to hear that you actually feel the same way I do. Fills me with relief."
After realizing that they both were afraid of confessing their feelings to each other, they both turned their heads away from each other. "Well, this is awkward." Hunter said, chuckling.
Carmina let out a single laugh."Yeah"
They sat in silence for a moment, then Hunter looked at Carmina and asked. "Do you really mean it?"
"Mean what?" She asked.
"That you like me just as much as I like you. Did you really mean that?" Hunter asked again.
"Of course I did." Carmina replied then placed a hand on his cheek, looking at him with a sincere look. "Hunter... I've always wanted us to be more than... just friends-" She said,pausing for a moment before continuing."For almost my entire life, you've been my closest friend, you've always had my back when I needed you and you even went out of your way to rescue my Dad."
"It wasn't just me, Marcus helped too. He's the one who brought him back here, not me." Hunter pointed out.
"I know, but you still risked your life to save my Dad and that means a lot to me." Carmina said sincerely.
"Well if our roles were reversed,you'd have done the same thing."Hunter stated.
Carmina nodded."I guess, but yeah... I really do like you Hunter." Carmina said as she placed both her hands on Hunter, gently stroking his cheeks. "In fact, I love you." she admitted. "I love you Hunter."
Hunter smiled at Carmina, doing the same thing she's doing. He raised up his arms, placing his hands on her cheeks,gently stroking them. "I love you too Carmina." Hunter said, sincerely. Carmina kept her hands on Hunter, still stroking his cheeks, as did he.
"So are we just gonna sit here looking at each other or are you gonna kiss me?" She asked. Hunter then pulled her in for a kiss, as they kissed they both felt happier than they've ever been since the Highwaymen came.
Hunter broke the kiss, after a moment and looked at Carmina,smiling at her then chuckled. "We're gonna have to tell your Mom and Dad about this...eventually."
Carmina let out a burst of laughter. "Yeah" She nodded, then said."They're gonna freak out when they find out about this."
"Huh, I bet." Hunter said, wrapping an arm around Carmina's shoulders,pulling her close to him,she rested her head on his chest.
They both spent the night looking up at the beautiful lights that illuminate the sky. It was one of their favorite things to do. They later turned in for the night, they would have things to do tomorrow.
Leave your comments and let me know what you think. If anyone has any ideas on how it should be revealed that Hunter is Rook's son or how Jess should appear, feel free to tell me.
I welcome any ideas y'all have to offer.