Jerome and Nana were crouched down on top of a hill by the road waiting for a highwayman convoy filled with a few prisoners that Nana heard was being transported to the prison up in the north where they'll be forced to work themselves to the bone until they die. There was no way they were letting that happen to those people, so they were gonna attack the convoy and free the people. They had a plan figured out on how to ambush to convoy with just the two of them, Nana would use her sniper rifle to kill the driver and cause the convoy to come to a stop, then when they're distracted Jerome will sneak up and launch a surprise against the Highwaymen, then when the guards were all dealt with free the prisoners and get out as fast as they can before reinforcements arrive.
"So, how long do we have until the convoy passes through here?" Jerome asked Nana.
"The convoy should be here within the hour so we better get comfortable," Nana advised.
Jerome looked at Nana and nodded, "Yeah, OK." Jerome muttered, in a distracted tone.
"Say... are you OK Jerome? You look a little distracted." Nana said, concerned.
"I'm fine Nana, I'm just worried about Hunter," Jerome admitted. "He's been acting a little different ever since he made it back to Prosperity a few days ago."
"Don't worry about the kid, Jerome, he's a fighter and he'll find a way to bounce back," Nana said.
"I know, Nana, but what Hunter just went through isn't something one can just bounce back from," Jerome stated. "He was almost killed by a bear, if it wasn't for the unknown individual that he told us about, he would have been nothing but a chewed up corpse laying on the ground. I really should have gone with him, then he never would've gotten hurt."
"Don't blame yourself, Jerome, it wasn't your fault." Nana comforted, "Sometimes bad things happen
to loved ones that we don't expect, but that doesn't mean you should blame yourself. Nobody blames you for what happened to Hunter, and that boy sure as shit doesn't blame you either so get over it, you big baby."
Jerome chuckled a little at the last part, she had a point nobody blamed him for Hunter's injury and neither did he so he shouldn't either, but there was still a small part of him that still blamed himself. He was his caretaker after all. "Thanks, Nana, that's kind of you to say," Jerome said, appreciatively.
Nana smiled and nodded. "Anytime my dear pastor, and as I told you before, don't you worry about Hunter, he'll be just fine."
"How do you know?" Jerome asked.
"Because, he has you, that pretty girlfriend of his, and his other friends around to help him," Nana explained. "As long as he has you and them, that boy will be better in no time."
Jerome nodded. "That means a lot."
"You did a good job raising that kid, If his parents could see him now I bet they would be so proud to see what their son has become," Nana said.
"I bet they would." Jerome scoffed.
Jerome hoped that Jess was still alive too to see how her son has grown, however, it was very unlikely that Rook was alive he searched hard to find him but after a lot of time wasted searching, Jerome gave up, but he had faith that Rook's spirit was looking down at Hunter thinking how proud he is of his son.
The rest of the time waiting for the Convoy was spent with silence, they spent an hour waiting for the convoy to arrive, and when it turned noon, the convoy arrived at the designated route.
"There it is," Jerome whispered, pointing his finger at the convoy.
"Right on time, too," Nana smirked,
The convoy consisted of two pickup trucks with troops sitting in the backs, and an 18-wheeler in the middle. They were approaching them and the time to ambush was drawing near.
"Let's free the people in that truck," Jerome said confidently, then got up and moved down from the hill and hid behind some bushes beside the road.
The convoy was within range, Nana aimed her rifle at the driver of the pickup in front of the truck then pulled the trigger, the bullet flew through the air and hit the driver clean through the head, the truck went out of control, causing it to flip over and crash, the guards in the back managed to jump out before it lost control and landed mostly unscathed on the ground.
The convoy came to a full stop, the guards got out of their vehicles and readied their weapons.
"What the hell was that?!" A grunt yelled out looking around.
"We have a sniper, must be after the prisoners, find the sh-" The man was shot clean through his left eye before he could finish, followed with two others quickly getting shot clean through their heads after him.
"Shit, it's an ambush! OPEN FIRE!" A Highwayman commander ordered.
The Highwayman began opening fire randomly, none of them were close to hitting Nana, they were all shooting erratically. Jerome used this opportunity to launch his attack, he pulled out his shotgun and emerged from the bushes, quickly killing two guards.
"Shit there's another one!" The Highwaymen opened fire on Jerome but he quickly took cover behind a big rock, he pulled out a grenade, removed the pin and threw it at the Highwaymen shooting at him, the grenade landed in the middle of them, blowing most of them, but some quickly moved away from the explosion before it could kill them too. Nana killed two more guards, emptying two rounds clean through their heads.
It didn't take long to kill the rest of the guards, as soon as they were all dead, Nana came down from her sniping position and ran over to Jerome. "We did it, Jerome."
Nana held her hand out, Jerome high-fived her hand then smiled at her. "Let's get those people out of that trailer."
"I'm right behind you if anything happens," Nana said.
They walked over to the back of the trailer, Jerome unlocked the doors and opened them up to let the people out, but when he opened the trailer the people inside weren't prisoners. Highwaymen were inside the trailer waiting for them to open it up so they could ambush the ambushes."Freeze!" A Highwayman covered in white biker armor raised a pistol at them, while the other grunts jumped down from the trailer and surrounded the two with their weapons raised.
"Drop your guns old-timers." The Highwayman ordered.
Knowing that if they tried to escape they would just get killed they dropped their weapons onto the ground and raised their hands in surrender, two grunts picked them up and took them away. The Armored soldier walked up to the old-timers, looked at the Pastor, and said. "So you're the one who's been ambushing our convoys?"
The two just remained silent as the man kept talking. "Gotta say, you got guts old man, you and your girlfriend here, very few had the balls to stand up to us when we first arrived in this valley, but you and that kid of yours have pissed off Mickey and Lou, so they rigged this convoy to be ambushed so we could capture you, but it seems the kid isn't here. No matter, you both are now our prisoners and the Twins want a word."
"We won't tell them anything." Jerome spat.
The Highwayman chuckled, "Sooner or later you will tell them what they want to know, then after that, you'll be our source of entertainment in the pits."
"Load them up!" The highwayman ordered.
The grunts grabbed Nana and Jerome's hands and restrained them and loaded them into the trailer of the 18-wheeler. When they were loaded up they were off to prison.
Jerome and Nana both sat quietly in the back of the prisoner truck, neither of them could believe that this was a trap, but with the constant attacks against the Highwaymen, it was predicted that they would retaliate. They should've been more careful and they're paying for their carelessness. They were being taken to the Prison that all prisoners go. As the truck was passing through the Holland valley, the truck started to lose control. Inside the trailer everything was shaking, suddenly the trailer moved erratically sending everyone in the truck crashing all over the place until the trailer flipped over. Jerome and Nana hit the ground hard falling unconscious.
Jerome awoke with a groan, his eyes slowly opened, he raised his head and looked around. The trailer was on its side and he was laying on the wall. Suddenly Jerome felt a jolt of pain coming from his side, he clasped the spot and groaned at the pain, the crash made him hit the ground hard and it must've hurt him bad. Jerome rolled up his shirt to see the injury, the skin around it was bruised and was throbbing. He let out another groan and lowered the side of his shirt back. Deciding to worry about something else, he quickly looked around and quickly saw Nana laying right beside him, unconscious with a small gash on her face with blood leaking down onto the surface, but there was nobody else with them.
"Oh no," Jerome gasped, he went over to Nana and shook her to wake her up. "Nana! Nana!" Jerome shook her a few times until she shot up from the ground, letting out a large breath. "Dear golly. What happened?" Nana asked.
"We were captured by Highwaymen, but it looks like something went wrong." Jerome reminded her.
"Oh no, Jerome are you OK?" Nana asked, seeing Jerome clasping his side.
"I'm fine, I think my ribs are bruised." Jerome guessed, then looked around. "We need to get out of here."
"Yeah, we should." Nana nodded in agreement.
They got up and saw the bodies of the guards that carried their weapons, Jerome took a shotgun off a dead body, cocked it and looked around for the threat that caused the crash. Nana picked up her sniper rifle off the other body.
Jerome carefully pushed the door down, they crouched down and had their weapons ready for any immediate danger. The convoy had just been attacked, the vehicles were tipped over, the pickup was in flames, the truck's front tires were destroyed and it was in a ditch. Several dead Highwaymen bodies littered the field with arrows embedded in them.
"What the hell happened here?" Nana asked aloud.
"I don't know," Jerome muttered, looking at the corpses each one had an arrow resting in a fatal part of the body, like the head and the chest. Each one was killed with an arrow.
"AUGGHHHH!" A loud scream rang out, both old-timers quickly raised their weapons in the direction of the sound. A Highwaymen in the middle of the carnage was crawling his way over to pick up a gun, leaving a trail of blood. Jerome and Nana both immediately recognized him, the white-armor he wore is a dead giveaway it's the man in charge of kidnapping them and who threatened them.
Jerome crossed his eyes, cocked his shotgun, and walked over to the wounded Highwayman. "Nana, check the other bodies, I'll see if that man can tell me anything."
"Alright, Pastor." Nana nodded then went over to the corpses.
The guy was about to reach for an AR-15, but Jerome stepped on the guy's hand and pressed his foot down on the hand, kicked the gun aside so he couldn't reach for it, turned him over to him using his foot then kneeled down to look at the wounded man.
"So… you guys survived… lucky y'all," That was all the man let out, added with a light chuckle as he breathed heavily.
There was no way the guy would survive from the wounds he had, that Jerome knew. He had several arrows sticking out of him: Two were resting in his legs prohibiting his ability to walk, another was resting in his right hand likely put there so he would drop his gun and the last one pierced the armor on his chest given its angle the arrow likely punctured his lung so doesn't have long left to live likey three minutes.
"What happened?" Jerome asked, as the man before him was dying.
The Highwayman let out a few breaths then let out. "I-I-I don't… know."
"We...we were just driving… then the truck in front suddenly started driving… erratically until it finally crashed," The guy explained weakly then continued. "Then our truck started to do the same… the driver was killed… me and my men were on guard… but arrows flew from the bushes to our left… we only lasted a few minutes before we were all...killed." The guy let out a few more breaths before succumbing to his wounds.
The Pastor watched as the man's life ebbed away right in front of him.
'Who is responsible for this?' Jerome wondered. He's seen work like this before from the people of New Eden but they only come out at night, it's the afternoon currently and the arrows that were used on the guards were compound Peggies mainly use arrows made from wood. So this definitely wasn't their work.
But, if it wasn't them then who could've done this?
Before Jerome could put any thought into it an arm suddenly wrapped around him pulling him up off the ground, with another placing a knife on his neck.
"What the Hell?!" Jerome exclaimed the sudden grab caused Jerome to drop his shotgun.
Nana aimed her sniper rifle at the person holding Jerome. It was a masked individual, a woman covered from head to toe with a bow wrapped around her chest. "Who are you, girly?!" Nana spat, angrily.
The masked woman stood silent, looking at them before saying. "You're not Highwaymen are you."
"Of course not." Nana scoffed. "We have no love for those hoodlums, they kill innocent people and we're not OK with that."
"We only fight for the people of Hope County," Jerome said, struggling to get free.
"Hm," The woman pushed Jerome over to Nana and he quickly turned to look at the woman.
"Are you the one responsible for this?" Jerome asked looking around at the carnage.
The woman stood silent and just nodded, she took a close look and the Pastor and her eyes widened. "J-Jerome." The woman said incredulously.
"What? how do you know my name?" Jerome asked, surprised that their rescuer knew his name.
The woman remained silent again, she took a few steps towards them then she lowered her hood and
removed the bandanna from her face revealing the appearance of a woman in her mid-forties, with a head of brown hair, and old scars covering her face.
Jerome looked at the woman in shock, the person that stood before them was Jess Black, the Huntress, the lover of Jake Rook (The Junior Deputy), and the mother of Hunter. It's been almost 17 years since he last saw her since they left the bunker they were waiting out the collapse in, leaving her son in his care.
"Holy shit...Jess." Jerome muttered, smiling. He walked over to Jess and wrapped his arms around her, locking her in a tight hug. "It's so good to see you again Jess, I prayed to God that you were still alive and my prayers have been answered." Jess wrapped her arms around Jerome, patting his back. After a moment of hugging Jess broke the hug and they both looked at each other until Nana spoke up.
"Um... excuse me, Jerome, are you gonna introduce me to your friend here?" Jerome asked.
Jess looked around and shook her head in disagreement, "No, we shouldn't be out here, the Highwaymen probably called for backup so we should get out of here before they arrive."
"We should get back to Prosperity," Jerome suggested.
"No," Jess said. "I have a place that's not far from here, we can go there and I'll check on your wounds."
"That sounds like a good idea," Nana commented.
"Come on, we need to go now," Jess picked up Jerome's shotgun and threw it to him, then they retreated into the forest.
After escaping the convoy Jess led Nana and Jerome to a hidden cave that she used as her hideout so she could avoid the Highwaymen, Peggies, and the Scavengers. When they arrived Jess took a look at Jerome's injury, it wasn't anything bad, he only hurt the muscle all he needed were some pain killers for a few days then he would be fine. After Jess helped treat Jerome's injury with some painkillers she had, the three sat down by a fire and rested up.
Jerome looked at Jess still surprised to see her after so long, she noticed him staring at him. "What?" Jess shrugged, raising up her arms at him.
"I was beginning to believe that you were dead, Jess," Jerome replied.
Jess tilted her head down and said. "I came close a few times, but I got lucky."
"I never expected to see you again, Jess. Seeing you alive and well is truly a surprise," Jerome said. "What happened to you after you left?" Jerome asked, curious to know what Jess has been doing all these years.
"After I left the Bunker, I found this cave that was able to help me survive the past years. When the radiation cleared I began hunting to feed myself. I couldn't stand to face any of you so I kept my distance..." Nana interrupted Jess as she was telling her story.
"Are you gonna introduce me or not?" Nana asked, annoyed.
Oh, right." Jerome introduced Nana to Jess. "Nana, this is Jess, I knew her back before the bombs dropped, she's a hell of a shot with a bow and has quite a temper. She's also... Hunter's birth Mom."
Nana looked at Jess with surprise all over her face, she always wanted to meet Hunter's parents and she was now in the presence of his Mom. "Oh my god. Hunter's your son?" Nana said incredulously.
Jess sighed and nodded. "Yeah."
"Jess, this is Nana, me and her have been working for a while since she joined Prosperity." Jerome introduced Jess to his partner.
Nana extended a hand out to her, Jess shook her hand. "It's nice to meet you. Your boy is certainly something"
"Same and thank you," Jess muttered.
"Please continue your story, I'm curious to hear more about you." Nana requested.
Jess nodded then continued her story. "When the Peggies reappeared I continued killing them for a while, but when the Highwaymen came I decided to focus my time on killing these thugs,"
"It seems like you've been busy," Jerome commented.
"Yep. I'm also hunting down and trying to kill a very dangerous individual." Jess said.
"Who?" Nana asked.
Jess stood quiet for a minute, before answering. "...He goes by, 'The Judge' Joseph Seed's most skilled and obedient follower, his pet on a leash." Jess spat. "Been trying to hunt that bastard down for a while.
Hearing that Jess was trying to kill the Judge was certainly a surprise to Jerome, he's heard stories about the Judge. Stories saying that he's the most skilled fighter of New Eden and their most savage killer. He's heard other stories saying the Judge is impossible to kill, he moves like a shadow and even the other New Edeners fear him.
"Jess, I don't think you want to face somebody like him on your own," Jerome warned the huntress. "I've heard all sorts of stories about that one.
"I've heard that that man can kill several people and survive fatal injuries that most can't. Some think he's not even human." Nana added.
"Don't worry about me, guys, I know how to handle myself," Jess reassured them.
Jerome sighed. "I know I can't change your mind, one your mind is set on something there's nothing anyone can do or say to stop you. Just be careful, ok?"
"I will," Jess nodded and suddenly asked. "Jerome, I need to know something, how's my son? What has my little Hunter become?"
Jerome smiled and said. "He's grown into a nice young man, Jess. He's become a lot like his Dad, he's just as selfless and pure-hearted as he was. If you could see him you would be so proud. Raising him wasn't easy but overall I did a good job mainly with the help of the Ryes."
Jess lightly chuckled, and a few tears of happiness/sadness began leaking from her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away. "That's nice to hear. I always wondered what kind my person my son has grown up to be and it makes me happy to know he hasn't become 'Me'."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that. He is like you in some ways, he likes to use bows to fight the same as you and uses a knife for close combat." Jerome pulled out Jess's knife and showed it to Jess. "Hunter's been using this to hunt, it's the knife you left for me to give to him when he was old enough."
Jess took her old knife from Jerome's hand and began looking at it. "I never forgot about this thing, this was my Grandma's knife it took a lot for me to part with this after everything."
"Hunter's been taking good care of that thing, it really means a lot to him," Jerome said.
"How's Hunter doing right now?" Jess asked as he handed the knife back to Jerome.
"He's doing fine Jess, as well as he can be at the moment," Jerome explained as he sheathed the blade.
"What do you mean? Did something happen to him?" Jess asked, her voice filling with worry.
"A few days ago, he got attacked by a bear and disappeared. We tried to find him, but all we found was a pool of his blood and your knife. People were beginning to think that he was dead, then a few days later he came back to us but he was weak and barely able to stand. When he recovered enough to talk he explained that somebody saved him and stitched him up, but he doesn't know who saved him." Jerome explained. "He's at Prosperity, the doctor told me that he'll make a full recovery, but he got a few bad scars from that encounter."
"Oh my god," Jess muttered.
"Oh, Jess, don't worry. He has friends looking after him." Nana comforted her.
"Well, it's good to hear he's OK," Jess said. "Do you know who saved him?"
"Not a clue," Jerome replied. "Hunter said that he didn't get a good look at the man, the only thing he remembered after that was waking up in a Bunker with his wounds cleaned and stitched."
"You know, Jess, you can come with us back to Prosperity to see him," Nana suggested. "I'm sure that Hunter will be happy to see his Mom for the first time in his life.
Jess just shook her head in refusal a Nana. "God, y'all have no idea how much I want to see my boy," Jess admitted. "But I can't, not yet."
"Why not?" Jerome asked.
"Because I'm not ready to face him," Jess answered.
"Jess, it's been seventeen years, I understand that you just wanna protect Hunter, but you can't just keep avoiding him forever," Jerome said. "And you promised that you would come back,"
Nana nodded in agreement. "Jerome is right, Jess. Hunter is your son and you are his mother, you can't keep running from your responsibilities. Sooner or later you'll have to quit avoiding him and face him then explain everything to him."
They were both right, Hunter wasn't a baby anymore he's grown up and he promised that he would come back to confront him one day, so she could talk to him. It pained her that she avoided her son for his entire life, but she didn't want to raise Hunter without Jake and when she gave birth to their son she was terrified of him growing up to be like her.
"I know." Jess nodded. "And I will but not yet, not until I muster up the courage."
"Alright," That was the best Jerome was gonna get outta Jess, there was no way either of them could force her to come and even if they tried she could easily beat them, Jake told him that Jess handled two strong Peggies on her own so forcing her to come was off the table.
"We really should be going, Kim won't be happy that we aren't back," Nana said.
Jerome nodded in agreement then looked back at Jess and asked. "I agree she should also know that the Highwaymen are starting to hit back at us. Do you have a radio that we can use, Jess?"
"Yeah, I took one off one of those guys from the convoy." Jess got up and went through her things and pulled out a radio then handed it to Jerome.
As Jerome was about to grab the radio, Jess quickly raised a had to stop him before he could take it. "Before I hand you the radio, I have a request to make?"
"What?"
"Don't tell anyone about me. Just say that y'all got lucky and managed to escape." Jess requested.
"Jess you know I don't like lying, especially to my friends" Jerome argued with a hint of anger.
"Besides, what if they know that he's lying and just keep hounding us until we get an answer?" Nana asked.
"Just… do it please."
Jerome reluctantly nodded he took the radio from Jess then tuned it to one of the frequencies that Prosperity used to keep in contact with their people. Jerome pushed the button on the radio then brought it up to his lips. "Kim, this is Jerome are you there?"
He waited a moment before he got a response. "Jerome? Where have you and Nana been, it's been hours and you haven't come back?"
"My apologies Kim, things got more...complicated," Jerome explained. "The convoy was a trick meant to fool us, the Highwaymen caught us but we managed to escape."
"Oh my god, are you both OK?" Kim asked with worry in her voice.
"Don't worry Kim we're both OK for the most part, we'll need a day of rest but nothing serious," Jerome reassured the leader of Prosperity. "You should also know that the Highwaymen are retaliating against us,"
"I already know, the highwaymen have launched attacks on some of our captured outposts not too long ago, they've managed to hold out against them, fortunately, but more attacks will probably come soon, so I ordered some people to head out to them just in case," Kim replied.
"Good idea," Jerome commented, Nana gave a nod of agreement. "Look, we're on our way back now, given where we are we should be back by tonight if we avoid any enemies."
"Should I tell Hunter what happened to the both of you, he's been getting worried that something bad happened?" Kim asked. "He'll be relieved to hear that you're OK."
"No, that boy is already dealing with enough, I don't need him worrying about me when he should be worrying about himself right now," Jerome replied, glancing at Jess.
"I understand, I'll tell Hunter you called."
"OK, me and Nana need to get moving, we'll see you back home," Jerome informed her.
"Alright, just be careful."
"We will," Jerome ended the transmission and turned to Jess, he handed the radio to Jess. "Here you go, Jess."
Jess shook her head in refusal. "Don't need it, I have my own."
Jerome put the radio in his belt the turned back to Jess. "Well Jess, this is goodbye for now. I hope we see each other again soon."
Jess smiled and said. "Me too, it was nice to see you again, keep looking after my son."
"Don't worry Jess, we will." Nana laughed.
They gave Jess a final goodbye and left for Prosperity, not before Jerome giving her another warning about being careful in her hunt for the Judge.
After they were gone, Jess went back into her cave and sat back down by the fire. It was nice to see Jerome again after so many years and hear that her little boy was doing fine for the most part. She was happy that her son turned out OK he wouldn't be that if she was in his life. As Jess sat by the fire she reached into her jean pocket and pulled out an old photo of her with her lover Jake and their friends that they took in the war against Eden's Gate.
There's not a single day that goes by where she doesn't think about Jake, he meant a lot to her, and he was one of the only few people who she opened herself up to. Jess had some boyfriends in the past but they were all scumbags, but Jake was a good man, he was someone she could let her guard down with and that was rare. That relationship eventually led to them unknowingly conceiving Hunter.
A single tear leaked from her eye down onto the picture, then she started sobbing, she brought her hands up to her head and took a deep breath to calm herself. It was always hard thinking about Jake he was her real first love when she lost him it felt like she lost a part of herself and when she learned she was pregnant with Jakes son it was a shock, for his sake she had to leave him as much as it pained her to do so. Maybe one day she'll confront her son and talk to him and see if he'll accept her.
Jess calmed herself down and wiped away the tears deciding to focus on continuing her hunt for the Judge tomorrow morning. She never forgot what the peggies have done and never will, she wanted to make them suffer. When she heard about the Judge, Joesph Seed's adopted son, and his most obedient follower, she wanted to make Joesph Seed suffer by killing him. She came close to killing him once but he overpowered her and beat her until she was unconscious. It was then that she learned not to underestimate this person, whoever the Judge was he's not someone who will fall easily. If she's gonna kill him then she needs to have some sort of strategy.
Back at Prosperity, Hunter was babysitting Blade for Hurk. Shortly after Jerome left with Nana, Hurk came to him and practically begged for him to watch Blade: Gina couldn't since she was with the captain on a mission and wouldn't be back until morning, Sharky was busy making explosives, Carmina was helping Kim with something and Nick was working on the Carmina, so he was the only person available to babysit. Hurk wanted to go do something he called... fun, so he needed Hunter to babysit Blade because what he was doing was too dangerous to have a baby around. So he reluctantly agreed with Hurk's request, only because he didn't want Blade getting hurt and it wasn't like he had much to do given that he was in recovery from a bear attack.
He sat in his room on his bed carrying a sleeping baby Blade in his arms. The last thirty minutes were spent getting Blade to sleep and now he finally got him to sleep by rocking him. Now, he was being as quiet as he could to prevent Blade from waking up and crying. "Finally," Hunter muttered to himself in relief.
Hunter carefully placed Blade on his bed then placed his blanket over him, so he could keep him warm. After Hunter placed Blade on his bed, he walked over to his desk and picked up his radio. It's been a while since anybody has heard from Jerome or Nana since they left this morning to ambush a convoy she learned about and they've yet to report in.
The Teen tuned to radio to Jerome's then pressed the button on the side and brought it up to his lips. "Jerome, this is Hunter, are you there?" Hunter asked, waiting for a response but there was nothing but static on the other end. He then decided to try Nana's radio to see if she would pick up and he got nothing but static, like Jerome's.
Before he could try again a knock came from the open door to his room. Hunter looked up to see Carmina standing in the doorway, so he turned off his radio and placed it by his leg then turned his attention to his girlfriend.
"Hey, Carmina." Hunter greeted, whispering to not wake up Blade. "What's up?"
Carmina came in and took a seat by Hunter on his bed. "I just wanted to check on you and see if you were doing okay."
"I'm doing fine for the most part," Hunter replied, shrugging his shoulders. "My wounds are healing up well, and I don't feel as much pain as I do whenever I stretch. Selene says I should be able to get back out in the field in about a week."
"That's great to hear." Carmina said, she glanced at the sleeping Blade then asked, "So how's babysitting Blade going?"
"I finally got him to sleep, so I put him over there," Hunter replied. "You know as much as I like Blade, he's a real handful and I'm not much of a babysitter."
Carmina giggled a little and looked at the sleeping infant. "I don't know about that, looks like you're doing a really good job of taking care of him so far."
"Thanks." Hunter scoffed.
"So what else are you doing?" Hunter picked up his radio and held it up to her. "I tried to contact Jerome and Nana a minute ago, but they're not responding."
"Well, maybe they're busy right now and can't respond." Carmina guessed.
"Maybe, but they should've been back by now, and they haven't reported in," Hunter stated. "I'm starting to get a little worried."
"Don't be Hunter, those two can handle themselves, but if there isn't any radio contact by the end of the day then we'll follow up but for now, just be patient," Carmina instructed.
"Alright," Hunter groaned in annoyance. "Just seems all I've been doing is waiting."
Carmina sighed and placed a hand on his back. "Look, I know it's not fun being cooped up here while everyone else is out fighting the Highwaymen, but you're hurt and you need time to recover."
"I get it but I'm more useful out in the field than around here," Hunter said.
Carmina was about to say something but before she could Kim came in both teens immediately shushed her so they couldn't wake Blade. Kim complied with their request.
"What are you doing here Kim?" Hunter asked, whispering.
"Jerome just reported in Nana and him are fine, and are on their way back now," Kim informed.
Hearing that was a relief to Hunter. "What happened?"
"He didn't tell me but he assured me that they were OK," Kim said.
"Did he say when he would be back?" Jerome asked.
"Tonight,"
Hunter nodded, at Kim then she asked. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine," Hunter said annoyed, people have been asking him that question and it was really starting to annoy him, but he did have a near-death experience so it was understandable.
"Good," Kim smiled then looked at the sleeping Blade behind Hunter. "If you want I can take Blade if you want."
"Yes and thank you," Hunter said with relief. He carefully picked up the baby and placed him in Kim's arms.
Kim then turned to her daughter, "Carmina, Nick needs some help with a car, can you go help him out?"
"OK, just give me a minute."
Kim nodded and left Hunter's room with Blade in her arms. After she was gone Carmina looked at Hunter. "Just be patient Hunter, you'll be back out in no time."
"Thanks," Hunter replied in appreciation.
Carmina placed a kiss on Hunter's forehead before she got up to go help out her Dad.
When Jerome and Nana made it back to Prosperity it was nightfall, Nana left to get some sleep and Jerome went to check up on Hunter in his room. Jerome went into Hunter's room where he found the door open and Hunter laying on his bed reading an old book not noticing Jerome standing at the door.
"Hunter," Jerome said to get the boy's attention.
Hunter lowered his book and turned his head to see Jerome at the door to his room with a few bruises, he sat up from his bed and went over to Jerome carrying a concerned look. "Oh my god, Jerome what happened?" Hunter asked.
"The convoy was a trap, the highwaymen captured me and Nana, but we managed to escape with our lives," Jerome explained to Hunter,
"How did you managed to escape?" Hunter asked.
"We just... got lucky," Jerome said, Hunter decided to just leave it at that, as long as Jerome was OK it doesn't matter what happened.
"OK," Hunter nodded.
"How are you doing Hunter?" Jerome asked.
"Jerome, I'm fine you don't need to keep worrying about me," Hunter said annoyed by the constant asking if he was OK.
"Of course I do Hunter, I've taken care of you for your entire life and you're like my son," Jerome stated.
Hunter scoffed, "I know, but seriously I'm fine, I appreciate that everyone is concerned about me but I don't need y'all asking me if I'm OK all the time,"
"Alright, just checking." Jerome conceded. "So, what are you doing?"
"Just reading, I was about to get ready for bed," Hunter answered, holding up an old comic book.
"OK, then I'll leave you alone, but if you ever need to talk just tell me," Jerome offered.
Hunter smiled and nodded. "I will,"
Jerome gave Hunter a hug before he left his room, it was eating Jerome up about not telling Hunter that he just met his birth mother after so many years but Jess practically begged him not to so he didn't. He hoped that Jess would come to her senses so she could confront her son, she was his, Mom, and his only real parent out there. Plus her skills would be useful to Prosperity.
I intended for this to be the chapter where the Highwaymen attack Prosperity, but I got this idea so I wanted to write this, I hope all you readers out there like it.
This chapter also was hard for me to write so if there are any issues tell me.