III'M BACK! About time too! Honestly, at times I felt like this chapter just didn't want to get written. But at long last it is here against all odds! And I shan't (hope I wrote that right...) stall any longer! Let's get to the story!

Chapter 22: Options and choices

"We can keep the boy safe."

...

...

"Kid? I'm coming in, okay?" Eda knocked lightly on the door, before creaking it open.

And the moment she did, the golden guard pulled the blanket over his head, making it clear that he wasn't up for another conversation. While his palisman glanced over at her from next to him apologetically.

"Don't worry. I'm just here to clean up a bit." She said as she walked inside, bringing with her a bucket, a mop and a plastic bag.

Picking up the broken pieces of the bowl wasn't that big of a deal, but the mopping part... It was like that broth didn't want to be cleaned. She was starting to miss cleaning the abomination goop from the kitchen.

"Are you done yet?" She heard the boy grumble from under the blanket.

"Trust me, this ain't any more fun for me than it is for you. But I can't leave my house dirty or else it will gather termites. Again." She spat back, still trying her best to stay civil. "Besides, it was either gonna me or Hooty, so be grateful."

"I will be when the rain stops and I get out of here!"

She stopped mopping for a second, turning to look at the couch with a sigh. "We've been over this. You're in no shape to leave just ye-"

"STOP! Stop hovering above me! Stop pretending that you care! Just! Stop!" He yelled, sitting up abruptly. His eyes as vitriolic as his voice. "I'm not an idiot. I know you don't want me here, so do us all a favor and-"

"Stop? Is that what you were gonna say?"

No answer. Just a pout and a turn to the floor.

"Look kid, I hate to break it to you, but once again: You can't go yet. You need time to heal, both you and your palisman. So, if you don't care about throwing yourself back out there, even though you don't have anywhere to go and you can't even walk on your own, much less defend yourself, then at least think about this little guy. Who will be spending every second worrying that if push comes to shove, he won't be able to protect you. And neither will you yourself."

As she was finishing, she noticed him looking over at his palisman, his expression changing. Going from an angry, bitter pout to something pensive, concerned maybe even regretful...

...She knew that look.

It was the same one she had after every time her parents lectured her about something she knew they were right, back when she was a kid. However (with some exceptions counted in one hand) she never really let them see it.

And he seemed to regret letting her, since the pout quickly returned, right after he glanced at her for a second, remembering she was still there.

"I don't intend to keep you here against your will, but I can't let you go knowing you'll be on your own like this and with Belos after you." She said, noticing him tense up when she mentioned Belos. "So, let's make a deal: You will stay here at least until your leg heals. And when you can walk on your own, you'll be free to go if you really want to. Okay?"

He turned to look at her only for a moment and nodded at her silently, before turning away again.

"Okay." And after that Eda went back to cleaning, the sound of her mop moving across the floor being he only thing breaking the silence.

Until she was done and all the broth was cleaned. And another sound filled the room.

This time from the couch. Where the boy had once again wrapped his arms around his stomach (as if that would silence it). His face turned away from Eda, slightly red and tense with embarassment.

"...I'll get you another bowl." She said, just as she closed the door behind her.

She was just hoping she wouldn't have to clean this one too.

But... then again...

Hunter clung onto the banister before he could fall down the stairs, silently cursing himself.

"Hey, you okay?" The Owl Lady's pet asked, coming next to him. "I can call Amity or Eda if-"

"No, it's okay, I'm fine. I just mistepped a bit. Can you give me the crutch?" He quickly said as the demon gave it to him. "Thanks."

"No problem. Again, are you sure you can get down on your own?"

"Yes, I've done it before. Besides, it's just a couple steps left."

"If you say so." And with that he carried on, waiting for Hunter at the foot of the staircase.

The boy followed carefully, not wanting to humiliate himself by falling flat on his face at the last step.

He had done this again after all.

He had...

And he was so nervous (worried (scared)), walking into their breakfast. He could feel his heartbeat rising, his stomach twisting in a knot. He almost felt like he was intruding. Now though?

Only a day later and he was... smiling... Looking forward to see the others...

...Huh.

"Hey, guys!" The human greeted them from the couch, the Blight girl, next to her and the Owl Lady, waving.

And they both seemed so happy. Especially as they shared the details of their day at Hexside.

How they convinced the principal to un-seal the hideout. How they were secretly exchanging notes when a class was getting too boring. How they saw their friends again.

"...Hunter?" The human said, her tone lowering for a moment. She was still smiling, but it seemed kinda... more serious. "On that note, we were wondering... if you'd be okay with us telling our friends about you."

...

"That sounds great! Hunter, what do you think?" Flapjack piped up excitedly.

While Hunter was left looking at them dumbfounded, as if his mind had shut down trying desperately to find the correct answer. Or any answer, for that matter.

They were considering telling other people about him? Even though he made it crystal clear that he didn't want them to?!

...Well, maybe not... crystal clear. And she said it'd be their friends, who were obviously keeping quiet about the Blight girl, so they could be trusted (right...?).

"I... Are you sure they can be trusted?" He asked, fiddling with his thumbs, his eyes moving between the gazes of his palisman and the others. All of them mostly excited than expectant or worried (Nice change of pace, probably.).

"Absolutely. They're keeping quiet about me after all." The Blight girl answered with a reassuring smile.

"And maybe when you're better we could all hang out together!" The human suddenly said, and once again, Hunter was caught by surprise for a moment.

When he'd be better... He would leave, that was what they agreed. That was what he wanted. Right...?

"...I think I'd like that."

"Wait what?!"

Just as he was starting to fall asleep, Hunter jolted awake, hearing the Owl Lady's voice in the distance.

"Hunter? What's wrong?" Flapjack asked, just as shaken from the rough awakening.

"Something must've happened. I heard the Owl Lady yell." He answered in a whisper, making to grab his cruch. However, instead of standing up, he got off the bed and crawled his way over the door, still holding the cruch.

"What are you doing?"

"Shh! Someone's coming!" He shushed the little bird behind him, placing him on his shoulder, and quickly pulled the door back, just as he had opened it.

...

Nothing.

Hold on!

"I near-..."

Now someone was going. Actually, not just someone. The Owl Lady. And she didn't sound so loud or shocked as before.

What's going on?

Hunter opened the door again and headed for the staircase. Still crawling, instead of using the cruch. Just in case he'd need the element of surprise. And just as he made it there...

"Yeah yeah, laugh it up..." The Owl Lady's voice was heard again, a smile echoing in her words.

Nothing else was heard though. She must've been using a crow, he'd hear another voice if she wasn't alone, or if she was using a crystal ball or her penstagram.

But at this hour, with this tone... who could she be talking to?

...Could it be-?

"And why did he come here? Just to pass me that note?"

Note? What note? And who came here? When? Why wasn't she saying anything now?!

Hunter stood up and slowly started heading down, to see if he could hear any whisper, maybe even catch a glimpse. One step at a time, leaning onto the banister without using the cruch. He couldn't use it, unless it would be absolutely necessary. Otherwise the Owl Lady would hear-

"...What... What are you talking about?" He paused for a moment, as she spoke again. But this time, the warmth from her voice was gone. And after that she wasn't talking. He was almost certain he could hear her breathing getting faster.

Whatever they told her, it couldn't be good...

"The dirt-snake...!" She breathed and Hunter felt his own breathing hitch, as he kept going. "...And what's it to you? ...What?" And the shock that soon returned wasn't doing much to ease him. "No. Raine, I hear you and believe me, no one would want to get rid of the emperor any more than me, but... I can't do that. Not right now at least."

...!

...Raine?! So he was right(?)! They were still in contact! And they were... conspiring... against...-

"He's a child that's been through hell! And I won't force him to go through it again. You weren't here to see at what state he was in when we took him in. And I'm not just talking about his physical state. He's not ready yet to deal with Belos again, in whatever way that may be."

...

...

After that there was silence. Too heavy and unbearable. Settling over the room, over Hunter himself, squeezing the air out of his lungs.

It didn't take much to realize they were talking about him... That they wanted to... to use him to get to Belos.

Was this how they thought about it all along? Did they save him and keep him around just so he'd be indepted to them?!

No. No, that couldn't be the case. It couldn't! The Owl Lady basically just said she wouldn't ask him to... actively do anything against Belos...

Yet...?

...

...!

...

He misstepped. He was able to grab onto the banister again before tumbling down. But in doing so, he dropped his cruch...!

"Hunter! Are you okay?" Flapjack asked worriedly, rushing next to him.

"I'll call you in a bit."

...!

And he wasn't the only one who did...

"There we go. Done." Eda said, as she wrapped up the new bandage around Hunter's shoulder and the placed a few healing glyphs. "Don't worry, it wasn't too bad. And you needed a change regardless. You sure you don't hurt anywhere else?"

Hunter nodded as she helped him put his shirt back on, avoiding to look at her.

And she knew why...

She put away the medical supplies and sat on the floor near his couch.

"So... how much did you hear?" She asked with a sigh, averting her eyes too.

"...Quite enough. You were talking with Raine, who apparently is working against the emperor. And they also seem to want me to do the same and..." His voice was getting lower as he was speaking, until he stopped with a quiet, frustrated growl.

He turned farther away from her, in a sitting position, his palisman quickly jumping on his lap, chirping at him softly.

While Eda watched and waited, until he could take a breath and was ready to listen to her.

"How long have they known?" He asked after a few seconds of silence, bringing the bird on his shoulder. His tone still low, but more controlled than before. "About me being here. Did you tell them?"

"No. Tonight was the first time we spoke in years." She answered. "They found out you were here today, or yesterday I guess, from that dirt-snake that got into the house. Eberwolf sent it."

"Eberwolf?" At this, Hunter turned to look at her in surprise. "He's involved too?"

"And so is Darius."

And the surprise quickly changed into shock. Three coven heads were forming a rebellion... and he hadn't realised, or at least suspected a thing?

"And..." She spoke again, her tone making it clear that they were going back on track. "They asked me to send you to them."

...!

For an instant, Hunter thought his heart had stopped. But then he remembered..."...And you said 'No.'."

Eda felt something inside her ache, his nearly hopeful voice making her stomach tighten.

"Not exactly..." She said, her mouth feeling bitter. And when she saw the uncertainty and the disbelief forming on his face, it only got worse. She quickly carried on (for both their sakes...). "I didn't give them an answer to that. The 'No' you heard was mostly about you helping with the rebellion. I know things are... strange for you right now. And that Belos is... a sensitive subject. And while you know where I stand on this, I won't force you to deal with it unless you feel ready. And... same goes about you leaving. Raine said they can keep you safe, and I trust them. And if I'm not mistaken, you wanted to leave at some point..." She looked over at him for a moment.

He wasn't looking at her once again. His eyes were clouded, lost in thought.

That was right... He did want to leave... So now why did it seem (feel) so dreadful? Was he getting too comfortable in this place? Was it because he still hadn't really cleared his mind, regarding hi-...Belos and the night he ran away?

"But..." The Owl Lady said, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Remember what I said the other day? You can stay here as long as you need. And that is up to you to decide. If you don't want to leave, I won't make you."

...

Hunter felt... he wasn't sure if there was a word for that.

He felt his body limp, relaxed, as if he finally let himself breathe. But at the same time, his everything was shaking and he just couldn't think of what to do with himself, other than curl into a ball and disappear.

There were things he wanted to say, but something inside him was forcing him to keep it all in, like he would fall apart the moment he'd let a single word out.

"Well? What do you want?"

And that was all it took, in the end...

"I, uh... I want to stay here..." He finally said, and the mess that was inside him felt weaker. And so did he. Until...

"Okay then." The Owl Lady said simply, smiling warmly at him.

So it was that simple? He wanted to stay, he stayed...?

With (most of) the disbelief and shock melting away from his face, Hunter smiled back. It was small and maybe awkward, but it was real. And it honestly helped him calm down more.

"Okay." He repeated, not sure why.

"Now get some sleep you two. I'll deal with Raine." She said and got up.

"...Owl Lady, wait." She turned back, hearing him. "About... Raine and their rebellion-"

"Don't worry about it. I'll talk to them. It's been decided. You're not telling anything, unless you want and feel ready to." She cut him off, her tone reassuring. "Oh, and one more thing. You can call me 'Eda'. Goodnight, blondie."

And with that she left and shut the door behind her. But not before noticing the boy giving her a thankful glance.

"Raine? You there?" She said, the moment her call was answered.

"Yes. What happened? Why did you hang up?" They asked, almost worriedly (awww, they were worried...).

"I had to check on... something important. Anyway, regarding what we talked about, I got a few things to say and please don't interrupt me."

"Okay. I'm listening."

And that is how this chapter ends! Hope it was worth all the wait. I leave you for now and I shall see you again later (much sooner than this time I hope...)! Please leave a review and stay safe. Byeeee! :)