Hunter wasn't a bad person. He wasn't.
He couldn't be. There were so many people who liked him.
Gus Porter was his best friend. They met at a local pawn shop, trying to buy the same Cosmic Frontiers DVD. They got to talking and ultimately decided to share the DVD between them. Now they talk almost everyday about Cosmic Frontiers, the deep questions in life, and everything in between.
Luz Noceda was practically a sister to him. They were paired together for a group project in history class. Hunter ended up helping Luz through a pretty difficult time in her life. They still keep in touch and hang out on occasion.
Luz's sister, Vee, also became a close friend. They met while he was hanging out with Luz one day, playing Mario Kart. Vee asked if she could join them, since all her friends were busy that day. They talked and had a great time. From that point on, Hunter went out of his way to spend some time with Vee whenever he was at Luz's house.
Luz's wife, Amity, took a while to accept Hunter. She didn't have anything against him, but she found it a little weird at first how much Hunter and Luz hung out. Now, Amity cares for him dearly and always makes sure to check on him and make sure he's doing ok whenever she sees him. He's also become a reliable person her and Luz could go on double dates with since he got engaged.
Willow Park was his fiancée. Hunter met her while attending one of her soccer matches. He couldn't help but approach her afterwards and praise her for her excellent work on the field. He seemed to be one of the few men in Gravesfield not intimidated by how strong he was. She gave him her number the next time she saw him at one of her matches and now they're engaged almost three years later. He treats her sweetly and loves her so much.
Even the people in Gravesfield who weren't this close to him all agreed Hunter was one of the most well mannered, clean, soft spoken, and optimistic people they'd ever met. And he treated them all like dear friends.
Hunter wasn't a bad person. He wasn't.
Just look at all the good things he did.
He worked hard as a stagehand at Gravesfield's local theatre, making sure to give the actors on stage the perfect lighting and effects.
He was willing to help anybody who asked, whether it be building a treehouse for a dad's twin girls or doing some renovations for local businesses.
He volunteered at the church on occasion, helping with funerals as a pallbearer, then comforting those most affected by the loss.
He hosted Gravesfield's seniors beauty pageant every year, always making each contestant feel special.
He even donated some money to Gravesfield High School's choir and lent a few people money when they were about to lose their homes.
Hunter wasn't a bad person. He wasn't.
He somehow never seemed to get mad. Even though there was one person everyone thought he would be warranted to get mad at.
His Uncle Belos.
His Uncle Belos took him in after both his parents died when he was just a baby. His Uncle Belos raised him like a son.
And his Uncle Belos treated him like shit.
Hunter still lived with his Uncle, doing everything for him and catering to his every whim. Hunter cleaned his house, maintained his lawn, picked up his dry cleaning, managed his finances, made him breakfast every morning, accompanied him to dinner multiple times a week, read to him, killed wildlife that wandered onto his property, almost became his property.
Hunter always made excuses for his Uncle, saying he wasn't capable of living on his own and he needed Hunter there to care for him.
Saying this was the least he could do since Belos still sheltered him, didn't charge him rent, didn't make him pay bills, and paid for his food and clothing.
All of Hunter's friends accepted these excuses, but they secretly knew he was miserable with his Uncle. He just couldn't bring himself to admit it.
Lately, though, Belos had seemed to allow Hunter more freedom. He was able to spend more time with his friends, he was able to sleep over at Willow's house a few nights a week, he had even played supporting roles in some of the theatre prodictions. He seemed happier now than he'd ever been.
Perhaps Hunter had finally stood up to his Uncle.
Perhaps Belos had finally learned the concept of guilt.
Hunter wasn't a bad person. He wasn't.
He just wished people didn't start saying he was after the cops finally found his Uncle's chopped up body in his freezer.