forum Hunter and The Hunted (closed but stalkers are welcome)

Started January 23, 2020 by @Hybrid-Is-tired

tune

“I live with my uncle in Boston. He’s a detective, and sometimes I help him with his work. Other than that? I go to school and read,” Dare said. “What about you?”

Ember seemed to be taking note of the conversation between Dare and Erika, nodding gently.

"I…I don't fully trust her either but if Tempest thinks she can change…if he thinks so then it's good enough for me." Rose responded as she sat down by Yumi "Let's take it easy for a while."

"You're probably the most normal person I've met." Erika beamed. "Um, I live with my mom and my younger brother–he's adorable. Normally I'd be in school or writing. I'm hoping to be a journalist, but more importantly, an author. I wish I had a cool uncle. I haven't seen mine in a while."

“Oh, trust me, my uncle is not cool. He watches 90 Day Fiancé excessively and cries when he sees small dogs,” Dare said with a smile. “I love him though, even when he doesn’t let me record a Law and Order marathon because the Puppy Bowl is on.”

Ember smiled a bit "Same thing with Tempest. If the puppy bowl is on then nothing else is going on the TV that day."

"Okay, but the Puppy Bowl is awesome and cute and you cannot deny that. I need him as an uncle! He sounds pretty cool in my book!" Erika laughed. "Can't believe I'm laughing when all of this is going on…" She shrugged, sighing.

“It’s psychologically beneficial to distract yourself from the situation. You’re allowed to try and find light in the dark,” Dare said offhandedly. “Just… look for the best and try to hold onto it.”

"Even if it seems impossible…" Erika mumbled. "I still don't know why I pose a threat to some guy who's probably ten times as powerful–if not, more–than I am. I'm too much of a merciful person to do any harm."

"Well…if we don't understand yet either but I'm sure he has a reason to." Ember told Erika as she secured another bow string on her bow.

“Zerack has a reason for everything…” Dare muttered, irritated. “I wish he bothered to tell us, though.”

Erika sighed. "So, do you have any plans for after school? From what you've told me, I can only assume being a lawyer or detective, but, then again, I don't want to assume."

"I don't really have any plans for after school, and to be honest I never really thought that far," Dare explained. "Detective would be good, I suppose. I already have some practice with it, after all."

Erika nodded, understanding. "Hm. You have any good friends back at home?" God, I miss my family… Can't imagine how she feels.

"No, not really… I don't really have any friends," Dare said simply, fiddling with the strings of her sweatshirt. "How about you? Got any friends?"

Ember looked between the two again and sighed, pulling out her vial of silver liquid and puts a drop in her water canteen, putting the vial away and took a sip from her water bottle.

"Well, one, but we're not as close as we were before. I need to talk to her at some point." Erika rubbed the back of her neck. "What is it, Ember? Seeing as we have little to do, I'd rather socialize than do nothing." Her comment, she realized, was meaner than she'd intended it to be. "Sorry."

"Nothin' just….I don't like being away from home either…I just…can't relate to you guys…I can't have a normal life…" Ember didn't look at the two of them. "…after this…after we get you guys home it's just more Haven work."

"Oh, jeez. I'm sorry. I…didn't know." Erika sobered up quickly.

"It's alright just…enjoy yourselves when you get home…I maybe used to this shit but I know you guys aren't." Ember shrugged

Dare nodded slowly. “I understand. You have responsibilities, but that doesn’t mean you can’t relax. It’s proven that small breaks help people complete work more effectively.”

Ember nodded "I get, I do but…I dunno I just don't understand how Tempest can keep so happy most the time….I mean he has just as much if not more responsibility than I do…relaxation has become a luxury that we don't get a lot of."

Dare winced again at the mention of Tempest, and then made up her mind. Wasn’t it a detective’s job to bring the truth to light, no matter the consequence? Lying didn’t suit her, no matter how much she wanted it to. “Listen, Ember… I haven’t exactly been forward with you. The truth is, until a few hours ago, I was voluntarily infected and determined to kill your brother in exchange for going home. And, well… I almost did.”

Ember sighed and closed her eyes fer a good minute or two "And yet he's actively tried to keep that from me." her eyes snapped open and her hand tightened on her bow "You could have said nothing and I would not have known…you're feeling guilt…"

“Guilt isn’t exactly right. Guilt about shooting him… not quite. Guilt about hiding it is more accurate,” Dare said truthfully, wringing her hands. “Then, I thought it was my best chance of making it home, but now, I’m not so sure.”

"I maybe hurt knowing my brother came to harm…but I can assure you the least painful thing you did to him was shoot him…you treated him like a bargaining chip…like an object." her voice was calm but her hands steamed in the chilly air