Dreamer
The next few days were complicated. They were filled with a lot of shuffling, moving, and tears. Lilith’s bedroom was taken over by guards along with Luz’s.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this, kiddo?” Eda asked for the fiftieth time. “You know you don’t have to give up your room, right? I can just set them up in the living room.”
“Nah, I’m fine with it!” The human replied, with a cheeky smile. She threw her thumb up and stuck out her tongue, as if she were a cartoon character. Luz lowered her voice down to a whisper. “Plus it’ll only be for like a week.”
“Okay, if you say so. But no take backs, understood?” Eda said, firmly. Her arms were crossed with her hook pointed outwards towards Luz. The human nodded, happily. “Okay,” Eda turned to the guards, “now that that's settled! Who wants to sleep where?”
“What are our options?” Asked Kevin, who clearly hadn’t been listening. “I mean, I’m not asking for myself or anything. I’m actually asking for the people who might’ve been not listening. Y’know.” He stammered.
“Sure, uh-huh.” Eda rolled her eyes. “Luz’s room, Lilith’s room, or the living room. For where you will sleep.” She repeated, though she sounded annoyed. “Pick one.”
“How do we pick?” Paul asked loudly. “I mean, like do we just go to where we wanna sleep, or?” The ‘o’ in ‘or’ was dragged out. “Didn’t think this through, huh?”
“Hey! No sassing me, young man.” Eda snapped back. “Okay, if you wanna stay with Luz, go up to her. Stay with Lilith, come to me, and stay in the living room…don’t move.”
Everyone seemed to finally understand, ergo they all went to their respective places. It was pretty evenly balanced. Standing by Luz was Adam, Todd, and Caleb. With Eda was Jeremy, Ronald, and William. Unmoving was Paul, Kevin, and Morgan. “Wait! Where’s John?” Luz asked, scanning the room.
“With me.” Announced Darius. John trailed behind him. Hunter was nowhere to be found. “I’m gonna have him stay at my place.”
“Darius, can we talk?” Eda said, gesturing for him to follow her. The two walked upstairs, stopping when they reached the top. “Look, you cannot be seriously thinking about having John stay with you and Hunter, right?” Eda asked, angrily. “That kid has shown his disinterest quite clearly.”
“He’s okay with it. I mean, he was even willing to talk to Caleb, clearly he’s fine with this now. Plus, he can’t just turn John away.”
“That kid has every right to do just that!” Eda remarked. “Look, I know you two were a thing at one point, but this is just going to complicate things. Plus! What about you?” Eda shoved a finger into his chest, where his heart is. “He’s going to die. Are you sure you’re ready for that? At least now you’ll get a chance to distance yourself.”
“Yes I know!” Darius replied, smacking her finger away and crossing his arms. “Plus who knows, maybe I can find a way to save him. Them all!”
“Darius-”
“Please, you have to let me try! You think i’d just sit here and do nothing?” Darius pleaded. It was clear he was holding back tears.
“No! Don’t you dare!” Eda yelled. She then lowered her voice. “Let them die.”
“What?” Darius said, shocked.
“You have to let them die.” Eda frowned, looking at the wooden tiles that lined her hallways. “They have to. It’s their time. Maybe, if we help them process some of their baggage, they’ll actually be able to move on. Don’t you want that?”
“No! Why would I want that! I don’t want to lose him again! I can’t lose him again.” Darius said, stepping forward. “I can’t believe you want that!”
“Don’t act like I’m the bad guy! I mean if you asked John I’m sure he’d agree with me!” For some reason this line really irked Darius. Even more than the others. “And you know it! That’s why you’re like this! Have you even asked him?”
“I don’t have to!”
“Because you know I’m right!”
“Hmpt-” He huffed, before shoving Eda and heading back down the stairs. “John, let's go.” Darius commanded, preparing to head out immediately.
“I heard you.” John says, quietly. He seems timid, smaller than usual. “The argument. I heard what you said.” Suddenly Eda comes stumbling in.
“John, do not go with him!” Eda yells. “I know you don’t want to, and you don’t have to!”
“Darius.” John says. He’s not frowning, but not smiling. The guard simply looks dull. Lifeless, like a doll made during the great depression. “Why do you not care about me?” This makes Darius freeze, whipping his head around.
“I care about you!” Darius replies, shocked. “How dare you think otherwise? For titans sake, I haven’t stopped thinking about you since that night!”
“I did not say that you didn’t like you. But you do not care about me. You do not care for me.” John says, his eyes look tired. “Say it. Say you care for me. Say that you think I am my own person. That I should get a say about what happens.” Darius didn’t say anything.
Luz gestured for the guards who were staying in her room to follow her. While Eda had the others follow her to Liliths room. This group included the three who were going to stay in the living room.
“Wow. Speechless.” John laughed. It was a throaty laugh. “I thought I knew you.” He sighed, turning away from Darius. “Or maybe I did. But you changed.”
“I’m sorry.” Darius said, stepping towards John. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve asked you. I mean, I just wanted to save you. If I couldn’t do it last time, at least I could do it this time.”
“I don’t want to be saved.” John said, loudly. “It’s never been your job to save me. I do not need you! You think I need you?” He cackled thunderously. “Go home, Darius. Spend time with your child. Forget any of this happened, so that when you visit my grave, you can smile.”
“I am not going to visit your grave-”
“That works too.”
“Oh for titans sake! Because you’ll be alive! That’s what I was trying to say!” Darius furrowed his brow.
“No, I will not be.” John said, finally looking at him. His eyes pierced Darius’s soul. “I want to die!” John admitted. “I need to die. I need to move on. I’ve been stuck here for too long. We all have.” He yelled.
“No you don’t! I know you don’t.” John walked towards Darius, who began to cry. “I can’t lose you again! Please.” John cupped his face, using his thumb to wipe away his tears. “I don’t want to be alone again.”
“You won’t be alone. I’ll always be with you. Not physically, but in your mind, in your memories. That’s the beauty of knowing someone. The beauty of loving someone.” John whispers, still holding onto Darius.
—
Hunter sat in his room. He felt exhausted, which wasn’t a shocker, given everything that had just occurred. Darius was currently still at the owl house, getting John.
Hunter lied to Darius about being okay with him staying with them. It’s not that he doesn’t like the guards, but living with someone who looks just like him is a little weird. Or not just like him, but almost like him.
“It’ll only be for a week.” Hunter kept repeating to himself. “Just a week! I can put up with his presence for a week. Plus, he has nowhere else to go! I mean sure, he could just stay at the owl house, but clearly it’s full. Why else would Darius bring him here…”
A faint buzz could be heard coming from his desk. He got up and walked over towards it. It was more specifically coming from his scroll. A notification from Penstagram came up. The Emerald Entrails sent you a message.
With a groan, he grabbed the scroll and opened the app. The people were chatting it up. Hunter slowly typed out a reply.
Hello_willow > Guys! Guess what happened!
Puddles.Luver > What;s up??
Skararulez_ > Tell us gurl!! What’s the tea!?
Hello_willow > Gus brought back the dead..
MasterIllusionist21 > okay so just air out my dirty laundry…fake ass
Puddles.Luver > Language people. Let’s be professional.
Skararulez_ > When have we ever been proessiona???
Puddles.Luver > Girl what does that even say?
Skararulez_ > Okay so you can go die.
Hello_willow > I like how you guys don’t care what Gus did
Hellow_willow > Lol, you’re so funny.
RULERZREACHF4N > Hello.huys.’
Skararulez_ > Hey Huger!!
Puddles.Luver Hiya Hunter! Did you see what Gus did?
Hello_willow > Hello Hunter!
RULERZREACHF4N > I.kn0W.what.happeneed..i.was rhEre
Skararulez > So you guys’s just didn;’t invite us. Okay I see how it is…
Puddles.Luver > Do you guys wanna ahng ouy? Or are you too busy with the dead..
Skararulez > Oh I’m down to hang!!
Puddles.Luver > Come over to my house!
Hunter smiled at the chat before setting his scroll down. “Maybe hanging out with my friends could help take my mind off things.” He thought aloud. Instead of paining his friends with another slow reply, he decided to just head over. Hunter had been to Viney’s house enough to know where it was. Plus it’s not like Bonesborough was large or anything.
He grabbed his bag and headed out. Eber was right outside the door. They growled and raised an eyebrow.
“Hey, Eber…” Hunter replied, nervously. “Darius said I could go hang out with my friends.” It was very clear that he was lying, still he prayed that Eber wouldn’t pick up on it.
Oh but they did. I know you’re lying. But I also don’t care. Have fun. Don’t die.
“Thanks Eber! Byeeee!” Hunter waved, as he ran off into town. People were walking and talking. Houses actively being rebuilt by the construction coven.
A lot of people gave Hunter dirty looks when they saw him. That’s the main reason why he doesn’t go out alone usually. But today, he just couldn’t care. His mind was too fogged up from the whole dead guards situation.
Maybe for the week that John would be staying with them, Hunter could stay at Gus’s house. Viney’s house was nice. It was two stories, which was cool. He saw Willow walking up to the door. She looked tired. “Hey Captain!” Hunter smiled, running up to her.
“Hey, Hunter.” Willow gave him a weak smile. “How are you?” She asked, as she knocked on the door.
“I’m okay. Pretty tired. What about you?” The door swung open. Viney and Skara stood next to each other. Both looked very well rested.
“Come in!” Skara shouted, excitedly. Willow and Hunter both walked inside, and made their way into the living room. The house seemed to be vacant.
“My parents aren’t home, so we can be as rowdy as we want!” Viney smiled. “You both look awful.” Viney frowned.
“Thanks.” Willow grunted, flopping onto the couch. Hunter joined her. He sat on the edge, where her body wasn’t taking up. Though her feet were still touching his side.
“Is Gus coming?” Hunter asked. He could feel the couch slowly devouring him.
“I don’t know. He didn’t reply or read the message so probably not. But you never know!” Viney sighed, taking a seat on the floor. Skara sat next to her.
“He’s probably with Matt.” Willow giggled. “Hunter, you look so uncomfortable.”
“Oh, I’m not! Don’t worry. Anyways, back to Matt and Gus.” Hunter said, trying to change the topic. He didn’t really like it when things were about him. Plus he was curious about those two.
“Oh they’re so gay.” Viney hollered. “Like you can’t tell me they don’t like each other!” She looked over to Skara. Seeking confirmation.
“No you’re so right, girl. Like, hello? We all know you two like each other. Just kiss and move on.” Skara replied, stretching her legs and arms out. “Just like these other two people I know.”
“Do I know them?” Viney asked. She was pretty sure that Skara was referring to Hunter and Willow but just wanted to make sure.
“Yep.” Skara smirked, glancing up at Willow then at Hunter. “You sure do.” She said, deviously. “Aren’t they in love? Wouldn’t you say that?”
“Totally.” Viney giggled. “Oh snap! I think Puddles got out. Hold on guys!” Viney frowned as she got up and ran upstairs. “Skara, would you come help me?” She asked.
Skara then realized that Puddles didn’t get out. Rather they were just gonna give the soon to be couple some alone time. “Of course!” Skara yelled, running after Viney.
Hunter and Willow sat in the living room. After a few minutes of silence, Willow finally began to speak, “Puddles didn’t get out.” She then pushed herself up so that she could see Hunter. He was curled up in the corner, clearly trying to give her all the room she needed.
“Why do you say that?” Hunter asked.
“Because there weren't any loud sounds or knocking things over. Clearly they lied.” Willow replied.
“They wouldn’t lie to us. They’re our friends.” Hunter reassured. He was rubbing his jeans.
“Friends can lie.” Willow said, quietly. “But that doesn’t make it a bad thing. It’s normal to lie. I mean, not big lies, but small ones. Ones that are harmless.” She pulls her legs up against her chest and wraps her arms around her knees.
“I suppose so.” Hunter shrugged, as he stretched out his legs, given the fact that he has more room now. “I just don’t understand why they would lie about this.”
“Hunter.” Willow was sympathetic. “Think.” She continues. Even though it would be risky, she overlaps her legs with his. He doesn’t pull away, but rather goes red. There’s silence, but it wasn’t bad.
Hunter turns his head away, even if it cannot turn much. Willow stares at the side of his head. He lets out a deep sigh, before he opens his mouth. “Willow, I like you, a lot.”
“I know.” Willow laughed. It wasn’t a rude laugh, just a laugh. “I’ve known for a while.” Their legs still were intertwined, unmoving. “Guess what.”
“What?” Hunter stared at the carpet. He noticed the crumbs from chips. Viney and Skara likely had a snack before the two had arrived.
“I like you too.” Hunter finally looked at her. Mostly to see if she was being genuine. Though he knew Captain wouldn’t lie about something like this. Finally, she moved her feet, and her whole body, in order to crawl towards him. She curled up against his side.
They stayed like this for a while. Silent but comfortable. The silence wasn’t silent, it was loud. The room filled with soft breathing, and the sound of small hums. Their hands were intertwined.
Viney and Skara walked down the stairs, the footsteps loud and harsh. They softly giggled and whispered to one another. Hunter and Willow could feel eyes staring at the back of their heads. But they didn’t react. Too caught up in each other’s form. Living off of each other. As if one moved, the other would turn into dust or simply shatter.
Finally, the two girls walked into view. “Hey guys, I see our plan worked.” Skara smiled, pointing at them. “So cute!”
“Skara, take a picture!” Viney whispered loudly. Skara scrambled to pull out her scroll and open up the camera. She held it up and snapped a photo. A nice tribute to domestic peace. “Hunter, you look like you are about to fall asleep.” Viney laughed.
She wasn’t wrong. Hunter’s eyes were barely open, and his head was sinking into the couch. Willow looked a lot more awake. She was resting her head on his shoulder, giving the girls a stink eye.
“I’m glad you two finally got together. I was worried it would never happen.” Skara snorted, covering her mouth with her hand.
One second later, soft snores could be heard coming from Hunter. Willow closed her eyes, deciding to follow. She hadn’t gotten a chance to sleep.
—
Dreams weren’t unusual for Willow. They were either full of hopes and opportunities or dull and quiet. But this time, her dream was something else entirely.
She stood in her bedroom. Except it wasn’t quite right. The walls were a different color, a color she couldn’t describe. Something unreal, undiscovered. The window was open. Willow walked towards it, and closed it. However, when she did, the glass shattered. Shards went flying everywhere. Though when she turned to look for them, they had vanished.
A glowing figure was standing on her balcony—a balcony that she lacked in the real world—with its hand stretched out. It beckoned Willow to take it. So she did, unable to stop herself.
The figure led the way. Willow didn’t have to step over the window ledge, as it disappeared. The town transformed into Luz’s town, Gravesfield.
Before Willow knew it, she was standing face to face with Luz. The person who had brought her here, had disappeared.
Luz lacked a face, or really anything. Though this wasn’t unusual for her dreams. People looked like blank mannequins. She could feel that they were wearing clothes, had a face, and were a person, but she couldn’t see it.
Willow could tell that Luz was disheveled. Pained by something. Behind her, Hunter. Luz began to wail, grabbing onto Willow, which caused her to flinch. People didn’t really touch her in her dreams—not like she knew this was a dream, but still. The sobs got louder and louder.
“What happened!?” Willow asked, filled with a motherly instinct. “Why are you crying?” Hunter kept disappearing and reappearing. As if he were a hologram. “Are you okay?”
The crying stopped. Luz let go of Willow’s hand, and pointed at the house, which was now the Owl House. Instead of opening the door, it opened for her. Hooty was missing. The door was normal, as if Hooty never existed.
Inside the house she saw Gus. He was standing in the middle of the room. She felt scared to approach him, but also couldn’t stop herself. Like she was some puppet, and some body was moving her strings towards him.
Gus spoke, “I need help! I did something bad. You’re the responsible one. The glue that holds us together. Will you help me?” Willow nodded. She suddenly came to the realization that the person who was talking to Luz outside wasn’t herself.
He didn’t have to say what he had done. She knew. Gus had killed Hunter. It wasn’t shocking. Like she had been expecting him to do that for a while. Gus just does things like this. He’s smart for his age, but he still makes mistakes. It’s okay, she’ll fix this.
She walks towards the hallway of the first floor. The hallway isn’t a hallway, but rather a forest full of large Willow trees. They cover any form of ceiling or sky that might’ve been above the trees. She knows there’s people inside the trees. Though she doesn’t know why.
The trees haven’t been cared for. They are dying. Not dead yet, but they will be by the time she finds Hunter.
Stairs are at the end of the forest. They are sharp, if she steps on them, she’ll likely get cut, so she must find another way. Just then, a small door appears amidst the trees. Willow takes a step towards the door. Hands reach out from the trees, so she has to run. The door comes flying open, as she leaps through.
There isn’t a second of rest for her. What if the tree people come for her? So she shall keep moving. The room is small, and white. She’s getting close, she can feel it. There’s a staircase, a completely normal staircase.
“Willow?” Her father calls out to her. She follows the voice. Finally, she makes it to the second floor. “Honey! There you are!” For some reason, she feels like she hasn’t seen them in months. As if she was trapped in the forest for longer than she would’ve liked. It’s weird, her father is both her dad and her papa. “We have to get you home.”
I have to go find my friend. I have to go find his body. It isn’t a verbal response, as she doesn’t actually say it. Yet her father can still hear it. It gives her a weird sense of comfort.
“I understand. But remember. You don’t have to do this.” He says, it’s more of her dad than her papa. He’s always been more understanding.
She walks past her dad, and into another hallway. Lots of doors. Willow opens one, it just leads to a brick wall. Most of the doors lead to different things. Mainly, stone, wood, or glass walls. The glass walls are weird. When she opens them, she can see the moon and the sun. It looked like how it did when the day of unity happened. She quickly closed that door and continued on.
There was a door at the end of the hall. It wasn’t a door though. More like an archway. The frame of a door, but the door itself was missing. She knew this was where she was headed.
In the dimly lit room was Hunter. His head split open, blood splattered everywhere. Thousands of guards were huddled around the body. As she stepped closer to the body, the guards moved, allowing her to get close.
As she got closer, more was revealed. Around Hunter’s dead body, there were thousands of vines. Wilted flowers sprouted out of its sides. He must’ve been here for a while.
Willow didn’t feel anything, except for peace. She could feel vines grow out of the floor behind her. The smell of rotting flesh filled her nose. A phantom smell, because Hunter didn’t feel dead.
On the floor next to Hunter’s body, was a knife. A sharp, black knife. One commonly found in a kitchen—weird, because this definitely isn’t a kitchen. Willow picked it up, and stared at it. There wasn’t a reflection. Her head tilted up. With one fetal movement, it entered his chest. Now he is dead. No longer forced to live in pain. Then, she plunged it into her own chest.
—
Hunter hasn't had a good dream in years. Almost every night, when his head hits the pillow, and his consciousness fades away, he’s plagued with awful nightmares. Usually they’re just his memories, but sometimes, well, you’ll see.
Hunter found himself inside a small garden. The walls were covered in vines. Large spiky vines, threatening to stab anyone who dares to get close. He watched them for a good minute, his head empty.
He took a step forward. Then he took a step backwards and headed out of the garden and into the woods they were surrounding it.
The trees of the forest were all Willow trees, a tree that Hunter never gave much thought to until he learned about the adventures Luz and Amity had inside Willow’s mind. Apparently her mindscape was full of these trees.
There was a big pathway in the forest, alerting Hunter to follow it. Something told him that it would take him where he needed to go. But where did he need to go?
Oh right! Gus had called him up and asked him to meet him at his house. So that must be where the path was taking him.
As he walked he felt cold. Wondering where his jacket that he was wearing previously had gone—he wasn’t wearing a jacket. Maybe it had gone off the path and gotten attacked. Maybe it morphed into a wolf. Speaking of wolves, Hunter saw one. It was a large wolf.
Hunter watched it. He wanted to say something, but couldn’t. Like his mouth was being forced shut. No matter, he could just speak to it nonverbally. He walked towards it. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea, still he continued towards it.
The wolf watched him, wondering if he was a threat. Thankfully, it just barked and jumped up on his legs almost knocking him over. This wolf is so cute! Why was Luz so hesitant with letting him get one while they were in the human realm?
Sorry wolf, I’ve gotta go. My friend Gus has requested my assistance. So I must leave. The wolf got down, but didn’t move. Blocking the path. Can you please move? The wolf still didn’t move. Hunter would have to find another way. That’s okay, he’s resourceful.
Oh and look! A resource. To Hunter’s side was a large door that the trees had hidden. How come he hadn’t seen that before? No matter, he’d take whatever he could. He hates to keep Gus waiting.
Hunter walked towards the large wooden door. Without a second thought, he opened it and ended up in a white room. The door swung shut, locking him in.
The room was empty. The walls, ceiling, and floor were bright white. The color almost hurt Hunter, almost. He looked around, wondering if there was any way to get out.
Lucky for him, there was. A large staircase was in the middle of the room. He didn’t know where it led, but didn’t care. So he began towards it and walked up it.
At the top of the stairs was Gus. He stood there idly. “Hi Hunter.” Gus began, his voice was off. “Can you help me?” He asked.
Yes! What’s up? Hunter’s perspective during this whole dream was switching between first person and third person. Though he didn’t even realize it.
“Look what I did.” Gus’s face twisted into a strange smile. A smile that shouldn’t be possible for a person to do. He then turned around and pointed into the fog that had been surrounding the two.
Behind Gus was a swarm of Guards. All previous Golden Guards. They were all surrounding a spot on the ground. Huddled up like two children had just broken out into a fight and they are all trying to get a glimpse. Hunter wanted to get a glimpse too.
He made his way towards the area of observation, carefully weaving through the crowd. All the guards seemed to be angry at him. He wasn’t sure why, but didn’t pay much mind to it. The only thing that mattered was seeing what all the commotion was about. Finally he reached the center. Or more like the wall.
They were all crowded around Hunter and Willow’s dead bodies. Hunter gagged at the sight. But for some reason, the Hunter that was on the floor wasn’t him. It wasn’t Hunter. Maybe his name was Hunter, but that didn’t mean that’s who he was.
Still, he frowned. The guards all murmured amongst themselves. They sounded displeased. Hunter heard footsteps approaching.
“Hi Hunter.” Gus said. Hunter turned to face him. His face distorted and stretched. “This was for my English project. To see how the mind would react to seeing themselves dead.” Gus explained. “Then how they’d react once they die themselves.” Gus suddenly had a knife.
Hunter took a step back, and fell through the floor, landing in a pool. The water was suffocating. But it wasn’t water, it was thicker. Still, it was drowning him. He struggled to get out, to breath.
Something grabbed onto his leg, pulling him down. He could tell what it was that had a hold of his leg. Belos. Or at least, the goopy version of him. Hunter tried to kick it away, but it was no use.
It had a hold of him, and it sure as hell wasn’t going to let go. He was going to die. Belos was going to kill him. Willow was dead, and he’d be joining her.
Expect, no he wouldn’t be. Because she’d be in heaven. He wasn’t going there. That scared him even more than just dying.
So he kept kicking and fighting. Until he eventually broke free and swam back to the top. Willow was waiting for him on the shore. Her feet buried in the sand. She didn’t say anything, instead, waving. There was a large gash in her chest. She looked like she had been stabbed.
Are you alright? You look hurt. He said, grabbing her hand.
I’m fine. You were drowning. I thought you were dead. But here you are, struggling to breath. Her words filled the empty void that was the beach they stood at.
The sky was dark. The moon shattered into a million pieces. The water was green. Maybe he had been swimming in that goop the whole time.
Are you real? I think I’m dreaming. Hunter stared into her eyes. They shined with life that the other dream people lacked.
I don’t know. Willow frowned, looking down at the sand. I think so. Or maybe this whole place is fake.
I’m gonna try to wake up now. I think I’ve had enough dreaming for today. Plus Skara and Viney probably miss us. Willow simply nodded, and she grabbed his hands and watched the sea behind them.
—
Hunter and Willow both shoot up simultaneously. Like they had just experienced the same dream. Maybe the same type of dream. Maybe not.
Viney and Skara are nowhere to be found. The house was eerily quiet. “I had the weirdest dream.” Hunter huffed, clearly out of breath.
“Me too.” Willow replied, straightening her hair and retightening her pony tails. “That was weird. You were in my dream. You were dead.”
“You were alive. But with a big wound in your chest. Blood was everywhere.” Hunter explained.
“Ha, that’s weird…I stabbed myself in my dream. Did it look like I had been stabbed?” Willow asked, hesitantly.
“Yes…” Hunter replied, a sour taste eroded on his tongue infecting his taste buds. “Is it possible for two people to share the same dream?”
“I don’t know if that’s what happened.” Willow frowned, adjusting herself, so that she was sitting criss-cross.
Unlike last time, Hunter was now laying on Willow. More specifically he made his way into her lap. She gently rubbed her hands through his thick hair. “Then what happened? What else could that have been?” Hunter questioned, his eyes closed and his ears twitching.
“I don’t know.” Willow admitted. “What do you think your dream meant?” She asked, staring at him. His soft face.
“Being with you had freed me in some way from the burdens of Belos. But also something about Gus and the Guards. I think I’m still mad at him.”
“Hm.” Willow hummed. “I understand. I would be mad too. I mean, he shouldn’t have done that. But also, I hate living life angry. When I do, I feel miserable. It feels more exhausting than just talking to or about whatever is making me upset.”
Hunter nodded, or tried to. Willow got the gesture regardless. “What do you think yours was about? Or how did you take it?”
“I’m not sure.” Willow said, quietly. “Do you wanna hear about it? Just what happened. I’ll keep it short I promise.” Hunter gave his almost nod again. “It started in my bedroom. A weird ethereal being helped me get to Luz’s house, in the human realm. She seemed so scared, so I comforted her. I think she knew something. Inside though, it was like the owl house. Gus was in the corner of her living room. He was so scared. I think he killed you.”
Hunter swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat.
“I went on a hunt for you. Because you were missing. Gus had misplaced you or something. I saw my dad and papa, and they were merged together. Then I found you. Vines all around you. Your body was surrounded by the previous golden guards. Next to you was a knife, and I used it to kill myself.” Willow finished.
“That’s a lot.” Was all Hunter could manage to say. Willow nodded. The two laid there for a moment, soaking up the events that had just occurred. “Maybe it’s about your feelings on holding people together. It was your vines around me, it was you finding me, it was you going to Luz’s house and comforting her. Trying to fix Gus’s mess.”
“That’s a good observation. You really were listening.” Willow smiled.
“Yeah. Of course I was. I like listening to you talk. I like your voice.” Willow went bright red. She’s never been flustered like this before, and Hunter probably doesn’t even realize. Oh she could kiss. She will kiss him.
She grabs Hunter’s face and pulls it up into hers. His body is now sitting upright and leaning into hers. He’s still seated in her lap.
The front door comes flying open. Laughter can be heard throughout the house. Viney and Skara are back. Where had they even gone?
The two teens walk into the living room. Getting a front row seat to the makeout sesh that was happening. “Woah!” Skara gasps reflexively.
“Shhh!! Don’t interrupt them.” Viney giggles. The couple unlatched from one another and backed away into the arms of the couch on opposite sides. “Okay love birds, let’s keep it PG. Even when we’re not here.” Viney mocks. Skara laughs along to her jokes. Hanging on to every word that exits her mouth.
“Just shut up. Let’s move on.” Hunter grumbles, his face is bright red. It extends to his ears. Willow is also red, but mostly in her cheeks.
“We should probably get going anyways. I was supposed to help with dinner tonight. I didn’t intend to sleep over, haha.” She laughs at her own joke. Hunter giggles along. “Hunter, do you wanna come over?” Willow offers.
Hunter thinks for a minute. Weighing his options. He really doesn’t want to go home yet. Darius would be with John, and the house would be tense, and he just didn’t want to experience that at the moment. “Yeah.” Hunter finally replies with a smile.
“Great!” Willow beams, as she gets up and grabs her bag. It’s a small purse. Hunter grabs his satchel and takes her hand. The two leave together. Skara and Viney tease the two until they get to the driveway.
“Bye guys! Glad we could be of help.” Viney smiles.
“We’re like Cupid!” Skara exclaims. “But sexier and older and cooler.”
“Mhm.” Viney nods, before shooting finger guns at Willow and winking. Willow shoots them back at her and walks off.
—
Darius enters the cabin. It’s late and he’s exhausted. The moon has already risen. The man wants to mentally smack himself for leaving Hunter alone for so long.
“I really don’t deserve to call myself that boy's father.” Darius said aloud, rubbing his forehead with his thumb and index finger.
The house is eerily quiet. Small snores can be heard, but they are most definitely not Hunter’s. If he snores, he snores. Darius walks towards the sound to investigate.
Curled up on the end of Darius’s bed is Eber. Usually they sleep in the bathroom on the rug or in the kitchen on the rug, never in his bedroom. Especially never in his bed. This was strange, however Darius was far too tired to do anything about the situation.
On his to-do list: apologize to Hunter for being gone for so long, shower, and sleep. That’s all he was focused on.
So he moseyed on over to Hunter’s bedroom, peeking his head inside. Hunter wasn’t there. Darius went inside to investigate.
Had he been kidnapped? Oh god! This is why children have guardians, so that they are watched over and not taken. “Hunter?” Darius whispered as a last ditch attempt. But to no avail. Hunter wasn’t here. Darius did notice something.
Hunter’s bag was gone. The bag he takes when he goes to visit his friends. Which means he’s with his friends. Darius pulled out his crow and dialed Hunter’s number. He wasn’t sure if the boy would be carrying it on him, but since Scrolls don’t have a call feature, and he was certainly too tired to text, he’d just have to pray.
The line wasn’t answered. “Shit.” Darius cussed under his breath. “Okay I’ll just call around. He’s gotta be somewhere where adults are, right?” A small voice was creeping up. “Okay yes.” So he dialed Perry. “Hello Perry?”
“Hello, who is this?” Perry asked, groggily. He was likely just awakened by this call.
“Darius. Hunter’s…caregiver.” He hesitated. “Is he with Gus?” Darius asked frantically.
“No, Gus is out with Matt. Hunter isn’t there. Or I doubt he is, because I’m pretty sure those boys are out on a date.” Perry weakly laughed. “Was that all?”
“Yes, sorry.” Darius hung up and tried the next person. “Hello, is this Willow’s dad?” Darius hadn’t caught their names the last time they had met.
“Yes. And this is?” The man replied, sounding annoyed.
“I’m Darius. Hunter’s…guardian.” Could he even call himself a caregiver. “I’m calling because I’m not sure where he is. Is he with you?”
“Yes, he’s here.” The man sighed. Chatter could be heard in the background. Hunter’s voice was somewhere in that distant sound.
“Okay, what’s your address, I’ll come pick him up.” Darius said, rushing to grab a pencil and paper from one of Hunter’s desk drawers.
“Look, why don’t you call me again around 12. We’re in the middle of something. Or better yet, I’ll just fly him back. How’s that?”
“Uhm…wait no-“ The man hung up before Darius could say anything else. Darius stood dumbfounded, unsure of what to do next. He had no clue where Willow lived, or if Hunter would truly return tonight. But Titan, he was tired. Maybe he could just sneak in a nap. So he meandered back to his bedroom, and laid down. He made sure to keep his feet away from Eber, mostly out of fear of getting bit.
Darius wasn’t a very good father. This whole John situation has definitely shed some light on that. When Darius was younger he also said he’d rather die than have a child, yet here he was. Hunter was a good kid. A little traumatized, but that wasn’t super prevalent anymore. Or at least not that Darius was aware of. He hoped the boy was being honest with him about that. Hunter was definitely a lot better than he was when he had first moved in. The nightmares and night terrors were awful. Darius tried his best to comfort Hunter, but usually he’d have to wait it out.
Hunter had gotten suspended. That was shocking. Darius had almost forgotten about that. The whole raising the dead had definitely taken the forefront of his mind. Maybe he should talk to Hunter about that tomorrow. What if Hunter didn’t come home? That’s why he left, because he was mad. It would make sense for him to not come back. As much as he used to be a fight person, he’s more of a flight person now. Darius wondered if that was his own doing.
Eda was right. Darius had been neglecting Hunter. A good parent would put their child first, not an old friend. Not only was he being neglectful to Hunter, but he was being an ass towards John. If John wants to die, he should be okay with that. Doesn’t mean the pit in his stomach or the ache in his heart will go away. Darius frowned, turning on to his side and staring at the blank wall. He let out a sigh, and closed his eyes. The thoughts slowly drifted as he did. Now there wasn’t just one muffled snore, but two.