Page 34 of Hunt Me
I know there is nothing but empty supply cabinets and a few bags of blankets. The others and I decided to leave in case of emergencies, but I don’t try to stop her as she slowly makes her way around, inspecting her surroundings with purpose.
I clear my throat, unsure of how best to approach the subject.‘I’ve heard stories… if you want to talk about—’
‘We mostly kept hidden and got out when it started to get really bad.’Her voice is uneven, and I quicken my pace to get to her side.‘So no need to worry about it, not that I’d expect sympathy from a Skull.’
What Fauna says hits me deep in the gut; the feeling is still new to me but becoming more regular just like my other newfound emotions. I care for her, and it hurts to know she doesn’t see that.
‘We’re not as bad as you’ve probably heard, you know.’
I hope her being here with me shows that she's already starting to believe that too.
‘That’s what every psycho says, then they go and prove just how bad they really are.’Fauna says, not bothering to look my way as she continues to inspect the room.
‘We need people to fear us so that they will leave us alone, or else they will just take and take until you have nothing left to give.’I confess.
‘Yeah, I guess so.’
I’ll show her just how trustworthy I can be. How we aren’t the masks we wear but instead what we choose to hide underneath.
I step to the side, allowing Fauna the time she needs to fully inspect the building, waiting until she gets her baring and feels as comfortable as she can considering the circumstances.
‘The showers are on this floor,’I point out, following Fauna as she approaches the metal staircase to the second floor.
When the other Skulls and I first discovered this place, we took most of the remaining supplies, leaving only a hidden stash for emergencies. Liam and I had come across this place while scouting a few years ago. I’d been having a particularly hard timewithout my sister after yet another winter without her. As soon as the frost started to thaw, we went out searching for anything. I’d forgotten the memory of us both holed up in a back cupboard we’d converted into a makeshift fort when a snowstorm came barrelling in, stopping us from an easy route home.
We’d wandered for hours until we found this place, but it was no wonder no one else had really thought to look here, given its abandoned state. Plus, we were some of the first to venture out in the gap between the fierce weather. The unlucky ones who hadn’t frozen to death looked half-starved when we eventually began to bump into them.
I consider how, after every winter, other survivors tend to forget what the Skull mask represents. The long months without others for company sends them mad and reckless. Not long ago, a group of us decided it would be necessary to display the bodies of those who had challenged us, serving as a warning to others who might consider doing the same. Some have forgotten what our masks represent, and like this year, we reminded the city who we are by tying up a few of the ones that tried their luck attacking us for the rest of them to see.
My mind wanders back to Isla, remembering that now winter is over, it has been another year without my headstrong little sister's laughter and constant jabs my way. Fauna’s unwavering strength reminds me of her in so many ways.
A whispered‘no way’pulls me back to the present, and Fauna moves out ahead towards the remaining showers on the wall. Then the sweet sound of running water echoes in the open space as she doesn’t wait to turn on the tap. Fauna’s smile beams from her face, happiness radiating from her and I can’t help but let it infect my own.
‘If you wait, I’ll see if the heater still works.’
‘Heater?’She squeaks,‘as in for hot water?’
The hopeful tint to her question has the protective provider side of me stirring up a desire to give her anything and everything she has ever wanted, and in this case, it seems to be warm water to wash with. I could go out to see if there are any nice soaps around for her to use. I’m sure there’s an old shop a little way back that might have something… The supply bag Liam and I left has to have something that’ll do for now.
‘Yes. Nothing but the best for you, my girl.’I wink, moving to turn the tap off in an effort to conserve what might be the last of what is left.
Fauna’s head tips back, angling to the ceiling, looking for something. I tilt my head back to copy her, but I see nothing but metal and half-finished wiring.
I squint, trying to look harder for whatever she has found. I must be missing something.
Beside me, Fauna let’s out an audible breath, shaking her head left to right before snapping forwards to look my way. I drop my gaze to meet hers and almost let out a groan at the fight blazing behind her eyes.
Oh, my little deer has some fire stored away, and all I can hope for is that she’ll be kind enough to share it with me.
Her soft steps are the only sound in the open space as she approaches where I am standing – my feet are placed wide beneath me, and at some point, I moved to cross my arms over my chest.
Every step I expect to be her last, for her to decide this is close enough, but no, she continues until her chest is lightly brushing up against my forearms.
My mind spirals at the contact. Images of my hands exploring her body, would she shiver in pleasure at the contact. How would it feel for the soft flesh of her breasts to fill my palm?
She leans in, and fireworks go off in my mind – this is it.
This is fucking it.
