Hunter

"Honey I have clients at three and four thirty today so please make sure you are well hidden between two and six pm. Love you, breakfast is on the counter."

I skimmed over my mom's text message after I finally found my phone. I somehow always lose it. For instance I found it in the shower this morning, and I didn't even take one last night.

I slowly walked back downstairs reaching the basement which no one even knows we have. There's a hatch door in our laundry room that's covered by the "washing machine". When you switch it to regular cycle and hit start the washing machine moves allowing you to see the hatch door and enter the basement. The basement contains my king size bed, a lot of basketball posters, weights, a TV, and the real washer and dryer. Yep, you guessed it. I always have laundry duty.

Since I just woke up and it's already one, I decided to stay camped out in my secret man cave until six. I have my phone, a lot of things to mess around with, and snacks so I'll be perfectly content in this dark, musty space.

My mother, Faith Reed, is an herbalist. She is a strong believer in natural remedies and herbs having the ability to cure everything including cancer and in this case EPA. Her whole career has been solely focused on finding a permanent cure for the deadly disease that changed everything around us. Our government, our generations, our planet. I'm positive she has gotten further than any medical director has, if there even were any since we have never seen them at work. The governments hides them because of how angry and full of rage citizens of the United States are.

Being self-employed has its cons though. For instance, she doesn't get paid by the government, she gets paid by her clients if any sign her on. That's an If. When she does get paid it all goes for further research and supplies to replenish her stocks.

So money is pretty tight, but my mother never lets that show to people outside of this family. My little brother and sister have no clue either. She get's them everything they want for Christmas, brings them to their favorite restaurants for their birthday, and generally makes time for them when she knows she should be working.

I admire my mother greatly. She is the strong, independent woman I would want my daughters to grow up to be. I definitely don't tell her that as much as I should.

My father, Bert Reed, is a complete jack ass that left when things just started getting tough. The only word I have for him is coward. That's all I ever saw.

Because of my moms beliefs she wanted her first child, me, to be born naturally at home just like how the process of child birth used to be done routinely. I was a very easy pregnancy and an extremely easy birth, but I tore her hemorrhage which is a common risk caused by natural child birth. She tried to use essential oils, herbs, and organic medications but nothing could stop her from giving birth to my sister and then my brother at a hospital. This made my mom and dad have a forbidden child without purposely meaning to. Since I was born at home I was never placed in government records while my siblings were because it's mandatory for the hospital to do so.

My father contained a very big role in the security compartment of the capital facility in D.C. Apparently Salem Balor would come over all the time for dinner when my mom was pregnant with me. When my dad realized they broke the biggest law that runs the country so smoothly he gave my mom money, and told her to run away with us.

He didn't want to lose his job. My mom tries to support him and back him up when she tells us the story, but I don't believe that our lives were ever his main focus to save. He was just trying to rescue his own drowning body.

We now live in a nice lodge in Colorado. My sister, Emma Reed, is 12 years old and in sixth grade. She's loving middle school. My brother, Cameron Reed, is nine years old and in third grade. He hates school, he definitely gets that from me. I do an online schooling program that my mom made for me, and I absolutely despise it. Usually I fuck around and barely do any of it, or I call Alex and complain about it to her the whole time I'm doing it.

I've always had a phone, my dad Brought one home from the capital facility and said to my mom something about it being specially coded for the government can't see these ones. "They aren't invented in their eyes." He stated specifically.

When our leader Ralph Miller created an accidental group chat I got a notification right away, the only one who has access to text me is my mom so I tapped it without any thought, and that officially made me a member of the forbidden child group chat. The very first person I got close to was Alex. Her personality, confidence, and crazy episodes are the brightest memories I have. Personally, I haven't been bored since all of us received several friends to talk to all day and give each other hope about our future. Alex is an overall talkative person through text even though she has social anxiety in real life but shhh only I'm supposed to know that. She made a lot of good friends while I can't text one word without auto correct taking over my life. This leads me to my conclusion of why I annoy Alex 24/7, because no one else bothered to get to know me. I hate texting anyway.

A good thing about Alex is that her triplet situation makes it easier for her to call and not just text. We at least call once everyday, if we don't something is wrong.

Bing

Speaking of the devil...

Heyyyy

Hey I was just thinking about you

Yeah, because that's not creepy at all...

You know what I mean

Do I?

Wanna call?

Sure, but I got to get off at 2:30 mom's got a client at 3.

Sounds good

Ring Ring

Dang, she does not waste a second

I answered after a few rings to piss her off.

"HEY GURL WELCOME TO SHANIQUA'S SALON WOULD YOU LIKE SOME FRENCH TODAY OR THAT GORGEOUS GEL!!! I HAVE COLORS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR EYES P TO THE O TO THE P!!!" I screeched in a high voice.

"Uhm..." She replied.

"Nah I'm playing it's me." I stated bluntly while getting up to start lifting weights.

"You don't say," She said while I could perfectly imagine her rolling her eyes.

"Alex...." I whined.

"Hunterrrr," she continued in the same voice.

"Alex I'm boredddd," I cried while going five more pounds heavier.

"Me too, be funny." She simply demanded.

"It's not that easy cupcake." I grunted.

"Are you really lifting right now?" She questioned.

"Yes. Apparently it's too loud when my mom's clients are here so I have to just sit on my phone till six. It's boring." I explained.

"You're boring." She remarked.

I sighed.

"What are you doing then Miss. Fun?" I asked.

"I am being amazing, duh." She replied.

"Yeah I can smell the dirt you are picking out from your nails all the way through the screen." I scrunched my nose.

"Haha very funny. I did that once." She snarled.

"Yeah on call, who knows how much you do it when you are home alone." I laughed.

"Well your weights are probably the fucking bunnies sponge-bob lifts." She retaliated.

"Ouch I'm so--"

Beep

"Hey hold up Ralph texted me privately..." I said weirdly. The only person he chats privately is Simon and Briana.

"Hey..Me too?" Alex questioned.

Hey, this is my grandpas address to his cabin. 401 Maple Avenue, Logan Utah, 12257. It's very secluded and in the middle of nowhere. He agreed with this whole plan, he knows he's expecting guests. Get there by Friday. Stay Safe. Forbidden Children are uniting and no one is ready for it.

He's always been the overdramatic one.

"Wait, all of us are actually meeting?" Alex asked quietly.

"Yeah, I mean I guess so, we've been talking about it for awhile." I replied already starting to sweat. I don't know if it's from the text or the weights though.

"It's so weird. I don't even know what my best friends look like." She added.

"Well, you know I have dirty blonde hair and grey eyes. Im basically a spinning image of my mom."I said arrogantly.

"Thanks that helps a lot because I definitely know what your mom looks like." She sighed sarcastically.

"Well if you go, you'll see me and I'll show a picture of my mom." I amused her.

"So you are going?" She asked.

"Yeah I mean, all of you guys have been apart of my life for years now. Like you said, we don't know what we all look like for safety reasons. We are all smart too, and know how to hide. I honestly don't see the big danger factor." I reassured her and myself.

"Except the punishment we get from our parents when we get back." She said.

"Shit..." I didn't even think about that, how am I going to sneak out let alone steal my mom's car.

"Yep...shit." She added.

I heard my front door alarm go off.

"Hey my mom is here which means her client will be here soon, I have to go." I said quickly while hanging up.

My mom doesn't even know about Alex or the group chat. She'll kill me.

**********************************************************************

Later that Monday night my whole family was home eating dinner in the living room. I was there too which felt nice. I love my family. My sister was laying her head on my lap while my brother was leaning on my shoulder when we had a gigantic couch. My mom was on the other side smiling. She looked tired but that spark in her eyes never seemed to go away. She was always filled with such hope for life and humanity. It never ceases to amaze me.

"What should we watch tonight kids?" She asked while grabbing the remote.

"The nightmare before Christmas!" Cameron shouted. Ever since he watched it in class he's been obsessed with it.

"No, Coraline!" Emma contradicted Cameron with her bossy voice.

"Okay, Hunter. Your choice is what we watch." She smirked putting me in a horrible position.

"That's not fair, he's 16, of course he gets to pick!" Emma crossed her arms.

"No silly it's because the votes are tied." I tried to explain but she wasn't having it.

I sighed while looking at Cameron who was already half asleep.

"Coraline it is." I stated rolling my eyes.

"WOOHOO! Best big brother ever." She giggled while hugging me.

God forbid I chose the other option.

My mom flipped on the TV and there was an emergency broadcast on about forbidden children. There always is, but this one was in our state.

"Wait don't switch yet." I said sitting up.

"Hunter we don't have to watch this." My mother whispered sweetly.

"Just for a few minutes." I shooed her away with my hand.

Earlier this evening two forbidden kids were found taking shelter from the rain under the Great Lakes dock. One has been captured and killed while the other murdered three soldiers from Blade Briar's army and has yet been found after he barely escaped. If you see a teenage boy, believed to be around 15-16, pale, long straight black hair, please report any possible witnesses to your closest police station. Thank you.

A picture of both of them appeared on the screen.

What if I talk to them? What if I know them? What if they were going to the cabin I want to try to get to? Should I stay?

Millions of questions were racing through my head, I had no idea how I was going to watch a movie now.

"Mom, is it okay If I sit this one out." I said quickly while gently sliding the already sleeping Emma off my lap and laid her head on Cameron's lap.

"Yes of course." She said solemnly but In an understanding way.

That could easily be me. That could easily be Alex. It could be any of us, as soon as we leave the safety of our walls our very life is at risk of death. Someone could see us and shoot us on the spot without getting in trouble. We aren't supposed to be here.

I ran to my room in the basement and texted Alex and then texted the group chat.  

Alex 🤪❤️

Hey Alex I'm having a mini freak out right now, text that you are alive in the group chat please. Right now Alex.

Forbidden Fellas😈

Everyone say the goodnight message to indicate you are okay right now. Emergency broadcast in my area. Forbidden child shot and dead. One is on the run.

Ralph🤠: Here.

Alex🤪❤️: I'm okay

Tate👌: Can't get rid of me that easily.

Jack😂: Right here man. Jaanai is with me.

Briana😳🤣: All is well here.

Simon😇: I'm okay as well. You alright Hunter?

Dylan😏: Y'all wish I was gone.

Me: Where's Maya?

We all waited for her text that never came that night.

**********************************************************************

Ring Ring

I got woken up at 3 in the morning by my phone buzzing under the pillow.

"Hello..." I whispered.

"Hey its Alex." She whispered back.

"No shit I wouldn't have answered a call without checking the caller I.D." I said in my hoarse voice.

"You actually fell asleep?" She asked sharply.

"Yes, why?" I asked confused.

"Maya still hasn't sent a text. Everyone is freaking out. This hasn't happened in awhile. I was on call with Briana but she got in trouble for waking up her little brother with her laugh." Alex said quickly. Something she does when she's nervous.

"Hey calm down. I know it hasn't happened in awhile but Maya is always the last person to text the group chat. She's probably thinking of ways to appose gravity and fly right now." I replied.

"I guess." Alex simply stated.

"I think I'm going to leave tonight." I said suddenly while sitting up and thinking of things to bring.

"What?" She asked with a delayed reaction.

"To Ralph's Cabin." I simply explained.

"you are still going!?" She practically whispered shouted however that works.

"Yeah this made me want to go more honestly. We are stronger together, if anything did happen our chances of survival are much higher. It's only for a day. We'll be gone for three days at most because of traveling." I continued while packing a duffel bag.

"What about your mom..." Alex began to ask.

"She'll understand." I interrupted. I hate when people make me feel guilty for my choices.

"If the child that died was Maya she got hurt traveling there." Alex retaliated.

"Okay but Maya never cared about survival, it was about dreams for her. We do Alex." I argued getting frustrated.

"It could happen to any of us." She commented.

"I know, but I'm done watching broadcasts of people killing us and being proud of it. I want to meet you Alex. I want to meet all of you." I sighed getting dressed.

"I know." She stated.

There was a long silence. I was about to say goodbye since I was ready to go upstairs and leave when she said, "Ill see you there then." and hung up.

I walked quietly upstairs and took my mom's car keys off the hook by the back door. Thank God we don't have a garage. I decided my family at least was owed a note.

Dear Mom, Emma, and Cameron,

I met friends just like me a few years ago, and we decided to meet before it's too late.I love you guys. I'm sorry for taking your car mom, but I'll be back in three days. If I walked I would be gone for two weeks and I would never do that to you. I'm smart and I'll stay safe. I'll be back soon I promise. I love you guys forever and always.

Sincerely,

Hunter

P.S. I can't tell you where it is. I can't risk it.