Back to the real World: Hunter part XI

15 days before Hunter's death-

Hunter wakes up on a hospital bed.

the car accident was so violent that he was unconscious for many days. it was a miracle that he survived. he received a terrible concussion. it was a bigger miracle for him to wake up. he can feel the pain in his whole body.

as soon as Hunter woke up, he knew the accident wasn't an accident. it was meant to stop him. it was a warning to him. he felt so much pain on his legs & arms. he can barely keep his eyes open.

Hunter tries to stand up slowly. his body felt so weak. he could barely move. he was told that his phone broke on the accident. he can't contact anyone. he was left on the hospital to die a lonely quiet death.

Hunter wasn't able to walk too far away from the hospital. he looked at the window next to his bed. the Ferryman visited him. he seem to be angry for what happen. Hunter didn't care anymore if he was alone, or not.

Hunter is watching the sky. he smiles as he feels some sort of peace. nothing has gone the way he has expected to be. he isn't giving up jet. he is just admitting that the Deities are fearful enemies. they are heartless monsters.

Hunter felt so much impotence. he saw that he can't defy the Gods, at least not with a frontal attack. he has to play dirty if he wants to see any results.

the Ferryman plays chess using the bed like table. the Ferryman is talking to himself as he plays. Hunter is mostly ignoring him. his time is running out. the only hope that he has now. is to make contact with Ryker.

there is nothing else for him to do. he did everything that he could. Ryker is the last light which he can grab. there is no one else to ask for help.

the Ferryman keeps playing until he wins the game. the Ferryman turns to see Hunter. there is one thing he wants to ask. he knows it is risky.

"did you know on game is mostly easy for one side to win. because one player has a better understanding of the game. the same happens on real life. a side wins a war. but what about those times in which none wins? had you ever thought about that? is easier to see a winner on war. but there are times in which they didn't won anything at all. they lose their souls before winning a battle."

said Ferryman looking away.

"I don't need to win the game. I just need to go for a middle ground. a point in which there are no winners, nor losers..... thanks."

said Hunter smiling peacefully.

"I see you in ten days."

whispers the Ferryman.

the Ferryman vanishes. Hunter is looking at the window. he whistles with a huge smile on his face. maybe there is something that only he can do before his time comes. there has to be anything before his final day.

Hunter stayed on the hospital to sleep. the next day he was told that he needed to stay for at least a week. Hunter accepted to stay for another four days.

he stayed on the hospital without doing much. he was thinking about something. when he tried to pay for the hospital bills. he was told that someone already payed for him.

the following days Martha came to visit. she told him many things about Stewart, the school, and even about herself. she confessed how scared & sad she was when she received a call telling her about his accident.

10 days left-

Hunter is taken on a wheelchair by Martha to her house. he tries to tell her that he can walk on his own. she scolds him. the accident cause a lot of damage to his back. so if he wants to ever walk again, he can't force himself to walk. he has to be careful.

Hunter had already walked away from her. Hunter had already given up on a romance with Martha. he had tried to forget her. and here he is on her home. here he is under Martha's care. is it fate? is it destiny? is it because he can't forget her? on every moment of difficulty he thinks about her.

later that day he learned that she is dating someone else. after he left she was sad, she was heartbroken, she thought about him. then a man slowly with good intentions approach her. little by little he won her heart. he is a good man who has helped her to take care of Stewart.

Hunter understood then that it was pointless to think about romance. it is pointless to stay a single second in there, on her life. she has found happiness. Stewart no longer needs of his help. before Martha could introduce her new lover, or before Stewart could see him again. Hunter was gone. he left like a phantom that was never there.

Hunter is walking on the streets. he feels so much pain on his back on every step. in every step he takes, his body sound like maracas. Hunter smiles to hide the pain. the pain on his hearth, the pain on his back, the pain that has been his entire life.

Hunter stole some cigars from Martha's home. he puts a cigar on his mouth. he also stole a phone. he calls Ed White & Ned Kelly. he asked them to meet him. both of them agreed on different days and different places.

Hunter laughs hysterically. he laughs like a maniac. his laughter sounds more twisted. he stops laughing. he combs his hair. Hunter falls on his knees. he start to cry.

"all I asked of you was a simple life. all I wanted was to feel like I belong somewhere. what have you done to me? what have you done of me? I curse you life, damn be the day I was born. I curse you life."

yields Hunter with rage & pain.

"if you need help. I can help you. we don't need to behave like strangers. we have become closer to each other on the past days."

said Ryker with a calm face.

Ryker is well dressed. he walks with a walking stick. he points at the watch on his wrist. Ryker helps Hunter to stand up. Ryker takes him to his car. Hunter just follows with no words nor other actions.

Hunter arrived at a luxurious department. Hunter was exited to see the home of the author he has admired all his life. Ryker asks him if he wants to drink tea. Hunter accepts as he looks at the copies of Ryker's books.

Ryker gives him cookies and tea. Ryker sits on a sofa. he takes a computer to work on his next book. Ryker asks Hunter if he knows what is the origin of his works. Hunter has no idea what to answer. Ryker tells him that nightmares, imagination, & real life.

Ryker tells him that his experience on the 'Game' is part of some of his works. the reason he is secretive about his identity has to do with winning the game. Hunter wants to know more about him.

5 days left-

Hunter is inside of a cafe. he is drinking a black coffee without sugar. in front of him is sitting Ned Kelly. he is drinking a really sweet 'coffee' with extra caramel & cream. Hunter is looking at a nerdy teen.

"so you are saying that I am going to die on a game. that game is a trap from the Gods to keep a source of souls. human sacrifices are like a fountain of youth to them. let's say that I believe you, then why should I go against what is meant to be?"

said Ned with all seriousness.

Hunter feels like something must be wrong. he was sure that he won't believe it, or he would try to follow him. Ned's reaction was strange & confusing to Hunter. after some thinking Hunter asks for an explanation. why he doesn't seem to care.

"it is really simple. for what I understand the system was programmed to only collect certain type of people. it only collects souls that fall under certain criteria. but do you think it is so simple to go against it? think about for how long Son of Sun has existed without any scandal. it is simple, or you become part of the list or you get killed."

said Ned showing fear.

for Ned it all meant that death was the only answer. there was no other exit. death was his only choice. Ned never thought that he would die like that. he always dreamed with becoming a successful inventor. he always dreamed with dying of old age.

"I am sorry for the trouble. thanks for the help. can you do me a favor? once you are there please take care of Beau for me. he needs of a friend to be at his side on that lone long road. sorry for the trouble."

said Hunter forcing a smile.

Hunter leaves quietly. he has trouble walking properly. the damage on his back is bad, he doesn't worry about it. he only has five days left to live. he only cares about the outcome of his efforts.

Hunter is calm as he thinks of the time he has left. he has five days left. five days before Ferryman can claim the soul he has been dying to collect. Hunter can't blame him for doing his job. he only blames himself.

the Ferryman steps in front of him. he came to warn him of the time he has left. the Ferryman wanted to see him enjoying of life, not becoming obsessed with a dead man. the Ferryman offers him a deal.

"forget everything about Beau, stop with your capricious game at once. take your life back, in exchange you can forget Beau ever existed. I can give you some years so you can enjoy of life. I can even gift you luck to make good money."

yields Ferryman desperate.

Ferryman saw Hunter keep dragging himself to a swamp of misery. he was ready to give up on Hunter's soul. all he wanted was for Hunter to enjoy of his last days. to have some fun for himself.

"I can't do what you asked me to do. I own my life to Beau. I don't care if I die tomorrow. he saved me once, now is my turn to do the same. at least I will feel no regret if I die fighting for what I believe is the right thing to do."

said Hunter with honesty.

Hunter smiles peacefully. he no longer feels fear of dying. Hunter has accepted his fate. he is ready for what is meant to be. all mortals die sooner or later. what difference does it make if he knows when? or where? who cares about that. mortality makes life fun.

Ferryman opens his book. he left to collect some souls. Hunter understood that Ferryman was just worry for him. he understood that, but at this point it is pointless to be worry for death.

Hunter took a taxi to Ryker's home.

once there he talked to Ryker about his day. he ate some broth. Ryker let Hunter read the book on which he is working now.

Hunter reads it with curiosity. Ryker asks him about the other guy he wants to visit. Ryker bakes some cookies & makes tea.

on the last few days, Hunter has accepted death as something natural. Hunter has found a friend on Ryker, who is an eccentric man with a golden heart.

Ryker has told him about his secret club of gentleman, who were affected by the game. most of the members keep their identity a secret. some are like Ryker. they go around finding more members, they help those members, and some even risk their lives on this silent war against Deities.

they call it a silent war, because they can't even hurt one single Deity. for that reason they attacked them from the shadows. every move the club takes is silent & dangerous.

Hunter wanted to be part of the club, but he can't because he is watched by a Deity. his presence can put on danger the life of the members. Ryker alone took the initiative of helping him.

Hunter receives a call from Martha. he wasn't sure if he should answer or not. she is already with someone else, with someone better, with someone who isn't drunk on the past nor his scars. someone who deserves her.

Hunter answers the call. he listens to her sweet voice. he listens to her words. Hunter cries quietly as he tries to contain his emotions. Hunter can feel his cold tears falling. he can't deny that he truly loves her.

"I am so sorry, I am such an idiot. but I no longer belong at your side. I can't be a hindrance on your life anymore. thanks for your care. take care. bye."

said Hunter containing his emotional pain.

Hunter hangs up. with teary eyes he looks at Ryker.