Chapter 25
Decision
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Content Warning: This chapter might contain violence, abuse, crime, or triggering factors that may be harmful, disturbing, or traumatizing to some. Reader’s discretion is advised. Thank you.
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“Hunter…” It was his brother, Hector, who gave him a beer.
Uncle Bob was talking to the elders about it. Their parents weren’t around and everything have a process. Even though it was already decided we couldn’t evade the fact that we still have to follow the rule.
He accepted the beer from his hand and instantly take three huge gulps before putting it down the wooden stair where he was sitting to.
Hector, on the other hand, leaned on the wooden wall as he silently drank his beer.
Silence filled the air as the almost full moon was glistening with the stars, amidst the dark night sky. It was solemn but the creepiness it held as darkness embraced the forest in front of them was visibly reflecting danger. And it was something that shouldn’t be stepped into.
Perhaps, it was the reason why the parents in the community never allowed their pups to lurk when it was already nighttime. No matter how advanced our skills and senses were we couldn’t let the next generation be hurt especially by the rouges.
“Are you sure about this?” Hector blurted out all of a sudden causing me to be drawn back to reality.
It seemed like he was so worried of what Uncle Bob said.
To be honest, if he still had another choice he would not dare do the ritual.
It was an ancient ritual and it was deeply buried underground. Even Uncle Bob didn’t know whether it would be effective or not. He didn’t even know whether it would be a good idea or not.
But Hunter didn’t know what else could he do.
This happened because of him. And no matter what everyone tells him to not blame himself about what happened he couldn’t do it. He was as guilty as f*ck and he is to blame. He knew that it happened because of him.
He was just too cocky. He let his guard down. He let himself drown with his selfishness and annoyance especially when he saw that Leila’s self-proclaimed friend.
Hector let out a deep sigh as he didn’t get an answer from him.
It seemed like he, too, was too concerned of Leila.
Who wouldn’t?
She is such a happy go lucky girl who lurk around like nothing to be afraid of. Her soul loved freedom. She is kindhearted and cheery.
Hunter couldn’t help himself but to let out a loud curse inside his mind.
He didn’t even know that all of those qualities genuine except today. He was always reluctant no, in denial when it comes to Leila. He would always tease her be angry at her.
All because of the fact that he couldn’t accept that he could already see how charming she was whenever she was with him. He didn’t know what he was slowly being drawn to her. And he was just so confused so, he was being so harsh on her.
“There is no other way…” Hunter said unexpectedly causing Hector to look at him.
He swallowed hard as he stared blankly on the dark forest.
“If there is I would still do it. I will make sure to do it…” He uttered in pure resolve.
Hector let out a deep sigh and drank his beer.
“But you don’t have to. Why are you doing this?” Hector inquired curiosity was dripping into his every word.
But that made him snap his eyes to his brother. His forehead creased trying to decipher what he wanted to tell him. Although he had already had this tiny hunch about it he wouldn’t want to acknowledge it.
“What are you trying to say?” Hunter retorted back in between his gritting teeth.
But Hector smiled at him sardonically.
“You seem to be so into her.” He said straightforwardly.
However, Hunter wasn’t surprised anymore. Hector was just too overthinking.
‘Really?’ A part of his mind inquired at him no, it was more of teasing him.
He clenched his jaw and slightly shook his head, unable to say a word.
Truthfully, he was still too confused. And he wouldn’t want to decide yet especially not to his brother. If he would accept these feelings as facts it would be better to tell it to Leila first. As if he would let Hector get what he wanted to make him confess and believe that he was right.
It was the least thing that he wanted to decide into.
Besides, he knew that after all of this there was a huge chance that Hector would tease him for eternity because of this.
So, it would be better if he would just stop and let him think what he wanted to think of him and Leila.
“You really won’t tell me, huh?” Hector inquired like a parrot.
He was just too childish.
Or perhaps, this was just his way of trying to lighten up my mood. And to be honest, it was effective. Being with him right now teasing me and making him so annoyed was working a bit.
“Stop it… I don’t have to answer that. Just stop being such a pest.” He ruthlessly commented causing Hector scoff like a child.
He simply rolled his eyes not wanting to say another word. Because if he did, this won’t end. He inwardly let out a deep sigh.
But a few minutes later, the silence of the night was ruined by a loud hysteric.
Hunter’s eyes widened as he quickly went inside the mansion.
“What is happening?” He instantly inquired at Myrtle, who came out from the room.
She seemed to be so scared over something. She was unable to say a word. She just pointed at the closed door.
“L-Leila…” She uttered making his heart beat pound so hard inside his chest.
He was trembling inside as he turned the knob and opened the door. His legs wobbled as he was looking at Leila’s state.
She was already spitting a lot of blood.
“U-Uncle Bob…” Hunter called his uncle’s name.
Then, he shook his head.
“We must do the ritual now, Hunter. We can’t wait a bit more. Her blood… It was already turning into a poison and worst, her body couldn’t handle it anymore.” Uncle Bob explained profoundly.
“But the elders didn’t approve it yet and-”
It was his brother who said those words but he shook his head.
“I will take full responsibility.” Hunter declared seriously.
Everyone’s eyes snapped on him.
“You can’t do that!” Hector disapproved angrily.
However, he knew that they couldn’t dispute his decision. And he wouldn’t allow him to. No one could stop him in doing this.
Uncle Bob let out a deep sigh.
“Let’s start then…” He said seriously as he asked everyone to get out of the room except him.