The Hunter and the Hunted
Chapter 2:
Hunter arrived at school by bus the following morning and threw his backpack over his shoulder as he prepared to enter the grounds. He checked his watch before quickly heading inside. His first two classes were as inconsequential as he usually found them and upon their end he headed outside to pull out his phone and make a call. Wandering away from any passing students as he spoke, he hung up as he noticed Flash approaching him.
“You must be lost.” Hunter looked him over. “Valedictorian tryouts are that way.” He pointed back the way he came.
“Not lost at all.” He said as friendly as possible. “I came by to say hi and see how things were.”
“Peachy.” Hunter smiled. “Is that all?”
“It just seemed like things have been rough for you since you got here, which isn’t what Canterlot High is all about. I thought it’d be cool to get to know you and help you start settling in around here.”
“That’s a horrible idea.” Hunter said plainly. “Haven’t you heard what a terrible person I am?”
“What? No.”
“Damn, I’m going to have to fire my P.R. guy.” Hunter saluted. “Thanks but no thanks.” He quickly headed back inside leaving behind a confused Flash. Hunter’s third class passed by and as the school took its twenty minute break before its next class period, he went to the library to use the computers. He called up the local news page and began looking through the articles, only to be interrupted by another voice.
“Greetings.” Micro Chips said as he came over with Snails.
Hunter closed his web browser and sighed inside. He turned in his chair and crossed his legs. “Hey… Microsoft.”
“Micro Chips.” He corrected.
“Right.”
“So, a fellow library lounger eh?” He asked as he sat beside him.
“Is that a thing?” Hunter asked. “Please tell me that’s not a thing.”
“It’s not… never mind.”
“So what do you want, Chess Club?
“Well, speaking of clubs.” Micro Chips began. “I came to ask if you’d like to be a part of the Ogres and Oubliettes gaming club with us. Since you’re new, I figured you hadn’t had a chance to look into all that Canterlot High has to offer.”
“Ogres and… what now?” Hunter furrowed his brow.
“Ogres and Oubliettes.” He repeated dramatically. “A game where the only limits are your imagination.”
“And the player’s guide.” Snails added.
“Yes… and the player’s guide.” Micro Chips conceded.
“Oh my god.” Hunter mumbled under his breath. “Look, fantasy really isn’t my strong suit.”
“Come now.” He thematically gestured. “As a man of science, even I can release my mind and indulge in the idea of the fantastic.” He pointed to the sky. “Picture it; lost dungeons, terrifying creatures and a hoard of treasure. It will be a conquest for the ages.”
Hunter stared up at him with dead eyes. “Your mom’s a conquest for the ages.”
Micro Chips physically deflated and let out a heavy sigh. “For the sake of comradery… I’m going to ignore that.”
“Really?” Hunter said, almost impressed. “You’re harder than I thought.” He stood and slapped Micro Chip’s shoulder. “Going to have to take a raincheck though. I’d… like to know the touch of a woman again before I die.” With a short wave he left the library to head to his next class. “Man, what is it with this school.” He muttered as the hurried down the hall. After the fourth class it was time for lunch. Deciding to avoid the cafeteria he ate what he brought in his backpack while sitting in a quiet part of the rear field.
“My dude!” Sandalwood’s voice hailed.
“You have got to be shitting me.” Hunter said in shock as he watched him come closer.
“Seems like you found a nice place to chill.” He squatted down beside him.
“It was.” Hunter said wistfully. “Can I help you?”
“Just wanted to introduce myself man, names Sandalwood.” He held out his hand but Hunter didn’t budge. “Ha, not the hands on type, I can respect that.”
Hunter checked his watch. “Hey, only fifteen minutes of lunch left… shouldn’t you be picking the crumbs out of your dreads before class?”
Sandalwood ran his hand over his hair. “Don’t let the look fool you. These locks are pristine.”
“Your parents must be proud.” Hunter smiled.
“Hey, where do you think I got them from?” Sandalwood held out his phone and displayed a picture of him with his parents, both of whom sported dreadlocks.
“Figures.”
“If you ever want to chat or kick the bag, my friends and I are always down to hang out. The eco club also does a weekly meditation session in the park.”
“No thanks, Captain Planet.” Hunter rose.
“That’s okay, it isn’t for everyone but it’s open to anyone.” He smiled.
“You… are irritatingly impossible to annoy.” Hunter admitted.
“Dude, inner peace will see us through any storm.” He said tranquilly as Hunter headed off.
Following his fifth class, Hunter went to his locker to swap books for his final class. As he dug through his belongings, a large shadow came over him. He spun around with an exhausted groan. “Listen, I can’t take any more…” His eyes widened as he took in Bulk. “Good god, what are they feeding kids these days.”
“Hey, we haven’t officially met yet. I’m Bulk.”
“That you are.” Hunter closed his locker and took a few steps back.
“I’m friends with Flash, he said I should stop by.”
“To what? Ask me if I even?”
“No, just to say hi.” Bulk laughed. “You’ve been here for about two weeks now but people are saying you’re pretty closed off. I know how that is, people used to avoid me because they were scared. I learned to express myself and wear my heart on my sleeve, to let others know that there’s nothing to be afraid of. You act standoffish but I bet you’ve got a good inside that's just waiting to be let out.”
“Oh lord, he has the soul of a poet.” Hunter shook his head. “I promise you my insides are just as awful as my outsides.” He looked up at him pleadingly. “What do I have to do to make that clear to everyone? Kick a puppy… set fire to an old folk’s home… just tell me and I’ll do it.”
Bulk just laughed and patted him on the shoulder. “Nobody is all bad. When you’re ready to come out of that shell, we’ll be here waiting.”
“You keep thinking that, brotein.” Hunter gave up and walked around him. “Just don’t wait up.” With a halfhearted wave he continued on to his last class.
Following the final bell, Flash and his friends gathered out front to wait for Sunset. As she came out she approached them with hopeful eyes but the looks on their faces soon dissolved that optimism.
“Didn’t go so well I take it?” She asked.
“That’s one way to put it.” Micro Chips answered.
“Yeah, he really doesn’t seem too keen on getting close to anyone.” Flash shrugged. “In fact, he seemed shocked that I didn’t already think he was someone to avoid.”
“He basically said the same thing to me.” Bulk noted.
“I feel that.” Sandalwood nodded. “The dude’s got some bizarre vibes.”
“Sorry Sunset.” Flash sighed. “I’m all for giving people chances, but sometimes people are just lone wolves.”
“Well, thanks for trying guys.” She said as they all started off for home.
“Hey Sunset!” Trixie’s voice rang out.
Turning back to the school, Sunset saw her running over at full speed. “Everything okay, Trixie?”
“Absolutely.” She smiled proudly. “I’ve already got good progress on my fundraiser. Actually, I’m headed downtown now to talk to the owner and was wondering if you’d come with?”
“No problem.” Sunset gave her a thumb up.
“Thanks, bus fares on me.” Trixie promised as she grabbed Sunset’s wrist and eagerly pulled her along. Forty five minutes on the bus and short walk found the pair on the doorstep of Grand Illusions. Trixie began knocking on the barred door and a pair eyes peeked from behind a curtain. They heard the door unlock and the old owner of the shop opened the door for them.
“Trixie.” He smiled warmly.
“Hello Mr. Haas.” She gestured back to Sunset. “This is my friend Susnet, can we come in?”
“Certainly.” He stepped back and allowed them in, locking the door behind them. “I see you saw the report on the news.”
“Yes, that’s why we’re here.” Trixie proclaimed. “I wanted to come and let you know that I, and some of the students at Canterlot High, will be working to raise money to assist in repairs.”
His old eyes cheered at the news. “Thank you Trixie, something so wonderful could only come from my best customer.”
As Trixie began explaining the details, Sunset slowly started to wander the store. She observed the smashed cases and damaged shelving until happening upon something of note. The door to backroom was nearly off its hinges and on the floor she saw a padlock. Kneeling down, she picked up the lock and noticed that it wasn’t just broken, the metal casing was torn like paper. Peeking back past the counter she saw that Trixie and the owner were still occupied so she squeezed past the door and went into the rear room. Pulling out her phone and activating her flashlight app, she scanned the room which was in no better shape than the main sales floor. The walls in the room were bare, concrete block and on the right hand wall she discovered three large gashes. “What in the world?” She got closer and ran her hand over them, the scars were nearly two inches across at their widest point. She called up her camera and snapped a picture.
“Sunset?” Trixie’s voice drifted back to the store room.
Sunset quickly killed the light and hurried back out. “Over here.” She waved as she headed back over.
“Mr. Haas said he’s going to provide some merchandise so I can hold a raffle.” Trixie said excitedly.
“Great, that should generate some more buzz.”
“Can you make it if I plan some things for this weekend?”
“Absolutely.” Sunset nodded. “Just tell me when and were.”
They said their goodbyes to the owner and stepped back out onto the street. Sunset started following Trixie towards the bus stop but did a double take as something across the street caught her eye. Quickly looking to the opposite side of the road, she noticed a familiar face. “Hunter?” She tried to focus through the traffic to verify.
“Sunset!” Trixie called. “We're going to miss the bus!”
Sunset glanced over to see Trixie waving her over and when she turned back she lost sight of him. “Coming!” She said as she slowly resumed pace. On the bus ride back she quietly texted the photo she took to Twilight and Fluttershy, asking them what they thought and that she’d see them tomorrow. She laid her head back and closed her eyes, her intuition rattled more than ever.