Hunter 2: The Sign

Hunter 2: The Sign

I was left wondering about what Raine had told me yesterday. She appears to know something but has no intention of telling me. I also find it difficult to accept that I am curious about something I am not interested in.

All of it resulted from that strange dream. 

Here we are, bidding our cousins farewell in front of the mansion. The three are saying farewell to everyone as they prepare to leave today. As I felt silent sadness at their departure, Raine came up to me and gave me a warm embrace.

“Keep in mind, Brina…” she looked directly at me and added, “You mustn’t let your curiosity drive you if you don’t want your normal life to be taken away from you.” All I could do was nod solemnly.

She is serious again and she appears to be warning me: ‘Is it because of what I said yesterday?’ She hugged me again, followed by her two brothers. Before their car eventually drives away, we say our goodbyes one more.

I sighed when we no longer saw their car, as I was left in deep thought about what my cousin told me. And I can’t help but think of the weird dream I had and something is telling me that they are somehow connected but I can’t explain how.

After that, I returned home and glanced at our family portrait. We all have wide smiles on our faces, giving the impression that we are a happy family. But my sadness returned upon seeing my parents’ faces. I’ve accepted what happened to them, yet I still miss them.

I was forced to live with my grandfather when my parents passed away in a car accident when I was just nineteen years old. My cousins reside at the estate with their parents and they made every effort to give me a comfortable life after my parents died.

Especially providing me with a normal life even though they are not an ordinary family. My cousins are always practicing self-defense and using various weapons. A behavior that is uncommon for ordinary people.

Until I discovered from our grandfather that they were hunters, but I had no clue what they were after. That’s because if you want to know what they’re after, you must first become a hunter. I didn’t bother finding out more because that’s the rule and all I wanted was an ordinary life.

Because all my parents want is for me to live an ordinary life.

***

“Big sister! Join us!”

I looked up to see Dianne beckoning for me to come join their archery lesson. She’s one of my younger cousins, and unlike me, she hopes to become a hunter someday. Nonetheless, our grandpa insisted that I must learn self-defense and handle weapons.

At first, I was skeptical of the idea of it, but in the end, he managed to persuade me. Training is therefore another way that we bond. But I am not in the mood to join them right now because I am searching for another place to visit.

I courteously declined and proceeded to browse my phone. Most of my cousins will be gone the day after tomorrow, therefore I’m looking for a new place to visit. They are off to hunt again, leaving me alone here with our younger cousins.

However, my younger cousins are likewise preoccupied with their training as well as their schoolwork. That is why, to keep myself entertained, I must travel and explore different areas. However, if I am too preoccupied with managing my restaurant, I won’t be able to do it.

I am twenty-eight years old, a chef, and I already run my restaurant. To tell the truth, if my father hadn’t made me vow to stay with my grandfather until the right time came, I could have already moved out of grandpa’s care and been independent.

I don’t understand my father, but I never intend to breach the promise I made to him, even now that he’s gone. This is a large estate, therefore I had a big enough house built here. But I also have my room inside Grandpa’s house.

After an unsuccessful search, I finished scrolling at my phone. Nothing caught my attention, and I can’t stop thinking about the town Raine said. That is the only town that offers me a sense of mystery and a desire to visit.

I can’t help but overthink, though, because of what my cousin told me. That is why I am debating whether to visit that place. But when I resumed searching for a place, one came to mind. Caught me off guard.

‘Crestwood City.’

My brow furrowed as those words entered my mind. I was thinking about where I had heard it was, but I can’t recall! I’m sure I haven’t been to that city yet, so why has it now crossed my mind? It even felt familiar to me, which is strange.

“Crestwood City?” I questioned myself once again. “Why does that city give off a strange vibe?” I blurted out, but I nearly jumped when I spotted Tommy, my teenage cousin, sitting next to me.

“Crestwood City?” He questioned, nibbling on the cookies I had made for them. “Isn’t that the area where we’re hunting?” He blurted without giving it any thought. 

My furrowed brow meets his, and he looks at me, not realizing what he said until he sees my expression. He laughed awkwardly at me, clearly becoming uneasy. He is aware of the prohibition against disclosing any information to anyone who isn’t even a hunter.

In the past, I would simply disregard it since it did not interest me. However, things have changed, and I had no idea that my curiosity would eventually get the better of me. Allowing me to begin today and unlock the world that has been waiting for me from the beginning.

When Tommy attempted to flee, I moved quicker to prevent him from escaping. As he made every effort to look away, I forced him to face me and asked, “Tommy, where can I find that place?” I asked, clutching him close. He remained silent for a while, but when he realized how determined I was, he became quite perplexed.

“Why are you acting in this way?” I was surprised by his question. “You’re not even that type of person! Why are you so interested right now? Be a hunter if you’re curious to learn more!” Rather than responding, he reasoned. He was sulking and staring at me with a question mark on his face.

I let out a sigh and let go of him upon realizing my actions. “Sorry, Tom, I acted that way.” I genuinely apologized, but Tommy, being as bubbly as he is, just shrugged it off.

“It’s fine. I’m not angry,” he said with a smile that put me at ease. “But never allow your curiosity to get the better of you if you’ll only end up regretting it,” he even gave me a grin as he finished his cookies, saying, “Remember, curiosity kills the cat—or maybe not.”

I was left puzzled by his words after that. Little did I know that eyes and ears were watching me from the shadows. And as a result of those cryptic words, I had another bizarre dream. That’s why I was left with no option but to inform my grandfather.

***

That strange dream reappears, twice. This was also the day that my cousins departed, which is why Grandpa’s mansion was quiet. He requested my presence, which is why I am here, and I am walking to his office. The timing was much worse because I had not gotten enough sleep.

I was thinking about the first scenario of my dream, which kept me up till sunrise. Even though I can’t recall her face, I’m positive I was speaking with a woman in that dream and she was telling something to me. However, the feelings I experienced in that dream were still vivid.

I only remember her encouraging me to get knowledgeable about our real world, my real world. Having that dream again confirmed that it was not simply a random dream. The initial scene of my dream is beyond my memory, yet it seemed true nevertheless.

With a groan, I twice knocked on Grandpa’s office door. I heard his voice inside, permitting me to enter, and I did. As I opened the door, I was met with a stack of papers on his desk. I was also met by the usual aroma of coffee and books from his office.

“Hi, Grandpa,” I said. Greeting me back, he flashed me his sweet smile. Then we faced each other while seated on the sofa in his office.

“How was your sleep, my dear?” He asked softly, smiling, “Did you have a nice dream?” He inquired again, and just as I was ready to respond, I was left thinking of that dream again.

However, it was also at that moment that I realized he had been asking me that same question since I can’t remember. And every time I told him I had a nice sleep but had a dream I can’t recall, he seemed dissatisfied.

However, because I assumed it was just a typical question, I overlooked that. He further instructed me that if I remembered my dream, I should notify him immediately. Now that I recall it, I can’t help but feel that I was about to unveil something that had been waiting for me.

  

He spoke again when I failed to respond and he saw my reaction. “I see. Do you remember anything from your dream?” He inquired cautiously, and as I slowly nodded, his disbelief was palpable, and his eyes were filled with a variety of emotions.

“Are you okay, Grandpa?” I inquired, concerned, as my mind was racing with questions relating to his reaction. How weird is it that he would respond in this way to my dream?

After a while, he collected himself and asked me once again, “Brina, what specifically did you dream about?” I can’t help but feel a little uneasy around him now that he seems so serious.

I told him everything I remembered from my dream and how many times it happened, even though I still had a lot of questions. Observing his reaction once more strengthens my belief that it was really important. But this time he’s taking things much more seriously than usual.

“So, it’s time…” he murmured, just loud enough for me to hear. He stared with emptiness as if he was deep in concentration.

“Is there anything I should know, Grandpa?” I can’t resist asking, and I manage to catch his attention.

He sighed and gave me a kind gaze. “I wanted to tell you everything at once, but I’m afraid it could shock you. You will learn everything gradually like I promised your parents,” he gently stated, “One step at a time to avoid shocking you.”

I can’t help but get perplexed when he brings up my parents, allowing my curiosity to take over. “What does it imply, Grandpa?” My mind can’t seem to digest what he’s saying, so I had to ask again for a better understanding.

He rose, opened a drawer, and returned to face me with an envelope in his hand. “Aren’t you curious as to why I always ask about your sleep and whether you had any dreams?” He asked. He sat back down on the sofa and placed the envelope on the center table before shoving it in front of me.

“I would like to know. And I have a lot of questions for you right now, Grandpa,” I matched his intensity, as I am now convinced that there is something in that dream.

He offered me a small, almost sorrowful smile before stating, “Because before your mother died, she left you a message. A message that if you dream about it, it signifies it’s time for you to learn the truth about what your parents—us—have been keeping from you,” I was taken aback by hearing those words. “Sabrina, it’s time you realized who you are. You are not an ordinary person, and you could never have the normal life you have always desired.”

And just those few phrases evoke a range of feelings in me.

***