Hunter 6: A Gun for a Hunter

Hunter 6: A Gun for a Hunter

I’m looking into his eyes, which are filled with longing. As much as I would like to speak, I don't seem allowed to, so all I can do is stare at him. I can’t help but close my eyes as his warm palm reaches for my cheek. Being held by him in this way feels very therapeutic.

“You seem real, and I hope you are.”

I opened my eyes as soon as I heard his hoarse and desperate voice. His face caught my attention; it was devoid of hope and loneliness. I can’t stand to watch him like this, his eyes pleading and in anguish. Seeing him suffer bothered me in some way.

“I know this is just another dream, but I hope to not wake up from it if it simply means being with you.”

I could only communicate with him through our gaze, as his words made my eyes soften. He’s a stranger, I know; for the past several days, he’s been showing up in my dreams. Even though we were strangers, I unconsciously felt at ease in his presence.

He snarled, “Is the moon goddess toying with me?” I heard him say. “Why is she giving me a hard time? Where the heck did she heal you anyway?” He sounds enraged, but there’s also a tinge of grief and suffering.

I glance at him just to witness his agonized expression once more, which is why I smile as though I were comforting him. I extended my hand to his cheek as well, seeing him savor my touch by holding my hand against his cheek. I smiled in response to what he did.

“Hold on for a bit longer. We will meet soon.”

I heard myself speak those things, which I never would have imagined saying to a stranger. I saw him stare at me with baffled eyes and I couldn’t help but grin at his reaction before waking up from this dream, still perplexed.

***

I’ve spent much of my time in my room reading the books Frederick brought me. I’ve learned a lot in a week, and I believe I’ve already accepted the truth. I didn’t do anything except concentrate on these books because my cousins hadn’t returned home yet.

Throughout that week, Grandpa and Frederick also assisted me in learning more than just the basics about the Lunaria Realm and the immortals. I was genuinely amazed at myself for being able to process the vast amount of knowledge I had learned in just one week.

During that week, I discovered how familiar this family was with nightwalkers. The main question I have is why Grandpa chooses to reside in this mortal realm. When I asked him about it, he didn’t respond; instead, he only said that I would eventually find out.

Even though I am sure there are still things I don’t know about that world, I suppose I’m ready to track down my mother’s old friend. I was quite anxious about entering a new realm, so Grandpa explained to me how to get there and what to do once I got there.

Because I am traveling alone, Grandpa and Frederick, as well as Nanny Mercy, have advised me on what I should do once I get to Primrose City. I am excited about what I am about to do, but I am also incredibly terrified.

I am going to speak with my grandfather today regarding my departure. I decided to visit his favorite garden instead of wasting any more time. His wife’s garden, as well as our grandma, whom I had never met.

Neither her name nor her photo was ever given, therefore none of his grandchildren know who our grandma was. He never sought to open up to us about her, which is why until now we know nothing about our grandmother.

We keep asking, but he always gives us the saddest face. Though what exactly happened is unknown to us, we stopped asking after that. Even Dad had never mentioned Grandma, that same goes with his siblings.

I arrived in the garden where my grandfather was sipping his coffee. I could also see him reading paperwork from where I was standing. He only spotted me when I was centimeters away from him. When our eyes met, he turned away from the document and smiled at me.

He smiled and said, “Good morning, dear.”

Sitting in front of him, I smiled back and said, “Good morning to you too, Grandpa,” his whole focus was fixed on me as I muttered, “I’m actually here to tell you something.”

He looked at me and said, “I’m all ears, darling.” But I had a feeling he already knew what I was about to say.

“To put it briefly, I decided to head out to Primrose City to track down Elina Forsythe.” I said bluntly.

He cracked a smile slightly, and I had the impression that he already knew why I was here. “I can see that you’re ready to enter that world, after spending your entire week learning about the nightwalkers and their realm,” he said in his normally composed voice. “Very well.” He said, straightening his posture and raising his hand. A few minutes later, Frederick approached us while carrying a medium-sized wooden box.

I observe Frederick place the box in front of Grandpa as he continues to say, “Now you’ll understand why I wanted you to study self-defense and how to use weapons. For a future will come when you will truly need it.” Frederick exited, leaving the two of us by ourselves once more. Grandpa opened the box and showed me what was inside. 

Upon opening the box, I was taken aback to see a gun inside. A revolver to be precise. ‘Cadwell’ is elegantly engraved on its grip.  Although I am accustomed to seeing guns and other weapons and am skilled with them, what is happening right now is beyond what I could have ever imagined.

I never envisioned my grandfather handing me a gun or me possessing such a weapon. Owning one is not in my lexicon; I only know how to utilize them. I glanced at him, my eyes wide with curiosity and confusion, and he swiftly enlightened me.

“As a symbol of my being a hunter, I offer each member of the family a weapon they are better accustomed to wielding. Even though you may not consider yourself a hunter ‘officially’, you undoubtedly are one to others. Because being a Cadwell will instantly label you as one.” He added as I continued to stare at the gun in front of me.

Although I feel confident using this weapon, I still find it hard to accept that Grandpa will ever hand one to me. So I’m a hunter, huh? I am not an official member, but since I am also a Cadwell, I am still considered as one.

“I’ve prepared this one because I know this day will come, and now that you decided to enter that chaotic realm, you’ll need this weapon on your trip. It is impossible to predict what awaits you in that place, particularly if you are traveling alone. It is therefore wiser to have that gun with you just in case.”

“Now that you mentioned, I can’t help but feel goosebumps,” I winced a little, earning a chuckle from Grandpa. “But how can I know that she’s already the one I am looking for? Primrose City is a big land, to think that Elina Forsythe was even living in the middle of the forest…” I sound hopeless just thinking about on how I can find her. Yet here I am telling myself and Grandpa that I am ready to enter that world.

‘How come she doesn't even have a picture?’

His eyes softened and he smiled warmly at me. “I understand that it’s frightening for you, my dear. However, you must trust in yourself and your ability to find her. You’ll be able to find her because that’s what it should be.” He promised, but there appears to be a hidden message behind it.

“Thank you, Grandpa.” I murmured, and he simply nodded.

“I have told you where the portal is, and as I previously stated, only the fated ones, aside from nightwalkers, will be able to enter that world. I should also warn you that you are not allowed to reveal to them that you are a ‘Cadwell’. Keep your identity hidden from them, and I promise you that after you return from Primrose City, I will tell you all the things you need to know.” Hearing him vow to tell me everything he knew and I needed to know after speaking with my mother’s old friend gave me a sense of comfort.

“Why do I feel like our family was too powerful in that place, which is why I am forbidden to use it?” I can’t help but reply, eliciting another charming chuckle from him. My eyebrows furrowed as I continued, “That sounds rather suspicious, huh.” He stopped laughing and shook his head, looking directly at me.

“That is because our surname will either protect or endanger you in that place, my lovely Sabrina. But, just to be sure, keep it to yourself that you are a Cadwell even until you leave that place.” He said, making me even more dubious.

‘Is it related to us, being hunters?’

***