10 Chapter 9

Hunter

"If you want to do something after you finish your cider, I can show you my farm."

"Yeah, since we didn't go last time. I'm excited to see the animals! Uh, not really the crops though."

I laughed, "Guess we'll skip those then."

"Sounds like a plan!" She finished her cider and went downstairs to wash her mug. The November weather has gotten harsh and brisk, so I'll need to get a jacket for Emily. She could always wear one of my mother's, but I want to treat her to something. Maybe we could go shopping, but what if her crazy father comes and gets her out of nowhere again?

"Hey, Hunter!"

"Coming!" I ran downstairs and met her in the living room.

"Look." She pointed to the edge of the forest. My gaze followed her finger and laid eyes on her father. "Does he know?" She whispered.

"No, but we should wait to go out until he leaves, just in case."

"Yeah, that would be smart."

"Do you want to go shopping later?"

"Shopping? I don't want to be rude, but do you have any friends to hang out with? Like your bandmates?"

"Yeah I do."

"Then you should spend time with them, and not always me. I feel like I'm being clingy to you."

I hugged her from behind and whispered in her ear, "Is that a bad thing?"

"It can be. You know me. I'll feel bad if you get yelled at because of me."

"That won't happen."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I can always chat with them."

"If you say so."

"Look, he's gone. Want to go check the animals now?"

"Please!"

I took her hand, put a jacket on the both of us, and I walked with her to the farm.

"What do you want to see first?"

"What animals do you have?"

"I have chickens, pigs, horses, sheep, cows, and that's about it."

"I guess go from smallest to biggest."

"Then the chickens are first." We walked to the chicken coop and walked into the fenced area.

"Aww they're so cute, and fat!"

I laughed, "They're fat because they're cold."

"Then you need to get them blankets."

She squatted down to touch them and I stood by the fence, leaning against it, watching her. I took a picture of her petting a chicken and she was smiling. She stood up after a while and wiped her hands.

"Pigs?"

She nodded her head.

I freed us from the coop and led her to the fenced mud pit of the pigs.

"They're also so fat! And dirty! But they're also cute."

"Do you like pigs?"

"I love all the animals! They're so pure and innocent. I wish I could be one. Like a bird or a fish so I could be free without a care in the world."

"Okay, I wasn't expecting that answer."

"Oh, sorry. Did I go off too deep?"

"No, no. It was a good answer, I was just surprised."

"Oh, really? What animal would you be?"

"The same animal as you, so we could be together."

"Such a romantic answer."

I showed her the other animals and she swooned over them like she did with the pigs and chickens. I almost felt jealous. She's such a kid at times, but she could also be an adult who has been through hell and back. She's like a candle, bright and warm for a period of time, but in time she could go out and never be remembered again. No one lights a candle to remember, right? I want to feed off all of her warmth, before it leaves, if it ever does. Hopefully it doesn't. We went back to the house to get warm after checking on all the animals. We decided to play cards - the game War.

"Hey Hunter?"

"Hm?"

"Are you scared?"

"What do you mean?"

"Of anything?"

Her question took me aback. Everyone is scared of something.

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"I'm scared of losing you."

"In what way?"

"Losing your love, losing you to your father, losing you by leaving each other."

"I see." Her voice sounded tired, it was from the medications she was taking for her pain. Is this what happens to her? She thinks all these deep thoughts when she's tired and alone?

"Why did you ask?"

"Oh, I was just curious."

"Do you want to lay down?"

"Yeah I do."

I helped her move to the couch and let her lay on my legs. I stroked her long red hair as we relaxed. Just being with her brings me happiness. We don't need to talk, do anything, I just want to be with her.

"Emily?"

I waited for a response, but I didn't get any.

"I love you."

I got a smile from her; she was wearing the necklace. I don't think she ever took it off, nor did she want to. The three words bring her so much comfort. She never hears them, which means that I should say them all the more to her. So she can feel loved after being raised in a world full of hate.

I want to understand more of you, but I feel like you haven't let me in yet. And I'm waiting until you do.