He pointed out that I rode the roller coaster just fine.
I explained to him the differences.
The roller coaster you are high up for only a bit, on a Ferris wheel you could get stuck. He laughed and dropped the subject. It was the first time he had laughed all day. I wasn’t sure what was different, but he seemed so loose today. We were walking back to the parking lot when fireworks started to go off.
I stopped to turn and watch, Hunter tensed. His nostrils flared, and I felt fear starting to churn my stomach. Something was wrong, his eyebrows pinched together, and his shoulders tensed. The skin in his cheek rolled as though he was seconds from shifting.
“Hunter?”
He looked down at me, his eyes practically glowing behind his glasses.
“Don’t you feel that? Smell it?” He snarled. “Witches and warlocks.”
A growl ripped from his throat and icy fear crept into my blood. I looked up to Hunter. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what he was planning on doing. There was a murderous look in his eye.
“Find somewhere to hide Colette! I’ll come for you.”
I grabbed at his arm before he took off.
“Can’t we just leave?” I asked feeling desperate. I knew he wouldn’t. Not only did I think his hatred run that deep, but this was wolf land. I was certain that those fireworks were not man-made. Either the witches were passing through with the carnival or they were trying to show off. I didn’t know which, but he would chase them out. Warn them just whose land they were on.
I looked up at Hunter I saw the determination in his eyes. There was something that he wasn’t telling me. I was sure of it. I didn’t believe that he would go after a group of witches and warlocks that hadn’t outwardly attacked us.
“What aren’t you telling me, Hunter?” I whispered searching his eyes.
“He is here.”
My stomached turned over, and soured quickly. The urge to throw up was rising.
“Hunter, please.”
I couldn’t imagine what would happen if he found that warlock again. My fear was that if Hunter didn’t kill the warlock, he might find out about my secret. Somehow the warlock knew more about me. I didn’t want to see his blind hate aimed my way. I couldn’t handle that. Asking me once again to find somewhere to hide, Hunter took off. He promised he would find me and left.
My heartbeat was erratic, going way to fast as if racing like Hunter. But I knew if that warlock saw me again he would say those fateful words that might reveal me. He would point me out to the others, and tell them I was different. I was the one who was part witch. I’d lose Hunter in the worst way possible.
I turned to see a Funhouse and I ran for it. I could hide in the recesses of the building and I knew Hunter would be able to find me.
I walked through the rotating tunnels, trying to find the back of the building. When I got to the room of fun mirrors, I bunkered down there, close to a wall. I could still hear the fireworks going off. I jerked at the sound huddling closer to the wall. I was behind the mirrors hoping that no one came this way.
There was a shift in the air. My head jerked towards the entrance.
I heard the clicking of someone’s shoes. Hunter was wearing work boots, so I was certain it wasn’t him. They wouldn’t have made any sound, especially the way he walked. I peeked around and saw him. The warlock from all those months ago. I flattened myself to the wall, and controlled my breathing.
“I can feel your magic, it’s growing,” he called out.
Icy-cold fingers trailed down my spine at his words. I had my powers bound, they shouldn’t have been growing. They should be dying or muted. He moved closer. I could smell him and I knew I had to move. I took off as silently as I could through the Funhouse. I made it to a maze like room. I could hear him warlock behind me.
My ears pounded with wave after wave of blood and adrenaline. I needed to move. I tried to follow a faint smells to find out where everyone had gone. I made it out and the door slammed behind me.
I took a second to look around when the door exploded open. I screamed and covered my head.