Sealing up the small postal box, pain I had managed to keep at bay was now back in full force. Taking a deep breath I picked up the marker and wrote down the Councils address on the front and then just stared at it. I'd been off the radar for a few months now, but this was kind of final. I could be called a deserter. Rogue. Some would always see me as the Hunter who wouldn't, someone selfish. I was a lot of things really, but until coming across the bag with the diaries in I had been happy enough. Besides, since when did I care what people think? Stopping the end of the world should really give me a free pass away from that life.

Reece had told me a lot of things before died. The general theme of his message was to be happy, to be me and to live. I had been doing just that, but the week or so had me feeling restless. Finding the journals really hadn't helped at all. I had nothing worked out. Who was I? Who did I want to be? Either way, I had the freedom to work it out. I was still human, still trying to find my way in this life and trying to keep it void of any demonic activity. I did kind of miss that though. Taking a shower, I made sure to get rid of my thought in there, but I couldn't get the redness of my eyes to go away thanks to all the crying I'd done. Once I was ready to leave my apartment, I put on my biggest pair of sunglasses to hide it. 

"I'm going out Alfie!" I called out from the small backyard. The grass rolled down the hill and into the water and sure enough his head soon appeared on the surface. He only nodded, disappearing to where ever he goes and going out the front, got in my car. To think I was going to let Jordan look after him? I guess being near death made you do crazy things.

Checking the time, I was running late for lunch and getting to the cafe I was meeting Matt at, I was glad there was a post office on the corner opposite. He was already sitting outside, browsing over the menu deep in thought as I snuck up behind him. Grabbing his shoulders, I lean over to kiss his cheek as he jumps, turning to glare at me before smiling. "Hey gorgeous!"

"Hey yourself. Have you been waiting long?"

"Nope, I'm learning you're never on time so just got here." I sit the box on the chair beside me and he looks over curiously. "What’s that?"

"Nothing," I answer too quickly.

"Stuff from your spy days, Agent Bond?"

"Yeah, my spy days." I laugh, picking up a menu. Considering how we met, things get awkward sometimes. I let him go with the spy jokes because it's as close as he will ever get to the truth. I don't believe in things happening by chance so the day I left home and took a flight to New York, Matt was sitting beside me on the plane. We got talking, and ironically saw each other again at a museum. Then we really got talking and we also ended up applying at the same college and started studying this year together. He is furthering his art stuff now his time in Paris is up and I'm still trying to work out what I'm doing. I started health and fitness, but I hate it.

On New Years Matt asked me to be his girlfriend, officially, and it wasn't the worst decision I ever made in my life, though I don't think it was the best either. I was happy living in this world I created, but finding the diaries today though made me look at myself a little more critically – questioning everything. There were evil things that needed to be dealt with, yet my main issue was my assignment due on Monday. It seemed almost pathetic to me now. I can't keep ignoring these thoughts; they won't let me.

Sitting out in the sun, surrounded by carefree diners and Wednesday shoppers, I found it hard to remember there were demons and darkness hiding around us. Somewhere a Hunter would be hunting a demon, a Tracker could be fighting with a shifting and a Slayer might be executing a raid on a vampire while they hide from the sun I am now sitting here enjoying. 

I focus on placing my order and let Matt talk about the class he had this morning. Not really listening, I can't help notice the black SUV on the other side of the street. Who ever it is driving has the seat down as I can't see the body, but I can see the arm they have resting on the window ledge. A shiver runs up my spine and I idly twirl the ring on my finger that helps hides me from my kind. I was getting slack in how well I picked up on those around me, I nearly passed a vampire the other night without realizing what it was. It was stupid to be so unaware, yet my new life made it easy to do.

By the time our order arrived, I was getting agitated. A man sat in the cafe beside ours, dressed in black and with a cap on. He kept touching his ear and the fact he hadn't turned the page of his paper the whole time I had been watching him only made him stand out more. Another man dressed the same had walked past four times.

"You ok? You seem distracted today." Taking my hand is his, Matt walked with me to the post office. The man at the cafe seemed to circle around us and went into the bookstore next door. The car hadn't moved and just before we went in, I saw another black figure in the reflection of the door. We were surrounded.

"Yeah, just tired. Did too much yesterday at the gym." Liar.

"Did you still want to go out with Kevin and Skye tonight?" We join the line and he stands casually behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and rests his chin on my shoulder. Any other time, I wouldn't have minded and looking down at the box, I had to wonder if this was another one of the coincidences I wouldn’t be able to ignore.

"Sure, of course." I answer still not paying attention as I use the mirror behind the counter to watch the door. 

"You hate Kevin?"

"You're right. I do he is a fucking idiot who won't have the ability to walk if he slaps my ass again. Are we doing something tonight with them?" Sure I've been distracted today, but I really don't remember that.

"No, I was just proving my point on how preoccupied you are. What's going on babe?"

"I don't know." And I really didn't.

-x-

Later that night, I managed to cook us dinner without burning it. I was definitely becoming domesticated and lying down against Matt, I let the afternoon worry go. I had taken the longest way home possible and lost the black SUV that had started to follow me from the café. Just to be sure, I also parked my car a block down by the boat ramp to the river. If there was anything trailing me, Alfie would pick it up.

Luckily Matt put up with my weirdness and moods, not asking many questions and now we were back to being normal - simply enjoying each others company as we swayed on the hammock enjoying the evening breeze. It was so normal, simple; easy and I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the thrill of the hunt or even someone who liked to argue and keep me on the tip of my toes. Matt was just so chilled; it was a nice change of pace, but not what I really wanted.  While we stared at the stars and drank our wine, listening to some indie tune he liked, all I could think about was what Zane would be doing to find Aaron. What was Jordan up to? This afternoon had me doubting myself and I didn't like it. The people following me today didn’t leave my mind either and once Matt left, I was tempted to go out and see what I could find on them. Who were they?

The splash of water snapped me out of my thoughts and had me praying Alfie hadn't decided to make an appearance, though I know one day he will. I still haven't worked out what my story was going to be to explain him. Looking down into the darkness of the water, I didn't see him coming over so at least tonight wouldn't be that night.

Reaching over to ice bucket, Matt picked up the bottle of wine to find it empty. "I'll go get the other bottle if you like?"

"It's ok, I'll do it."

Kissing him I made it last longer than I had to, still desperate for something to happen. There was nothing, no spark, no passion, and no rush of crazy desire. We were friends and that was it. I never should have agreed to taking our friendship further and despite knowing what Matt was hoping for during these extended nightly visits, it really wasn't going to be going further than that kiss.

Opening the fridge door, the tattoo on my wrist lit up with the light and sighing, I got out the new bottle. It wasn't fair on Matt to keep stringing him along and since today had been emotionally draining, maybe I should just do it tonight to keep with the theme. With one thought I already decided  I'd meet up with Jordan and Chris or maybe even Zane - see if killing some things could help clear my mind. 

It was then I realized the lights were all off and since Matt had come outside behind me, he must have done it. Sitting the bottle on the bench I went to open it only find it had a cork, not a screw cap like the last one and groaning I was about to turn and get the corkscrew when it slid along the counter towards me. "Here you go."

"Thanks." I mumbled, picking it up in the same second it took my brain to wake up and spinning around I had the pointy tip of the coil against the soft flesh of Logan's neck. "Logan?"

"Nice to see you too Bunny."

He took my hand in his; pushing back the corkscrew and a part of me I hadn't used in some time woke up. There were others outside, our kind.  Instantly I punched him, deciding the spy lie would work out well if Matt walked in on this and grabbing two knives from the block beside the stovetop I had them raised and ready to strike at Logan.  

"Fuck, really?" Logan groaned, cupping his nose. "It's been like a year, I thought you'd at least be a little happy to see me!"

"What part of never again didn't you understand?" I snapped, hating the fact he was right; a part of me was happy to see him. "I'll give you five seconds to tell me why you're in my kitchen before I turn you into dog food."

"That’s going to be hard to explain to your boyfriend." I didn't miss the way he said boyfriend, and sniffing, he moved his hands from his nose, which wasn't actually bleeding. "It was Jordan's idea."

"Jordan?" I asked dumbly, just as there is a knock on the front door. Keeping a knife pointed at Logan, I go over and looking through the eyehole, sure enough there is my brother. Opening the door, he smiles.

"Did you kill him or just hurt him? I got twenty on killed."

"What?" I hadn't seen him for months and I have no idea what he was on about or why he was with Logan. He hugs me and starts to walk into my apartment only to have me shove him into the kitchen.

"Assholes!" Logan mumbles and Chris laughs, coming onto the porch.

"Hey Ellie."  Hey Ellie? They all turn up out of the blue and I get a, 'hey ellie'?

"Why are you all here?" I demand, wondering if they drove a black SUV.

"Figured you'd been on holiday long enough sis!" Jordan moved to the fridge, helping himself to leftovers. "Did you cook this?"

"You ok in there?" Matt calls out making me cringe as the music from outside follows his voice.

"Yeah, just couldn't find the bottle opener. I'll be there in a minute!" I answer, not wanting him to come inside and thankfully he closes the door. Turning back to the others, I only glare. "How did you even find me?"

No one knew where I was, no one, and Jordan and Chris look at Logan. He smirks, and if he says what I think he's going to say, Jordan just lost his bet with Chris.

"Logan," I warn, smiling at him innocently while clutching the handle to the knife that little bit tighter. "Logey, don't you-"

He cuts me off and is brave enough to move closer. "I'm a Tracker Bunny, it's what I do!"

I'm going to kill him.

----

I can't thank you all enough for reading this story and for all your support! I will confirm a sequel is going to happen, i just need to work it out. What do you think? What would you like to see next as a reader?

Thank you for all the feedback so far, I've decided to keep the series going as Hunter with Elise. Details on part 2 coming soon!

Thanks again! ERxx