Page 52 of Hunters and Prey

Give Love A Chance

"Roxas. Where are you?" I whispered, reaching the little spot Aaron and I always hung out in. We'd been searching for thirty minutes and I was now really worried we'd lost him completely. I regretted the fact I made him a black bunny. At least if he was a white one, he would be easier to spot.

Even if the color didn't suit him.

With a deep sigh, I looked up at our old treehouse. "Maybe? Wait...bunnies can't climb."

I wanted to cry, the sinking fear of Roxas being hurt or killed on my mind. He may not get along with Aaron and yell a lot, but he didn't deserve to die.

I just met him. He didn't even introduce himself properly to me.

Deciding to check anyway, I made my way up the large old tree. It had withstood many climbs in the past from Aaron and me, and even though many years had passed, the treehouse was still strong.

Reaching the top,I fixed my black tights and secured the leather jacket I wore over my red V-neck shirt. It wasn't super chilly out but being up here felt colder.

I used the secret trick to open the main door, dipping my head down to enter. The treehouse was originally made by my mom and dad. They had made it big enough for their future kids to adapt to and now I was able to enjoy their hard work from years ago.

I closed the door and looked around. Neither Aaron nor I had been up here in awhile, but it was still tidy and barely dusty. I knew Mother came up here once in a while to check on it, leaving me to wonder if she'd been here recently.

I'm sure it was important to her, one of the little bits of Dad that remained on this earth. I heard a rustling noise to my left.

"Roxas?" I said in excitement, thinking I'd found him, but my heart dropped when a squirrel popped out from the dark corner, scrambling to the little open space we'd made to feed the smaller animals that would visit for food during our treehouse days.

"Dammit," I whispered under my breath, letting my shoulders fall. I bit my lip in frustration, wishing I could just use whatever magic I apparently had to find him.

With my head hung low, I walked to the spot near the window, sitting down with my back against the wall. I stretched out my legs and lifted my hands to stare at them.

"Magic. Power," I whispered, letting everything that had happened since that simple kiss settle in my mind. "Why am I finding all of this out now? Why wasn't I more prepared for this? What the hell happened?"

What led me to think magic wasn't real? If the other guys were around the area, why was I only seeing and meeting them now?

Running my hands through my hair, I let out a frustrated groan. "I just want this all to make sense."

Pulling my legs up, I pressed my forehead against my knees, feeling my tears roll down my cheeks. "I'm the reincarnation of this first witch, with no idea what I can do and what I'm supposed to do to not let history repeat itself. Five....five is an unlucky number," I cried. "I need six, but who the hell is he and how am I going to handle six guys? How can my heart be big enough to love them all? I've only had a crush. I don't even know the first thing about love, and yet I have to figure out how love will conquer all? None of this is connecting and some evil will come and try to kill me like the past?" I began to sob harder, wishing Mother was here to help me out.

I wished I'd listened to her history lessons and taken them seriously. Maybe if I'd done so and read my dad's books more often, I wouldn't be here. I'd be strong to face whatever was coming my way. I'm sure I would have trained harder to be a witch that wouldn't cower. All of this was so scary. How was I going to do this alone?"

Quietly sobbing in the tree house, I tried to think of how to fix this. I wished I'd wake up and this would have all been a dream, but I knew that wasn't the case. What I hated the most was feeling helpless.

I felt that same way when my mom got the news of Father's death. To see her fall to her knees and cry in agony, unable to do anything to help her or bring Dad back.

"Roxas is lost and it's all my fault," I whispered. "Roxas...don't go." I sobbed harder. "Come back. I'm sorry for changing you into a bunny. I want to know you more like the others. Don't die. Don't leave like my dad. Can't you come back home?"

My shoulders lifted and fell as I cried, imagining the little black bunny with red eyes. If I found Roxas, I'd scoop him and hug him, giving him a kiss for returning to me.

Something tugged at my tights, and I lifted my head to see a black bunny nibbling on the edge of my tights.

It paused, its red eyes meeting my wide tear-filled ones. It turned its head and shot a stream of fire before looking back at me.

"Roxas?" I whispered.

It hopped in place before flopping on its side, relaxing there. "Roxas!" I reached out and scooped him into my arms, tears of happiness pooling in my eyes. I hugged him against me.

"I'm so sorry! I really didn't mean to change you into a bunny. It was by accident and I shouldn't have teased you. I'm so happy you're okay," I cried.

His nibbling noises reached my ears and I leaned back to stare into his eyes. With a smile and I deep breath, I closed my eyes.

Please. Let this kiss change Roxas back.

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