Page 4 of Haunting the Hunter
I leave the room, feeling smug, knowing the next step of my plan has been executed. As I cross the threshold, though, an overwhelming feeling of anxiety washes over me. A high contrast array of colors—my eyes squint in an attempt to focus. Was I drugged? No… But I don’t feel like I’m here—an overwhelming sensation of eyes on me, but nobody is looking.
What the fuck?
“I need to get the fuck out of here,” I whisper, my voice strained.
Walking down the hallway I steady myself on the wall, my skin glowing unnaturally in a neon hallucination from the ultraviolet lights. I focus my sights on the end of the hall. My vision tunnels on the door.
I pull open the door to the exit the staff uses, sucking in the fresh air. I straighten my black blazer. This is not the place to lose my cool. I walk past two guys smoking cigarettes, talking about how badly they wish they could participate in the activities inside. I keep my stride confident; it won’t be long before someone finds her body. Not that they’ll know it was me. She was so covered in cum; there would be no way to tell whose DNA was the one to take her out. Convenient for me.
I hop into the truck I hotwired earlier, my pulse thumping in my ears as I slam the door shut. The engine roars to life, and I shift into gear, feeling the tires grip the pavement beneath me. As I adjust therearview mirror, I’m suddenly freezing, like the temperature in the truck dropped ten degrees.
What the fuck is going on?
I scan my surroundings: no other cars on the road. It’s late. And I’m probably the only motherfucker who leaves an orgy early. No one saw me, no one is following me. And there’s no way this piece of shit is being tracked.
Despite my rationalizations, my gut tightens at the thought. That’s not possible. I took precautions. I’d gone out of my way to snatch this truck from a small-town hick while he was too busy attempting to pick up two very unwilling women at the bar.
There is no way anyone would have bothered to look twice at it. It’s just another beater, blending in with the employees’ cars parked nearby.
So, how the hell could it be bugged? It’s not. And I know damn well I wasn’t drugged. I’ve gone crazy. There’s no other goddamn explanation.
I rub my face, trying to shake off the creeping paranoia.
I tap the brakes, swerving the wheel slightly as the unease builds, and I pull off to the side in a movie theater parking lot. I should change cars just in case. The area has a few in the lot. I grab my duffel bag from the passenger seat and set my sights on a beat-up old wagon two spaces down. I try for the door. It’s unlocked. How convenient. The thing looks like a forgotten relic from the eighties. Rusted, unkempt, and totally under the radar.
Perfect.
I toss my bag in and slam the door shut. My fingers tremble as I hotwire it as quickly as I’m able. Tiny wires are not my thing. I fumble a bit with them before the engine sputters to life. I hate this shit. If anyone is following me, they won’t think twice about this piece of junk. I shift gears, and the seat rattles beneath me as the wheels hum under the vehicle. Thankfully it holds together long enough to get me close to the airport. I ditch it near an abandoned gas stationand walk the remaining way to my hotel. Tomorrow, I’ll be back in Washington—safe, secure, and out of sight.
I jump at a sudden vibration in my pocket, fumbling to pull the phone out. It’s Jack, right on time. Fuck, I need to get a handle on myself. Attempting to steady my fingers, I swipe the screen to answer.
Jack’s voice comes through, loudly chewing something as he speaks. “Yo, is it done?”
I drag my hand down my face. “Yeah, it’s done,” I answer, trying to push the unease crawling up my spine back where it belongs… What the hell is wrong with me? I grit my teeth, forcing my mind to focus.
“You good, Cade?” Jack asks, his voice dropping slightly, sensing something’s off. When I don’t respond immediately, he continues, sounding serious, “You’ll be happy to know I found our next target, and it took me less time than I expected.”
“These assholes aren’t exactly hiding, Jack.” I smirk to myself despite the rising feeling. The Covenant created me in their own image, a weapon. Their dutiful soldier.
“We’re going to get them, Cade.”
I tilt my head back, taking in a long breath.
A smirk tugs at my lips despite myself. “Yeah, but the higher-ups in the Covenant won’t be so easy.”
“Keep an eye on the target.” My purpose returns in full force. Fuckingfinally. The thrill of the hunt, of tracking them down, of getting to the ones pulling the strings—it steadies me. “I’ll get the full details when I’m back.”
“Got it, boss.”
I hang up the phone, letting the silence settle in, but the weight of everything lingers.
And it’s not just the mission anymore—it’s something else I can’t quite place
I head into the hotel, each step heavier than the last. My hand trembles, feeling distant—like it’s not my own but still familiar. Thisis fucking annoying. It’s like I’m watching myself from the outside. I struggle with the key card, fingers numb as I slide it into the slot. It clicks, the light turns green, and I step inside.
The room feels too quiet. Too empty.
Stripping off my clothes, I move mechanically toward the bathroom. The shower knob turns quickly under my fingers, the rush of water filling the silence.
