Hunter hovers by a tree at an angle watching over Elias sitting at the fire. Beyond Elias, he can see into the catamaran to Angel. Leo walks into the cabin and Hunter studies Elias’ face to see if the young man reacts but Elias seems deep in thought. Daniel roams over and places a hand on Elias’ back disrupting his reverie. Hunter watches as the two interact. Haven’t I seen Daniel with Angel before? Hunter chews his lip as he tries to place the face.

His watch glows as he lifts his hand to rest it on the tree trunk. He lifts his wrist to check for a message from Ada then shakes his head, idiot it won’t work this far from the city. He thinks. She can’t get ahold of you now. You will never know why she is mad at you. He imagines her looking for him and being unable to find him only to discover he is one of the Bicentennial tribute volunteers. Volunteer, he snorts.

He grinds his teeth to distract from the agony in the pit of his stomach. He can see her long red curls every time he blinks his eyes. Her green eyes burn into the soul of his imagination. Her smile stabs deep into his heart. He can hear her sweet innocent voice. How did I even get you? He agonizes. How could I let this happen? Brad the next time I see you I’m going to wrap both hands around your throat and squeeze until your eyes bulge. It will be worth the jail time.

Hunter drops his head against the tree trunk and sobs. Hard sobs choked down to as much silence as he can muster. Hot streaks roll down his cheeks from his clenched eyes. His fingers dig into the rough hard bark, but the pain won’t kill the ache in his soul. He bangs his forehead against the tree and an audible sob escapes his chest before he can bite it off.

He leans out from behind the tree to see if Elias or Daniel heard him, but Elias is alone again. Hunter glares at the man who caused all of this. If he hadn’t been chasing Elias, he would have been safe at home in bed with Ada, making up for whatever he had done to wrong her.

Hunter turns his back to the tree and slides down until his butt rests on his heels. He drops his head into his hands and soaks his palms in fresh tears. I will find my way back to you Ada. I will. No one ever comes back from the Triads; another part of his mind reminds him. I will.

Ahead of him, he hears a rustle in the bushes, and he leaps to his feet. He blinks hard several times to squeeze out the tears that are blurring his vision. “Who’s there?” He attempts to drop his voice, but his tight throat makes him squeak at the start.

A large figure stands up in the darkness from the midst of the bush ten paces away. A gorilla? Hunter spins and reaches for his gun forgetting that Leo has taken it. He pauses.

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“It’s me, Rex.” The dark figure says, and Hunter recognizes the man in the dark. He is one of the twin bodyguards. “Sorry, my legs were going to sleep.”

“What are you doing following me out here? Were you gonna try something?” Hunter demands walking toward Rex but not lowering his gun.

“No just keeping an eye on you like the boss said.” Rex offered. "Why are you crying? Are you afraid of the dark too?"

Elias brushes off the question. “Why is Leo keeping an eye on me?”

“He’s not, he is in the captain’s cabin with Angel.” Rex points beyond Hunter. “I am watching you for him.” He says slowly so Hunter can catch on.

Hunter relaxes his shoulders. This guy is some sort of an idiot. A big idiot. “You sure it is me that you are supposed to be watching and not the kid by the fire?”

Rex thinks for a moment, “Nah, he pointed at you. I was doin' pretty good too till my legs started tingling.”

“Hiding is not your forte, is it?”

Rex shakes his melon head. “I’m not very good at it. My brother always found me when we were little.”

Hunter steps toward Rex holding out his hand for the big man to shake it, “Fine, you can stop following me now since I found you.”

Rex shakes his head and steps back a half step. “I have to do what Boss says. I have to follow you and not be seen.”

“But I have already seen you.” Hunter laughs. When he sees Rex is determined he shifts tactics. “So,” he pauses, “now it’s my turn to follow you. See if you can find me this time. Maybe you can still win.”

Rex’s eyes light up for the briefest of flashes then his brows smash together and his nostrils flare. “You are trying to make a fool of me.”

Not a complete idiot. I better watch myself. “No,” Hunter raises both hands, “I thought we were playing a game, honest.”

“We are not. This is serious. No time for games now." He cracks his knuckles, "Work first.” Rex squats down on his haunches and glares up at Hunter. He gives the officer a dismissive gesture that somehow again reminds Hunter of a gorilla as he dismisses him with an arm gesture.

Hunter rolls his eyes and turns to walk away, surely all of their talking in the darkness has blown his cover anyway. He decides to find a new spot to keep an eye on Angel and Elias. Leo has been in there a while. Maybe I should try to get closer and hear what they are discussing in there.

Hunter walks about ten steps and hears a stick crack behind him. He turns his head to see Rex has begun to follow him but now is standing behind a tree too small to hide him looking out with one eye from behind it. Hunter lets his eyes bounce away from the big man as if he hasn’t seen him then turns to walk again. Nope, a complete idiot.