The Hunter

Chapter Thirteen

Later that day, after we finish cleaning and organizing the store, we prepare for our first perimeter check. Basically we are going to scout a few areas, map them out, and check for wolf tracks or any other signs of wolves. As we don’t know much about the area, it should just be an trip to gather information.

“Ready to go?” My father asks.

“Which section are we doing tonight?” We’ve mapped out seven different sections to explore, one for each day of the week.

“Nothing like a good ol’ perimeter check to get your spirits up.” My dad says completely ignoring my question.

“Dad?” I push.

“Huh?”

“What section should we do?”

“Section one.” He says pointing on the map to one of the farthest sections from where we are. I sigh. “Is that not okay?” He asks.

“Well it’s just.. we’ve done so much already can’t we save that section for one of our days off?When we’ll have more time for it?” I ask.

“Is Sunday or Monday the beginning of the week to you?” My father asks. I’m surprised by the question.

“I would say Monday.”

“Very well then we’ll do section three.” I realize he’s only agreeing to keep my morale up after our little tift earlier, but I’m taking this as a win. We gather our gear and head to site three. It’s dark and quiet. A fingernail sliver of the moon is the only light in the sea of stars over head.

“Remember, we are just observing. Even if you find something, do not engage.” My father warns sternly.

“I know, don’t worry.”

“Alright. Then why don’t you follow the west boarder and I’ll follow the east. Meet back up in the middle.”

“Got it. I’ll see you in one hour.” My father and I part ways. I follow the perimeter, noting any tracks, taking pictures, even though it’s night time and it’s pretty hard to see. I also note any marks on trees of signs of trails. It’s a still night, and the sound of the crickets and frogs keep me company as I make my way through the dark forrest. Finally after about 35 minutes, I see my father’s headlamp up ahead, followed by the sound of a bluejay, our signal to one another. I reply with the sound of a cardinal to signal to him that its me. I didn’t come across anything out of the ordinary, which meant that this was basically a waste.

“How was it?” My father asks walking you to me.

“Uneventful.” I reply. My father claps me on the back.

“Good. Just like I like them. Come one, let’s head back and I’ll make us some dinner. What are you feeling tonight? Steak?” My father is in a weirdly good mood. Actually he’s been in a pretty good mood since we got here.

“Sure I do love a good steak.” My father smiles as we head back to the cabin. When we get back, I combined our findings and map out the area while my father cooks us up something to eat.

“Dinner’s ready.” My father plates up steak, potatoes, asparagus, some sweet rolls with butter and a fresh side salad.

“Looks pretty good.” I say taking the plate from him and sitting down at the dining table. As we eat dinner we talk about the area we’ll check tomorrow, things we found and saw tonight, and about the house. But mostly we talk about the store. My father was beaming with ideas of promotional sales and new items we could offer. He is really taking this undercover gig seriously. He even set up an appointment to meet with the mayor. It’s bizarre how excited he is about such mediocrity, but I have to admit it makes me smile to see the old man so passionate about something. I head off to bed not long after dinner. And so does my dad. I was woken up so early this morning that I fell asleep pretty quickly after laying down.

The next morning my father wakes me up early again. It sucks just as bad as it did yesterday.

“Cole, get up. We’re opening the shop today, so I need all hands on deck.” He whips open the curtains and the sun pours into my room. I groan and pull the covers over my head. My father throws them off me.

“You know you’re a grown man, right?”

“A grown man who still lives with his father and can’t EVER sleep in.” My father just laughs his way out of my room. I swear, I never get any peace. I unwillingly get out of bed. I hop in the shower to try and pep myself up. The water does it’s job, at waking me up. But I’m still bitter about having being woken up early again. I start to get dressed and I can hear my dad bumbling around in the kitchen.

“Don’t forget to look nice Cole. It’s our first time meeting the town.” My father shouts. I poke my head out of the door.

“The town? Since when are we meeting the town?” I ask.

“Come on. Those nosey country folk with come sniffing around. Put on that nice flannel you own.”

“But it’s summer time!”

“True, what about that blue shirt?”

“Fine!” So I change into my blue shortsleeved shirt and jeans. This is nice enough. I join my father at the table. There’s a spread of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast.

“Coffee’s in the pot.” My father says. I get up and pour myself a cup. I watch my father for a moment while I stand in the small kitchen with my coffee. He’s eating and drinking, but he seems so different here. I take my coffee over to the table.

“Dad can I ask you something?”

“Huh, sure.” He looks up from his plate.

“Why haven’t you retired yet?” My father looks surprised by my question.

“I’m not that old.”

“No, but you just seem happier to have something normal to do. You just seem so different lately, that’s all.”

“That’s true. But honestly, hunting is like second nature to me son. I like being helpful. Protecting people.” He goes back to his eggs. We don’t talk about it again. After breakfast we drive over to the shop. We walk in turn the lights on. My father turns the sign in the window to open.

“Welp! Looks like we’re open for business.” He says with a smile. Great, yay! Only a few minutes pass before the bell on the door rings. Wow some customers already? I’m carrying a box to the back room.

“Welcome, I’ll be right out.” I shout. I place the box down quickly and come around the corner and see the girl with the long wavy brown hair and pretty hazel eyes. Alexis. She is casually looking at some fishing line.

“So, you were just waiting for us to open so you can go fishing?” I say as I lean on the counter. She looks over at me with a smile.

“Maybe I was.” I put my hands up in surrender.

“If you need any help let me know. I did my best to clean this place up yesterday. So if you see something dirty, just ignore it. My arms are tired.” She laughs.

“I’ll keep that in mind. Actually I am really looking for something. Do you guys have any lanterns?”

“Gas or battery?” I ask.

“Do people still use gas?” She asks me. I walk around the corner and pass her.

“Actually, yes. But I’m guessing not you.” I take her to the flashlights.

“Here we go. We only have two options I’m afraid.” I point to the shelf. She looks them over.

“Going camping?” I ask.

“Backyard camping. I’m babysitting my nephew and I told him we could camp in the backyard.” She makes a funny face of regret. I laugh. She picks one off the shelf.

“I’ll take this one.”

“Do you need batteries? They’re over by the register.” She gives me a smile.

“Yeah, I do.” I ring up her lantern and batteries and she pays.

“Thanks.” She takes her bag.

“Hey Alexis, can I ask you something?” I stop her from walking away. She turns and looks at me.

“Where’s a good place for lunch around here?”

“You should try the corner cafe. Or the Tavern on old mill road. They’re the best. And call me Lexie.”

“Thanks. I’ll check them out.”

“I’ll see you around.” She heads out the door.

“You should have asked her out.” I hear my father say behind me.

“Nah, don’t want to get too close.” I grab another box from behind the counter and carry it to the back.