losthunter | The Stories We Keep Secret

Faris pauses a moment. "Do you not believe that such a person exists for you?"

"My belief is being questioned a lot right now."

"Three times I have heard of these other people finding someone who 'gets' them. Who is connected to them. And in each case, once they had found that person, Kendra's aspect, had disappeared from their life."

"Kendra only recently disappeared from mine."

"And I wonder, if that means, if I found that person."

Faris has sympathy for Hunter's emotional turmoil, but he also thinks that Hunter may be missing something. "The odds of encountering one single, specific person are astronomical, and most beings encounter a person that fulfills their requirements in a lifemate. Therefore, it seems unlikely that there is only one possible lifemate for a given person. If you have somehow missed a potential mate, there is no need to believe that such an opportunity is lost forever."

"Maybe there is a lot I am missing..."

"There is one other common theme. All of them were in an abusive or negative relationship at their home, before Kendra's aspect entered their lives."

"And... when I think of my situation... it was actually Lindy who had that challenge more than myself. My dad might have expected a lot from me. But he never raised a hand against me."

"Every individual is unique," Faris agrees. "Though the others needed assistance to elevate their positions in life, your situation is not entirely comparable. Therefore, the end results are not necessarily required to be the same."

"I'm glad you were able to come along." It helps to have someone to talk through some ideas and concerns. To be open and honest with.

"The next person on my list is a Sawyer. He lives in Canada, so it will be a cross-border journey. In a fashion." The PINpoint will help with the journey.

"Your planet is intriguing," Faris says. "Though the time spent at each location is brief, there are distinct energies to each. Have you been to this Canada?"

"No. I haven't. So this will be interesting."

The PINpoint takes them to a small suburb, close to the larger city of Toronto. The homes on the street are all residential. In the distance, one can see the large skyscrapers of Toronto itself.

Hunter goes to the door and knocks. Sawyer answers, wearing only shorts, as the day is hot. He smiles upon seeing Hunter and lets him in.

"I am so glad you are here."

"Thank you for inviting me." It is sort of nice that so far no one has questioned how Hunter can afford visiting all these people. They have all assumed that he took a plane, or other method of travel.

"I saw a TV report on your art exhibit. And I recognized one of your drawings, in a fashion. While you drew a young girl, the Katherine I knew was much older. She was living in a senior home," Sawyer explained.

"A senior home?" This is the first time that Hunter had heard of Kendra taking on an aspect of a much older age.

"I was working there part-time, trying to balance paying the rent, and also trying to raise funds for an organization I work for. She really believed in me. She believed that I could be more than just a janitor."

Faris isn't familiar with the term 'senior' for an elderly person, nor the word 'janitor,' so he just listens and tries to figure it out in context. Thus far, it does seem like there are common themes to each story. Positive encouragement, and personal involvement. The K'da can tell that each person so far thinks of her fondly, as well.

"So what happened to Katherine?" Hunter asked.

"One day she just wasn't at the senior home anymore. I assumed that she passed..." Sawyer pauses, as if remembering her memory. "It was around that time that I got my promotion, and had new faith in myself to start my own cleaning business."

"That is how I met my girlfriend, who I am dating." Sawyer smiles. "I am planning to propose to her tonight."

"Congratulations."

"Thanks. I have a few more things to prepare for... is there anything else that you wanted to know?"

"No. Thank you for your time." Hunter left the house. He waits until he is down the street, until speaking to Faris. "Well, that was interesting."

"It was," Faris agrees. He's figured out what a janitor may be, but he didn't understand all of it. "What is a senior home?"

"It is a large facility that homes senior, our elderly. Some of them are unable to care for themselves anymore and need constant care."

"From the sounds of it, Sawyer was responsible for janitorial work at a senior home. When Kendra took on an aspect of an elderly person."

The K'da considers that. "Sawyer's story does not indicate an obvious influence through magic," he muses. "Unless this promotion was somehow her gift to him." He's not as experienced with magic as Hunter is, however, so he's more than open to the idea that he's missing something.

"He spoke about how her faith in him had helped changed things. It could be that he is not ready to talk about whatever magic was left in his life... and that was the best way for him to explain himself."

"Quite possible," Faris agrees. "Not all are willing to speak of private matters so freely."

"Sawyer did mention that he too found someone special in his life. And it ties into what the others had found, themselves."

Hunter looks at his notes. "Two more people to visit."

"I want to visit Arianna next. She also lives in Canada. In Prince Edward Island..." He explains.

"It has been some time since I have been on an island," Faris says, intrigued. As someone who has spent most of his life aboard a spaceship, he wishes they could spend more time in each location, though he does understand that now is not the time for sightseeing. Perhaps at a future date.

"We can return and stay longer another time." Hunter would not be able to enjoy the sights or sounds of PEI right now. His mind is too distracted.

"Forgive my curiosity," Faris says politely. "My interests are not our focus at this time. Come, let us proceed."

"We will indulge in your curiosity. I promise." Mostly because Hunter is appreciative of Faris giving up his time for him. And a little because Hunter wants to explore the island too.

Once the PINpoint brings them to the island, it is obvious by the difference of the saltiness in the air from the ocean.

Arianna lives in a fishing-shack styled home, right by the ocean. She is outside, strumming on a guitar when Hunter appears. She welcomes him with a bright smile. She is a little younger than the rest of the people he had met. If Hunter had to guess, he would estimate that she is 18 at the most.

"You must be Hunter." She smiles.

"Yes. Thank you for meeting with me Arianna."

Faris must resist the urge to come off Hunter's skin enough to taste the air, so different from the scents he's familiar with. It seems a pleasant enough place, from his perspective, and quite calming.

The K'da was introduced to human musical instruments during his initial stay with Hunter, so the sound of the guitar is strange but familiar.

"You contacted me because you recognized a girl in one of my paintings..." Hunter started the conversation.

"Yes. It reminded me of Kylee, a girl in one of my classes at high school." Arianna spoke softly. Hunter took note that this time, Kendra's aspect had taken an aspect of a slightly younger age.

"I was really struggling at that time. My father was very strict. And I wanted to leave the island and explore new places. And I wanted to share my love of music with the world."

"Kylee supported my dreams. She encouraged me to be passionate about my music. And gifted me with an amazing ability to be a calming influence for anyone that I play for..." Arianna smiled. "She even introduced me to a nice young man, who I will be going to Prom with."

"I am glad she was such a good influence in your life," Hunter smiled.

"She moved away... at least, she must have, because one day she just wasn't there at school anymore." Arianna sighs softly. "I miss her. But I am glad she was in my life when she was."

Hunter gets the feeling that telling Arianna that her friend is gone forever would be a little too heart-breaking right now. "And my painting helped you to remember her."

"Yes. I am working a few extra shifts so I can save up to purchase it."

"You don't need to do that... I can just give it to you. She was a big part of your life." Hunter offered.

So far, they have seen a wide variety of personas that the witch has adopted to approach her targets. An old woman, a young girl... what will the last individual share, Faris wonders.

And he approves of Hunter's decision to give away his artwork to the one to whom it shall mean the most.

"Here Arianna, take my card. I will send my painting to you. But if there is anything else you want to talk about, just give me a call."

With one more conversation completed, Hunter leaves Arianna to continue working on her music. "There is just one more person to visit..." He comments to Faris, once they are far enough away to avoid detection.

"What location yet remains?" Faris asks.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject