losthunter | Just Keep Busy, Things Will Get Better

A full week after Halloween, and the drama that happened during the evening, and Hunter was feeling a little restless. He had not seen Jim since that night, nor did he feel right about forcing Jim to see him. But he felt disconnected, like he was in his own little corner of the world.

He just needed to keep busy. And hope that things would eventually get better.

The world timed things in such a way, that he recently received a text message from his father, which informed Hunter that the FBI agents had finally caught up with Austin. It was a relief that the FBI Agents had captured Austin, without an incidents.

But his father had not really told Hunter what the FBI agents were going to do with Austin. And Hunter had a sneaking suspicion that Austin was going to end up in a scientific laboratory, so that the FBI could study Austin's magical powers.

With the problem of Austin out of the way, Hunter and his father had dinner together. It was an awkward mess, trying to talk with his estranged father, over an overly expensive meal that Rob had insisted on buying. And it was like they had no conversation points at all. Everything that Hunter valued personally seemed like it would just start a debate between him and his father.

The meal ended with Rob asking Hunter about his Christmas plans. Hunter had no ideas how to answer him. They never really had celebrated Christmas before as a family, and Hunter didn't know why his father wanted to change things now. So he just used the excuse of needing to work on a few Christmas projects, and he would look at his schedule and get back to Rob at a later time.

He just needed to keep busy. And hope that things would eventually get better.

Hunter had a number of projects that he was working on in his studio. He had a few dozen orders of art commissions, made by previous clients. He had also created a few hundred rose-themed bracelets and necklaces so that he could have the stock ready for the upcoming holiday-themed art and craft fairs. Additionally, he also had five bigger projects on the go, that were aimed towards close friends of his, that he had wanted to complete by Christmas time.

The Seven Sisters art studio was doing well these days. A number of the clients from the Foundation were finding a lot of success by showcasing and selling their art from the studio. A few of them were also preparing for their first-ever art fairs.

He just needed to keep busy. And hope that things would eventually get better.

A conversation with Hermione had led Hunter to realize that he had made an oversight with his Foundation. Hermione had told him about the new opportunity to learn about computers, and was quite excited about the chance to learn something new. And Hunter realized that while the Foundation was missing out on an opportunity.

The Foundation was created so that it could give those on the street a second chance. It had a food bank. It had a clothing store. It had a number of learning courses, for those who wanted to take high-school or college courses. It even offered classes for those who wanted to learn how to balance a budget, or for those who wanted to learn how to cook. Hunter had even built an art studio, so that anyone interested in art would have a chance to exhibit their work, without need of a home address.

But the Foundation did not have a science or medicine lab. There was no opportunities for the clients to learn some of the more advanced technologies. And so Hunter started to invest into building a new facility, one that would be geared towards new career opportunities for those who wanted it.

He just needed to keep busy. And hope that things would eventually get better.

It was nice having Hermione around the house. They had brunch together every day. And while their supper times did not always connect, they still hung out on the couch every night. Hermione loved watching TV and marveled at the 'Muggle' Technology.

But to Hunter, sometimes it just became white noise. He would bundle himself in his blanket, and would let Hermione control what they watched, especially since he didn't really care about what they were watching. It was during those evenings that his heart felt heavy. That despite his attempts, the nights were when the loneliness echoed in his mind the loudest.

He appreciated that Hermione's company kept any darker thoughts from his heart. And most nights Crookshanks would curl up in his lap, and snuggle close.

He had his friends. He would still cling to that hope, that things would get better.

Eventually.