Entry: 5

Entry: 5
      - Welcome to H.U.N.T.E.R


Finnley woke up with a splitting headache and remembered why.
She hadn’t taken her pills last night.
   “Oh shoot.” She muttered as she pushed the blanket off. She was disoriented for a moment as her head spun, and she couldn’t remember where she was.
When everything finally came in focus she saw the richly furnished office and it all came crashing down on her.
   “Oh yes. I just figured out that my whole reality is a lie. Awesome.” She scoffed and shoved her feet back into her red converse. Rising from the couch she saw that no one was in the office at all. There was two guards outside the door, but no Jayson.
She caught her reflection in a mirror and scowled at herself.
Running her hand through her hair she quickly did it up in a Dutch braid that went from the left side of her head and wrapped its way around, falling across her right shoulder.
   “Well at least it looks a little better.” She said to herself. “But...where is everyone?” She turned back to the office and looked around.
Humming a Taylor Swift song she walked lazily around the desk. She didn’t touch anything, she knew she would probably trigger and alarm or something and then get arrested. (Ok so maybe her imagination got the best of her sometimes)
She found a note though, just lying there on top of all of the folders and papers. She was shocked when she found that it was addressed to her.
    “Finnley, Jayson and I (Martha) are out in the training grounds, someone should be coming a long shortly.

   “Oo-kay then.” She muttered.

    P.S. There’s a fridge under the desk with food, help yourself!

Looking under the desk she found a little black fridge. Opening it up she was shocked to see that it was all gourmet food.
   “Oh my word! This is insane! Who on earth would spend this much money on food??” She asked herself. Picking up an apple from a fruit platter, she bit into it.
It wasn’t long before she had finished that and tossed the core in the trash can. But what really bothered her was that she couldn’t find her pills. They weren’t in her pocket where she had left them and she searched high and low for them but they weren’t anywhere.
   “Ok...who’s coming along shortly?”
Just then someone burst through the doors.
Finn was a little shocked and turned to see a short woman who looked to be late teens, early twenties. She had a pixie look about her, her bleach blond hair (which had pink tips) was short and stuck out in the back. She had a heart shaped face and the most darling smile.
   “Oh!” She said with a big smile as she walked over to Finnley. “You must be Finnley. I’m Maxxie.” She said giving her a big hug.
   “Nice to meet you Maxxie.” She said with a smile. She already knew she was going to like this little lady.
Maxxie smiled and gestured to the door.
   “Should we go?”
Finn nodded. “Lead the way.”

Finnley was able to see the headquarters much better in the day light. They didn’t go through the room with the globe again, but instead went the opposite way.
Maxxie told Finn all about the places as the passed them.
They came into a big room that looked like the science lab in Bill Nye the Science Guy.
Lots of people were going around with things in their hands, shouting from one to another, trying to get things done. Finnley found it kind of funny.
   “I’m forensics, so my office is back there.” Maxxie said, pointing to a closed door.
   “I’ll have to show it to you later but I think you’d like it.”
Finn smiled as they continued right on through the science lab.
On the opposite end there was two large metal doors. She watched as Maxxie ran her ID through a panel next to the doors and placed her hand on it as well.
There was a beep and the doors rumbled out of the way.
Finnley saw a grassy incline that they both walked up. There was still a roof over their heads till they came to the top of the incline. At the top, Finnley gasped.

   “No. Way.!” She cried in glee.
   “Pretty darn cool isn’t it?” Maxxie asked with a grin of pride.
   “Yeah!”
Turning around in a circle, she tried to take everything in.
For one thing, hardly anybody seemed to be on the ground. They were either strapped to jet packs, sitting on flying motorcycles, or floating skateboards that could go insanely high!
   Most everyone was carrying some kind of weapon, mostly guns though. (However Finn did see one person using a bow.)
The whole field (which was several acres big) was set up with obstacle courses, for the most part, however there was an old building in one corner that had holographs of what looked like more aliens, some of the agents were seeing how many they could kill with in a certain amount of seconds.
   Looking up, Finn saw obstacle courses in the sky! it was insane! They were everywhere. It looked like these aliens had wings, so they would chase the agent around till the agent would find someway of killing it. The holograph would then fall, but disappear before it hit the ground.
   There was also a section of the field that had the physical training. The boxing, martial arts, running, weight lifting, stuff like that. They also had lots of people sparring which Finn found interesting to watch.

   “So she’s alive.”
Finn turned to see Martha standing a little ways off, sparring with a man. She hadn’t bothered to pull back her dark curls where were now heavy with sweat. She was also in a jogging outfit that was black.
  She didn’t keep her eyes offer opponent when she was talking to Finn, she did however, dive under the guy and give him quick jabs in his midsection. The man dove into her and brought her to the ground.
Finn cringed a little, but Martha wasn’t out.
She rolled over as the man tried to hit her again. Stopping at his left side, she used her leg to hit the back of his neck, causing him to fall forward. She quickly jumped up and made to punch him, but instead she gave him a help up and they shook hands.

   Grabbing a towel from a bench on the side lines of the mat and her water bottle she walked over to Finn.
   “How’d you sleep?” She asked with a smile. Finn nodded.
   “Good thanks. And yes you were right, that was a really comfy couch.”
Martha laughed and gestured to someone behind her. Finn noticed a boy who had been slouching on the bench beside the mat stand up and walk over. He had wind tussled brown hair, and dark brown eyes. He wore kaki skinny jeans with Sperry Top-Siders. He was on the small side, and she couldn’t tell if he had any muscle what so ever seeing as he was wearing a sweater. Not like one she would wear, a big baggy one that was comfy but wasn’t exactly good looking. He wore one that was a grey turtle neck, and it looked to be knitted. It fit snuggly, and she had a feeling he was a “pampered poodle”.
   “This is my biological son, Kaden.” Martha introduced. “Jayson’s foster brother.”
Finn smiled and shook his hand when he offered it.
   “Hi. I’m Finnley. Though I’m sure your mom’s already told you that.” She said with a smile. Kaden nodded.
   “Yeah she might have mentioned it.” He said with a charming smile.
There was something about him that gave Finn the impression that not many people said “no” to him.
There was a hum and a sudden wind picked up. Everyone took a few steps back and Finn followed their example. Looking up she saw Jayson strapped to a jet pack, he lowered the throttles and cut the engines a foot above the ground. He landed with a heavy thud and pulled the helmet off his head.
   “Jayson what did I say about not using a jumpsuit to fly?” Martha scolded.
Jayson took a controlled breath. Finn glanced at him and saw that he was just wearing his usual leather jacket and jeans. He tugged off his gloves and tucked his helmet under his arm.
   “Hey Finn, how you feeling?” He asked. She nodded and tucked her hands in her back pockets.
   “Well I’m not so tired, but have you seen my pills? I couldn’t find them anywhere.”
Jay dug into his pockets and pulled out her pill bottle.
   “Fell out of your jacket while you were sleeping.” He explained.
Finn took the bottle and looked around.
   “What do you need dear?” Martha asked.
   “Some kind of drink I can take these with.”
She eyed the pill bottle suspiciously.
   “What are they?”
   “Morphine.” Finn answered.
   “Why do you have morphine?”
Ok now she wondered if this lady was blind. Jay tugged off her hood.
Oh. That might be why she cant see the massive band aid. She thought. Duh.
She turned her head so Martha could see the big bandage.
   “Last night, yesterday, someday yesterday I got hit upside the head with the butt of a gun remember?” She asked.
Martha nodded and handed over her water bottle.
   “Thank you.”
She was a little self-conscious with everyone starring at her so she took the pills as quickly as she could. She made sure her lips didn’t touch the bottle and offered it back to Martha.
   “Back to work boys. I’m sure there’s something you can do.” Their mom ordered with half a smile.
Both boys sighed and Kaden took Finn’s hand again. She wasn’t sure what he was going to do until he kissed it.
She could hear Jay groaning beside her and she felt her self blushing all the way home.
   “See you latter.” He said as he jogged off.
Maxxie giggled and touched Finn’s shoulder.
   “Watch where you trod.” She grinned.
Finnley shook her head and mindlessly wiped the back of her hand off, trying to do it in such away that it wouldn’t draw attention.
But of course Jayson saw her. And he grew a smug smile.
   “What are you smiling at?” She asked sternly. “Go back to work.” She ordered with a playful push.
   “Careful what you wish for.” He warned with a grin as he pulled the helmet back on. She stuck out her tongue at him and turned her back. Determined to ignore him.
He chuckled and turned his jet pack on. The wind whipped her hair into her mouth and as she pulled it back she risked a glance only to see that he was still watching her. She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the grin.
Sheesh girl! can you get any more obvious?? She asked herself with a chuckle.
   “Walk with me?”
She looked up and met the kind gaze of Martha.
   “Sure.” She said with a grin.

They walked off to the side of the field and onto a gravel path. Finn looked up and saw a cute little white gate and arch with flowers growing on it. She was a little shocked to see a garden in this place.
   “This is my garden, I started it when I was about your age.” Martha said as they stepped in. Finnley felt like she had been blown away to some kind of fairytale land where the roses bloomed all the time.
Martha led her to a little bench swing and they both sat down. Being in this garden, Finnley suddenly wished she was wearing a bright yellow, or pastel pink dress. (with coordinating converse of course)
   “Finnley, I understand the dangers you risked in coming here. And I am pleased you are here. I really am.”
Finnley knew something bad was about to happen.
   “But...you have to decide if this life is one you want to lead. We go around and kill aliens, and you can’t tell your family about this. Not a single soul. It’s a very hard life to lead. But...there’s another option as well.”
Martha paused and Finn took a deep breath.
   “We have an operation that will leave you with no memories of this.”
Finn looked at her with a look of horror on her face.
   “I know it sounds horrible but you would be able to go back to your old life. However...you would forget everything that’s happened in the past few weeks.”
Finn did the math.
   “I’d forget Jay?” She asked slowly as she looked out at the beautiful garden.
Martha sighed and nodded.
   “I’m afraid so sweetie.”
Her stomach grew into knots and she felt like she could throw up.
   “I know this is a big decision for you, so I’ll let you think about it. You can tell me this afternoon at lunch. We’ll just be eating in my office. I’ll let you have your space.”
Martha stood up and gave Finnley an understanding smile.
   “But Finnley, if you choose to stay, I have some thing you might be interested to hear. But the choice is yours.”
Martha then left and closed the gate behind her.
Well that’s just not nice.

++++

   “Life couldn’t be more confusing could it?” Finnley was still in the garden a few hours later. She was now pacing back and forth, looking at all the flowers while mindlessly picking out the weeds in the flower beds and shoving them into a trash can. She really didn’t know why she was doing this, but she always had to multitask if she wanted answers, and this was what there was.
   “No, instead you can either forget the one amazing guy you’ve ever met in your whole life, or you can lie to the rest of the world.” She groaned and felt like chucking something.
   “Catch!” She spun around on her heels with her hands up in front of her. Her hands met the hard baseball and she tried to ignore the momentary pain.

Rising to her feet she saw Jayson with out his leather jacket. He wore a Colts jersey, and aviator sunglasses were perched on top of his head.
Oh how Finnley wished she had a camera.
He was tugging on a baseball mitt and she noticed the second one under his arm.
He gestured with his head towards the gate.
Not glancing back at the garden, she walked after him as he headed out into the field, which she found was now empty.

Walking a little ways off after he handed her the glove he waited for her to throw the ball.
This was also something she could do. She wasn’t really good at most sports, but she use to toss a ball with her dad.
Ignoring the rising question of how Jay knew this was what she needed at the moment she threw the ball as hard as she could.
She was rewarded with a nice hard smack sound when it hit Jayson’s mitt.
His eyebrows rose slightly as he tossed it back lazily.
She easily caught it out of the air and heaved it back.
   “I take it your frustrated.” He stated as he threw the ball.
   “Really? I wonder what gave me away.” She stated sarcastically.
   “You’re not going to stay right?” He said it in such away that it sounded like he wanted her to leave.
   “I don’t know. Maybe.” She said quietly. He dropped his hands and looked at her. Though she wasn’t sure how he was looking at her sense he had sunglasses on.
   “You can’t be serious.” He stated.
   “Well maybe I am.” She shot back.
   “Finn, you can’t go and lie to your mom and Tanya, every time your called away to go save the world.”
Finnley sighed and looked out over at the field. Trying to figure out all these thoughts and feelings. One thing was for sure, she didn’t want to ever forget Jay. No matter how long they’ve known each other she felt like he was a treasure and she didn’t want to let him slip between her fingers.
But on the other end, she didn’t want to lie to her mom and to her best friend.
And then there was the dangerous side of working for H.U.N.T.E.R.
   “What if you got hurt?” Jayson asked. “What if you died out there. Your mother would never know. We’d have to tell her some messed up story and she wouldn’t know the truth. Do you really think that’s worth it? Really?”
He seemed really upset that she might even consider joining them. And Finn didn’t know why.
   “Jay that’s just a risk I might have to take.” She said, desperate to get him to understand with out coming right out and saying she couldn’t bare to forget him. (seeing as she would probably sound really dumb)
   “No. No it is not. You can walk the other way. You can go back to your mom, to the only parent you have left. And then everything is going to be like it was.”
   “And what about you?” She asked.
   “What about me?”
   “How would you feel if I suddenly woke up and had no clue who you were. If I woke up, starred you in the face, and asked for your name? Huh?” She had caught him by surprise she could tell.
   “This isn’t about me.” He mumbled. He wound up, and threw the ball at her. Now she knew he was upset seeing as he threw it harder then he had before.
   “Yes it is. This decision will affect you just as much as me. And to be honest, I don’t think I want to ever hurt someone like that. Ever.” She threw the ball back. Jayson stopped and took his sunglasses off. He took determined steps up to her and she was a little scared of him at the moment. The look in his eye,... she had never seen that before.
He only stopped till he was close enough that she could reach out slightly and touch him.
His breathing was heavy and his mouth was in a strait line.
Finnley took a breath and hoped he couldn’t hear her frantic heartbeat.
   “Would you hate me if I stayed?” She asked quietly. Keeping her eyes down cast to the grass between their shoes.
She heard Jay take a sharp breath and braced herself for some kind of verbal blow.
   “No.” He replied, equally quiet. “I wouldn’t.”
She was a little shocked by his response and looked into his eyes to make sure he wasn’t teasing. He was dead honest.
   “Really? or are you just saying that to make me happy?” She ventured to ask.
A smile crossed his lips. Finnley shoved her hands deep into her pockets to keep herself from doing something stupid.
   “I’m serious. I-I don’t know how to explain how I feel at the thought of you staying here. It’s like-like-”
He sighed and looked over her head. Running a hand through his blond hair he tried to find the right words.
   “Like you had the strength to do anything, possible, or impossible? Like your so happy your heart might burst into a thousand pieces, each one sparkling as bright as the stars?”
Why did you just say that Finnley?! She yelled at herself. I mean come on girl! do you know how dreamy, and completely and utterly hopeless you sound?!
She didn’t want to hear how he reacted. She wished she could take back what had just slipped out. She wish she wasn’t there.
But, then she did. She wanted to know how he reacted, she wanted to know what he would say.
So all she could do was wait.
A few seconds felt like hours dragging by, all the time she was locked in his silver-blue eyed gaze.
   “Yeah...It feels like that.”