Hunt

“Yes. I’m okay. No injuries. I’m fine.”

“Nix, you’re not bullshiting me? Nothing is missing on your body. Like a leg or anything. Are you in the hospital? Are you trapped? I can get you—”

“I’m fine. Trust me—”

“Thank God, Nix! We’ve been searching everywhere for you—”

“I’m sorry. I should have called earlier—”

“We went up to that fucking church-cabin-shit-spot and shot that motherfucking door down!”

My mouth dropped open. “Oh no.”

“Oh yes. And Cole-Cain wasn’t there and you weren’t either. And in front of the chapel, a bunch of weird ass white people rolled up on me with shot guns. They were pale as fuck with bleach white hair, coming out of the darkness like a zombie family—”

“Oh wait, Quin, you didn’t hurt them—”

“I should have, but I didn’t shoot. They were all younger than me. Some were kids. Still, they looked like they ate people or something—”

“Quin—”

“Devin stepped up and spoke to them because I froze. It was like I was in the middle of a horror movie. Drug dealers, gangsters, and rapists I can handle. Zombies and cops I can’t.”

God, please say she didn’t hurt any of Cain’s siblings.

“Devin asked the cannibal kids about Cain. They said they didn’t know him. So, I said the name, Cole and that was when the cannibals nodded.”

“I don’t think they’re cannibals, Quin. That was Cain’s brothers and sisters.” I felt Cain shift near me.

West rose and walked over.

I raised my hands to let them know everything is fine.

“Oh, yes. You’re right about that,” Quin said. “The cannibals were his creepy ass siblings. I realized that later when we were eating apple pie and ice cream. Cain was in all of the pictures on the wall in a wack suit, looking like a skinny-bible beating dude.”

Quin laughed. “Like one of those guys that knock on your door and interrupt your masturbating to tell you about Jesus.”

“Uh.” I blinked. “Apple pie and ice cream?”

“Spaghetti with garlic knots too. They may be cannibals but they can cook.”

“They’re not cannibals, Quin. How did you get inside of their house?”

Griff turned away from the entrance and looked my way.

Shit.

“I didn’t even know you were gone until this morning, Nix. Remember we were supposed to find you a new place and—”

“Oh yeah.”

“But, when I did, I went straight to blow up that piece of shit chapel.”

Oh God.

“I don’t know where you are, but there was a crazy storm here. The cannibals invited us in for dinner and dessert. They wanted to talk to us about Jesus. I wanted to see if maybe Cain locked you in the basement or something.”

“They invited you in, even though you shot up the chapel?”

Cain and West exchanged glances.

Griff chuckled.

“Girl, they’re crazy.” Quin sighed. “Plus, my plan is to keep his creepy ass siblings as hostages.”

I closed my eyes. “Okay. Hold on. You can’t—”

“Cain and I could do a trade. Cannibals for you. Now Devin’s plan is that if he ended up hurting or. . .you know. . .doing more to you. . .then, I would kill the cannibals and bury them in the woods.”

“O-kay.” I tried to quickly process it. “When the storm goes, you have to get out of there.”

“The storm is done. Where are you?”

“Paradise.”

“What the fuck? Bitch, I’m coming. Hit me with the address. Right now.”

“No. The storm is here. Plus, I need you to get the Victory Park kids for a job.”

“Fuck a job, Nix. I’m trying to find Cain and put a bullet in his head.”

“Forget about that. I’ll explain more why you shouldn’t. Everything is okay.”

“Everything isn’t okay.”

“It is. All is. . .forgiven. I’ll explain later.”

“I don’t even know what you’re talking about right now, Nix. Plus, he did something to my dog. Boss won’t play with Queen anymore. He just stares at it. I think he’s depressed that he failed you. He’s punishing himself.”

“Boss didn’t fail me.”

“But, I did. I should have stayed with you. Where does Cain have you in Paradise?”

“I’ll get you the address, but that’s the thing. . .Quin. . .Cain and I. . .” I tried to gather some sort of logical thoughts, but couldn’t think of anything. “Okay. So. . .Cain and I are sort of working together right now.”

“He kidnapped you and now you two are co-workers?”

“Something like that. And it’s a big job. Millions.”

“Yeah. Yeah. But let’s get back to the fact that you’re cool with the psycho. There was blood all over your mattress.”

“Yeah.” I froze.

“He cut you, Nix?”

“Um. . .so. . .”

I can’t bullshit her. I don’t know why I’m okay with Cain now. I just. . .am. I’m fucked up in the head.

Quin sounded nervous. “Nix?”

Cain gently took the phone from me. “Quin, this is Cain.”

I couldn’t make out what she said next, but I knew it was loud cursing.

Cain simply listened and never interrupted her. After what seemed like minutes of her going off, he spoke, “Yes. I’m still here, and no I wouldn’t like you shooting off my dick. I like it attached to my body.”