abstract_stories | CofD - The Thrill of the Hunt

CofD - The Thrill of the Hunt

Cole sighed as he locked the main door to the shop. Another workday down without incident, but lately he'd been feeling more on edge. A couple of customers over the last week had given him a bad feeling, even though he couldn't say why if anyone had asked him. Maybe they had just been a bit too friendly for new customers. Tourists they said, excited to soak up the atmosphere. They asked a lot about places that he went frequently and what there was to do, but he'd been pretty vague. He didn't know them enough to share. Thankfully the next two times they came through were less invasive, but there was still that feeling. It didn't matter now though, because it was nearly Friday and he could hole up in his apartment in just one more day.

Cleaning up was a simple enough affair for any Lost, even without a touch of fae magic, and he was done in roughly an hour. Floors swept and mopped, register emptied, cash in the safe and the safe locked, and bathroom cleaned one last time. He could go home.

There was a bit of a chill in the air still, the last signs of winter's reign. Hot chocolate was tempting, but the bus didn't pass his favorite coffee shop. So he started that way instead.

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Jack walked up to the shelter and slipped under it as well. He rubbed his arms and cracked his neck. He looked over at Cole out of the corner of his eye. He scanned the other teen, his target. He was so cute up close. He swallowed and tried to smile when they met eyes.

"Cold night, am I right?" He asked casually. First step, strike up a conversation. The weather was a great ice breaker. At least, the book on how to talk to people said so.

Cole's eyes snapped to him the instant he entered the shelter, then resumed their sweep of the street. His attention was mostly on the teen though and he shrugged, his hands in his pockets. "It's a little, but warmer than last week," he said casually, eyes drifting back to Jack and slowly looking him over.

Different from him. Cole was pale, small, and thin to the point that his hoodie seemed rather loose on him. His eyes were strange, in the sense that there was a warmth and innocence to them despite the cold suspicion and caution that dominated his gaze.

"Soon it's going to be pleasant. And then too hot."

This was going well so far. Conversation reciprocated. Now he just had to keep the flow going. Cole was smaller than him and his skin pale. Jack wasn't super tall but he was average for his age. Tan skin and brown hair. Deep brown eyes to match as well and white teeth when he smiled a little wider.

"True that. But I like the heat. Short sleeves and shorts for me. Heh. I mean, when it's cold you can put as many layers as you want on. When it's too hot, I mean, after taking so many layers off it becomes illegal."

"I like to bundle up more. It's easier."

Jack was handsome and seemed confident. Not like him...not that he thought that he was ugly or anything. As far as Lost went, he was probably pretty plain aside from the scars people occasionally asked about. He preferred to stay covered up because of that.

"...Do you live around here?"

He's never seen Jack around before. Not that he knows everyone, but teens come to the shop if they have some money and free time.

"Makes sense. Guess we're opposites there," He said with a chuckle. He found Cole cute in every meaning of the word. He didn't like the idea of hitting him with a bat or taking him in restrained. He just...wanted to talk to him, spend the night, maybe play games, and tell stories. Things friends would do.

"I just moved here recently, actually. From Boston. Parents got her jobs. You from around here?"

"I guess so," Cole agreed. He relaxed a little, sensing nothing off about this stranger. He seemed harmless enough, like he just wanted to talk. He looked back toward the street again. Still clear, and the bus would be soon. Good.

"I was born and raised here," he said after a moment. "It's the only state I know. How do you like it so far?"

"I think it's pretty cool. Haven't seen enough yet to really know. Could use a tour guide sometime. If you'd wanna hang out. I'm Jack, by the way," He introduced himself with a smile and a bit of a chuckle.

"Think I forgot to do that back at the beginning." A little fumble with introduction but it felt right. This could work. Yeah. Get close, talk, learn about Cole, and if needed bring him in. He was intent on close examination. That's what he would put in the report. Nothing about how cute he was or how just talking to him put butterflies in his stomach.

"Cole. I'm not really the person to talk to about interesting places, but I can tell you where things are."

He considered Jack for a moment, genuinely surprised by the offer to hang out. Or was it a request? It didn't matter. Not really. Instead, there was something he needed to know more. Because they didn't have anything in common so far besides living in the area, and it was mostly other Lost who offered to hang out.

"Why do you want to hang out with me? We just met, and I'm not what most people would call fun." Not a suspicious question, just genuine surprise and curiosity.

He smiled and the question kind of hurt but it was fair. Why was a good question and Jack had one. I'm stalling hunting you by trying to hang out and be friends. That wasn't a good answer. He wasn't going to bring that up, no. Jack shrugged.

"I guess I'm hoping we can be friends. You're the first person I've met from around here and figure why not offer? Hope for the best, kind of thing. That's what I do." It was the truth, just not all of it.

"That makes sense I guess. I might be able to hang out when I don't work."

That answer seemed a little lonely, something they might have in common then. And that made him feel bad a little. Like he had pushed Jack away already. "I don't work Saturday, and I don't have plans. If you're free."

"Saturday works for me. I'll meet you where you want then. Like this bus stop? That would make it easy," Jack responded with a big smile. Perfect. They could hang out on Saturday and go from there.

"We can explore the city together and just have some fun. It'll be great," He followed up.

"Why don't we meet at the stop for whoever gets off first?" Cole suggested. "There's not much to do here except get some hot drinks, and we can technically do that while we explore." With any luck, Jack's stop was first and he could learn a little about what they could be doing...as well as making sure that no one assumed they were close enough to target Jack.

Jack nodded. That seemed fair enough. He had wanted to find out which stop Cole got off at but for another time. Besides, finding the lair of a creature was his specialty. He could search for it later, on his own time.

"Works for me. Do they have any batting cages? I like baseball so we could hit balls, get food, and have a fun time. That could be fun if you likes baseball too."

"I'm not good at sports, but I do know where there's a batting cage. We'll pass it on the way actually."

As if to make his point, the bus pulled up in front of them. He boarded first, greeting the driver as he paid his fare and then taking one of the middle seats near the back door. He waited expectantly for Jack to join him so they could consider their plans more.

Jack nodded and followed onto the bus. He did sit next to Cole with a smile. He leaned back against his seat.

"I could teach you, if you want. It isn't too hard. But it isn't for everyone. What do you like to do then for fun?"

"I "like horror, and comic books mostly. I usually read or watch things."

Cole allowed himself to relax more now that they were on the bus, sinking into the seat with his hands in his pockets.

"I don't mind playing with people, but I don't know how fun it would be for you, since I'm not at all fit." He could run moderately fast, but he was lacking in strength. "What about you? Besides baseball.

Jack smiled and nodded. "Horror is cool. I like horror too. Even if I scream like a baby sometimes. Heh. Comics are cool too. I love me a good comic book. Think you can show me to the local shops you hit up?" He asked as they rode along with the bus.

"I also like action movies and just hanging out. I don't usually...well. Back where I'm from I didn't have a lot of friends. Kind of the loser at my school. Hoping to turn that around here, you know?"

"Not really, no. But I'll take your word for it."

Jack seemed sincere enough, not like he was just looking for someone to fall in line. His energy was welcoming, inviting even. He smiled slightly.

"I know a couple of local shops that have a good selection, including classics."

Jack nodded and chuckled as Cole spoke. He leaned back against the seat more and listened to Cole. He seemed nice and a great listener. He nodded along.

"Sounds like we got a full day planned then. It's going to be fun," Jack said with a bright grin.

"Yeah. We could meet around 11. Then we'd have the whole afternoon for it. And time for lunch."

This...was shaping up to sound like fun. Cole couldn't deny that. He was starting to look forward to a day like this...and less apprehensive about whose stop was coming up first.

Jack smiled as he pulled the stop cord. This was a great start. He'd have someone to hang out with, learn more about Cole, and maybe be able to classify him as a person. He stood up and held out his hand.

"See you later, friend," He said with a great big smile.

Cole took it in a quick shake and nodded. "Stay safe until then."

He watched Jack until the bus was too far away, mostly out of curiosity as to which way he lived. Then he settled in for the five minute ride to his stop. Exiting the bus, he walked home, made dinner, and watched a movie before bed.

Meanwhile, Jack walked down the street and into an apartment building. He went up to his apartment and put on the TV. He stripped out of his clothes, made some food, and watches his own movie before going to bed. He thought of Cole and smiled, blushing a little.

"...You have a crush, Jack. Another one. Like the vampire. Let's just hope this one...goes better." He touched the scars on his arm then down to his chest. It had hurt, that crush, but felt so good during the time. Time to see how this one goes.

The next couple of days went quickly and, more importantly, peacefully for Cole. He finished out his workweek with no problems and had a decent night's sleep the night before meeting with Jack, leaving him plenty of time to wonder about him. They were nothing alike, and yet he wanted to find out more about Jack. Maybe get closer to that warmth he just radiated.

He arrived at Jack's stop about 10:55 and sat on the bench to wait. The weather wasn't as bad today, warmer and sunny but with that coolness that wasn't quite cold. A good day to be out.

Jack had a good few quiet days watching Cole and researching the city. He made sure to get a new bat, not broken, for the cages. He's happy as he rode the bus to meet Cole today. The bus stopped and he came off the bus and looked around. His eyes light up as he spots Cole and closed the distance with quick steps.

"Hey Cole. Hope you weren't waiting long," Jack said with a bright smile.

"Not long, no." Cole stood, and met him halfway. He hadn't expected Jack to get off the bus too since that was the reason he suggested they meet here first. "Did you need to run an errand before meeting up?"

Today he was wearing a slightly worn hoodie and faded jeans, no gloves or anything though since it was too warm for them in his opinion.

Jack nodded and smiled. He pulled off his shoulder bag and opened it.

"I did. I wanted to get you this," He said as he pulled out a baseball glove and a new wooden bat. He smiled as he held them out to Cole.

"Since we're going to the cages, I figured we should have the gear, yeah?" The brunette smiled wide as he spoke, hoping Cole liked his gifts.

"You...didn't have to do that for me," Cole said, carefully taking the glove and bat in his hands and looking at Jack, something between confusion and awe in his dark eyes. It had been awhile since he'd been gifted anything, and never from someone that he barely even knew. But here Jack was, with brand new equipment for him. The glove even had that new leather smell.

"You spent money on me after we've just met? These can't have been cheap."

Jack's smile didn't waiver. He just nodded along with the questions.

"Well, no but I figured it would be nice. Since you're showing me around and everything. I just wanted to show my appreciation. And my parents are rich. They hardly worry about money, like ever. So it was easy. Thank you, Cole. For being my friend."

Cole stared at him for a long moment, searching for an appropriate response. But nothing that really seemed to fit or feel sincere enough. Finally he decided to be direct. "Thanks...and you're welcome?"

He couldn't well turn down a gift given for such a simple and sincere reason, and he didn't want Jack to feel like it was unwanted. So he shifted his grip so his arms were wrapped around both. "I don't know how much use they'll see when you aren't around, but thank you, Jack."

Jack smiled genuinely and happily. He was glad Cole accepted them. Even if it wasn't going to be something he used all the time, it would be something for them.

"You're welcome. Shall we get going then? We can get started and just enjoy the day together. It'll be fun."

"Yeah. Did you want to go to the batting cages first, or the mall?" Cole asked. It was the same bus either way, but knowing the right stop was never a bad idea. "We can start easy, or work up an appetite before food and browsing. Whichever you like."

Jack thought for a moment, tapping his chin. He smiled and nodded.

"I like that idea. Let's go to the cages then we can head to the mall for food and shopping. Lead the way, friend." Jack said.

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CofD - The Thrill of the Hunt

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