Chapter Two

The Hunt

"Question," I said as I stared out the window, down to the dingy street three stories below.

"Yes?" asked the realtor.

I turned back to face her, taking in again the sight of the tiny studio apartment where I would essentially have to cook, sleep, and bathe in the same room. "Did I not tell you my price range?"

"Um, you did say something over the phone, but I think I misheard you."

I laughed a little at the situation. Of course she would think that I couldn't possibly afford what I said I could have. I was a high school graduate with no job. "You didn't mishear me," I clarified. "So please, can we try to find a place that fits my price range?"

"Sure thing," the realtor said with a nod. She seemed perturbed by my request. Maybe she was bothered by the fact that she was twice my age and couldn't afford what I was asking. I didn't mean to boast, but it felt good to be apartment hunting. I felt like I was growing up and moving forward.

The next few apartments she showed me were much better, but still not quite the kind of place I had been hoping for. I wanted something modern, with lots of space, somewhere in the center of things, so I could get to places easily. But I still wanted a car, so the place had to have a garage as well.

I noticed throughout the apartment showing, we were steadily improving conditions as we went along. Maybe the realtor was hoping that I would be convinced to go for a cheaper place. Unfortunately, I wasn't about to be swayed. I had been saving for a long time, and I wanted a place that I could be happy with for a long time. This was pretty much all I had going for me at the moment.

Finally, towards the end, we started seeing apartments I could actually see myself in. "Okay, this is the last place I have for you today," said the realtor in a tired way as she led me into an apartment complex called the Grand Plaza. It had twenty-one stories and, if the lobby was any indication, was a fancy place to live in. There were marble floors, bright chandeliers, leather couches, and a pretty receptionist.

"Looks great so far," I said with a smile as we entered the elevators. She hit the button for the twenty-first floor.

The elevator doors opened to reveal a small vestibule area. It had a wooden side table with a vase on top, filled with real flowers. Just above it hung a mirror. On the other side there was a painting, and directly in front of us was the door, simply labeled "P."

The realtor walked forward and unlocked the door, leading the way in. I followed behind her and instantly fell in love. I was only in the foyer, but I was already hooked. I could see into the large space that would be the living room. A sliding door led out to a balcony. To my right I saw a set of spiral stairs, leading up to the second floor.

I followed the realtor into the kitchen, which was a little big for my taste, since I never cooked, but looked good. Then she took me to the dining room, again a room I probably wouldn't make much use of. She showed me the living room that I had already caught a glimpse of. Then she showed me the guestroom and bathroom, both moderately sized.

She saved the upstairs for last. The stairs led to the master bedroom, which was large enough to include a sitting area. It had a closet with multiple rooms, and a bathroom that was twice as big as my room at home.

The other portion of the second floor was essentially just the roof of the building. Two wide doors led from the bedroom out onto a sort of terrace. There would be plenty of space for lawn furniture and gardening, not that I was much of a gardener. Still, it was nice to have the option.

I couldn't help but smile as she led me back down the stairs, pausing in the foyer to ask me what I thought.

"I'll take it," I said, making a quick decision.

The realtor still seemed unsure. "You'll have to apply. There's no guarantee you'll get it."

"Yep, sure." I knew the application wouldn't be a problem. All it would take was a phone call to Animagia, and they'd make sure I got in.

The realtor seemed to give up on trying to get me to change my mind. She got me an application and seemed glad to be rid of me after she drove me back to the place I had told her to meet me that morning.

I made it to Orion's house just in time that evening. Lani, Leo, and Randi were already there. Randi actually lived there permanently. I guess she liked it better than having her own place. Orion had offered us all a place to live when we graduated. Randi was the only one who took it. Leo had had his own apartment for a while now, Lani lived at the Kesari Nest, and I was still living with my parents until I could move in to my new apartment.

Everyone was gathered in the library when I entered. It was the place we usually met, there was a large sitting area amidst the shelves. I came in, giving everyone a wave, and took a seat on the couch next to Randi.

"How'd the apartment shopping go?" she asked.

I gave a wide smile. "Excellent. I already called headquarters. They're securing the place for me right now."

"Where at?"

"The Grand Plaza on 15th and Dearborn."

"Sounds expensive," said Lani, her eyes going wide.

"It must be," said Leo. "That area's really nice. Who are you trying to impress? No apartment's going to get you in with the ladies, you know that right?"

"Just wait 'til you see it," I said with a smirk. "Then you'll be singing a different tune."

Lani rolled her eyes at us. "Boys."

"We still going car shopping tomorrow?" Randi asked.

"Not sure. I have a meeting at Animagia tomorrow, a briefing for a new mission. Don't know how long it'll take. I'll call you."

Orion walked into the library then, demanding our attention. He was holding a bunch of papers in his hands. "Hey guys." He took a seat on the armrest of the chair that Lani was sitting on. "Not much to report tonight. Leo is leading Easy Squad on a mission tonight, so the rest of you are going to have more area to cover for patrol tonight, all right? I laid out new ranges for you all. Here." Orion handed Lani the papers. It was passed along until everyone had one. It had a map of the area on it. My section was outlined in red, with my name sprawled across the center of it. "Just do your best to cover the whole area. I know it's a lot, but Animagia didn't have anyone else to spare tonight so it's up to you guys. Han, I wanted to let you know that Animagia called me about your new place. I gave them my approval, and they said they could have you in within the next week, okay?"

"Yes!" I exclaimed, putting up my fists in victory. "Anybody know any good interior decorators?" The others just laughed at me. "No, seriously," I said with a straight face.

"We can discuss that some other time," said Orion. "You guys have your assignments so…have at it."

I stood up with a sigh. It was going to be a rough night. I left Orion's and headed home. Upon entering my house, I was attacked by the smell of my mother's meat loaf. I stepped into the kitchen to find her leaning over the open stove.

"You'd better not pull a Sylvia Plath on me," I said as I took a seat at the kitchen table.

"Never," said my mother, closing the stove and turning towards me. "You need me too much."

"I need your cooking, that's for sure. It smells delicious."

"What're you going to do when you're off at college all by yourself?" My mother came up behind me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. "You'll starve."

"Mom, come on. I'll be fine. You gotta let go at some point."

She took a seat across from me. "Honey, what happened to your lip?"

I touched the cut in my lip, which was almost healed, but still a bit noticeable. As an Animage, I was gifted with a speedier healing ability than normal people, but it still took some time. "Oh, uh, I got elbowed playing basketball with some friends. I'm fine."

"You should be more careful."

"Yeah, I know."

My mother instructed me to set the table for dinner. About ten minutes later, my father, two younger brothers, and I were gathered in the dining room as my mom brought out the food. We tried to have dinner as a family a few times a week. I hadn't been able to make it very often the past few months. Things were just too busy. I ate quickly and excused myself up to my room. I worked on packing until it got late. Then I went to the living room to chat with my parents a bit, telling them that I was going to go to bed early, so they wouldn't try to come in and disturb me.

I usually alternated between sneaking out of the house and claiming to spend the night at a friend's. I had used the friend excuse last time, so I decided to go with the sneaking out this time around. I was glad that I would be moving out soon, so I wouldn't have to worry about these things anymore.

After it was fully dark outside, I got dressed in my Animagia gear. Then I climbed out my window, grabbing onto the nearest branch of the tree in our front yard. I swung forward and let myself drop to the ground. I began the walk to the area that was supposed to be under my watch that night, hoping the night wouldn't hold too many surprises.

Fortunately for me, the night went by smoothly. There was the average amount of crime, vampire hunting, and demon activity that I expected whenever I went on patrol. I handled it all with relative ease, and came out unscathed in the end. I came back just as dawn was breaking. I swiftly pulled myself up into the tree and climbed back through my window. I stripped off my Animagia gear and put on my pajamas. I needed a nap.

Just as I was crawling into bed, I heard my parents coming. I quickly pulled the covers over myself and feigned sleep. My parents came into the room a few seconds later.

"Han," my mother called.

I opened my eyes slowly and blinked a few times. I stretched out my arms. "What's wrong?" I asked with a fake yawn. "What time is it?"

"You can cut the act," my father said strictly. "We know you haven't been here all night."

My arms froze in the stretch, hanging motionless above my head as I tried to think of a lie. Nothing came to mind so I decided to play innocent. "What're you talking about?"

"Your brother came into your room to find a game or something at around midnight and you were gone. We've been worried sick all night. What were you thinking, sneaking out like that?"

"Um…." I still couldn't think of anything to say.

"Get yourself together and come meet us downstairs."

After they were gone, I gave a frustrated growl and let my head fall back onto my pillow. Sometimes I really hated my life. I forced myself out of bed. I threw on a t-shirt and shorts that I found on the floor. I ran a comb through my hair, trying to make myself look more presentable. Then I went downstairs. My parents were sitting on the couch in silence. I took a seat in the recliner and waited for them to say something.

"Han," my father began. "We're concerned about you."

"Concerned?" I asked, leaning back in the seat and putting my arms on the armrests. "About what?"

"You never used to lie to us," my mother said quietly.

The truth was, I lied to them all the time, ever since I had become an Animage it had been a necessity. However, I didn't used to get caught very often. It had been harder and harder as the years went on to keep up the charade. Animagia expected more of me the older I got, and with high school and all, it got harder to juggle everything.

"I didn't mean to lie. I just…I wanted to go to this party and I didn't think you'd let me go if I asked." That seemed like normal behavior for an eighteen-year-old to me. I hoped they would buy it.

"It's not just what happened tonight," my father said, his voice strained from trying to keep calm. "Your mother and I were almost afraid you wouldn't graduate. Your grades dropped so low. To be completely honest, we're surprised you got into the university you did."

Han couldn't blame them for thinking that. He had almost failed out of high school. He had barely passed. And he hadn't actually gotten into the college they thought he had. He just had Animagia make it look like he was in the school in case his parents ever looked into things.

"Of course we're proud of you," my mother added, "and we know you're smarter than your grades showed. But that's what worries us, you see. You aren't a D student, Han. You've always been smart."

"I just let things get out of hand," I said, trying to act abashed. "I was stupid. I never did my work."

My father gave a sigh as he leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. "You're also so tired all the time. You're never around. This past year it's like you're not even a part of this family. You're gone all the time. And this isn't the first time you've disappeared without telling us."

I had known, of course, that my parents were probably starting to catch on that something wasn't right. They had grounded me a few times. I had tried to make the times I was around good, so that they wouldn't suspect anything. Apparently it hadn't worked. I had joked about being in trouble with them before, but now that they were laying it all out like this, I just felt bad.

"I just don't understand why you're acting this way," my mother said in a pleading voice, giving way to her emotion. "You're worrying me. This isn't like you. And now that you're going off to school…I just don't know what's going to happen."

"I'm not doing anything bad," I said, my voice filled with sincerity. I could never be completely honest with them, but this was one thing I could be truthful about.

"I'd like to believe that, Son," said my father, looking down at his hands. "But I just don't."

"Is it drugs?" my mother asked in a low voice, as if scared of the words.

"No, of course not."

"Is it a girl?" My father seemed almost hopeful.

"No."

My mother looked at me sideways. "A boy?"

"No!" I said, laughing despite the situation. "I'm not gay."

"We're just trying to understand," my mother said. "Please, just tell us what's going on with you."

I sighed. I wished it were that simple. But it wasn't. I couldn't tell them the truth, and I couldn't come up with a good lie either. "I just…I've got things in my life that take up my time. But, it's not anything bad. You have to trust me. I'm actually…I'm trying to do good, okay? I promise you, I'm fine."

My mother and father looked at each other. They seemed to be sharing some sort of private communication in that stare. My father eventually turned back to me. "We do trust you, Son. We're just worried. We don't really have a right to tell you what do anymore, but we hope that you know that we'll always be here for you if you need us."

I stood up and went to my parents, throwing an arm around each of them and pulling them into a hug. "I really do love you guys."

"We love you, too."

"Can I go sleep now?"

"Yeah, sure," my father said with a laugh.

I hoped that that talk was enough to ease their minds a bit. Maybe me moving out was the best thing for everyone. It was a lot easier to lie over the phone. Plus, I could fake the good grades and they'd never know the difference. I was more determined now to make sure they thought that I was doing great in college, and to ease their worries.

I made it up to my room and fell onto my bed. I was so exhausted, I was asleep within minutes.