<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">“A Grunch?” Ava’s weight shifted from her left leg to her right, arms crossing over her chest as she stared up at the Hunter incredulously. Her brow raised and mistrust swimming in her green pools, she wondered Ben was sending her on a wild goose chase, some unachievable mission that was likely passed onto him by his Order. A job no one wanted, she assumed it was because the creature simply didn’t exist. “Really, if you don’t want to sell me weapons I can get them elsewhere. You don’t need to make up stories.” The brunette was familiar with the old legend of the strange and elusive reptilian creature, born of superstition as a result of cautionary tales. The lore was perpetuated by tourism mainly, used to promote swamp tours and photo ops to generate money. For as long as she’d been a Hunter she never came across one, or heard credible whispers of the kind of havoc a Grunch could cause. <br/>
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“I  see why you would think that. On the other side of that water you probably don’t deal with beasts that don’t earn you enough money to keep the lights on in that mansion you live in.” Ben rubbed his chin, stroking his clean-shaven face as though he had her all figured out. “I suppose you could say it is beneath you. Not every Order has the luxury of being choosy when it comes to hunting assignments.” His voice was dripping with false sympathy, mockery thick in his words as he spoke them. “A Grunch is a very real threat. Maybe not to you hoity-toity, snobs, but to the farmers who want to keep their livestock safe and the conservationists who want to keep literally any animal with blood pumping through its veins alive.”<br/>
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“You know, for someone who thinks that we’re all high and mighty, you sure do sound a little condescending yourself.” Ava mentioned, her defensive posture upheld though she was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. “Say I believe you, and there is a Grunch stalking around the ranches and swamplands nearby; if I accept, all I have to do is kill it and you’ll give me what I need?”<br/>
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A deep and amused sound came from Ben, his shoulders bouncing to the rhythm of laughter. “Whatchu mean <i>all</i> you have to do?” Blue eyes twinkled, drawing enjoyment out of her unrealistic and over-simplified ambitions. “If I wasn’t a good friend I’d just let you find out for yourself . . . It’s not a damn stag in the forest, sitting pretty for you to put a bullet in it. Aside from a hide tough as nails and nasty, infectious bite, it’s fast and it’s senses are sharp. It’s also smart, not just some dumb animal. If you’re not careful it’ll hunt you back, and leave your empty husk for the coyotes to pick at.” <br/>
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“Vivid. I was particularly interested in the part where you called me your friend.” She conjured a fake smile, an exaggerated beam of brilliance that resembled flattery. “I should go to that hole in the wall bar you and your buddies go to for drinks, let him know you’re friends with a Bergeron.”<br/>
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“You do that, and I’ll tell that walking Ken doll all about our little meeting today . . . But, between you and I . . . We’re friends. After what you did, helping me find out what happened to my little brother all those years ago . . . I’ll never forget that.” He looked off to the side, out into the lot of cars where the light of day gleamed off their shiny exteriors. Fleeting sorrow flashed in his eyes, and his expression turned grave. The Hunter rebounded quickly, likely not as gracefully as he would have liked judging by the heaviness in his voice or the way he couldn’t seem to hold her gaze for very long. “Anyway, I’ll give you what you need. Just give me a list and when the job is done, I’ll fill the order. I’ll text you the details as soon as I get out of here.” He eased off the wall finally, walking past her. “Hang back a little bit. I don’t want the boys thinking I was up to no good over here.” <br/>
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Her eyes rolled, but she allowed him to be on his way without another word. Truly, she was grateful. Ben didn’t ask nearly as many questions as she thought he would have, and she supposed it had something to do with the favor, one of the very rare instances where her ability allowed her to help someone. Ava still remembered how it felt to do something <i>good</i>, how relieved he looked-- the years and years of a mystery left unsolved finally granted closure. She didn’t mind suffering through the pain of the vision, didn’t mind having to witness a terrible accident; a little boy stumbling on hollow ground, falling into a deep and dark pit to succumb slowly to his injuries. Taking him to that spot all those years, finding his worn, tattered clothing and frail remains, seemed like such a horrid thing to do. But she could feel a weight lift, even as his shoulders sagged in anguish and raw, mournful sobs left him like a punch to the gut, there was a rise of something intangible as they laid the boy to rest and said their goodbyes. <br/>
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Ava turned after a moment, returning to her vehicle. She reached toward the glove compartment, opening it to grab her phone. Scrolling through her contacts, her thumb hovered over the glowing name. There was an internal struggle, a wrestle with her pride before she tapped the button.<br/>
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“ . . . Hi. I think I’ve got something, but . . . I need your help.”</span>