Chapter forty eight

Chapter forty eight
I saw Poland and Collin get out of the house. They both hurried to the other side of house number four.

"The promise, Leon, or else I'm going to submit mine without running it by you. And this will concern you."

"How about I make a promise to cook the antelope you brought for all the groups?"

He shook his head, "That's not good enough. I want something dramatic that will rattle Seren. That's how interesting the game has to be played."

I tried hard to think, but nothing tangible came to my head. 

"Come on, Leon! You can do it!" He was pestering me. 

I regretted it after I told him to chill because it was just a game. He recoiled his head, seeming to be taken aback by what I said. He must've lost it when he punched the wall next to my face. It didn't leave a hole. I surprised myself by remaining calm, and I didn’t flinch.

He ran a hand across his face in frustration. "Look, Leon, I'm sorry. I don't know what has gotten into me. I need to hunt to regain my strength. I was starved in that dungeon! Right now, I don't want you staring at me. I need to win," he said through gritted teeth. 

He did piss me off instead of scaring me. If he continues like this, it's more likely that he'll starve again. 

I also ran a frustrated hand across my face, "Look, we are both the adults here. I don't need you behaving like a child, heck, you are over a hundred years if not more! Try to think of something!" I pushed him out of my way. He was in my way.

I returned to the house to find Seren by the door. She looked stressed and it looked like she was ready. She relaxed upon seeing me. 

"I don't want you alone with Richie, Leon. You saw how frustrated he can be with a small trigger. Keep your distance."

She's right. I have been careless. 

"I will assign you to a different team. How do you feel about joing Poland's team?" 

I shrugged, "Not a problem."

Of course I had a problem. 

She ran a frustrated hand across her face. "Damn you, Leon. Don't tell me you are falling for Richie's lies. What world did he promise you?"

I was confused on what she was talking about.

I replied, "What world would he promise me? What world would he offer me, Seren?"

She sighed, walking to the couch to sit down. "You can leave, Leon. Go play the game for the young ones. Remember that this is for them. It's not about Richie, or me or you or anyone but the children."

Seren did seem defeated. 

Richie appeared, holding three bottles of beer. He threw one to Seren and handed the other to me. He then draped his arm over my shoulder. It was warm and heavy at the same time.

He surprised me when he whispered in my ear, "How about a world free of pain and misery?"

I jumped away from him after registering what he had said to me. "What? Fuck you, Richie!"

Seren sighed, downing the entire bottle of beer without taking a breath. She put the empty bottle on the table. 

Richie turned to Seren. "Tell him, Seren. Tell him how this life is free of pain and misery," he then turned to me, "Don't you want to take revenge on the Harimots for what they did to you?"

"Richie, stop it!" Seren reprimanded. 

Richie hadn't opened his beer. He put it on the table, then sat down. He ran a frustrated hand across his face, his eyes softening as if he regretted what he said to me. 

"I am sorry, Leon. I don't know what came over me. I promise you I'm not this person."

I shrugged, "Just don't do it again. I am content with my life. I am very accepting of the fact that I am human and that I will die. I don't need to live a hundred years of misery. And stop lying to me that the life you are living is free of pain. I am certain you don't like it yourself."

That seemed to press his button as he frowned and quickly opened his beer, downing it in a go. 

Seren left us without saying anything further. 

I walked over to sit next to Richie on the couch. I don't know why I did that. It felt as if I was compelled, but I knew it couldn't be true because it's only Seren that can read my thoughts and compel me. The medication that I was given was to shield me from the Coven's vampires. 

There was a shimmer in his eyes after I patted his shoulder, giving him words of encouragements. "I know that you feel miserable in this vampire form, but I'm sure you will pull through. Not everyone envies your life, Richie. I don't want this life, and it's okay." That was back-handed, I know.

He sighed, asking me if I was going to drink my beer. I handed the bottle to him. He downed it all. 

"Forgive me, Leon. I don't know what came over me."

Hearing his apology didn't move me at all. He ought to be sorry for what he offered me. How could he assume that I envied the vampire life? If I didn't know better, I would say that he wanted me to be miserable like him. 

He turned his head to my side, "Are you ready to play the game? We have a lot of children that would appreciate the first morning hunt. We need to win this."

I ended up agreeing with him. We had to work together to bring the kids joy. 

"What promise can you come up with?" he nagged. He was back to his old self. 

I shook my head, "I can't make promises to a game I have never played. You know how it is played. You can make the promise."