I Pause

Despite my hunter-esque nature, I feel myself pausing to think. My inaction proves to be my failure, as I notice my target leaving with the shadowy man. By the time I’ve noticed them leaving, the sun is far too high in its rise for me to safely take any action.

Without wasting any more time, I drop from the ship and rush down the sheets to my sanctuary. Disappointment clouds my thoughts as I slip through the door, shutting out the light and securing my safety. I quickly strip myself of most of my clothes, before stowing myself in my coffin and closing my eyes to sleep.

The sound of rats skittering across the hardwood lid of my coffin and the stone floor of my crypt awakens me from my sleep. I listen for a moment, pondering whether or not truly waking up would be worth the work at all.

After a moment, I **** myself to push open the lid and sit up, glancing around the stone room. Frustration over my failure and indecision last night floods over me once again, as I run the events through my mind over and over again. Of all the hunts I’ve been on, this is the only one that’s failed at my own hand. I’ve only ever caught up with someone once the window of opportunity has already passed, I’ve decided a catch was too risky, or I’ve made my move and, most often, come out victorious.

My failure stings more than the almost still present feeling of the rising sun grazing against my skin the night before, threatening to end my former - and currently - unending existence.

Regardless, the feeling in my stomach and echo in my heart remind me that if I want a chance at a companion, or even a meal, any time soon, I can’t just stay in bed; I have to get out and keep making moves, like I always have. Like I always will.