Page 141 of Hunt for You
DeadGirlWalking:Flesh and blood. And yes, I meant it.
TheClowne:What’s your timeframe?
DeadGirlWalking:Before Christmas. But the sooner the better if we match. I have some questions.
TheClowne:I’m sure you do. But that’s not how I play this game. Either you want help or you don’t. If you do, I’ll get there. If you don’t, we’re done here.
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I frowned, uncertain whether to respond to that or not. I clicked through to the guy’s profile to see if I could get a read on what kind of person he was, but it was entirely blank, except for the date he’d joined—several years ago—and his name, he’d left everything empty.
I chewed my lip, debating whether to respond.
But then the computer pinged again.
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TheClowne:You didn’t say you were working with Cain. I’m out.
[TheClowne has left the chat.]
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What the fuck?!
Every piece of sadness, grief, and grim determination floating in my veins suddenly morphed into white-hot rage. I pounded the keyboard so hard my desk rattled.
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***SYSTEM NOTE: CHAT ENCRYPTED END-TO-END. ENSURE ALL ACCOUNTS ARE LOGGED OFF BEFORE DISCONNECTING.***
DeadGirlWalking:What the fuck, Cain! You don’t want me, but you won’t let anyone else have me either? What the hell is wrong with you?!
SleepingBeast:We aren’t finished.
DeadGirlWalking:I told you I was looking elsewhere if you bailed and you fucking bailed!
SleepingBeast:I said, we aren’t finished.
DeadGirlWalking:You’re toying with me. This is a game for you, but it’s not for me. You can set all the rules you want, but I don’t get any? That’s bullshit, Cain. I’m done. I’m finished. I know what I want. Either you’re in or you’re out—and stay out of my fucking posts. I can talk to whoever the fuck I want!
SleepingBeast:You aren’t listening, I said: We. Aren’t. Finished.
I blinked and went still, breathing hard because I wasfurious,but a sudden wash of hope burned through me too.
DeadGirlWalking:Are you saying what I think you’re saying?
SleepingBeast:I’m saying what I already said: Soon.
DeadGirlWalking:What is “soon”? Soon is bullshit. I’ve got a priest out here getting ready to give up God for me, and you can’t even hunt?
SleepingBeast:You only told me you were back in the plan a few minutes ago. And for the record, that pussy would never give you what you want.
DeadGirlWalking:A)You never told me jack shit at any point, so who cares, and B) You don’t know him, so you don’t get an opinion.
SleepingBeast:I know enough.
DeadGirlWalking:Then you know that “pussy” has a dark side—and he’ll actually answer phone calls and TALK TO ME. Who knows maybe I’ll give up the darkness and become a preacher’s wife.