Wake of the Dead | One

Chapter twenty-three

The time Killian spent around the others had been awkward to say the least. He didn't engage in any of their conversation, barely listening to what they were talking about. Not being used to having a conversation with random people he didn't know, Killian wasn't even sure how to join in or contribute. Eventually as he forced himself out of his antisocial turtle shell, Killian just barely managed to snatch the end of a story Tom had been telling. "...And that's how I was bitten by a squirrel in middle school." 

Rolling his eyes, Killian had decided to keep to himself after that. The conversations lasted a lot longer than he ever would have liked. To his relief, eventually he managed to excuse himself and check on the deer meat to see if it was done yet. The hearty scent of it wafted through the air, his stomach rumbling loudly. Barely being able to swallow back the watering on his tongue, Killian selfishly considered keeping most of it to himself. He had been the one to bag the deer, and everybody else had already eaten whatever Casimir caught them earlier in the day. 

The more Killian thought about it, the more tempting of an idea it became. It all looked absolutely ravishing. Was this how the biters felt when they looked at living flesh? This overwhelming hunger gnawing at his stomach, spittle gathering around his tongue as he stared at it and let its scent take over his mind. Killian barely shook back those tempting, insatiable instincts. If he took any without letting the group know it was all done, they would turn on him once again. That was the last thing he needed, especially when Jasper wasn't there to help him wriggle his way out of trouble. 

Clearing his throat Killian rose his voice just loud enough for the group to hear. "Food's ready!" Immediately they lifted their heads, and Killian felt his muscles slowly beginning to coil tighter and tighter the closer they got. Narrowing his brows together he snarled at the first person to arrive--Chris. "Oh no, you aren't going to walk ahead of everybody and steal more than your share. I caught this deer, I'll decide who gets what!" 

The other man paused, his eyes widening a small bit. Then, a smile just barely twitched at the corners of his lips. "I suppose I was a bit hasty," He muttered self-consciously, a small flush on his freckled cheeks. Killian nodded with a curt satisfaction; at least Chris admitted to his greed. 

One by one, Killian passed out whatever he could. Some people had to share their portion, but Killian made sure his share was larger than theirs. He deserved it, especially when they'd just let themselves forget about him and his need to eat. Either they had forgotten, or Casimir insisted they eat without him. Perhaps this was all a lot of trouble to go through for food, but every good hunter knew that you had to bring back something that would give you twice as much energy as it took to catch it. Otherwise, your hunting would just tire you out, with no real reward. It would be an endless cycle of starving, hunting, then starving again. 

Listening to the conversations the others made while eating, Killian stayed that time. He liked the sound of their appreciative mutterings, their laughing as they recalled a few humorous things that he'd missed throughout the day. Although, he couldn't help but feel uneasy as Casimir was still glaring at him. So what if he'd caught a better, more impressive animal than Casimir? It had taken him a lot longer to find it. It wasn't as if he had to still prove himself to the people around him like Killian did. 

That was the thought process Killian hated. The need to prove himself to these people who hadn't ever given him much of a reason to want to. Cohen had helped him feel a bit better after drowning, but Jasper had been the one to save him. Aubrey was a good friend, and it seemed as if Dominick would be a good friend as well. Killian couldn't help but think of Harley as anything but a bit creepy. The other man rarely talked, while seeming as if he was always twiddling with some sharp object or other. Chris appeared to be the only one who could keep Harley in check. Wilson was smart, and Samantha just seemed obscenely close to Casimir.