Chapter Text
Michael pulled the door open with a quiet creak and stepped outside, closing it behind him as he squinted his eyes against the harsh sunlight.
‘Michael!’ Geoff called out from where he was walking down the drive. Michael turned to him with a wave before he went back to shielding his eyes.
‘Yo,’ he greeted, warily watching as Geoff approached.
‘How you doing?’
Michael gave a shrug which could be taken as either good or bad, and Geoff just gave him a knowing smile. ‘I hope you weren’t going anywhere?’ he asked, waving around a bit of paper.
‘Only to the shop for food,’ Michael said dismissively, taking the piece of paper and holding it at an angle he could read it properly. ‘Another job?’ he questioned, surprised, glancing away from the headline and raising an eyebrow at Geoff.
‘Yeah, well,’ Geoff replied, scratching his head. ‘Burnie thinks it’d be well suited, and I have to agree.’
Michael just looked at him for another moment before starting to read the details. ‘Gavin Free, wanted for the murder of blah, blah and blah… two hundred thousand reward, last seen in Bard- Geoff, Bard?’
Geoff chuckled lightly. ‘It’s not that bad. And we don’t think he’s there anymore. The hunters after him are all searching the surrounding towns, thinking he’s trying to slip in unnoticed. But I don’t think so.’
Michael looked at him for a moment, thoughtfully chewing on his lip. ‘The plains?’ he asked, and Geoff nodded. Michael responded with a groan.
‘It’s so fucking far. I hate the plains,’ Michael complained bitterly. ‘And it’s so damn hot!’
Geoff laughed. ‘Dude, its hot everywhere. You only don’t think it’s hot here because you spend all your fucking time indoors.’ He paused. ‘Well, when you’re not out on a job.’
‘Outdoors sucks,’ Michael muttered bitterly, squinting his eyes at the ground.
‘This used to be outdoors,’ Geoff pointed out, gesturing to the headquarters they were stood in front of.
‘And it’s not anymore.’ Michael replied smugly, ‘That’s a horrible argument.’
Geoff just rolled his eyes and gestured to the paper impatiently. ‘Well?’
Michael stood for a moment, considering. ‘Deal. Though I doubt I’d have much choice if you really wanted it.’
‘That’s true,’ Geoff admitted. ‘The bounty has been out for a week now, and it just got upped to its current price. They said they’d consider upping it again in another week if he’s not found, probably just by fifty thousand.’
Michael scanned the rest of the paper, soaking up the current information and the picture of the man as he spoke. ‘They being the family, I assume?’ At Geoff’s curt nod he folded the paper and put it in his pocket. ‘Well, I’ll fucking do it. Do I have to see anyone?’
‘Nope. I’ll tell Burnie you accepted it. He’ll be pleased.’ Geoff reached out and ruffled Michael’s hair, ignoring his annoyed glare. ‘When do you think you’ll be ready?
‘Two days?’ Michael offered.
Geoff considered it.
‘You could do better, but you did only get back a little while ago. Alright, take your time. Just make sure you drop in and see me before you’re off. And Michael,’ he added, seeing Michael turn to leave, ‘Pack fucking properly. You know what I mean.’
At Michael's annoyed look Geoff grinned. ‘Water!’ he sung, ‘Water water water.'
‘How the fuck are you the boss of this shit?’ Michael muttered rhetorically as he pushed past.
‘Lots of heavy heavy water for little Michael to carry across the plains,' Geoff taunted gleefully.
‘I’m gunna be dragging your dead body across the plains if you don’t shut up!’ Michael threatened, shaking his head as he made his way out the gate to his original destination.
Geoff just grinned and entered the building, having faith in the hunter.
---
‘So, you dropped in to Ryan for everything you needed?’ Geoff asked, nonchalantly pushing some empty liquor bottles into the bin beside the table.
‘Yeah, he gave me some extra stuff too, which was pretty cool. Can’t say I’m much good with a bow and arrow though,’ Michael admitted, admiring the weapon.
‘But... you’ve used one before?’ Geoff asked. At Michael’s indignant look he put his hands in the air in surrender. ‘Don’t fucking glare me to death, just asking.’
Michael rolled his eyes. ‘Whatever.’ He did another glance at his pack, double checked his sword, and straightened. ‘Do you have any extra information on this guy?’ he questioned, pulling out the paper which, no surprise, had already been folded and refolded multiple times.
Geoff shook his head. ‘No, just what’s on the paper and what I’ve already told you. Mid-twenties, tall, lanky, blondey, whatever hair with weird haircut, foreign, hunted for the murder of three children – two young girls and their older brother. Kid’s family’s insane with grief and paying hell money to get him done in, and that’s what we’re here for!’ He announced the end happily, and Michael could practically see the images of money flashing before Geoff's eyes.
He snorted. ‘You couldn’t hunt to save your life,' he muttered, knowing full well that that wasn’t true. Geoff Ramsey and his wife Griffon had earned quite a reputation for themselves, and they weren’t afraid to enforce it. Michael knew nobody would be messing with their daughter.
Geoff just laughed. ‘Don’t talk shit about your elders, I’ll fuck you up.’
Michael didn't bother repressing a smile.
‘You know the path you're planning on taking?’ Geoff asked, flicking a glance up at him.
‘Yeah, I’ll go straight for it.’
Geoff nodded, chewing over the words. ‘You might get a bit fucked coming back though, since they reckon the river's going to flood.’
Michael pulled a face. ‘Fucking- really? That sucks dick. It adds so much fucking time when you have to go around. It’s fucking horse shit.’
‘Back when I was a lad-’ Geoff started, but started laughing before he could continue.
‘Shut up,' Michael scoffed. 'You can’t even tell a fucking story,' he snorted.
Geoff just laughed again. ‘Alright well, you know what you’re doing, you’ve been doing it for years. So if you’re ready?’
Michael nodded. ‘I’m good to go. I’ll be back, you know, whenever.’
‘With this dickhead in tow?’ Geoff asked, sitting himself down in front of a desk no longer covered in liquour bottles.
‘With this dickhead in tow,’ Michael confirmed, nodding to Geoff as he pulled open the door and left. He passed Jack in the hallway, construction papers in hand, and he gave him a quick smile. ‘Busy?’ he asked, and Jack laughed.
‘Building houses keeps a man in shape,' he said, and continued on the way.
Michael spun around. ‘Oh, have you seen Ryan?’ he asked, and Jack tilted his head back the way he’d come. ‘Thanks.’ He rounded the corner and saw said man chatting to Barbara. ‘Hey, Ryan. I just wanted to say thanks again.’
Ryan nodded. ‘No problem, it’s what I do.’
Michael nodded, out of things to say. ‘Alright, well, I’m off,' he said, waving awkwardly and wincing at himself.
‘Good luck!’ they called in unison, and turned back to their chatting. Michael adjusted his backpack and started to walk. He passed the gates, waving to Kerry and Miles, the watchmen, and exited without problem.
He looked out ahead of him, the dusty road ahead of him stretching on for what seemed like forever. Pulling the paper out of his pocket, he studied the already familiar face of the hunted man.
‘Gavin Free,’ Michael whispered to himself, scanning the paper once more before tucking it safely back in his pocket.
‘I’m coming for you.’