A Single Step Forward
Hunter sat on a rusted bench outside the Springfield cemetery, the moon high above, casting an eerie glow over the tombstones behind him, and a faint wind rustled the leaves. The low groans of the undead could still be heard, but they no longer sent chills down his spine. He'd grown used to the noise after hours of standing guard, reinforcing the gates, and making sure that nothing got in or out. His job was simple: keep Springfield safe. But tonight, something felt off.
His mind drifted back to the Boiling Isles, to the world he left behind. Life had been chaotic there, but it had also made sense. He knew his place, even when that place was under the oppressive thumb of Emperor Belos. Here in Springfield, everything was so different. Unpredictable, wild, and free in a way that made him feel like he didn't belong, not in this strange and freeing chaos, not a pawn like him.
Flapjack fluttered from his staff, landing gently on his shoulder. The palisman nuzzled against his cheek, chirping softly. Hunter managed a small smile and reached up to gently pet the tiny bird.
"I'm fine, Flapjack," he muttered, though the tension in his voice betrayed him. "Just… thinking."
Flapjack chirped again, tilting his head, as if unconvinced.
Hunter sighed, leaning back against the bench. "I know, I know. I should be focused on the job. But this place, it's so weird. I don't know how I fit in here. Mr.Simpson has got me working on zombie control and I know he said I'm doing well, even gave me a pat on the back for the guard rotation but... "
He chuckled, but the sound was hollow. Flapjack nudged him again, this time harder, his tiny wings flapping insistently. The palisman darted into the air and circled above Hunter's head, chirping excitedly.
"What are you doing?" Hunter asked, raising an eyebrow. But Flapjack ignored him, swooping around in loops before landing back on his staff, bouncing up and down as if trying to encourage him.
Hunter's lips twitched into a reluctant smile. "You're right. I shouldn't let this get to me. I've faced worse than zombies, right?" He paused, his expression faltering for a moment. "But it's not just the zombies. It's… everything. The longer I'm here, the more I feel like I'm losing myself. Like I don't belong anywhere."
Flapjack cooed softly and hopped down to nuzzle against Hunter's hand. Hunter stroked the palisman absentmindedly, his thoughts wandering. He had spent so long trying to find where he fit in—first as a soldier under Belos, then as someone trying to break free from that life. He thought Springfield might give him a fresh start but now, it just felt like another strange world that didn't make sense.
The job he was doing for Mr.Simpson wasn't glamorous, but it kept him busy. No matter how hard he worked, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was just drifting, not really a person but not as far as the mindless undead he had helped contain.
Flapjack, sensing Hunter's mood, took off again, this time flying higher into the air. The palisman swooped and dove, performing small tricks in the moonlight, his wings catching the silver glow and reflecting it like a shimmering feathered comet.
Hunter watched, his gaze following Flapjack's movements, and for the first time that night, he felt a bit lighter. He wasn't just a protector or a soldier, he was Hunter. And Flapjack was his friend, his constant companion.
A soft laugh escaped him as Flapjack did a particularly daring flip in the air. "Okay, okay, you win," Hunter said, standing up from the bench. "I get it. I'm taking this too seriously."
Flapjack chirped triumphantly, swooping down to land on Hunter's head, ruffling his hair with his tiny talons. Hunter laughed again, reaching up to gently lift the bird and set him back on his staff.
"You're always here when I need you, huh?" Hunter murmured, more to himself than to Flapjack. "I guess I needed a reminder that I'm not alone. That I've got friends."
As if on cue, Flapjack chirped cheerfully, and Hunter felt a warmth spread through his chest. He wasn't alone. Sure, Springfield was strange, and yes, the job was bizarre, but he had Flapjack. And there were others, too—people he could count on. His friends, Luz, Amity, Gus...
Willow.
The thought of her made Hunter's heart lift even more. She had a way of making things feel less complicated, of grounding him when the weight of his past threatened to overwhelm him. He missed her.
Flapjack flapped his wings excitedly, as if sensing Hunter's change in mood. Hunter grinned, his earlier unease melting away. "Yeah, maybe I should go see what Willow's up to. I bet she's found something interesting around here. It's Springfield, after all—there's always something weird going on."
With renewed energy, Hunter slung his staff over his shoulder and started walking away from the cemetery, leaving the moaning zombies behind. They wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon.For now, he needed a break. He needed to see Willow, to catch up with her and maybe laugh about the absurdity of it all.
As he walked, Flapjack flew beside him, darting in and out of the trees, his joyous chirps filling the night air. Hunter's steps grew lighter, and for the first time in what felt like weeks, he didn't feel the weight of his past dragging him down. He wasn't a Grimwalker, he wasn't Belos' puppet. He was Hunter, and he had people, friends, who cared about him.
By the time he reached the edge of the town, the moon was starting to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the streets. Hunter paused for a moment, taking it all in. Springfield was strange, no doubt about that, but maybe that wasn't such a bad thing. Maybe it was exactly the kind of place someone like him needed, a place where weirdness was normal and where he could find his own path.
"Come on, Flapjack," he said, a smile tugging at his lips. "Let's go find Willow."
AN: I can be nice to Hunter too, sometimes I just need a little help from Flapjack.