Drawing a deep breath, I look heavenwards and shout, ‘Shiiiiiiiiiiiiit!’
‘Keep going,’ Hunter instructs me.
This time it’s a primal roar from deep in my belly that makes Charlie scurry away from me.
‘Are you angry?’ he asks.
‘Yes.’ A tear falls down my cheek, and I brush it away as quickly as it appears.
‘Because I can’t quite hear it.’
‘I’m angry!’
Banjo begins to whine.
‘What are you angry about?’
‘The constant rules!’
‘What else?’
I turn to face him. ‘The elders. The elders with their patronising voices and stupid words!’
He turns also, crossing his arms. ‘And what else?’
‘The whole organisation! It’s taken everything from me. My childhood—all of it. And my whole future.’ I inhale sharply. ‘It even took my family.’
Hunter’s eyes never leave mine. ‘What do you want to say to the organisation, Wilson?’
I shake my head, hating the sensation building in my throat.
‘Don’t you dare filter yourself now.’
‘Fuck you,’ I whisper.
He leans in. ‘You talking to me or the organisation?’
I swallow. ‘Both.’
‘Because I definitely can’t hear you,’ he shouts.
‘Fuck you!’ I stagger backwards with the force of the words, holding on to my waist for balance.
Hunter stares calmly at me as I stand panting before him. ‘You done?’
I lick my lips and drop my gaze. ‘I think so.’
He emits a long whistle. ‘You have a very foul mouth, Wilson.’
I snap my eyes to his.
‘You better go home and say your prayers,’ he says with a wink. Then he steps past me and climbs back up the hill.