Chapter Text
Hunter Wittebane has left the music industry for an undetermined amount of time. It is fair to suspect that he might be leaving the music industry permanently after his uncle and manager, Philip Wittebane, was arrested December 16th at 11:42 PM. Sources say he has been convicted of the murders of Caleb Wittebane and Evelyn Clawthorne, as well as child abuse upon entering the mansion. Hunter Wittebane had been found in a closet bleeding and barely conscious. While Philip had tried to abandon his nephew and run, police managed to corner him outside the property and bring him in. Hunter had been rushed to a nearby hospital and treated for a broken arm, burns, and severe cuts on his face, back, and arms, supposedly from a kitchen knife. On December 26th, at 10:24 AM Hunter had posted an announcement on Penstagram that he would be leaving the music industry for possibly forever. Despite the mass amount of fans asking in the comments section, Hunter has not answered any of their concerns.
Hunter stared at his phone. Exactly one year ago was when he had decided to leave his hopes and dreams of a career in music behind and continue on another path. One that his uncle hadn’t had any control over. He still loved music. He really did. He could never bring himself to get rid of his music. Darius, his godfather who he now lived with, had asked him if he ever wanted to go back into music. Hunter had thought about it, but after remembering all of what Uncle Philip had done, it simply hurt too much. He instead focused on his schoolwork. He had taken the hardest classes possible and passed them with flying colours. Growing up with some of the best tutors in the world had truly done him well.
“Hunter?” Darius knocked on the doorframe. “Are you packed yet?”
Hunter shrugged his guitar onto his back. With his duffle bag in one hand and his bookbag in the other he squinted his eyes at Darius. “I really could have stayed home alone, you know. You’re only gone for a week.”
“Nope. Not having any of that. Hurry along, you wouldn’t want to keep Ms. Noceda waiting,” Darius waved him off.
Darius–who worked hard as a lawyer–had to go on a business trip for a week. Hunter had insisted that he’d be just fine alone but Darius wouldn’t take it. Instead, he called a friend of his, Camila, and asked her if she could look after him. Camila had happily accepted and it had been confirmed he’d be staying with her for the week.
Hunter tossed his things into the trunk and slipped into the passenger seat. He opened his old Penstagram account from his music career days. The golden mask in the profile picture staring back at him. He shuddered and switched the account, not even bothering to check his thousands of notifications. Darius shot him a sidelong glance and raised a questioning eyebrow.
“It’s cold,” Hunter lied. Darius nodded and focused on the road.
“Camila is a nice woman,” Darius said. “Plus, she had two daughters, so maybe you’ll find it in you to make some friends and act like a normal teenager for once.”
Hunter scoffed. He scratched the scar on his cheek in thought as he watched buildings and cars zip by outside his window.
“I know what today is,” Darius said carefully. “One year anniversary.”
“Yeah,” Hunter sighed. “It’s weird.”
“Well, it’s a good weird, right?” Darius asked. Hunter smiled and nodded.
“Yeah.”
A few moments of silence passed before Hunter noticed the radio was off. It was usually always on. Darius seemed to read his mind, however, as Hunter moved to turn it on.
“Don’t,” he said. “I’ve already heard the radio today. It’s all your stuff.”
Hunter knew from experience that ‘his stuff’ not only included his old music, but discussion on what had happened to him a year ago. He hadn’t been able to hear the end of it near the beginning, when all the radios had broadcasted were his songs and all the local news discussed were his absence and misfortune.
Eventually, they pulled up to the house. It was a small, cozy looking house. Darius guided him up the steps to the front door and rang the doorbell. A series of footsteps was heard and a girl around his age, possibly younger, answered the door. She smiled enthusiastically at him.
“Oh! You must be Hunter! I’m Luz,” she stuck out a hand. He shook it.
“Pleasure to meet you, Luz.”
“Do you guys wanna come inside?” Luz offered, opening the door a bit wider. “Mamá probably wants to talk to you before you head off to your ‘ super important’ business trip.”
Darius smiled. “Sure. Thanks, Luz.”
Hunter wandered into the house. It was warm, homey, and overall very welcoming.
“Mamá! Hunter and Darius are here!” Luz yelled. Footsteps sounded from above and a woman with dark curls and glasses entered the room. She smiled warmly at Hunter and Darius.
“Oh, hello! It’s so nice to finally meet you Hunter. Darius has told me a lot about you. I take it you’ve already met Luz?” She said.
“Yes ma’am,” Hunter replied.
“Oh please, just Camila is fine. I feel so old when people call me ma’am!” She waved her hands and laughed. Darius joined her.
“Thanks for agreeing to look after him, Camila. I’d just much rather he stay with somebody. It’s safer that way,” Darius said.
“Of course! It’s no problem. Parents worry. Any allergies or anything I should be worried about?” She asked.
“Nope…I’m pretty sure you know the rest.”
Hunter didn’t even bother to try and guess what ‘the rest’ was. He simply waved Darius goodbye and watched as he left. Camila turned to him, smiling.
“There’s a mattress set up downstairs for you. If it’s uncomfortable you can just tell me and we can figure something else out. There’s no restrictions for food, so whenever you’re hungry just take something and eat. Just try to be healthy and not eat too close to big meals, ok?”
Hunter nodded.
“I have another daughter, Vee, she’s with her friends right now, but you’ll see her later tonight at dinner. If you have absolutely any questions you can just come and ask me, ok?”
“Here, I can take you to the basement then give you a tour of the place,” Luz said.
Hunter followed her into the basement. A mattress with sheets and a blanket lay on the floor next to a small green couch. Hunter placed his things on the couch as Luz watched. He made sure to be extra careful with his guitar. It had been his father’s.
“Woah! You have a guitar!” Luz exclaimed, suddenly right next to Hunter. He yelped and fell back on the mattress. Luz giggled. “Oops, sorry dude. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you like that.”
“No, it’s fine. Do you like the guitar or something?”
“Nah, I play the drums. But my girlfriend and friend play electric and bass guitar. We’re in a band together. It’s great.”
“Sounds fun,” Hunter replied.
“Oh yeah, it’s awesome. Hey, you used to sing, like, professionally, right? You should totally come to our rehearsal tomorrow. We’re prepping for Battle of the Bands at school. Getting a few pointers from someone with actual experience would be pretty cool.”
Hunter spared a glance at his guitar. He couldn’t bare the thought of performing again, but if it was just to hand out a couple of pointers, maybe he could?
“Maybe I’ve never really played in a band. Who’s your lead singer?”
At the mention of a lead singer, Luz rubbed her neck anxiously. “We, uh, actually don’t have a lead. Yet. But we just put up a bunch of posters last week! So somebody’s gotta show up.” She hesitated. “And maybe if they don’t… you could maybe try it out…? Only if you’re comfortable of course! I mean, I don’t know all the details with what happened last year but…argh! Sorry, I’m being insensitive.”
Hunter had never really spoken to anyone his age until recently, and even now, this felt like the longest conversation he’s ever had with somebody his age. He had been homeschooled all the way until he started staying with Darius, and even then, he was awfully quiet at school other than when he was answering questions in class.
“Um. I’ll try to come. Maybe,” he muttered. Luz bounced with excitement.
“Oh my god, really? This is so great! Ooh I can’t wait to tell the band! I’ll come grab you and we can walk over together, ok?”
“Ok.”
He definitely would not be joining their band.