Chapter Four: Bookstore

One week later Hunter was mostly healed he still had a broken finger, walked with a limp and had a gash on his chest but other than that he seemed pretty healthy. And his true personality had been coming out more, he seemed less timid but still could get scared or upset easily.

Since Hunter was feeling better Luz thought it would be fun to bring Hunter to a bookstore in town. She invited Willow, Gus and Amity to come too. Hunter had seen Gus the day before but he hasn't seen Amity since the events at Eclipse Lake. He was terrified at how Amity would react because Luz hasn't told her about Hunter being there. She planned on telling Amity when she arrived at the Owl House.

Inside of the living room Hunter, Gus and Willow were sitting on the couch while Luz waited outside for her girlfriend. Hunter was wearing a Emerald Entrails team shirt Willow had made for the entire team and he was wearing brown pants and boots. 

Hunter looked worriedly ahead. 'Hunter, don't worry Amity trust Luz and Luz trust you so at least if Amity doesn't like you she at least won't hurt you so you're fine.' Willow said putting her hand on his shoulder. 'Yeah, and todays going to be so fun!' Gus said putting his arm around Hunter. 'Thanks guys.' He said shyly. Then they all heard Amity's voice at the door and Luz greeting her. 'I still think she going to kill me,' Hunter groaned. 'What no she wouldn't-' Willow started before they heard Amity outside shout 'I'm going to kill him!' 'Told you!' Hunter said leaning his head back. 

A few minutes later Amity and Luz had finished talking and they stepped inside. Immediately an abomination arm grabbed Hunter pinning his arms to his sides and brought him to stand right in front of Amity. 'I know Luz and them trust you but I do not and if you do a thing to hurt my girlfriend or anyone in this house I will deliver you back to Belos myself.' Amity said in a threatening voice while glaring at Hunter. His stomach dropped as he thought about going back to Belos. 'Let me go Blight!' He spat out. In the inside Hunter was terrified of Amity but he couldn't let her see that. 'Amity!' Luz shouted and Amity let Hunter fall to the ground with a thump. 

Willow helped Hunter up and Gus used his magic to disguise Hunter to make him look like a different witch. Hunter's skin got a shade darker, his nose changed shape and hair went from blonde to black like Willow's. 'Wow, Gus!' Hunter said shocked at Gus' abilities. Gus smiled and said 'Let's go get some books!'

They started walking to the book store. Willow and Gus were on either side of Hunter. Amity and Luz stood behind them talking, Amity had her staff at the ready in case Hunter did anything. She never took her eyes off him while she was talking to Luz. Of course Hunter felt uncomfortable under Amity's gaze but what made him more uncomfortable was when they reached the town and the streets were filed with witches, demons and other creatures. All the people all the threats and chances of getting caught. Willow must have noticed that he was afraid because she grabbed his hand and held it tight. Hunter blushed at the gesture but squeezed her hand and smiled at her. 

For the rest of the walk Hunter's mind was only half focused on threat evaluation while the other half was in cloud nine from Willow's strong but gentle touch. He had never felt this way before, if anyone else tried to hold his hand he probably would have pulled away but for some reason Willow was different. But why? This feeling Willow gave him made him uncomfortable but also exited and happy. 

Hunter was pulled from his thoughts when Luz slapped him on the back and shouted 'We're here!' 'Oh!' Hunter gasped. He looked at the bookstore as they entered. It was quite a skinny building but it had at least four floors and looked like the back wall was very far away. Inside every squared inch of the place was covered in books or signs about books, sales and sections in the store. Luz rushed past dragging Amity behind to The Good witch Azura section. 

Willow let go of Hunter's hand and he felt disappointed but was distracted by Gus pulling him over to a shelf of books on conspiracy theories and myths. There were books on if the Boiling isle was really on earth, books on the lost Titan baby and so on. But the book that caught Hunted and Gus' eyes was a book titled The Boiling Rain Beast (earth equivalent of Big Foot), a beast that secretly lives on the isle without ever being seen as it only comes out when it rains. They grabbed a copy and Gus went over to look at the graphic novels.

Hunter walked up to Willow who was waving him over. 'Here's a book you might find helpful! You know since you're dealing with a lot and can't exactly go to therapy when your in hiding.' She said as she handed him a book titled Aftershocks. He read the blurb on the back and it read 'After you get away from a abusive relationship, things may start to look up but it doesn't mean your out of the woods yet. Have you been struggling lately while recovering from a abusive relationship? These are aftershocks and this book is the ultimate guide to dealing with them and starting a new chapter of your life.' Hunter's head began to spin, do I really need this book and does that make me weak? No it's doesn't, Willow is the strongest person I know and she suggested this book. I do really need some help.  'Thanks Willow,' Hunter smiled 'I'll give it a shot.' 

They left the bookstore with Hunter having two books Aftershocks and The Boiling Rain Beast. Gus bought a graphic novel, Willow got something on carnivorous plants, Amity got a book about a black cat called The Kat of Black and Luz got some history books on the Boiling Isles.

On the walk back they saw the city starting to swarm with the Emperor's Guards, Kikimora among them. 'Hunter stay quiet.' Luz whispered. Gus' spell didn't disguise Hunter's voice and he had told them how Kikimora could pick his voice out of a large crowd. 'Ok, Willow, Gus go with Hunter and take the shortest way back to the Owl House, me and Amity will follow you but take a slightly longer route. The bigger our group is the more of a target we are and as most of us ain't on great terms with Belos.' Luz whispered to the group. 'Wait, I'll go with Hunter and Willow can go with you Luz. I don't trust him.' Amity said very seriously. 'Fine, let's just go.' Luz said and the group split up.

To say Hunter was terrified was an understatement and now that Willow was walking away made him feel worse. But the group kept their heads down and quickly walked back to the Owl House. They soon got back and a few minutes later so did Luz and Willow. The five of them for the rest of the day they played games like Uno and other card games. Hunter was winning because Eda had taught him how to count cards.

Willow ended up staying that night for a sleepover and would stay the rest of the week as her dads were going on a trip.