When I finally woke up, the sky was dark and my house was eerily silent, meaning that Schneep must've left while I was asleep.

As I sat up, I noticed a note placed inside my bowler hat, the handwriting small and neat unlike Schneep's.

Dear Jameson,

On this note is the address to my house so we can talk about the hunt. All I ask is that you come with me for company, I will handle the actual hunting myself. I hope to see you soon friend.

Sincerely, William J. Barnum

I examined the address on the note before standing up, preparing to go so I could try and convince him to leave me alone.

Once my hair was somewhat tamed and I felt more awake, I walked outside of my house and started walking to the nearby hotel a few blocks away from me, its sign old and faded.

William was waiting for me in the lobby, the male springing to his feet once I hesitantly entered.

"Let's go to my room to talk, then we can go out and get you some supplies for the trip tomorrow." William spoke in an excited rush, the male grabbing my hand and practically dragging me up the creaky wooden stairs to the second floor where his room was.

William closed the door behind me before sitting at the small table by the kitchenette, his hands clasped together on the table as he watched me sit.

I retrieved my journal and pen instantly and began writing my questions, my eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

We're flying out to Africa tomorrow morning, doing the safari hunt, then we go our separate ways?

"If that's what you would like, then yes." William nodded in confirmation, seeming a bit hurt.

I paused before writing more, the sound of the pen scratching against the paper filling the silence.

Why should I go with a stranger to a jungle?

"Because I'm not a stranger. My name is William J. Barnum, I'm a safari hunter, and my friends Damien and Celine call me Colonel. Oh, also I paid your rent for your place, so going with me is the least you could do." William listed off.

My mouth dropped open slightly in surprise before I wrote out my answer, already knowing that I would possibly regret my decision later on.

I will go with you.

"Wonderful! Now, let's go get a celebratory dinner at this great place I know, it's on me!" William exclaimed.

"After you." William stated politely, holding the door open for me.

I nodded in appreciation before stepping outside, feeling like I had made a deal with the Devil instead of an agreement with a potential friend.

The meal inside the five star Italian restaurant passed by in a blur due to the large amounts of red wine Will and I were consuming, causing both of us to quickly become drunk.

I vaguely remembered attempting to paint spaghetti sauce on Wilford's face before he dragged me off to the bathroom to clean me up, my once pristine white shirt now stained with wine.

"And I thought Irishman handled alcohol better than us Americans." Will tsked, his face a light red hue as he wiped off my face.

"Clearly unlimited wine wasn't a good idea for you. I guess that's what I get for paying." Will mused as he brought me back outside, his words sounding like he was speaking thousands of miles away from me.

"Jameson, I'm taking you home." William stated as he sling one of my arms over his shoulder, my head lolling side to side as I staggered forward.

The last thing I remembered before I passed out was the feeling of content, like everything was going well in my life as my head hit the floor.

When I came to once more, I was outside slung across William's shoulder and felt the strong urge to vomit, the male seeming to sense that as he quickly put me down.

I felt the spaghetti and wine rocket out of my mouth as I closed my eyes, my head throbbing in pain as I sat on my knees with William holding me upright.

"Think you can stand?" William asked gently once I was done, the male watching me carefully as I nodded slowly in response.

My limbs felt like they had turned into jelly as I struggled to stand, my legs unable to support my weight as I wobbled unsteadily.

"C'mon." William grunted, scooping me up in his arms bridal style before I could protest.

My head bounced against William's strong chest as he walked, his brown eyes boring into mine as I closed my eyes.

William brought me inside of his hotel room and carefully laid me down on the bed as if I was child, my eyes cracking open to see the male making a bed for himself on the floor.

I felt a stab of panic as I looked around for my journal and pen, relaxing once I found them on the table.

As Will passed by me, I tugged on the sleeve of his shirt to catch his attention, the male looking at me before turning to grab my journal and pen for me.

I refused to let go as I shook my head, tracing the words I wanted to say to him on his hand with mine.

Thank you William.

"Please, call me Colonel." William replied with a wink, patting my arm as I let him go and drifted off to sleep.