.four. 

Michael stared at his phone screen for a while, not knowing what to reply. What would he say to her? If he told her he missed her, Harley would know he was hurting. He couldn't let her know he was weak and decided to call when he was supposed to be away in London, forgetting that he was in love with his sister. 

He wished Arthur could just mind control him into forgetting Harley so that he could stay in Sydney.

But he could see why that was a problem. He could just as easily fall in love with her all over again, and then everything would have been for nothing.

Harley resent the message when ten minutes passed and he didn't reply.

'why did you hang up on me?'

The pale skinned boy rubbed his sweaty palms on his jeans. His breath escaped shakily, and his thumb lingered over his phone screen, his mind attempting to put together a lie, and a credible one at that.

'i didn't mean to call.'

'it was by mistake.' His thumbs clicked over the screen nervously. His messages were probably too quick to seem convincing.

'are you okay?' Came his half-sister's concerned reply.

'yeah...'

'i...butt dialed. sat on my phone and it called the house by mistake.'

'sorry.'

'don't worry. it used to happen to me when i would put my phone in my ass pocket. haha :p'

'one time...i accidentally buttdialed mum when i was talking with cousin hailey about some cute boy. and he heard everything.'

'it was so embarrassing. xD'

'harleen listened to your entire conversation? ha.'

'you know how nosey parents are. :p'

'she told the whole family. i thought i wouldn't be able to look any of them in the eyes. like EVER.'

'some people have it worse.' He told her, reminded of his own problem. 

'how's everything in london?'

'killed a couple of shifters here and there.'

'i'd even say its a new record.'

':/'

'what?'

'be careful out there. and...try to be humane. shifters are people too.'

'but i hate them. all of them.'

'and they all deserve to die.'

'its my job.'

'michael...'

'do you hate me?'

'of course not.'

'you know i don't.'

'then you don't hate all of them. how can you hate something that is a part of you?' As he read her texts, he could almost hear her voice. Michael could also imagine her facial expressions and mannerisms. He knew even though she was difficult to deal with at times, and wasn't always the most polite person, she was caring. Harley could never hate or kill anyone. That was why she was different. That was why he loved her.

Another message from her came seconds later. 'promise you'll be merciful. at least try.'

'i can't promise anything.'

'and i should go. i have a lot of things to do.'

'bye harley.'

.

.

.

.

Two days later, Michael found himself in one of the worst moods yet. He hadn't talked to Harley since he had called the house and Dempsey called Michael the night before to let him know she was now in Sydney. Tomorrow she and Paul would visit the Quinn's home where the two would discreetly keep an eye on Harley.

How he wished he could be the one in Sydney, and not all by himself in London.

Added to his sour mood that came as a result of not talking to Harley was the frustration at the fact that he hadn't seen the elusive one. She was hiding and was doing it so well that every method he could use to find her proved to be of no use. Maybe all he needed was bait to lure the rabbit out of its rabbit hole.

Michael was sat in his office, trying to pinpoint where his target would be next by finding out where she had been seen. But he had nothing. 

It was then that he got a video call from the boss. This time Arthur didn't hide his face, there was no use since Michael already knew who he was. Michael was tempted to get up and leave the room, but he decided to stay. He was going to have to leave his personal emotions out of his work life, as Dempsey suggested. But it was difficult.

"Michael, son," The boss began, "How are things in London?"

Michael crossed his arms over his chest in annoyance. "Don't call me son. I am not your son."

"You are, whether you like it or not." Arthur told him.

"Can we just get to the point so I won't have to deal with you anymore?" Michael asked with a sigh. He looked to some papers on his desk before continuing, "I haven't found the girl, but I thought I could go on other assignments while still being on this one."

The man with dark brown curls stared at the boy who was his son. On his face was was a dejected look that Michael noticed, but he thought his dad deserved. Michael blamed every bad thing that had ever happened in his life on Arthur. Had his dad been with him from the beginning, then maybe his mum would still be alive. Then he wouldn't feel the need to avenge her death with every shifter he killed. He might have not gone to Sydney, he might have lived in Perth, happily with his parents.

His life could have been so much easier.

"Dempsey told me you let the girl go." Arthur informed him that he knew about their encounter. "You can't do that. Now she knows she's being hunted. She-"

"Fucking Dempsey." Michael cursed her under his breath.

"Is there a reason why you didn't kill the target?" Arthur wondered.

Because she looks like Harley. How could I ever find the courage to shoot and kill a girl who reminds me of the one I love? The pale faced boy immediately had that response pop into his mind. But he replied with a shake of his head. "She was armed." He lied. He quickly realized it was a terrible lie, but there was no way to take it back. It was already out there, lingering in the silence of their conversation for an amount of time that felt eternal.

"A shifter who was better armed than a hunter?" The man wearing dark clothes questioned. It was obvious he didn't believe anything Michael was saying. And there was a brief moment when a thought crossed his mind. What exactly was Arthur's talent? Harley could shift back and forth through dimensions, he had the ability to see the future, but what exaclty could his dad do? Everything about the man was a secret. "Michael, now you have to be more precise with everything. And next time, don't let her escape. I might just send you to Mexico, to take Paul's place. Or maybe you can switch places with Andre in Germany. Or Rocky in Canada..."

"I don't want to move again." Michael refused. Now that he had a difficult challenge to deal with, he wasn't ready to leave empty handed. "Just give me a few more days and she'll be dead. Trust me. If I haven't finished the job in a week, I will personally request getting transferred out to Canada." Of the three choices, he preferred the country that spoke english. Michael didn't speak Spanish or German.

But if he really had a choice, he hoped to stay in London until he could he allowed to return to Sydney. He wanted to do his job and he wanted to do it correctly.

-

sorry this chapter is kinda short and filler-ish.

i just thought an update was in order. but we'll be seeing more of the hunter and the hunted together soon. and this chapter happens just before harley goes to cindy's house for the sleep over, just so there isn't any confusion.

anyway, thank you so much for reading. cause it means the world to me. 

i'm still thinking of a name for our evasive white rabbit character. i have one in mind, but i don't know if i'll end up using it.

but yeah.

thank you so much for reading and voting.

i love you.

-clary xx