The Protagonist Speaks

Dear readers, tonight with me is a young man that hunts the things that go bump in the night.

He’s here to tell us about his adventures with his brother and his police detective (unwilling) partner.

Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

My brother Trent and I grew up with our Grandfather. He was always pretty cold and distant. So most of my youth was spent getting into trouble of one kind or another to get the poor bastard’s attention. We spent a few years in Massachusetts before setting in Starsboro, North Carolina. I mostly remember acting like an asshole and counting down the days till school was over. I remember this one spring day in Mass. We were goofing off, I think I was ten, so he musta been six. And Trent fell into the river. There was a moment when I realized what happened where everything stopped. I stared at him, his red coat was just below the surface of the water and I knew I had to jump in. The water was so damn cold. It took the breath right out of my chest. Somehow I got to him and we made it to the riverbank. Probably one of the only days in my life I wasn’t a complete screw up. My brother was different. He got the whole school thing. He’s in college now. Going to be a lawyer. He’s going to change the world. I might save it every now and then, but he’ll make it better.

Did you have any favourite toys as a child? Any cherished memories?

I had a dog once. It was an old mutt. Looked kind of like a huge Rottweiler but scruffy. Called him Buddy. I was working on a construction site in high school and this dog came around everyday. He’d growl at the workers and freak them out. I started feeding him hotdogs cause I didn’t want him to eat me. Heh. When the job was done I went back to say my goodbyes and found out his owner was going to put him down. They were moving and the new apartment building wouldn’t allow a big dog like that. So I took him home. My grandfather shit a brick when he found out. That was the best dog though. If I got into an argument with anyone, I’d be focused on em, ready for whatever as things got heated, and he’d nose my hand. Just to let me know I had back up. I don’t know what he would have done if it’d ever actually come to blows but it was nice to know someone had my back.

What do you do now?

I kill things. Pretty much exclusively evil things or things that want to kill people. But yeah. The job title I guess is hunter. I just like to show up and save people. I also drink a lot and sing lead in a band. All those keep me pretty busy.

What can you tell us about your latest adventure?

My latest adventure was a bit of a shit show. And frankly, I don’t want to get into it. But I’ll talk about Charlotte.

So, Jennifer Morgan and I… she’s my partner on the job. And yes I thought we might come home from this particular trip as more than friends but instead she brought home a girlfriend. So let’s skip that part? Anyway, years ago I rescued these two teens from a party they were way too young to be at and then a ghoul who wanted to eat their souls. It was a rough night for Tasha and Simone Turner. Their father is Jack Turner. You might know him as the greatest defense attorney in the state. So, it was a good connection to have. They’re a good family. The girls lost their mother too soon and Jack does his best but it’s hard work. So when Tasha called me saying she accidentally took part in some freaky ritual and now her friends were killing their families, I made them a priority.

What did you first think when you found out Tasha was involved in something so dangerous?

Honestly, it pissed me off. She’s like a little sister to me and to think of her in the middle of something like that. She’s tough though. Honestly, I’m proud of her for standing up for her friends and fighting when she just as easily could have hidden behind me. I’m worried about her though. I see a lot of me in her. She’s so smart she could do anything but she has this rage stuck in her chest. She’s going to choose the fight. She’s looking at becoming a hunter. For all I know, she’s already started down that path.

What was the scariest thing in your adventures?

When I couldn’t find Morgan and Trent. I wasn’t going to get into this but, nothing has ever scared me like knowing they were in the hands of a psychopath and not being able to do a thing to protect them. I could go my entire life without feeling that again and be perfectly happy.

What is the worst thing about being a hunter?

It’s lonely as fuck. I know I get around a lot and don’t exactly want for company, but it would be nice to have someone steady in my life. Someone who knows what I do and why. Someone who chooses to be with me despite the risk that I might not come home. I have my eye on this one woman. I know I should just let it go. I’m not meant to have that. But still, when she smiles at me I catch myself thinking maybe.

What is the best thing about it?

My job is anger management. I said before Tasha had rage burning in her chest. It’s from when her mom died. For me, the rage comes from being kidnapped and stolen away from parents. In particular, my mother. She was the greatest mother anyone could ask for and she fought so hard to get me back. Anyway, I got stuck with my uncle Lex and my grandfather Markus. Yeah they do their best for me but there’s this anger burning in my chest all the time. I can’t get rid of it. So, I pound things into a bloody pulp and when necessary, I rip their hearts out. It’s a win-win!

Tell us a little about your friends.

I don’t have too many people I’d call friends. I have my brother Trent. Who is the smart one in the family. He’s one of those really nice guys. Morgan and him are like two peas in a pod. She can connect with him or some shit. And then there’s Morgan. She’s an alcoholic but we have fun whenever she jumps off the wagon.

Jocelyn is a woman I saved a few years back. She’s going to school with Trent, she’s going to be a social worker though. She’s one of those genuinely good people. Plus she’s a blast. She also keeps her feelers out on campus and lets me know when things get weird. As in supernatural. You perv.

Lex M’Kray is my uncle, though not technically. He’s really my dad’s friend. They fought in the war together. He’s an asshole but I love him. He’s also the one who taught me how to use most of my powers. I’m only half human. Surprise!

Sunshine is my ex. She’s a witch with a pretty bad attitude. She thinks she wants to be friends with me I’m convinced she likes to have a punching bag around.

Any romantic involvement?

Vanessa. We only met recently but she’s been pretty amazing. She’s the one I mentioned before. I’m not sure why I keep thinking about her romantically. Probably because she ripped my head off the first time we met. Figuratively. She believed some nasty rumors about me. Not that I blame her. The rumors weren’t too far off.

Whom (or what) do you really hate?

I hate bullies and guys who take advantage of women. Not gonna lie, living near a college campus I’ve prevented more than a few sexual assaults and it pisses me off. I love women. And to see them hurt like that…. It gets to me

What’s your favourite drink, colour, and relaxing pastime?

I like whiskey and playing the guitar. I’m not apposed to rum or scotch either.

What does the future hold for you?

With any luck? A weekend away from the mess that is Starsboro. More likely it holds an apocalypse I have to figure out how to avert. You know just, another day at the office.

Can you share a secret with us, which you’ve never told anyone else?

My biggest secret is my anger. If anyone knew about it… they’d want me to talk to them or someone. They’d tell me I need to let shit go. But how can I do this job if I let it go? And if I stop fighting… who would be there to save innocent people? What if I wasn’t at that party and Tasha and Simone were… and later, on their way home? I can’t stop. I can’t let it go. I have to fight.

Cameron J Quinn grew up in the New England countryside on a small farm. The youngest of four children, she began writing as a young girl. She loves stories in all forms and writes predominately urban fantasy, supernatural thrillers, and paranormal romance.

You can find Zurik on the pages of How to Get Arrested and the continuing Starsboro Chronicles.

Join us next week to meet a Fey of the Light. Please follow the site by email (bottom-right) to be notified when the next interview is posted.