I freeze up. Not for long, mind, but I'm pretty sure it's long enough. For someone who's a hunter, a fighter, you've gotta look out for the flashes when your opponent (be it just opposition in a conversation, or something more serious) lets down his or her guard, and I know I've just pulled the equivalent of being completely pantsed in front of a large group. Because I really did think that she meant the pig, or something else inconsequential. Thought that she'd ignore the nightmare like everyone else I've shared one with, but no, she just has to go and be that much more special.

"Yeah," I say, even as I thread through the forest, my feet brushing against grass, hands itching and wishing that I had some kind of gun in my hands, even if I'd never use it for anything other than hunting, these days.

"I shot him. Now you know I'm a killer. What of it?"