Manhunt part 2

	It's been a few days. Next run is coming up soon, so I'm taking the time to answer fan mail. May be the last bit I get. If I lose, those letters will dry up as quickly as my running career. I can't afford to lose. Last hunt was too damn close. Once I pay off the family debt, I can have a normal life back.

	The letters are of the usual number and quality. Some from the Mamono community praising me on my skill, occasionally admonishing me for being a "tease." A few from human fans that say they have won money gambling on me and wish me luck for the next game. Then there is the hate-mail from activist groups bitching about me contributing to the monster problems by taking part in such a degrading sport.

	It's usually the pro-human groups who want to keep the species separate. I can see their side of the issue, but the fact of the matter is that the community the games cater too give them an outlet for their sexual aggression. Without the Manhunt being a common sport across the globe, our prison systems would be even more overcrowded.

	Some of the letters are just from women in a camp similar to the pro-humans. My actions, as well as other runners, are leading to a decline of eligible men. Never understood how this argument works. I think both humans and monsters have their appeal. Unfortunately my situation makes dating an occupational hazard. One of the reasons I hope to escape the games without being eliminated.

	One letter grabs stands out as I shuffle through the built up stack. It has no address or stamp on it. Hand delivered by an adoring fan? I shrug to no one in particular and open the letter. The letter is handwritten, bearing only five words.

	I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE.

	It's signed by one Sadie Jones.

	In that moment I smell something familiar. What is it? Sniffing the letter answers my question.

	Brimstone.

	Dropping the letter I head to the door and lock it. To be on the safe side I lock all of the windows. Nobody has ever tried to find me after a match. It's not that I'm scared. She's a Hellhound, worst case scenario I have sex. Ball busting rough sex. Technically I don't mind the thought, but that would pretty much destroy my career.

	The competition would smell her on me and call shennanigans, earning me a disqualification. No more runs, no income. I have no desire to work at a burger joint for the next ten years to pay off what I owe.

	All of my desire to read fanmail has vanished. So I head to bed.

	My dreams turn to the next run. I can see myself at the starting line, but as the head-start timer kicks in I can't move. My feet are frozen to the ground. Time runs out, and the monsters are set loose. They all pile on to me, and I can't breathe.

	I awake with a start inhaling sharply, as though I were suffocating.

	After exhaling I shake off the nightmare and call Satsuki.

	"Hello! What's up? Ready for your next run?" She seems wide awake. Peeking at my phone I see that I overslept.

	"I never feel ready. Just wanted to say that the Hellhound from the last match found me, and left a pretty threatening letter."

	"Need a restraining order?"

	"Nah, more trouble than it's worth. Besides, its not like any Hellhound is gonna obey a scrap of paper."

	"Ok, just be careful. Call the police if she tries anything."

	"I will."

	"Bye!"

	"Yeah, goodbye."

	I throw on some pants and slip the phone into my pocket. Time to get shit done. I finish dressing and grab a sandwich from the fridge before leaving. The day is boring as all hell. I grab a few essentials and shake the hands of those who saw me on TV. Before long I find myself back at the apartment.

	I smell her.

	The Hellhound, Sadie I mean.

	I have to call for help.

	Fumbling out my phone, I dial the police. As I go to hit send, the front door flies open, knocking me on my ass and sending the phone clattering to the ground. A dark skinned figure steps out and stands over me. She is wearing a tank-top and hot-pants. And a very, very toothy smile.

	Before I can say anything she yanks me up and tosses me inside before reentering and closing the door. She rolls her head back and pops her neck, ebony hair flying wildly. Those eyes seem to burn brighter as she drives me into a corner. "We have unfinished business."

	I throw my hands out defensively. "Hey, think about what you are doing here! If you go down this path you'll be committing a crime!"

	"Not a crime if nobody reports it."

	"Please. Don't do this, my job is on the line here."

	She clicks her tongue and looks to the side, seeming to think about it. "What about my pride?" She steps closer, eventually pressing her unnaturally warm body against me. Her breasts are rubbing against my chest, causing me to stir a bit. "I had you dead to rights. You should have been mine."

	"So instead of moving on with your life you decide to be petty? Like a child denied some toy at the store."

	She snarls, shoving away from me. "It's not that simple." She rubs the back of her head. "Do you know how hard it is to get someones attention when your race has such a wretched reputation?"

	"No. I don't." I pop the wrinkles out of my button-up. "But you've been patient this long. What's a bit longer? Besides, I guarentee that there is someone out there who would throw himself at your feet for a chance to just talk to you. Hell, there are entire forums dedicated to people head over heels for your kind.

	She sighs. "You don't get it. We are supposed to be great hunters. And you got away."

	I put my hand on her shoulder. "You can't always win."

	Sadie's mouth sets into a wry smile. "I guess not. I'm calm now, but don't expect me to just let this go. I'll play by the rules for now." She exhales, almost seeming to deflate. The burning in her eyes dulls as she settles down.

	She leaves, awkwardly shuffling out the door. She seems much flightier than her first impression implied. Oh well.

	The next few days are a rather boring, save the odd visit by Sadie to chat. Like all of the contestants she lives in the area close to this particular arena. Other than her manner of dress, her attempts at seduction and force have waned. Satsuki warned me about continued contact, but it seems like Sadie needs this. I'm not a callous enough bastard to shut her out.

	If I can offer someone a bit of catharsis, I'll do it.

	Eventually the next run comes up. Satsuki gives me the details. This is going to be an All-Star Manhunt. All runners have at least one successful run under their belt. To my surprise, I'm going to be running alongside the reigning champion, a youth of nineteen. He wears no costume and has no endorsements. He uses his real name, Chuck Argus, and has seven successful runs.

	He has actually been investigated for cheating by officials. No evidence was ever found. Argus just happens to be very lucky with no small amount of skill backing it up. It helps that he is a professional free runner. His mother is Tanzanian, and his father is a Texan missionary.

	Argus once said in an interview that he originally took part in the Manhunt to get back at his father for denouncing the Mamomo population as a blight on the world. After that he got caught up in the rush. He lives somewhere in this city, but I've never had a chance to meet him.

	How am I supposed to come out on top against someone who inspires me to do my best? One of us has to lose. And as much as I admire his skill, I can't just lie back and allow myself to lose.

	The second most runs belongs to man named Edgar White. During a run, he is typically seen wearing a karate gi. He claims that his martial arts skills are what secure the victory, but in truth he just hides early in the match. Pretty good at it to. Last run he was in saw him hiding in a brewing vat. He has five runs complete.

	Next is myself, now with three wins.

	Coming in last are two newbies each with one win. One wears a trench-coat and won by virtue of being the last man standing, and the other is a recently graduated track star. Other than that, they are pretty bland. Trench-coat doesn't even do interviews.

	I hop my ass on the boat Satsuki chartered to get us out to the island for the next game. We make some pleasant small talk, I ask her how my nieces are doing. Apparently I'm in "hug debt" since I haven't visited since my last run. I'll have to make it up to them. They're good kids. My brother Jacob is still working as a receptionist at Suki's firm.

	No matter how long I talk with her, I can't shake this nervous feeling. How the hell am I going to beat Argus?

	The island eventually comes into view and we dock. An event coordinator guides me to the ready room. Everyone seems focused. White is doing some form of kata, while the newbies seem to be hitting it off. Argus is talking on the cell phone. To his mother by the sound of it.
	I take a deep breath and change into my running clothes, opting for sweatpants and a sweatshirt this time. As the two newbies are yapping away I catch a snippet of their conversation.

	"I heard a rumor that all of today's chasers are going to be types that can influence you with pheromones and magic shit."
	Newbie number two seems nervous, "Where did you hear this?"

	"Someone I trust claims that the girls interviews have been leaked ahead of airing."

	"That's not fair, how do we deal with that kind of manipulation?"

	"All is fair during the chase man."

	The officials interrupt the conversation and lead us all to the starting area. I put on my game face as we head to the same parking lot as before. As soon as we step foot in the lot the air feels heavy. Something smells enticing, and one of the covered cages has a hazy aura about it.

	This is going to be tricky.