Chapter 2 Nightmares

Aria Zion believed in fairytales and happy endings, she liked to believe that the world was made up of them and that nightmares and monsters only existed in our minds.  She scorned those who believed in the impossible preferring instead the firm and stable footing that belonged to reality. Yet as Aria ran beside Hunter her breath coming in struggled intervals she even began to doubt her own beliefs.

 Exercise was torture, it was the nightmare of the real world. Hunter stopped suddenly as if admiring the view from the top of the hill, Aria was so shocked that she nearly tripped if it had not been for Hunter's comforting hand steadying her. Back in Bridgeport exercise had consisted of gossip sessions at the gym with the girls, she winced at the memory. Hunter had never found out about her hatred toward it and thought that they shouldn't give up their fitness even if they were in a new town. While Hunter admired the view, Aria struggled to regain her breath, random flashes of excuses spinning through her mind. 

"Work," she finally coughs out the word the foreign word slicing the country air.
 Hunter checked his watch as if remembering for the first time, time actually existed. It was seven in the morning leaving Aria only an hour to get ready, so her excuse fell on friendly ears. "Of course we should go back," Hunter said, but his eyes stayed firmly fixed ahead. 
It was something that had not gone unnoticed by Aria, "You keep going," she encouraged him. 
Hunter turned back to her, "But," he protested half-heartedly.  
"Its fine," Aria assured him, a slight smile coming to her lips as she studied the look of awe on Hunter's face as he stared at the landscape before him.

 Hunter nodded and a quick kiss joined them for a second before they split their separate ways. 

Aria had meant to start yesterday but Alicia had texted her declaring that her Mondays were all full up with workers, so today was her first official day at work. Yesterday Aria had brought in a drafting table, something they both couldn't afford and wouldn't really fit in the cottage. The money had meant to go towards Hunter's computer for writing but when her saw her looking at it longingly in the magazine he brought it for her, promising that he'd work in the library until they could afford a computer. So Aria had spent most of yesterday dreaming up the new latest fashions. 

As Aria stared at the salon she knew for a fact that her job wouldn't be as satisfying as she wished it would. Just looking around at the clothes people wore declared to her they didn't want the city's fashions. Sighing she looked around for Alicia but there didn't seem to be anyone like her. 

"Can I help you?" a big burly man asked Aria. 

She stared at him in shock deciding there was no way he worked here, unless of course he was the tattoo artist. "I'm Aria Zion, the new stylist," she introduced herself hesitantly. 

The man's face broke into a grin, "Of course Alicia mentioned you were coming. Its good to have another stylist I've been doing most of the work myself. Alicia only really comes in on Mondays the rest of the time she's out of town or doing home styling. I'm Hunter Cottoneye," he introduced himself. 

Hunter a faint smile touched Aria's lips at the thought of such a familiar name being her co-worker. He was a stylist back in Bridgeport, male stylists never looked like that. Just another sign of how this place was different. "Hey, is that the new one, welcome to Barney's," a cheerful voice called from the tattoo station. 

Aria looked over surprised and a little worried to see the man who was meant to be tattooing someone focused on them. "And that is Larry Cooper, our resident tattoo artist and a little bit of a jokester so be warned," Hunter tells her. 

"I see," Aria says, unsure of how to respond in such a causal environment. 

Hunter seemed a little off put, Aria thought that he must have no idea how to deal with her. 

"Okay, I always thought the best way to learn is to jump right in, I'll send you your first customer and if you need any help just call," Hunter says to her, moving onto business. 

Aria smiled though getting straight into wasn't what she expected for the first time it was what she wanted.  

Work was hard, harder than she thought it would be. It was more than just knowing the latest fashions it was all about knowing the people you were helping. Nobody was going to wear something they weren't comfortable in. Aria had learnt to appraise the person's look and then talk to them see what they liked.

 She only styled a couple of people on the first day but they went away smiling, with the promise of telling others about Aria Zion the newest stylist in town. 

"Great job," Hunter congratulates her as they were closing up. Aria blushed praise was something she was never completely comfortable with. Her fingers hesitate on the door handle, as she looks around her place of work truly for the first time. It was as if now she was seeing it with new eyes, eyes that had been cleaned from the Bridgeport smog.

 It may not being in a massive building or particularly advanced, but it had atmosphere Bridgeport couldn't touch. Everyone came in with a smile on there face and they left practically beaming. "I'll see you tomorrow," she called cheerfully to Hunter and Larry.

 "I'll save you a spot on the tattoo chair," Larry proposed to her. 

All day he had been trying to get her to get a tattoo, Aria had firmly refused every time. 

Except now was different she felt alive and rebellious, "What the hell, I'll get one," she tells him. 

Larry face lights up in genuine surprise, "Cool, drink's on me then tomorrow night," he promises. 

Aria laughs as she makes her way to her car, she just had to promise herself not to back out.   

Aria made her way home parking the car outside their house with a satisfied smile. As she walked inside she heard the contagious sound of Hunter's laughter. "You're not watching this again are you?" Aria asked lightly as she spotted what was on tv.

 "You know it's funny," Hunter says before turning off the tv and facing her shocked to find a bright smile on his wife's face, "Work was good?" 

Aria considered her answer carefully, "It wasn't what I expected. Alicia wasn't there apparently she hardly goes in and the other stylist was male and called Hunter, but everyone was so friendly it was impossible not to be happy."

 Hunter seemed to take in her words, "Hunter ah, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I registered on as a author today and got started on my book." 

Aria smiled again in happiness, "I'm glad are you going to tell me what its about this time?" she asked nudging him.  

Hunter smiled before Aria saw it falter, "You got another package today," he told her. 

Aria didn't even need to ask what is was she already knew, "Did you throw it away?" she asked trying to be causal. 

"No, are we ever going to talk about this?" Hunter asked her serious. 

"No, this isn't any of your business," she shouted at him. 

"I'm your husband," he reminded her remaining calm. 

Aria heart fell at the reminder, "I know its just I need you to leave it okay," she says to him, her voice resounding the desperation flooding through her mind.

 "Aria," Hunter started, "please," she interrupted.

 "Fine," Hunter caved but Aria could tell by his stance he wasn't happy about it. Aria took the package a few seconds later and placed it where it belonged. The brown paper and red seal, melding with the garbage and rubbish.