by Maira Dawn
"I'm a doctor. We help people, not hurt them."
Jesse walked over to Skye and with an awkward stance patted her shoulder three times. "It's okay, Skye. Don't worry, he pry didn't even notice it. His dad used to beat him regular, worse'n I got, to hear him tell it."
Skye felt pride in Jesse for trying to comfort her, but distressed over being one more person in a long line of people to beat up on Frankie. It was more than she could take, and an aching sadness rushed over her. She choked out a thank you before she headed out the front door to let her emotion run unchecked.
Wade watched Skye rush out of the house. He hung his head sending his brother an apologetic glance. Dylan shook his head at him, scooped something up off the floor, and moved to the front window to see where Skye was going.
“Picking at her ain’t gonna solve anything,” Dylan said the disagreement that had started between them earlier this morning.
Before Skye and Jesse were awake, Wade had waved Dylan outside to talk. He knew where Dylan’s head was, all one had to do was look at him.
Wade had watched for weeks as Dylan sought Skye out whenever they were in town. He’d told his brother over and over nothing was ever going to work out between him and that girl. Now they had come across her on the road needing help and Dylan was only too eager to do the helping.
Wade shook his head again, but not at himself, instead over this crazy situation. There was no way a girl like that was going to go for one of their kind. His brother was only going to get himself hurt. And even though he’d told Dylan that flat out, his brother didn’t care. If help was what she needed, then help was what Dylan was going to give her. And when he told Wade he was going to ask her to stay, Wade’s brain had felt like something exploded.
Girl fever. Wade had developed a couple of full-blown cases of that himself in the past. It wasn’t an easy thing to get through. At least, that is what he tried to tell Dylan this morning.
“Look, I’ve been there, Bro. I really have,” Wade had said. “It runs red-hot at first, but after a while, ya won’t really care anymore. Then where will we be? We’ll be stuck with her.”
“I ain’t gonna get tired of her.”
“Yeah, ya will. We all do.”
Dylan turned toward him, determined as Wade had ever seen him be. “It ain’t like that. It’s different. I can’t explain it, but it’s something more.”
Wade’s eyes grew. “Are you sayin… are you sayin…”
“I ain’t sayin nothin,” Dylan turned away. “Just forget about it.”
Wade followed Dylan. “Brother, you know she’s too soft. If the world turns to what we think it will, she ain’t gonna survive.” When Dylan whipped around, Wade backed up but said, “It won’t be her fault. She just ain’t up to it.”
“We can help her make it.”
“For how long? We can’t be with her all the time, ‘sides we got people on this mountain looking to us now.” Wade gave Dylan a hard look. “The girl ain’t gonna make it. And I don’t want to watch you gettin all snuggly with her, and then… You’re just gonna get yourself hurt.” Wade pushed a hand through his hair. “We been hurt enough in our lives is all. That’s all I gotta say.”
“Good. Cause that’s all I’m gonna listen to.”
Dylan had stormed into the house. Wade had waited a few minutes telling himself there was nothing he could do about any of it, then he followed Dylan in. His coffee was waiting
Skye sat under a large tree in the front yard until her sobs subsided. It had taken a while, the stress of the last few weeks had been building up. Frankie had just been the last straw.
Red-eyed and reluctant to return to the kitchen, she took a little walk around the house curious to see the outside in the daylight. Before she got too far, she heard the front door open and close. She looked up to see Dylan walking toward her. "Feelin' better?" he asked.
"Yes. I'm sorry, that isn't like me. I'm not usually a crier, more of a shaker." Skye uttered a small, half-hearted laugh and held up her hands making them tremble.
"Yeah, these fell when you ran out." Dylan extended his hand, Skye’s bottle of anxiety medication was lying in it.
She took it from him. "Anxiety."
Dylan raised an eyebrow. "How's that going with, ya know, everything?"
Skye gave a sharp laugh. "I gotta tell you, it's not a real great combo."
Dylan chuckled. "I wouldn't imagine so."
Skye shook the container. "I'm going through them like candy. I better get my prescription filled before there's no—no anything." Her voice broke on the words."Oh man. Just the emotion building up over everything that's been happening and then everything yesterday, I guess." She scanned the forest as she talked to avoid looking at Dylan.
"Hey, whatever you need to do." He scraped the ground with the heel of his shoe.
He's nervous I will tear up again. "This is hard for me, but it's like I told Jesse in the truck. Frankie needs to become a better person to have him. You can't treat your children that way. Ever. He needs to change." Skye had always been firm on that conviction.
Dylan scoffed. ”Well, that ain't goin' to happen. He is who he is."
Earnest in her belief, Skye said, "He can change. If he wants to bad enough."
"Maybe," Dylan said though his tone was doubtful. "But I ain't seen people changing all that much, even when they need to, and now, in all this?" Dylan's arm made a broad sweep.
Skye sighed. "I hope people can, or we're all doomed. I'm doomed. Someone like me needs to do a lot of changing." She wondered if there was more to his question than he was letting on. "People can change, Dylan. People change every day. For the good or the bad, it is up to them."
Dylan shrugged his shoulder as if he didn't know, but acknowledged her words with a small nod of his head. He pressed his lips together a few times. "I dunno. Maybe." His gaze scraped over Skye. "You can. You will."
Skye giggled. "Don't let Tom hear you say that. I'm sure he thinks the exact opposite."
"He's wrong."
She smiled her appreciation at him.
Skye looked into the woods. The trees stood so tall that their green tops seemed to brush the bright blue of the sky. A gentle wind moved through them, rustling the leaves. The full leaves on the trees subdued the forest's light except for the occasional golden sunbeam that broke through, making its way to the woodland floor. A chipmunk's tail flickered as it raced from one tree to another. It chattered to a neighbor talking about whatever it was that chipmunks talked about. A small flock of birds passed overhead, causing speckled shadows that disappeared somewhere in the canopy.
Her gaze tracking the birds, Skye said, "I've always loved the forest, but I haven't spent much time there."
"I'll teach you."
"That would be nice, but I'm leaving today, as soon as we get my car."
Dylan gave Skye a hard stare before looking off into the distance.
Skye looked back at Dylan. "Do you think I should be? Sorry about Frankie? I feel like I should be. I'm not sure I am, but--"
Dylan snorted, "No! You saved that boy. It is what I dreamed of every day when I was a kid."
Skye nodded and wrapped her arms around herself.
"Get over it. The guy don't deserve any kid, let alone a great kid like that." Dylan kicked at the grass again. "And don't let Wade get to you. He can be a jackass."
Skye had to admit that both statements were true. She shot a look at Dylan from the corner of her eye and smiled.
Dylan gave Skye another minute before saying, "You’re good. Let's go back in. The boy's worried."
Skye looked back at the cabin. Jesse's small face pressed against the glass at the corner of the window.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
People
Skye entered the house to the sizzle and aroma of bacon and eggs. At the stove, Wade took the time to throw her a hearty smile even as he flipped and turned. "Hey, sorry. I get a little snarly in the morning, but I've had my coffee now, so it's
all safe." He held up his large mug as he glanced over at Dylan. Wade sipped his coffee and asked Skye, "Ya hungry?"
"Starving," Skye said, grateful for Wade's apology and the not so subtle warning that there could be a repeat of this behavior.
Jesse came over and stood by her. "I'm helpin make breakfast. Wade said I broke all the eggs perfect."
Happy that Wade could at least be nice to a child, she smiled at Jesse, "That's great. I'll enjoy them even more than."
The four of them sat for breakfast with any conversation at a minimum, and the guys shoveled the food in like it was the last they would receive.
Skye took her time enjoying her food, the clanking and slight scraps of forks against plates were morning music reminiscent her of breakfasts growing up. A big day lay ahead of her, and this bit of peace was just what she needed, reminding her of why she was taking the risk to get to them to Ohio. As everyone slowed and sat back in their seats, Skye pieced out her day.
"I wondered when you planned on taking me back to my car," she asked Dylan.
Dylan's gaze went from her to the table. "Whenever you'd like."
"I was thinking about giving Tom and my parents a call before leaving if I can get a signal."
Dylan nodded. "Good idea."
"Where are we going?" Jesse asked, reminding her that the boy had been asleep during any discussion of the trip.
"Oh, Jesse! I'm sorry. I thought it would be best to go to my parents in Ohio, at least for a while."
Jesse crinkled his nose. "Ohio?"
"It's nice there, and my parents are crazy nice too. They love kids hanging around, and I have a niece just a little younger than you. We should leave this area for a while. Would that be okay?"
"I guess," he said doubt coloring his voice. "I thought we'd live at your house. Or we'd live here."
"Well," Skye cleared her throat and ignored the second part of his statement. "Infected came to town and chased me out of my house."
Dylan's sharp eyes zeroed in on her, but he said nothing.
"That sucks," Jesse said.
"Yeah." Skye's response may have been short, but it was heartfelt. She missed her home already.
"Ohio," Jesse said with a downward twist of his mouth. He shrugged. "Okay then."
"Okay then."
Skye offered to clean up the kitchen, and the men took off outdoors to hunt, or trap, or something. She wasn't sure what since they had mumbled their plans but imagined that was what mountain men did.
After finishing her work, Skye stepped outside again, this time to call Tricia and Tom. Without a doubt, they were probably crazy with worry after the message she had left them. And it had been a few days since Skye had talked to her parents. She wanted to see how they were doing and tell them she was on her way.
As Skye stepped off the small cabin porch, the sunlight hit her eyes. She squinted and turned her head to the side then sought shade and rounded the house to find it. Here she could see the screen to dial on her cell phone.
Skye checked for a signal, relieved to see she had a few bars, but her satisfaction didn't last long. Her stomach churned as she imagined all the bad news they could tell her. Were her parents still safe? Not only from the AgFlu but also from any chaos going on around them?
And what about Tom and Tricia? Had they hid from the horde that had made its way through Colton? Her fingers paused mid-dial, and she drew in a deep breath before continuing. Tom would be first, it would be the easiest call. She hoped. Skye pressed her lips together, her nerves stretching further with each chime of the phone. On the third ring, her cousin-in-law picked up.
"Skye?" Tricia asked her voice almost a squeak.
"Yeah, it's me." Skye stammered over the words.
"Oh my lord, I'm so glad to hear from you! I been so worried!" Tricia said relief pouring through every word.
It was a bad connection, and no matter how high Skye set the volume, she had a hard time hearing Tricia. She hit the speaker button in the hopes it would be of help. "I’m worried the call will drop, Tricia, so I'll hurry through my news. Jesse is with me. I had a bit of car trouble on my way, but I ran into Wade and Dylan Cole. Do you know them? They helped me get Jesse, and I'm with them now. We're safe at their cabin."
The phone changed hands, and Tom came on the line. "You're with Wade and Dylan? I'm not sure... Those boys are... There's been a few run-ins." He paused a moment.
Skye's hand tightened on her cell. Please don't tell me they're bad people.
"Well," Tom said, "Those run-ins might just show they have the grit to deal with what's going on. They might be what you need right now. Neither of them conforms too well, but conforming isn't what's needed right now. They know the land, can hunt and can do what needs doing if something comes up."
"Okay, but--"
"Are they bein respectful?"
Skye sputtered an embarrassed little laugh but rushed to assure him. "Yes, they are. Wade likes to start arguments, but other than that, I have no complaints."
"Well, I'm surprised I'm saying this, but you're in good hands there. Just stay with them 'til things settle a bit. You'll be fine."
"Tom, I'm not staying here. I'm going to Dad's."
Tom let out a long sigh. "Skye, you aren't aware of how hard that will be."
Skye's heart sank. "How hard?"
"Last I heard roads are clogged with traffic. Give me a couple of days to find out something."
"A couple of days? That long?”
"If I find out anything sooner, I'll let you know."
Skye put a finger to her lip as she weighed her options. It was better to know of what was happening along the roads than to just start out with no idea. "Okay, two days then. If Dylan and Wade will have us. Unless you think I should come back there?"
“I don’t even want you driving the hour back here alone.”
“Alright then. Here is where I’ll stay,” She changed the topic. "How are things there?"
“Doing okay. Tricia and I haven't been sick. Tricia's been sticking around the house. I got exhausted from the never-ending work, I couldn't even stand, so now I do 12 hours. Then no matter what, I head home. I can’t help anyone if I don’t get rest." Sorrow filled Tom's voice. "It's crazy, Skye. No one is saving anything out there. Just trying to stem the flood is all and not doing too good a job at that. It will not end, not for a while, I reckon."
"I'm sure you’re doing your best. You always do. What about the town? Those Infected were coming through when I left."
"Yeah. We ran them off before they got to our house. Most people hid from them, some took off and haven't been back. Those so-called Assassins do their best to infect anyone they came across. Some have already come down with it. Sad, real sad. I'm glad you got out safe."
Skye's heart weighted further. Some of those they had Infected were most likely her friends. "I'm glad I got out too. We all need to stay safe until this is over."
Skye took time saying her goodbyes. Tom promised he would be in touch with her one way or another in two days.
The scolding of an angry squirrel made Skye look toward the woods and smile. A twig snapped behind her. She startled, and her heart thumped against her ribcage. Skye swung around to find Dylan leaning up against the side of the cabin.
She had the feeling he'd been there a while, and when he moved his foot to crack the twig again, he confirmed it.
"I thought you were hunting," Skye said.
"Got back."
She chuckled. Excellent way to state the obvious. She bit her cheek as she remembered Tom's comments about Dylan and Wade. "You heard?"
"Mostly."
Skye's gaze floated to the ground. Well, that's a little awkward.
Dylan's tone was terse. "You gonna ask?" From his expression, comments like that were nothing new to him.
"Nope, Tom told me--"
When Skye hesitated Dylan's eyes flicked from her face to the patchy grass and back again as he waited for her answer.
"He said th
is was the place to be, so that's good enough for me."
Dylan gave her one of his sharp looks then a little nod.
"That is if you can stand our invasion. I mean, I know--"
"You're fine. Here's where ya need to be anyways."
"Okay." Skye frowned at the strange comment even as she embraced the welcome. "Thanks. Thanks so much."
Dylan shook his head telling her to drop the subject.
Skye's mind wandered back to last part of her conversation with Tom. She picked at her fingernails. The behavior of humans often bewildered her, no matter how long she studied them. "What is wrong with people? Why would the Infected ones go after others like that, knowing they are causing others to die of the disease?"
Dylan shrugged a shoulder. "They're angry and scared with nothin to lose. They can do whatever they want. There ain't anybody to stop 'em. No one wants to get close enough to them to try."
"It doesn't give them leeway to turn into animals."
"There's always gonna be some who turn that way. You know that. We just gotta hope most don't."
Skye tipped her head as she stared at Dylan. I go to school for how many years and still need a questionnaire and weeks to understand my clients. But him, he instinctively knows, has them all figured out. Like he did me. One of those deep stares and he seems to know precisely what makes a person tick. Sounds like he should be the therapist.
Skye let her gaze wander over the mountains to the direction of Colton. "They won't. They can't. We have to live, to get things going again when this is all over."
Dylan didn't comment, but when she glanced at him, he was staring at her.
Skye looked at the ground. "I'm going to call my parents now. Are you going to listen in on that one too?" She flashed him a grin.
He shrugged and looked out to the trees. "Yep. You shouldn't be out here by yourself."
Skye opened her mouth to argue, but a quick glance at the thick forest changed her mind. She didn't know what was in those woods. He did. If he said it wasn't safe, she would believe him.