by JE Hunter
“Why don’t you go sit down while I get us some snacks?” Caesar offered the moment the others were gone.
I looked down the long, dark hallway, shaking my head. My skin crawled. I had goosebumps all over. My heart was beating a million times a millisecond. “No. I’ll come help you. I think I’d like something more substantial than brandy and dried bread.” My attempt at humour put a small smile on Caesar’s face, the first since he’d found me in the grocery store.
“What would you like then? Popcorn? Carrot sticks? Strawberries?”
“Popcorn.” I wrapped my arms tighter around myself, trying to make the goosebumps disappear. “With some ice tea.” I told Caesar where he could find the popper and the ice tea mix, and then he set to work.
“Tell me something,” I said, when the silence grew long and still. “I could use something to take my mind off things. Maybe something about where you've been; somewhere nice, warm, and dry.”
“Why don’t I tell you about my favourite place.” Caesar found two large glasses in the cupboard and began scooping out the brown, powdered tea while the popcorn popper whirred away.
“What’s your favourite place?”
“Costa Rica. The southern coast around a town called Dominical. It has beautiful long stretches of beach lined by bright green forest. The surfing there is amazing. Of course I haven't been there more than twice but I’d love to go back again. It was sunny and warm and there were a lot of hammocks. I love hammocks.”
“Does it rain there?” I asked, my teeth beginning to chatter.
“Sometimes, but the rain there is warm, not like here.”
“It sounds like a nice place. It's too bad the school isn't down there.”
“Aren't you from B.C? You should be used to the weather.”
“I am, but that doesn’t mean I don’t crave the sun. My family used to go to Mexico once a year, back when things were... good—a long time ago. I wish I could go back there.”
“Back to Mexico or back to your family being good?”
I smiled sadly, remembering Dad and Mom. At least I’d see one of them again, one day. “Both.”
“Me too. I spent a lot of time in Mexico once my mom decided she didn’t want anything to do with me. Grandma's still down there. She spent a lot of time raising me when my dad was out treasure hunting.” The popcorn finished popping. Caesar poured it into a bowl and handed it to me. Then he grabbed the tray of melted butter from the top of the machine and poured it on. “Grams is awesome. She’s the sweetest woman I know. She makes me the best rice and beans and fish tacos in the world. I help her with her gardening. You’d like her. She’s a sea-witch too.”
“Really?” I reached into the bowl and plucked out a piece of popcorn coated in a shiny sheen of butter. “That’s cool.”
Caesar led the way into the living room. The television and DVD player were waiting for us, along with a large collection of movies I'd brought with me from Surrey. Caesar put our drinks on the table. “So what movie are we going to watch?”
“I’m halfway through the Iron Man trilogy. You get to watch the rest with me.”
“I don't get a vote?”
“Don't you like Iron Man?” I placed the popcorn on the coffee table. Caesar pulled the blanket off the couch, spreading it on the floor. He tossed a couple pillows and another blanket onto the floor too.
“Well yes, I do, but that's not really the point.”
“I'll tell you what: next time you can vote.”
“Next time I’m choosing.” Caesar grabbed the popcorn and sat on the floor. “Come on, you look like you’re freezing.
I grabbed the remotes for the television and DVD player, and then sat down next to him. He wrapped one of the blankets around my shoulder, holding it in place with his arm. As the movie started, the heat from his body began to seep into mine. Slowly, my shivering stopped, but I could still feel the hunter’s arm around me. I could still feel his hand pushing the cloth into my face as he tried to knock me unconscious. I moved closer to Caesar. I looked out the window, checking for any sign that Grandma was on her way home. For the first time, I wished that she was around.
“She’ll be back soon.” Caesar squeezed me tighter, reading my mind. “As soon as she strengthens the boundary, she’ll be here. You’re safe, Nessa. He can’t get to us out here.”
I leaned my head on Caesar’s shoulder and pulled the blanket tighter. I hoped he was right.