aHunter4Rescue (aHunter4Hire)

by Clement, Cynthia

  “You will be a help.”

  Fiona thought she caught a hint of sarcasm in Ardal’s voice, but when she glanced up, he was looking at her with sincerity. Oh well, she didn’t have much choice now. They were already on the road heading toward Wawa.

  “I’d take the northern route if I were you.” Sleep seemed to skirt around her senses. “They haven’t found the other part of your vehicle so it’s probably in Lake Superior. The further you get away from it, the better.”

  “Jehon has already considered that.” Ardal rubbed her arm. “Sleep.”

  Fiona was too tired to argue. Her eyelids were heavy and before she could think of a response, she had drifted off. She woke with a start. Her head was cushioned against Ardal’s chest. With a start she sat up. The vehicle wasn’t moving and Ardal was looking down at her expectantly.

  “What?” Fiona stretched. They were stopped at the side of the road. She glanced out and saw a mileage sign for Chapleau in 10 kilometres. So they’d taken her advice and gone north.

  “The vehicle is flashing a light at us.” Jehon pointed to the dashboard.

  Fiona leaned over his arm and spotted the low fuel sign. “We need gas.”

  “What do we do?” Ardal shifted beside her.

  “We’re almost at a town. There will be a gas station there.”

  Less than five minutes later they made the circular entry into the small town of Chapleau. Fiona spotted the gas station and motioned Jehon to drive to it. Once there, she pointed to the pumps.

  “Pull up there and then turn the vehicle off.” Fiona twisted around and spoke to Firbin. “Hand me my bag.”

  Fiona rummaged in her bag until her fingers touched the cloth pouch that contained her emergency kit. She had been taught to always take this with her, no matter how ridiculous it might seem. You never knew when you might have to make a run for it unexpectedly. Now was definitely one of those times. She opened the pouch and pulled out a wad of money.

  “This is what you use to buy things.”

  “How do you get this?”

  Fiona shrugged. “Usually people work and get paid money. Sometimes they save it in a bank and then they use an ATM machine to get the money.”

  “What is an ATM machine?”

  Fiona pointed to one of the machines inside the convenience store doors. “You have a card that you put in to access your money. The machine will give you money from your bank account.”

  “We will let the others know.”

  Fiona frowned. “Do your scanners work as telephones?”

  “The frequency is not right for that.” Ardal opened the door and stepped out of the vehicle.

  “I used to have a cell phone, but I had to get rid of it.” Fiona jumped out of the truck and went to the pump. “They make it easy to stay in touch with people anywhere, but not if you’re hiding. They all have GPS in them so that you can be found.”

  “This is an electronic device?” Ardal watched as she unscrewed the gas cap and then took the nozzle from the pump.

  “Sort of.” Fiona pushed the button on the pump and then started to fill the tank. “They have cell towers all around the country so that you can call from anywhere. The problem is that in remote areas like this, there are no towers.”

  “We will not need to use this way to communicate.”

  Fiona tilted her head. The man gave nothing away. She felt in her bones he was hiding something; some alien technology or way of communicating. But did it really matter?

  “I can see you have no intention of telling me.” Fiona shrugged.

  “I have to protect my men.”

  The pump stopped. Fiona tapped the last drops of gas from the nozzle and then put it back into its slot before screwing the cap back on. “Come, I’ll show you how to buy something. A word of warning; keep your head low. There are security cameras everywhere, especially in gas stations.”

  Ardal nodded his understanding and then followed her into the small store. She pulled out five twenty dollar bills and paid the attendant. After that she went to the back of the store where there were a number of tourist items, including tee shirts and hoodies. She pulled off a 2XL sized hoodie and held it up to Ardal.

  “This’ll fit.” She then grabbed two other hoodies and three tee shirts. “You guys need to fit in. These should help.”

  They walked back to the front and Fiona noticed that Ardal kept in front of her the whole time. There was no way the security cameras would be able to see her behind his huge body. She paid and as she waited for her change, she glanced down.

  Her eyes roamed the rows of candy and chips. She was a sucker for junk food, especially when she was stressed. Her hands hovered between a chocolate bar and a pack of chewing gum. Chocolate won out. She glanced at Ardal who seemed fascinated by her choice.

  “What is that?”

  “Chocolate. It’s sweet, decadent, and definitely not good for you.” Fiona smiled and picked up four of the bars. “We deserve this.”

  Once they were back in the truck, Fiona handed out the clothes. “Put these on. When you have to go outside it would be best to put the hood up over your heads. That should make it difficult for the security cameras to pick out your faces.”

  “Are there lots of these cameras?” Ardal pulled the hoodie on, stretching it over his bulging muscles.

  “More than you’d think. If it isn’t store owners, it’s the government.” Fiona winced as she remembered her first attempts to escape David.

  “I will warn the others.”

  Fiona nodded. “The government or even a person who is internet savvy can tap into any of these systems and find people they’re looking for.”

  The others were now in their new sweatshirts and Fiona nodded her approval before handing out the chocolate bars. The men hesitated and watched Fiona rip open the wrapping and take a bite. Gooey caramel dripped down her chin. She wiped it away with a finger. She leaned back and closed her eyes. After the day she’d had, this was heaven.

  Jehon was the first to try it. “It is too sweet to eat.”

  “That’s the point.” Fiona grinned. “Nothing about this is good for you, but isn’t it fun?”

  “Will we be ill?” Firbin piped up from the back.

  “Not unless you’re allergic to chocolate.” Fiona looked back at him and watched as his eyes widened after his first bite. “Addictive isn’t it?”

  Ardal sat beside her with his eyes closed and arms crossed. She was going to nudge him, but Jehon stopped her. He shook his head and she realized that somehow he was communicating with the others. She went back to her chocolate bar.

  Jehon started the truck. When Ardal relaxed beside her, she offered him his chocolate bar, but he shook his head. His jaw was still clenched and his eyes were furrowed in a frown. Definitely time to give the man some space.

  Fiona dozed throughout the trip. Jehon seemed tireless. He drove nonstop without a break. Her stomach started growling in the early evening and her bladder was screaming. The men seemed unaware of her discomfort.

  “Are we stopping soon?” She tried to keep the irritation out of her voice.

  “Why would we stop?” Ardal looked down at her with a frown. “Jehon thinks we might be able to reach the city by morning.”

  “Don’t you guys ever have to relieve yourselves?”

  “Relief from what?”

  “Not relief, relieve, as in empty your bladder?” She almost screamed when she caught Ardal’s look of confusion. “I need to go to the washroom.”

  “You wish to wash yourself?” Ardal’s eyes widened. “Of course, the chocolate bar has made you dirty. Jehon has a cloth for you.”

  “I have to pee.” Fiona groaned. She wanted to hide her face from the embarrassment. Talking about this with a bunch of men was bad enough, but to have them totally misunderstand was beyond the limit. Ardal still looked dumbfounded.

  “When you drink water on your planet how does your body get rid of it?”

  Comprehension suddenly dawned on
Ardal. His face turned a ruddy red and he lowered his eyes. “Hunters do not discuss such matters.”

  “I’m trying not to discuss it.” Fiona glanced out the window. “There’s a restaurant over there. Stop.”

  Jehon slammed on the brakes so fast that Fiona would have gone through the windshield if Ardal had not put out his arm to stop her. These guys had phenomenal reflexes. Fiona rubbed her sides. At least her ribs were still intact.

  Jehon pulled into the parking lot and then turned to her. “What do you want?”

  Fiona rolled her eyes. It was obvious that she was going to have to explain everything to them. “I want to use the washroom and then get something to eat. You might be able to go without food for days, but my stomach is protesting.”

  “Your stomach has been talking to all of us.” Ardal’s tone was dry, his face impassive, but there was a sparkle in his eyes.

  “You just made a joke.” Fiona laughed. “And I thought you didn’t hear it growling.”

  “That is an apt name for what it was doing.” Ardal pulled his hood over his head before leaving the vehicle. “It seems we are hypersensitive on this planet.”

  “Good.” Fiona scooted along the truck’s bench seat and then jumped down. “Next time you’ll know what it means and stop before I go through the windshield.”

  Firbin squeezed from the back and eased himself outside. “A Hunter never fails in his protection. You were safe.”

  “Tell my ribs that.” Fiona rubbed the still sensitive muscles. “You don’t know your strength, or else it’s another thing that earth has made extraordinary.”

  Ardal shrugged. “Perhaps. We will test it later.”

  Jehon came around the front of the vehicle and looked at the front of the truck stop diner. “Is this a good place to stop?”

  “No worse than most. I’m glad you’re with me, though. This is trucker territory and I hate having to walk into a place like this on my own.”

  Fiona started toward the restaurant. Truckers were usually men. They were polite and kept to themselves, but even though she had stopped at places like this before, she was never alone. There was safety in numbers.

  When she got closer to the entrance she noticed a number of motorcycles parked together. Great! This must be a local hangout. It was worse when she opened the door. Everybody and their brother had decided to stop and eat. The place was packed. She pushed back the panic she felt at having to face such a large number of men at once.

  “It must be a good place to eat.” She kept her voice steady as she looked around for the washroom sign. She was rewarded immediately. “You guys can either go and find an empty table, or wait for me here.”

  “It might be best to find a place to sit.” Ardal glanced around the crowded dining area. “Is this how people eat here?”

  “Only when they’re travelling.” Fiona kept her voice low. “Truckers are travelling all the time because they’re carrying goods in their vehicles and they have to get from one place to another. There are also people like us here.”

  “They are hiding?” Jehon’s voice was doubtful.

  “I meant they’re hungry.” Fiona moved toward the washroom. “Just behave until I get back.”

  The restroom was clean. That was the best thing she could say about it. It was a relief to be alone. As much as she liked people, it had been months since she’d been around others. Her enforced isolation had made her more self-reliant. She refused to consider she’d also been lonely and bored. She’d been safe. That was all that mattered.

  Ardal and his men weren’t in sight when she came out of the restroom. They must have sat at a table so she made her way into the dining room. It was a sea of faces and it took her a while to find the men. They were in a back corner booth glancing at menus. She wondered if they could read.

  A smile flickered across her lips. What a terrible thing to think. If she were in a foreign country, not even a different planet, she’d be totally lost.

  “Are you looking for company, little lady?” A man in full leather jacket and pants was standing in front of her. A band of orange was engraved on the leather of his sleeve and the strong odor of cigarette smoke clung to him.

  “I’m meeting friends.” Fiona tried to go around him, but he sidestepped to block her.

  “I was asking politely.”

  “And I answered you politely.” Fiona inhaled to settle her rapid heart rate. “My friends are in the corner.”

  The man looked over his shoulder. “Hear that boys? This lady doesn’t want to spend time with us.” The biker turned back to her. “You’ll be sitting with me, and you’ll like it, sweet thing.”

  Chapter 9

  A man with a full beard and baseball cap turned and spoke from the nearest table. “The lady said no.”

  “Stay out of this Grandpa.” The biker didn’t take his eyes off Fiona. “I’d hate to see you regret your words.”

  “If that’s what it takes to make you boys understand.” The man stood up and a couple of his neighbours joined him.

  Horror raced through Fiona’s body. She didn’t want a war between these bikers and truckers. “Please,” she pleaded. “I just want to go and eat.”

  “Then you’ll have no problem doing it with me.” The biker’s voice was a threat.

  Just as the older trucker and his friends moved to block the man in leather, someone grabbed him from behind and lifted him off the floor. She had barely registered that Ardal had come to her rescue before the man was sent flying against the wall. His body slithered to the floor. His face was red with anger as he jumped up and came back at Ardal full speed.

  Ardal blocked him with one hand and sent him flying again. “Stay.”

  For a second it looked as if the biker was going to refuse, but then his mouth thinned and he nodded. “I’ll see to you later.”

  Ardal’s eyes hardened. “It would be a mistake.”

  The trucker cleared his throat. “Nice throw, young man. Glad to see the little lady has some protection. It doesn’t do for one so pretty to be alone.”

  Fiona gave the man a faint smile. “Thank you for trying to stop it from getting out of control.”

  “No problem.” The man nodded to the waiter standing a few feet away. “Anything serious happens and old John there would have called the cops.”

  “I’m glad that wasn’t necessary.” Fiona forced her voice to relax. “I’m too hungry to wait for the police.”

  Ardal moved to let her pass. She started to walk, but realized that he’d stayed behind to talk to the trucker. When she got to the table, Jehon and Firbin stood and waited until she was seated before sitting themselves. Ardal followed a few minutes later.

  “What did the trucker say?”

  “He warned me that the fellow I threw would probably kill me.” Ardal grunted. “I thanked him, but said I had many years of training. He said he guessed I was probably in the Special Forces. It seems he spent some time there and would be happy to help me if I needed it.”

  “What did you say?” Fiona forced her jaw closed.

  “I said that I had friends with me.” Ardal picked up the menu. “What are Special Forces?”

  “I suppose it’s our planet’s equivalent of an elite soldier.” Fiona studied Ardal’s face for a second, noting his strong jaw and straight nose. An air of confidence and command surrounded him. No wonder the older man had associated him with a Special Forces background.

  Ardal nodded. “The man was very observant.”

  “I think they’re trained to be.” Fiona sighed and picked up her menu. “Thank you for saving me.”

  “I thought you did not want trouble. I see the rule does not apply to you.”

  Fiona opened her mouth to defend herself when she noticed the sparkle in Ardal’s eyes. “You’re joking again.” She pushed against his arm. “I thought you didn’t understand sarcasm.”

  “It is fun to make you blush.”

  Before Fiona could say anything, the waiter was at their table.
He brought four glasses of water and then stood back with his pad, ready for their orders. She grabbed the menu and made a decision for the broasted chicken. Chocolate and now fried food. Her diet was going for a tumble, but what the hell. At the rate that she was going, she might not live to see the end of the week, much less old age.

  When the waiter looked at Ardal, she noticed a tightening in his jaw. She was right, they couldn’t read. She grabbed the menu from him. “Let me guess, you’d like a steak.” She glanced at the Jehon and Firbin across the table. “You guys want that also?”

  When they nodded the waiter took the order and then headed off to the next table. Once he was out of earshot, she leaned forward. “Did you guys understand the menu?”

  “No.” Ardal clenched his fists. “The translator download was incomplete. What is steak?”

  “It’s beef and tastes a bit like the moose you guys killed.” Fiona took a sip of water. “This is water. I imagine you have this on your planet.”

  Ardal drank his down without a stop. “It is different in taste. We only have artificial water.”

  “Don’t you have natural sources of it?”

  Ardal shook his head. “Not on Cygnus.”

  “How do you survive?” Fiona couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice. “What happened to it?”

  “The ancients were careless.” Ardal shrugged. “We make it, or import it from other planets.”

  Fiona picked up her fork and started to fiddle with it. “You should tell me what things are different from what you’re used to.”

  “That is probably everything, although Jehon was able to ascertain what equipment the helicopter had for tracking us.” Ardal took the fork from her. “What is this for?”

  “Eating.” Fiona grabbed it back and demonstrated. “I’m sure you know what a knife is.” When Ardal nodded, she picked up the spoon. “You stir with this or eat, but usually only soup or cereal.”

  “We have similar on our planet.” Ardal leaned back against the bench seat and looked at Jehon. “How long do you need to repair the communicators?”

  Jehon shook his head. “Each one has different damage. It is most important that your unit work, though. I will look at it now.”