The Badass Protector

Iris

MY HEART hammered in my chest a mile in a minute. I was a few yards away from running away to save them and, at the same time, a few yards closer.

The car was still parked at the same spot, patiently waiting for me.

“I mean it, Iris! Start walking back,” Lois said firmly.

My mind wanted to protest, but my heart said the opposite. Maybe working together would solve our problems, but if in case something went wrong, I would forever carry this affliction and regret inside me.

“I hope you won’t regret doing this, Lois.” Defeated, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before I started walking back toward the car.

Lois was still aiming the gun at me despite I had already agreed with her demand.

Feeling the burden was gone, I stopped in front of them. “So, what’s the plan?”

Everyone sighed in relief.

“Find a safe place,” Gael answered. “From now on, we stick together. No one will decide alone. No one will leave any of us behind. As soon as we find a safe place in the meantime, we will plan our next move once we get our strength back. We’re all exhausted physically, emotionally, and mentally. And Iris, you should nap while we’re on the road.”

I nodded.

“Can you still drive?” Gael asked.

“Yeah,” Frost replied.

“Darick?”

“I’m fine.”

“Good, stay beside me. Lois, sit on the passenger seat and be on the lookout. Just yell out if you see anything unusual or a car approaching.”

“Why should I sit there?” Lois protested, and I didn’t miss the glare she threw at Frost.

“I don’t bite, Heloisa. Come over here,” Frost seethed and glared back.

“Don’t start! Just do what I say, Lois,” Gael ordered. “And good job back there.”

“So, it’s you, huh?” I watched Lois slam the passenger door shut.

“No one asked her to-she did it by herself,” he answered. “Colt, stay beside Iris and sort things out between you two.”

The moment Gael finished talking, everyone moved to their places except for Colt and me.

“Gael, can we take the back seat instead?”

“No. No making out in the car when we are around.” Gael was amused.

“We are not gonna make out, and do you think anyone of you can stop us if we want to?” Colt stared blankly at them. Everyone shrugged. “That’s what I thought. I just want her to lie down for a while, please?”

“Fine. I want you two on the same page before sunrise.”

I looked at Colt, who was still wearing a blank expression on his face. I couldn’t help but feel guilty for making him feel this way, but what I had done earlier was what I thought was right.

I broke his trust and probably his heart. I sighed helplessly, knowing from today onward that this would be a rough day between Colt and me.

The car moved smoothly. Colt held my shoulders, and I tried hard to stay still, but the car crash did a number on me. I relaxed and lay my head against his abs as he wrapped his strong arms around me possessively and protectively.

After all the emotions swirling inside me, they had been replaced with something else that I couldn’t put my finger on, and it had me confused the most.

“It’s okay, twig. We’ll figure things out,” he whispered and planted a kiss on top of my head.

My lids fluttered closed as Colt snuggled me in his arms. I sighed, and my muscles relaxed against the large hand stroking my skin. I could feel his muscles relaxing as well, his heartbeat lowered, and he even leaned his head back and stretched out his long legs in a relaxed manner.

And for the briefest moment, I felt safe.

***

STRETCHING OUT, I winced at the contraction of my sore muscles. The smell of dust and burning candles hit my nostrils. I squinted to the light from the nightstand, assaulting my pupils.

I realized I was comfortably lying in a soft bed-this must be made of cotton-it was queen-sized, and I was tucked under the multi-layered quilt.

Hurriedly, I sat on the bed. My breathing caught in my throat at the Sika deer’s head nailed on something like a stone wall-the thing was staring back at me.

I must be in a hunting cabin.

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I reached my feet down the floor-it was damn cold that seeped through my bones. Colt must have removed my socks.

Colton? Where is he?

My heart raced against my ribcage.

Tiptoeing, I slowly opened the door and sneaked my head out.

“Going somewhere?”

I closed my eyes and sighed deeply. “Thank God.” I let my shoulders relax. “I was alone in the room, and the damn deer scared the shit out of me.”

“You must be starving. Come with me. I cooked something for everyone.” I followed Lois, and she may be headed toward the kitchen.

It had a lit kerosene lamp, a dented aluminum pot on the chipped wooden table, a small stainless sink, a couple of dusty cupboards, and a single gas burner stove.

I pulled a chair out and sat down. “Where are they?”

Lois scooped a soup from the pot that smelled of burnt tomato. Still, it made my stomach grumble. Couldn’t I remember the last time I had a proper meal-two nights ago?

“Checking the parameters. There’s no fence surrounding the area.” She placed a still-steaming bowl on the table.

I scooped and slurped the sticky liquid quickly. “I’m hungry. How about you?”

“I joined the guys earlier. Colt stopped me from waking you up.” She sat beside me. “How are you feeling?”

I took a deep breath. “I’ll be fine as long as you all are.” I put the spoon down, slurped the bowl empty, and licked my lips clean.

“Want more?”

I shook my head. “I’m good. It’s even hard to eat, but I’m hungry, and I don’t want you guys to worry about me.”

Silently, Lois stood up and took the empty bowl. She started washing until she spoke. “I’m sorry for what I did earlier. I thought it was the right thing to do-to save you from killing yourself.”

Aren’t we all are?