The Wright One

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I hate sitting around waiting on things. I was never one to wait for things to happen. I was always the one making sure that they happened. Yet here I am sitting on a couch in a cabin in the woods, with no clear clue as to what is even going on. I can’t make a move. I can’t make any decisions. All I can do is sit and wait.

I guess that isn’t exactly true. I can think. I don’t really want to do that. I just keep thinking about Brock and the threat that he made. Am I making the right choice? Is this all going to blow up in my face? Am I putting Joseph in danger? I can’t get my thoughts to quiet, no matter what I do.

Joseph had passed out shortly after we got here and I was left to my own thoughts. I have paced and cleaned. I have done everything that I could think of to try to keep my mind busy, but nothing is working.

When I hear a truck pull in front of the cabin, my first thought is to panic. Getting up and hiding behind the couch. Not that I really think a couch will defend me against Brock. I guess I just wanted a barrier.

But it isn’t Brock to walk through the door, no it’s William. He looks around the cabin, then he spots me. “That really isn’t a good hiding spot.”

I can’t help but laugh at myself as I stand. “Yeah, I kind of realized that after I crouched down there, but then I was already there.”

“You want to help me with the bags?”

“Um, sure.”

Stepping outside feels like I have stepped out of base and I am waiting to get tagged in a childhood game. I am looking all around, trying to make sure I don’t see anyone that I shouldn’t. I am paranoid, but don’t I have the right to be. Brock has shot people for doing less than I did.

William puts his hand on my shoulder. “I wasn’t followed. I promise you are safe here. No one knows that you are with me and no one will look for you here. You can relax.”

“I know you say that, but it isn’t exactly registering in my brain.”

“I know this is all really hard on you. I am going to do what I can to make this as easy as possible. I don’t want you to have to worry.”

Chuckling I reach into the backseat of the truck for bags. “That’s all I have been doing since my parents died. I am stressed about everything. I don’t know if I am making the right choice on a daily basis and the stakes are way higher right now.”

“Yes, they are, but you were doing a great job before this. You just met a man that was more than you could handle on your own. You were keeping your distance. You knew the dangers, he was just forceful. You did nothing wrong. Now if you were in love with him, I might question your motives.” He grabs some bags too.

“No, God no. I vomited after he kissed me the first time. I think he is the scum of the earth, but I would suffer through that to keep Joseph safe.”

We move up the steps and into the cabin setting the bags on the couch. “You are doing what you need to do to keep Joe safe. Don’t doubt that this is the right path. If you didn’t do this, then his life would always be in danger. He would keep using him to get you to do anything that he wanted. You were never going to be free of him unless you took this chance. I know it feels like a gamble but really I am good at my job. I will see Brock behind bars.”

“What if he finds us first?” I can’t help but voice my worries.

“He isn’t. He doesn’t know me. There is no connection to me or my family. This cabin is mine, but it is in my dad’s name. So even if he was looking for somewhere I would take you, it would be a lot harder to track this place. I know I am not being followed when I drive. He can’t find you until we are ready. As long as you are here you are safe.”

William starts rummaging through the bags. “I want you to use this only in emergencies. Don’t call any friends.” He passes me a cellphone still in its packaging. “I’ll give you my number in case I’m not here. But I am not going to be taking a bunch of trips back and forth. That could lead them to you. For now I am going to work remotely with my buddy and try to get as much information as I can before addressing Brock head on.”

“So you are staying here with us?”

“For a couple of days. The less trips I make back and forth the better. Right now I was just seen in town buying a bunch of clothes that I said were for one of my sisters. Now I need to lay low because if anyone connects the dots that I am not supplying myself for the trip that I said I was taking then Brock could know that I am hiding you. I want to eliminate any clues to finding you. So, I’m staying.”

He leaves me there completely dumbfounded. He is staying here with us. I don’t even know how that is going to work. He is like a stranger. I am doing my best to trust this man, but what if he is just like Brock and just trying to use me? How much can I trust him? Where is he even going to sleep?

When he comes back in he is carrying a duffle. He deposits in a closet by the front room. “Alright, I’ll get started on some dinner, while you and Joe put away the clothes I got you both. There are a few supplies that you can put away too, you know the basics. I don’t always have this place fully stocked.” He points to the bags.

William doesn’t even wait for my answer as he takes the bags that go to the little kitchen and heads there to work. Not that I can’t see him, but it’s like he isn’t pressuring me with anything. Like he is just letting me be.

Joseph comes out of his room. “Hey, Will’s back.” He starts rummaging in the bags. “Thanks man.” He calls as he collects up some bags and takes them back to his room. Not even a word for me.

I feel lost, but I guess I know where to start. I can clean. So I pick up the bags and start putting everything where it might need to go. Only as I am putting the clothes away do I notice something that is very embarrassing. He shopped for underwear for me. I don’t even know how he knew my size. It is embarrassing. I can feel my face turning a deep shade of crimson. I don’t even know how to think about this. How do I address it? Do I just act like it is no big deal? I don’t know. This is so out of my element.

Quickly shoving the underwear in a drawer I try to act like that isn’t going to be a problem, but when I head out to the sitting room and see William in the kitchen I blush even more. I just hope that he doesn’t notice.