Chapter 3—Raine
“She seemed very nice Raine. And beautiful.” She says with a smile. “Yes, she was.” That’s all I’m going to give her. My stomach dropped out when I realized that Jonah was her Father. I certainly haven’t been looking for a girlfriend. Our life will never be normal. I have nothing to offer a girl like her. She needs to explore the world and show others her beautiful artwork. But my Mom could use a few friends or maybe even a good man. I don’t know. Although I am fiercely protective of my Mom, I realize that she doesn’t want to be tied down to her son forever. But I would certainly do it if she needed. It’s up to me to ensure that the man she chooses will treat her right. Never again will I tolerate the way she was treated in the compound. No one should live like they are a piece of property. I don’t even care that I was a second-class citizen. But seeing my Mom abused like that, it’s just not going to ever happen again.
“Well, I guess we have a nice evening ahead of us. Do you want to go for a hike? I’m just going to do some writing until it’s time to go.” Mom states as she opens the last few boxes in the kitchen and starts putting the pots and pans away. “Sounds good Mom. I haven’t done any exercise since we left Canada last week.” I could use an hour or two getting my head on straight. That girl has really got me twisted up. The way she put paint to her canvas. It was as if she was the actual art. But I really can’t think like that. Nothing can happen with her. Even if our parents weren’t going on this “date”.
I walk briskly through the trees with my pack of supplies. I don’t want to be caught without water in the middle of a place I’m not familiar with. The weather sure is better than Canada. Or Tennessee for that matter. The ocean air is both refreshing and soothing. Everything here is green. It’s truly beautiful. All we had in the compound was rolling hills of wheat and trees. Lots and lots of hay, cows, sheep, chickens, and horses. Not that I can’t appreciate the hours of physical labor that it all entailed. It was because of how hard he pushed me that I was strong enough to fight a grown man at the age of 15. Thank God for that. Mom would never have been able to escape on her own. And it was getting really close to time for me to be “sent away”. I think after that last wheat harvest; he was going to get rid of me. I would never have left her there with that monster. Sadly, there are still some younger kids there. I can’t think about it, or that one fact will torture me forever. I wish I could do something. But I can’t risk my Mom being noticed. Maybe one day…
Until then, I need to be focused on staying strong, smart, and observant. No attachments. But it sure would be nice to share just a little bit of my life with someone as happy and carefree as Jade seemed to be. Maybe she will be a good friend one day. Or maybe if by some crazy fluke, she will be my stepsister. Please not that.
The hike gets a little steeper as I continue further into the woods. This is great. I have shade and beautiful views while I hike. I could see myself staying here for a very long time. “Sure, keep telling yourself that” I say to no one. I think I just wasn’t meant to be happy in life. Maybe my purpose was solely to watch over Mom. That’s not the worst thing that could happen. I mean, look how much better life is now than three years ago. Most of my injuries have healed. I don’t wake up worried for my life. But I still worry for Moms. It’s her that he wants. He won’t be satisfied until she is back in that compound under his thumb. And I know for a fact she would go if he threatened me. So, I have to make sure that is never an option.
There are some beautiful flowers up here. The smell of pine trees and eucalyptus surrounds me. This is truly paradise compared to where I’m from. Man do I pray this is our last stop. It would be awesome to quit running from him. But it seems that every time we start to get just a little comfortable, someone tells him where we are. My Grandfather, who I finally got to meet, has hidden us away in different cities four times. Thankfully he has the means to do it. If not for him, Mom would have been back there not long after we escaped. And where would I be? Surely Ezekiel would have made sure I was dead so that I no longer posed a threat to him and his people.
After more hiking and even more contemplation, I head back to the house for our “date”. I feel more settled and determined to not let a sweet girl become my one and only stumbling block. Because I am sure that I would stumble right over her. No green eyes, or cute little nose, or pink lips will keep me from doing everything I can, to not only protect my Mom, but keep her happy. If that means she gets a nice date and I get a good friend out of the deal, then so be it! I can do this.