Chapter 82 New Location
CAITLYN'S POV
I woke up the next morning in the new cabin, and for a second, I forgot where I was. Then I remembered. We had moved. Run away again. Because Collin found us.
Jason was already awake making coffee in the kitchen. He looked tired like he had not slept much.
"Morning," he said when he saw me.
"Morning," I said. "Did you sleep at all?"
"A little," Jason lied. "How are you feeling?"
"Tired," I admitted. "Scared. The usual."
"That is understandable," Jason said. "You want some coffee? I know you are not supposed to have much but one cup should be okay."
"No thanks," I said. "I will just have water."
I went to the window and looked outside. Trees everywhere. No other houses. No cars. No people. Just nature and quiet.
"We are really in the middle of nowhere," I said.
"Yeah," Jason agreed. "That is the point."
"How far is the nearest town?" I asked.
"About twenty miles," Jason said. "But we are not going there. We are staying here."
"For six weeks," I said.
"For six weeks," Jason confirmed.
I sat down at the small kitchen table. "What are we going to do for six weeks? We cannot just sit here staring at each other."
"We will figure something out," Jason said. "Read. Talk. Play cards. Whatever we need to do to pass the time."
"That sounds boring," I said.
"Boring is safe," Jason said. "I will take boring over dangerous any day."
"I guess you are right," I said.
Jason brought me water and sat down across from me. "We need to talk about what happens if something goes wrong."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I mean if Collin finds us," Jason said. "If something happens and I cannot protect you. You need to know what to do."
"I do not want to talk about this," I said.
"We have to," Jason said. "We need to be prepared for every scenario."
"Okay," I said reluctantly. "What do I need to know?"
"If Collin shows up and I tell you to run you run," Jason said. "Do not argue. Do not try to help me. Just take the car keys and drive to the nearest police station."
"I am not leaving you," I said.
"Yes you are," Jason said. "Because if it comes down to it the baby is more important than me. You need to protect the baby no matter what."
"The baby needs a father," I said.
"The baby has a father," Jason said. "Even if it is not biologically mine I am its father in every way that matters. But if something happens to me the baby will still have you. And that is what is important."
"I do not want to lose you," I said. Tears were starting to fall.
"You are not going to lose me," Jason said. "I am just being cautious. Making sure we have a plan for the worst-case scenario."
"I hate this," I said. "I hate that we have to plan for you dying."
"I am not going to die," Jason said. "But if I do I need to know you will be okay. That you will take care of yourself and the baby."
"I will," I said quietly. "I promise."
"Good," Jason said. "Now let me show you where everything is. The medical supplies. The food. The weapons."
"Weapons?" I asked.
"Yeah," Jason said. "Rourke left us a gun. Just in case. Do you know how to shoot?"
"No," I said. "Collin never let me near guns."
"Then I will teach you," Jason said. "Basic safety. How to aim. How to fire. You do not have to be an expert. You just need to know enough to defend yourself if you have to."
"Okay," I said. "When do we start?"
"After breakfast," Jason said. "Let me make us some food first."
We ate breakfast together. Eggs and toast. Simple but good. Then Jason took me outside to teach me how to shoot.
He set up some cans on a log and handed me the gun. It felt heavy and wrong in my hands.
"Hold it like this," Jason said showing me. "Two hands. Firm grip. Look down the sight and aim for the center of the target."
I tried to do what he said but my hands were shaking too much. The gun felt dangerous. It could go off at any moment.
"Relax," Jason said. "The gun is not going to hurt you. It is just a tool."
"It is a tool that kills people," I said.
"Only if you want it to," Jason said. "Right now we are just practicing. Squeeze the trigger slowly. Do not jerk it."
I aimed at one of the cans and pulled the trigger. The gun kicked back and I missed completely.
"That is okay," Jason said. "Try again. This time keep your eyes open."
"My eyes were open," I said.
"Not really," Jason said. "You flinched right before you pulled the trigger. Try to stay calm."
I tried again. And again. After about twenty shots I finally hit one of the cans. It felt good. Like I accomplished something.
"See?" Jason said. "You can do this."
"I guess," I said. "But I do not like it."
"You do not have to like it," Jason said. "You just have to know how to do it if you need to."
We went back inside and I felt exhausted. Not from the shooting but from everything. From running. From being scared. I had to learn how to defend myself.
"I am going to lie down," I said.
"Okay," Jason said. "I will be out here if you need me."
I went to the bedroom and lay down on the bed. The baby was moving around like it always did. I put my hand on my stomach and talked to it quietly.
"I know this is not the life I wanted for us," I said. "I wanted us to have a real home. A safe place. But we will get there. I promise. Once your biological father is in prison we can have a normal life."
The baby kicked in response and I smiled. At least the baby was healthy. At least something was going right.
I closed my eyes and tried to rest but my mind kept racing. Thinking about Collin. About the trial. About what would happen if we did not make it to the trial.
I must have fallen asleep eventually because when I woke up it was dark outside. Jason was sitting in a chair next to the bed watching me.
"How long was I asleep?" I asked.
"About four hours," Jason said. "I checked on you a few times. You looked peaceful so I let you sleep."
"Thank you," I said. "I needed that."
"Do you feel better?" Jason asked.
"A little," I said. "Still scared but a little better."
"That is good," Jason said. "Because we are going to be okay. We are going to make it through this."
"You keep saying that," I said. "But w
What if we do not?"
"Then we do not," Jason said. "But at least we tried. At least we fought. That has to count for something."
"I guess," I said.