Project Rescue - A Shifter Novel (NaNoWriMo19)
Chapter 12 - Reflex and Reflection

Recap

“Would the new shifter smell me?”

“No way, you were still coated in that masking spray. And, let me tell you, that is some nasty shit. ” He shuddered, making me quietly laugh.

“Where am I staying now?” I asked, waiting to hear the worse.

“Here be alright? It’s my friend's house but he’s a kind soul and wouldn’t mind. Plus, I’m sleeping on the deck. I have one of the hammocks.”

I nodded happily. I was not going to have to listen to Daisy or put up with any of the bull shit from the guys. I still needed to be careful, be quiet, and use my masking spray even if did smell like shit. I had to agree about that.

I got us some food when I was in the village. Told them I was taking a vacation. I think the boat captain, as you call him, knew better. He’s a smart man,” Manuel explained.

I nodded my head at the council as they were leaving, waiting on Manuel. He nodded his head and left. I knew he would be back soon, I had no doubts about him.

After they were gone, I walked around the treehouse and looked at everything. It had a small area for cooking, a huge bed, a dresser - which was huge. There was a big cooler for food since the treehouse didn’t have electricity. I touched everything, feeling the different textures. It was crude but very stable - the wood almost uniform, except for some claw marks on the floor. I could tell whoever built this treehouse used down trees, which made me like him.

I walked over to a large tote, wondering if I was being too nosy. But, I needed something to do and I was curious. I pulled open the lid of the tote and found lanterns, oil, whetstones. Besides the tote were a few canisters of propane for the stove. I put the lid back on it and looked outside real quick - finding the stuff Manuel brought close to the door. I quickly pulled the tote to me and brought it into the treehouse.

I decided not to look into the tote. I was tired of not having sleep for the last few days. I had crippling fear at times. As I was thinking about how I would get away and what to do, I hadn’t gotten any rest. Even now I couldn’t sleep without some fear. But, I damn sure was going to try. I laid down and closed my eyes.

It was about an hour when I heard someone or something on the porch. I jumped up, tiptoeing to the door, pulling a weapon from my belt. I didn’t care what weapon I grabbed but was glad it was my gun.

I waited behind the door. I wanted to be in a position I could put my gun up to his or her head. The door opened slowly. Soon someone stepped and whistled softly. I took a huge breath, stepping out from behind the door and putting the safety back on my gun.

“You are super quiet. I didn’t know where you were. Good idea to be behind the door,” Manuel said, handing me back the paperwork I gave him. “It’s a copy but it looks like the original.”

I looked down at the paperwork, going through all the pages. I walked to the far corner in the treehouse and put the paperwork in my backpack. “Thank you. I can’t tell the difference,” I whispered.

“I can either cook or you can. Do you know how to use a propane stovetop?” He asked.

I nodded my head. “Yes, I had to learn to survive. I’ll cook if you want.”

“Okay. There are enough meat and ice in the tote to last a few days. May have to cook it tomorrow to keep it from spoiling. I’m going to sit on the porch and keep an eye out.”

“Thanks, Manuel, for everything. I hope the group is okay.” I was happy Manuel helped me out but I was scared for the others.

He nodded and walked outside.

I looked in the tote, putting the meat and ice in the cooler. I pulled out some potatoes and fresh spinach, along with some thyme, salt, pepper, oregano, and parsley. I had an idea of what I was going to make. I was going to cook some pork and seasoned potatoes in the same cast-iron skillet. I would have to start the meat and then the potatoes.

I picked up the deep cast-iron Dutch oven and set it on the stove, adding water from a can I found. I added onions, salt, and pepper to the pan, putting the meat into the pan. I made sure there was enough propane in the tank, there was. After turning on the propane tank, I hurried to light the burner. He had a sweet setup, with what you would see in a home that has a gas stovetop. Like I said, sweet.

After I was finished getting everything set up, I sat down on the bed. I was bored and I couldn’t peel the potatoes yet, couldn’t go back to sleep with the food on. I was on hold, something I was not used to. I had always been busy before I ran away. Training, classes on how to be a lady. I had to scoff at the thought. I didn’t want to be a lady if it meant sitting up straight at all times, being timid, letting others choose my life for me. The only thing I took away from the lessons was the cooking, survival training - the real and dangerous way. Which meant hiding from the jaguars searching for me. If I failed, I was taken to the whipping post. I guess you know what it was for. I shuddered at the thought. I excelled at weapons training and all the different forms of karate.

I was lost in my thoughts, I hadn’t heard Manuel calling to me. As soon as he touched me I had him on his knees with my blade to his throat.

Manuel threw his hands up in the I surrender pose. It took me a minute to smell his scent and let him go. “Sorry. Reflexes kicking in.”

“At least you have quick reflexes. I called you a few times but you didn’t answer,” he explained, standing up and taking a step back.

I hurried over to the Dutch oven, checking on the meat. I must have been in my head for a while now. “Did you need anything?”

“No. You were so quiet I thought you had fallen asleep.”

“Close enough, I guess. My mind is a minefield,” I told him, sitting down and peeling potatoes.

“With a monster like your grandfather, I have no doubt,” he uttered.

I chuckled. “I don’t call him grandfather anymore. My name for him is a monster.”

“Sorry to say, it fits.”

I sighed, hanging my head down a moment. “I would have parents if it wasn’t for him. I would be happy living my life here with them. I had never met the monster before I went to live with him, well, not exactly lived. No, I can’t say lived, more like survived.”

“I can only imagine what your life was like. I know he hasn’t been good around here. He kidnaps the parents of some of the teenagers to force the kids to work for him. If he doesn’t like their work ethics he kills them, dropping their bodies on the outskirts of the village. Most parents send their kids to the states with an adult. I don’t blame them,” he explained something she already knew.

“It was the same in California. I let a few of them loose, hoping they would go to the authorities. I don’t blame them for not going, the monster had the police in his pockets,” I told him, wrapping my arms across my body. It was something I did. I wondered if it was something I did to get a hug, one I couldn’t remember ever having.

Manuel changed the subject, seeing her distressed was not something he liked to see. ” He heard a noise outside. She hurried, setting herself up behind the door.

“What the he...”

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