The Trail To Paradise

A Bumpy Ride

Before the sun crossed the horizon, the caravan was on the move. They were still staying close to the mountains. That way, if attacked, they would only have to defend on one side. They had done it before to play it safe, but it had now become necessary. It was better to expect a fight and not have one than the other way around. There were no problems as of yet.

The medical wagon had a couple cots and a few hammocks. It was a tight fit, but Grant was happier in the hammock. This path was not without obstacles. He had almost been bumped off the bed before deciding to move. Instead, while strapped in, he was rocking from side to side.

Colleen was a talented driver. It was not her fault that there was no path, but she kept the wheels from ending up being broken. Leanna sat beside her at the head of the wagon. They watched the way forward without speaking. Sandra was attempting to read a book, though Grant was not sure how she managed. When she finally realized that the Hunters were dead, she had managed to stay calm, only waking up with nightmares. The last young woman was a different animal altogether. When awake, she was barely able to keep herself together. The screaming had been at a minimum, but Grant was sure that it was out of fear. He had tried talking to her a bit, but she had only seemed able to stare at him with feral eyes. There was a person there. She just needed to be shown the way out.

There he was playing hero again. He could barely move and he was still planning how he would save everyone. Such a foolish notion.

They would have to make up some time. It was not worth traveling at night until it became necessary. Accidents happened more often during night travel. The caravan would reach the canyon by the end of the day. At least that would let them get rid of any evidence that they had had a scuffle with the Hunters. There would be plenty of time for relaxing after that.

"Colleen! When you see Tad again, can you flag him down please?"

"Sure thing, boss! Next chance I get I'll give him a holler."

He wasn't used to having others to help him, but there were a couple things that needed to be discussed.

Grant stretched out and decided to try and patiently to read himself. That lasted all of ten minutes. He was not one to be idle and he was making himself crazy with worry. He promised Jolie he would stay in bed. He had not even expected to, it just came out when they were speaking. She was worried. That much was obvious. He had known people that seemed made for the purpose of nurturing others. Jolie was definitely one of them. She would be in her own wagon now. Tending to her family. It only made sense.

Tad showed up about half an hour later. "How you holding up old friend?"

"I'm good Tad. Just worried. I wanted to go over some plans just in case."

"Grant. This isn't my first rodeo. You should be focused on healing. I promise that if things get crazy, you'll be the first one I find."

"I know, Tad. I apologize if I overstep. I'm not used to being in such a vulnerable position on a run. Being able to do anything at all distracts me from that."

"We've known each other a long time, brother. I know this ain't easy, but try to take it in stride. On top of that, the fact you got hurt saving that boy bought you some major respect points. Half this group would circle around to protect you in a crisis. Especially a certain woman we all know."

Tad chuckled. Grant knew it was just him teasing, but that was another problem. "I've got to squash those rumors as well. She's a married woman. I didn't rescue her to damage their marriage. I had only wanted to prevent her from being treated like an object. I know that's not typical, but I panicked as if I was rushing to rescue my only family."

"Don't think I don't know that. Hell, she does too. She knows it's irrational and most likely due to the extreme emotions of the moment. You can see it all over her face. That's why there's talk. If it keeps the people content, let them gossip. Let me get back out here. Gotta watch the horizon. In a couple more days you should be safe to get around. No one wants you to tear open that wound and bleed out. Then, we can work on how to make up for lost time. Until that happens. Rest." Tad tipped his hat and headed back to work.

Grant laid back to stare at the ceiling. He knew Tad was right. There was no reason why he couldn't take a couple days off. Getting into combat had set him on high alert. He'd never heal if he didn't rest.

"Do you… really… protect?"

It took a moment to register that there was a voice near him. Speaking in almost a whisper. He looked around but didn't notice any movement. "Must be hearing things." The thought of saying that out loud was more for him to balance himself than anything else, so he returned to his inner debate.

A throat cleared below him. "I'm sorry... I don't talk much.., but you're hearing… me."

Looking down, he took in a sight that startled him. A pair of bright green eyes was were looking back unblinking. He about fell out of the hammock, but caught himself and realized it was not a ghost. It was the young woman that they'd thought had to be mute. "Holy s**t balls in a bee hive! I think I just lost ten years of my life. Sorry I jumped. I was pretty deep in thought"

The girl had almost retreated. Her voice was growing a bit more full. As if she was learning to use it again. "I… not mean to frighten. I'm scared. Really. The Hunters. They don't care. We aren't… people in their eyes. We're livestock… only used at leisure."

"I'm well aware of how disgusting they are. The group had become something malignant since the new ruler took over."

"They are… evil. Glad they are dead." Hate flashed in her eyes. Her treatment was written in the tears welling up in the corner of her eyes.

Grant knew he would need to be careful. There was no way to be positive that she still maintained any level of self-control. "Did you lose your family out here?"

The girl was an emotional wreck. There didn't seem a way to read the depth of her hurt. "Dad. They killed him. He tried to protect us. Mom. She was with me. They got rough. She died a few weeks ago. My two sisters were sold… my baby brother had a fever… they threw him in a river. I'm the only one... the only one... I'm alone..." Her sobs became rapid gasping cries as the young girl started to hide under her pile of blankets on the floor.

"Wait, girl. What's your name? I'm Grant. I'll be here when you want to talk."

The downpour stopped for a moment while she thought. "I'm called… Fiori..." She covered up and made no more attempts at conversation.