The Path One Follows

The Blood Of Brothers

Grant took a moment to reflect. He hadn't told anyone about this in a long time. Jolie sat quietly, stupified at the story.

"Grant, I would've never guessed at all. That's already so much. Are you sure you want to tell it all?"

"I've held it all in for so long. In the short time I've known you, I've developed some real feelings. Things I never thought I could hope for again. I want to make sure you know the man you're interested in. I'm also hoping that none of this changes your mind. "

Sitting beside her, he continued.

"The rest of my boys got there quick as lightning. By the next day, we were ready to take Flint into custody. I can't even begin to describe the horrors we came across. Women in cages. Girls too. The younger boys they'd make fight each other in a colosseum looking pigpen. They were all malnourished. There wasn't a man there that wasn't with Flint. The only other men that had been in the camp were mutilated and deceased. They looked as if they'd been killed for fun. We managed to take most into custody. Flint and a couple others escaped. A few were killed on both sides. When we returned to the Capitol, I reported to the newly appointed Arms Commander, Angus. I handed over the captives and decided to head home. After all that, I needed to see my family again."

Grant's eyes glistened as he continued on.

"When I made it home, Flint was there. He'd shot and killed my children. Left their bodies out in the yard. I went into a rage. I busted into my house to find that they'd violated my wife. She was left in the bed. Eyes dead. As if they'd completely broken her. I took care of Flint's men. They'd never seen me lose control like that before. I turned into an animal. Flint fired at me and missed. I shot him as he ran. I could've sworn I hit his vitals. I ran back in to check on my wife. Flint hadn't missed after all. I brought them all inside. Tad showed up as soon as he heard something was up. He knew me well enough to know I didn't plan on surviving my family by much. He took me in and I got lost in the bottle for a long time. I later found out that they'd pardoned Flint's men. Told them to keep up the good work. The Arms Commander had different ideas at how to run the Hunters. I quit the same day. I stayed in an old shack on the outskirts of a forest near Tad's of place. Drank about four years of my life away. Tad convinced me to sober up and asked if I'd be willing to join some resistance group he'd found. They were helping people. After his own family was taken out as well, a fire lit somewhere inside him. It's hard to say no to Tad when he gets like that. We helped people escape. I was still reckless. I wanted death, but I wanted to save other families. I traveled, but refused to interact with anyone. I didn't want to get close. That would be when you're path crossed with mine.A tagalong that was ready for the fighting part of the adventure.

"Grant.... that's so much. I don't know how you were able to survive it. I keep wondering what I'll do if we can't find Junior. I'm scared to death I'm gonna lose him too."

"I'm gonna find him and bring him back to you no matter what state he's in. "

"If I were gonna have faith in anyone, it would be you, Grant. Is this wrong? Did we jump in too fast? Did I cause all of this?"

The tears were undeniable.

"You can't blame yourself like that. I think you'd have been ready to leave Frank either way. You settled for someone who could never see the amazing woman you truly are. I never meant to be so smitten, but after I assisted you in the cave, i was afraid you'd break. You got back up and fought. You earned my admiration from the moment you took up that shotgun. There's no rush. Crazy as it seems, I'll stand by you through all of this. I'm still gonna have some rough days, but they seem a lot less dark when I think about you staying close to me. "

They held each other as if the rest of the world had ceased to exist. There was a calming feeling that seemed out of place within all the turmoil, but for that moment, they both had peace.

The moment was cut short by something in the bushes. Using hand signals, Grant flashed that he'd go one way and she the other. It might be supper. Could be an intruder.

Grant and Jolie both got the jump on the possible assailant. Pointing their guns. they barely stopped themselves when they noticed that it was a young girl.

"Fiori! What in the hell are you doing here???"

The young girl looked up at him wtth fearful eyes. It mostly had to do with the fact he'd forgotten where his gun was pointed.

"I don't think I can handle anymore surprises today! Why aren't you with the wagons?"

"I'm sorry, Mister Grant. Fiori was so scared at you leaving. Fiori was alone. Those men..... they were after us. Fiori couldn't......"

Grant knew what she meant. There was no way she could be their captive again. With the damage they'd already done it was a wonder she wasn't completely cracked. Grant seemed to be some kind of protector in her eyes.

"How is she here? When did she start talking? Am I losing my mind?"

Jolie was just as confused.

"Let's just sit a spell. Jolie, this is Fiori. I know you hadn't been properly introduced. I think we bonded while I was trying to recover in the med tent. Fiori, this is Jolie. I'm sure you remember her. She made the food that I shared with you."

"Oh yeah. The pretty lady. Sorry. Fiori only saw guns at first. You're a good cook, Miss ma'am."

Grant was amused.

"Well at least you're starting to talk a little better. Now, how did you get here?"

"Fiori followed right after. They didn't notice. Fiori stayed hidden, mostly, so they didn't look. It wasn't an easy trip. The Hunters found my horse and took it. Fiori was sleeping in a tree. They don't look there. Had to walk the rest of the way. Fiori just glad you're here. Safe. Only safe with you. You're my new Papa!"

Grant and Jolie looked at each other. What could he even say to that? He had debated that very notion, but surely she had other family.

"Fiori, I'm flattered, but what if your family looks for you?"

"No one is coming. The Hunters only took me and Mama. They didn't have use for the others. Then Mama..... Fiori is alone."

"I'll tell you what. You stuck with me for now and we'll see what happens, but when I leave you somewhere to do some tracking, please don't surprise me like this again. I almost choked on air. "

"That's silly, Papa. Fiori will never let you be hurt. Ever again."

The girl patted a knife that was strapped around her waist. It seemed there might be something broken after all.

"Now that you two have adopted one another, we need to get going. I'm not sure which direction we need to go to find Junior. There's gotta be tracks."

Jolie was both concerned and smiling. She was right though. They didn't have time to waste.

"No problems Miss nice lady ma'am. A man took the boy. They were headed south. Fiori didn't have a horse or would've gone after him."

Grant thought Jolie had looked shocked before. The emotions warring on her face were complicated to read.

"That means he's alive! Oh Fiori! You sweet little blessed girl you! Let's go, Grant! We gotta catch them!"

They all moved hurriedly. Grant and Fiori hopped up on the wagon while Jolie led the way with his horse.

"Looks like we aren't resting now. Fiori, I'm glad nothing bad happened to you. You've brightened Jolie's day."

"Of course, Papa. Fiori is glad to help. Especially if she's gonna be my new Mama."

The girl just smiled, humming to herself.