Hunting Sawyer

Refuge

It was about ten in the morning on a Friday. As I walked home with my baseball cap pulled low over my eyes and the hood of my jacket flipped up over it, I kept a brisk pace back toward my sanctuary of the little room at the bar. About a block away, I slowed my pace when I heard raised voices up ahead.

I was passing by a dingy café, and instinctively sat at one of the outdoor tables, grabbing a newspaper someone had neglected on the iron tabletop. I pretended to flip through the pages as I adjusted the way I was sitting to look more masculine, hidden behind my cap, men’s oversized sweatshirt and baggy pants.

It was Blake’s men. And they had Joe…

“Where is she?!” One of them demanded. It was the dark haired guy again with the scar across his eye. He had new gashes, sickly and red, decorating his forearms.

The jab he sent into Joe’s ribs almost made me cry out, but I halted when I saw Joe was going to speak. He barely ever spoke. So when he did…you listened.

“I told you, dipshit. She skipped town over a week ago.”

“Then why is her scent all over your bar? Don’t take us for damn fools old man.” Joe’s brows pinched together and he grimaced from the pain.

“I told her I’d hold onto her stuff until she finds her way back. I’m just storing it for her. She paid me to keep it safe.” He gritted out, his worn burled hand gripping his side and trying not to punch a dent in the car they had him pressed on, cheek to the hood.

I couldn’t show myself now. If I did, they’d kill him. Before they killed me.

“Check it.” The asshole barked at one of the other henchmen and he went stalking back toward the bar. Welp, so much for all my s**t.

I folded the paper calmly before placing it back on the table and stood, turning in the opposite direction and throwing my worn backpack over my shoulder. I slowly walked the away from everything I knew and loved. When the waiter came out to see if I wanted to order anything, I just shook my head and kept my head down.

I could hear them release Joe and him swear before dusting the dirt off his t-shirt. I could almost feel him look in my direction and his plea of ‘don’t turn around’ was almost ringing in my ears. So, I walked with a purpose, trying to put distance between me and the cronies. But thankfully, Blake wasn’t here. If he was, I’m sure he would pick me out of the sparse crowd without any trouble.

When I heard the raised voices shouting over the street again, I felt my heartrate start pounding and I couldn’t help but wrap my hand over my small belly hidden by the baggy sweatshirt. I swear, again, I could feel him press up against my hand. My son.

When the voices were barking orders at one another, I went into fight or flight mode, dipping down the nearest alley and ramming myself into the closest unlocked door. A small bell chimed overhead, and I pressed my body into the nearest corner, away from the windows, trying to settle my blood pressure. I swear anyone within a mile radius could hear my heart beating in my chest.

“DO YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT?” A female voice barked from somewhere in the back, causing me to nearly leap out of my skin.

A salon. I’d rolled into a salon, somehow. The last place you’d find someone like me. Shampoos and styling products neatly stacked on dusty shelves all along the wall. My throat had run dry. I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. But the adrenaline was a little delayed and I was practically shaking from the close call. f**k. I hoped Joe was okay.

“Helloooo!? I asked if you had an appointment!” The woman bellowed again as she swept into the front lobby area, drying her hands on a faded purple towel. She was gorgeous. An older woman with shiny black ringlet curls and perfectly styled makeup. She folded her towel and draped it over her shoulder, her sculpted brows pinched together as she took in the shady misfit huddling in the corner of her lobby.

“I’m so sorry,” I managed to whisper. “I don’t have an appointment. I just needed a place to …. hide ….for a moment and I’ll be on my way. Please. If you don’t mind.” I tried to keep the shake out of my voice. But I could hear the heavy footsteps as the cronies reunited again, right at the entrance to the alley.

The woman stayed quiet, watching my reaction to the deep voices not far outside her shop.

“Two others confirmed it. She skipped town. Pack up. We’re going to check the next few towns over. Curt, you’re to circle back here and check on the old man every couple of days. Tony, Gerard, Jerry- head back to the alpha with a status report. It sounds like he needs back-up on the field and things have turned ugly out there.”

“Yes, Beta.” They all chanted back. Was this some type of cult?

I took a deep breath. At least Joe bought me some time. I was almost shocked to see the woman still watching me intently. But she was studying me, curious.

“So, you’re the one Joe’s been fawning over.” She studied me. “It’s not often that grisly bear goes soft, actually caring for somebody.” I didn’t answer, just watching to make sure the massive men were really disappearing out of sight. “What’s your name, Child?”

“I’m not a child. But my name is Sawyer Cadieux.”

“Hmmm… Molly and Marcus’s girl?” The pain in my eyes must have shone through as they snapped back to her. It wasn’t often folks in this small town spoke of ones who had passed on. Afraid those that had been taken by this mysterious force would somehow curse them into the same fate. So, I just nodded my head, confirming her suspicions. “Well, come on ‘Sawyer Cadieux’. Let’s get to work.”

I couldn’t help the confusion radiating off me. She rolled her eyes and motioned me back to the back.