Days of Darkness

Chapter 16

He's mine," Natalie coughed with struggled humor, "find your own."

"We have to leave," I said, helping Natalie up off the floor, "we can take you with us," I jerked my head toward the unconscious man, "or you can stay, maybe call the police." Betty looked at the man on the ground and then at Teegan who was smiling as usual.

"It will take me about a minute to pack," Betty said, "everything I own will fit in a duffle. There are things I need to do." Betty smiled at Teegan's enthusiasm, "Lots and lots to do."

"Let's get these two in the car," I said, "and we get the hell out of here."

I laid Natalie down in the backseat and tried to make her comfortable. "You did good, baby," I said, kissing her sleepy lips. She smiled weakly and murmured something I could only guess at. Her eyes closed and I knew she was fast asleep. Teegan had serious kickback when she was used aggressively. I winced when I stood back up, my guts hurting like they wished to no longer be next to each other. I walked around the car and took Teegan from Betty and deftly buckled her into the car seat.

"I'll be right back," Betty said and practically ran back to the office. I sat on the edge of the backseat looking at my sleeping love as I absently played with Teegan. I loved her. She would have killed that asshole to stop him, but my words broke through and ended it. I wondered if she felt the same thing when I had taken out the two goons.

Is it love or you?" I asked Teegan. She laughed at my words and reached out like she wanted me to lift her out of the seat. I smiled and played with sock covered feet. "It's love," I admitted to her, "you just cut through all the crap." I bent down and kissed her little toes. Teegan found it especially ticklish and tried to retract her feet in a fit of laughter. We played a little game of tug-of-war until Betty returned with the aforementioned military green duffle filled to the top. I crammed it into the trunk with our other stuff, and we headed out.

"Who is she," Betty asked, turning her head to look at Teegan.

"She's Stinky," I said with as much humor as I could muster. "Actually, we call her Teegan now. And we have no idea who she is. We appointed ourselves as de facto parents."

"She sure loves you," Betty said with a grin. My first thought was Natalie, but somehow I knew she meant Teegan. "She showed me things. I was so weak to stay with that bastard Gerard. I have no idea when I lost myself, but she showed me my strength. Does she do that for everyone?"

"To be honest," I replied, "we don't know. Natalie said it was alright to show you, but I have no idea what would happen if someone like Gerard got a hold of her. We're not even sure if it is safe to bond with her. It's a risk," I turned my eyes from the road and looked at Betty for a second, "a risk worth taking in your case."

I did the best I could, explaining what had transpired to Betty. I left out some details, such as names, to protect those that helped. I had no idea how far the government, or other interested entities, might go and it would best if our friends were protected.

"So that Bruce Lee thing that Natalie did. That's all Teegan?" Betty asked.

"Yep. It takes a toll on you, though," I explained, "Aggression, or forcing things, drains you pretty quickly."

"But it doesn't effect Teegan?"

"Not that we can tell," I replied, "we're not even sure she's aware of any of it." At least, I hoped not. I had some pretty vivid visions of Natalie that a child should never share. "We've never even seen her cry," I chuckled, "food is the only thing that distracts her from her happiness. She's like an eating machine when she gets started."

"Well, whatever she does," Betty added, "it is something special. It's like instant therapy. One minute life sucks and the next, the sun is shining, and the future has vivid color." I smiled at her analogy. It is a very difficult thing to describe.

"Perfect thought," I murmured as I nodded my head.

"That's exactly it," Betty agreed with a smile, "and it's like I know you two. I mean, I trust you and Natalie. You've become important all in one magic moment."

"Yep," I said, "she does that to you. Not sure I would trust me, but since she does, others do." Betty laughed a warm, soft laugh, almost like we were best friends. I remembered Charlie, the first person who bonded with Teegan after me. He too had total trust. I wondered if Teegan made me trustworthy or I just never had cause to exercise it in the past.

"Has she told you?" Betty smiled slyly as she asked.

"Who? Teegan?"

"No. Natalie," she replied like I was a little slow.

"Tell me what? That she trusts me?" Betty laughed that warm laugh again. Somehow it made her more open and friendly. I couldn't imagine how she ended up with Gerrard.

"Are you really that dense?" Betty asked. It was done sweetly and without real acquisition. It was kind of fun to verbally spar with her. I didn't feel as outmatched.

"No," I answered with a knowing smile, "and I haven't told her either. I think we both know it though."

"Think and know are two different things," Betty continued, "the words are important, and she did just save your life." I laughed again, which reminded me of my sore diaphragm. Gerrard did have quite a punch.

"We're one for one on that count."

"You're more than good enough for her, you know," Betty said, losing her smile. I looked back at Teegan in her car seat. She smiled at me once she noticed my attention. The little nark says to much sometimes.

"Sometimes Teegan shows too much," I said with a small thread of where-can-I-hide.

"Sorry," Betty said, "I have a tendency to say too much. It's just that I know how Natalie sees you and I don't want you to blow it." I looked over expecting to see a grimace, but saw a large smile instead. She was both informing and teasing me. I smiled back, so she knew that I knew she was toying with me.

"Thank you," I chuckled. It was good information to have and delivered in a less than insulting way.

It took us a little over two hours to near Bismarck. Natalie was still sound asleep as expected. I learned about Betty's past as we traveled. She had been in the Army for three years. She worked as a diesel mechanic, pulling one tour in Afghanistan. It turned out that Gerrard was her sergeant when she returned to Fort Leonard Wood after her overseas tour. They both left service at the same time, Betty following Gerrard since he had inherited the motel from his divorced father. She had grown up in North Dakota, so it made some sense.

"It seemed like a good idea at the time," Betty said, as she brought me up to the present.

"We'll I'm glad we picked that motel, for your sake," I said, watching the road signs.

"My uncle has a cabin near here," Betty commented, looking at the same signs as I was. "He'd rent it to you on my recommendation. It's not like he has a lot of takers this time of year."

"How big?"

"Kitchen, great room, two bedrooms and one bath," she looked around the car, "it's not like you have a lot of stuff."

"Fireplace?"

"Yes, a big woodburning one," Betty smiled, "he will charge you for wood used, but utilities will be included." I wasn't going to tell her that the fireplace sold the idea. My fantasy of staying warm with Natalie had found a permanent home in my mind.

"Sounds wonderful," I said, "how much?"

"I'll find out," Betty replied as she pulled out her phone. I peeked back at Teegan, her smile as lively as ever. I wondered if meeting Betty was fate or design. The coincidences were piling up, meeting exactly the right people at the right time. Granted, Tom was by choice, but Charlie, Rose, Natalie and Betty all seemed too perfect.

"Uncle Dave says 750 a month plus 150 per cord," Betty said, "two months upfront."

"What's a cord?" I asked.

"About 4 x 8 feet of wood," Betty said, "it's got an electric furnace, so you only burn for the ambiance." There would be a fire, that much I knew. Lots and lots of fires.

"Let's take a look," I said, "if it's all you say, will take it."

"Take the exit right after we cross the Missouri, heading North."

The cabin was perfect for two people and one baby who wanted to hide. It was nestled in old growth forest, but only thirty minutes from Bismarck proper. Uncle Dave was an older gentleman missing most of his hair. I could see he was ecstatic that someone was interested in the cabin. I rented the place for cash, a handshake, and a promise to sign a lease when we had a chance. He piggybacked on Betty's trust without a thought. An ideal arrangement as far as I was concerned. I hoped Natalie would agree since I just sunk the bulk of our cash into the place.

"You'll need to stock up," Dave said after our agreement, "when it snows out here, it can be a few days before the plows dig you out." He showed me how the well worked and suggested we pick up some bottled water as well. I assumed the well water had a heavy flavor. The wood was piled high in one-half of a carport that was built for two vehicles. "There's some neighbors down the road, about half a mile. The Smyth's are good people and will help if you run into a problem." He handed the keys over and gave his niece a kiss on her cheek before he left us there.