In Town

I smiled and nodded "Oh, yeah. That's me."

"Damn. I haven't seen him in a good 20 years. Not since we all left. How is he and your mom?" I asked as Jason went to go find the guy's wife.

I shook my head "He's in prison, I just got out a few years ago. But her and Collin are still in five." I said "I got into it with some Peacekeepers. There was this girl I used to pick at a a lot as a teenager but I caught them trying to hurt her one day after school." I laughed to myself a little "Then I married her."

I chuckled. "Sounds like Ross when he met Rocky. You guys been traveling long? I'm sure you must be starving."



I was still leaning against the tree when the man came through. I stood up, my hand covering my belly, and took a step back. "Who are you?" I asked and winced when I felt a pain in my stomach.

"About three weeks now, it's been pretty rough."


"It's alright I'm Jason. Your husband Preston sent me out here to get you." I said "I'm unarmed, not here to hurt you. Let me help you back and we can get you some food and a warm bed."

"Yeah I can imagine, with a toddler and a pregnant wife. Are you hungry buddy?" I asked and Aiden nodded. "Well we're gonna get you something to eat."



I nodded and started toward him when I felt another cramping pain. "You... you wouldn't happen to have a doctor would you?"

"Thanks Jack, I appreciate it."


"Yeah...oh shit. Are you going into labor? Should I get your husband?"

"Not a problem. You guys have had a long trip. Why don't I show you what houses are available so you can get yourselves comfortable, then I'll show you to the Mess Hall. We can get you guys something to eat and get you some supplies for your place."



I nodded. "Yeah... yeah I... I think so," I said and leaned against a tree, crying out as another pain hit.

"No time." I said and picked her up into my arms, carrying her back to the camp. I was trying to hurry and be safe with her all at the same time.


I was about to follow him when the other guy came barreling through with Katy in his arms "Katy! Shit, what's wrong?"

"Baby... baby's coming," I panted out.

"Come on, we have a doctor here. I'll take you to her." I told him as we headed to the Infirmary.

I had just delivered some fur blankets that Sky and I had made to the infirmary for the newcomers. I was walking back through the small town when I seen someone emerge from the woods carrying another person. It was hard to see in the night but As I got closer I seen that it was Winter being carried by some stranger. I pulled my hunting knife from my side "Winter!" I ran over and glared up at the boy "Who the hell are you? What happened?" I demanded as I seen the blood.

"I'm fine Mom. It was... it was just an accident. This is Lane, he's a friend. He didn't do this to me, I promise. Lane you can put me down, I can walk."

I put her down carefully but she lost her balance and wasn't stable enough. Her Mom and I caught her in time before she fell.


"Help me get her home and then I want to know who did this."

"Damnit, I didn't know I hurt my ankle," I said and sighed. "Please don't take me home. Please... I don't want Dad to see me like this," I said softly, blinking back tears again. "It doesn't matter who did this. I don't want to stir up trouble. I don't want anyone else to get hurt. We've all lost too many already."

"How do you expect to hide a bruised face and sprained ankle from your Dad? I've been with him since I fifteen years old, you can't hide things from him. He always knows."

"I know, just... not yet okay? And please... make him promise not to kill anyone okay?"

I started heading home as the boy followed me, carrying Winter. "You also have your brother, cousins, Brayden, and Sky to consider." I sighed "I can't make promises, I'm sorry."

"I know you can't, but you know Dad is. Especially about us."

"I'll do my best." I said knowing that she hadn't seen anything yet. Brady was going to lose it but my blood was boiling deep down. How dare some son of a bitch rough up my daughter.

I was coming out of the Mess Hall after taking more fire wood in there when I saw Dove, Winter behind her in the arms of some guy. "What the fuck?" I said and took off over there, halting when I saw her face. "What the FUCK happened? And who the FUCK are you?" I growled out, seeing red.

Fan-fucking-tastic "Brady, just listen. Please? We need to get her home first but...Winter said he didn't do it."

"That is not what I fucking asked," I said, not taking my eyes off the douche bag. "Who the fuck are you. And who the fuck did this. If you value your life you will answer me right now."



"Daddy this is Lane, he didn't do this. He helped me home, but he did not do this. He's a great guy dad."



"So who. Did. This. I will not ask again."

"It was Carlisle." I answered, still holding Winter "He told Winter it was an accident but I wasn't there when it happened. He had some of the others detain me."

"It was an accident, he told me to leave camp and I didn't right away and... he... made me..." I said, shrinking back a little from the look in dad's eyes, subconsciously putting my hand over my upper arm.



"Made you how?" I asked, my voice low. I moved her hand out of the way and almost growled at the bruise there. "That son of a bitch is dead," I said and took off into the woods.