Page 59 of Before the Bond
Donovan, in the distance, pointed in one direction.
"The north trail cuts too close to the boundary line," he said. "Don't use it after dark."
"Okay."
"The path behind the woodstore loops back to the kitchen door. If you need to move fast, that's the fastest route."
“Got it.”
He continued. I kept note of everything while keeping an eye on whatever else was happening.
I'd gotten a look at the medical tent earlier. A medical bed was in there, though it was made of old metal rather than the thicker plastic models more common in hospitals. No doubt to not easily get destroyed.
I didn’t know where they got the crash cart, but it was most likely from some of the Ashwoods' other contacts. Maureen let me take a quick inventory check just in case.
To my surprise, I couldn’t find Caleb. I realized the last time I'd seen him was very early in the morning. I didn’t even see him for coffee.
“He’s on patrol,” a voice said from behind.
I turned around. It was Stella.
“Stella!” I exclaimed.
Stella hugged me before I could hug her.
“Before you say anything,” she said. She spoke fast. “Yes, I did meet you because the Ashwoods assigned me. Yes, I feltsuper, super bad that I couldn’t tell you the truth. No, I don’t regret it because you’re an amazing person and if it meant being friends with you, I would happily do it again.”
I laughed and hugged Stella back. “I know,” I said. “I don’t regret meeting you either.”
Stella let go and let out a sigh of relief. “Good.”
“So, are you here for Jake’s shift?”
Stella nodded. “Have to show my pack support,” she said. “Even if it means being around certain people.”
I smiled. I knew exactly who she meant.
Stella produced a bottle from under her arm. "For after," she said, holding it up. "Assuming we're all upright."
"Comforting."
She grinned and set it on the outdoor table.
"After tonight," she said into my shoulder, "We are going to The Blackwater Tap again. And this time, I’m making you the most aggressive drink possible."
"I want something with an umbrella."
"Done."
Everyone moved closer to the clearing near the edge of the estate as the moon rose.
The fog sat low over the grass, rolling over itself and the foundations of the estate.
In the darkness, I could see the medical tent. Its emergency lights glared at us from a distance. If Jake collapsed after the shift, we needed to make sure he could get there as soon as possible.
Jake stood at the center of the clearing, looking younger than I'd ever seen him. I'd adjusted his pain protocol twice in the last hour. It wasn’t enough.
Someone moved next to me.
