Moth(52)

We work side by side, sometimes joking, but mainly staying focused on the task. “How long do you think we can stay here?” Nina asks me a question and when she does I don’t know how to respond.

“Why? How long do you think you need to figure out what to do next?”

She shrugs and rubs both hands on her thighs. “I don’t know, Moth. The people who are coming after me aren’t going to disappear. The only way to survive this is to stay hidden. That’s why I didn’t want you involved. It’s why I can’t give you details. The less you know the better.” She turns away, her mouth twisting as she fights to keep it together. When she speaks again her voice is strained. “It’s my fault for letting you into my life. I’ve been alone for so long that when you gave me the least bit of attention I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to remember what it was like to be with someone. I’m so sorry. You don’t deserve any of this.” I sit my rag down and scoot over to be next to her. She leans her head against the side of me, my arm comes up to hold her close. “I like the way it feels when you’re with me,” she manages to say through sobs.

I bring my lips to the top of her head and leave them there after I’ve kissed her. “If I wanted to leave I’d walk out the damn door. Don’t you think if that was going to happen it would have been when you told me you were lying to me about who you were? I’m still here, because I want to be.”

“You’re just a nice guy who doesn’t know any better. If something happens to you I’ll never…”

“Don’t. Don’t even go there. We’re safe. We can’t be tracked down anymore. I made sure of it. We’re in the middle of nowhere at a cabin that doesn’t have an actual address. As long as we stay here you’ll be protected. Need be, I’ll break out the rifles and sit on the front porch to make sure no one gets to you.”

I hear her sniffle and then try to laugh. It comes out air-filled, but at least I’ve managed to get my point across. Her safety is my priority. The investigation is ongoing, and as long as she’s with me I know I’ll get my answers.

“What about school? I can’t ask you to miss classes.”

“Yeah, don’t worry about it. I’m sure I can make them up next semester.”

“You’re crazy, you know that? I never thought a chance encounter would bring us here together.”

“Yeah.” I clench my jaw to keep my emotions at bay. If she ever found out this was all set up she’d never be able to see past the lie. “Thanks to a piece of shit truck.”

It takes Nina a few more minutes to settle down. It’s understandable that she’s emotional. If I were in her position, I don’t know how I’d handle fearing for my life. She’s actually being pretty tough, or she’s just really good at keeping her feelings at bay.

We get back to work cleaning, first wiping everything down, including the old battered hardwood floors. We take out the area rug and toss it on the deck. It’s too full of dust to put back in the clean space. When we put the mattress back on I locate a set of sheets kept clean in a sealed container. People do this for several reasons; bugs, moisture prevention, and dry rotting from temperature changes. I’m just glad we have something to work with.

The yellow sheets were probably from one of the guy’s homes. They have faded flowers scattered all over them, and I can tell Nina finds them to be hideous. Her lips are curled up as we straighten the top sheet before I place the blanket I’ve brought over it. She flops down with her arms above her head. “Well that was a lot of work.”

She’s right, but well worth the energy. The room looks nothing like the rest of the house. “I’m surprised that thick layer of dust protected everything the way it did. The dresser and bed look brand new aside from years of wear and tear. It adds a rustic look, don’t you think?”

She snarls and rolls over to glare up at me. “Do you always look to the bright side of things?”

I open my mouth to answer and realize something I haven’t been able to notice before. Up until now I’ve never seen the good in things. I’m always searching for the hidden, the bad, and the ugly. This optimism is new and all because of her. “Being positive is how you stay on top of the game.”

She sits up and shakes her head. “You must have lived a sheltered life to feel that way. The things I’ve seen, the stuff I’ve experienced, there’s no way I could ever look forward to something.”

“What about food? Would you look forward to some nice hot food?”

Her hand travels to her stomach. She rubs it as she speaks. “That would cure the pains of starvation, so yes.”

I extend my hand for her to take. “Come on. Let’s run into town and visit that country store. I want to grab a couple things, and they usually have some prepared food for sale. They might be closed, but I’m hoping we’ll get lucky. If not I’m prepared to hold a pot of beans over the fire tonight.”

“Hell yeah. Let’s go.”

I can tell she’s proud of what we’ve accomplished when she leaves the room but looks back to see the progress we made. In all honesty, it’s probably the cleanest the room has ever been. I won’t have any problem closing my eyes in there.

Before we head down the dilapidated dirt lane, I gather an old propane tank to trade for a new one and an empty gas can I can fill for the generator. It’ll be great to have power and running water. I’ve considered waiting, but given the chance the store is still open, I’m going to take advantage of the amenities.