See How She Runs (The Chronicles of Izzy #1)(28)

Alright, distance and no friendship. This was just going to be a barrel of laughs. Not that saving the world and taking down evil corporations should be fun, but the heroine should at least have some perks. Maybe a bat cave, or some shiny weapons. Instead I got the Olympic Wilderness and a bipolar sensei. I would have to make the best of it, just like my mom taught me.

We continued the day’s hike with small talk every now and again. We passed most of the time by discussing the surrounding wilderness and things that it contained that would help my escape. As we exited the backcountry, the sun was beginning to set once more. Once we reached the lodge, Kennan pulled some keys out of his pocket. He walked up to a vehicle parked in the darkest corner of the lot and got in. I followed, hoping that we weren’t stealing some unsuspecting tourists only means of mobility.

We traveled south on 101 for a while before turning off on a familiar gravel road. He parked the car where the SUV was resting. I finally asked about the current car we were traveling in.

“So, how many cars do you have, big guy?" I was hoping for brevity, but I just ended up sounding tired instead.

“There is a car parked at each one of the escape routes. Once you hike out you will find a car waiting for you. I will give you a set of keys."

We climbed out of the car, and he set about camouflaging it like the SUV. Then we headed back into the woods once more. I was hoping all the while that he would take the short route. Now that the adrenaline of my anger had worn off, I was struck by how much pain I was in. My feet were killing me and all I wanted to do was sleep in a comfortable bed. All of my muscles simultaneously screamed out in a seemingly unionized protest.

By the time we reached the cabin, full dark had set in. We walked through the door and Kennan headed to the fireplace to get it going. I plopped down on the couch with my backpack still attached like a symbiotic organism.

“Man, my dogs are barking," I said as I lay there, every muscle in my body giving up simultaneously.

Kennan moved towards my feet to take off my shoes. I didn’t argue, considering my arms quit working around the same time my leg muscles decided to atrophy. He pulled my shoes off to reveal socks tinged a red color. I was pretty sure I had not put on tie dyed socks that morning. He started to peel my socks away from my feet and I winced.

“Why didn’t you say anything about your feet, Izzy?" he reprimanded as he tried to gently pry my socks the rest of the way off. I looked down to my ruined feet and felt the blood rush out of my face.

“I knew they were hurting, but I also knew we couldn’t stop, that we needed to get out of there today. So I just sucked it up and trudged on. They aren’t that bad, are they?" I asked hopefully, not wanting to look at them again.

“Next time, if you are hurting, you say something. This could have been prevented." He looked at me, anger and concern etched on his face. Even I had to admit the stupidity in my actions.

I nodded as he moved away toward the bathroom bringing back a washcloth and a basin of water. I also noticed he was carrying a jar of some sort of salve along with bandages. He set about working on my feet as I lay there basking in my own stupidity.

“What is that?" I asked as he set about opening the jar and smearing the cream on the worst of my injuries. “Ack, that stuff smells horrible. Seriously, what is it?" I asked as I wrinkled my nose.

“It is a herbal remedy. Old healers used to use it. The salve will speed up your healing process three fold. You will be able to hike again in four days. Without this, you would have been out for at least a week if not more. Next time, you don’t keep hiking if it hurts. Next time, you speak up. Are we understood?" he asked so clinically it set my teeth on edge.

“Yeah, I understand. I can put the bandages on you know. I don’t need you to take care of me. I am perfectly capable of handling myself, this incident of stupidity aside. Besides, don’t I need to build calluses or something like that? All of the hiking stuff I have read talks about how calluses will prevent future blisters, and the quickest way to get calluses is from blistering." I felt quite inflated only to be brought right back down.

“Yeah, blisters help, but only if they have not burst. I am perfectly aware that you can take care of yourself. Just shut up and let me do this. I should have noticed you were hurting and had I not been such an ass to you, I would have. You would not have kept it from me," he sighed as he set about bandaging my poor feet.

After he had finished his task, I started to get up from the couch and head toward my room to dump my stuff. I had to try three times to get up before Kennan felt pity and gave me a hand. I hobbled to my room, not looking back, and dropped my stuff. I dug some clothes out of my drawer and headed to the bathroom to wash up more. The river water had not done much in the way of hygiene. When I finished I headed back out into the living room to hear Kennan snickering at me.

I glared toward him with the most severe and intimidating look I could muster, only causing him to laugh harder. Once again, his mood swinging so violently I was starting to get seasick. I looked at him and continued to hobble my dirty things to my room. Kennan laughed all of the while. I dropped my stuff in my room and turned toward him.

“What is so funny? Do find my misfortune amusing?"

“No, you just sort of look like a penguin the way you are wobbling around here. Sit down and I will bring you something to eat. And try not to pull any muscles in your face with that expression.”