See How She Runs (The Chronicles of Izzy #1)(41)

“Hardy har har. I am ready whenever you are. But maybe you should change first?" I asked hopefully, and also fearfully. There was no telling what he would replace his current attire with.

“What are you the fashion police? I am quite happy with my clothing choice for the day. It distracts the bad guys you know?" So that was his reasoning. Well I guess it beat insanity.

“Um, at least change the shoes. Flip flops are not conducive to mountainous hiking, you know? I am pretty sure Kennan will kill you if I have to haul your heavy butt out of the back country. In fact, I am quite sure hauling your heavy self out of the back country would kill me," I said with a giggle, to which Ian smacked my arm playfully.

“Fine, your wish, my command." He headed over to his duffel bag and pulled out his hiking boots. I was hoping to heavens he was wearing something under the kilt as he lifted his leg to put on his shoes. Thank God he had on some boxer briefs. I suppose a utility kilt did not call for the traditional commando status.

Once he had his feet properly attired, we headed to the door. Before we walked out he reached down and grabbed my face. He chanted the words that had become synonymous with safety and we headed out. We trekked the rainforest, joking the whole way. I told him how I thought the ferns were man-eaters, and he proceeded to pantomime being eaten by one of them. He struggled valiantly before the fern brought him down and ultimately took his life. It was sad really. When we stopped for lunch I finally felt like I could ask him something a little more serious.

“What was she like? My mom, I mean. I only got to know her until I was eight and that just seems like a lifetime ago. I can see the memories more clearly, but I just kind of want to know what she was like from someone else’s perspective, you know?" I asked with my eyes on the ground, afraid he might turn it into a joke.

“Your mom, well she was amazing. She was like this otherworldly creature. I have never met someone as loving or forgiving in my life. I swear, I could not rattle her at all. No one could. She was unshakeable. Even with you she was that way. She was steady and strong and the best person I have ever known. I saw you quite a lot when you were little, you know? Back before they figured out what would become of them. They would have Kennan and me over all of the time. I think your mom felt sorry for us, like she somehow had caused your father to leave us behind. So, instead, she made us part of her family. But when Kennan left, it just wasn’t the same," Ian said with a sigh as he picked at his sandwich.

“Do you think I can be as strong as her?"

“You already are. You are so much more of a fighter than she was. You get that from your dad. She was always one to take the path of least resistance. As long as it would keep the people she loved safe, she would journey into the jaws of death itself. Which was ultimately what she did. But you, you have fire Izzy. You have her goodness and her light but you have something more. You have a fierceness the likes of which I have never seen before. I pity anyone that gets in the way of what you want. You can move mountains, Little One," Ian said as he shoved his sandwich in his mouth with a nod.

“I don’t know how," I admitted weakly. It felt strange admitting to Ian something I could not even tell Kennan. I was struck with the rightness of my mother sending him once more. She might have not been a fighter, but her love shaped me even now.

“Yeah, you do. Don’t get all emo baby on me. Suck it up, set an objective and figure your shit out. No one can do it for you," Ian said with finality. How about that for a vote of confidence? But I knew he was right. I had to stop worrying about how to do it and just start working at it.

“Alright then, what should I do? I mean, I know what I would like to do, but I am not sure if it will work," I said with caution. I had not even discussed my plan with Kennan, afraid he would balk at it.

“Well, what do you have in mind Pip Squeak?"

“I am not short," I said defensively. “I was thinking that I want to take down Xavier. I know that he and Kennan are brothers, but he seems like he is a key player in the whole Corporation thing. The trick is to figure out how to get him. I can summon him in dreams, but I am not really sure how to find him yet. Then there is the other small thing. I really want to make him suffer slowly before I take him down. I know it sounds horrible and maniacal, but he does not deserve a quick fall. He deserves to feel the pain he has inflicted on thousands of others. So we should hit him where it will hurt the most, financially.”

“Mwahahaha," Ian said while rubbing his hands together. “You are a dubious thing aren’t you? Well, you ready to head on out?"

“Yep. I am ready when you are. Hey, did you happen to grab the keys to whatever vehicle we are picking up?" I asked, suddenly realizing my stupidity in not thinking of it sooner.

“Ummmmm keys," Ian said patting his pockets and making a big show of it. “You mean these?"

Utility kilts have far too many pockets.

I punched him as I passed checking the map to make sure I was still heading in the right direction and thanking God that Kennan plotted most of my escape routes to follow hiking trails. We hiked on with the same lightness that accompanied us that morning.

“I am glad you came Ian," I said, surprised by just how true the sentiment was.

“Me too kiddo. We weirdoes have to stick together," he said with a knowing look.

I shook my head at him and noticed the concealed car a few hundred yards away with a very unhappy looking Kennan leaning against it.