off to sleep.
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----
Chapter 4
Wednesday, 5:30 a.m.
The sound of birdsong awoke Erik from his sleep. He lifted his head to see the time on his alarm clock read 5:30. Erik sat up, knowing he just had time to stretch, shower, and gather his gear before he had to be at the Hopedale Town Forest gate. He looked through his bedroom door over at Shanda who was still fast asleep on his futon in the living room.
Erik stretched his muscles methodically and then stepped into his small shower stall. He set the water for as hot as he could withstand it, causing his blood to more freely circulate into his tissues. He quickly washed and stepped out of the shower. He towel-dried his long hair, and quickly ran a brush through the black locks.
Erik paused and stared at his own reflection. Was Shanda right? He wondered: Did he wear a mask as she claimed? She had made a convincing argument and she had gotten in. No, he amended, he chose to let her in, and once she was in, he couldn't stop his mind from revealing everything that he was to her. She, in turn, allowed him to see deep inside her. She looked deeper into his being than anyone else ever had before. She saw what he was, truly, and she still accepted him for all his internal issues.
Only two telepaths could accomplish what they achieved last night. He focused his ability for a moment and called up the memories she imbedded upon his mind. She had placed her memories into his mind, to be there forever. It was the most intimate gift that one person could give another.
Erik quietly crept back into his room and slipped into his camo hunting pants and black T-shirt. He went into the living room and picked up his guns from the place Shanda had deposited them last night, and put the intricate garment around his torso. He picked up the sheath containing the throwing knives and tucked them into his right hiking boot. Erik picked up a large pack that strapped around his waist with a thick nylon web belt and clip. Through the belt, he had placed his large Jim Bowie hunting knife, a Velcro pouch that contained a compass, and a small igniter for lighting fires.
He knew this was only a day search, but his survival training in the military had taught him to always carry certain essentials, and his PI training had always taught him to carry his guns while working. Today, he used the teachings of both.
He heard Shanda stirring behind him. “Good morning,” he whispered as he brushed his lips against her cheek.
She responded by gently wrapping her arms around him. “What time is it?” She sat up.
“Nearly 6:30; I've got to get rolling in a few minutes.”
“Can I borrow your truck?” she asked. “I don't feel like waiting around for another cab.”
“Sure thing. What happened to your car?”
“Back in the shop,” she replied as she yawned.
“So how did you plan on getting home last night?” Erik inquired.
“Who says I planned on going home?” She had a coy look on her face.
Erik raised his eyebrow and she responded by laughing at him.
* * * *
Erik pulled his truck over to the side of the road by Hopedale Park. Shanda noticed two large vans and several town police cars already parked on either side of the road. She saw Erik shake his head and roll his eyes upward as he killed the ignition.
“What's wrong?” Shanda slid over to the driver's seat.
“Nothing like being subtle,” Erik replied in disbelief. “Why don't they just phone the local paper?”
Shanda giggled as he stepped out of the vehicle. “I'll meet you at Madame's for dinner?” she asked hopefully. “My treat this time.” Erik nodded in approval.
“Erik?” she said softly.
“Yeah?”
“Please be careful. Something's not right; I can sense it.”
“That's why I carry these.” He lightly gestured to the twin 45s hanging within quick reach inside his shoulder holster.
She wrinkled her nose. “Just promise me you'll be cautious.”
“I will.”
“Good.” Shanda
[Back to Table of Contents]
----
Chapter 4
Wednesday, 5:30 a.m.
The sound of birdsong awoke Erik from his sleep. He lifted his head to see the time on his alarm clock read 5:30. Erik sat up, knowing he just had time to stretch, shower, and gather his gear before he had to be at the Hopedale Town Forest gate. He looked through his bedroom door over at Shanda who was still fast asleep on his futon in the living room.
Erik stretched his muscles methodically and then stepped into his small shower stall. He set the water for as hot as he could withstand it, causing his blood to more freely circulate into his tissues. He quickly washed and stepped out of the shower. He towel-dried his long hair, and quickly ran a brush through the black locks.
Erik paused and stared at his own reflection. Was Shanda right? He wondered: Did he wear a mask as she claimed? She had made a convincing argument and she had gotten in. No, he amended, he chose to let her in, and once she was in, he couldn't stop his mind from revealing everything that he was to her. She, in turn, allowed him to see deep inside her. She looked deeper into his being than anyone else ever had before. She saw what he was, truly, and she still accepted him for all his internal issues.
Only two telepaths could accomplish what they achieved last night. He focused his ability for a moment and called up the memories she imbedded upon his mind. She had placed her memories into his mind, to be there forever. It was the most intimate gift that one person could give another.
Erik quietly crept back into his room and slipped into his camo hunting pants and black T-shirt. He went into the living room and picked up his guns from the place Shanda had deposited them last night, and put the intricate garment around his torso. He picked up the sheath containing the throwing knives and tucked them into his right hiking boot. Erik picked up a large pack that strapped around his waist with a thick nylon web belt and clip. Through the belt, he had placed his large Jim Bowie hunting knife, a Velcro pouch that contained a compass, and a small igniter for lighting fires.
He knew this was only a day search, but his survival training in the military had taught him to always carry certain essentials, and his PI training had always taught him to carry his guns while working. Today, he used the teachings of both.
He heard Shanda stirring behind him. “Good morning,” he whispered as he brushed his lips against her cheek.
She responded by gently wrapping her arms around him. “What time is it?” She sat up.
“Nearly 6:30; I've got to get rolling in a few minutes.”
“Can I borrow your truck?” she asked. “I don't feel like waiting around for another cab.”
“Sure thing. What happened to your car?”
“Back in the shop,” she replied as she yawned.
“So how did you plan on getting home last night?” Erik inquired.
“Who says I planned on going home?” She had a coy look on her face.
Erik raised his eyebrow and she responded by laughing at him.
* * * *
Erik pulled his truck over to the side of the road by Hopedale Park. Shanda noticed two large vans and several town police cars already parked on either side of the road. She saw Erik shake his head and roll his eyes upward as he killed the ignition.
“What's wrong?” Shanda slid over to the driver's seat.
“Nothing like being subtle,” Erik replied in disbelief. “Why don't they just phone the local paper?”
Shanda giggled as he stepped out of the vehicle. “I'll meet you at Madame's for dinner?” she asked hopefully. “My treat this time.” Erik nodded in approval.
“Erik?” she said softly.
“Yeah?”
“Please be careful. Something's not right; I can sense it.”
“That's why I carry these.” He lightly gestured to the twin 45s hanging within quick reach inside his shoulder holster.
She wrinkled her nose. “Just promise me you'll be cautious.”
“I will.”
“Good.” Shanda
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