Joseph by Kris Michaels

edge of the porch and dangled her legs in the morning sun like a little girl.
    Ember leaned against the pole and breathed in the warm air. Pine, sunshine, and freshness invaded to a cellular level. Finally, she relaxed from the drama of the last two days. Her only plans for the day were drinking at least one more pot of coffee and exploring the house.
    She walked softly not wanting to make any noise to wake Joseph. A quick observation showed the “cabin” was a two-bedroom, three-bathroom home built with care and craftsmanship. Every room boasted a beautiful view of the hills and was furnished with sturdy furniture that fit the rustic feel of the house.
    Making another carafe of coffee for herself, she walked back to the bedroom and peeked in the door. Joseph lay awake and stared at the ceiling. Ember walked in and sat down beside him. She gently pushed the hair off his forehead and smiled. “Hey, how are you feeling?”
    He closed his eyes and swallowed. “Like I’ve been run over by a semi-truck…a couple of times.” He put his hand on her waist and opened his eyes again. His voice was soft, “Your hair is red again. God, how long have I been out?”
    “It’s okay, you haven’t been out long.” Ember whispered as she lay down beside him and caressed his cheek. “The color was a temporary rinse. I shampooed most of it out this morning. You faded out on me last night at the gate. We managed to make it to the bed and then you were gone. It’s just as well. I am glad you weren’t conscious when I cleaned and redressed your wounds. It’s late afternoon now. You need to drink some water.”
    He shook his head and reached over pulling her closer. “No. I couldn’t hold it down. I need to call Jacob and let him know we are safe.”
    She chuckled. “You told me to do that last night. I called him. I think he wants you to call when you’re feeling better.”
    Joseph closed his eyes and nodded. “Alright, but not right now.”
    She lay still as his body relaxed again and he drifted back to sleep. Exhaustion was a symptom of opioid withdrawal and the sleep was good for his mending body. She waited until he was in deep REM sleep before she slid out of his grasp.
    Her mind ticked off his physical progress. No fever, better color, no respiratory distress—all good signs that his stamina and conditioning were fighting to pull his body through.
    She turned the corner into the kitchen and froze. A large man leaned against the counter in the kitchen drinking a cup of her coffee. Of American Indian descent, she thought. He looked menacing, but passive. Something in his casual repose fueled her courage. Ember picked up her coffee cup and walked to the pot. Pouring a cup, she turned. “Are you here to kill us or help us?”
    “If I wanted to kill you, you’d both be dead now. Jacob sent me.”
    She took a drink of her coffee. “My name is Ember.”
    The man nodded. “Yeah, I know. I’m Mike, but everyone calls me Chief. I have a cooler of food and some other groceries in the truck. Doc sent some medical supplies. He nodded toward the small package on the counter. Said you’d needed that.”
    She opened the packet examined the sealed vials of medication. “Joey needs these antibiotics.”
    Chief nodded and put the cup down. “You make good strong coffee.”
    She smiled as she opened a syringe from the sealed pack. “No sense in drinking it if it tastes like tea.”
    “You got that drive? I’ll send in the documents.”
    Ember stared at him and shook her head. “Sorry ace, nice that you know names and appear to be a good guy, but until I get permission you don’t get squat.”
    He looked at her and laughed. His entire personality transformed. “Okay, call Jacob and ask or go back into the bedroom and wake up Joseph. He can vouch for me.”
    Ember looked at him and growled protectively. “There is no way in hell I’m going to wake him up.” She walked to the satellite phone and powered it up. Looking up at the