T/W: Mentions torture, imprisonment and possible starvation, though not in great detail. Also mentions possible murder and minor details of a monster attack.

****

As the days slipped by, Rafferty began to hope that maybe no one will come for him. Yet Rafferty knew the chances of thatwas slim. He wouldn’t get off scot-free from losing that shipment. He tried hard not to think about what would happen to him once the militia did catch up with him. First, they’d  interrogate him after they’d secure him to a chair, hands tied behind his back.  While they interrogated him, they’d beat on him around until blood poured from his nose, ears and mouth. Then once they finished with that part, they’d throw him in a hole in the ground and leave there for several days. They’d conveniently ‘forget’ to feed him. They  might consider tossing him some filthy water every once in a while, just to keep him alive.

After a while, though, they’d decide that Rafferty didn’t know crap and well, anyone could just guess the ending he’d meet. Rafferty decided it would be for the best if he didn’t tell Everly any of this. He didn’t want to worry her. He just hoped that when they came for him at last, maybe they’d spare Everly’s life.

****

Everly was greatly relieved to see that Rafferty was getting around quite nicely. She had worried herself sick, thinking he’d never be able to walk right again. While he did have a bit of a limp; it was hardly noticeable.

"You’re recovering remarkably well,” Everly commented to Rafferty one afternoon. Everly thought he’d look pleased, but instead he just scowled.

"Is your leg still bothering you?" Everly asked.

Rafferty hesitated. "No. The leg’s good. At least until-they come for me,” Rafferty said.

Everly looked puzzled. "I'm not sure I follow."

Rafferty sighed. "I might as well tell you.”

Everly sat down, folded her hands and set them in her lap, patiently waiting for Rafferty to begin. Rafferty told her everything.

"See, I sorta fell on hard times. So, I took to..robbery. A couple of times, it ended...badly. I shot some..men. I hid out for a while, but well, eventually they found me.” Rafferty paused to catch his breath. “They made a deal with me. I do their dirty work and I live. Or...well, I'm sure you can fill in the blanks if I didn't comply."

"So, you think the militia of Cannan will track you down just because some other militia stole their shipment?” Everly looked baffled.

"Well, that’s how it works, unfortunately,” Rafferty said, shrugging.

"But it wasn’t your fault! Can’t you just explain that to them?”

"They aren’t the reasoning type, believe me,” Rafferty said.

"That’s horrible!” Everly exclaimed in disgust.

"That’s reality,” Rafferty said. Everly turned her head, staring out the window, silence filling the room.

"They’ll come?” she said at last.

"Most likely. But they won’t hurt you. As long I agree to go with them. They don’t even have to know about you.” Everly turned to face Rafferty, a look of pure determination on her face.

"No.”

Rafferty frowned, not understanding her no.

"What do you mean ‘no’?”

"No, I’m not hiding. I’ll make a stand against them with you.”

"Don’t be stupid!” Rafferty exploded. “They’ll kill you!"

“If they do, they do,” Everly said. “I’m not gonna let them waltz in here, drag you off to who knows where, torture you and then…” Everly’s voice stopped.

"I really don’t think it’s a very smart decision on your part,” Rafferty said gruffly.

"It’s still my decision, Rafferty,” Everly said quietly. Rafferty stared hard at her. He couldn’t decide rather she was being brave or stupid. Often the lines for those two things were blurred together.

Rafferty blew his breath out.
"Suit yourself.” Everly reached over to tightly grasp one of his hands. It caught him off guard.

"I’m not abandoning you, Rafferty. No matter the cost.”

"You’re crazy,” was all Rafferty could think to say. Everly just grinned.

"Yes, I suppose I am."

****

"If we’re to stand a chance against anyone coming here, we need to be as prepared as we can,” Rafferty told Everly.

"What do we need to do?” she asked.

"First off, do you happen to have any weapons besides those torches?” Everly smiled.

"Follow me.” Rafferty’s leg was mostly healed, although it still hurt on occasion. Everly led him down into a basement of sorts and turned on the light. Rafferty blinked in surprise. There were some rifles and plenty of ammunition, along with some more torches and even some-explosives.

"Well?” Everly prompted. “Does this satisfy you?”

"And how!” Rafferty exclaimed. “We might actually stand a chance.” Rafferty lifted one of the rifles, examining it closely.

"Do you mind my asking why you have all of this?” He looked at Everly.

"My husband thought it could come in handy.” Rafferty set the rifle aside.

"What happened to him?” Everly shrugged.

“I haven’t the slightest clue.” Rafferty frowned.

"He’s not, you know?” Everly just shrugged again.

"Maybe, maybe not.”

"Explain,” Rafferty said. “Or as well as you can."

"I woke up one morning and he was gone. I searched everywhere for him. I never found any trace.”

"Do you think it was the... Grund?” Rafferty asked softly.

"If they did, they were awfully neat about it,” Everly said. “I never found a-body. Or a bloody mess anywhere.” Rafferty scratched the back of his neck.

"Did you have a vehicle? Maybe he just drove off.” Everly shook her head.
“No vehicle. Well, we did. Or do, but it crapped out six months after we came here. So obviously he didn't just drive off."

Rafferty’s brow creased. "That is a strange tale.”

"You’re telling me.”

"I don’t see how anyone could just leave like that. No warning. No nothing.” Everly looked away.

"I-I apologize,” Rafferty said softly. “I didn’t mean to pry.” Everly smiled a little.

"It doesn’t bother me as much as it used to.” She paused. “But I agree with you.”

"Well, my life’s tale isn’t as mysterious,” Rafferty said. “My ex-wife took off with our six year old son. That was three years ago. I don’t know where they are, either. Or if they're...y'know."

"I’m sorry,” Everly said quietly. "That's harsh."

"Don’t be. That’s life.” Rafferty turned his attention back to the supplies. “We got some work to do.”

***
Sure enough, a dusty, old car was out in the debilitated shed out back. As Rafferty examined the  vehicle, he wasn't sure what to make of Everly’s story regarding her husband. Was it possible Everly had murdered the guy and he was buried somewhere close by?

Rafferty hated the fact that that he was suddenly so suspicious of Everly. But he’d learned the hard way long ago to not to trust everyone he came across. Even if those people appeared harmless. Besides, those who were seemingly harmless were often the ones to be the most wary of. It was easy to overlook their innocence and be fooled into thinking they could be trusted. That was how they got what they wanted from others. A wolf in sheep’s clothing, so to speak.

Of course, Rafferty didn’t really believe Everly was one of those kinds of people. She seemed naive, but not necessarily crazy. Rafferty wondered, though, what could have happened to Everly’s husband. Had he just up and left, no word of it? Or had somebody or something attacked him, dragging him off? Everly had a point about if it had been a Grund. They would have tore the guy to pieces, leaving a disgusting, grisly mess. Whatever had taken place, it just seemed off to Rafferty in a way he couldn’t explain.

****

Everly could sense the shift of Rafferty’s mood towards her. 'He thinks I killed-Jackson,' she thought. She didn’t really blame him for thinking it. Truth be told, Everly often thought the same thing. Maybe she had killed Jackson, buried him and didn’t remember one bit of it. As far fetched as that sounded, it could be true. But if she had killed him, wouldn’t there be evidence everywhere?

Someone could justify not remembering killing someone, but unless a person continued on in some kind of trance and had cleaned up the mess, it would be there for the person to see and realize what they’d done. No, Everly was pretty sure she hadn’t killed Jackson. She just wished she could convince Rafferty of that.

****

“You think I..did something to my..husband, don’t you?”

The blunt question caught Rafferty off guard. He hadn’t realized that Everly had picked up on the suspicious vibes he’d been sending her way.

"Yes,” Rafferty replied. “I might have thought that. At first anyway. Not anymore.”

"It’s understandable,” Everly said. “I mean, how could you not assume it? My story doesn’t exactly add up.”

"A lot of stories don’t add up,” Rafferty remarked. “That doesn’t make them any less true.”

"Well, given the circumstances, it could be true. About me. Killing him, that is.”

Rafferty suddenly grinned.
"Forgive me if I'm wrong, but you don’t really seem like the bloodthirsty type.”

"No,” Everly agreed. “I’m not.”

"Besides, if you really were a killer,"Rafferty added.  "I doubt you would have went through all the trouble you did to save my sorry hide."

"True." Everly paused. "Rafferty?”

"Yeah?”

"Do..do you still think someone will come for..you?”

Rafferty studied Everly’s face. She looked so worried. How long had it been since somebody was actually concerned for his welfare? He couldn’t even remember. Even when his wife was around, she certainly didn’t seem too worried about what happened to him.

"Yeah, Everly,” Rafferty murmured. “I do.”

"Why would they even care? Was the shipment top secret?”

"No. But the people in the capital need those supplies,” Rafferty replied.

Everly scowled, stood up and began pacing back and forth in front of Rafferty.

"I seriously doubt the people in charge really care about those in need getting their supplies!” she snapped.

"You’re absolutely right,” Rafferty agreed. "But those provisions come at a cost for the militia. They’re just worried about what those losses add up to.”

"So, why should they care if you lost it to some rogue militia?” Everly stopped right in front of Rafferty. He sighed, running a hand over his face.

"Because, Everly, I’m a criminal. And criminals  must be made to pay the consequences.”

"That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard of!” Everly looked like she might burst into tears at any moment. Rafferty stood, stepping closer to her. She immediately pressed close to him, throwing her arms around him and burying her face against his shoulder. Rafferty just stood there, rigidly and unsure of how to react.

"I-I don’t want anything bad to happen to you,” Everly whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Rafferty finally moved to put his arms around Everly. She was shaking.

"I promise I’ll do everything in my power to not go back with whoever comes for me,” he whispered.

"Promise?” Everly looked up at him. Rafferty smiled at her.

"Promise.”

****

Rafferty had trouble getting to sleep that night. He kept replaying that moment with Everly in his mind. How long had it been since he’d held a woman in his arms? No. He needed to rephrase that. How long had it been since he’d held a woman in his arms that actually gave a crap about him? He couldn’t even remember.

Years.

He shifted uncomfortably, his mind racing. Rafferty sighed loudly, moving to get out of the bed. He slowly crept out the bedroom and went into the bathroom, taking care to be as quiet as possible. He got a drink of water and splashed some water in his face. Then he quietly exited the bathroom. He paused briefly, listening for the sounds of Everly’s breathing. He could hear it. He crept over to the couch, where Everly lay sleeping. Her long hair was fanned out over the pillow. She looked so beautiful. Rafferty dared to reach down and touch her face. She sighed softly in her sleep and Rafferty smiled.