Chapter 5

Her fingers where like Angel kisses as he relished in her touch. She worked quickly with his bandages, following her friends strict instructions. She was so careful he fell asleep half way through causing her own heart to calm. He needed the sleep, he had to heal. Gently binding of the tensor she got up and started the fire once again. After a few moments it roared to life, burning the log like its life depended on it.

Alaska happily barked as her tail began to wiggle. She spotted another human further in the woods. Anya was on her feet worried. If the scientist followed them he was in danger. Grabbing a blanket she gently laid it over him before walking to the edge of the clearing. Took a moment but her eyes adjusted and saw them walking up to her.

“Top of the morning to you Ma'am.” He spoke being a fine gentlemen. You could tell the years haven’t been to kind to him. His hands where callused and ruff as he shook her gentle soft ones. His beard was scruffy and in need of a trip. The salt and pepper starting to show through his sandy blond hair. His blue eyes dull, almost like he didn’t have a reason to live. “I’m real sorry for bothering you but I am in search of a man.”

“I have not seen one.” Anya spoke as true as her racing heart would let her. He bought it as he nodded slightly.

“Thank you ma'am. If you do see him please be advise he is a dangerous.” The man spoke as he stepped away. To Anya's dismay, the man she had covered let out a peaceful moan. She closed her eyes and held her breath praying the man did not hear him. “What was that?”

“Shit,” She said under her breath. Quickly opening her eyes she stepped towards him, trying to shorten his distance but keep him further away from the other. “That’s my brother, had a long day by the river.”

“Really.” The man was suspicious now. Even if she was protective , he would make sure to look at him. His job relies on finding this man. They had finished there testing on him.

“Yes, my poor brother, if something could go wrong it did. Dropped the food, kayak heading further down stream, oh and cant forget the eagle that took his fish.” She stopped to chuckle before continuing. “He chased that poor bird for a while before he gave up.”

“Poor fella.” The man spoke inching towards him. She knew exactly what he was trying to do but there was no way she would let him. She stepped in front of him, making sure she was between them.

“He is sleeping right now due to exhaustion. It be best if we let him be.” She spoke gently as a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. It wouldn’t become a full smile, this mad didn’t deserve it. He was here to harm the man whom already was so hurt.

“For your protection ma'am I must look.” He tried stepping towards her. She didn’t budge or move. She knew her rights, this man was doing no harm. Plus the man in front of her had no badges stating he was a cop.

“And I’m telling you it’s my brother. I am perfectly safe.” Anya tried bot to snap. She had to find a  it of leverage or this was going to end badly. “If I was threatened do you think my puppy would be quiet.”

“I don’t know what training your pup has had ma'am.” He almost snapped. Alaska heard it and growled. She walked up to her mommy, eyes on the man.

“Enough to know when someone is threatening her mom.” Anya stood strong. She had no idea what she would be able to do against this man. He was old and could use one or two less meals but that didn’t mean he couldn’t pack a punch. She had to be careful not only for herself, but for Alaska and the man she is trying to protect.

“If you have nothing to hid why are you being so defensive?” The man almost growled. He was hoping to scare her, he couldn’t hit her. His mama raised him not to.

I hide nothing. My brother is sleeping and after a hard day he needs it.” Anya snapped. “You think you can come into my camp, demand to see my brother when your not even a person of authority.”

“Oh but I am.” He smirked. Anya didn’t back down.

“Prove it.” She demanded. The man's smile dropped as he stood there. She was smarter then he thought. He took another step forward causing her to step towards him. He coward back, his mama’s lessons rolling in his mind. “Get out of here.”

“I will not leave till I see his face.” The man tried to be strong but this women actually scared him. She seemed all innocent and weak but has proved to him she is not.

“Come back when he is awake.” She said hopping he wouldn’t agree so she could try and kick him out of the area. At least if he took that she could get him away from here, it was he plan anyways. Being so close to the town they have been looking for him in was not a good idea.

“You’ll have him moved by the time I come back.” He snapped. At this point the forest became alive as wolves, bears and cougars all came to her aid. Snarling and snapping at the man in front of her. She was there queen, though she didn’t know it, they would do anything to protect her.

“Leave.” She screamed at him. This caused the young man under the blankets to stir. He felt her fear and anger. His own fear starting to take action as he tried to see her. He couldn’t lose her again, plus if she was in danger he would protect her.

“I will not leave with out him.” The man angrily said. He heard the commotion and knew he was now awake. “Show me Derek.”

“He is not here.” She snapped back causing the animals to start moving forward. There teeth all bared ready to sink into this man that was upsetting there queen. She stared the man down but he did not back away. “Its your funeral.”

“You will not win.” The man screamed as she turned and walked away. The animals all warned him to stay back but as a stupid human he didn’t listen. He stepped towards the girl and boy, knowing fare well that was him. The animals pounced, a wolf silencing his screams by snapping his neck. The bears left the Cougars and wolves to the meal. They walked into camp looking for something else. The trees brought them apples as Anya raced to him.

“Shhh, it’s okay. We are safe.” She cooed ever so gently with her palm placed on his cheek. “I at least know your name.”

Her smile warmed his heart as he looked up at her. She was safe and  beside him once more. The smell of blood however getting strong as he tried to look her over. Standing she did a quick spin before kneeling beside him. Her palm once again finding his cheek. He prayed it would stay there, he didn’t want her to ever remove it.

She got up after a few moments and began to make some food. He had to eat, and she had a few things to help her. She bought a few camping supplies from the Canadian Tire the same time she bought the wagon. Taking out the pot she put it on a rack above the flames. Dropping some mashed potato’s in and began to break some chicken up. Once the potato’s became soft she pulled it off the heat and cooled it down slightly. Feeding him she couldn’t help but smile as he seemed to be able to chew a little easier.

His pain long forgotten as he watched her smile. He chewed knowing that was why the smile was there. He couldn’t be happier as he did. The creamy potato’s and BBQ chicken happily releasing there flavors in his mouth. His stomach happily excepting the food.

“Now rest, we leave the clearing tomorrow after I take care of you bandages.” Anya told him before she looked around and sighed. She had to figure out how to pull two wagons through the forest. Alaska barked happily as she snuggled into her lap. Derek gently lifted his hand, causing a gasp to escape. It had landed gently on her leg. She grabbed it with her free hand as she placed the other back on his cheek.

“Anya,” He started.

“I’m right here Derek. We are safe I promise.” She smiled at him as her eyes focused on his. “Sleep.”

“You,” Derek struggled. He couldn’t figure out why it was so difficult to speak. He had no problem before, always talking everyone’s ear off.

“Sleep, I’m right here.” Anya gently said as she laid down right beside him. There fingers locked together and her eyes closed. He watch her slip into sleep though she tried not to. Lifting his finger, he gently commanded the ground under her to move her closer to him. Her head resting right by his shoulder as her body was snuggled up against him. This was where she should be sleeping. If he had the strength and wasn’t to hurt he would have put her head on his chest and his arm would be wrapped around her. They would have been in a bed as well, not sleeping on the hard ground. He didn’t mind though, she was with him. He soon fell asleep happy.

The sun began to rise the next morning waking Anya from her beautiful dream. She was in the arms of a man that she had a feeling she knew. She couldn’t explain it, almost like he knew her from birth. She could see his features all she could feel was his touch as his muscular arms wrapped around her. He peppered her neck with gentle kisses as he whispered how beautiful she was. He was comparing her to all the beautiful things she loved in the world.

Tears began to leak out, the only person whom had ever said anything like that to her was gone. The hammer claiming the deal. The wagon holding all she had left, and her adorable puppy. She had the life with him that was perfect but now she didn’t know. She didn’t know life, or what it would entail for her. She just had to keep going, it may have started out rocky but she had a purpose. That purpose she was laying close to.

Stretching she gently rose and began to pack up. They had to get out of here before someone came looking for them. She began to place the pillows carefully in the larger wagon hoping it wouldn’t hurt him so much. She laid a blanket down to keep him warm as she plastic can get cold or hot from the sun. He was already dealing with enough she didn’t need to help him deal with frost bite or burns.

Once satisfied with the sleeping space she turned to the fire to spot a basket of eggs. She was shocked but knew the first had to have provided them for her. She carefully collected the frying pan and wooden spoon before setting the fire back up for the last time. Getting the food going she smiled as Alaska chased a butterfly close by. The monarch butterfly would only stay just ahead of her causing her to bounce this way and that.

She sat down and analyzed her situation. Maybe she wasn’t as bad off as she thought. She was happy being out here where her lover never like the wilderness. His ideal date was a five star hotel and restaurant. He didn’t even like taking walks along the beaches. Her ideal date was a cabin by the lake in the middle of nowhere. She could make do with the simple things in life where he had to have all the best.

Giggling lightly she knew her sister in law was right. She was better off without him. The marriage was a mistake with him, she knew she loved him but now she didn’t know. Maybe it was because she didn’t know exactly what love was and sure, he did shower her with gifts and spent romantic moments with her. She did have to fight for many of them. She knew now though, a man should love her back as much as she loved them. He showed it to her at first but towards the end he didn’t. She didn’t like that and knew the next man she would be careful with. She was young and able, she knew someone would love her.

Derek slightly panicked as he woke for the morning. She had left his side and he didn’t know where that was. Gently moving his head his eyes fell on her red streak. He still couldn’t figure out why it was there. She would never die her hair, always said goddess made her beautiful just the way she was. The smile on her face made him smile, he still couldn’t believe she was here. His heart slowly mending together after it had broken that horrible day. He pushed the memory away because she was right here.

His eyes soon fell on the puppy. He didn’t know why she was here. If this was purgatory then there shouldn’t be a puppy here. They where sweet and innocent, they should head right to heaven. His mind then wondered to her, she was the same Anya other then the streak and her hair tied up. He wondered if it was her after all. Panic hit as he tried to make sense of everything that happened.

“Shhh,” Anya cooed as she raced over. Food in hand.

“Dead….”

“No your very much alive and that’s how you will stay.” Anya sternly spoke. He looked at her in shock, sadness etching across them. She saw this and began to panic, she didn’t know what was wrong.

“she dead.” The words fell out of his mouth faster then he could stop them. She looked at him horrified.

“No, no, no.” She cried, as she all but saw him shutting down. Her palms grabbing his cheeks as she forced him to look at her. “Don’t give up, please. There is so much more to see. She would never want you to give up.”

“Anya.” Derek spoke looking up at her.

“Yes, your Anya would never want you to give up. She would want you to live one. She is in your heart Derek. She loves you just as much as you love her. Now live for her, live so she can see all the fun through you.” Anya began to beg. She wasn’t going to let him go. He was so young and had so much life to live. She internally chuckled realizing she to was young. She had more life to live as well.

“I cant.” He cried.

“You can, I’ll help you.” Anya smiled gently causing him to nod gently. Something told him this was right, told him to live. He knew if he gave up he would have break her heart. She did save him in the end and she was willing to put herself in danger to keep him safe. The least he could do was live for her.

Removing her right hand from his cheek she reached over for the food bowl. She wanted to get the food in him before it got to cold. Scooping small bites she would feed him gently. Her smile causing him to as well. She was a beautiful women, almost a slightly older version of his Anya. She began to blush at his gaze through she didn’t mean to. He loved how her cheeks turned almost a pinky orange.

“Beautiful.”

“Thank you.” She blushed even harder as her eyes fell on the food plate. He was handsom himself but she couldn’t say it. It would mean she was falling for him and she wasn’t ready for that. Placing the last bite in his mouth she laid him down gently and began to clean the plate. The sooner they where out of the clearing the better.

The trees knew the haste and with careful branches they began to lift him slowly. He held the pain in as the small birds adjusted the pillows so he was comfortable. She came over to make sure everything was okay bandage wise. She was going to change them at the new clearing just because she wanted to get out of here. He kept the smile for her even though the pain was almost unbearable.

“I think we are all packed and ready.” She half smiled half frowned. Her little wagon was over flowing with stuff which looked like it was going to fall out at any moment.

“Put here.” He spoke gently nodding to his feet. She sighed and complied taking some of the lighter stuff out of the smaller wagon and placing it at his feet. She bound the rest of it and began there gentle walk out, down a path a few deer bounced down. She hopped she was doing the right thing though she knew it was a little late to turn around. “I here.”

“Thank you.” She smiled happily looking back at his smile. She could do this as long as he was at her side. She knew it wasn’t going to be forever but for now it would have to do.