Bane mentioned, “Looks like there’s a blizzard coming tonight. They’re expecting eight to ten inches.”
“That’s more snow than I’ve ever seen.” The normal pep in my voice was gone as we continued to talk about trivial things. In Georgia, it was rare to get snow. When we did, the city shutdown not having the proper equipment.
The road turned from four lanes to two and became curvy as we ascended into the mountain areas. Snow-covered trees encapsulated the road, almost creating a fairytale picture.
“It’s beautiful here.”
“It is. I think you’ll like where we’re going even under the circumstances. It’s peaceful.”
Turning right on a nearly imperceptible road, the brush dragged along the side of the car. I cringed knowing little scratches were happening to the pristine coat of paint. Cars seemed disposable to Bane.
As dusk set, Bane made another turn. Five minutes later, a small cabin sat nestled on a ridge. To the left was a shed Bane pulled into. Spider webs and dust covered the shelves. This would take a bit to clean out.
“It’s been awhile since you’ve been here.” It wasn’t a question, but a fact from all the dirt.
“Nearly four years since I bought it and set it up.”
Four years. I guess a safe house wouldn’t be on your list of frequent visits or vacations. “Do you think it’s still livable inside?”
He nodded as he looked out into the area. “This place is monitored through a secured network I own. Everything looked operable the last time I logged in. If not, I have the tools to fix it.”
Grabbing my stuff, I got out of the vehicle and waited for Bane. Two snowmobiles sat to the right. After not being here for four years, how long would it take to get everything running? He grabbed a few of the duffels. “I’ll get the rest once we get settled and the generator going. There’s barrels of pure gasoline in the back of the shed that will keep the place going for months.”
“Months? What about my jobs? I need to tell someone.” We could be here for months? I wasn’t sure how I felt about a lengthened trip in nowhere land. Especially with a withdrawn Bane. Would they worry about me? I wasn’t sure. The turnover for the types of jobs I did were high. Sometimes people simply quit showing up.
“Angel, I don’t think it’ll take months. I have enough supplies here to survive. You can’t call your jobs. I’m sorry, but you can’t. We can’t take the risk.” There was the nickname again that came out of nowhere with a semi-softened tone. I chose to ignore it with everything else I tried to process. Since leaving the train, the reality of the situation continued to sink in. I’d been in a bubble on the train and now it was popped.
Bane was right, there was nothing I could do about the jobs.
Through the snow, I followed Bane. Only a few inches were on the ground. After tonight I would probably feel snowed-in with how much was expected to fall. As I looked closer, the wood cabin had a steel door and shutters. This was more than a cabin. Bane used a key and unlocked the deadbolt. Sheets covered the furniture and more dust showered every surface. There was less dust than in the shed, probably from everything being sealed better. Bane sat our things down. “Let me get a fire started to warm the place. Then, I’ll get the generator going. We’ll have power, water, and appliances then.”
“Sounds good.” Bane watched me for a second like he wanted to say more. Instead, he turned and busied himself.
The cabin was one large room. Wandering through the place, I realized this was going to be my residence indefinitely. After a little tender loving care, I believed this place could feel … homey. The kitchen sat at the far back with a dining area to the right. A desk with more technical equipment was to the far left. And the rest was open living space.
Bane went back outside without saying a word. In the middle of the far left wall, next to the fire place, was a door. I opened it and peered in. More sheets covered the furniture. A large bed sat against the wall in between two steel-plated covered windows. Along the left wall a dresser sat between two doors. I probably should ask for permission to look, but I didn’t.
The left door housed a laundry room. A small washer and dryer along with a large dead-bolted cabinet sat undisturbed. As I came back out, I noticed my trail of footprints in the dust on the floor. Cleaning was a priority. To the right of the dresser was a medium-sized bathroom. The tub was rust-free unlike my previous place. I hoped one night I’d be able to soak. It had been a while since I’d relaxed in a bath since in my apartment I’d worn flip flops to the shower not wanting to touch the tub.
Coming back in the main room, Bane nearly had a fire going. “I like your place.”
“It’ll do.” He stood. “Before I lose all daylight, I need to get the generator going.”
“No problem. I’ll make myself at home.” On the way to the front door Bane stiffened and froze for half-a-second. I wasn’t sure what I’d said, but I wasn’t going to push. Without responding, he left. And all the softness from the shed was gone. Distant Bane was back.
I wasn’t sure what to make of his actions. As I surveyed the room, I knew how to keep myself busy. Bane Bradley needed time to process some things on his mind. And I needed to make sure my boundaries were reinforced.
“DAMN IT ALL to hell!”
The generator in the back of the cabin groaned in protest. I’d been working on getting it going for a while. Between the rubber rot in the fuel line and the carburetor, the generator had been a bitch to start. The problem now was the choke hanging.
“Work, you son of a bitch!” I took the pull start and yanked it.
Vroom. Vroom. Vroom.
The generator came to life and gained strength. We had power. I added more gas to the tank and sat for a second. I knew I’d been a bastard to Maren this afternoon. Those last two days on the train had been too intimate with us sleeping together at night after she’d coax me to stay after a round of serious fucking. Man, I had hardly been able to keep my hands off her.
Then, this morning. Fuck, this morning. I’d woken up wrapped around her like a vine. She’d been in my dreams last night as we laid on the beach and made love. Made love. No, we fucked. There was no love making.