Page 6 of Echoes in the Night

The shock on her face lets me know as soon as she comes to the pictures of herself. Her hand trembles as she hands the phone back to me.

“You cut me down?”

“Yes, they used a generic rope. Something you could get at any hardware store. I kept them in case they could get some skin follicles but I’m guessing the person used gloves. The bandages on your wrists are because of the abrasions caused by the ropes. That was the worst damage. Your waist was not as extensive, but there’s some. I put ointment on you. You may scar a little.”

“How do you know so much?”

“Like I said, Gramps was a scout, and we lived on this mountain. Add years of military training and missions. I saw a lot of combat, know how to bandage someone up until I can get them real medical help. I know the emotional effect of trauma. I-ah have some PTSD myself. I was well enough to finish out the last year of my career. I’ve had a lot of therapy, know my own symptoms and can usually work through the occurrences. I’m not a threat to you.”

“You carried me back to your cabin?”

“Yes. When we got here, I took the wet clothes off you and dried your hair with a towel, then slipped my T-shirt on you. I tried to wake you, but I couldn’t rouse you. By that time your pulse was normal, as was your breathing. With the storm there was nothing else I could do except let you sleep, make sure you were warm and watch over you. Sleep is a common trauma response. If you had drugs in your system that would have affected you as well.”

“How far did you have to carry me?” she asks.

I shrug. “Little over three miles.”

“Oh no! I’m so sorry.”

“For what?”

“You had to carry me so far. I—I’m not some little girl.”

I smile. “Maura, have you looked at me? I promise it was no big deal. I bench press more than you weigh every day. You were nothing.”

“And you saw me naked. Treated my wounds.”

Damn, she’s afraid I took advantage of her. I suppose if you consider gazing at her beautiful body until she’s permanently etched in my mind. Or the fact that I can’t close my eyes without seeing her, wanting her. Then maybe I did. I know without a doubt she’s ruined me for anyone else and her image is going to the grave with me.

“Yes. But I promise, my attention to you was completely clinical. I’m not a medic, but in the field, everyone helps out. I did the basics to get you dry, warm and treat your injuries.”

Chapter Four

Maura

After he leaves to do what he calls a perimeter check, I pick up one of the notebooks and a pencil. Doodling is my comfort zone. It relaxes me and I do my best thinking and planning.

When he admitted to seeing me naked, I swearheblushed more than I did. His eyes took on a fiercely protective glow. As if, he liked what he saw.

Wouldn’t that be something? All my life I’ve been told I was too big. I needed to lose weight. Dress differently. Hide my curves. My own father was the loudest voice.She’ll never land a husband looking like that.

Who said I wanted to ‘land’ a husband? That’s what my mother did because of the dollar signs she saw and has been miserable ever since.

No, I wanted to be my own person. Have my own career, but in our barely-there town, there wasn’t enough opportunity. On top of that, no one wanted to mess with the mayor’s daughter.

Dad let me go to Southern Cal, but didn’t realize I switched from finance to an MFA in fashion design. Everything blew up when he found out I switched programs and was designing for aplus size line of clothes. Sure, it’s a small start-up company but everyone starts small, right? I can’t sew, but I can draw, and I know what looks good on full figured women. Fashion has been my thing since my first Barbie.

Ultimately, I got disowned. In the process I learned I missed my small mountain hometown. So, I moved back and took a job at the bank and rented a small apartment over a shop on Main Street. In my spare time I study and do fashion design for the same little company. It’s been easy to work from home.

I glance down at the paper where I’ve been doodling. A faceless slender man in a wool Versace style overcoat is holding a camera. I drop the pencil and throw the notebook on the table. The same sense of revulsion fills me. I curl into the blanket and squeeze my eyes shut.Jax, I need you.

Moments later I hear a door open and a cool breeze washes over me. Sitting up, I look toward the kitchen and see there’s another door in the corner. Jax slides the panel back, closing the opening that now looks like part of the wall.

He runs a quick gaze over me. “You okay, Maura? You look frightened.”

“I-is that a hidden door? Someone could sneak in?”

He grins. “Not completely hidden. But you have to know where to look to find the finger grip and locks. There’s a small room between the outside wall and the inside. Gramps called this his panic room. I thought about it while I was doing my perimeter check. Haven’t used it in years. Come here and I’ll show you how both sides work.”

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