Page 11 of In the Light of Day

Woodman Sheriff's Department, where is your emergency?

Thank the gods it connected.

I'm currently located fifty kilometres from Hallowed Springs, near the mountain ranges. I’m on a highway in a pine forest. I entered the forest maybe ten minutes ago so I would say I'm still on its fringes. There are no landmarks nearby but we’re on a long straight with two small hills at either end. A basin in the forest. I have a woman with me, she's unconscious and hurt. I have basic first aid here but I need law enforcement ... She's been running from someone.

The line goes silent and I can hear a keyboard typing as he hopefully figures out exactly where we are. I'm annoyed that I didn't pay more attention to the map I was looking at when I last stopped for coffee. Continuing to hold her hand, her fingers gently graze the raised scar that runs along my palm and around the back of my hand, a visible reminder of growing up in foster care.

I have you located ... are you military? Police? Search and Rescue? You talk li —

Currently serving special ops, out on emergency leave. I'm heavily armed and will shoot to kill any threats to me or the girl.

Good. My name is Sheriff Miller, Seth Miller. I’m an hour from your location. I’ll have two units with me and four other deputies who will stay in their vehicles. I will be the only person to approach you.

Keep her safe until I get there.

Is there anyone closer?

Other than my team, the next closest station is several hours away, over the ridge.

I'm tempted to say that I'm not staying out here, stuck in the middle of nowhere like a sitting duck. But this isn't my call, and unless something feels off when the cavalry shows up, I will follow instructions like the good soldier I am.

What's your name?

James Wilson, but everyone calls me Ace. I'm stationed at Camp Valor out of Silverhaven. My commanding offic—

Alright, alright, I have enough. I know a guy. It will be an hour.

Do what you need to to keep the situation under control.

Sheriff? I think … I think she was held captive somewhere. There are signs I've seen before. It doesn't quite add up yet but they’re there.

A muffledfuckcomes across the line before he reiterates to keep her safe. Like there was ever another option to that question.

Chapter 7 - Ace

“Hey there, darlin'.” Her eyes flutter a little before slowly opening. “I caught you before you fell back there. You’re in my truck,” I say, softly smiling and squeezing her hand gently.

It's like watching a computer come to life as her expression goes from relaxed to on edge in less than a second.

“Easy now, I won't hurt you. My name is Ace and I know you're overwhelmed right now but I’ll keep you safe.I promise I'll keep you safe.”

Her breathing picks up and she averts her gaze, searching all around us. I'm standing in the open door to my truck, blocking her only means of escape which can't be helping in how she's feeling.

I'm crowding her.

So I step back and give her some space, letting my hand fall from hers in the process.

Pulling my switchblade out, I pop it open and present her with the handle. “Here, take this. I’ll stop anyone trying to get to you but you might feel better if you have a weapon. I have some other options if you want to pick something else but that one's a personal favourite. It’s got good grip,” I explain, my eyebrows wiggling as I look toward the handle that she quickly takes from me.

A crash comes from down the way and I turn, prepared to fight, my beretta raised ready to eliminate. I hear her squeak and move around behind me. Her breathing heavy, before a small voice says, “Please don't let him take me back. Please help me.”

Don't scare her, don't scare her, don't scare her, loops in my head while I try and control my actions. Being 6’5 to her 5 foot nothing, I've never been more aware of my size. Smooth calm movements while an inner volcano is erupting.Him, she said don't lethimtake her back. What in the actual fuck is going on here and who am I killing to make her feel safe? I’m sure my face is slowly turning a nice shade of beetroot trying to show her I'm not a threat but someone needs to die purely from the state she's in.

Scanning the area I see a doe pulling berries from the dense bush at the edge of the forest, her fawn following closely behind, bleating. No doubt all the noises we were making has woken more than one animal tonight. Relaxing my arm to half-cocked, I continue to protect her from where I'm standing, looking out to the surrounding forest. Unexpectedly, her small hand slips into mine from behind me, her grip tightening as if she could be pulled away from me at any second.

Never.

“It’s all right, just a couple of Bambi’s out for a late night snack,” I say, trying to reassure her. “You're safe. I'm going to get my first aid kit to look at some of these wounds. Only if you say I can.Youare in control here, darlin'. I won't do anything without your say-so.”

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