My Year Abroad

Chapter 42

Back on the mountainside, Cameron was entering the cave. Megan gave up trying to understand and simply trailed behind him. Reaching the bear's corpse he retrieved his knife and took a moment of silence over it.

After paying his respect to the life given Cameron began to examine the meat. A quick observation showed it was still good. To ensure it wouldn't sour during his work the cavern walls gradually froze.

"There was food in the kitchen," Megan told Cameron.

"Leaving it here to waste would be spitting on the life it lived," Cameron replied.

"It almost killed you," Megan argued.

"What would you do if you came home to an intruder in your house?" Cameron asked.

Cameron skinned the bear and packed the bags filled with meat. They were practically bursting at the seams, and only Cameron could carry it. He grabbed the remains dragging them towards the exit of the cave.

One could see coyotes already watching from a distance. He released the carcass along with some excess weight from the bags. Cameron slung it back over his shoulder and started the trek back home. Walking away Megan looked back to see the pups trailing behind to pick at the scraps.

"You never mentioned being a hunter before." Megan broke the silence.

"I only do it when necessary. I'm well aware of my role on the food chain, but I don't enjoy the killing. It's best to make it swift, and I failed with that today. That's why I had to come back." Cameron stated.

"You seemed okay with killing in the alley," Megan replied.

"That was different." Cameron glanced back to make sure Megan wasn't dragging the pelt.

"How so?" Megan asked.

"They were human for one," Cameron replied.

"How does that make it okay?" Megan scolded.

"A bear lives off pure survival instincts. It seeks shelter, food, and procreation. When encountering humans they tend to ignore them altogether unless provoked or starved. Those people in the alley were motivated by greed, and intentionally sought conflict." Cameron explained.

"What's the other reason?" Megan investigated.

"He tried to hurt you." Cameron saw the house coming into view.

Hearing this Megan blushed and promptly looked away. At the moment she thought he was emotionless, but it was the opposite. She covertly moved closer to Cameron till their shoulders touched.

'Plus that knife hurt'

Jordan saw them approaching from the window, and rushed out to help them. Henry observed the size of the pelt, and couldn't believe a knife took it down. Seeing the amount of weight draped over his shoulder it made more sense.

"Guess who visited," Jordan told Cameron.

"Cops?" Cameron guessed.

"Well yeah, but that's only half of it. The aliens appeared again, but they are friendly, and one of them was different from the others." Jordan explained eagerly.

"How so?" Cameron investigated.

"The man was taller with smooth skin, and appeared almost human," Henry stated.

"He went Obi-Wan on the sheriff to," Jordan replied.

"You sure he was friendly?" Cameron recalled the psychic attack.

"There was a mention of an operation," Henry told Cameron.

'It was definitely them. Why would they help us now?'

"We should talk inside," Gabriella said from the porch.

"I need to check on the others." Kinsey began walking up the driveway.

"Use the truck." Henry tossed his keys.

"Thank you." Kinsey narrowly caught them before hitting the ground.

They went inside to fill Cameron in on the encounter. As they discussed it the bear meat was being processed by the group. Megan felt left out watching the others work together as she stood to the side.

"Don't worry it's not for everyone," May told Megan.

"I'm surprised you stuck around." Megan entered the front room.

"It's kinda hard not to after seeing that. Honestly wanna see how this plays out." May replied.

Megan sat on the couch to get information on the chase. She was surprised to see Jacob eluding capture. They knew it was only a matter of time till he was found. Lying to the police was a small price to pay for getting to see his family another day.

"Everyone here is so helpful," Megan stated.

"We have our recluses, and troublemakers like any other place, but most people are active in the community," May replied.

"Thank you for helping, and sorry for the threat." Megan rubbed her arm.

"People say all sorts of things in moments like that. You get used to it after a few months." May noticed her staring into the kitchen.

'No wonder she got so worked up.'

"Does he know?" May asked.

"About w-what?" Megan turned back to the tv.

"I figured the uniform was a fetish, but I guess you really are a teenager." May teased.

"Fuck off." Megan turned her head.

"Kinsey seemed interested, and she won't be the only one. How will he know unless you tell him?" May got up from the couch.

"Just think about it." May went outside for a cigarette.

Megan followed May outside to talk about dense men. Cameron finished storing the meat and went upstairs to shower. He didn't wanna admit it to the others, but his body was extremely sore. Glancing down he found no bruising, but there was an ache deep in his bones.

'I should sleep while we can.'

Cameron already received permission for the spare room and didn't even tell his comrades where he was going. Glancing at the windows he could see the sun gradually setting, and promptly got under the covers. It didn't take long to fall asleep, and for the first time, he slept unhindered by another's influence.

Creeping into the room slowly, and peering past the door was Megan. She noticed Cameron sleeping and quickly removed her uniform. Megan slipped under the covers in spandex, and a lace bra.

Megan gradually shimmied closer to Cameron. It took some time to build her confidence, but she was ready. She turned around and noticed Cameron was snoring. Knowing he hasn't slept properly in days she let him be, and carefully curled up against him.

'I'll wait until he wakes up. There's no way he doesn't pick up the hints this time.'