The Returnee

Chapter 2

Lee wanted his voice to be strong and confident. Instead, it shook if he tried to get it higher than a low tone. "They are sweet too, but I made sure to send a message to say I was safe." He tried not to fidget as the examination continued, taking in his posture and reactions. The air turned heavier as an unspoken demand for an explanation ricocheted in the tight space.

Humming Joseph, eyes narrowing as he rolled the sleeve back down. "You made sure that they couldn't contact you back if I understand things correctly. You cut all of us off, not just Mattie and the others."

"Yes." Lee wasn't sure what the man wanted from him with that statement.

Another moment lingered between them. Some of the intensity levelled off, and Joseph nodded, re-buttoning his sleeves. "I heard some of your conversation. You're going to be staying here for a few weeks to recover from a stressful job?" Joseph stretched, consciously or not, making Lee aware of their size difference and that Joseph could stab him in two.

"That's the plan." A plan that could change very fast depending on what Joseph said next. Enforcers doubled as caretakers with a touch of force added to the usual care that a standard caretaker showed. If Joseph had overheard Andrew worrying about his eating habits, that could cause trouble. Resets happened if enforcers had reasons to worry about the people they were overseeing. Lee didn't need a reset, not in the way that a caretaker would push onto him if they caught him in this state.

"How willing would you be to stay at my place during this time?" Where I can keep an eye on you and get you reintegrated with the family rang unsaid.

"Not at all," Lee shook his head. "I'll give you my phone number if you want it?" Just leave me alone. The family wouldn't stop now that they had found him, but that didn't mean he'd be bundled off back to the farm straight away. The farm acted as their headquarters, where people healed and learnt to shake off the nightmares from their experience but most didn't live there. A few did, but most lived everyday lives, returning for holidays and family events like a real family.

"If you're stressed, returning to us is a good idea," Joseph verbally poked.

Lee didn't meet the man's eyes, more interested in the fact that one of his shoelaces was undone. Joseph wore nice shoes, well maintained. The sort that someone would wear to a place like this or posher, though the man wasn't wearing a tie. Lee didn't want to. It didn't change the fact that it wasn't a terrible idea.

The family specialised in helping people get back on their feet. A good portion of their client had nothing to do with what happened to family members. Only the people with the mark on their arms counted as family. They helped people cope with stress and how to balance their needs with their work. Every enforcer and caretaker had trained to be effective in their roles, to allow vulnerable ones to recover the lives they'd lost and enjoy themselves again after having everything stripped away from them.

This wasn't the same. He didn't need help! Not from someone he'd meet within the last five minutes of his life, even if they were a family member. His eyes flickered back up to Joseph's face, ready to fight his piece. The fire in Joseph's eyes snuffed out the urge. Something must have clued Joseph in as the look softened, and his next words didn't echo with metal.

"I'm not asking you to return to the farm or to give up your job. I'm just asking you to let us take care of you while you're on your holiday."

It sounded reasonable. Lee hated that and the implication behind it. "It's been a bad few weeks, but I'm fine. I'll put myself back on track. I need to learn to do this on my own. I noticed I was degrading again; I've made plans to rest and recover. That's better than before."