This story is the continuation of Behind closed doors so if you haven't read that one I suggest to start there. This novel is more storydriven than BCD and also involves more focus on the other characters in the Overwatch family.
The story picks up...
I believe that everybody has an idea of how their lives will be, what they will become and what they will achieve.
During this past year, I can with certainty tell you that my life took a turn that I could not have predicted even in my wildest imagination... And I do pride myself in always being one step ahead.
But no, this part took me by surprise. A surprise in the form of a rugged cowboy with leather chaps, a dirty shirt and a stinking cloth hanging around his shoulders. With boots that had seen better days and were most likely overdue for a proper cleaning months, or even years ago. Reeking of alcohol and musky smoke and that hair... that matted carpet of hair.
I shudder from the thought alone.
Now though. Now he sits behind me. His hair is silky smooth, touching the side of my head. I feel his breath on my neck and the warmth of his body. I feel him smiling... and I smile too.
The stinking cloth, his red serape, which has been with us through so much, is now clean and it is wrapped around us like a blanket.
But those manners... the way he eats, moves, dresses... He spits on the ground, scratches himself whenever and wherever is needed with no consideration of his surroundings.
The free soul, following the wind with what he does and what he says. No filters, no second thought. He is who he is and he does not excuse himself for it.
He takes a deep breath... sighs. A sigh of relaxation and happiness. He does enjoy my smell and having his cheek leaning against my hair. Yes, I can feel that he is happy.
I take a deep breath as well. My products can never outdo his cologne.... The one I despised. I found it repulsive, but now I love that smell more than anything. I inhale it, as if I am trying to ingrain it into my memory, although it has been cemented there for a long time. I want to remember him just like this. I want to remember everything about him.
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His chosen family was kind enough to rent us a small cottage down the hill from Dr. Ziegler's residence. It offers us some privacy and an astonishing view over the lake, but it is still close enough for them to be able to keep an eye on Jesse. Just a short walk downhill and they are here.
The cottage is in typical Swiss style. White with brown wood decorating its exterior, with flowers growing outside and surrounded by endless meadows of grass following the motions of the wind. From the mountain sides you can hear cowbells every now and then as they move, feeding off the grass.
I did believe that the sanctuary in Nepal was as close to heaven one could get, but this is a close second... if not the most beautiful place on Earth. Dr. Ziegler made a wise choice to reside here... and so did the others setting up their base not far from this location. Secluded, yet with a crystal clear view of their surroundings.
