Dickory

Cosy Cabin

"Are you phcking kidding me?" Reed murmured as Nines pulled up in the middle of nowhere. They'd been on the snowy road for hours and changed cars three times, hurrying through a store or gas station each time to lose anyone who may have been tailing them. The car they were in now was a large jeep made for all terrains. They'd been given the keys in the last small town they'd stopped in, where the agents had parted ways with them at a small stop at the side of the road. The jeep had been waiting for them and Nines had taken the wheel.

"It is one of the better safe-houses in the FBI database," Nines replied as he parked the car outside the front of the cosy-looking cabin. It's a phcking fairy tale house! Reed almost expected to be greeted by Snow White and the seven dwarfs. The snow just added to the mystical look of the place. The sun glittered across the white surface in the early morning light. They'd been travelling since the night before, probably driving in circles to shake off any potential tails. Reed had lost track of the towns they'd gone through. They may have even crossed state lines. The area was surrounded by trees. Tall evergreens. The space around the cabin was just large enough for three or four cars to park in front of the small wooden steps leading up to the plain front door. The whole thing was made of wood, thick logs, giving it a Canadian feel. Did we cross the bridge? I don't remember crossing the bridge...

"Better in what way?" Reed scoffed as they climbed out, taking a few moments to appreciate the cosy cabin that they'd be calling home for however long they were stuck out there. He doubted the place even had a television. He hadn't seen another house for a good mile or so. This was like a retreat. Somewhere rich businessmen would go to escape the rush of the city. It wasn't the sort of place Reed relished being locked up, miles away from his job and anything to distract himself. He felt Nine's arm brush his own as they stood together. He looked strangely content.

"It is private...Secluded...The distant nature of the property also means it is permissible for us to be outside," Nines added, which Reed couldn't argue was a big fucking plus. In a city house, he'd be trapped indoors. He was glad Colin had somehow managed to at least get them a place he'd be able to stretch his legs from. "It is also aesthetically pleasing," Nines added thoughtfully as he took in the sloping roof and sheltered porch area. Reed couldn't argue with that either. It was fucking picturesque.

"Come on then, Terminator. Let's get inside and get Pipsqueak out of his carrier," Reed sighed eventually, knowing he was likely antsy from the non-stop travelling. He'd been well behaved, likely due to being an android, but that didn't mean it was fun for him to be cooped up in a plastic box for however long they'd been on the road. Nines nodded his agreement as he opened the trunk and grabbed the large rucksack and carrier bag of cat supplies. Reed opened the door to the backseat, where he'd carefully secured Pipsqueak's carrier with the seatbelt. "Hey there, Pips...You doing alright?" he asked softly as he lifted the box. The cat mewled loudly in response, even Nines' usual stoicism cracking to feel sorry at the pitiable sound.

Pipsqueak likely didn't understand the way they did. He was probably being assaulted by all the new and unusual scents of the area, everything scary and unfamiliar besides Reed and Nines. It didn't help that Nines had a jammer activated. Pipsqueak wasn't wirelessly connected to anything, but he was set to receive automatic updates and general information from outside sources. The sudden silence on the technological side had likely unsettled him in a similar manner to Nines. It was a small price to pay for keeping their location a secret though.

Nines led the way, house keys already in hand. Reed cooed and hushed Pipsqueak's mewling all the way to the door. Inside was almost more fantastic than he'd imagined as Nines flipped the cosy lighting on. There were table lamps set on small cabinets and side tables, and some intimate overhead lighting. It was a nice mixture of modern and pre-millennium, but not overpowering or tacky. The lower floor had wooden flooring with a thick cream rug beneath the brown leather sofa and chairs in the living area, set up around a real fireplace. As he looked up, Reed could see the bedroom on a balcony overlooking the living room.