The Man Of Little Words (Thomas Hewitt x Reader)

Chapter 6

My heart stopped it's wild thumping when I heard Luda's voice, she sounded more disappointed than sad. I slowly unclasped the door handle and let my arm fall back to my side. Feeling every cell in my body engaging in a fight or flight response, I turned to face her trying to think of a lie that seemed at least half believable, "I was just going out to get some air." My voice cracked and I watched her facial expressions to see how she had processed my lie. "I see... Well how about I join you, just us." She said putting a whole lot of emphasis on 'just'. I forced a smile to creep up my face as my brain wanted to force my facial muscles to pull down instead of up. She ushered me out the door and onto the porch, my heart began its rapid thumping once more. I was finally out of that house but still around these people I don't think running would be a good option seeing as how I'm not faster than a bullet. I stared out at the area of ground where Charlie had shot the stranger in the leg when he tried to escape. The accuracy on the shot and the steadiness of Charlie's hand made me shiver, it seemed like he had done that more times than I would've liked to know. One thing I knew for certain was these people were murderers and don't look to be ashamed of it. I was pulled away from my thoughts by Luda saying my name, I snapped my head over at her and raised my brows, "What was it?" I asked not wanting to set her or anyone off. She made a silenced laugh and let her shoulders bounce, "I asked if you wanted to help me with my garden.". I nodded and gave another fake smile, "Sure I know a thing or two about gardens." I assured her.

        I watched her make her way down the steps, putting a good bit of her weight on the railing making it easier for her to get down. I followed behind her and tried to watch closely at all my surroundings now, the surveying I did during my arrival was a quick easy prep to make an escape if I needed to but now this was life or death and I needed to keep track of everything in sight; possible traps, fences, junk, roads, buildings, etc.. Luda had led me to a small garden that had tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, herbs, watermelons, cucumbers, and green beans. I noticed a water hose close to the tilled dirt and also seem weeds that forced their ways into the veggies' space. I waited for her next move before I could calculate mine. Luda gave me a dissatisfied sigh and made 'tsk tsk' sounds, "Looks as though the weeds came back, my dear. Would you mind helping me get them out then we'll water the plants before they get as wrinkled as me." She laughed. I laughed and helped her down to her knees and went to the other side so I could pull weeds from there instead of being way too close to her. The air was comfortable for a few minutes all I heard was birds chirping and rustling of leaves and then I heard Luda begin to speak, "I know you seen what happened and I know you probably want to leave because of it... But now since you know, you cain't leave. You're going to be staying with us for a while." She said not taking her eyes off the weeds but from how she was positioned I knew she could still see me out of her peripheral vision. I wanted to run when I listened to what she said, run as fast as possible but I didn't know who could be watching me at this point. I figured the best thing to do was stay calm and at some point I'll find a way out and be free, more time roaming free will give me chances to figure out an escape plan instead of being locked up and genuinely trapped. All I could do was nod and sigh, "Yeah, I kinda figured that. But I won't be trying anything slick. I'll help out around here and do whatever you or any of the boys are needing, all I ask is I don't get locked up anywhere." I told her which made her sit up quickly and stare at me with wide eyes, "Y-You aren't upset?" She asked seeming a bit nervous herself now. I'm not one to lie, "Well, of course I'm upset people are going to miss my interviews online and I won't be able to continue my travels. So yeah I'm a little upset about it, but I value life more. I'd rather be alive than experience traveling." I explained giving her a brief glance as I went back to caring for the plants. Her look stayed the same as she watched me as though she was dumbfounded and confused. But she cleared her throat and got back to weeding, "We won't make life hard on you as long as you don't make it hard on us." She said before a thick silence developed in between us, her words sounded more like a threat rather than an offer.

          After we were finished weeding the garden, I stood and helped Luda stand. She didn't weigh much I happened to noticed while hoisting her. I scooped the hose up with the top of my foot and stretched it up to my hand then handed it to Luda, "Is it already hooked up? I'll go turn it on if it is." I said with a smile, she seemed to like the idea of not having to go all the way there and then back, "Yes it is, thank you." She said getting the hose ready so it wouldn't damage any plants once it was on. I followed the hose to the faucet which was under the porch a bit, hidden by a lattice door. I ducked down and went inside to turn the faucet on, I could hear footsteps above my head. I turned swiftly and made an exit from the underside of the porch to see who had been standing above me. My eyes got a bit wider, it was him, the "friendly giant" that wasn't so friendly, "H-Hey, Thomas. How are you?" I asked nervously and stared into his blue eyes that were halfway covered by his heavy brow. His large hands were gripping the rail tightly as he leaned over it to stare at me. I didn't know what to do other than look at him, I swallowed hard and glanced away from him then back at him, his lumbering figure stayed firmly on the rails, his eyes not moving from me. Before I could do anything, Luda shouted from the garden, "Tommy come help us!" She said and waved her arm. His eyes softened when he seen his mama but glared back at me as he bounced his body off the rail with his arms and made his way off the old porch and to the garden. By the time he had gotten there I was already there and standing by for Luda. He stood next to me his arm close enough just to be brushing against mine, I was unsure if he wanted me to move or not so I just stayed still, I could still feel his eyes burning into the top of my head. I noticed Luda glancing over at us with a smile every minute or two as if she was checking to see if we had moved away from each other. Thomas had let out a low huff, shifted behind me grabbed my arms and moved me back firmly; after moving me he returned to his spot next to me. All I did was let my mouth fall open in confusion and extreme fear due to him grabbing me, which wasn't even rough it was like he was just trying to move me then I realized why he moved me, Luda was trying to move where we were so she could water the plants in front of us. I guessed Thomas knew she didn't want to tell us to move but she needed us to. Once he returned to his spot next to me Luda had let out a small laugh, "Tommy will know what to do before he's even told, he's a good boy, miss (y/n). You'll find that out on your own in time." She explained. I gave her a soft, short laugh in return to her explanation. Thomas had been watching me closely throughout the duration of his presence in the garden, his fingers twitching impatiently every time I made any sort of movement. I refused to let him make the air around me any thicker; I stared back at him causing him to furrow his brows. Each millisecond seemed like minutes and in a way his eyes seemed to get darker, colder, and more animalistic. He wasn't backing down but I had no intention of backing down either, that was until Luda had cleared her throat,I assumed it was to break the stare down. She was successful in her attempt, I was unfortunately the first to look away and the first to look at Luda. "I appreciate the help. It's nice to have another set of hands to work with." She thanked me and placed her frail wrinkled hand on Thomas's back, "Tommy, why don't you take (y/n) back to the house and get started on lunch. I'll finish up out here." Her head gave a nod towards the house. He let out a protested grunt but softened his eyes as he looked at her, she gave him a reassuring nod and without another word he began the short walk back to the poorly aged building. Before I could follow his trail Luda grabbed my arm, "Don't read too much into him, you're still new to his world." Her soft words entered my head just like how any loving mother's would. A small smile had appeared on my face as I responded with a singular nod then made my way back to my captor's home.