Alexander Ranch

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I think I dreamed. Or, maybe I was fading in and out of consciousness. I could hear footsteps rushing towards me in the sand. I remember being lifted and then set down gently in warm water. Was the man going to drown me in the river? I probably should protest, but the water was so warm and soothing. Still, I should fight, but my limbs would not move.

Gentle hands moved over me and took off my clothes. Was I being taken advantage of? There were hands running through my hair and warm water rippling over me, but nothing that felt inappropriate. Maybe I was dead. Whatever was happening to me now felt good and safe. Then my mind drifted away and there was nothing, not even a thought.

I woke slowly from a deep fog only to find that I'd been captured. I opened my eyes to see a man, who had probably fallen asleep while guarding me, bundled up right next to me. I came fully awake with a start and jerked upright without thinking. The moment I moved, his eyes flew open.

"Don't be afraid," he said in a calm, cool voice. He went on talking in a rush, "I found you on the beach, and it looks like someone took a shot at you. I won't hurt you. My name is Jordan. You are in my cabin. You're safe."

I had been making a gallant yet feeble attempt to struggle out of the confining blankets I'd been wrapped in like a burrito. But, when he began to speak, I froze. Exhausted from the little effort at escape I had been able to make, I now collapsed back down on the pallet. My eyes, however, remained fixed and unblinking in terror on this stranger. I did not speak, just watched him in muddled fear and confusion trying to make sense of what was happening. The only thing I was sure of was, this wasn't one of the men who'd been after me. What had he said? Something about finding me on the beach? He continued to talk as if he were trying to sooth and reassure some frightened animal that might run or lash out at any moment. I realized I must resemble just that.

"You have no idea how relieved I am to see you awake. I've been sitting here scared out of my mind and not knowing what to do to help you," he went on babbling as if he didn't know what else to do. I opened my senses, belatedly, and realized he was indeed afraid. Though I doubted he was afraid of me, he did seem rather afraid of something. Afraid of dealing with me perhaps? I probed cautiously for a few more moments and only sensed sincere concern and fear. He was feeling fear for me I realized in surprise. As if my body had gotten a magic signal to turn off the adrenalin, my eyes got heavy and I could only stare at him with groggy wariness.

"Wait. Don't go back to sleep just yet," he entreated reaching out to me and then hastily snatching his hand back, as if thinking better than to touch me. Did he have gloves on? How strange. "I was able to get you to take a little water, but I have some broth in the kitchen. It's chicken broth. I'm not sure I should give you anything solid, but I think you should at least try the broth."

My eyes became more alert at the mention of food. I was a bit hungry but didn't feel I could chew anything. Chewing would take too much energy.

He continued talking, "I'm going to get up now and go get the broth, ok?"

I didn't remember nodding or responding in any way but, after a moment, he got up slowly and walked in the direction I assumed was the kitchen. I watched him disappear around a wall and then my eyes closed. I tensed and my eyes opened when I heard his footsteps coming towards me again. I must have fallen back asleep.

"Here, I'll help you sit up a bit. Just take a couple of sips," he encouraged. I didn't protest when he gently pulled me up and put the mug to my lips. I took a few cautious sips and then closed my eyes and let my head drop back. Holding my head up to sip was exhausting in itself. I was breathing hard as if I'd just sprinted down a track. He patiently coaxed me into taking a couple more sips as I watched him through heavy, guarded eyes. Belatedly I wondered if I should trust him enough to take food from him. What if it was drugged? He gently lowered me back down and we stared at each other until my eyes finally closed and I was asleep again.