The Deep Freeze

Part 9

Michael offered him the phone but Bob didn't think that was appropriate. He needed to get home as fast as he could. Michael grabbed his coat and the coat Bob gave him on that day behind the dumpster, handed it to Bob and said; "Here, you might want this back." It didn't seem as if Bob knew what he was talking about but he took it and put it on. They made their way to Michael truck.

Michael was unsure about what Bob might be going through to make him so distant and unsure of things. As they drove around, Bob was absorbing everything as if it were the first time. Michael realized Bob may have had some head trauma himself since he too went through Hell to get away from Xanthan. That would explain why he is so disoriented. Bob continued to rub his fingers through his hair over and over again like a greasy salesman on a windy day. It was really starting to worry Michael now.

They pulled into the driveway at Bob's. It was after 8am so Emily should be awake. Bob smiled a menacing smile that did not reach his eyes. Michael's skin crawled as he pulled away. He saw the curtains pull back as Emily's face appeared. She quickly moved away from the window when she saw Bob. The door opened and Emily came flying out, hugging Bob and petting him, reassuring him as she spoke. Michael headed back to town, thankful for Bob's return, relieved everyone was safe and hopeful that was the last sighting of Xanthan.

Michael no longer had the look of a simpleton. He looked more like one of his character's from Dungeons and Dragons. He was a warrior knight deemed to save the town from the horrible monster, Xanthan. He held his head high and moved with stealth. His hands were scuffed up from the pavement dive he took earlier and there was mud all over his body. When he looked in the mirror, he saw his father; broad face, pointed nose, eyes of glass with a neutral stare. "What have I become?" Michael thought.

It has been a two weeks since Michael was locked in the freezer. Michael was back to work and into his daily routine. The only thing different now was Michael. He had a keen sense of everything around him. He still walked to work most of the time and every time he would see the new fountain that was put in at the Guedenheimer's place, he would flash back to the whole experience with Xanthan. The huge gargoyle stared into his soul as he walked by. He just knew any minute that thing would come to life just as Xanthan emerged from the freezer. Of course it never did. Work was the same. The new freezer didn't bother him as much since this one came from a manufacturer in the US. Xanthan seemed so eager to get back to the ship yard so it only made sense not to consider it happening on shore. After work Michael would walk home or ride with Meg to his house. The episode with Bob really brought them together.

As soon as Michael entered his apartment, he began a series of excercises that went on through the rest of the evening. If Xanthan did decide to come back for any reason Michael wanted to be prepared. Each day Michael got stronger and stronger. His focus nolonger lingered on the idea of becoming some big time lawyer. The only lawyers Michael ever knew couldn't save anyone form Xanthan. He still maintained high grades and continued to excel in his class but he no longer gave it 100 percent. He wanted to be able to protect his family from Xanthan. He wanted to protect Meg.

Another two weeks came and went. Michael was working out more than ever. He would teach Meg some of the karate he learned when he was younger so she could protect herself. She did her best to try and absorb whatever she could because she too wanted to be able to protect herself. Michael couldn't always be there for her. They both kept the training up each day but occasionally Michael would stop and stare at Meg. She knew he wanted her but she would play on as if they were continuing training. She would pretend to trip and fall into his arms. After which they would start laughing and hold each other. Meg would push him and he would act as if she was so strong he collapsed onto the floor. She wrapped her legs around him, thrusting herself on him with force and held him down as she gritted her teeth and looked into his eyes with a serious face. "Feel my pain!" She started laughing and he took advantage of the moment. He cradled her head in his hand and rolled her onto her back. "No. Feel my pain." Michael gently kissed her on the neck.