Hunted

HUNTED Chapter 22

Lanz Island

Callen shifted uneasily in his sleep. Dreams from the past haunted him once again. "I know where you work, I know who you care about."

He woke up in a sweat, his breathing heavy. He could feel his heart race inside his chest.

"Nell!" His eyes blinked as he focused on the figure before him.

"Daddy?"

He furrowed his brow, while he tried to think of where he was. He scanned the room as his eyes returned to focus. The cabin. Why was he there? He shifted and pain ripped through his arm. His eyes shifted to his left arm, taking in the bandage.

"Daddy hurt his arm," Alice announced, as if she was telling a stranger.

His eyes moved to his daughter's. She looked older, more grown up than he remembered. He tried to pry memories that refused come.

"Where's Mommy?"

"She's outside with Aunt Kensi and Uncle Marty." Her eyes moved to the window. "He's funny. Do you know Uncle Marty? He came with Uncle Sam and Grandma."

"Yes I do."

Movement in the doorway caught his attention. His former boss, Henrietta Lange stood there, with such pose, it was almost like she had been stuffed, like he had once joked with her many years earlier.

"Hetty! What are you doing here?" His eyes shifted back towards his daughter, who was busy pouring him a glass of water from a jug.

"Here you go, Daddy. Drink this." She carefully held the glass out with both hands.

"Thank you, sweetheart. When did you grow up so much?" He was certain if he blinked, she'd be ten or a teenager. Each and every day were precious with his children.

"I'm four, remember Daddy?" She leaned over and kissed him gently on the cheek.

"Four. Of course I remember." He gave her a warm smile and studied her closely. Each and every day, both of his children surprised him, just how much they had grown.

"Grandma wants to talk to you. I'll help Uncle Sam with Tristan." She ran outside, causing Callen to watch her with amazement.

He turned and focused on Hetty. "I swear she's a teenager already the way she behaves sometimes. So grown up at only four."

"She's just like your wife at that age." Hetty sat in the cane chair in the corner and folded her hands.

"You knew her at four?" He raised his brow—-how long had Hetty been keeping tabs on her people before they joined the team? he wondered.

"Your wife was noticed very early one due to her unique skills. Your daughter I am certain, will one day follow her mother in her footsteps."

"No!" Callen pushed himself higher up in the bed. "I don't want her to be exposed to what we were. I want a normal life for both of our children. This is why we left, to get away from the danger."

"Unfortunately, Stephen, there is nothing to stop her from doing just that. If that is what she wishes, she'll do great one day." Hetty sighed heavily.

"But as to the danger, we both know that eventually the past returns to haunt us. No matter how far we run and hide."

"Obviously not far enough. We should have moved further away. New Zealand or South Africa." He swallowed hard the lump that formed. "Maybe Australia. It's big enough, plenty of places to hide."

"How long do you think you could live on the run?"

"Forever. If it means keeping our kids safe."