Certain Things: A Cassidy Fanfic

And So It Begins

We stopped at a gas station a while later to fill up and rest for a bit. As I walked through the store isles, my back pocket began to vibrate. I remembered my phone was still there and pulled it out, seeing the word Charlene come up on the cracked screen.

"Shit" I muttered,  taking a quick look around me before swiping the screen.

"Hey" I answered in a low voice, backing into a corner.

"Bad time?" the female voice answered. Kinda.

"Uhh, no, no you're good" I lied, keeping my eyes open.

"Okay. I haven't heard from you in a while, what's going on? I've been worried" she said. I bit my lip.

"Oh, just been busy. Sorry, I should've called" I replied. 

"Well, hope you're working hard. We miss you" she replied. I smiled.

"Yeah, I miss you guys too" I said, looking around once more.

"Jojo especially. Gosh, he's gotten so big since the last time you saw him" she sighed.

"Aw, I can't wait to see him"

"When are you coming home?" she asked. I took a deep breath.

"Soon" I replied. I heard a car engine start up. Shit. I can't be left here in the middle of nowhere.

"Well, when exactly?" she asked. I moved from my corner and walked towards one of the isles.

"I don't know... I'm sorry, I gotta go" I said, moving through the isles.

"Oh, okay, well... Love you"

"Love you too-" I hung up quickly when I saw Cassidy and Tulip at the front of the store.

"Who was that?" Tulip asked, holding five different drinks in her hands. Cassidy raised an eyebrow at me.

"No one" I said, shoving the phone back in my pocket, "And look, I'll get your car fixed" I said, walking towards her.

"Yes you will" she said with an attitude, and walked out of the store. Awkward silence filled the room as I was left with Cassidy. Neither of us really made eye contact with each other the whole ride here.

"Sorry about... ye know... puttin' ye in a headlock" he said, rubbing the back of his neck. I nodded and walked towards the door.

"It's understandable" I replied, pushing open the door. I felt his hand suddenly grab my elbow and I jumped slightly as I looked back at him.

"You really been lookin' for me all these years?" he asked. I nodded.

"Why?" he asked. I let go of the door handle and turned towards him, taking a breath.

"To protect you from the hunters" I said. "After what my dad did to you, and everything that I saw them do firsthand... It's sickening. I didn't wanna be a part of it. And I know that they're still after you, so..." I trailed off.

"Well, not that I need help from a little girl but... alright" he said, shrugging his shoulders. He opened up his umbrella and walked out the door. I furrowed my brows and huffed.

I'm not a little girl.

I followed him outside and stood slightly outside the trio's circle as they talked about who was shooting at us and why. They eventually decided that it was just an "unlucky start"- to what, I don't know. The preacher, Jesse, turned to me and nodded.

"Right, so we'll drop you off at the next city if you'd like" he said.

"Erm, no Padre, she's coming with us" Cassidy said, holding a finger up. Jesse looked at him with a confused face, as did Tulip.