Keep Your Eyes On The Road Ahead

Guardian

8. Juice

I woke up to the sound of her screaming – I ran outside in just my sweatpants for her to run into me, soaking wet.

"Your lungs sound like they're better." I laughed wrapping the towel on the ground around her. She shoved at me frantically, practically shoving herself over.

"BEAR!" She screamed dragging me into the cabin. I couldn't stop laughing long enough to stop us from falling, finally she started laughing too.

"Get some clothes on, before you get sick." I laughed rolling so I wasn't ontop of her anymore. "I'll go scare him off."

I walked outside, her up my ass- literally right up against my back. I held the shotgun, looking around but I saw no bear.

"You sure you saw a bear?" I asked.

"Yes, I'm sure! I got in – I went to reach for the soap and his nose hit my hand! I screamed loud enough, I'm sure I scared him off!"

"Well, you're still soapy, get back in... I'll stand guard." I offered.

"Alright but no peeking."

"You ran at me naked and I didn't see anything." I said looking at her with a cocked eyebrow. "You can trust me."

"Yeah... well from now on I think you should come with me when I shower – to stand guard."

"I can do that." I nodded.

She got in and showered, I sat on a log off to the side and kept watch. I saw the bear off in the distance but he wasn't interested in coming back – he was on his way off.

"Thanks." She said stepping out. I faced away until she grabbed my hand- ready to go back inside.

"So I'm gonna be leaving for a few days. I'm not sure who they have coming to take my place." I said walking us inside, locking the door behind us. "But you can call me if you want to – if you are still having nightmares."

"I don't want anyone else to watch me." She said. "I like you here."

I couldn't explain the happiness that gave me but I had no choice, we had to finish off these guys – they had kidnapped one of the guys and wanted me there to help question him.

And trust me, I was going to do more than question him.

"I made your favorite." She said walking over to the oven, pulling out a pan. "I was letting it cool."

"Did you remember?" I asked.
"No, you told me in one of the stories you told me." She admitted with a shrug. "But I just knew how to make it, does that count?"

"of course." I smiled. I couldl've eaten it all, buffalo chicken mac and cheese was my favorite – it was a discovery she prompted when I first met her.

"Hey guys." Tara said letting herself in. "I'm here to relieve you of your duties."

"Okay... well, I'll see you in a few days. Okay?" I said throwing on a hoodie and my kutte.

"I don't want you to go." Johanna said hugging me. "Please."

I wanted nothing more than to just throw off my kutte and sit back down, but I couldn't. I was doing this for her, I was going to end this so we could all go home.

Even though I was afraid when it was time to do so, I wasn't sure if she'd ever talk to me or be this close with me again.

Tara walked me out, insisting that Johanna get some rest – reminding her that she was still healing and she had been serious about the bed rest.

"I just wanted to talk to you." She said as I got on my bike.

"Yeah, Tar?" I asked.

"I know how you both feel. How you've always felt. When she's scared she looks for you and is comforted when you're in the room.... That hasn't changed Juice, and it will get better... I promise. I know she watches for you when others come here to visit to see if its you. You are her safe haven."

"I needed that Tar, but I don't think it's gonna be the same..." I said starting my bike. "I'm gonna finish this, that way we can heal."