Where It Lies

Chapter 11

Time seems to drag on as the fire begins to die down, and the rain beats harder against the foundation. I turn my head toward Jasper as he stands and slides his pants back on, refueling the fire with more wood. Sitting up myself before grabbing the rolled blunts that Jasper had waiting. With the lighter sitting on the bedside table, I grab it and toss it to Jasper as he sits back down on the bed.

"Thanks." He says as he takes the lighter and one of the blunts, lighting it up and returning the lighter. I stand after lightning my own and walk to the doorway of the patio, watching the rain pour down as I take a long drag. The silk sheet presses against my body as the warmth from the fireplace hits my back.

This moment, all I need to keep going as Jasper walks up behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist.

"We'll find him. I promise." He says as he rest his head on my shoulder, looking out to the rain as well. Seeing smoke leave his mouth after he takes a drag from his own.

"I believe you." I tell him as I take a puff, letting the smoke sit in my lungs for a few seconds before exhaling.

"Good. Now, let's go lay down and get some sleep when we're done here."

Jasper takes my hand in his own as I bring the blunt to my lips, inhaling and exhaling quickly. We walk to the bed and sit down near the edge, letting the warmth of the fire embrace us both. By the time I knew it, both of blunts were gone and we were now sitting at the head of the bed, under the covers. My body lays slumped next to Jasper's as I begin to drift to sleep, hoping the words Jasper said were true. Coming from him, I believe every word.

The next morning comes around sooner than I felt it should. My body and mind more tired than I thought I was. Waking the next morning, I see Jasper still sleeping. Rising from the bed I reach for my shirt that is hanging on the back of the desk chair, bringing it over my head as I cover my chest. The fire had gone out sometime last night while we were sleeping, and the rain had lightened up a lot from the storm that had past over us.

I walk over to the patio door, looking out into the yard. Puddles now formed every few feet. Seeing a black spot on the ground, realizing Jasper had dropped my gun in the rain last night.

"Fuck.." I say before sliding on my jeans and shoes and heading out the bedroom door and down the stairs to retrieve my gun from outside. Closing the door behind me as I have my wet soaked gun in hand, I walk into the kitchen and find a rag on the counter. Hoping I could dry it as best I could before we get ready to leave when Jasper wakes up. I curse myself as I should have retrieved it last night instead of forgetting about it til morning.

I sigh as I place the rag on the counter, along with my gun as I walk back up the stairs to get my belongings ready to go. By the time Jasper wakes, I have gotten my bag back into the jeep, my gun in its holster on my hip and a blunt rolled and smoked. My phone now fully charged as I have tried to call my father again, but coming up short like I did the night before. My patience running thin as I press the end call button on my screen.

"Good morning." I hear from behind me as I stand near the balcony door, watching the rain turn to sprinkles and almost dispersing.

"Morning." I say, keeping my eyes on the horizon as the sun is well above the tree line. I cut my words short as I turn and see Jasper dressing for the day ahead, a soft smile on his lips.

"I'm ready when you are. I'll be down stairs." Is all I say, my voice evident that I was ready to depart from here and begin the journey again.

"Alright. I'll be a minute." I hear before walking out the bedroom door and to the stairs leading into the living room below. My eyes scanning over the old furniture as I make my way to the front door, peering out to the jeep.