Homecoming

Chapter 6

4 days later

Summer had arrived, evident with the incessant sounds of bugs buzzing and unpredictable weather patterns. Yesterday, it had been nearly ninety-degrees of pure sun pounding down over Hope County. Today, storm clouds ruled the sky, bellowing out to announce it's ever-looming presence. It wasn't raining just yet, to which Nayeli was a bit disappointed. As children, Sokanon would help her and Takoda build a pillow fort, and make them hot cocoa during rainy days. She would sit inside of the fort with them, beguiling them with Salish folklore as they waited for the weather to pass. Nayeli's favorite was the story about the fox who defeated a giant.

"Those were the days, weren't they?"

Nayeli was sitting amongst the grass of a small cemetery, staring at the headstones of Sokanon and Takoda which were sitting peacefully side by side. As far as Nayeli was concerned, she was the last of her family still standing, after having a very colorful conversation with her father the day prior in regards to her moving back, the shop, and whatever else he wanted to throw into her face to make her feel like a failure "like her mother" as per his words.

The thunder became increasingly louder, and with one loud roar, the rain began to fall. That's my cue. Nayeli gently placed down two bouquets of flowers, one for each loved one she had lost before standing up and about-faced to head back to her car back at the dirt road. Today was her last day of paid leave before returning to the station tomorrow, and she planned on spending the rest of her free time in a self-induced sleep coma.

As she approached her car, she fumbled in her jacket's pocket for her keys. Once she found them, she proceeded to look up as she unlocked the car. She became startled as she saw a second, hooded, reflection standing behind her in the driver side window. Nayeli reached for the gun tucked away in her thigh holster but the figure was quick to pin her face-first against the car. Nayeli began to shout as she struggled to free herself but the stranger easily overpowered her.

"You're going to hurt yourself if you don't stop." the male-voice gruffed.

Once Nayeli stopped thrashing, the stranger's grip released significantly but was still enough to hold her in place. With somewhat gentle hands, the figure turned her around, his body nearly sandwiching her between himself and the car. He towered over her silently, waiting, to see if she was going to continue to resist. When she didn't, he finally released his hands from her. Though the top part of his face was hidden from the shadow of his hood, his red-beard stood out like a beacon. Nayeli was stunned but a smile began to overtake her face.

"Jacob?"

When he said nothing, Nayeli lifted her hands hesitantly, taking the rip of his hood into her hands. He flinched as she pulled back the hood, confirming her suspicion. He looked, with the exception a few more wrinkles, the exact same since she last saw him. There were signs of bags under his eyes, signifying lack of sleep and of course aging. His expression remained stoic as he examined her face. Gone were the round features that accompanied the awkward teenage years, and in its place, the sharp almost carved features of a grown woman. Combined with her tawny skin tone, hazel eyes, and dark chocolate-almost black hair...

"What are you doing here little lamb?"

Despite every horrible thing she heard about the Project and the Seeds...Nayeli couldn't help but smile at the sight of his face. \

"It's kind of a long story."

Her hands had rested upon his shoulders after removing his hood. She was surprised he was wearing anything other than army fatigues for once.

"It's good to see you Jacob."

Jacob never gave any tells but his breathing had increased just the slightest. He reached his hands up to hers, gently pulling them away. Always the semi-gentle giant.