Improvise or Die

6

I spoke up to Mac once we were done. "Sorry I overheard earlier. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop." I told Mac, fearing a yelling match.
"It's ok. I'm totally not mad. Do you have anything you want to comment on? I know I said some stuff you probably weren't expecting." Mac questioned. I could see the nervousness on his face as he asked. "I'm just confused. You like me? You barely know me." I asked.
"I don't know you well, you're right, but I think you're really nice and you're strong and resourceful and I think you're really pretty. I know that's not the deepest set of compliments, but like we said, we don't know each other well. It's not like I was going to ask you out today." He explained. I could tell he was nervous to say it to my face and worried about my response.
"I disagree about me being strong and resourceful, but thanks. If it's any consolation, I like you too." I admitted. I couldn't help but fall for this genius of a man I got mixed up with.
"You are strong and resourceful. Why don't you think so?" He objected.
"You've seen me cry more than I think even my dad has. He and I aren't ones to outwardly show emotion with each other. I've always been the strong one who prided myself on not letting things get to me. Plus, I broke down in that room filming the video. I'm not resourceful. You knew to take the IV out and use it to get out of cuffs. I instead didn't know what to do and had to sit there and take the torture."
"You knew to do sign language. That's as resourceful as it gets. You aren't weak for crying, ok? You've been through a lot and it's perfectly understandable." He assured me gently.
"Thanks."
"Do you wanna have some ice cream and a beer?" He asked, to change the subject.
"Sure." We put some ice cream in bowls and sat on his couch.
"How are you actually doing?" He asked me as we ate. I sighed.
"Not great. I've never been a target like this before. At least not to this degree. So much has happened. I've never been this hurt. I've never had my dad not tell me where he was and not answer calls. I'm staying here which I appreciate but I have nothing and no one." I explained.
"You're feeling lost and overwhelmed and ultimately terrified?" He asked.
"How did-"
"Because if I was in your shoes, I'd feel the same way. Listen, your dad cares a lot about you. Enough to have precautions in place to keep you safe. He sent you here and although I failed at protecting you, I will always do my best to keep you safe. That's a promise. He never asked me, but he didn't have to. He's family at this point. He may not be here, but you have me and you will have me whether we end up dating or not. If you have stuff you want and need, we can take a trip to a store somewhere and get you stuff. I know you don't have clothes or anything. And don't worry about paying rent or owing me. My place is your place and I'm not charging you a penny." He assured me. "About everything else, you'll be sore for a while and you may have some post-trauma problems, but we'll handle it. It's nothing we can't handle. It's ok. And don't feel like your tears are gonna scare me off or anything. They won't." I nodded and we continued to eat our ice cream and drink our beers. I was happy that someone seemed to care so much. "I wanna show you something." I got up with him. He led me to the railing of his deck where you could see the city skyline and all the stars were out.
"This is such a nice view." I commented. I was in awe of the view.
"I come out here to clear my head sometimes. If you ever need to be alone or even need to be with someone but want to clear your head, you're more than welcome to come out here."
"Thanks, Mac. For everything." I truly couldn't believe how much Mac had done for me without even knowing me.
"Of course. You're safe here. Sorry I didn't do a better job protecting you earlier."
"You did what you could. It's not your fault." We stood there for a bit before we went back inside. There was a knock on the front door. Mac opened it then let the people inside. "Who are-"
  "Hannah, meet Riley, Desi, and Matty. They're with the Phoenix Foundation. Matty's my boss and I work with Desi who temporarily is taking Jack's spot and Riley is our expert at all things computers." Mac introduced.
"We're really glad you're ok." Matty spoke up. "What I do need to inform you of is that you know more about the organization than you should. Jack shouldn't have told you any of that. But, because you do know, that means you can't tell another soul anything about us or we would then have to press federal charges. I don't say that to scare you. I say that to make sure you're aware. I know you've been through a lot. If you need someone to talk to, we can provide a counselor." Matty offered. It was clear she was trying to show compassion while also being the boss.
"I know I can't share the info. My dad made sure I didn't and wouldn't. I'll be ok. I have Mac here to help me deal with everything that's happened." I replied. "That's assuming you're ok with that." I added to Mac.
"Yeah. I told you I was here for you. Whatever you need."
"And if you ever want to talk just girl to girl, I'm here too." Riley added.
"Same for me." Desi commented.
"And if it helps, Jack is like a dad to me as well." Riley seemed nice.
"Thanks. I appreciate all of you doing what you did to save me." I told them. I really couldn't believe everything they did to help me.
"Absolutely. We just wanted to come by and introduce ourselves. We'll let you get some rest." Matty told me before they left.
"Sorry. I wasn't expecting them to come. Why don't we go get your room set up?" I limped with him to the room and he put some clean sheets on there for me. There wasn't anything else in there. He got me a phone charger so I could have my phone by my bed. "Here. I'll put my number in there too in case you need anything. If you need me, you can text me and if I don't answer in a minute or two, just come to my room. You should be safe now." He assured me. "Get some sleep, ok? I'll wait until you're up tomorrow to go in for work or I'll wake you up. It's usually a case by case basis anyway."
"Ok. Get some sleep too. You look exhausted." I told him.
"Just been up ever since Murdoc took you." He answered.
"You didn't sleep at all?" I asked as the guilt rose in me.
"No. I spent the last day working on getting you out. I'm not lacking that much. I basically just didn't go to sleep after he woke us up." He told me.
"Ok. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yep. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."