The Scout

Chapter - 17

The Scout
Chapter-17 / by; mike hurley
'Stone Foxes'

Misti & Tarrin walked fast and had chosen a long meandering path to the east. It would take them about 2 weeks to reach the McAdams Ranch. Twice as long as the others.
The path was rarely used by the Rebels. Misti put safety above everything else when she plotted their course from Tarrin's GPS derived compass heading.

Their love for each other was unbreakable but Misti accepted the fact that as intelligent as Tarrin was, and his future contributions to the Bi-Lateral would be great.....he was a liability if they ran into Rebels along the way. His everyday common sense was lacking. His convictions to protect her were admirable, but he had lots of issues carrying it out. His not understanding what a safety did on a handgun was case in point.

She continued to let Tarrin think he was in charge. She covertly guided his decisions, but made him feel manly and fulfilling his male duties to protect and care for her.  Many were perplexed why she loved him, but for Misti it was a simple equation.........

Misti grew up in a dysfunctional home.
Her father a carpenter, her mom slept with any number of guys and 'loved everyone'. She habitually criticized Misti's dad & belittled him in front of his family, & friends. Misti loved her father; he wasn't perfect, but he was a kind man & tried his best to be a good father.

When she turned 16, Misti legally emancipated herself from her mother. She despised her mom and refused to attend her funeral when she overdosed on men and drugs.

A few years later Misti's father was driving home & stopped to help a policeman who was suddenly surrounded by a dozen gang members. A fight ensured & her father, a former Army Ranger, took out 5 & helped the Officer till backup arrived. The next day on his way to work someone shot into his pick up & killed him. At his graveside, Misti made a vow that if she ever married, she would treat her man with respect and encouragement.

Misti always made Tarrin feel like 'the man of the house' & praised him. She saw first hand the cruelty of humiliation.

Misti was attracted to Tarrin's simple lifestyle, his golden retriever loyal personality and his gentle giant demeanor. They met at camp, captured the same day from different counties and instantly felt safe with the other. Love soon followed & they were 'married' 12 days later; a simple Rebel ceremony. They recited the Rebel vows & got the Rebel blessing. But their own secret vows were said that night to one another. They vowed to love and protect one another. They were equal in Gods eyes.

Tarrin was a mad man when he found out 23 Rebel guys had already forcibly slept with her, before their wedding night.

It was the Rebel way.

Women were property of the 'State' and unwed females were used like any other commodity to serve men. Misti convinced him to calm down & forget it. She believed in the power of Karma. Other women had it much worse, randomly selected married women were 'serviced' by random men chosen by lottery. It helped the gene pool they were told.

Misti had 90 days to get pregnant or her name went on the 'Random' list.

The day after their wedding Terrin wanted to attend the weekly 'town meeting'. Misti asked why.......Terrin just wanted to go. 'We need to be part of our community' is all he said. He was shy & terrified of speaking in public; but Misti didn't know that. He insisted they go.

They sat in the front row, Terrin hid his nervousness. He refused to tell her why he carried a 3 foot long, 2X4. Misti was mad & they had a fight before the meeting began. Misti reminded her husband of their agreement of no secrets. He glared at her and told her to drop it this time. 'Drop it Misty or leave!! This is a man's business, & I'll deal with it; don't concern yourself"!!