Into The Black PART TWO
Powering down her shiny red Corvette in front of a vacant Thunder Karate, Katheryn stayed inside the covered vehicle for a few unstirred moments to the mercy of her own raging thoughts before she finally stood out of the car, glancing over the top at the welcoming site as she closed the door and strode towards the entrance. She reached in her handbag and slipped out her key to unlock the door but dropped the key on the ground. After muttering a sigh, Katheryn stooped low and picked the key up, quickly unlocking the door before her thoughts had another chance to say otherwise.
The coolness of the inside was a welcome change from the Texas heat, Katheryn concluded silently, ambling through the hall and past the loft stairs to the open blue floor. Standing there in the silence with her eyes shut, it felt as if her entire world was spinning around her, taunting her from every angle. Nothing would be the same. Life as she thought it would be was forever gone to a vicious deed done. She could not deny that thoughts of quitting the protection agency with Trent had not entered her mind. Katheryn knew he wouldn't understand why. But inwardly she felt useless. How could she help Trent save lives when her own seemed to be falling apart? Was Carlos so bitter that he would not even want her in his life at a time when they needed each other the most?
Finally opening her eyes, Katheryn turned around and traveled the length of the narrow staircase to the loft office, settling herself at Trent's desk with a short perusing of the things on the desk before she noticed the Bible situated at the far edge of the desk. It was a rather revered position on Trent's desk. Everyone knew that it was Thunder's Bible there and dared not move it. Not for fear but out of respect.
Katheryn stared at the Bible for a time before she reached out at drew the item into her own hands, setting it open in front of her as she flipped through the pages. It fell open to Matthew 5. After reading this passage with a growing smile, Katheryn looked up and over the edge of the loft to the classroom below as she was reminded of her blessings. She still loved this place and every person that passed through those doors. She enjoyed working with Trent and the Rangers every day. And no matter what, Carlos was the love of her life.
Shutting the Bible with new-found resolve, Katheryn stood to her feet and neared the window, promising herself that this was not the end. Somehow she would have to get through to Carlos. Or if not her, than something else that would cause him to remember all he had to still live for. Squinting against the incoming sunlight, she was just in time to see Trent pull to a stop behind her own red Stingray. Katheryn gathered her things and hurried downstairs in time to meet Trent as he entered the classroom.
"Hey, I've been looking all over for you. I called your apartment, and Molly said you came here. She sounded worried about you."
"I'm fine now," Katheryn smiled. "Thanks to Thunder."
Trent glared at her with a confused expression, his eyes narrowed beneath a creased forehead. He glanced behind her towards the stairs with a quick glance upward before smiling. He understood what she meant by that now. "I see. Have you spoken to Carlos this morning?"
Katheryn shook her head, stifling her smile some. "No. But I think I'll go over to the hospital as soon as I leave here."
Trent nodded. "Alright. Sounds like a plan. I'll go with you."
The two started forward towards the door, Trent briefly patting Kath on the back with a grin as their steps fell into sync. "You know, I was thinking. Maybe this doesn't have to change your plans any."
"What do you mean?" It was Kath's turn to look confused now as they stepped out into the Texas heat once again.
Trent paused to lock up. "Carlos told me last night about what you two were planning to talk about."
"Oh, I see." Katheryn nodded, briefly shifting her gaze. "It doesn't matter much now though. Carlos won't even talk to me."
"You let me worry about that." Trent smiled as he turned back to Katheryn after giving the dojo's door a firm tug. "Right now, you just start packing."
Katheryn narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out what Trent was up to as she followed him to their vehicles. "What are you up to?"
"Oh, nothing." Trent rounded his Stingray to the driver's side and peered over the top at Katheryn. "Just trust me for once. Come on."
"Okay." Katheryn sighed and shrugged, sliding into her own vintage sports car seconds later and charging behind the blue beauty in route for whatever Trent Malloy had up his sleeve.
##
"A vacation?! You can't be serious," Carlos blurted out, clearly displeased with the idea that Trent was posing from his side of the hospital bed.
Trent glanced up to Katheryn on the other side with a wary expression before turning back to Carlos. "Yeah, buddy. It will give you a chance to unwind. Besides, you were already planning to take the time off anyways."
Carlos laid his head back and sighed. "If you haven't noticed here, I can't see, Trent. How do you expect me to relax like this?"
"Carlos, it would be just you and me. We could finally have that time alone we've been wanting for a while." Katheryn wasn't sure if she should have spoken or not as silence settled in the room.
"I—I don't know." Carlos' voice faltered. "I mean, what about bears and snakes and all that? Camping can be a bit dangerous."
"And I'm good with a gun," Katheryn reasoned.
"Nope. You're not taking any guns," Trent argued.
"What?!" Katheryn's eyes grew wide with shock. "You seriously want us to go camping and not take a weapon? Trent," Katheryn chuckled. "I'm not a black belt yet. You are. Besides, I don't think that works well on animals."
Katheryn could have sworn she saw a bit of a smile come from Carlos following her humorous comment.
Trent smiled, picturing the unfortunate event of meeting a bear with a roundhouse kick. "True. That won't work very well. But I want you to trust me on this one. Besides, the cabin over in Louisiana shouldn't be in bear or snake country. Just swamp country."
"Oh, yeah, that makes me feel a whole lot better." Katheryn rolled her eyes.
"Trent, buddy," Carlos turned his head toward his best friend even though he couldn't see him. "I appreciate what you're trying to do for us. But I think it's best if we just put that off for a while."
For the first time since the incident, Katheryn was starting to agree with him although she was really enjoying the notion of a brief camping trip with just each other for company.
Trent grinned. "No time like the present."
Katheryn glared hard at Trent, lifting her eyebrows.
Trent continued to smile at her, awaiting Carlos' answer. "So what do you say?"
Carlos grimaced, cocking his head to the side gently as he hesitated. "I—I don't know. I—sure. I'll go."
Katheryn's grin almost outshined the sunshine as she bent low and gave Carlos a kiss on the cheek. "Told you that you can't get rid of me."
Carlos was a bit startled as he felt Kath kiss him but smiled anyway. "I just hope Trent's right about the bears and snakes."
"Of course I am." Trent smiled. "Well, me and Katheryn better hurry up and go get some camping supplies bought."
"Yeah. Alright." Carlos smiled and listened as Katheryn and Trent left the hospital room, giving his final goodbyes before settling into his thoughts. He still wasn't quite sure what he had just been shanghaied into.
##
Katheryn smiled a bit as she felt the wind whip into her blonde hair through the open top of her Corvette Stingray. The engine's roar seemed to soothe her as she drove along the two-lane highway, having crossed the Louisiana border not twenty minutes ago. She was looking forward to the coming days despite all of her doubts as she glanced over at Carlos. He had his arm propped lengthwise on the frame of the passenger side door as he relaxed his head on the seat. With his shades on, Kath couldn't tell if he had his eyes open or not. Either way, he had not said much since they left Dallas that morning. With this concern in her mind, Katheryn hoped this trip would do some good for him…and for them.
Coming to a rural filling station, Katheryn glanced at the gas mater with a curl of her lips as she returned her gaze to the road. It wasn't the most welcome-looking places. But it was all that they would be coming to for a while. And Carlos wouldn't be giving her any argument. With a quick flashing of the blinker, she turned right and immediately up to the first of two pumps, surveying a few curious eyes that looked them over from their haunt at a picnic table nearby.
Katheryn tried her best to ignore them as she shut the engine off and opened her door. She paused with one foot out, twisting back around and laying her hand gently on Carlos' arm. She felt him jump slightly beneath her touch as he stirred. "Do you want to stay here while I go pay for the gas?"
Carlos cleared his throat and sat up straighter in the seat. "Um, yeah. I'll—I'll wait here."
"Do you want anything to eat?" Kath glanced up at the store. "I'm sure they have some trail mix or something in this place."
Carlos shook his head. "I'm fine. I packed some snacks in my suitcase if you want to save a little money."
Katheryn took advantage of the moment to smile while Carlos couldn't see it. At least he was still himself in one area of his life. She had that to give a bit of thanks for.
"Alright." Katheryn stood out of the car and shut the door. "I'll be right back." Katheryn looked back one last time just before she pushed her way inside, the doorbell jangling and causing Carlos to turn towards the sound as he did all he could do…listen.
Katheryn emerged from the store moments later, the same sound causing Carlos to perk up as he heard Kath's footsteps against the gravel.
"Hey, miss!" One of the picnic table dwellers called out.
Katheryn paused mid-stride and spun gently around towards the voice only to see three men laughing as one of them cat-called her. It was a first for her. She never really considered herself the cat-calling type. And to be honest, the notion generally put her on edge.
"May I help you?" Katheryn tried to be as polite as she could.
"Yeah. You could help us a lot!" The second man chuckled aloud.
Katheryn smiled. "Well, thank you for the compliment. And now if you'll excuse me, I have to be going."
A fourth man suddenly appeared out of nowhere and blocked her as she took a step forward, drawing a gasp from her as she looked up into his eyes.
Carlos was not used to hearing Katheryn gasp unless something was array. He settled his hand on the door handle of the Corvette, craving desperately the opportunity to put these goons in their place but not knowing how he could.
"Kath! Are they giving you any trouble?" Carlos felt helpless as the silence followed his loud call.
"No," Katheryn returned firmly, swallowing hard as she looking fearsomely in the man's eyes before her. "Not at all." She then tried passing him by, only to have him block her with his outstretched arm.
"Not so fast."
"Please, let me go." Katheryn felt a bit of pain shoot through her arm as he applied a slight grip to her.
"Let her go!" Carlos called again, but it did no good.
Katheryn had finally had enough. With her free arm she struck the man in the face quickly followed by launching her knee directly into his midsection with her hands now around his neck, forcing him downward. As soon as he doubled forward in pain onto the ground, Katheryn turned to the other three men, catching her breath as she ran a hand through her hair. "Who's next?"
They all three almost came forward to attack but took one look at their buddy and lifted their hands in the air in surrender.
"That's what I thought." Katheryn grinned and returned to her Corvette, filling it with fuel without another interruption to speak of.
##
The rest of the trip was even quieter than the beginning which concerned Katheryn in consideration of the fact that Carlos had not said much all day. Katheryn was tempted to put on some music to lift their spirits but decided against it, keeping her eyes on the road as she stayed alert to where she would have to turn off soon. The cabin was a decent drive away from the main road, Trent had said, reminding her that they would most likely be coming to the end of the road soon. From there they would hike up to the lake with their belongings, leaving her Stingray behind. For the first time since they had left home, she questioned her own judgment in thinking that was a good idea. Not many people lived around these parts, she thought, mostly to offer a meager amount of comfort to herself that wasn't really there.
Carlos finally lifted his head off of the seat as Katheryn slowed to turn right. The road was a bit dusty and bumpy as Katheryn doubted if it was wide enough. Thankfully it was alright and soon came to an end by and old abandoned shack about a mile later. Katheryn powered down the engine and took out the keys, shoving them in her pocket as she exited the vehicle.
Carlos didn't hesitate and stood up out of the car, shutting the door behind him. He lifted his face towards the sunlight seeping through the overhanging trees. "Well, I'd say it's about noon. Right?"
Katheryn showed her smile freely as Carlos' voice relieved her some. She paused, slipping her hand behind the car's driver seat to open the trunk of the vintage car. "How did you know?"
A couple of birds called a greeting to fill in the brief silence.
Carlos' smiled for the first time that day. "Oh, so you don't pay attention when you're watching those western movies of yours?"
"What do you mean?"
"I can feel the sun baking me from above. That means the sun is directly overhead. And that usually means it's noon. Either that or every movie I've seen has lied to me."
Katheryn stifled a chuckle as she hauled first hers and then Carlos' camping packs out of the trunk. For a moment she wasn't sure whether she should help Carlos with his or let him come to her. She quickly slipped her own pack, snugging it comfortably to her back before she shut the trunk and carried Carlos' over to the other side of the car where he was still waiting. She set her arm gently on his and smiled. "You want me to help you with yours?"
Hesitating a bit with his face towards the gently shifting trees he couldn't see, Carlos sighed. "I—I can handle it. Just set it on the ground and I take it from there."
Katheryn frowned. "It's already beside you. On your left."
Katheryn could easily read Carlos' anger that he kept subdued. It wasn't at her. It wasn't at himself. He simply couldn't convince himself that he'd ever get used to living this way.
"Thanks," Carlos breathed before feeling around for the pack as he bent low towards it.
Meanwhile, Katheryn took a step back and leaned her hip against her car, crossing her arms across her chest while she forced herself to watch Carlos manage the pack on his own. She couldn't figure out which was worse…watching the man she loved struggle to cope with something beyond his control or having to keep herself from jumping at every whim to help him. It took him a few seconds extra, but he did handle it himself. Katheryn couldn't help but smile, a bit of pride welling within her to see him overcome at least one small hurdle on his own. But there was still so much more ahead of him to face. She could only pray that he might let her in at some point. Obstacles could be overcome far better when the two of them could work together.
"Ready?" Katheryn lifted herself up off the car, readjusting her pack into a comfortable position before stepping forward next to Carlos. "Is this a proper excuse for me to hold your hand?"
Carlos stifled a smile. "Yeah. Yeah I suppose so."
Katheryn slipped her hand into Carlos' before they both started forward and into the wooden path before them. About a seven mile hike awaited them before they could relax in the comfort of the lake-side cabin.