Chapter 2: From the Fog

She had to find some way to fight through the fog that has shrouded Barbie. Eva was using her words to control him, but Julia could use her body to gratify Dale while pulling Barbie to the surface. Julia needed to find some way to lure Barbie to Bird Island. She crept past Big Jim, who was rummaging in the fridge and made her way to the dock. She saw a figure bent over, tying a boat to one of the posts nearest the dock. His feet were sunk in mud and he grunted as he tied the last knot and wiped his hands on his sweats. She knew.

Julia made her way over to him, and gently put her hand against Barbie's shoulder. He grabbed her hand and held on tightly, but he didn't turn around. "I don't understand Julia."

"What, Barbie? What don't you understand?"

"I have this thing inside me that I keep trying to fight. I have lucid moments where I see the world; see it so clearly. Then it's gone, so fleeting and I wonder where you are; then it gets all hazy again and…"

"And what?" She pulled against his shoulder and he turned around to face her. His face was softer, less formidable.

"What have I done Julia? What have they made me do? I watched, helpless as a family was engulfed in flames yesterday! One minute I was digging at the ground looking for a way in, and the next I'm walking away; feeling nothing." He was crying and she saw the haze in his eyes had lifted, here was her chance.

"Barbie, do you still trust me?"

"Of course!" Her words stung him.

"Then come with me, I can explain." She placed her hand against the side of his face, rubbing a thumb over a small patch of his beard. He smiled broadly. Julia couldn't contain her excitement, Barbie, her Barbie was back. Though she didn't know for how long, she would savor every moment. "I've missed you Barbie."

"I have a lot to catch up on, don't I?" She took his hand and slowly walked back to the house. He looked fragile, but he was present and she was holding on to that.

Midway between the dock and the house, Barbie suddenly stopped. Julia panicked, was he gone? But he looked at her and dropped her hand. "I'm beginning to remember certain things."

"Good, Barbie. Stay with it."

"I feel like I haven't kissed you in ages."

"It has been a while." She smiled, despite the unsavory circumstances.

"Then allow me to make up for lost time before we get back to the house and you figure out what's wrong with my head." Then he pulled Julia against him and combed his fingers through her hair, trapping Julia. He kissed her in a flurry of pent up angst and regret. But this kiss was void of guilt, rather it was more of a promise that no matter what, Barbie was still here, still belonged to her. She was breathless by the time they broke away.

"I'm yours Julia. I don't understand what's going on with me, but I know this, I love you, very, very much."

"I love you too, Barbie."

The two then headed back to the house where Big Jim greeted them with a rifle pointed in their direction. Barbie balled his fists, but Julia stopped him, "He's all we have right now." He gave her a confused look, then dropped his hands.

"Which one is he today?" Julia nor Barbie laughed, so Big Jim dropped the rifle and sat down on the porch. "See yous in the mornin' then." Big Jim arched an eyebrow suggestively and swigged a sip from his beer.

Julia brought Barbie up to the bedroom she's been occupying. "Big Jim rarely moves from his spot on the porch. Hunter stays in the living room; it's easier for him to maneuver around."

"Are Joe and Norie here as well?"

"Yeah. There's an office with a pull out couch just off the living room; they sleep there." Barbie looked around for a moment and took a deep breath.

"Were you ever going to tell me I stink?"

"Eventually."

Barbie removed his grey t-shirt and sweats, letting them drop to the floor silently. "Do you mind if I showered then?"

"Not at all. Towels and a few toiletries are already in there. Help yourself." There was an unspoken confirmation that they both just need a moment to process, alone.

When Barbie came out of the shower, his clothes were already down stairs in the laundry and a pair of shorts was on the bed. "There's not much here, in terms of clothing. We have enough to get by."

"These are fine." He dropped the towel and slipped into the shorts and nudged Julia over so that he could sit next to her. He grabbed her hands and put his forehead against hers. "I'm still here."

"Yes, you are." Julia released one of her hands to run her fingers through his wet hair. She wanted to say so many things, but the first thing that came out of her mouth was something she once vowed to hold onto. "Have you slept with her?" then Julia rushed up from the bed and began to pace. "Shit! I'm sorry. It shouldn't matter, you loved her, you moved on. You lived a different life with her. I shouldn't care. I don't care. Well, yes I do. I do care because it feels like yesterday that we were…that we were in love…" Barbie knew of only one way to shut her up. He thrust his tongue into her open mouth and brought their bodies closer together. He stripped her down until she was left in her camisole and thong. If he could feel as much of her skin as possible, he would fight to stay present. He would suppress the person the cocoons created and he would fight long enough to break the bond between himself and Dale.

"We still are in love. You and me…not him." She had her arms around his shoulders, her fingers playing with the fine hairs at the base of his neck. She nodded her head and bit her lip. Barbie growled and pushed her against the bed, easing her onto the mattress.