So my computer hates me. It decided, after I wrote a much longer and descriptive version of this chapter, to randomly delete it. So I was forced to rewrite this chapter, which is something I hate doing. However thanks to my amazing beta, it turned out OK. I'd like to thank everyone for the reviews, the favorites and all the support, Thank you so much!
When Uncas woke hours later he realized how far their journey had taken them and felt a wave of disappointment. They were barely out of his home state, reminding him of just how long the journey truly would be. What would normally be a 3-4 day drive would take a better part of a week due to his father's suggestion of avoiding all main roads.
He lifted his head and after a quick scan of the others in the vehicle, he stretched quickly. Uncas should hear his brother and Cora discussing something in the front, she held a map and he had a smirk. Uncas bit back a smile as he realized just what was building between them. His brother had always loved strong women. Women who spoke their mind and had the strength of their convictions, of which Uncas realized Cora had both qualities. He could see the strain their bantering was putting on the government man who was talking to Alice but clearly aware of the events transpiring in front of him. Uncas hid a smile; Nathaniel had been so long without a partner, so long devoted to the care of their father that seeing him with a woman who was his equal seemed all too fitting.
He trained his hearing to the conversation that was occurring in the seat directly in front of him. "Do not worry Miss Alice, your father will have the softest beds and warmest baths prepared for you when we arrive. You will be able to rest and spend time with your father and your sister, just like old times."
Uncas glanced sideways at his father, noting that the older man was still sounding asleep.
"I'm so eager to see him, Duncan." Uncas heard Alice respond. Her voice so low he strained to hear it. "I can't wait to feel safe again."
As he gazed outside the car window at the sun as it slowly fell and dusk began, Uncas felt anxiety trickle down his spine, he had to keep her safe. He had been wrong when he had thought he was done with fighting. When he came back from the war and found his home to be just how he imagined it when he had longed for it, he reveled in the fact that nothing had changed. But these women were change. Everything about them screamed of change, and something else, perhaps the fear of what may happen in their now joined future triggered his fighting instincts.
In retrospect, Uncas realized, he should have known this was a possibility. He should have known that they were being tracked and that this was the price that would be paid. He was the solider after all he, he knew death and pain; he knew the consequences that would come from being connected to the fleeing women.
When Chingachook made the call, Uncas felt that burning anxiety in his stomach yet could do nothing to stop it. His father had made a good point, it had been years since they'd seen their friends, they had to be sure they were still there and that the traveling party would even be welcomed.
The smoke building in the sky was the first signal that something horrible had happened. As they drove up the long drive to their friend's house, Uncas gripped the wheel tighter. They reached the end of the drive and dense trees gave way to the sight of a burned out house. Uncas hit the brakes and jammed the toggle into park and jumped from the SUV before his brother or his father.
The smell of burning flesh hit him like a wave and within seconds Uncas was battling not only the burning home but the knowledge that they were already too late.
It took them mere moments to find the bodies, two adults and three children, all gone. His brother and father rushed in and out of the half burnt house, weaving between fire and unsteady floors.
Moments later, Uncas dropped alongside one of the bodies, his father's quiet prayers offering him little comfort. He leaned his head against his hands and resisted the urge to succumb to tears. He'd grown up with these people, spent summers playing in their yard, grew with their children, recognized them as equals. And now they were corpses on the ground, and there was nothing he could do.
"We should call someone." Cora spoke gently, slowly coming toward them.
Alice was only a few steps behind her elder sister but Uncas could not force himself to look at her. This was his world, death was something he'd known for years now, he wanted her to have no part of it. He knew if he glanced up at her and saw the fear written across her face it would break him.
Uncas exhaled, feeling the grief burn his chest.
"We call no one." His brother's words sounded so far off, as if spoke in another world.
Uncas was aware of his brother standing, seconds later his father followed suit. Uncas stayed kneeling by the bodies, his body unwilling to move.
"You must be joking. These people deserve to be taken care of. We must do something." Cora insisted.
Nathaniel stepped past her as Uncas stood. He could see the shock and disgust on her face.
"We do nothing Cora." Nathaniel said stepping past her heading back toward the vehicle.
"These people deserve better. They were your friends were they not? Why should we leave them in this state when we can help-"
"Cora!" Nathaniel growled, turning back to her with a harsh glare. "We do nothing. We can do nothing. Get yourself in the car, we're leaving."
Uncas felt the tension build as the sisters reached for each other before slowly following their steps back to the SUV. Uncas settled into the driver's seat and prepared for the lengthy journey that would be spent in complete silence.
Hours later the decision to get off the road was made and Uncas couldn't help but feel relief at the concept. Hours of driving had left him exhausted while the images of his dead friends seized his mind and dominated his thoughts.
When they pulled into an old motel and Nathaniel jumped out to rent a room, Uncas glanced in the rearview mirror to see the sisters huddled together with Alice fast asleep on her sister's shoulder.
When Nathaniel came back from the shabby office with a key in hand it only took a few minutes before the entire party was safely inside.
Uncas surveyed the dingy room that had nothing more than two large beds, a single chair and dresser.
"You should rest while you can." Uncas heard his father speak to the girls, nodding toward the bed.
"But –" Cora started.
"You must sleep." Chingachook said harder this time, "Or else your sister will have no rest."
Cora glanced down at her sister then gave a slow nod.
Uncas settled himself at the base of the door. Nathaniel pulled a rifle from one of the bags he had quickly packed at their home and handed it to him without a word.
The deaths of their friends had only made the freighting realism of the situation all the more clear. This was life and death; these girls were being hunted if only for their connection to their father, and if caught they would be used then discarded.
Nathaniel seated himself on the other side by the window while the girls stiffly laid in one of the beds. Uncas saw his father settle in the large chair on the far side, hand resting on the weapon that lay across his lap.
Uncas took a deep breath then relaxed against the hard door at his back. He closed his eyes, willing sleep to come when his brother gave a low whistle to alert the room back to consciousness.
Uncas slid across the floor and peaked out from behind the heavy curtain before moving back to his place behind the door. He spared a glance at his brother, they had been found. Seven men in dark suits were surveying the motel parking lot.
Uncas heard his father, Duncan and Nathanial all prepare their weapons and watched as Cora slid off the bed and seated herself close to Nathaniel.
He would have been surprised if another movement and the sudden warmth of another's body coming up beside him hadn't caught his attention then.
Alice's shaking body came next toward him, sitting close enough to touch him, her eyes widen with fear and breathing so rapidly that Uncas was sure it could be heard within the room.
Uncas knew he would be defenseless if he dropped his weapon, he'd be one less gun to protect the women, protect everyone, but without sparing another second he dropped his gun to his side and pulled Alice to him while clamping his other hand lightly over his mouth. He felt her stiffen at the action, surprised that he had been so bold.
He held her against himself and leaned down, "I've got you Alice. I'll keep you safe."
Her body relaxed slightly as Uncas moved his hand to her waist to better keep his grip. "You must be quiet Alice, otherwise we'll be lost. I've got you, I'll keep you safe." He repeated like a mantra, hoping that maybe if he said it enough maybe it could be true.