Chapter 12

The Shadow and an Unlikely Hero

Shane had followed the path west home towards the ranch, then he had kept going, past the ranch and suddenly he was going up north towards the entrance of Sunshine Farm, her farm. What was it about this girl that got him so riled up? He was sober, sober on a Friday night, what the hell?! He does not know her, had been rude to her, he does not want to know her. Then why the hell was he walking to her farm. Because he did know her, why can't he remember? It's impossible of course because certainly she would have said something, wouldn't she? If she had known him, she would have said something. Unless, she just reminded him of someone else, no...he knew her. Why can't he remember?

He reached the entrance and stood on the edge of the farm, the place was a mess. He had only been here once when Jas had run off and he had come searching for her. She had of course not been there but had made her way to Jodi's house...and her now best friend Vincent. He moved forward and out of the corner of his eye he could see a light shining through the trees from where the north east entrance was. He should leave...

Joan had quickly made her way home safely and had just entered the farm when she saw something move among her parsnips. What the heck? She tossed her back pack onto the cabin porch, and held out the bamboo rod in defense in front of her, one hand still holding the flashlight and shone it over the crops.
She squinted as she tried to see what it was. Suddenly something big jumped out and was heading towards her. It was big, very big, black, dark...and it had teeth...lots of teeth.
When Joan had screamed exactly she could not remember, but she could remember that when she had turned to run her body was faster than her feet. She had thrown the rod and flashlight to one side to use her arms to cushion her fall. The thing was above her so quickly, she buried her face in the arms, and she could feel it's breath on her neck. It made some kind of gurgling sound...and then a low growl.

Shane was already on his way to leave when he heard Joan scream. How he had made his way thru all the trees, brush and rocks he could not tell you, but when he pushed thru the final obstacles and saw the huge shadow above Joan, who was lying on the ground, he could feel the blood drain from his face. Looking around on the ground his eyes caught a fallen branch; quickly he picked it up and like some primal being rushed towards the shadow. Whether the shadow had been as surprised as he was or not, it was enough for it to run off.
"Hey...hey...are you okay?" he knelt down beside her, touching her on her back to shake her softly. Joan lifted her head and looked up at Shane. A fleeting look of surprise crossed her face then relief, and then slowly with Shane's help Joan stood up. Luckily she had worn her brown jacket over her white t-shirt, so no skin was broken on her arms. She moved to brush off the sand and dirt from her jeans and realized that Shane was still holding her by the shoulders. She looked up and her eyes locked with Shane's. His eyes were green, like olives with the tiniest of gold flecks. "Thank you" she whispered. He stood for a moment longer then let his hands fall to his sides. "You..you are ..uh welcome" he said and then shoved his hands into his pockets.
"What was that...thing?" Joan asked and quickly looked over her shoulder in the direction where it had disappeared.
"I don't know..."he shook his head, he even doubts himself now at what he had seen. She was pale, he noticed, her green eyes wide, it was clear she was frightened. "Are you hurt?" he asked.
"No...I am okay, maybe a bit bruised but I think I got a fright more than anything else "and she gave a small smile, with one hand she brushed her hair away from her face. It had escaped the loose braid she had made this morning.
Joan looked back at Shane, he looked lost, she thought, and he did not have the same demeanor as that day they had met. He had a ruggedly handsome face, there was a faint line of stubble on his jaw and a few tired lines under his eyes, his dark hair a ruffled mess.
"Look, I think we should get you inside and safe...yes?" he shifted uncomfortably as he could feel Joan looking at him. He moved past her and picked up the bamboo rod then went over to the porch and stood waiting. Joan followed, got her back pack, grabbed the cabin's keys and unlocked the door.

They both stepped inside and Joan made her way to the table to light a candle and place it in an empty tin she had cleaned to hold it.
"Don't you have electricity?" Shane frowned as he looked around after closing the door behind him.
"No, the wiring is old and some has been eaten...and it needs to be replaced, but I thought I would get that done when I have a bathroom" Joan grimaced "Indoor plumbing is more of a priority for me at this stage".
Shane's frown deepened, he turned to place the rod carefully against the wall beside the door.
When he turned back around Joan had removed her jacket and was inspecting her arms at the light of the candle. She was bent over and the light of the candle flickered like little flames on the exposed curve of her breasts at the top opening of her t-shirt. The flames moved up and the red in her hair also caught fire as it fell forward hiding her face. Shane caught his breath, he could feel his heart beating faster and his palms were starting to sweat. He needed a drink.
He cleared his throat "I need to go..."he said. Joan turned to look at him, her eyes wide and he could see panic started to set in "or I could stay...just for tonight" he said quickly, "I can crash on the floor..."
"I would really appreciate that, Shane" visibly he could see her relax slightly, "I know we don't know each other, but somehow you were here when I needed you." Joan had crossed the space between them so quickly; Shane did not have time to react except stand frozen on the spot when she hugged him.
She had pushed her arms in underneath his blue jacket and secured them behind his back.
"You saved me".

And this was the moment that changed everything...he remembered.

Two years ago...It had been raining hard for several days and the weather had been unpleasantly cold for that time of year. Shane had been standing beside the hospital bed holding the little hand of the small dark haired sleeping girl.
It had been several days since he had a decent night's sleep. He had been angry at the whole world and had been keeping it in. The rain had pelted against the windows, and he had felt the room closing in on him. He had to get out...just for a little while.

He had found himself on the roof, staring out at the night lights and noises of ZuZu City. It had been there where he had seen her...standing on the edge of the roof. Her arms had been around her, hugging herself. She had been crying, he knew, because for a brief second she had turned her face towards him, but she had not seen him...he had been in the shadows. Her long auburn hair had been loose and wet from the rain against her head and shoulders. The dress she had worn had clung to the shape of her body. A forest nymph in the city...out of place.

She had turned to move away from the edge, she had slipped and he had rushed out from the shadows to catch her. And in the rain and darkness the forest nymph had clung to him...just like now.
"You saved me" she had whispered into his chest. She had held onto him like she was never going to let go, then she was gone. Had fled from the roof...and not once had she ever looked at him.

Shane was brought back to the present when he started to feel the heat of her body against his. Awkwardly he patted her shoulder with one hand and then tried to remove himself from her embrace.
Joan looked up at Shane and she could see he was uncomfortable. She released him and stepped back giving him space to move away.

"Sorry...I..."she started.
"It's okay" he said quickly. She nodded then moved towards box of bedding that Robin had left for her against the wall next to the bed. She opened it and took out a pillow and a blanket "I am not going to let you sleep on the floor; the bed is big enough for both of us." She placed them on the bed and then walked over to her suitcase and pulled out an oversized sweatshirt. It was one thing for him to suggest staying the night, but sharing her bed? "I...I am going to just quickly clean myself up" and she went over to the wash basin.
Oh, Shane flushed hot and turned his back to her, as Joan started to remove her clothes.

Joan looked at Shane with his back turned to her in the small mirror against the wall. Something had happened when she had hugged him. It had felt...familiar. She frowned as she washed her face. It had felt safe and warm, Joan had to push down the urge to turn around run to him and hold him again. He had saved her...but it looked like he needed saving.

After a few minutes "I am done" she said.
Shane turned around and saw she had pulled on the sweatshirt and was heading towards the bed. Again he shifted uncomfortably...what the hell had he gotten himself into? He went over to the wash basin and splashed some of the water on his face. He was hot, his face was hot...he really needed a drink. He removed his blue jacket and neatly folded it and placed it on the empty chair. He removed his shoes and pushed them underneath the same chair. He reached over for the candle, looked to make sure Joan was in bed and then blew it out. The cabin was shrouded into darkness. He slowly felt his way to the bed, went around to the other side he knew was empty and got in as softly as he could. Joan had placed the blanket on his side for him and she was lying underneath a quilt which had already been on the bed. Joan felt the mattress dip underneath Shane's weight. Shane did not breathe, he felt stiff and to afraid to move. For several long minutes neither of them moved nor spoke.
Then "Thank you...for staying with me tonight" she said suddenly, and he could feel her move, her hand came searching for his and when it found his, she laced her fingers with his and held his hand. He listened as her breathing finally slowed and her hand relaxed. And soon the darkness found Shane and he too fell asleep.