They say that words are the sharpest weapons of all.
Judging by the look on Casey's face, Alex now believes it. She is absolutely devastated by Alex's words.
How could I say that? How could I even think it? Casey doesn't deserve me to lash out at her the way that I am. What kind of person have I become?
Alex knows she can't let Casey walk out that door. But she also knows words can't fix this. Words were always something Alex excelled at. She was able to put them together to solve problems and persuade others to her point of view in her professional life for years. But when it came to trying to make amends to someone she really did truly care about, she was at a loss.
But she must try anyway.
"Casey," Alex breathes out. Casey is headed toward the door and doesn't turn around. "Please – don't go."
Casey turns around at those words. Her eyes are shining, and she shakes her head. "Why not? Why shouldn't I? You got stuck with me, remember? You're apparently better off without me."
Alex shakes her head. "But I'm not. I need you, Casey. I cannot do this without you."
Casey scoffs. "You have a very alarming way of showing that."
"I have a terrible way of showing it," Alex admits. "I don't admit that I need people easily. But I do need you, Casey. There is no way that I could have made it this far without you. And I couldn't rescue Olivia without you. I've already lost so much. Please don't walk away from me."
Casey pauses. She crosses her arms in front of her chest and squints her eyes at Alex. "What you just said is selfish and you don't even realize it."
Alex frowns. "What about wanting to rescue Olivia is selfish?"
"Wanting to rescue your wife isn't selfish," Casey says. "But thinking you're the only one who needs someone, who has experienced loss, is wrong. Asking me not to walk away from you is wrong. Have you even stopped to consider that I have experienced loss too? I lost my mother on the first day, Alex. And my home. And I didn't even have time to grieve."
Alex looks away. She remembers Olivia coming home with Casey, how badly she had felt for her. But she also remembers not being there for her. Offering to talk if Casey needed to, but at the same time, hoping she didn't want to talk. What kind of person does that? Casey never would have done that to her, or to anyone else.
"I know, Casey," Alex says softly. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I didn't make more of an effort to talk to you about what happened."
"You made zero effort," Casey snaps back, and it stings. "And what about losing Noah? You don't think that hurt me too?"
Alex swallows. She feels herself tearing up again, just at the mention of his name. That's all it takes. "I know it did. I know you loved him too."
Casey's voice quivers. "He was the sweetest boy, and I was heartbroken. I would have done everything to save him if I had been there. Everything." She stops talking and takes a deep breath. "But I wasn't there, and I think about that everyday. I already blamed myself, Alex. You didn't need to remind me of my guilt."
Casey sits down. She holds her face in her hands but doesn't cry. She just sits there.
"But it isn't your fault," Alex says. She takes a chance and sits down cross-legged next to Casey. "I was just upset. I was yelling at you because you're the only one here to yell at. It's just like at work; when I get upset, I push that off on other people. By raising my voice, making them feel bad sometimes. I didn't mean it. I'm so sorry, Casey. We are both so stressed."
"We already had this conversation about guilt," Casey says. "We don't need to rehash it. The point is, I care about you and Olivia. Even if you don't like me. You're still my friend, and this is so stupid and probably a character flaw with me, but I still want to help you. I still want to help, despite what you said to me. Despite what I know you think of me. And I shouldn't want to help you. I should stop doing what's best for you and do what's best for me. But I can't, because that's not the kind of person I am."
"You're a much better person than me," Alex admits. "And you always will be. When you said they burned the house down it just – it broke me. I bought that house with Olivia. We had wanted to raise Noah in an actual home and not an apartment building. We loved that house. Everything I had was in that house. Every memory, every picture…gone, just like yours as well. It made me think about the life I used to have and will never have again. And I was angry. I was angry at the moon, at life in general, maybe even angry at Olivia a little bit. The only person I wasn't angry at was you, and you're the one I hurt."
Casey raises her head and looks at Alex. "You have every right to be angry at all those things. I am too. What you don't have a right to do is throw in my face the thing I feel the worst about. And I know that's you, Alex. I know it's how you cope. But this isn't the DA's office. I don't work for you anymore. You can't say things like that, because I can't take it. I may look like I have it together, but Alex…I'm barely holding on."
For the first time, Alex really opens her eyes and sees Casey for what she really is – a person who is struggling just like she is. A person who has lost everything, a person who is hungry and scared and cold. A person who needs someone as much as she does.
"We have to hold on for each other," Alex says, reaching out and laying a hand on her arm. "I meant what I said before. I am your friend. When you can't hold it together anymore, don't. You've done more for me than I can ever repay. And I promise you, no matter how sad or frustrated or angry I get, I will never lash out at you like that again. Ever."
"You can't make that kind of promise," Casey tells her.
"Yes I can. And I keep my promises."
Casey looks at her, and Alex smiles. Her blue eyes convey sincerity and Casey knows she means every word. She nods, showing she accepts what she says.
Casey grabs her backpack and opens it. She takes out a few candy bars and a juice box and hands one of the bars to Alex. "We need to eat before we get moving. Sadly, we are down to junk food and one juice box. We will have to stop somewhere and see what we can find."
Luckily, Alex loves chocolate. It doesn't really constitute a meal, but she doesn't care right now. She unwraps the candy bar and starts to eat it without hesitation.
Casey removes a notebook from her backpack and a small pack of pencils. Alex recognizes it right away – it was Casey's drawing pad.
She hadn't known until the last couple of months that Casey had a talent for drawing. She would often sit outside or in the house and just draw. She told Alex it helped clear her head, helped her deal with what was going on. Alex had asked one day to see one of Casey's drawings, but Casey always kept them private. The drawing was for her; not to show other people.
"I didn't know you brought your pad. Have you been drawing?"
Casey shrugs. "Sometimes at night when I'm on watch. I don't do it for long because I don't want to use up the flashlight batteries. But it does help."
They both eat their candy bars and share the juice box. It's not nearly enough to eat or drink, but it's all they have at the moment.
Once they start walking again, Casey turns around and looks at Alex. "I want chili cheese fries."
Alex stops, and sighs deeply. She never liked that kind of food in the past. But right now, it sounds absolutely amazing.
"I actually want a cheeseburger. And I'd even gladly eat McDonald's," Alex says.
Casey smiles and nods. "Coffee. What I wouldn't do for coffee."
They start walking again, and after a few minutes Alex says, "Maybe someday."
"Yeah. Maybe," Casey says, without turning around.
They both know that maybe means never.
2.
The next two days they cover a lot of ground. They walk until it starts to get dark, and then find places to shelter for the night. Every day it gets colder, and the nights are even colder yet. The first night they sheltered in a small, abandoned house, despite their best judgment. They took turns keeping watch and it felt good to sleep in a bed again, even if it was a twin bed.
They've gotten in a good amount of practice shooting for Alex, using bottles found along the roads and railroad tracks they have traveled as targets. Casey was surprised that Alex had such good aim, and it was clear she was becoming more comfortable and more sure of herself when shooting. Whether or not she could shoot someone was another question; hopefully one they would never have to answer.
The air is much too cold for early October, and it starts to flurry on the afternoon of the second day. The jackets they have are not warm enough, and they struggle to stay warm without hats or gloves.
Alex had begun to fall ill. It started with a light cough that developed into a deep, wet sounding cough by the next day. She began to feel feverish, which she kept from Casey.
Casey knew they had to stop for a couple days for her to rest up. They were ill prepared for as cold as it had gotten so quickly, and her sickness could easily develop into pneumonia.
Casey stops them in front of a thrift store. Maybe they could find something warmer to wear, or at least a place to stay for the night.
Alex is digging in her backpack as soon as they enter. She's shaking from the cold and quickly pulls on a sweater over her jacket. She's always gotten cold easily, and the rain and snow mix coupled with her fever hasn't helped.
Casey shines her flashlight around the racks. It's obvious someone has been here before them, but there is a good amount of clothing left. She gravitates towards the rack of coats and begins going through it.
Alex is looking around with interest. She has never been in a thrift store before. She had been antiquing with Olivia many times, but never shopping for clothes at secondhand store. Her clothing always came from upscale shops in the city, or tailor made and delivered to her home.
But right now, some of this garish clothing seems more than appealing.
"How are you feeling?" Casey asks, turning around to look at Alex.
Alex has the chills and runs her hands up and down her arms in an attempt to warm herself. She shrugs, before going into another coughing fit. "I'll manage."
"We can't keep going with that cough. It's too cold and you'll get sicker," Casey says. "Our immune systems are shit from lack of sunlight and our poor diets. You could get pneumonia."
Alex sits down, her energy spent. Her eyes burn when she closes them, and she feels overall very poorly. She puts her hand to her forehead and realizes she has a fever. She knows she should agree to stop, but she doesn't want to take any time away from making their way to Olivia.
"I can keep going. I'm fine."
"I packed a few medications," Casey says. She nods at her pack, which is beside Alex. "Try and find something. I'll look for some clothes."
The only thing Alex finds is a half package of Tylenol but it's better than nothing right now. She takes the bottle of water she has been nursing the past couple of days and takes the pills.
"There are some warm coats," Casey calls to Alex. "Too big, but who cares."
Casey walks over to Alex and she and wrinkles her nose at the faux fur coat Casey is presenting to her. "That's a really unfortunate coat."
"Either commit a fashion crime or freeze to death – your choice."
Alex wastes no time shedding her very expensive North Face jacket and putting on the furry atrocity that Casey had given her. It did seem like the warmest coat on the rack. Alex felt like she swam in the coat but couldn't deny the warmth.
"I feel like Cruella De Ville," Alex comments, raising her arms and looking at herself.
Casey laughs, for the first time in a long time. It's a real laugh. "You do look pretty ridiculous. I'll try my best not to keep laughing at you. But warmth is warmth, at least right now."
Casey finds a down puffy coat for herself, a little bit more fashionable than Alex's. Alex doesn't object; she knows that Casey had given her the warmest coat she could find. Casey takes both of their jackets and hangs them in place of the coats they had taken.
"Maybe someone can get some use out of them. And it makes me feel better that we aren't technically stealing," she reasons.
Alex coughs again and sits down. She's feeling pretty dizzy at the moment.
"We both need to eat something. And we need to get you some more medicine." Casey sits as well, digging through her backpack. There's not much left. They had found some bags of chips and cans of soup at a gas station the day before, among the moldy bread and fly and worm infested cookies and other snacks.
A bag of chips isn't enough to survive the next few days on. Especially since they need their strength for walking, and Alex needs food to fight off her illness.
They look around for hats or gloves but find nothing. Those must have been the first things taken.
"Are you up for more walking tonight?" Casey asks. "We really need to find a pharmacy and some food somewhere."
"Pharmacies aren't going to have anything left," Alex muses. "We are better off just finding a store or maybe even a gas station."
"You saw the state of the last one we were in," Casey reminds her.
"Let's just see what we find."
They are used to walking by now. Alex feels pretty lousy, the dizziness made worse by walking, but she says nothing to Casey as they head out.
"What's the date?" Alex suddenly asks.
"It's within the first couple of weeks of October," Casey says. "That I'm sure of, but I've lost track of dates."
Alex pauses for a moment. "My birthday is – or was – the thirteenth."
She doesn't know why she says it. It's not like it will make a difference. There are no birthday parties now, no gifts. Olivia isn't there to make it special, and neither is Noah.
Casey stops walking and looks at her. She looks like she wants to say something but just keeps walking.
They walk a couple blocks before they see anyone else. The moon gives off a lot of light at night now, and they can see a rusted red pickup truck parked on the side of the road. Beside it are two people, laughing and talking. Their voices carry and Alex and Casey can both hear laughter.
It would almost seem normal. Except now no one can be trusted and everyone has to be a suspect.
Alex stops. "Should we go the other way?"
Casey is looking in front of them, at the two bodies that suddenly turn in their direction. She shakes her head. "They already saw us. We're just walking through. Just keep your head down and keep walking. Odds are they won't even say anything to us."
As they get closer, they realize they are men. Men who are whispering to each other and looking at them, sending a wave of uneasiness through them both.
They keep their heads down and just keep walking, hitting the sidewalk and paying the men no attention.
"Well, hello gorgeous ladies," right on cue one of them speaks.
They start walking faster, and suddenly one of the men is standing in front of them, blocking their path.
Casey looks at him. He looks as if he hasn't bathed since before the disaster, and as he sneers at them she sees several missing teeth. His long greasy hair hangs down past his shoulders.
"We are just passing through. Excuse us," Casey says curtly, trying to sidestep him.
The other man finally steps away from the rusted pickup truck and joins them. He stands beside his companion, crossing his arms in front of his chest and sneering just as menacingly. His hair is tucked under a red baseball cap, his brown leather jacket open and full of cigarette burns.
"Well, there is a toll for passing through," greasy hair says. He reaches out and strokes the fur on Alex's coat.
"Get your hands off her," Casey practically growls, her eyes flashing.
The two men look at each other and laugh. "The redhead is feisty. You like them feisty, don't you Dale?"
Dale laughs, adjusting his baseball cap. He flashes a smile. Several of his teeth are missing as well, and his rancid breath invades Alex's nostrils. She takes a step back.
"I think both of you would be a treat. We don't see many that look like you around here," greasy hair says. His eyes look ravenous and eager. It's a look Alex has seen one too many times, mostly in men she has put on trial.
Casey takes a step forward, her mouth twisting into a smile. "Now wouldn't your sister be jealous?"
His eyes flash anger, and Alex instinctively reaches out and takes Casey's arm. She's filled with dread and trying to convey to her to tread very lightly with these men.
"Just leave us blondie here and we will let you walk away," Dale says, leaning down close to Casey.
Casey doesn't even flinch. "I don't think so. You won't be getting either one of us. Back off and let us go by."
Alex shoves her hands into the pockets of her coat and increases her stride. Dale steps directly in front of her, reaching up and grabbing the strap of her backpack. "You have too much on – let's take care of that." He pulls hard on the backpack strap, causing it to snap and the backpack to fall to the sidewalk.
Alex is horrified, and bends down to grab it, but Dale kicks it to his companion. Greasy hair picks it up, sneering. "Now what do we have here?"
"Give that back!" Casey shouts, lunging at it. She can feel anger constricting her chest. Why have people turned into monsters? Why do they think it's okay to do this to people?
Greasy hair unzips the backpack and dumps it out on the sidewalk. He kicks her clothes around, frowning in disappointment. "Nothing I can use here."
Casey is about to take her gun out. She's held off, since neither of the men appear to be armed. She wanted to play it cool, try and walk away from the situation. But now that it appears to be escalating, she doesn't seem to have any other choice.
She intends to just scare them.
Alex bends down again and starts gathering her clothes, remaining silent. She knows the best way to deal with people like these men are to say nothing.
It's the moment that Dale bends down in front of Alex and runs his hand down her leg that Casey decides she has had enough.
She draws her gun, and the reaction on both men's faces are identical. She has definitely achieved surprise, and Dale actually puts his hands up as he backs away, inching towards the pickup truck.
"Is this a game for you guys?" Casey demands. She keeps the safety on, not intending to actually shoot them. She waves the gun wildly. "You like to harass women who pass by you on the street? Come down here in your shitty truck and try to rob them, and think you can touch them?"
Greasy hair shakes his head. "I – I apologize."
Casey waves the gun again. She is angry and wants to appear as unhinged as possible to put the fear of God in these men. "You hillbilly pieces of shit. Get the fuck out of here. Get in your truck and go back to your shack. And if you see us again – ever again – keep your asses out of our sight."
Greasy hair nods and gets the passenger side of the truck. Dale still stands with his hands up, his mouth opens in disbelief at the turn of events that have transpired.
"Her name is Alex," Casey spits out. "And you had no right to put your filthy hands on her. She's a person. Do you understand? A person. Not an object for you to play with." She's so angry that her face is becoming red.
She hadn't intended to shoot them…but the idea is suddenly appealing. "I want to shoot you right now. That's what you deserve."
Casey's hand is shaking. The constriction in her chest has only gotten worse.
A gentle hand over top of hers is what finally calms her. "Casey," Alex says softly. "He isn't worth it. It's okay. Let's just go."
Anger is still boiling inside of Casey. "They think they can do what they want. Take whatever and whoever they want. And get away with it."
"I know," Alex says. "But it isn't worth it. Don't shoot him. You'll regret it. He's not worth the bullet, Casey. Or the grief you will put yourself through."
Casey looks at Alex, and Alex very gently takes the gun away from her, nodding. She isn't sure if Casey is really going to shoot him, but she knows she can't let her.
Alex finally turns and looks at Dale, holding the gun down at her side. "Get out of here. And don't look at either of us again."
They stand on the sidewalk as the pickup truck peels out and squeals away from the curb.
Casey is careful not to look at Alex. She's embarrassed about what happened, and not sure herself what to think.
"You okay?" Alex finally asks.
Casey only nods. She clears her throat, barely looking at Alex. "Yeah. Let's go."
Alex looks at Casey for a few minutes and then starts walking again. It's clear that Casey doesn't want to talk about what happened, but Alex knows she should.
"Casey, those kind of feelings you had towards that man are normal. Given what we used to do – "
Casey turns around and cuts her off. "It's not normal to want to shoot someone, Alex. What he said – what he did – was despicable. But he didn't deserve to die for it. And I wanted to kill him. Flat out, no questions, wanted to kill him."
She turns and starts walking again, without another word. Alex hangs back a minute, deciding if she should say anything else.
She doesn't. She decides to save the conversation for another time. Not right this second when Casey is still upset.
It starts to rain, and then turns into a rain and snow mix. They walk on, neither talking, until they stop to check the map.
Alex is not feeling good at all. She knows she has a fever, she's chilled to the bone, and she feels like the earth is spinning around her.
"I'm really not feeling well," Alex says. She had tried to hide from Casey just how badly she was feeling. But now – standing in the freezing rain – she knows she can't go much further. She's too weak.
"We'll stop somewhere," Casey tells her.
The rain and snow mix picks up intensity, and they start walking faster down the road. Once they are able to duck into a doorway, Casey turns around and presses her hand to Alex's forehead.
"Shit. You're burning up. We can't keep going right now." She looks down at the map, frowning. "We're more than halfway to Chesterfield but we are going to have a take the long way around the bridge because it's washed out. At least that's what the group I had been with told me." She looks back at Alex. "We can afford to lay low for a day or so. We don't have much of a choice."
"There's a church across the street," Alex points out. She feels herself shivering despite the warm coat, her ears red and frozen.
Casey looks at her again. "We have to get you out of the cold. Let's go to the church."
They see a note on the door before they even get close enough to read it. Casey gets there first and reeds the handwritten note aloud.
"Anyone seeking shelter or food, please ring the bell."
Alex swallows as Casey looks at her. "Do you think it's a trap?"
"I don't know. I hope not," Casey answers. "It may be old. There may not even be anyone here now."
Alex hesitates and then rings the doorbell located near the door. Part of her refuses to believe that anyone would use a church for anything insidious. The other part of her thinks it may be a trap and she may have just made a mistake.
They stand on the front stoop and wait several minutes. Alex rings the bell again.
"There isn't anyone here," Casey says. "Let's find a way in."
No sooner have the words left her mouth then the front door opens and they are looking at an older gray haired woman.
"Do you two need help?"
Alex and Casey are both so shocked to see someone else that neither can speak at first.
"We…just need a place to stay for the night," Casey finally says. She motions to Alex. "My friend is sick and it's very cold."
The woman nods. "I'm Renee. My husband was a pastor at this church. Let me fetch him."
"Do you just open the door for anyone?" Casey asks.
Renee looks her up and down. "This is a house of God, my dear. No one who means harm comes here."
Casey frowns. "I would advise you not to open the door for people you don't know. Maybe you don't know how it is out here now, but humanity has taken a serious hit."
Renee calls to someone and then looks back at Alex and Casey. "We help everyone here. God doesn't judge and neither do we."
"Some people deserve to be judged."
Casey says it so softly that Renee doesn't hear her; but Alex does.
Casey adjusts the rifle that's tucked through her backpack straps, making sure that Renee notices it. They can't be too careful.
"I'm sorry, ladies," Renee says. "We have to ask that you leave your weapons with my husband."
Alex and Casey exchange glances.
It's Casey that speaks again. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but there's no way we are doing that. No offense to you or your husband, but after what we have been through, we can't trust a stranger with our only lifelines. If you wish for us to leave, I understand."
It's that moment that Alex starts to cough again. She feels absolutely horrible. Her eyes burn when she closes them, and she feels light headed and weak. She knows they have to rest but also knows there is no way they can give up their weapons.
"The girl is sick, Renee," her husband says, stepping forward and offering his hand. "I'm Scott. It's nice to meet you both."
Casey eyes him hesitantly but does shake his hand. "I'm Casey. This is Alex. We are traveling north, but Alex has taken ill so we just need a place to rest for a couple days and then we will be on our way."
Scott shakes Alex's hand as well. "We have food, and running water. I do have to apologize that the water is cold."
Those words sound like Heaven to Alex. It's been a couple weeks since either of them have been able to clean up at all. They both smell, their hair dirty and straggly. Even cold water sounds like bliss right now.
Renee seems to have accepted that the girls won't give up their weapons. She ushers them inside, her eyes on Casey's rifle the entire time. Casey is very thankful their hand guns are concealed.
"We have cots and beds. The church also operated as a homeless shelter. People come and go everyday, and we have some folks who have been here for awhile. We try to keep the sheets and the spaces clean. You are welcome to what we have. We just ask that you don't take more than your share."
"Thank you," Alex says softly. "How are you getting food?"
"We have some connections. The flow is certainly slower than it has been, and we don't get much of a variety I'm afraid, but we are able to help people and that's what matters."
Alex and Casey stand awkwardly, not quite knowing what to say or do. Scott reaches for their bags but neither try to give them up. They aren't sure they can trust Scott or Renee yet.
"Scott, why don't you show them around? Show them the amenities – such as they are – and where they will be staying."
Scott agrees, and Casey and Alex follow him down a hallway. It's lit by several candles, causing an eerie glow. As they get closer to the end, they can hear voices – several voices. Alex turns and looks inside the open door of what appears to be a classroom – where several children are spread out around the room. There are lanterns lighting up all corners of the room, and a few of the children who are on the floor playing with toys glance briefly at them.
Alex stops dead in her tracks and just stares. Children. They are children being children. They have clothes, and toys, and are happy.
"We have some families staying with us who were displaced," Scott explains, noticing Alex hanging back in front of the door. "It's good for the children to socialize."
Alex turns and looks at Scott. "The families are together?"
He nods. "We have all kinds of folks coming and going, some families, some not. The children always give me hope."
Alex feels herself filling with emotion and swallows. She feels Casey reach out and squeeze her arm, and she gives her a reassuring smile. She knows exactly what Alex is feeling right now.
He leads them to a small pantry. There are no candles or lanterns here, so he removes a flashlight from his pocket and shines it around the shelves.
Alex is surprised by how well they are stocked. There are several canned goods, as well as boxes of pasta and bottles of water.
"Most of our meals are cold. We seldom get any electricity to use the stove or microwave. It's been weeks. Luckily, most of these meals can be eaten right out the can, and some we can heat over the fire fit out back. We make do. No one goes without."
"It's a wonderful thing you are doing here," Alex says. She starts to cough again and apologizes profusely.
They walk back out to the hallway where they are able to somewhat see. "We have some first aid items on hand. We may have some Tylenol and cough medicine. I'll have Renee take a look. Some of our guests may be so kind as to share what they have too."
Alex nods. "Thank you."
They are then led through the chapel back towards the offices. "We do church services. You are welcome to attend but it's not required."
Scott knocks on the first door on the right. A young woman opens the door. She's blonde, her hair hanging past her shoulders. She regrets Alex and Casey with a smile. "Hi!"
"Scarlett, this is Alex and Casey. They arrived today and will be staying with us for as long as they need. Alex and Casey, this is Scarlett. She and her boyfriend Carlos have been with us for a few days." Scott looks past Scarlett into the room. "Is Carlos here?"
"On a supply search with Drew and Adam. My son Jon is in the game room" she responds. "It's nice to meet you both. Are you from around here?"
"Manhattan," Alex answers. "We are on our way to Chesterfield."
Casey throws a glance at Alex, shaking her head in disapproval. She doesn't want her to give away too much information.
"Family there?" Scarlett asks.
"Yeah," is all Alex says in response, nodding at Casey to show she understands.
Next they are introduced to a family from New Jersey – a mother Joanna, father also named Scott, and two children Beckett and Chloe. They appear very kind and tell Alex and Casey to come to them if they need anything.
The last introduction is to Daniel, a young man in his late teens or early twenties. He is very quiet and polite, calling Casey and Alex "ma'am," and standing as soon as they walk into the office he is bunking in. There are three cots in the room, the other two belonging to two men who are on a supply search. They are told they will meet them later.
"I'm going to give you two my office," Scott explains, walking them down another small hallway. "I apologize for the messiness, but there is futon and I can arrange a cot as well if need be. We do have a twin bed but you try to save those for the children."
"A futon will be fine," Casey says. "We thank you for your hospitality."
Scott looks them both over once more and opens the office door. "I will have Renee search from some medicine for you, Alex. Once you two have had time to process everything, I'll show you the bathing area. In the meantime, please get settled."
Alex walks into the office, but Casey hesitates. As Scott starts to walk away, she turns to him. "Does the door lock?"
"Yes, of course. It's my office."
Casey stares hard at him. "Could we have the key?"
At first he doesn't respond. And then he nods, smiling. "I can arrange that."
It's only when he disappears around the corner that Casey goes into the office. She immediately closes the door, locking it behind her.
Alex is already sitting on the futon – which is folded in its sofa position – her backpack at her feet. She leans back, sighing deeply. It feels so good to sit down. After a moment she kicks off her boots, rubbing her sore feet.
"It's kind of a blessing to have found this place right now," Casey says. She drops her backpack beside Alex's but doesn't sit. She runs her hands through her hair, cringing at the tangles. "My hair is a disaster. I can't wait to wash it."
Alex opens her eyes and wrinkles her nose. "You stink too."
Casey rolls her eyes. "Gee, thanks. You don't smell too good yourself. And your hair isn't looking too perfect right now."
Alex smiles. "My hair is always perfect."
Casey finally sits on the opposite end of the futon. She appears thoughtful for a few minutes. "Are you feeling any better?"
"I feel pretty crappy. I think I just need to sleep. You can go wash up and check out the place more if you'd like. I think I'm going to try and take a nap."
Casey looks at the door. She knows she's being cynical, but she doesn't feel comfortable leaving Alex alone right now. They just arrived and neither of them really know Scott or Renee, or anyone else.
"I'm going to just hang out," Casey says. "I'll help you fold down the futon."
Alex takes off her coat and grabs the blankets that are folded up on the desk while Casey folds down the futon on her own.
"I understand why you don't trust anyone," Alex says. "But we have to try. I think these people are okay. And maybe they know something about Chesterfield, about what's going on with the women that are taken."
Casey nods. "Just don't give them too much information about us or Olivia, okay? The door locks but Scott has a key. This is going to sound like Olivia talking, but…we need to tell each other where we are going when we aren't in here. I know it's just going to be for a couple days, but…a lot of things can happen in a couple days."
Alex understands. She wonders if more happened to Casey when she was on her own than she lets on. Or if her past relationship with her abusive fiancée Charlie, coupled with what is happening now, might contribute to her distrustfulness of people.
Alex has just laid down when Casey gets up from the chair she's sitting in to give her something.
"Happy birthday," Casey says. She hands Alex a folded piece of paper.
Alex smiles, taking it from her. "Thanks. You didn't have to."
She didn't expect her to remember her birthday. She had said it in passing a couple days ago just for conversation.
Casey shrugs. "I know. It isn't much, but…"
Alex unfolds the paper, and her heart immediately stops.
It's a pencil drawing. It's Olivia, Noah and Alex, arms around each other, smiling.
The likeness is incredible. Casey is an amazing artist. The detail is extreme, and the drawing is one of the best Alex has ever seen. Casey must have been working on it for a long time to get this detailed. And for a pencil drawing, it is absolutely incredible.
Alex raises her eyes, which are shining with tears. This is Casey's idea of "not much"? It's the most amazing gift anyone has ever given her.
"Casey, I - I don't even know what to say. This is amazing."
Casey shrugs again, looking away. "You don't have any photos, but I thought maybe it would help."
Alex is smiling, despite the tear she lets slide down her cheek. "You are so talented. I - I love it. Thank you so much. No one has ever given me such a thoughtful gift."
Alex hesitates, and then hugs Casey. Casey feels uncomfortable at first, but quickly returns the hug, squeezing tight.
"Why didn't you ever show me any of your drawings?" Alex asks when they pull apart. "You could be professional. You are so good."
"It's just a hidden talent. It's the first time I've ever given a drawing to someone." Casey finally smiles. "I'm glad you like it."
Alex continues to look at it while Casey sits back down in the office chair.
Finally, Alex settles down as well. She folds the drawing in half and tucks it under her on the dog bed she's lying on.
It feels like Noah and Olivia are there with Alex. She turns over, reaching under herself and touching the paper.
Alex is extremely grateful for the woman just a few feet away from her. She's filled with a sense of family again; knowing she's closer to Olivia and that she's safe with Casey.
Do you think Casey is being TOO cautious? Can they trust these people? Next chapter there is a big event, and yes, Olivia will be around soon.