In Absentia
Summary: The search for a young family missing while camping takes a turn that puts everything into question. Take place after "do your ghosts sing you lullabies."
Ch. 1: Wake me up when September ends
His head ached. He tried to move it, but it only sent even more pain coursing through his skull and down his neck, reverberating through his spine. Lifting his hand, he touched the back of his head. It was wet. He didn't know if that was from blood, or his muddy slide down. Bringing his hand back to his face answered the question for him. His fingers were covered in the dark red of his own blood.
He gave himself a minute and looked up at the sky. It would be getting dark soon. The sun was sinking into what would be a chilly fall night. It wasn't necessarily cold. Not like it was in the winter when the temperatures could be dangerous. But, the pleasant warmth of summer was a memory for another year and they were descending towards winter noticeably. The clouds from earlier had pushed out somewhat allowing the sun to peek through. He knew that he wasn't in any real danger from the weather.
He was more concerned with the head injury. If it was a concussion, continuing to lie here could be risky. He didn't want to allow himself to get sleepy and start feeling fatigue. His mind needed to stay sharp.
Knowing that it would hurt tremendously, but keenly aware that his best chance of being found was to be proactive, he braced himself and sat up slowly. There was a ringing in his head and he was dizzy. Closing his eyes, he waited for his head to clear some and for the vertigo to pass him by. Predictably, it did. Opening his eyes, he slowly planted his feet on the slick rock surface of the ground and got to his feet.
His legs were unsteady. It was to be expected with the fall that he had just taken. He gave his body a moment to acclimate to its new position before he moved again. He looked around in an attempt to get his bearings. A few feet away, he could see his hat muddied and slightly crumpled. He retrieved it and did his best to wipe off the mud that caked it. He worked it back into shape as much as he could and set the hat on his head.
Walt looked up at where he had stood just before the ground gave way and sent him in a downward trajectory. There would be no climbing back up. Not in his current condition and not with his head feeling like it did. Not to mention his back. The steep slope was covered with the same slick mud that proved his undoing.
It might be surmountable if he had help or climbing gear. He didn't have either. Just himself. He glanced around looking for some way that might lead back up. Nothing obvious jumped out at him. There were trails here, of course. Not the kind used by hikers and campers. These were animal trails. The primary human activity they would see was hunters looking for a quiet place away from the more habited areas where they could safely lie in wait for their targets.
The cell phone in his pocket was useless as far out as he was. Deciding that he couldn't just stand around until darkness fell, he started to walk. Each step was a painful reminder that this wasn't exactly an ordinary walk in the woods. He paused a couple of times to look around. There wasn't much in this area of the county. It was mostly used for recreation and hunting on the property that was private.
He knew by instinct what direction he needed to move in. That was easier said than done and his progress felt slower than it would have been under different circumstances. Chalk it up to not knowing entirely where he was as well as being injured to a degree. The pain in his head hadn't lessened any since he got up off the ground.
He paused and cocked his head.
He could've sworn he heard something. The only person he was aware of anywhere nearby was Zach. There was a good chance the deputy didn't even know where he was since they weren't together when he took his unplanned trip down.
He peered into a stand of trees and narrowed his eyes. Down here, there wasn't the sunlight they would have on higher ground. Especially not with the weather being what it was. The small bit of sun that was pushing through the clouds wasn't finding its way down here.
He shifted on his feet uncomfortably and took a few steps forwards.
"Someone there?"
He moved his hand to his Colt on instinct, but he didn't pull it out. He simply let his hand rest there, the weight a comfort of sorts.
Now that he was closer, he could just see someone in the trees. Walt took two more steps.
"Hello?"
Before he could fully see the face of the person, he knew that it was a woman based on the size. He frowned and wondered what she was doing out here. The woman emerged and her figure became clear. She was tall, as tall as Cady, and slender. Her hair was long and light brown. It was pulled back in an efficient looking braid. She wore rain boots that looked like they might belong to a man and heavy duty looking cargo pants. Her shirt was flannel and also appeared to be a man's shirt based on the size. Over that, she wore a Carhartt coat that was unzipped. Her head was topped off with a wide brimmed hat that was designed to keep the sun off.
It wasn't her clothes that bothered him, though. Or, even the fact that she seemed to have materialized out of nowhere.
What concerned him in that moment was the rifle that she held in her hands, pointed in his direction.
xxx
"Wake up."
Vic groaned and pulled the blanket over her head, trying to shut out the world even though she knew the very thought was fruitless. Off to her side, in the vacant spot that Walt would have occupied earlier, Julian was bouncing slightly.
He grasped at the blanket with his small hands and tugged it away from her face trying to find her. He bumped her shoulder in his quest and Vic gave up, knowing that resistance was futile when his mind was set.
"Mama."
He peered at her as she pushed the blanket away from her face and blew some stray hair away from her nose. Vic flopped onto her back and looked at the five year old boy who hovered over her.
"It's time to get up."
She would never understand how such a young child could get up so early and not be grumpy.
He crouched with a smile on his face. His light hair was messy and he still wore his pajamas.
"It's Saturday."
She didn't know why she bothered. Julian shrugged.
"It's almost time to eat."
That would explain it. Walt sent him.
"What's for breakfast?"
"Pancakes."
Now that her mind was clearing, she could smell breakfast cooking and the aroma of coffee. Walt was already up and it smelled nearly done. Some things would never change. Her stomach rumbled to remind her that she was hungry.
"Okay, I'm up."
She wasn't really. Not physically. If she had it her way, she would shut out the world and sleep for a while longer. That wasn't happening today. He didn't look convinced. Julian reached out and pushed at her shoulder.
"C'mon, mama."
It was impossible not to smile at him. For a child who had been through so much in his short life, he was incredibly resilient, not to mention well adjusted. Vic couldn't pinpoint the exact moment in time that he ceased calling her Vic and started calling her a variation of mommy or mama. It was gradual. The first few times were in the middle of the night after being woken up by the nightmares that plagued him for some time after he came into their lives. To be honest, she suspected he might have been talking about the mother that he lost to a violent man who was also his biological father.
Slowly, he started doing it during the day as well. He would use Vic or mama interchangeably and didn't seem to notice that he was even doing it. It was a few weeks after the adoption became final that he stopped using Vic at all. She never tried to steer him in any direction. His therapist said that he needed to process his new life in his own time and in his own way.
Now, in late September, there was still a newness to it that occasionally caught her off guard.
It was hard to believe that nine months had passed since that night he unexpectedly entered their lives and never vacated. Julian was a testament to how well children could come back from trauma. That wasn't to say that there weren't bumps in the road, and setbacks. They all experienced both. There were the nightmares that seemed to have faded into the background. There were also times he was prone to simply be sad and mourn his mother and his previous life.
They found a therapist in Sheridan who specialized in children and he seemed to be doing well under her care. What she stressed to them was that he needed to feel secure. Not just physically, but emotionally as well. He needed the space to have his feelings and to be allowed to express himself. Vic figured that between her and Walt, they were pretty much experts on trauma and the after effects. That made them well suited for this role.
Over time, he was sad less. As the nights passed, the nightmares decreased and nearly disappeared altogether. Every once in a while, he would have them. But, he didn't cry from them now the way he did in the beginning.
His journey into accepting Walt as his father took more time. It wasn't unexpected given the fear of men that he harbored. He had seen too much violence at the hands of men. What they were capable of. But, Walt was a patient man. He showed Julian the same patience that he showed her back when they were first starting out. When she was still dealing with her own roller coaster of emotions and the darkness that plagued her in the wake of such sadness. It seemed like an entire lifetime ago. In reality, it hadn't been all that long.
The experiences of their separate pasts were a shared thing that bound them all together now.
There were still times when that old fear would rise back up in him. When he encountered men that he didn't know or ones that raised their voices, she could see it. She could read it in his eyes as well as his posture.
Vic gave in and sat up. Reaching out before he realized what was happening, Vic pulled him into her lap. He giggled and squirmed in surprise. After a moment, Vic released him and his face was red from laughing.
"Okay…I am up. Tell you what…you go and get dressed and I'll meet you in the kitchen."
"Deal!"
He slid off the bed and scampered from the room. Vic got out of the bed much more slowly. She crossed the room and pushed the door closed. Shedding her pajamas, she dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, and her Flyers hoodie. Pulling on socks as well, she ambled into the kitchen to find Walt looking down at the pancake batter that was browning in a pan. Anna was already corralled in her high chair with what appeared to be bits of pancake. She was eating some and playing with others. She would be two the week after Christmas, just a few months away. It seemed surreal that she was growing the way that she was, no longer a baby and in perpetual motion if left to her own devices.
"Morning."
Walt must've been concentrating because her voice startled him. He turned to watch her grab a coffee cup and fill it up before turning his attention back to breakfast.
"Good morning. Where's Julian?"
"I sent your little messenger to get dressed."
His shoulders rose and fell.
"Figured it was safer to send him."
Vic added milk and sugar to her coffee, her spoon clinking on the side of the mug as she stirred.
"Yeah…he's cuter than you are."
That comment earned her the look she expected.
"Cuter?"
Vic dropped her spoon into the sink, turned to him as she raised her cup, and smiled at him as she brought it to her lips.
"Yep."
Julian darted into the kitchen and nearly collided with Vic. She eyed him and set her coffee on the table.
"Your shirt…is backwards. Up."
She gestured and he complied by raising his arms so that she could slip it off and turn it around. Once she slid it back on, he sat down at the table where a cup of milk was already waiting for him. Walt set a plate with a stack of pancakes on it in the center of the table and Vic put two on a plate for Julian, adding syrup, and placing it in front of him. He started to eat as Vic and Walt sat down. Vic drizzled syrup over her own pancakes, catching Walt's attention.
"What?"
He shook his head and picked up his fork, cutting off a bite.
"Too much syrup."
She rolled her eyes at him.
"Says you."
The front door opened and closed. She knew that it was Eli before he ever walked in. Even though it was the weekend, there was still work to be done. The young man normally worked half a day on Saturday and had Sunday off. He stepped into the kitchen with a smile on his face.
"Morning Mr. Walt."
His eyes shifted to Vic.
"Miss Vic."
She had given up on telling him not to call her Miss. The instruction never took and there was no point in wasting her breath.
"Morning. Breakfast?"
He shook his head at her offer.
"No thanks. Ate with my grandmother. Wouldn't mind some coffee, though."
Vic nodded towards the pot.
"Help yourself."
He retrieved a cup from the cabinet and poured in the aromatic liquid before leaning on the counter and taking a sip. Julian looked up from his empty plate.
"Hey, Eli."
"What's up, little man? How's school?"
"Good."
With the end of summer came the beginning of school. They debated keeping him out for a year, but his therapist urged them to enroll him. He had very little experience interacting with children his own age and the doctor thought the routine would be good for him. The first few days were rocky with tears and declarations that he missed them during the day. It was a nice sentiment, but there was some danger to be found in allowing him to be too withdrawn from life outside the cabin and their property. Thankfully, by the end of the week he seemed to settle in and even started looking forward to going in the morning.
"That's good. Make any new friends?"
"Two."
Eli finished off his coffee and set the cup in the sink.
"Awesome."
He glanced at Walt.
"I'll get started exercising."
Walt nodded.
"Okay. I'll be out shortly."
Eli ruffled Julian's hair as he walked behind him and Julian twisted in his chair.
"Can I go?"
The question was directed at Eli, who glanced to Vic and Walt for affirmation or denial.
"It's okay with me."
Vic sipped her coffee.
"Sure. But…stay out of the way."
Julian scrambled from his chair.
"Get your jacket and boots."
Vic called after him, hoping at least one of the boys heard her. She stood up and deposited her plate in the sink, running some water over the syrup laden surface. She heard Walt's chair scrape as he rose and brought his own dishes to the sink.
"Don't keep him over. He's still a kid."
"He's twenty."
Vic faced him, her hip bumping the counter.
"He's a twenty year old kid who shouldn't spend all of his time working."
He smiled a little.
"Did you think you were a kid when you were twenty?"
"Of course not. That came with the wisdom of age."
She reached out and grasped the front of his shirt in her fingers, effectively tugging him to her. Pushing up, she kissed him. Then, she pushed him away.
"Go."
"Mixed signals."
She rolled her eyes and turned away from him.
"Go work."
He huffed out a laugh as he left the kitchen.
xxx
Walt placed his hat on as he stepped onto the porch. He looked up, taking in the sky. It was another cool, cloudy day. There would be rain later. Again. They were having an unusually wet fall so far. It left the air feeling colder than it actually was and made the ground a mucky mess that clung to his boots. He would certainly appreciate some sun, but that wasn't going to happen today. Maybe not even this week for that matter.
He took the steps down and could see that Eli had a horse out of the barn and saddled. It was a big chestnut stallion with as much attitude as size. He was a beautiful animal, but ill tempered and an unwilling riding companion unless you knew how to handle him. Eli did. Walt wondered if his owners possessed the know how to keep the horse under control when he went home.
"Can I ride?"
Julian leaned on a fence post watching Eli as Walt came up behind him.
"Not that one."
Julian startled and looked up at Walt. Eli easily swung up into the saddle and pressed the horse into an immediate trot. Walt gestured.
"You can ride with me. Come on."
Julian followed Walt into the barn and down the row of six stalls. At the end stood a palomino gelding. He swung his big head in their direction and swished his tail. Walt clipped a rope on the horse and led him outside where he tied him to a post. He passed Julian a brush.
"Help me brush him."
There was mud caked on the animal's coat. With their current weather, keeping the horses entirely clean was a losing battle. Julian took the brush and positioned himself in front of Walt. He worked his brush over the parts of the animal he could reach while Walt did the rest.
Julian was a quiet boy. Some of it might have come from spending his first few years in a volatile situation. Even now, there was a tendency to watch and observe before he interacted. There were times when he was all boy and it seemed as though he possessed endless energy. He could be rambunctious when he was excited. But, more often than not, he didn't call attention to himself very much.
He was entirely comfortable with horses if not with people. He took to them like a duck to water. Walt was grateful. It gave him a bridge which allowed them to spend more time together having something in common with each other. Julian latched onto Vic right away and was originally cautious of Walt. While his bond with Vic hadn't diminished at all, it was important for the boy to form similar bonds with others. He needed to learn how to have healthy relationships with a variety of people.
That was what the doctor told them.
His affection for horses helped to narrow gaps.
He was good with them, too. His quiet, gentle nature went a long way with the horses even though he was small. Walt was giving him riding lessons on Horse, but didn't feel comfortable giving him too much independence as spirited as Horse could be. He hadn't mentioned it to Vic just yet. But, he was on the lookout for a horse that would be a good match for Julian. One with an even temperament and a dependable nature that the boy could grow with and ride on his own. It would allow them the freedom of riding together as opposed to doubling up on Horse. Julian would eventually outgrow that.
Walt stepped back and looked over the horse.
"Good work."
He set the brushes asides and gathered up the horse's tack.
Julian watched as he saddled the horse and lifted the boy up onto the saddle. Pulling himself up behind Julian, Walt nudged the horse into a walk. After a few minutes, he urged them into a trot.
They made a wide circle around the cabin. Walt looked out over the property as the horse kept a good pace underneath him. He was solid and with a good gait. As they came around and headed back towards the cabin, Walt spotted a familiar vehicle making its way over the road that led to the cabin. It was Cady's Jeep.
Walt pulled the horse to a stop at the barn and dismounted. Lifting Julian from the saddle, he set him on the ground just as Eli walked his horse over. Walt glanced up at him.
"Can you keep an eye on Julian?"
Eli nodded as his boots hit the ground.
"Sure."
Walt started off wondering what Cady was doing here on a Saturday morning. He tucked his hands into the pockets of his coat and met her at the cabin steps.
"Hey, Punk."
"Morning, dad. You riding?"
"Yep. Exercising the horses."
She looked up the porch towards the front door.
"Vic here?"
The fact that Vic's SUV was parked near his Bronco was the answer to that question.
"Yep. Inside."
She smiled uneasily and he got the impression that this was one of those times his involvement wasn't something Cady wanted. He would be lying to say it didn't bother him that Vic knew more about the details of Cady's life than he did. Such was the life of a father with a daughter. He understood. These were conversations Cady would've likely had with her mother, or maybe her friends. In Martha's absence, she normally turned to Vic for advice on topics such as men and relationships. Walt figured this was about her impending marriage to Carson Cooper, the Sheriff of Cumberland County.
"You'll be at the barn?"
"Yeah."
She stepped up onto the first step.
"I'll walk out there before I leave."
"Sure, Punk."
Hs response must have clued her in somewhat. Not that she didn't already know. Both she and Vic knew how he felt about their quiet conversations that didn't included him.
"Dad…"
He shook his head, brushing off whatever she might say.
"How are you, Cady?"
She drew in a slow breath.
"I'm good. Work has been fairly quiet."
That was a blessing considering she was about to be married.
"I'm happy for you."
He meant it and he hoped that she could hear it in his words. Hard as he tried, he still struggled at times with expressing himself. Even to those who were closet to him. He knew that the road for Cady and Cooper hadn't been an easy one. He supposed love and relationships weren't easy for anyone. Maybe if it came too easily, that meant you simply weren't facing what needed to be faced. Merging two independent minded people into one cohesive life was not an easy thing.
He and Vic certainly faced their own challenges along the way.
He supposed they always would.
As soon as one hurdle was cleared, it seemed like there was another one in the distance waiting for them.
Cady gave him a genuine, clear eyed smile.
"Thank you, dad."
He ducked his head slightly.
"Find me when you're done."
She started up the steps.
"Will do."
Cady started to knock, but Walt tossed more words as he started back for the barn.
"Just go on in."
xxx
Vic heard the door open and close, assuming it was Walt. She came in from the bedroom with Anna on her hip to see Cady standing there looking around.
"Hey."
Cady smiled.
"Hey. Dad…told me just to come in."
"What's up?"
Cady's eyes drifted to Anna and her smile widened.
"Wow, look at her."
She held out her arms and Vic passed Anna over.
"I swear every time I see her, she's different."
Vic gestured at the couch.
"You…wanna sit?"
Cady sat down and bounced her little sister on her lap. After a moment smiling up at Cady, Anna squirmed her way onto the floor, dropped on her bottom, and started to play. Cady watched her with an almost odd expression.
"Cady?"
Cady looked up.
"Is something wrong?"
Cady shook her head.
"No, no. I just…wanted to talk to you."
"About?"
Cady looked around before she settled her eyes back on Vic.
"Can I ask you something…honestly?"
"Sure?"
"When you and dad got married…were you nervous?"
Vic eyed her.
"Well…there was a lot going on and…there wasn't really time. "
Cady's face fell slightly.
"So, you weren't?"
"I…maybe a little apprehensive because of what we were going through. Why…are you asking me this?"
Cady didn't supply an answer immediately. Vic studied the younger woman.
"You're not having second thoughts. Are you?"
"No. Of course not. I want to marry Cooper. I just…I've been feeling…some nerves. I…don't have a frame of reference for that."
"That's…understandable. I think…that's normal."
Vic ventured the words carefully.
"You just told me that you weren't nervous."
"Uh…you're assuming that I'm normal. Cady, don't compare yourself to me. Or the two of you to me and Walt. We didn't exactly get married under ideal conditions."
"So…you didn't have any doubts?"
"Doubts? You just told me that you weren't having second thoughts."
"I'm not. I am marrying Cooper next Saturday. I'm…"
She pushed out a breath.
"…I'm just…this is it."
"It?"
"Yes. It. And…I'll admit that I'm scared. But, Cooper just seems as cool as ever."
"Maybe. It is his second marriage, though."
"Does that make a difference?"
Vic shrugged.
"All I'm saying is that he's been here before. Maybe because of that, he has more clarity."
"Is that how it was for you?"
Vic sighed.
"Yes."
Cady gave her a relieved smile.
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to be such a…I don't even know. I love Cooper and I know that I want to marry him. But…if I think about it all too much, it can be overwhelming."
"I get it. You know…"
Vic smiled.
"…just because Cooper doesn't seem nervous, that might not mean anything. He's a guy. They like to hide that stuff. God forbid someone know how they actually feel."
The comment brought a genuine smile to Cady's face.
"True. So…how does dad really feel about us not having a real wedding. He seemed disappointed when I told him."
Vic flapped a hand at her.
"He'll get over it. It's the exact same thing that we did. Just remind him that when he asked me to marry him, he wanted to do it the next day."
Cady laughed.
"I will keep that in mind. You guys are still coming? To the courthouse?"
"Wouldn't miss it. Anyone else?"
Cady shook her head.
"Just you. Cooper doesn't have much in the way of family. Henry is closing the Red Pony and we'll have a private party."
"Sounds fun."
Cady stood up and looked down at Anna, who was still playing oblivious of the serious conversation they were having.
"I might have hurt dad's feelings when he realized I was here to see you."
Vic shrugged nonchalantly.
"He'll get over it."
"Is that your explanation for everything involving dad?"
"It works most of the time. You know…you could talk to him about this."
"I know. It's just easier to talk to you. Dad gets all…dad."
Vic stifled a laugh as the door opened and Walt came in with Julian crowding his legs. Julian didn't make any move to take his jacket off.
"Hi, Cady."
Cady offered him a smile.
"Hey, Julian. How are you?"
"Good."
She reached out and brushed some of his light hair out of his face before withdrawing her hand, raising her eyes to Walt, who was holding his hat in his hand by the brim. He gave Vic a quick look.
"We're taking a ride."
He gestured at Julian. Vic cocked her head.
"Another one? I just saw you two riding."
"Yep, went around the yard. Gonna take him out farther."
She knew he was talking about Julian.
"Okay."
Walt's eyes shifted back to Cady.
"Everything okay?"
"Yes, it is."
He gave her a long look and Vic could easily that he wasn't convinced by his daughter's words.
"Okay."
He set his hat back on and he and Julian left. Cady looked to Vic.
"He's worried."
"He stays worried where you're concerned. He just wants you to be happy."
Cady took a breath, trying to release the tension in her.
"I am. I am happy."
Vic held her eyes for another few seconds.
"Good. You want some advice?"
"Always."
"Don't freak yourself out this week. Enjoy it. You deserve it. You both do. You're getting married in a week and you shouldn't be stressing yourself out about it."
"Thank you for talking me off the ledge…as usual."
Vic shrugged with a smile on her face.
"It's nice to be useful."
Cady laughed before growing more serious.
"So, it looks like Julian is doing really well."
"He is. He started school and he's adjusting pretty good. His teacher is a woman which helps."
"He's still afraid of men?"
Vic made a face.
"He's doing better. But…he tends to be uneasy around men that he doesn't know. He's pretty comfortable around Henry, Cooper, and Ferg. Zach is quiet, so he's wary there. But…it's a work in progress."
"You're bringing them both next weekend? Right?"
"Yep. Looking forward to it."
Cady grinned at her.
"You and me both. And…we're still on for dinner tonight?"
Vic nodded.
"Yes, we will see you there."
xxx
He held up his hands hoping she would see that he wasn't a threat.
His head was still throbbing. Maybe she would have some way of getting in touch with someone back at the office. Or Vic. Walt stayed where he was as the woman eyed him cautiously.
"Who are you?"
Her words were terse, her tone unwelcome.
"Walt. My name is Walt."
She ran her eyes over him, no doubt taking in his muddy and disheveled appearance.
"What are you doing here?"
He kept his hands where she could see them, gesturing with one.
"I…slipped down a ways back. Hit my head pretty good. Do you have a phone or…a radio?"
She dismissed his question with her eyes.
"Phones don't work out here."
"I know that. But…do you live somewhere nearby?"
Her expression was full of mistrust.
"What's it to you?"
He swallowed and tried another tactic.
"I was helping search for a family who was camping out this way. They're lost. Have you seen anyone?"
She shook her head.
"No one should be here. They don't know what they're doing. They wind up getting hurt of lost."
That was a hard to argue with statement.
"Are you the law?"
The oddness of this woman was not lost on him.
"Not anymore. I was…the Sheriff. My daughter is the Sheriff now. Cady Longmire."
No recognition crossed the woman's face.
Walt took one careful step in her direction.
"I need…"
The woman readjusted the rifle's aim at his chest.
"…I need help. That's all. I'm not…here to hurt anyone."
"Your head is bleeding."
"I know."
She stared at him for a long moment. He actually thought she might just leave him there. She looked like she wanted to. Finally, she lowered the rifle some and used it to point.
"I live…this way. You can come and clean yourself up. Then, you should leave."
Walt nodded and followed along as the woman started off to the right. She kept what she must have considered a safe distance from him and she kept her tight grip on her rifle. She led him down a narrow path that looked as though it were formed by animals traversing the trees. The landscape was rough and strewn with loose rocks. Walt fought hard for his balance, his head still pounding.
"You live out here alone?"
His voice broke the heavy, strained silence between them. She kept her eyes on the path ahead of her.
"That's not your business."
Walt accepted her reticence and assumed he was correct. That would explain her caution. It didn't fully surprise him to find someone living out here. There were all sorts in remote areas like this. In Walt's experience, these people simply wanted to be left alone. She didn't seem hostile as much as she did suspicious.
The trees opened up to small clearing where Walt saw a small, ramshackle cabin. He paused for a moment before he started moving again. The place looked primitive. There would be no electricity or running water. There was no sign of a well, but he could hear water somewhere behind the cabin.
A creek.
The cabin was a low structure. He thought he might need to stoop down once he was inside. The logs that constructed the exterior were roughly cut and a bit uneven. The door looked as though it were pulled from a dump and belonged on a different home. It didn't quite fit the frame, but seemed to do the job.
She pulled the door open and set her rifle just inside the door. Walt ducked his head slightly as he crossed inside. The inside was what he expected. It was all one room with an area that was filled with ancient looking pots and pans at a bucket that must have passed as a sink. Along the back wall was a narrow bed that was made into the wall.
The place was small and cramped, but not dirty. On some level, that surprised him. There was a fireplace with a pot hanging over it. It would be used for cooking or heating up water.
The woman ignored him and started to dig through a pile of what appeared to be clothes. She came up with a faded rag and walked over to the fireplace. Opening the pot carefully, she dipped in the rag and Walt could see the steam rising from it. The water she soaked it in was hot. She passed him the rag.
"For your head."
Walt took it and pressed it to the back of his head.
"You build this place?"
There was a long hesitation before she answered.
"My husband."
"Is he around?"
Her expression didn't change.
"He's dead."
"I'm sorry."
Her face remained stoic. Walt pulled the rag from his head and looked at it. The blood was still coming, but it appeared to be slowing down. That was good.
"Listen, I need to let my family know that I'm okay."
"No phones here."
He sighed.
"Can you tell me how to walk out of here?"
"It's getting dark. You should wait until morning."
He sighed.
"I need to get back. They'll be worried."
She didn't look moved by his plea. Her expression was one of practicality.
"You're injured. You should rest and leave in the morning. It's too dangerous in the dark."
Walt pulled out his phone in futility and looked at the screen. No service. Exactly what he expected. He suspected she was right. It was getting dark and traveling without light or supplies could prove to be dangerous. Especially since he was already injured.
He turned his eyes back to the woman. She was shedding her outer layers. Her hat was hung up along with her coat. Once the task was complete, she faced him again.
"Tonight, you can stay. If you try anything…"
Her eyes drifted to the rifle.
"…I will kill you."