In the breaking dawn, Sue watched in silence. It was too dim to see clearly and the men were pretty far afield. She waited with Levi. He'd come bounding back and she knelt to hug him. Feeling a pull on her heart, she began to pray. She sat in the stillness and waited. It wasn't until Levi got her attention that she looked up and knew something was desperately wrong.
Bobby and Hector were headed for cover and James was running toward her signing wildly. 'Send Levi. Go to Bobby! NOW!' He could hear Bobby and Hector both calling for the dog. Would he go?
Sue whispered to the dog, "Go Levi, be safe for now. It's okay."
The Retriever looked at her with his brown eyes and took off toward the voices calling for him. The men and dog disappeared as James ran by grabbing her arm, dragging her back into the house. He pushed her into the bedroom and dashed for the dining area. He returned carrying a small gun. 'You shoot?'
She shook her head. He forced the gun into her hand and closed her fingers.
'Hold. Stay.' He looked her in the eyes. 'Stay.'
She nodded.
He scrambled through the house looking out windows and checking each room quickly but carefully. When he found what he was looking for, he came back for her.
In the living room he'd found an un-obvious space. It was not even big enough for a full-grown adult but he gestured to her to get in.
"Why? What's going on?"
'Choppers. They are coming. They found us. My mistake. Computer. They cannot find you. You must hide in here. Make yourself fit.'
Sue nodded. His body language had shifted and read danger. He was something different now. She bit her lip and began to get in. He stopped her and placed hands on either side of her face. Bringing their eyes inches apart he silently begged her to understand. Searching his, she saw his darkness. What she had thought was loneliness, she saw now was a heavy burden. But there was still a light in those hazel eyes that mirrored her own.
Sue squeezed into the impossible space. He repositioned the gun. 'Scared?'
"Yes."
'Good. Let it help you. Be afraid to shoot. If it's not me or W or Manning, be more afraid and shoot. Don't move. Don't breathe. Stay here. They CANNOT find you.' His emphasis scared her. 'I will come for you. Trust me.'
Tears brimmed in her eyes. She nodded. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
"I'll pray for you," she whispered and the door closed.