Chapter 3: First Night

On day four, Ana notices the same pattern after hiking all day. Christian waits for Remi and Ethan to go off to sleep before he's comfortable enough to talk. Tonight, the topic strays to occupations. Ana is trying to steer it in the right direction. Any admission of involvement with the Phoenix Abolitionists would be helpful.

"Gardening is mainly how I live, I can trade it in for any fish or meat around the area. But since it's a community I do anything that's needed."

Christian isn't familiar with staying anywhere beyond a month, but has talked to a few settlers elsewhere, "Do you enjoy it?" He wonders out loud, he can see the appeal of a community, but does not believe in safety behind walls. Silently, he laments what he sees as Ana's inability to know Rushmere's security could crumble at any minute. His frequent conquests as a militia member showed him that much.

"Yes and no. It offers me protection, but the trade-off is living with the bare minimum."

Christian chuckles at that, "It's the same on the road, living with the bare minimum."

"Then why do you do it?"

"I know nothing else." Christian can't imagine himself being that person. A community member. Contributing to a settlement with such medial tasks as gardening, settling down, or, God forbid, being a family man.

"You already have enough skills to be accepted into any settlement of your choice. I don't think you need to know anything else."

"Is killing in high demand?" Christian questions. Ana notices the flash of amusement in his eyes. He's toying with her.

Ana shifts uncomfortably, "Protection, hunting, and trading parties need it."

Christian ponders the thought. He wonders if Ana has a family of her own, "Do you have a family?"

Ana has to restrain herself from sneering. Only you have that answer. She decides to be vaguely honest, maybe this could stir some memories for the monster, "I have a father, but I haven't seen him in years."

"I mean children or a husband."

Ana is displeased that he's changed the subject, but answers nonetheless, "No."

"A boyfriend?"

"No."

"Why not?" Christian knows he's being invasive, but curiosity is gripping him. He would've thought a fragile figure like Ana would've attracted some poor sap. He already had his suspicions that Remington liked her, but Remi's constant stories about past lovers shows his complete lack of tact with bringing that idea to fruition.

"I'm of the opinion that loving is losing." Ana hates to bring up the point, but Christian's direct line of questioning leaves her little choice.

Her words resonate with him. He smiles, "An apt observation." Maybe she isn't as naive as he originally thought. Maybe I'm underestimating her.

The next day they're able to make it past Blackstone with little obstacles besides uneven terrain. Halfway from Farmville to Appomatox during the following afternoon is where an issue occurs.

There's a small bridge the four need to cross, but it's jammed with cars out of operation. They decide to walk under it to make it through, the incline is sharp and a recent drizzle has made the grass and rocks slippery. Making his way down, Ethan hits a loose rock and takes what looks to be a slight fall. Everyone is within hearing distance for the distinct sound. Crunch.

Ethan doubles over in pain on the hill, holding his leg, "Fuck."

"Steady!" Remington holds onto Ethan so he doesn't slide down any further, "Are you okay?"

Ethan is holding in the pain, his face red with effort, he breathes out sharply while shaking his head, "I think I broke my leg."

Ana and Christian join Ethan, hovering over his form which is now in a fetal position. Ana kneels to check on Ethan's leg, it has an unnatural curve.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck." Ethan chants.

"Yeah, it's bad." Ana looks up to Christian, "Could you get a straight stick?" She reaches into her bag, taking out a piece of cloth. Christian returns shortly and she makes a splint for the time being while Ethan tries his best not to continually scream.

They manage to move him onto a flat piece of land to assess the situation.

"He can't move like this." Remington states the obvious, looking around in irritation.

"I'm sorry." Ethan knows this is now a problem for all of them.

"It wasn't on purpose." Ana consoles him. "Remi, you got to bring him back."

"Me?" Remington looks at Ana incredulously, there was no way in hell he would let a woman travel alone with a dangerous man like Christian, "It's not happening Ana."

Ana looks at Christian, she doesn't want to have this discussion in front of him, "Can you give us a moment?"

Christian nods once, retreating to a nearby tree to sit. Ana expected a fuss, but he doesn't seem to mind.

When Ana is positive Christian is out of earshot she speaks up, "Remi, I think we have the best chances with me doing this. "

Ethan is listening, laying still and still adjusting to the pain and splint.

"Because…?"

"We've been talking at night, it's more than all of us are able to get throughout the day and it may be even better with just the two of us."

"He's got a thing for you?"

"I can't be sure. Maybe he doesn't like crowds."

Remington considers this, it would make sense that Christian would feel disarmed around the least assuming out of all of them. However, Remi was positive that he would have the best chances against Christian if it came to a fight, but if he was honest with himself none of them were equipped enough to handle Christian one on one. It would have to be by deception.

Remington brings it up, "And when the time comes, are you going to be able to do it?"

"Yes," Ana automatically replies. She thinks back to the capsule of arsenic in the front pocket of her jacket, "José gave me something that'll be discreet."

Although in tremendous pain, Ethan still has the sense to add to Remington's question, "Ana…" he clenches his jaw, "this is our only shot."

"I'll do everything I can." Ana promises.

It seems settled then, Remington gets up to break the news to Christian. Christian can see that Remington is torn, but knows Ethan needs help if he wants to keep the leg.

"Christian," Remington starts, "I'm going to be taking Ethan back to Rushmere. We didn't want it to come to this, but we only have Ana to go along with you. Can you make it work?"

Christian brushes off his pants and stands up. He looks to Ana then Ethan, "How will she return? Alone? I can't backtrack."

Remington didn't like this part either, but there were other options, "I'd prefer that she find someone to escort her back." Someone like Christian may be okay traveling alone, but it is a dangerous situation no matter who it is.

Remington stretches out his arm to give Christian a firm handshake, "Please take care of Ana. She's a tough cookie, but don't let her fool you. She's a softie."

"I heard that." Ana turns to Remington, she's kneeling over Ethan, saying her goodbyes.

Remington and Christian get Ethan back onto his good leg. Then the two, Remington and Ethan — head off in the opposite direction. It will take them days to get back to Rushmere.

Ana and Christian move to finish the other half of their daily trip.

"I'm sorry about your friend." Christian comments cordially once Remington and Ethan are out of sight. He has his thumbs wrapped around the straps of his backpack, he looks out to the setting sun. They wouldn't make it far today.

"I just hope they get back in time." Ethan was a fantastic hunter and a cheerful man too. She sincerely hoped he could continue using his right leg in a few months.

"Hm." Christian hums in agreement. Although Christian is somewhat glad to be rid of the small talk with Remington and Ethan, he knows they were a security asset on their journey. Ana may be able to fight, but ambushes rarely come in twos. He will consider this for the rest of their journey when choosing routes.

They finish their trek for the day in companionable silence before reaching an acceptable portion of woods to set up camp. Only when the fire is set up, do the two move into their nightly routine of conversation.

A discussion of their current circumstances leads to Ana probing, "If you don't mind me asking, what exactly is in it for you? This entire trip I mean." Ana wants to know the bargain José struck.

"Bullet molds."

"You can forge?"

"I'm still an amateur, but I've done it a handful of times."

"With people who know how to make bullets?"

"I ran with militia types for a few years."

"Do I know any of them?"

"I doubt it."

Ana opens her mouth to urge him to tell her, but he stands up to leave. He is clearly uncomfortable that he mentioned it. She's on the right track, but doesn't want to scare him off.

There is an unsettling silence that follows. Ana begins to feel the weight of Remington and Ethan's absence although it has only been a few hours. The tension from knowing what she has to do is at an all-time high. She wonders if Christian notices that she's silently panicking.

If he does, he doesn't show it. He's chipping away at a piece of wood, the figure he's widdling is currently undefined but she can see that it's a four-legged creature. He seemed to prefer preoccupying himself with the hobby than speaking to her.

Rather than start menial conversations again, she decides to let herself take a break for the night. They wouldn't be reaching Duluth until a few weeks. As she tucks herself in, she hears Christian's whittling stop momentarily. When she peeks at him, she catches him staring at her.

He doesn't seem undeterred when he's caught either. He pauses in thought, then asks, "Do you want something to eat?" He feels out of his element. He figured she would have something for the night yet she's already turning in. Maybe Remington took the food stock.

"I'm okay Christian. Goodnight."

Christian wants to insist, but does not push the topic, "Goodnight Ana." Ana falls asleep to the sound of Christian's knife chipping away.