Every day Annabelle would sit next to Gracie's bed and every morning John would hand her a coffee.
"She's coming home tomorrow," she told John.
"That's good," says John.
"John is something gonna hurt my baby again?" asks Annabelle.
"I don't know for sure," says John.
"But you're not certain nothing's gonna harm her again," says Annabelle, "I have to protect her…you have to teach me how to hunt,"
"Annabelle-
"You lost your wife to this world right? You fought to keep your sons safe why is it so different for me? And I can't lose my daughters they're all I have," says Annabelle, "and it killed me to almost lose Gracie…please,"
"Well this isn't gonna be a day in the park," says John.
"I don't care," says Annabelle, "just as long as my children are safe,"
SPNSPNSPN
"Good," says John, "now fire,"
Annabelle was in the woods, gun in hands and a few targets in view.
"What if I hit something?" asks Annabelle.
"You won't hit anything if you don't shoot," says John, "you're worse than Sammy,"
Annabelle fired her first round and hit the target.
"Do it again," says John, "you have good aim,"
"Years of throwing darts," says Annabelle, "before I got married I was a bartender and when there wasn't a big rush I'd play,"
"Interesting," says John, "Annabelle if you really want to be a hunter, you're gonna have to give up everything….your life here, your job…you'll live off the road and cheap motels,"
"If it keeps my babies safe than yes," says Annabelle, "how old are your sons?"
"My oldest is 13 and my youngest is 9," says John.
"What are they like?" asks Annabelle.
"Dean he's a bit of a character, a little smart ass…and Sammy he's smart real smart he loves those books," says John.
"Do they know about what you do?" asks Annabelle.
"Sammy only recently found out….Dean's known since the fire," says John.
"That young?" asks Annabelle.
"He knew something happened to his mom," says John, "he saw too much…he carried Sammy out of the door,"
Annabelle nods sitting next to John on the log. Their eyes meeting for a moment, their heads almost touching, Annabelle pulls her head away. Her hands fidgeting with her wedding band still on.
"I'm sorry it's too soon," says Annabelle picking up her stuff, "same time tomorrow?"
"Yeah," says John.