A/N: Warning: The material towards the end of this chapter might be sensitive for some readers. Read at your own discretion.
"Did you believe a fucking word Dominic said, Maria?" Tommy queried as he pushed the screen door open to their cottage.
Maria shrugged, giving Joel and Ellie a nod in greeting as they turned in their chairs at the table. "He's got no reason to lie, as far as I can tell. It wouldn't do him any good," she said.
Tommy gave a snort, "Hunting trip, my ass. He had an eye on our cattle, why else would he be so close?"
"Who's Dominic?" Joel lifted a curious eyebrow.
"Charity case. He was in pretty rough shape when we found him, now we're trying to figure out who he is and why his partner tried to kill him," Tommy briefly explained.
Joel nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Thought you were all about second chances, little brother. It's not like you to judge people like this," he mused.
"Tommy's suspicious because the guy is the son of a man he didn't particularly like back in Denver," Maria rolled her eyes, poking her head in the fridge.
"Hey, you didn't know Major Rowland like I said. He was one nasty son of a bitch, more brutal than any man I've come across since Denver. Who knows what he's made his son into?" Tommy spat defensively, sitting down heavily in the chair beside Ellie.
Ellie shrugged, "Jason knows Dominic, but he made it pretty clear he doesn't want anything to do with him."
"I just think Dominic's story seems too clean. It doesn't matter what Jason thinks, I just want to know if this guy's gonna end up being a threat to us or not. His partner tried to kill him for Christ's sake, there has to be something he's not telling us. I'm going to the barn," Tommy said, pushing his chair away from the table. It scraped the floor along with Maria's as they both stood.
Tommy made a beeline for the door without a backward glance, but Maria slowed to a halt by the couch, glancing over her shoulder at Ellie. "You have a way with Jason, Ellie. Mind helping us out with this one?" she queried.
Ellie lifted a shoulder, rising from her chair as she followed Maria out the door.
When they arrived at the barn, Tommy was already talking to Jason. Jason was mildly irritated as usual, his answers curt from what Ellie could hear. He worked his jaw as he caught sight of Maria and Ellie walking up behind Tommy.
"As I was saying, I saw Ian's brother executed myself. He's not lying about that," Jason said.
"So that's the only reason this Jerry kid might have wanted to kill him? Just for revenge?" Tommy asked.
Jason shrugged, letting a long breath out as if he were trying to keep himself in check. "Look, I don't know what's been going on with Ian since he left Denver, alright?" he snapped, and then paused, taking a moment to compose himself. "I'm sorry, but I'm not going to be of any help to you. Ian's story sounds pretty credible to me, I mean I know how much Jerry hated his brother. I'm not surprised he tried to kill Ian, too."
"Did you know anyone in this group of his besides Jerry? Anyone who might want to fight back if they knew who killed Ian?" Tommy asked.
Jason ground a piece of straw under the toe of his boot, a look of pain crossing his face. But he collected himself so fast, Ellie was left wondering if his expression had changed at all. "I knew a couple people…they weren't ones who would take the risk of attacking Jackson, though. They were a pretty small group, maybe around thirty before they left Denver. I don't know how many are left since then," he said.
Tommy pinched the bridge of his nose, "I see. Innocent until proven guilty, I guess. Thanks for your help, Jason." He turned to leave, and Maria shook her head at him, like she was silently telling him to drop the whole thing.
Once Tommy was out of earshot, Jason muttered, "Why is Tommy so anal about getting the drop on Ian? Is it because he's a Cobra? 'Cause if it is, I should've gotten the same treatment, too,"
Maria shook her head. "I think it's because Tommy knew his father. From what he's told me, they never really saw eye to eye. Now that Ian just popped up out of the blue, I'm sure it brings back some unpleasant memories," she lifted a shoulder.
"I'm not sure if it changes anything, but even though we're not exactly friends, I trust Ian. He…he kept someone close to me safe, and I owe him for that. Just…tell Tommy to go easy on him, alright?" Jason requested, his tone sincere.
"Yeah, I'll tell him. Thanks again, Jason," Maria gave him a strained smile, walking briskly out of the barn to catch up with her husband.
That left Jason and Ellie alone in the barn, the former letting out a weary sigh as he shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.
"This whole Dominic thing is putting a lot of stress on you, huh?" Ellie said quietly, giving Jason a sidelong glance as she petted Pixie's nose through the bars of her stall door.
Jason's lips quirked upward ever so slightly. "That's an understatement," he snorted. "I mean, here I am thinking for over a year that Ian and Riley were long dead, then he shows up saying he's gonna marry Riley, and the chance to see her again is right in front of me, but I can't do anything about it."
Ellie cocked her head, "Why can't you do anything about it? Why not just ask Dominic where she is?"
"It's not that easy," Jason frowned, "Ian wouldn't just give up his group's location, he's too cautious and smart for that."
"So…what are you going to do then? Just let him leave and never get the chance to see Riley ever again?" Ellie scoffed.
Jason's frown deepened, and he ran an anxious hand through his hair. His bangs were already slicked back from the repetitive motion. "I don't know, okay?" he suddenly snapped, catching Ellie off guard. "Riley's so close, I can practically smell that lavender soap she used to use. Do you even know how much pain I'm in, knowing the one person who knows where she is won't tell me?" Jason grit his teeth, trying to get a handle on his temper.
Ellie took a moment to collect herself again, and then wordlessly started for the barn doors as she grabbed Jason's wrist. She took up a determined stride and Jason, too surprised to refuse, followed her to the infirmary.
Ian glanced up as the pair entered the infirmary, his thin lips stretching into a smirk. "You still mad at me, Ponyboy?" he taunted.
Before Jason could make a retort, Ellie demanded, "Tell Jason where Riley is."
Ian's smirk widened into a smug smile. "It doesn't work that way, honey. I ain't putting my people at risk by telling you bastards where they are," he shook his head, as if chiding her.
"I told you…" Jason muttered to Ellie under his breath.
Ellie fixed Ian with a hard stare, "Yeah, us 'bastards' saved your fucking life when we could've just left you pinned to that log! You owe us, asshole!"
Ian's smile faded as he matched Ellie's stare, propping himself up higher against the pillows supporting his back. "Didn't you hear me? I don't care if Jason's here, or if you people saved my life. My life isn't worth putting my friends in danger," his voice dropped to a vicious growl, threatening enough to make Ellie clench her jaw in apprehension, but not break her gaze.
"C'mon, don't make me beg," Jason pleaded, eyeing Ian warily as if he was going to lash out, despite knowing that he was barely able to lift a finger.
Ian broke his gaze, switching his attention to Jason. "That's not going to work this time, Ponyboy. As much as I love it when people beg and grovel at my feet, I'm not selfish enough to value my life over theirs," he said in the same growl.
Ellie gave a frustrated huff, flipping Ian off as she left the infirmary before her temper could get the better of her and made her resort to violence. Jason was about to follow, but Ian motioned him to come closer. Jason reluctantly obliged, taking a seat in the chair as Ian pulled a small, rectangular piece of folded paper out of the back pocket of his jeans. He pushed it towards Jason, who leaned forward with curiosity.
Ian's hand suddenly shot out, grabbing a fistful of Jason's collar as he forcefully pulled him forward. Jason only had enough time to thrust a hand out on the mattress to keep himself from crashing into him. Ian's grip was weak, and Jason could see by the shaking of his forearm and shoulder that holding him there was taking every ounce of his strength.
"One word and Jackson burns to the ground. Understand?" Ian hissed low in Jason's ear, and Jason nodded once, a shiver of fear running down his spine. He had almost forgotten how intimidating Ian could be, no matter what state he was in.
Ian released him, sinking limply into his nest of pillows, shutting his eyes for a moment as if the effort made him dizzy. Jason hastily pocketed the folded paper, walking calmly out of the infirmary as concerned and confused gazes followed him.
Ellie was waiting for him outside the doors, silently fuming as she glared moodily at the neighbour's porch across the street. She sighed in frustration again as Jason shook his head. "That dick! He knows how much you care about Riley!" Ellie complained as she followed Jason back to the barn.
Jason shrugged, handing Ellie a broom to keep her occupied as he mumbled something about taking stock of hay bales. He disappeared up into the hayloft, pulling out the piece of paper from his back pocket and carefully unfolding it on a bare patch of wood. Jason sucked in a breath.
It was a map.
He peered closer, resting his finger on a large, red circle near the Snake. Cocking his head, he furrowed his brow as he tried to decipher the person's chicken scratch handwriting.
Jackson…? Jason's brows drew together. Why would Ian have Jackson circled on his map?
Putting the thought aside, Jason glanced over the rest of the map, which was dotted with various other circles and hastily scrawled notes of locations of pockets of Infected, Hunters, and obstacles. At the southern-most tip of the map was a large star.
Star Valley Ranch, Jason read. That must be where Ian lives. Shit, that must be at least a couple days' ride, that's gotta be close to 60 miles.
Sighing through his nose, Jason carefully folded the map back up and stuck it in his back pocket. With Ian's handy notes, he felt a little better about making the journey.
But how could I explain going away for five days by myself, or maybe even more? I can't just leave without telling anyone. Can I?
He stopped short before he could answer his own question. Ellie was leaning against the wall at the top of the stairs, a curious yet knowing gleam in her green eyes. Jason grit his teeth, his stomach sinking as he could almost see the cogs turning in Ellie's head.
"You're going to see Riley, aren't you?" Ellie stated it more like a fact than a question, shifting her weight to her other foot.
Jason nodded. "Looks like it."
"Do you even know how far away that is?" she queried.
Jason shrugged, feeling the heat of embarrassment creeping up his neck. "A good two days' ride, maybe a little more," he said curtly.
Ellie cast her gaze downward, worry flashing across her features. "You're going by yourself, aren't you? It could be really dangerous," she said, biting her lip.
Jason crossed his arms, straightening his back in an effort to hide the anxiety eating away at his insides. "If Ian can do it, so can I. I'm leaving tomorrow morning at dawn, and don't even think about telling anyone," he warned icily, shouldering past Ellie as he descended the stairs.
"How can I not? You don't even know what this place looks like, what if you get lost or captured by Hunters, or something? You won't have anyone to help you!" Ellie called after him, hastily descending the stairs as well.
Jason didn't turn around as Ellie slowed to a halt behind him. "I have to do this, Ellie. This is my only chance at finding Riley," he snapped irritably, feeling his temper begin to rise again.
Ellie sighed, "I know. But what if you waited until Ian was back on his feet again? Wouldn't it be easier if he was watching your back?"
"Nobody knows how long that'll take. That could be weeks, even months," Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. "The less time I waste the better."
"What about your parents, or Tommy and Maria? What do you think they'll do if you just up and disappear?" Ellie asked, helplessness gnawing at her insides. Could she say anything that would make him stay?
Jason let out a snarl, and Ellie felt the urge to back away like the last time he had lost his temper. "Have you ever considered that this might not be your problem, Ellie? Who do you think you are, telling me I can't go see the girl I love? Huh?" his voice rose, on the verge of shouting.
Ellie eyed his balled fists, seriously considering the decision to back away. But if she did, that would mean he had won. "You don't know what's out there, you probably haven't even been on the other side of the river for a whole year! It doesn't matter if you're a Cobra, you'll be screwed if you go out there alone!" she shouted at him, voice laced heavily with anxiety.
Ellie wished she had agreed with her instincts to back off.
Jason whipped around, grabbing her throat as he pinned her to a stall door. His fingers dug like iron into the sides of her neck, making her gasp for breath, but not quite choke.
The impact of Ellie's head against the wood left her dazed, vision spinning long enough to allow Jason to lean in as he hissed viciously, "I will stop at nothing to see Riley. I'm leaving tomorrow at dawn. Alone."
He released Ellie, striding out of the barn, leaving her to slide to the ground. Stars swam before her eyes as she leaned back against the stall behind her, sucking in air and coughing it out again with a string of obscenities accompanying every exhale.
"Riley?" Dale softly called, opening the door to his daughter's bedroom. The hinges groaned as the door swung open, unbearably loud in the silent house.
Riley lay on her side, facing away from the door. The curtains were drawn tight, casting a cloak of darkness across the room. Not even the tiniest shaft of sunlight managed to spear through the dim.
She ignored her father as he sat at the foot of her bed, dipping the mattress. Dale noticed the puffy redness around his daughter's eyes as she stared listlessly at the curtains, backlit by the orange glow of the setting sun.
"Riley, honey, I know this is hard, but grieving won't do you any good," Dale began, awkwardly clearing his throat.
"Go away, don't pretend like you care," Riley spat bitterly, burrowing her head in her blanket. It still held just the tiniest hint of Ian's stale scent, only adding to her pining.
Dale let a long breath out, but it was more of a sigh. "I do care. I know you loved Ian, and I'm sad he's gone too. But you've been lying here since Jerry came back this afternoon, and I think going out and getting some fresh air will do you some good," he said.
Riley groaned in protest, but she knew her father wouldn't take no for an answer. She reluctantly crawled out of bed, slipping her feet into her worn out Converse shoes. Dale gave her an encouraging pat on the shoulder, steering her out into the hall.
Riley shuffled aimlessly down the driveway, shoulders slumped as she wandered up the street. The air didn't smell fresh. It reeked of decay, like she could smell the rotting wood of the houses around her. A constant buzz in her ears drowned out any birdsong. The sun's fading light was practically singeing the crowns of the pine trees towering beyond the walls.
Eventually, as if something was drawing her to it, Riley arrived at the door to Ian's former house. The porch steps creaked under her weight, waking her up from her dazed stupor long enough for her register she wasn't walking on pavement anymore. Riley dragged herself through the doorway, not even acknowledging Jerry, who was cleaning one of the horses' saddles that rested on the back of the couch in the living room. He glanced up, and she saw his mouth move, but whatever he was saying sounded like gibberish to her due to the buzzing in her ears. Riley ascended the stairs, only stopping when she stood in the doorway of Ian's former room.
The air in the room was stuffy and stale, a sign that nobody had been in it for days. Ian's clothes were still strewn haphazardly across the floor in wrinkled mounds, and the bed wasn't made. The sunlight streaming through the dusty windows was weak and dim.
Riley almost smirked. No matter how many times she had told him his room was a pigsty, Ian never cleaned it up. As if on autopilot, she began picking up his clothes and tossing them in the plastic laundry basket by his closet, like she was so accustomed to doing when he wasn't around.
She felt a hand land on her shoulder, and slowly turned to face Jerry, his horse face twisted into a smirk. "Watcha doin'?" he asked, but Riley detected no genuine interest in his voice. The buzzing ceased, allowing her to comprehend what he was saying.
"Collecting laundry," Riley flatly replied, brushing his hand off her shoulder. He immediately placed the opposite hand on her other shoulder.
"Ian's not here to protect you anymore, is he?" Jerry leaned in, and Riley registered the stench of whiskey on his breath.
Riley shrugged. "I can handle myself," she said without her usual sass. Under normal circumstances, such comments would have earned Jerry a slap across the face, if touching her hadn't already. But Riley felt numb, like the fog surrounding her brain was so thick, it hampered its ability to discern touch, pain, or even emotion.
Jerry's hand moved to cup the back of her neck, and she stood still, not even shuddering as he kissed her collarbone. "I've wanted to do this for a long time," he purred against Riley's collarbone, working his way up her neck.
Riley didn't reply, her hands limp at her sides as Jerry slid his hands underneath her tank top, brushing the skin on her back. The air felt different on her skin now, and out of the corner of her eye she spotted her tank top falling to the floor.
She only discerned something was wrong when she felt Ian's pillow and mattress beneath her. She roughly pushed Jerry's head away from her chest, but he pinned her hand down.
"S-stop," Riley growled, trying to push him off of her with her other hand. He pinned that one down too, chuckling in her ear.
"Not likely," Jerry hissed, kissing Riley full on the mouth.
She wanted to gag at the awful taste of whiskey on his tongue.
Riley tried to wrestle him off of her, hands pushing against his chest and shoulders, then flying towards his face. Her knuckles even once found the soft skin beneath one of his eyes, but Jerry was strong for his thin frame. He struck back, snapping her head in one direction, then another, bursting stars before her eyes and mixing the taste of whiskey with the bitter, coppery taste of blood.
Riley felt unconsciousness beckoning her, but she refused to give in to it. She tried again to punch Jerry, but the agonizing pounding in her head and jaw let Jerry easily block it. He grabbed her by her neck and thrust her head hard against the headboard until she stopped fighting back, more fireworks exploding across Riley's field of vision as she let out a weak moan of pain.
By the time she slid down to mattress-level again, darkness was already enveloping her vision.
The last thing she felt before everything truly went black was Jerry unbuttoning her jeans.