Chapter 6
There is a man walking around the Lodge. Carefully staying out of sight but spying on the Lodge. Then there is the sound of a shot gun being cocked. Jen was pointing a gun at Cody's head.
"You move, you die," Jen said to the man. "Keep your hands up and slowly turn around," Cody did what she said in forceful tone. "Get on your knees".
Cody was not liking how this was going but complied.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Jen said trying to stay as strong as possible. Not showing any fear.
"Jen is that you?" Cody asked.
"I am asking the questions here. Who are you and what are you doing here," Jen sounded a bit angrier said at a slower pace.
"I am Cody Hawkes; I live about an hour and half from here. My son Alex was here the other day fishing with your daughter? My family was close to Aaron Bass, and I was just checking to see who was now living here. Jen, do you remember me?" Cody was trying to get thru to Jen. Things did not seem to be registering too fast.
"Cody…Cody Hawkes?" Jen seemed confused.
"Yes, Cody Hawkes. I have a brother Matt and my father was Jesse Hawkes," Cody confirmed. Everything was finally sinking in for Jen and she lowered her gun. Cody slowly got up.
"Cody, I am sorry. I did not recognize you," Jen said. "Why were you sneaking around?"
"My son mentioned someone living here. He met your daughter, but I wanted to make sure who was here, squatters or something. What is with the gun?" Cody asked.
"This world is not a safe place. You never know who might be lurking around," Jen said. "So, Alex is your son?"
"Yes, bit of a chip off the old block," Cody stated. "What brings you back to the mountains, after so many years?"
"Just trying to get a fresh start, thought this would be a quiet place to be," said Jen.
"Some place to disappear?" Cody asked.
"Something like that," Jen confessed.
"If you and your daughter need help getting ready for winter, Alex and I would be more than happy to help," Cody offered.
"The place is in pretty good shape. I think we will be okay," Jen said. "I need to go, bye Cody". She turned around and left. It does not seem like her daughter told her everything. Now she is wondering if they should stay or if they should hit the road again. She knows Hailey would be unhappy moving again but might be necessary to keep them safe.
Cody could not understand what just happened. First Jen pulls a gun on him and then she just took off. She did not recognize him or remember him. It had been many years since he had seen her, but she had changed a lot. Cody thought he would have gotten a warmer reception. He felt she was so focused that he was there to hurt her, she did not know him or that maybe really was not Jen.
Jen went back into the lodge, shut the door, and locked it. She just slid down onto the floor. She brought her shaking hand to cover her mouth with the other hand holding the shot gun. She could have easily shot Cody Hawkes, so afraid who might be out there. She put her head in her knees cried until she could get herself under control.