THE STORM PART 2

Paula glanced out the window, her front yard was a battlefield, the smoke of tires burning, the bodies surrounded in blood covered snow and past the wind, she swore she could hear the gentle moaning of someone dying. She studied their surroundings carefully, and after detecting no movement yelled, "It's clear Mary!"

Her eyes fell on the pick up with the machine gun. She knew the heavy machine gun well, and the fact that these men had one meant trouble. They either were military, knew how to get their hands in military gear, or they were insane preppers with a massive collection of firepower. Neither prospect meant good things for the land.

"Thank Christ!" She heard the woman yell from the attic. Paula looked up towards the attic, trying not to think about the machine gun.

Beca breaking out of her trance of looking after the unconscious Benji suddenly panicked and yelled, "Chloe?"

"I'm alright!" Came the voice of the redhead from upstairs.

Beca visibly relaxed, and glanced over at Paula, the woman had been right, and her plan had worked all she had to do was trust her. Benji, still unconscious shifted and grimaced, clearly in agony, she needed to get him comfortable.

"Paula, help me get him on the couch."

In the bullet hole ridden attic, Mary was still on top of Chloe holding her head down, then she heard her wife yell, "It's clear Mary!"

Mary finally exhaled and yelled back, "Thank Christ!" She gently started to lift her weight off of the redhead. Chloe's eyes had been transfixed on a corner of the house, she had dissociated again, like she had during the crash, she was there but she was nowhere, all she saw that the lines beneath the painted wood of the corner. She was trembling, that had been the most terrifying experience of her life, and given all of the horrifying things they've endured since leaving the cabin that was saying a lot.

"Chloe?" Came a familiar voice from her past, it was her, her anchor, her savior, her love. Beca sounded worried and that tinge in her voice, begging for reassurance, snapped her out of her dissociated state and she yelled, "I'm alright!"

Mary poked her head up and saw the carnage by the machine gun truck. All the men were dead, the second truck was smoldering, no longer on fire. Mary sighed in relief.

"Sorry about squishing you like that Red," Mary said genuinely apologetic as she raised her rifle and went back to checking her sector of fire. Chloe started to slowly get up on her knees and said.

"No, it's alright, what the hell was that?" Chloe asked, starting to come to terms with what had happened.

"That was a big ol machine gun," Mary looked around the attic, it was riddled with bullet holes, and some of the wood was rippled apart but the main load-bearing beams were still standing.

"Thank you for saving me," Chloe whispered as she sat up.

"Don't mention it, wait hold on-" Mary paused as she caught sight of a lone figure walking down from the snow.

"We have someone coming down the road!" Mary yelled out from the top window, she immediately lifted her rifle and looked down the scope of her rifle, Chloe lifted her binoculars to get a better look. They saw what was either a bear or a man wearing a bear coat holding a white handkerchief. Slung on his shoulder was a Russian rifle that Mary recognized immediately. Instinctively Mary pulled the bolt of her rifle back, letting a round in the chamber. Chloe's eyes darted to the rifle by her side and she reached for it.

Paula gently carried a frail and unconscious Benji, while Beca scrambled to clean the couch from broken glass and debris. As soon as they laid him down, Beca took off her coat and covered him, his lower lips trembling slightly, he still had a fever. They exchanged knowing glances, Benji had used what little he had left climbing the stairs and facing Tommy. They just knew he didn't have much time left.

Beca's softened gaze hardened as they fell on the corpse of the man responsible for all this. And once again she was overcome by her hatred for him.

This is all your fault.

Their train of thought was interrupted by Mary's warning, "We have someone coming down the road!"

Beca and Paula exchanged glances, the fight wasn't over just yet. Paula without a word, gestured at Beca to get her gun. Beca grabbed it quickly and she leaned over to Benji and whispered, "I'll be right back OK?" Benji even in his unconscious state heard her and slowly nodded.

Beca and Paula, the fire once again alive in their eyes, made their way outside of the house, towards the remaining trucks and the dead men.

Beca walked alongside her, and Paula yelled up the window "You two alright up there?"

"Yeah we're fine, got a little sawdust on my hair though!" Mary yelled back.

Beca tightened her grip on the handgun and kept it on the low ready and she gave Paula a side glance. Paula, her eyes not leaving the sight of the man, started to load the Colt revolver in her hands.

"Keep your head girl, he's waving a white flag,"

"What if it's a trap," Beca asked, not trusting, her eyes also not leaving the man coming down the road towards them.

"I doubt it, I reckon that's the big man himself, he'd be a dang fool to try something after everything he's lost so far."

"How's your chest," Beca asked, gesturing to the plate armor where she took a shotgun blast.

Paula placed a hand over her body armor, it was shredded and she doubted it would withstand another round, it also hurt and she knew she'd be feeling it for weeks to come, "Stings like all hell, but I can still shoot, look alive," Paula gestured at the man now closer.

"Howdy!" The big man shouted as he approached.

"That's far enough!" Paula warned, her right hand still hovering over her revolver. The man stopped 12 feet from them, his hands still raised and the white handkerchief on his right arm blowing with the wind.

They could get a close look at him now, he had a big beard, sprinkled with ginger, brown, and white hairs, his eyes were brown, large, and expressive, and something inside them made Beca feel uncomfortable. His face was haggard and rough, it had weather many winter storms, long before this all began. His smile was big and generous, and Beca could see the yellowish brown in them, but what caught her eyes the most was his canines, they looked predatory. He carried a massive intimidating presence. The man before them, with his coat, looked very much like a bear turned human.

"That's fair! Hello there!" He shouted pleasantly.

"How about we skip the pleasantries there, fella, what do you want?" Paula shot back.

"Ladies, please at least allow me to introduce myself, they call me The Mountain Man,"

"Well ain't that nice, you can go ahead and call me Texas, and this here is my associate Maine," Paula nodded towards Beca. Beca understood what she was doing, no need for these men to know their identities.

"Well pleased to make your acquaintance Texas and Maine,"

"Tell me somethin' Mr. Mountain Man, you read your Kipling?"

The man's smile widened with understanding, "I have, I'm quite well versed on the man," He didn't have to look towards what was left of the attic, he knew the sniper there had it's sight trained on him, in fact he counted on it, "Have you?" He asked, it was a coded threat, that only Paula understood.

Paula looked past the man into the woodline, she couldn't see it, not really but she did detect a small almost imperceptible movement in the distance. And she scoffed, the man had read his Kipling alright.

"Not many a well-read man around these parts these days, but how about we stop comparing our dick size and you tell me what you want?"

"Very well ma'am, you see these boys you shot up here, are my children," he gestured with his head to the bodies of the men by the truck.

"That a fact? Well, seems to me you ain't taught your children good manners then cuz they came in with numbers and evil intentions, we just defended ourselves."

"They are, well they were, young and foolish boys, I warned them not to come down here but they wouldn't listen," The Mountain Man took a second to take in the battle field, he understood immediately why it all went so horribly wrong for his men, "Really foolish boys, launching an attack on broad daylight, coming down a hill into an open field against a fortified position. With a perfect overhead sniper's nest and plenty of cover." He glanced back at the machine gun, and with a small frown thought,Really foolish.

Paula studied him carefully, he was right, she knew coming into this that it would be a fight, and lives would be lost, but they were at the advantage. That's why when Beca asked what the plan was, her response was to hit them fast and hard. They were already at a strategic advantage, and the only thing that was missing was the element of surprise and fear, she wanted them to panic, and hesitate and that's exactly how it played out.

"But you knew that didn't you" The Mountain Man asked as he turned back to meet Paula's gaze, she didn't look away and just met his gaze, without giving away anything.

"I guess that's what anger does, makes you stupid, clumsy," The Mountain Man sighed and looked around taking in the bodies and their identities, but not seeing Tommy.

"Actually I'm looking for one, specifically, a very special boy, blonde and tall, who goes by the name of Tommy, have you seen him by any chance," He asked, still looking around for him.

"He fell," Beca said plainly. She had been quiet this whole time. Taking in the man. It was clear that this was the man behind it all, and that same hatred she felt for Tommy transferred over to him.

"He fell you say?" The Mountain Man turned to the petite woman, finally seeing her for the first time.

"On my knife," Beca said as she stared at the man, defiance in her eyes. The Mountain Man studied her carefully. She looked haggard as well, he knew she wasn't a stranger to this weather, and she'd been in the firefight and was still standing, which made her either very lucky or dangerous.

"So my boy Tommy fell on your knife?" The Mountain Man asked, surprised and amused.

"That's right, big fella, boy tried to tangle with the wrong lady," Paula added with a smirk.

The Mountain Man nodded, which confirmed what he thought, the small woman was more than lucky. He could feel himself getting angry but he tried to keep his poker face. He looked up and made eye contact with Mary through her scope.

His smile turned menacing, and the fingers on his right hand twitched.

Mary had been married to Paula long enough and sat next to her as she read while she knitted to know exactly what that small gesture on the man's hand meant and she quickly turned her rifle back towards the trees and saw him.

"There's one more at 2—," Mary's voice trailed off and her hand suddenly twitched, and the rifle slipped from her grasp. Chloe turned in alarm to see Mary's face contorting, her eyes rolling to the back of her head, as she slumped to the floor she began to convulse.

"Mary? Mary?" Chloe's voice was filled with panic as she realized Mary was having another seizure.

Chloe's heart pounded in her chest as she knelt beside Mary, unsure of what to do, "Mary! Please, stay with me!" she begged, her voice trembling. But Mary didn't respond. She remembered what she said before she had her seizure and knew she couldn't afford to panic.

Not now. Not with everything on the line.

She reached for the back up rifle, her fingers shaking as she picked it up. She positioned herself, trying to remember everything Mary had taught her in the brief time they had together.

Through the scope of the rifle, Chloe saw what Mary was about to say, there was sniper in the distance, he was raising his rifle in their direction. Panic surged through her veins, but she forced herself to stay calm. This wasn't just a man with a rifle—he was a predator, a wolf in the snow, stalking his prey.

Chloe's vision narrowed, the world around her fading as she focused on the sniper. He wasn't a man anymore, not to her.

He's a wolf. Chloe repeated to herself.

She adjusted her aim, her breathing slowing as she steadied herself. The sniper moved slightly, and for a moment, Chloe saw him move. She exhaled slowly, her finger tightening on the trigger. Time was up, it was now or never. She squeezed.

The gunshot was deafening and the recoil made her jerk, and she missed the flash of light coming from the sniper's direction. Her bullet flew through the air, and Chloe watched as it connected with the sniper's neck. He fell back, dropping his rifle, as he crumpled into the snow. Chloe lowered the rifle, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she processed what she had just done.

But instead of fear or guilt, she felt an odd sense of relief. The wolf had been killed. It wouldn't come for them. It wouldn't tear them apart. And in that moment, Chloe felt calm, almost serene. Feeling something running down her cheek she went to wipe it off and when she examined her gloved fingers, it was covered in thick, red blood.

Oh, I guess, he shot thought absentmindedly again, not fully processing her own words.

Mary's seizure slowly subsided, and the older woman groaned, coming back to herself. Chloe snapped out of it and averted her gaze from the blood on her fingers. "Mary? Mary, are you okay?"

Mary blinked, her eyes focusing on Chloe. She saw the rifle in Chloe's hands, saw the determination in her eyes, and the fear that had been there moments before. "Chloe…" Mary whispered, still weak, "Did you…?"

"I did," Chloe nodded slowly, and said, "I— I got him."

Mary managed a weak smile. "Good girl…"

Chloe nodded, her hands still trembling slightly as she lowered the rifle. She wasn't sure what had just happened, but she knew one thing—she had protected them, just like she had promised Beca she would. And she knew she could do it again if she had to.

Mary's eyes suddenly widened as she noticed the blood running down Chloe's cheek, and realized what had happened, Chloe had been shot. She was about to say something but Chloe, remembering what was going on downstairs, jumped to get back into her position and aimed her scope down at the man standing in front of Beca.

The scene had changed drastically, now the man had produced a sawed-off double barrel shotgun and was aiming at the pair, and Paula had her revolver drawn while Beca had her pistol raised at the man. Their fingers trembling over their respective triggers. The man's smile was gone, he looked menacing and ready to kill.

But he didn't expect that the women before him would match his energy. Paula had been amazingly quick and her thumb had already cocked the hammer of her revolver. From the second he laid eyes on her, he knew the woman meant business but she was older, and he thought she'd be slower and frail. And the smaller woman, was young, in his eyes she looked more like a school girl and yet she didn't hesitate, she raised her gun and was ready to fire. In her steel blue eyes she saw more than determination, he saw pure barely restrained hatred.

She reminded the Mountain Man of the honey badger, cute at first glance but impossibly dangerous. He looked up, noticing that the snipers in the attic were still there, he swore he heard two shots, and it looked like they got the drop on his sniper.

The cold wind cut into his features, and his beard swayed with the wind. He knew that it would start snowing again soon and he smiled to himself and shook his head. This fight was over, and he'd lost. He slowly raised his hands aiming his shotgun to the air.

"Drop the shells," Paula commanded.

The man opened the barrels and let the shotgun shells fall to the snow.

"Throw the sawed-off that way," Paula said, gesturing in the opposite direction.

The Mountain Man complied and threw the shotgun far away and raised his hands again.

"You have about ten seconds to get gone or you'll be leaving about 6 bullets heavier," Paula warned, there was nothing but venom in her voice.

"Plus my 15," Beca added, deadly serious. In her eyes, this man was the root of it all, and he was now a very real threat, and she'd rather pull the trigger than see Paula get hurt again.

"Well ladies you got the drop on me, I'm man enough to admit it, but I have just one final request,"

"You have a lot of balls to think you can come-" Beca barked furiously as she started stepping forward, the Mountain Man actually flinched, caught off guard by her ferocity and stepped backwards. Paula stepped in front of Beca and snapped at her,

"Cool it, Maine!" Paula commanded.

"One request and then you're gone, one way or another Mountain Man,"

"Let me take my boys and the trucks with me, I'd like to give them a proper burial,"

Paula looked around the front of her farm was a battlefield, there were trucks strewn about, and there were bodies. She didn't want these bodies here any longer than necessary.

"Fine, get them all out of here, but you're leaving that truck there, and that one" She aimed at the only truck with a snow plow that was unscathed and the one with the machine gun, she had no idea how the man got a hold of it but there was no way she was letting him leave with it. The Mountain Man looked over at the trucks and scowled and he turned to glare at the woman.

Paula, recognizing the glint in his eyes, stepped forward, menacingly and getting dangerously close to the man, revolver first. "Try it big man," her eyes narrowed and she gestured towards Beca, "And I'll take the leash off my dog"

The Mountain Man could see the serious tension in Beca's face, the unwavering resolve and hatred in her eyes. He could tell she was blaming him for everything. The girl was gone, only restraining herself out of respect for the older woman. He knew that honey badger meant business. He smiled a little sheepishly and decided to let it go, knowing he had no choice left whatsoever.

"Sounds like a fair trade, I'd like to call some of my children to help,"

"Call two and they better not be packin' or I'll know," Paula warned.

The Mountain Man turned around and whistled and signaled for two, in moments a heavier man and one young shorter man made their way down the road and Beca immediately recognized Bumper out of the two men. Bumper recognized her as well but said nothing and just looked at the Mountain Man.

"Yes Boss?" Bumper said, trying his hardest not to make eye contact with Beca.

"Boys go get that truck, see if it runs and help me load these here bodies, then we can go home."

"Yeah, you got it right away." Bumper made his way to the truck and backed it up.

The Mountain Man turned back to the women and said "What about Tommy?"

Paula thought about this, this was a logistical nightmare, and there were too many ways this could go wrong. She could escort the Mountain Man herself but then Beca would be out here alone, and she sure as shit wasn't about to leave Beca alone with the Mountain Man.

Beca got an idea and said, "Send him," she said, nodding at Bumper. "I'll show him where Tommy is."

Bumper looked at Beca with a mix of confusion and dread. "Me?"

"Yeah, you," Beca replied, her voice cold. She raised her pistol to keep him in line. Bumper raised his hands dramatically, feigning innocence, and followed Beca into the house.

Once they were out of earshot Beca hissed, "What the hell are you doing with these lunatics, Bumper?"

"What the hell else was I supposed to do? They kept me alive. Is Benji here?"

"So you're one of them now?" Beca's anger flared, she hadn't lowered her weapon, and she was aiming right between his shoulder blades, "You know those assholes tried to kill us!"

"Hay! I had nothing to do with that," Bumper insisted. "I even warned him! The Mountain Man didn't even want those idiots to come down here. He said it was a waste of time and resources. Now, is Benji here?"

"You warned him?"

Bumper turned around, completely disregarding the Glock still trained to his chest. "Yes! When Benji went off on his own little— little hero's journey, I warned the Mountain Man so he'd stopped them and that fucking asshole Tommy and his buddies ran away in the middle of the night! He was furious. That's why we came! To see if we could stop them!"

Beca narrowed her gaze, there was something here she wasn't quite getting, something was amiss.

"Then why didn't you come with Benji, you could have kept him safe!"

Bumper exploded, he'd been carrying this weight for days now, "Because I'm a coward, OK! God! I'm a coward! I was scared of going out there and freezing to death! Of going against Tommy, the Mountain Man! What was I supposed to do Beca."

Beca scoffed, and agreed, "You are a coward, and Benji… Benji's a goddamn hero. Patricia would be ashamed of you."

"Don't you think I know that? Don't you—" Bumper fell quiet, he was done talking about this and he worried that if this went on for longer, the Mountain Man would suspect him. "Look can you just… show me where Benji and Tommy are."

"Yes, he's here. Come on."

Bumper hesitated at the sight of Benji lying weak on the couch, his breath coming in shallow gasps. But when Benji opened his eyes and saw him, the corners of his mouth lifted into a faint, familiar smile.

"Bumper… What are you doing here?" Benji's voice was weak, but there was still that old spark in his eyes.

Bumper forced a grin, trying to keep things light. "You know me, little buddy. I'm like a bad penny—always turning up where I'm least expected."

Bumper glanced back at Beca, asking the one question that should not be asked, and Beca understood, and her response was to look away. Bumper's face went pale and he slowly turned back to Benji.

Benji chuckled softly, his breath hitching slightly from the effort. "You can say that again"

Bumper's grin widened, though it was tinged with sadness. There was a brief silence as Bumper looked down at his friend, his tough exterior cracking. He cleared his throat, trying to lighten the mood. "You ever going to teach me that trick you do, with-with like the cards and stuff?"

"A magician never reveals his secrets" Benji whispered weakly.

Beca caught those words, and they sent her back to the theater all those years ago and she held back her tears. She could see that Benji was struggling as well.

Bumper laughed, a genuine, heartfelt sound. "Man, maybe, I don't know, maybe I'll become a magician and you could tell me then."

Benji smiled weakly, "Deal."

Bumper's eyes grew glassy, and for a moment, he blinked rapidly to keep himself together. He didn't let the tears fall, though his voice softened more than he intended. "Cool, listen I—"

"Bumper?" Benji interrupted him. He didn't know what he saw in the man, he remembered seeing him just being unabashedly and maybe a bit goofily himself.

"Hm?"

"You know I never stopped looking up to you, right?"

Bumper shifted uncomfortably, the words cutting deeper than he expected. "Why? What did I ever do to deserve that?"

"Cuz you were the Bumper, front man of the Treblemakers. I thought you were the coolest. I think I still do."

Bumper swallowed hard, his posture stiffening. He'd always been larger than life, always loud, demanding attention. But here, in front of Benji, he felt small. "I never deserved it," he whispered, pressing his forehead against Benji's hand. "Any of it, really."

Benji shrugged and winced from the pain. "Then earn it. It's not too late."

Earn it. It's not too late. The words echoed in Bumper's mind. He sat there quietly, staring down at Benji's frail hand in his own, reflecting on everything. The dam didn't burst with a dramatic sob or a flood of tears—it was quieter than that, almost like a whispered confession to himself. He exhaled softly, tears quietly running down his cheeks as his breath hitched.

Beca watched him curiously. For as long as she'd known him, Bumper had always been the center of attention, even in his saddest moments, making a spectacle of himself. This was different. He was quiet, withdrawn, and she could tell that pain he was feeling was very real. He wasn't trying to make anyone feel sorry for him. In that moment, she couldn't stay mad at him, and her own tears welled up. But she wiped them away quickly—they were still in danger, and now wasn't the time to fall apart.

The two old friends sat there in silence, the weight of everything unsaid filling the space between them. Finally, Bumper gave Benji's hand a gentle squeeze before standing up, knowing this was goodbye.

"I'll see you around, Benji," Bumper said, as he quickly wiped his tears away and his voice low, thick with emotion he tried to hide.

Benji's eyes fluttered closed, a faint, content smile on his face. "Yeah… see you around."

Bumper turned to leave but hesitated at the door, glancing back one last time. He knew he would never see his friend again. But he forced everything down, he still had a job to do.

He looked down at the corpse of Tommy and bent to lift him. Whatever grief or guilt he felt, he'd have to carry that too.

Beca and Paula watched as the men loaded up the truck. Up in the attic both women were up and their rifles at the ready. Mary kept her rifle trained on the Mountain Man, while Chloe scanned the ridgeline carefully, completely disregarding the blood frozen over her face.

It took awhile for them to be done but none of the women left their positions for a second. Once the two men were finished.

Just as he was about to get on the last truck to leave he turned around and said, "You know, I'm a God-fearing Christian, and I've never been one for spitefulness, and vindictiveness, I believe it poisons the soul, and drives man mad," He glanced around, "And makes them stupid."

Paula and Beca just stared at the man, their guns still raised, they already knew where this was going.

"But you know after meeting you two, I think I just became the most vindictive motherfucker on the planet," And he got on the truck and ordered Bumper to drive.

Paula considered shooting him right there, and even now as he drove away all she had to do was make a small gesture with her hand and Mary would take care of it. And she could tell that Beca was so angry that she was thinking the same thing. But Paula was tired, there'd been enough death for one day. She hoped she didn't make a mistake.

The truck rumbled down the snow-covered road, its bed filled with the corpses of his men, and Tommy. The atmosphere inside the cab was heavy with unspoken tension. The Mountain Man, sitting in the passenger seat, stared straight ahead, his face an impassive mask that hid the roiling emotions underneath. His massive frame filled the space, and even without speaking, his presence was overwhelming.

Bumper gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white, as he navigated the treacherous path back to camp. He couldn't stop thinking about what Benji said. The silence between them was thick, the only sound being the crunch of tires over snow and the low hum of the engine. He could feel the Mountain Man's gaze occasionally flicking toward him, assessing, calculating.

The Mountain Man was seething inside. The loss of his men, the humiliation of retreating, and the death of Tommy—his most loyal and brutal lieutenant—burned in his gut like acid. He'd been bested by a group of women and a bunch of kids. The thought gnawed at him, but he kept his emotions in check, refusing to show any sign of weakness.

As they neared the camp, the Mountain Man finally broke the silence. His voice was low, dripping with a quiet menace. "How do you know her?"

Bumper's heart skipped a beat. He had been dreading this moment. He kept his eyes on the road, trying to keep his voice steady. "Who?"

The Mountain Man's gaze sharpened, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "The small one. The one they called Maine. How do you know her?"

Bumper swallowed hard, his mind racing for a plausible explanation. "She's just… an old friend. We go way back."

The Mountain Man wasn't convinced. He turned slightly in his seat, leaning closer, his massive hand resting ominously on his thigh, just inches from the knife he always carried. "Tell me everything."

Bumper could feel the pressure building. The air in the cab seemed to grow colder, and he struggled to find his words. He couldn't afford to slip up, not with the Mountain Man watching his every move, every flicker of emotion.

"We… we went to college together, years ago," Bumper began, his voice tight. "She was part of an acapella singing group. The Barden Bellas. And I was a Treblemaker, actually, we had a… rivalry. But that was a long time ago. I haven't seen her since."

The Mountain Man's eyes narrowed, studying Bumper's face, searching for any sign of deceit. The silence stretched on, each second feeling like an eternity. Bumper tried to keep his breathing steady, but he could feel the weight of the Mountain Man's scrutiny pressing down on him.

Finally, the Mountain Man leaned back slightly, though his expression remained unreadable. "And you didn't think to mention this earlier? That you had history with one of them?"

Bumper shook his head quickly. "I didn't think it mattered. It was just a college thing… It's ancient history."

The Mountain Man's gaze didn't waver, but after a long, tense moment, he turned back to face the road, his expression hardening once more. "Ancient history or not, I want to know everything about her."

Bumper's stomach twisted. He knew he had no choice. So, he told the man everything—about Barden University in Georgia, about her father teaching there, their friends, the competitions, the retreat not too far from college. Every detail he remembered, he gave up without resistance.

Earn it, Benji had told him. But today, Bumper had earned nothing. He knew that with each word he spoke.

After a moment of silence the The Mountain Man spoke up, his voice was cold, detached, as he delivered his final verdict. "The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal…"

"Sir?" Bumper asked, confused, but fearing the worst.

The Mountain Man smiled.

Paula called up the stairs, her voice laced with concern. "Girls, you okay up there? Need any help?"

A moment passed before Chloe's voice came down, steady but tired. "We're fine, we're coming down."

Chloe emerged at the top of the stairs, helping Mary down, her arm wrapped around Mary's shoulders to support her. Mary leaned into her slightly, clearly exhausted but managing a small smile.

Beca, who had been attentively watching over Benji, peeled herself away from his side as soon as she saw Chloe descending. Her heart hammered in her chest. She had to go check on her, but really, she wanted to run into her arms. Chloe met her with a gentle, ever-so-bright smile, but Beca's blood ran cold the moment her eyes landed on the gash across Chloe's cheek.

Beca's mind flashed to Tommy, to the Mountain Man. "You're hurt," she said, her voice trembling.

Chloe's smile faltered for a moment, but she shrugged it off casually. "It's fine."

"What happened?" Beca pressed, her voice tighter now as she reached out, her fingers hovering over the frozen blood on Chloe's cheek, she was afraid of hurting her.

Chloe shook her head, still trying to deflect. "It's nothing, really. I'm fine."

But Beca wasn't having it. Her worry had bubbled over. "You're not fine, Chloe. Your freaking face is bleeding!"

Paula walked over to Mary, giving Chloe and Beca some space. "Really, I'm fine," Chloe insisted again, sounding almost dismissive. "It's just a flesh wound. Mary had a bit of a seizure, and I just… I had to stay with her. I couldn't leave her."

Chloe's eyes avoided Beca's, as if she didn't want to acknowledge the significance of the event.

Paula's hand rested on Mary's shoulder, but her eyes were hard with both concern and a quiet anger. She glanced between the two women. "Girl's a hell of a fighter. Don't worry about her, Beca. It's just a scratch, she'll be all right," Paula said, though her tone was more protective than casual.

Beca, still tense, grabbed Chloe's hand, her worry far from gone. "Come on, I need to clean this up."

Chloe hesitated, glancing toward Benji on the couch. "Yeah, but… let me check on him first."

Paula and Mary lingered by the stairs as the two made their way over to Benji. They exchanged knowing glances, both relieved and frustrated. Paula's concern for their well-being had bubbled up in a different way.

Paula turned to Mary, her expression softening. "You alright darling? I heard you had a seizure."

Mary nodded, looking a little drained but offering a reassuring smile. "I'm fine."

Paula raised an eyebrow at her wife but nodded, then she nudged gently on the shoulder, a quiet gesture of support. "You're tough as nails, you know."

Mary chuckled softly. "Gotta be, to be married to you."

Paula shifted a little with a small grimace, Mary, noticing the obvious discomfort said, "What about you? You look like you got the wind knocked out of you,"

"Little bit, buckshot, armor stopped it though." Paula grinned trying her hardest not to grimace as a burst of sharp pain coursed through her.

Mary sighed and shaking her head said, "come on, let's get you bandaged up." and grabbed Paula's hand and led her to the bathroom.

Benji slowly opened his eyes, the world around him coming into focus in a hazy blur. He was back on the bed in the basement, cocooned in warmth, the scent of soup and tea lingering in the air. For a moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of peace, a fleeting illusion that maybe, just maybe, everything was alright.

He looked around, his friends were there.

"I'm still alive?" His voice was barely a whisper, fragile and weak.

"Benji!" Chloe's voice broke through the fog, and before he could fully comprehend what was happening, she was wrapped around him, holding him tightly as if she could will him back to life with her embrace. Benji managed a weak smile, his hand trembling as he placed it on her back, trying to offer what little comfort he could. Usually her hug would hurt him, his body was so battered and broken at this point that he had gone completely numb. He couldn't feel much of anything.

"Come on, Chloe," Beca's voice cut through, gentle but firm. "Give him some space, he's just coming back." Beca had her right hand wrapped with plastic and ice, her neck had the black and purple bruise imprint of Tommy's hands where he almost strangled her, and her eyes were still a bit bloodshot.

Chloe reluctantly pulled back, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She had a large bandage taped to her cheek, and there was a clear piece of hair missing above her ear. Mary was standing next to Beca, her body was adorned with fresh bandages from the cuts she received from the splintered wood, but her expression was one of warmth and relief, as if she had already put the chaos behind her. Off by the wall, Paula sat in a chair, she had her shirt open and her chest was bandaged tight, but her eyes locked onto Benji with an intensity that only she could muster..

"Everyone's okay?" Benji's voice was soft, his gaze drifting between the familiar faces around him.

"More than okay," Beca replied, trying to force a smile but failing as the weight of everything that had happened pressed down on her.

Paula stood up, her movements slow and deliberate as she approached the bed. "You saved our asses, kid," she said, her voice gruff but carrying a rare note of affection. "If you hadn't given us a heads up, those bastards would've caught us with our pants down. We'd be in real trouble if it wasn't for you. You're a real cowboy."

"You really saved us, Benji," Chloe added, her voice trembling with emotion. Her eyes were misty, and she couldn't hold back the tears anymore. "You saved me, you saved Beca, all of us… I'm just so incredibly grateful."

Benji's smile widened, though it was laced with exhaustion. "I'm just glad I got here in time."

Beca sat beside him, her fingers gently brushing his hair away from his face. "You did, Benji. When that monster… when he—-" Beca's voice broke, and her hands landed on her neck, the bruises Tommy left on her neck were black and purple. "You saved my life. I don't know if I can ever repay you."

Mary, standing by the bedside, gave a sad, knowing smile. "I think I know how we can repay him," she said, her voice filled with a kind of desperate hope.

Paula cocked an eyebrow, her usual skepticism momentarily giving way to curiosity. "What are you thinking?"

"We can adopt him," Mary exclaimed, her voice catching on a sob. "He can be part of our family."

"He's a grown-ass man, Mary," Paula said, shaking her head, though her voice lacked its usual sharpness. "What do you mean, adopt him?"

"Exactly what I said," Mary insisted, tears streaming down her face now. "He can be our son."

Paula glanced at Benji, who lay there looking exhausted but alert. His eyes were wide, a flicker of hope and longing evident beneath the exhaustion. Paula's tough exterior softened, her expression shifting as she considered the idea. She cleared her throat, her voice uncharacteristically tender as she spoke. "Well, what do you think, Benji?" she asked gently. "We can take you in, Mary could teach you to ride, and maybe I can teach you to shoot if you want. What do you think…"

Benji's eyes widened with surprise, and for a moment, he seemed too stunned to speak. Then, slowly, a light sparked in his eyes, something that hadn't been there in a long time. He nodded, his voice barely a whisper, filled with emotion. "That sounds… incredible," he murmured. "I've been so afraid, so alone… to be part of a family again. It feels like a dream."

Tears welled in Mary's eyes again as she moved closer, reaching out to take Benji's hand in hers. "Then it's settled," she said softly, her voice breaking. "We'll be your family, Benji. You're not alone anymore."

Paula nodded, a small smile forming on her lips despite the pain of her injuries. "Yeah, kid," she added, her voice thick with emotion. "We'll take care of you. You're one of us now."

Benji's eyes fluttered closed, a dazed smile playing on his lips. "Thank you… I can't believe this is real," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "If it's okay… I'm still a bit tired. I'm just going to… close my eyes… for a bit longer…"

The room fell into a tense silence, each breath heavy with unspoken fears. Chloe moved first, her heart pounding in her chest as she reached out to check his pulse, then leaned closer, her ear hovering just above his chest.

Nothing.

Chloe froze, the world narrowing down to that one, terrifying truth. She slowly straightened, turning to face the others, her face pale, eyes wide with shock.

"He's— he's gone," she whispered, her voice breaking as she delivered the words no one wanted to hear.

Beca's gaze locked on Benji's peaceful expression. He looked so serene, so content, like he had finally found some semblance of peace after all the suffering he'd endured. But that peace felt like a knife twisting in her heart.

Mary let out a wail, a raw, guttural sound that tore through the quiet room. She clutched her chest, her knees giving out as she collapsed against Paula, who wrapped her arms around her, trying to offer comfort even as her own tears streamed down her face.

Beca couldn't breath, her chest tightening as she tried to hold back the sobs threatening to escape. She had to be strong—for Chloe, for Paula and Mary—but the weight of Benji's death was too much. She could feel herself unraveling, every tear a stitch coming loose in the fragile fabric of her composure.

"I need a second," Beca choked out, pushing herself up from the bed. She didn't wait for Chloe's response, didn't trust herself to keep it together any longer. She stumbled out of the room, up the stairs to the first floor, and out into the biting cold of the snow-covered landscape.

She didn't make it far. Just a few steps from the house, Beca collapsed to her knees into the snow, her hands clutching at her stomach as the sobs ripped through her. The pain was unbearable, a raw, gnawing ache that consumed her whole being. She held her stomach, trying to keep herself from falling apart completely, but it was too late. The tears came in waves, relentless and merciless.

And so she screamed. A sound born of pure anguish, a sound that echoed through the silent, snow-covered world around her. It was a cry of pain, of guilt, of loss so profound that she wasn't sure she could survive it.

Keep an eye on him will you?

Jesse had asked of her a million years ago. And she failed him—she failed both of them. She should have been faster, should have done something—anything—to prevent this. But she hadn't, how could she have? Only thing that was certain was that he was now gone, and the world felt just a little darker, a little colder.

"Why?" she screamed as loud as she could. She screamed at the skies, she screamed at the snow, at the trees, at the whole goddamn world as she sobbed, her voice hoarse and broken.

"Why did he have to die?" She asked between screams.

"Why is everything so fucking cruel?" She screamed to all that would and could listen.

As she drowned in her pain her tears froze and clung to her face, adding insult to injury. She didn't hear Chloe approaching, didn't register her presence until she felt her arms wrap around her from behind, pulling her close, grounding her in the storm of her grief.

"It's okay, Beca, it's OK baby…" Chloe whispered, her voice thick with her own tears. "Cry… cry as much as you need to. I'm here… I'll cry with you."

Beca turned in Chloe's arms, and she said, "Chloe! I think I fucked up! I was supposed to keep an eye on him!"

Beca cried as she buried her face in her shoulder, as she let everything go. She cried openly, not caring that the snow was falling again. All that mattered was Benji, and the unbearable pain of losing him.

Chloe held her tighter, rocking her gently, offering what little comfort she could. She was crying too, her tears mingling with Beca's, her heart breaking alongside hers. She also felt guilty, she blamed herself, she kept thinking if only she knew a little bit more about medicine, if only… But she stayed strong, for Beca's sake, even as her own world felt like it was crumbling around her.

On the porch, Mary and Paula watched the scene unfold, their own hearts heavy with grief.

"Paulie?" Mary's voice was soft, broken.

"Yeah, Mary?" Paula replied, her voice rough with unshed tears.

"You think these two will be okay?"

Paula watched Beca and Chloe, holding each other in the snow, "Last time you asked me, I said… that they needed to get hard, or the snow'll take em."

Mary thought about it for a second and nodded, "Yeah I remember."

"I was wrong, I think as long as they got each other, those two will be just fine."

"They're too good for this world, aren't they?" Mary's voice was filled with sorrow, as if she couldn't bear the thought of such goodness being crushed by the cruelty of their new reality.

"They are," Paula agreed, her voice barely above a whisper. She could see the goodness in them, the light that hadn't been extinguished by all the horrors they'd faced. It was almost naïve, but it was a spark of hope in a world that desperately needed it. "But that ain't necessarily a bad thing."

The two women stood together, united in their grief, watching as the snow continued to fall around them and for once they were grateful for the snow, because it would soon cover the blood, the pain and the tears in a cold, cleansing white blanket.

To be Continued….

Notes:

Author's Note: This fucking chapter. This mf chapter. It has destroyed me. I've cried every time I've read and edited and in case y'all haven't noticed, I edit obsessively. Multiple times during the day. And this chapter was written a while back. In a way everything was leading up to this moment.

When I wrote this it was just… too beautiful, too haunting. There was no way for me to do this without having my boy make the ultimate sacrifice. He gave everything and then he gave more, when he crashed his snowmobile he found that the pain was better than the abuse he suffered, when he walked miles half frozen, half dead he found strength in song and he pushed on because he needed to save his friends. When Tommy was strangling Beca he found strength where there was none and saved her. He confronted his abuser, he told him how much he hated him. And before he died, he was left with the promise of a family, of love, belonging. And he died with a smile, finally at peace, my boy died a hero.

Something weird happened when I wrote this. I found Tommy to be tragically interesting, because beneath all that hatred, and violence there was a small boy struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, scared to be his true self, so scared of love that he warped into his own twisted version of ownership. When I wrote him, I hated him but I also pitied him. When I wrote him dying I kinda went nuts with it and I wrote an entire alternate timeline where there was no snow, and Tommy had been brave enough to come to terms with his sexuality, he became a fierce advocate for LGBQT rights and a counselor. And in a bar somewhere, during karaoke night he met a young acapella singer, and he became transfixed and he gathered all his strength and asked to buy him a beer. They spent all night talking about Star Wards and social justice and they fell in love. I don't know why I wrote it, but I felt like my heart needed it you know?

So what'd you think of it? I know a folks were hoping Benji would make it and I'm sorry but the snow, its merciless. Hope you liked it, leave a comment if you want, thank you for reading it means the world to me!