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CHAPTER FOUR
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By early afternoon, Jenn had finally finished unpacking and putting away the last of her belongings. She'd broken the boxes down and tucked them into the bedroom closet, and looked around at her completed home. It wasn't much to look at, but it was hers.
Now, it was finally time to spend some time outdoors.
Jenn quickly grabbed a granola bar (lunch of champions) and her water bottle, dropped a quick kiss on the top of Kylie's head as she lounged on the cat tree next to the front window, and headed out the door, phone and map tucked safely in her back pockets.
She clipped her water bottle to one of the belt loops on her jeans and put on her worn trainers, lacing them up tightly. Sliding on a light jacket and pulling her unruly blonde hair into a high ponytail, she slipped out the door and headed to the trail that ran behind Karl's house, finding it easily and beginning her walk.
The autumn colors were on full display, and she was immediately in a much better mood. The smell of fallen leaves and damp earth filled her lungs and within a short while of walking she was already seeing small critters scurrying around, and the sound of birdsong filled her ears.
The trail curved and as it straightened again she saw a doe maybe 30 yards ahead of her just off the trail, grazing peacefully. She froze, holding her breath as she watched the delicate creature in wonder.
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In his own cabin, Karl watched Jenn through a window as she ventured into the woods. His concern for her well-being was an unwelcome weight, a reminder of his responsibility towards her - one he hadn’t asked for but couldn’t ignore. Beyond what he believed to be an implied responsibility to look out for her well-being, given that of anywhere the government could have sent her, they picked here, next to him... beyond reason, truly.
He remained stationary for several minutes, the silence only broken by the occasional crack of twigs beneath Jenn's footsteps. When she finally spotted the deer and stopped in her tracks, Karl felt his jaw clenching.
He knew he couldn't follow her openly without arousing suspicion, so he slipped from his cabin and took to the shadows, the trees providing ample cover. He followed the edge of the trail at a safe distance, his eyes and ears peeled for any sign of trouble, his body poised and ready to spring into action.
The crisp fall air did nothing to soothe the storm raging within him. Thoughts of the rogue agents that could be lying in wait anywhere, hunting for survivors of their botched secret experiments left a sour taste in his mouth. And then there was Jenn, bringing more complexity to a life he'd purposely simplified.
For a brief moment, the sound of rustling underbrush pricked his hyper-sensitive hearing, and his hand hovered near the knife kept on his belt. It was only when he identified it as a rabbit that his posture relaxed, ever so slightly.
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Jenn watched the doe for what seemed like an eternity - she had lifted her head and made eye contact with the woman, and they had regarded each other for several moments, both completely still, before the delicate creature decided she was no threat and resumed her meal, bending her long, graceful neck low to nibble on the delicate shoots of fresh grass growing there beneath the trees.
Not wanting to disturb her, Jenn doubled back slowly and slipped into the dense foliage, giving the deer a wide berth and intending to rejoin the trail a bit farther ahead. She picked her way through the undergrowth, branches and barbs snagging her clothes as if trying to stop her from advancing, and a few thorns caught the bare skin on her arms, leaving thin, itchy scratches in their wake.
The terrain was much more uneven off the path, and she was so focused on her feet that she forgot to keep her gaze up to retain her bearings. By the time she'd cleared the worst of the thick shrubbery and deadfall, she felt a bit disoriented, and she cast her eyes around in search of the path.
She'd always prided herself on having a pretty great sense of direction, and after thinking for a few moments, looking back at the way she'd come, she corrected her course a bit to the left and pushed forward toward where she expected the path to be.
Her eyes cast around her, focused on finding the trail again, and her toe caught in an exposed root, pitching her forward with a startled gasp. She was able to catch herself before she fell, staggering forward and giving a squealing cry as the near-fall caused a sharp pulling across her right side. Her left hand shot to grasp the painful area, pressing against the spot just above her floating ribs. She bent over, resting her right hand on her knee and catching her breath, side burning and throbbing.
“Motherfucker!” she cursed harshly under her breath, slowly standing upright again and cautiously stretching her right side with a wince.
The wound had been slow to heal, tissue so severely damaged, and the doctors had told her it would probably be six months or longer before she was truly back to 100%, but she hadn't had too much trouble with it, really. More an annoying inconvenience than any real pain now, nearly two months after the injury, but the stumble had brought the memory of the immediate agony she'd felt to the forefront of her mind. The burning in her side was giving way to a dull throb, and she took a swig of her water, then lifted the soft fabric of her knit sweater, knowing that she didn't need to see it but unable to help herself.
The wound had long since closed, stitches removed, but the skin still looked angry. The faded remnants of deep bruising, still sickly greens and yellows, and the fresh circular scar just over her floating ribs, a deep red, raised and rough. Gingerly, she touched her fingers against her battered flesh, flinching slightly as she carefully probed. Everything seemed fine. The muscles were clearly still healing and the wrench had been a painful reminder that they had yet to finish the job.
Lowering her sweater again, she pushed forward a bit more slowly, watching her feet with care, and within a few minutes she was back on the trail, deer thankfully undisturbed.
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From his vantage point, Karl watched as Jenn deviated from the path, and when she began navigating the dense underbrush, Karl followed, careful not to betray his presence. He understood her intention to skirt the deer, but as he tracked her progress, he noticed how she struggled to regain her footing and sense of direction once she'd veered off course.
Her stumble and subsequent cry made Karl freeze mid-stride, his heart skipping a beat. Instinct drove him to step forward, but logic halted him. If Jenn believed she was alone, it was safer for both of them.
He observed from a safe distance as she examined her injury, noting the wincing expression on her face. Karl's gaze narrowed on the exposed flesh, the scar a stark testament to whatever horrors she had endured before arriving in the mountains.
As Jenn regained her footing and continued down the path, Karl fell back into step, silently shadowing her at a distance, his senses on high alert for signs of potential threats. Her slow, deliberate steps signaled that she was favoring her injured side. He could almost feel her pain, his body attuned to the subtle changes in her gait. With a measured sigh, Karl resigned himself to continue being a silent guardian.
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Continuing down the trail, Jenn held her side for a while, supporting her injury a bit as the pressure helped with the discomfort. Slowly the pain subsided enough that her hand fell away, and she opened her granola bar and munched happily as she took in the sights and sounds around her.
She ate quickly, it was the first thing she'd had since her dinner the night before and although she was used to having little to eat, the events of the last few days had taken their toll and she had been ravenously hungry. She drank some more water and tucked the wrapper from her meal carefully into her pocket.
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The path was leading through a wide clearing now, tall grass peppered with goldenrod and coneflowers, bees and butterflies fluttering around lazily.
The sun filtered through the surrounding trees, bathing the meadow in dappled light, and the soft breeze blew the sweet smell of flowers around the cool fall air.
Jenn smiled, stepping off the path and into the meadow, grass coming nearly to her hip in some spots. She waded out, bending to sniff a particularly lovely pink coneflower, taking in the subtle honey-like scent, eyes fluttering closed to appreciate it fully.
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Karl watched from the tree line, his gaze locked onto her lithe form swaying amid the sea of green and gold. Her smile, genuine and unguarded, sent a flicker of warmth through his chest, a sensation he hadn't experienced in far too long. She bent gracefully to admire a delicate flower, her nose nearly brushing the petals, a serene expression adorning her features.
Unconsciously, he mirrored her movement, inhaling deeply through his nose. The licorice smell of goldenrod mixed with Jenn's own scent, lavender and something sweet creating an intoxicating aroma that momentarily distracted him from his purpose. Her scent felt like it was burning over his palate, lungs aching with the strength of it, feeling his nerve endings light up like a Christmas tree. With a silent exhale, he tried to refocus, scanning the perimeter for any sign of danger lurking beyond the tranquil facade even as he contemplated his extreme response to her presence and essence in equal measure.
Even from a distance, he couldn't ignore the natural grace Jenn possessed as she navigated the clearing.
Her movements were fluid and confident, a stark contrast to the hesitance he sensed when they interacted directly. Perhaps in nature, she found solace from the turmoil of her past, allowing her true self to flourish.
A sudden snap of a twig in the opposite corner of the meadow drew his attention. Karl tensed, his muscles coiling like a predator ready to pounce. He held his breath, straining to hear any other indication of an intruder, his hand tightening around the grip of his holstered blade.
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Jenn lifted from the flower slowly, she had also heard the snapping of a branch, sharp and clear in the otherwise silence of the clearing.
Straightening, she scanned the area, standing completely still, barely breathing.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, the air felt nearly charged with energy, and a feeling of dread began deep in her belly. Something didn't feel right at all. She had long learned to rely on her instincts, after all.
Swallowing thickly she moved back to the trail, trying to decide if she should move forward or the way she'd come, when she heard another snap, a bit closer this time, coming from the woods near where she had come from. Her breath caught in her throat for a moment, and when she inhaled again deeply through her nose she smelled something familiar, just faintly. A heavy, musky smell that had alarm bells ringing in an ancient and primal part of her mind.
Looking around quickly, she moved down the trail as her brain helpfully supplied the source of the familiar smell.
She'd smelled it at the zoo the year before when she'd gone to see the new black bear cub that had been born.
Bears, of course, were fattening up for hibernation and probably super active right now. Well, shit.
At least it was likely to let her be unless she got in its business, but still...
To be safe, she knew she should make some noise, but her heart was hammering in her chest and she was pretty sure if she tried to make any noise it was going to come out as a very undignified sob scream. So instead, she took her keys from her pocket and jangled them as noisily as she could as she speed-walked down the trail, her fearful breathing causing her side to burn as she tried not to hyperventilate.
'Bears are chill, bears don't want to hurt you, bears are more afraid of you than you are of them...' she thought frantically like a mantra. 'Bears don't want to eat you, you aren't even yummy to them, he's just looking for easy snacks, keep moving, keep moving, keep moving...'
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Jenn's trepidation confirmed the presence of wildlife nearby, and her rapid exit from the clearing spoke volumes. Karl caught a whiff of the musk on the wind, instantly recognizing the smell of a bear in the area. As a seasoned ex-special forces operative with enhanced senses, tracking was second nature to him, but he resisted the urge to pursue the animal aggressively for fear of provoking an attack. He cursed himself for missing the scent before, knowing that the overpowering scent of the woman he followed had distracted him from making the discovery.
He began tracking parallel to Jenn's path, ensuring her safety while maintaining a low profile. His heart rate remained steady despite the escalating situation, thanks in large part to years of conditioning under high-stress environments. Weapons had become an extension of his arm, but he hoped today wouldn't be a day he would have to use his blade defensively.
Shadowing Jenn from a safe distance, Karl was prepared to step in at a moment's notice.
Even still, Karl couldn't shake the nagging guilt burgeoning within him. In helping Jenn acclimate to the harsh conditions of the wilderness, he had inadvertently placed her in the path of danger. He knew he should have provided more comprehensive guidance on navigating encounters with the local predators. He could have offered to escort her on her hike, at least the first time.
Another sound, this time a heavy rustling and crunching of undergrowth to the left of the path made
Jenn squeak in surprise, stumbling to the side before squaring her shoulders and trying to draw herself up as big as she could.
A snuffling sound preceded a large, dark figure emerging, still off the path but heading her way. She knew the moment the large bear saw her as it froze, nose twitching as it stared at her.
Frozen, Jenn stared back, lips parted, eyes wide. The bear grunted a few times and she took a slow, measured step backward, lifting her hands in supplication.
As she squared off with the massive creature emerging from the underbrush, Karl felt his entire body tense. Adrenaline coursed through his veins, urging him to act, but logic kept him rooted in place. He admired her poise despite the evident fear written across her face.
“Heyyyyy buddyyyyyy...” Jenn said gently, voice trembling just a little, “Don't mind me... just... out for a walk...” she soothed, shuffling sideways to try to continue down the path without turning her back.
The bear's grunting and Jenn's soothing tone filled the air, creating a surreal symphony of animal interaction. Karl's keen eyes watched as the bear rose onto its hind legs, assessing the perceived threat.
He recognized the bear's behavior - a display of curiosity, scenting her rather than signaling an imminent attack.
His training kicked in, cataloging Jenn's every move. Her measured steps and raised hands were textbook responses, but he knew that underestimating the unpredictability of wildlife was dangerous.
One misstep could escalate the situation, leading to catastrophic consequences.
“Easy big fella... these are your woods, I know...” she murmured, still slowly backing away. Dimly she registered that he was huge and also really gorgeous, well-fed, and clearly in his prime. “You look like you've had plenty to eat already... why don't you go hibernate now and leave me alone, hmm...?”
The bear lowered back to all four paws, still watching her but making no move to advance.
Still not daring to turn her back, she continued walking backward down the trail slowly, hands still raised in front of her chest, movements slow and calculated.
A snapping sound deeper in the woods behind the bear startled him and he whipped around, grunting and looking into the trees. With a final look over his shoulder at Jenn, he lumbered back into the woods, deciding she wasn't any threat to his territory today.
Jenn stood still, not moving until the bear was completely out of sight, breath coming in great, sucking gasps. Bears had always been a favorite of hers, but this was not an enjoyable close and personal encounter at all.
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Relief washed over Karl's features. Jenn's shaky breathing was audible, her shock and adrenaline starting to take hold. From his vantage point, he observed as she sank onto the trail, drinking from her water bottle with unsteady hands.
Now was the critical moment, the point at which most people might falter or panic. Karl held his breath, silently urging Jess to stay focused, to recognize that the crisis had passed and her survival instincts had kicked in admirably.
Only when Jenn seemed to begin regaining her composure, color returning to her cheeks, did Karl consider his next move. He debated approaching her, offering guidance and reassurance, but he hesitated. Revealing himself now, after so long... And yet, allowing her to continue without further support could put her at risk of encountering similar threats unprepared, and unprotected.
With a grim determination, Karl decided to wait and observe, monitoring Jenn from afar as she continued her journey. The bear's departure and Jenn's resilience had proven a crucial lesson; in this unforgiving environment, survival required a blend of knowledge, instinct, and adaptability. For now, he trusted in her ability to find her way back to the safety of her cabin, but he would continue to shadow her journey in case of any further threats. It was like she had said, she was tougher than she looked.
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To her annoyance, Jenn felt tears welling up, eyes burning and throat tightening as a choked sob escaped. She covered her mouth with her hand immediately, holding in any further noises and grinding her teeth to try to force the hysteria back down. This was not the time to fall apart. She was fine.
A few deep, shuddering breaths later she pushed back to her feet, rubbing her tear-stained face furiously and clipping her bottle back to her belt loop with shaking fingers that could barely function.
She shook her hands out a bit, rubbed at her eyes with the heels of her palms, and took a few deep, shuddering breaths.
With one last careful look at where the bear had disappeared, she began moving down the path again, head on a swivel as she power-walked, determined to get back as quickly as she could. She'd had quite enough adventure for today.
She'd heard in the wilderness training camp that some hikers would sing as they went, to alert bears to their presence and avoid any confrontations.
Jenn opened her lips, but nothing came out.
She couldn't.
The rest of the walk was uneventful, save for what she was pretty sure was an albino squirrel she'd seen hopping across some low tree branches - if she hadn't had the run-in with the bear earlier, she would have tried to watch it for a while - she'd known a family of albino squirrels that lived in her neighborhood when she was young, and she'd befriended them, offering peanuts from her fingers whenever she went outside. The sight was a pleasant reminder of simpler times.
She finally emerged from the woods behind Karl's house and she looked toward the porch, half-hoping to see him sitting there. She was tempted to go to the door, knock, and tell him what had happened, but she didn't trust herself to get through the story without breaking down, the fear still fresh in her mind. The last thing she needed to do was make the guy think she was even weaker than he already did
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She hesitated for a moment, appearing torn between seeking solace at his doorstep and retreating to the isolation of her own cabin, and Karl found himself leaning forward, as if willing her to choose the former. Seeing her fragile state stirred something primal within him - a dormant protective instinct he thought long buried beneath layers of cynicism and self-preservation. But also something more, licking at the edges of his consciousness, aching deep in his very core. Something more.
Karl maintained his surveillance from a distance, concealed among the trees bordering his property. His trained eyes immediately picked up on her hunched posture, the slight tremble in her limbs, and the telltale glisten of tears lingering on her lashes.
Part of him wanted to march across the field, pull her into a comforting embrace, and assure her everything would be okay. But years of ingrained stoicism held him in check. Instead, he silently cursed himself for not intervening sooner, questioning whether his decision to let her handle the bear encounter alone had been foolish rather than empowering.
But then, as quickly as the vulnerability had surfaced, it vanished. Jenn straightened her shoulders, wiped her face clean of any remaining evidence of her ordeal, and began trudging towards her own dwelling with a renewed sense of determination. Even from his hidden vantage point, Karl could practically feel the waves of stubborn resilience radiating off her petite frame.
Forcing himself to release a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, Karl allowed the tension to drain from his muscles. In that brief moment, he felt an odd mixture of pride and frustration swell within his chest. Pride for Jenn's unwavering tenacity in the face of her fear; frustration that his own fear of attachment prevented him from offering her the support she deserved.
As she disappeared inside her cabin, closing the door firmly behind her, Karl knew he needed to make a choice. Continuing to observe from afar wasn't enough anymore. If she planned to survive in this harsh environment, she needed someone to guide her, to teach her the skills necessary to thrive.