Page 30 of While They Watch

“Um…The cabin was old… run down. It didn’t look like anyone had been there for a long time, which I guess makes sense now. I hate to have to keep saying this but… This is going to sound weird. There’s a room in the basement that has a tunnel attached to it. It looked like someone hand dug it, and it goes for miles before it opens into the middle of the forest. That’s how I left the cabin and why I got so turned around.” I glance back and forth between them, waiting for a reaction.

Officer Lynch looks to his partner, pauses for a moment and then says, “Old Mr. Nelson’s place? I’m surprised you made it that far out, it’s pretty hard to get to. I can’t believe it's even still standing after all these years. As far as I know, it’s been empty since his family put him in a nursing home. He turned into a crazy, old bastard after his wife went missing. Full doomsday prepper… used to come into town talking about the monsters and everyone needing to get right with the Lord. Scared the heck out of me as a boy. There were rumors going around; he was building some sort of underground bunker… maybe he did.” I hop up and out of the chair before letting him finish.

“Well, let’s go. Let’s go out there!”

“Slow down, ma’am. I don’t know for sure that it’s the place you’re describing. I don’t want you to get your hopes too high only to be disappointed. First things first, why didn’t you leave the way you came? You must have had a car. Why would you choose to follow this tunnel when you didn't know where it led?”

“Of course we had a car! It ran out of gas and we couldn’t get it to start. I’m not stupid. Obviously I would have rather used a car than walk for days.” As my frustration turns to anger, I stand up and start slowly pacing around. “I couldn’t go out the front door because… like I told you… someone was stalking us. I didn’t feel like I could leave that way. None of this matters! Luke is sick… dying maybe. We don’t have time for this. I can’t just sit around, answering these questions while he is out there alone. If you think there is even the slightest chance that’s where he is, then please… can we please go?” I try to sound tough but my voice breaks at the end. It takes every ounce of willpower not to burst into tears in front of all these people. I can’t show weakness here. I need to show that I’m not someone to fuck with.

They look at each other before Officer Carter asks, “What do we have to lose? How far is it from here?”

The other officer answers, “An hour... maybe two depending on how the roads are getting out there.” He sighs before looking at me. “Okay, we’ll go, but if you’re gonna come you gotta stay calm. It goes against my better judgment to bring you back out there, but I can tell you aren’t someone who is going to stay put.” I nod, already running to the door.

_____

After nearly two hours of driving, the police cruiser pulls onto a bumpy dirt road. The trees are leaning menacingly over the car, creating a tunnel. I don’t remember the road looking like this, which worries me that this isn’t going to be the right spot.

I want a closer look so I unbuckle my seat belt and lean forward, trying to look out the front windshield. If this is the driveway, it’s barely one. The path is so overgrown with plants, you can barely see the gravel underneath, but the trees are parted in a way that makes it clear we’re headed somewhere.

I remember the driveway being long but the anticipation and anxiety make it feel endless this time. As it starts to feel like we will never make it there, a large, dark, shape emerges out of fog. I didn’t realize how obstructed the view had gotten around us.

The cruiser slows down as the cabin reveals itself. I swallow hard as I look out the windows and toward the tree line. The forest is swallowed up in the white fog so I can’t see much. I remind myself that I’m safe as the car comes to a stop. When I try to open the door, it’s locked and I’m scared they aren’t going to let me out.

“I need to get out! Unlock my door!” I don’t mean to, but I’m yelling as a weird mix of adrenaline and relief fuel my need to get to Luke. Officer Lynch gets out and opens the door for me. As I step into the cold, unearthly, atmosphere, I glance up toward the bedroom window. A shadow is standing in the window before stepping away and my heart is in my throat. I should feel comforted that Luke is up and moving but instead all I can feel is a pull to turn around and leave. This place somehow feels worse than when I was last here, but I push my apprehension to the side and run to the front door. The officers yell for me to wait, but I can’t. Instead, I swing the door open and sprint up the stairs as I call Luke’s name. I head straight for the bedroom. The door is cracked open just enough that I can’t see in, but I can hear his voice. He’s speaking but I can’t make out the words.

I shove the door open as I try to prepare myself, but all I see is Luke sitting on the edge of the bed. His back is to me and he seems to be looking toward the window. I glance around the room and to my relief, he’s alone.

“Luke.” I say softly but he doesn’t seem to hear me or move, so I take a step into the room and say his name a little louder, “Luke.” I hear the police walk in behind me, their uniforms clinking and jingling as they move. Luke still doesn’t turn toward me, so I slowly walk the last few steps until I’m next to him. I lightly lay my hand on his shoulder, saying his name again, this time a question. He twitches like I startled him before looking up at my face. The first thing I see is how pale he is and his eyes are more sunken than the last time I saw him. He has bundled himself up in a lot of clothing that I don’t recognize. He must’ve gone looking for more trying to keep warm. It’s freezing in here so it makes sense, but I can’t help but feel weird that he is wearing strangers' clothing. It’s like I woke him from a dream as it takes a moment for his eyes to clear before he smiles at me.

“I’m back. I came back for you and I brought help. Everything is going to be okay.” I smile at him as I inch closer. He blinks a few times before standing.

“Hanna? You’re here?” He steps closer to me as concern seems to etch into his face. He reaches up and gently brushes his thumb across the cut on my face. “What happened?”

“Oh, ya know. Clumsy.” A small laugh escapes from me as I wrap my arms around him and pull him to me. When my cheek touches him, he flinches away slightly. His skin is still hot. I try to touch his forehead, but he grabs my hand and steps away. He lets go of my hand before awkwardly smiling at me.

“I’m sorry.” He must see the hurt on my face, but I don’t want to make this about me. I still have no idea what he’s been through.

“Hey, that’s okay. I was just trying to see if you still have a fever. You look like you still don’t feel very well, maybe?”

“Actually, I feel much better– just tired.” I’m uneasy at how nonchalant he’s being about this. He doesn’t do well at being sick. He never thinks he has time to slow down or to rest, much less be taken care of. But still, I would have thought in this circumstance he would be less stubborn.

“Luke, you were very sick. Do you remember that? I was scared that when I got back you might be… You were really bad. What happened?”

“I slept a lot. I guess that’s all I needed. When I woke up, I felt better. Like it never happened.”

“Well, what’s with all the layers? You must still be feeling a little off, if you need all this.” I reach out to grab his sweater, but he steps away again, this time looking frustrated.

“I’m cold, Hanna. I feel fine. Why aren’t you happy that I feel better?” He looks back at the police standing behind me, not giving me a chance to answer, and says to them, “Can we leave now?” I take a couple deep breaths, reminding myself we both have gone through something traumatic and not to push. I glance back at Carter and Lynch, looking for confirmation.

Officer Lynch steps forward and nods. “Of course. Is there anything you need to grab before we get out of here?” Luke looks down at me and smiles before wrapping his arms around me and kissing the top of my head.

“I have everything I need right here.” It's the first thing he’s said that holds some feeling and comfort in the words. Everything is going to be okay. It’s going to take time, and we might not be ourselves for a while, but we will get through. I put on a brave face and smile up at him before reaching for his hand. I take it in mine and interlace our fingers. It’s crazy how in just a few days apart, I have forgotten how much bigger his hands are then mine, how secure they make me feel. I needed this physical contact with him. I give his hand a squeeze and try not to be disappointed when he doesn’t do it back. When I glance up at him, his face is blank and emotionless, making him impossible to read. He just needs to eat a solid meal and sleep. Then, we will be able to pick up where we left off. At least, that’s my hope. As we’re walking down the stairs, Officer Carter turns, watching us come down.

“This has been a weird but good week for our police station. You’re the third person that has been rescued around here, including Hanna. An older man came stumbling out of the woods just the day before we got the call about you guys. When people get lost out here, they usually stay lost. You guys are very lucky.” My head snaps up.

“An older man? What was his name?” I ask her.

“Well, I can’t give out other people's personal information.”