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I walk past the kitchen and into a small living and dining room combo, which has enough seating to sit six people comfortably on a large sofa and matching chairs. To my right is a large dining room table, and straight ahead I spot two doors, one on either side of the room.
Travis walks past me and opens one of the doors on the right, revealing two sets of bunk beds. They line either side of the wall, and as I look around the room, I note this isn’t military style at all. It’s like one of those nice RV campers, and it all appears brand new and clean. Even the color scheme matches. “C’mon, let me give you the grand tour.” He opens another door just past the end of the bunk beds, and a full bathroom comes into view.
“Oh, my gosh. How do you even get water and electricity out here, especially being this far into the woods?”
“We have well water, a septic tank, and a generator,” he states simply. I notice another door inside the bathroom, and I wonder how far this thing goes on for.
“What’s behind that door?” I ask, pointing ahead of me.
“Washer, dryer, water heater, and other mechanical things.”
I’m dumbfounded. Who knew these things truly existed outside of sci-fi movies? As Travis leads me out of the bunk bed area, we go back through the living room, and in through the other door, which reveals another bedroom. This room is bigger, sporting a full size bed with night stands on either side. He points across the bedroom to another access beyond and tells me, “Over there is where the generator is kept, and some of our recon equipment.” Then he points behind him, past the sofa to the other side of the room. “There’s one more bedroom just like this one behind the kitchen wall.”
Yes, I called this one correctly; Alice in Wonderland and all her doors are written all over the walls.
I’m simply flabbergasted. “Wow, you guys went big, didn’t you? Three bedrooms and it looks as if you can sleep up to eight people.”
“I always say, ‘Go big or go home.’” He then lifts a brow and a small smile comes out to play on his lips. “Everything here is self-stable, but we only keep the bare necessities out here right now. Too many bugs and such that can get into things,” he teases while poking at my ribs. I squeal and pull away from him. I shiver at the thought of seeing those crazy roaches on steroids.
“Remind me to pack a ton of hairspray if I ever have to stay here.” My comment has me thinking of another question: Why would I ever need to be here? I tilt my head to the side, looking at Travis with questioning eyes. “So why are you showing me this hideout?” I ask in a wary tone.
“Because I want you to know where this place is, should anything happen to me, this is where you need to run to in order to stay safe.” My eyes bolt open wide at his remark.
I shake my head in bafflement. “Travis, I couldn’t leave you behind if something were to happen to you.”
He grabs both of my shoulders and gently shakes them, stressing just how serious he is. “Yes...yes, you can, Jules.” His eyes are intense and his face is stern as he continues, “If something happens to me, this is where you run to.” His tone brooks no argument as he continues, “Behind the door in the bedroom, where I showed you the recon equipment is kept, I’ve got a database of phone numbers listed in order of whom you need to call should you be put in such a position. There’s a phone and a computer in there, with detailed instructions on what to do.”
His voice fades in and out; I’m too overstimulated and inundated with information. The reality of the situation is beginning to hit home. It’s now that I realize what I’m into is way bigger than he’s letting on, and if he’s willing to sacrifice so much for me to this degree, I’m willing to sacrifice for him. Suddenly, I’m seeing him in a brand new light. He’s really sticking his neck out for me. I decide to nod, agreeing with him to do as he says. He’s truly trying to protect me from something very evil, and if he feels it’s better to keep me in the dark for another day, another week, or however long, it’s not going to kill me not to know right this instant what it is.
However, I have my own plan formulating in my mind. I’m now certain I wouldn’t leave him if my life depended on it, not after today. I stay silent and resolve myself not to argue with him, because he’s the type of man who has a hard time taking no for an answer. I’ll let him think what he wants.
