Page 40 of Fighting for Tawny

“Yeah. So?”

“So, I have skills you don’t have, Joy. I can defend you. Protect you.”

She lifted her chin. Joy possessed beautiful dark eyes that complemented her coffee with cream-colored skin. “I can protect myself.”

“Then let me teach you how to fight.”

Her eyes lit up, and she lost her defensive posture. “You’d do that?”

“Sure. In fact, Yolanda and I can teach everyone how to fight.”

“Can we start after lunch? I’m pretty bored playing games.”

“Absolutely.”

When Tawny broached the idea with Moira, she gave her consent. She saw it as a way for the women to keep fit. After lunch, Tawny and Yolanda divided the Titans into two equal groups. Both knew mixed martial arts and began their lessons with simple, basic moves. They complained and made Karate Kid jokes until Tawny and Yolanda demonstrated how those basic moves provided the foundation for more difficult ones. The practice went well, and the Titans were off to a good start in self-defense.

Dark storm clouds gathered overhead in the afternoon. When lightning struck and thunder resounded, the Titans scurried into the bunkhouses just as huge raindrops hit the ground. As Tawny strode past Whitcomb, he grabbed her arm.

“What the hell are you doing, Ginger?”

“Keeping everyone from boredom and fit at the same time. Plus, teaching them a valuable life skill.”

“You’re giving them weapons to use against each other and us.”

“Their hands and legs? And who’s ‘us’?”

“Me and Colfer.”

Tawny shot him a look of disdain. “You have guns. And quite frankly, we have more to fear from you and Colfer than we do each other. Look, the others just want an opportunity to prove for once in their lives that they’re not worthless. Martial arts will increase their level of concentration and teach discipline. Both are needed out here to survive.”

He released her arm. “The power you’ve taken for yourself will make you a target.”

“I’ve already proven I can’t be taken down that easily. And besides, none of the Titans want to be sent back to prison. So, who exactly sees me as that much of a threat except you and Colfer?” She opened the door to the main bunkhouse and glanced back at Whitcomb. “Try not to get wet. The wind is blowing the rain in this direction.”

He muttered, “Fuck you.”

“You wish.”

The rain pattering on the roof made them sleepy. They retired to their bunks to take a nap. Tawny chose to read one of her paperbacks in the gloom, but the words floated on the page. Showing herself to be adversarial might not be her smartest course of action, yet it might force Stoltz and Whitcomb to reveal their plot.

Patience, Tawny. Justice’s voice filled her spinning head. A smile crossed her face. Finn’s voice countered his advice. Push ‘em, Red. Bait the hook and reel ‘em in.

A commotion interrupted her thoughts. The door to Moira’s office banged open. “We have an assist, Titans! A hiker is missing. Wear your rain ponchos because we’re still in a heavy downpour.”

Whitcomb went to tell Stoneface Colfer and the Titans in Bunkhouse B about the emergency. Within a couple of minutes, everyone met at their rescue truck. The Titans climbed into the back, and Moira took her place behind the wheel. Lightning flashed, and the earth shook from thunder. Whitcomb started toward the passenger door, but Stoneface Colfer stopped him.

“Stay here. I have search and rescue experience.”

Whitcomb scowled in annoyance. He pointed at Tawny. “Watch her.”

Colfer gave a brief nod and jumped into the rescue truck.

An uprooted tree blocked the road they traveled to the state park. Tawny, Yolanda, Terrin, and Joy volunteered to move it out of the way. It was heavy but not large. With two at either end, they cast it aside so the rescue truck could pass by. When they reached the coordination point, a tent had already been erected to protect them from the storm. Moira and the Titans gathered around a 6x4 banquet table and gazed at a map of the area as the other fire captain spoke.

“We’re looking for a twenty-five-year-old woman named Layla Murray. She’s five feet seven, one hundred thirty pounds, with dark hair and brown eyes. She’s wearing light blue jeans, a blue plaid flannel shirt, brown hiking boots, a San Francisco Giants’ windbreaker, and a Giants’ baseball cap. Layla was last seen here.” Captain Ward pointed to a spot on the map. “It’s about a mile west of our current location. We’ll move out in small groups. According to the National Weather Service, this storm is wreaking havoc, causing flash floods and landslides, and is not expected to dissipate anytime soon. The terrain is treacherous. Be careful and stay with a buddy.”

Captain Ward handed out several long-range walkie-talkies. Stoneface Colfer and Moira divided the Titans between them. He insisted that Tawny, Yolanda, Terrin, Joy, and Precious form his group. Tawny glanced at Yolanda and caught a glimpse of concern in her eyes. Not knowing anything about Stoneface Colfer magnified her apprehension. Neither Jiena nor Finn had passed her any information about him through Moira.

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