Page 3 of Entwined

“Hold on, ok? I’ll check the barn for any treats.” I gently stroke his face then turn towards the barn. Someone must be here.

The door slides open, warmer air hits my face. Ollie the barn cat opens one eye from where he was sleeping curled up on a bale of hay. I walk in, sliding the doors shut behind me. Pausing to scratch Ollie between his ears, I walk on light feet to Simone’s stall.

“Hello beauty. Miss me?” She comes closer to the velvet rope, neighing softly as I rub her nose. “Where did he go? Surely he didn’t leave you to fend for yourself?”

Her soulful eyes, stare into mine.

She’s wise and beautiful. A majestic creature who’s attuned to my emotions. She always was. Maybe that’s why I bonded to her. Tears I didn’t even know I was shedding, fall on her soft muzzle.

“Sorry, girl.” My fingers rub them away. She pushes against my touch, trying to comfort me. The sound of muffled voices come closer. I take my backpack off, duck under the rope across her stall and hide.

The back door to the barn opens. “He thinks she might show up here. You know what to do if she does…” Boris trails off menacingly. That man always creeped me out.

“Yes. Your instructions were clear,” Will replies. He walks past Simone’s stall grabbing a few lead ropes. He sees me when he turns.

I press my index finger against my lips, begging him with my eyes to stay quiet. “Like I said, if she comes here, I’ll call you on your cell. My job is to see to the horses. It’s getting late and I need to bring them in before the wolves come looking for food.”

“I’m staying over at a pub in town. The security system at the house is linked to my phone. I’ll be back around noon tomorrow. Here…” Boris walks closer, his arm is visible, holding out a handgun to Will.

“No. I’ll be fine without that,” he dismisses, “no one visits Exmoor in the winter.”

Boris grunts, “My balls are nearly frozen. I’m going to warm them real good tonight.”

I cringe. The thought of Boris in bed is gross. He probably has to pay a woman to go there with him. I think if he could get away with it, he would hurt me and make it look like an accident. I stay hidden with Simone long after they leave. The barn is heated but it’s still too cold for me.

Leaving my backpack, I duck under the rope and go to the tack room. Finding an old wool blanket in a trunk, I grab that, and a cup of coffee Will had brewed earlier.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

“I had to come. I know you don’t understand.”

“I’m autistic, not stupid. But apparently, you are.”

“I probably am. I should be at the police station in London, or the US Embassy. But I’m not. I’m here looking for the devil. Well, devil turned angel.”

“He’s not here; with no plans on coming back, that I know of.”

My shoulders sag, “Where did he go?”

“I don’t know. But he left the UK. I overheard Boris setting up a security detail for him at Heathrow.”

I bite my lip, my chin quivers.

I feel so alone.

Helpless.

Abandoned.

I try not to, but the tears do what they wish as the roll down my face. “This place is bad for you. You need to leave.”

“I-I can’t. There’re no more trains back to London until tomorrow. And I won’t risk running into Boris in town. I’ll sleep here in the barn.”

Will places a hand on my shoulder, “I’m sorry, Jessie. I don’t understand you, but I understand pain.”

“Thanks.”

He holds out a lead to me, “Fancy helping me bring the horses in?”

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