Page 4 of Entwined

“Sure.”

We work in silence, bringing them in two at a time, giving each of them fresh hay and water until the last one is tucked away for the night.

“All right then, I’m off. Stay out of sight. I’ll be in the bunk house with the other men.”

“There’s more men here?”

“Yes. Christos has security year-round at all his properties. Boris was just sent here to watch you. He stayed behind in case you turned up.”

“What were his orders, if I did? Do you think he’d bring me to Christos?”

“No. He was ordered to bring you to Alex and Helena’s for them to see to your care. Boris had Christos on speaker. He wasn’t sure you could handle freedom but felt you earned it. If you were too damaged to fly, he said Alex and Helena would see to your needs.

I shiver. “Thank you for staying silent. I wouldn’t feel safe in their care.”

“Where will you go?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“Ok. I can drive you to the train in the morning after the horses are turned out before Boris comes.”

“Thanks, Will.”

He nods, awkwardly, leaving me alone with the horses and Ollie for the night. I grab the blanket and make a bed outside Simone’s stall with a few bales of hay. I open my backpack taking out the astronomy book Christos gave me. Ollie purrs as he jumps in my lap. I read to him and Simone about the stars, the galaxy and worlds man may never step foot on.

Will said this place was bad for me.

But he’s wrong.

Even tucked in a drafty barn, with nothing but animals, I’ve never felt more at home.

---