Page 12 of Special Agent Anastacia

Because heat rises, it warmed the upper loft area where the spare bedrooms were located too. Though there was a master suite on the first floor where her parents slept, Ana never considered using that space. In fact, not wanting to disturb memories of her father just yet, she didn’t enter the area at all.

Thankfully, her mother had continued to pay the bills and so they had power which meant the lights worked and they could store their groceries in the refrigerator and even cook using the gas stove. While cleaning out the old bottles, jars, and rotten food remains from the fridge hadn’t taken as long as Anaexpected, the mess still had to be dealt with. They basically scooped up the works into garbage bags and carried those into the mudroom till the morning’s run to the local dump.

By the time they had unpacked all the boxes and cases, they’d lost daylight and were happy to nestle down on the large couch in front of the huge fireplace. Looking at the flames, it suddenly dawned on her that the wind had picked up so it might not be the smartest thing to light a fire while everything in the area was so dry.

Quickly, making sure the flames were out, she cleaned the grate from any sparks that might still be alive. Keeping their lights turned low, and turning on the record player her father could never part with, she choose his favorite Enya recording, and they ate their warmed-up lasagna, cheesy garlic toast, and drank mugs of chai tea while listening to the soft sounds of the wonderful singer.

Though Ana had given her mother a hard time for making them bring so many supplies – including the prepared meals stuffed in the cooler – Diana had obviously known what they would need and had packed responsibly. Now, the girls were gratefully enjoying the results.

Once they’d consumed the wonderful meal, they called Diana to put her mind at rest. “Mom, the conditions weren’t near as bad as you convinced yourself they would be.”

“I’m glad, darling. Did you stop and see Lew?”

“Of course. He sends his love. Maria popped in too, and we visited with her for a little bit.”

“And the cabin. Is it in decent shape?”

Belittling the worst of the conditions, Ana laughed away the worry she heard. “Mom, everything here is fine. A few weeds and dust but nothing we can’t take care of over the next few days. You relax... enjoy your shows and your casino friends.”

“Well, I might go along with Tessa one evening for an hour or so. Just to get out for a while.”

Laughing at Diana’s way of downplaying her newest diversion, Ana sent her love and hung up. Gambling was a relatively new pastime for her mother but harmless because of Diana’s tendency of being a spendthrift. Ana figured she went along with her new neighbor, Tessa, just to have a chance to interact with other adults and get out of the house.

Before she could share her thoughts with Hanna, a crashing noise interrupted the quiet. The disturbing sounds came from the back of the house.

Moving stealthily, Ana headed to a hidden wall unit where she’d stored her weapon along with her father’s rifles. Using her thumbprint to unlock the safe gun storage, she reached for the rifle and checked to be sure it was loaded. Grunting with satisfaction, she lifted out the flashlight that had a powerful beam and a military-grade aluminium body that could be used as an extra weapon if needed. Hushing Hanna, she pointed at her and then the closet, making an angry face when Hanna stubbornly shook her head.

Another loud noise followed and forced Ana to leave the argument in order to check into their noisy culprits. Following the sounds, she made her way past the kitchen toward the mudroom where the activity seemed to be most prominent. Ana took the lead but felt the presence of the younger girl trailing behind.

Slowly opening the door, using her flashlight rather than flipping on the overhead light, Ana first made out the mess of garbage strewn everywhere before focusing on the twin sets of glowing eyes that shot looks in her direction before scrambling to leave the same way they’d entered – through an open window on the furthest wall. Two furry bodies chittering and chattering hustled toward their escape.

Thinking their exit cleared the area of all wildlife, Ana turned back with a laugh on her face only to find herself in the path of the third, larger, angry varmint now trapped between her and it’s freedom.

Growling changed from a screaming bark to a snarl, which warned Ana that the large raccoon had no sense of humor about its dilemma. Before she could react, Hanna stepped between them, brandishing a broom she clutched in her hands and yelling in a harsh voice, convincing the animal she meant business. Her reaction forced it to leap away from Ana and follow it’s babies.

Gulping her shock and loosening her muscles, Ana let out a squeaky laugh along with Hanna who leaned against the wall, white-faced but wearing a big grin. “Were you really going to shoot the poor mama racoon?”

“Hell if I know.” Slowly, Ana lowered her gun to a shelf, leaned against the wall, and shook her hands to help release the stiffness. “I’ve been attacked by a lot of animals in my life, but none wore a fur coat, had vicious dripping teeth, and four legs. Scared the shit outta me.”

Hanna broke then, laughing so hard her body shook. She had to lean against the freezer and hold her stomach. “You should have seen your face. I thought you were going to pass out.”

Ana, not feeling the comical side as much as Hanna, straightened up and pointed her finger at the girl. “It’s not funny.”

“It’s kind of funny.”

“That beast could have slashed my face. You didn’t see it’s beady, mean eyes. It wanted to rip me to pieces before it killed me.”

“That beast maybe weighed thirty pounds, if that. Plus, you had a gun.”

Ana made a sour face of self-disgust, a sign that must have let Hanna know she’d stumbled onto something.

“You didn’t think to use the gun, did you?”

“Uh uh. I’ve never shot anything covered in fur in my life. Not sure I could have. Especially a mama.”

Suddenly, Hanna’s laughter eased, and she approached Ana wearing a sympathetic frown. “I’m sorry. I promise not to leave the window open again. I thought I was being smart by letting out the smell of the garbage.”

“Except it wasn’t. Smart. All you did was announce an open dinner invitation to the wildlife in the area.” Ana’s face resumed it’s natural pink flush, and she added, “Let’s just be glad the bears didn’t get the invitation too.”

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