Page 34 of Jagger
“I feel like I’ve seen that house in the picture before, or maybe it’s something else. I want to go through my pictures to see if it rings a bell,” I replied as I opened the file containing the hundreds of images I’d taken over the last few years.
“Do you want something to drink? I can move us to the bed so we’re more comfortable.” The wind was howling outside as he added, “And warmer.”
“That would be great,” I remarked and stood to help him.
My clothes got shoved back into a bag and tossed onto the floor before we began to layer the extra blankets on the bed. The pillows were small, and I was grateful for the extras as I propped them against the headboard. Jagger made us each a cup of coffee and placed mine on the small end table next to the bed while I got my laptop and took his to the table.
The covers were pulled back, and I sat down, placing the laptop onto a pillow as Jagger sat next to me. He was still in his jeans, and I gave him a confused look as I asked, “Aren’t you going to get comfortable?”
He smiled and answered, “I don’t have anything to sleep in, and honestly, I’m going commando.”
I chuckled and stood from the bed to retrieve the bag of clothes. Inside, I had an oversized pair of sweatpants I took on trips in case it got too cold at night. They were big enough to be baggy over a pair of blue jeans, so I tossed them and my biggest shirt to him.
“Thanks, darlin’,” he said as he stood and walked into the bathroom to change.
While he was in the bathroom, I opened the oldest file I had, which was almost six years old. The images were from around my community, and it was what first drew my attention to the inequality the existed. Huge houses next to rundown trailers. Junk cars covered with years of dust sit next door to a sports car. I wasn’t about splitting wealth, but if you had an abundance, you should help those with much less.
Jagger returned and plopped down beside me, kissing my cheek. He turned his attention to the monitor, and I began to explain what each image was. I had forgotten about some ofthese, and as we went through the years of pictures, each moving us closer to the present, I kept trying to remember the house but was drawing a blank.
I didn’t know how long we’d been looking at the pictures when the power flickered off once before coming back on. Glancing at Jagger, I could see he was as tired as I was, so I made a mental note about where to start again tomorrow and closed the computer.
“I guess we should get some sleep so we can get on the road in the morning,” I remarked.
“I guess so,” he agreed.
Placing my computer on the end table, I watched as he slid down under the covers and turned his lamp off, casting half the room into darkness. I got in beside him, suddenly nervous, but tried to remain aloof as I turned my lamp off. A sliver of light pushing through the closed curtains from a streetlamp outside was the only light in the room.
Rolling to my side, I saw Jagger facing me with a smile on his face. He was so handsome, and I wondered if I forgave him too quickly. Then I remembered he came rushing to save the day, and that said more about him than an outburst when he was stressed and panicked. It didn’t mean he had a free pass, but I would offer him the grace he said I needed to give myself.
“Are you going to be able to sleep?” I asked, and he lifted his hand to brush some hair from my cheek.
“As long as you’re beside me, I’ll sleep like a baby,” he returned.
He rolled to his back and lifted his arm, encouraging me to snuggle up to him. The heat was on, but it was still cold, so as I moved closer, feeling his body heat, I sighed contently and snuggled against his chest. Wrapping his arm around me, he kissed the top of my head.
“Good night, my beautiful warrior.”
“Good night,” I said, and for the first time in my life, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
I hoped we could figure out who sent the box before they came after me. I might’ve been small, but I wouldn’t go quietly. Anyone who thought they could take me or hurt me would find out why my people were still around, even after our extinction was so close to becoming a reality.
We refused to stop fighting and would use whatever weapon was in our arsenal to protect ourselves and the ones we loved . . . and that included Jagger.
Chapter 17
Jagger
The power went out sometime in the night, so when the first rays of sunlight pushed through the curtains, I stirred. Jackie was pressed against my side, and as I lifted the edge of the blanket to use the bathroom, I heard her speak.
“Good morning. Did the power go out?” she asked as she burrowed deeper under the covers.
I leaned over and kissed her before responding. “Around three. I’m going to see if they have an estimate on when it’s gonna be back on.”
Stepping into the bathroom, I made quick work of my business before walking back into the bedroom. Jackie was getting dressed, so I grabbed my jeans, socks, and long-sleeve shirt to get dressed.
“The road looks clear, so we may be able to get going,” she remarked as she looked through the curtains.
Walking up to her, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her closer to me. We were still new, but after the two weeks of silence, I needed to have her in my arms. She turned and hugged herself to me as we stood in the darkened room.
