Ellen had noticed that he’d left, but he couldn’t exactly ask her what time that was without rousing suspicions.Apollo had to play along or admit he’d lost control over himself somehow.That wasn’t going to happen.
“Fine, I don’t mean to offend ourguest, but I cannot in all good conscience allow someone who is essentially a stranger to wander around our compound unaccompanied until I’m positive he’s no threat to any of you.”
However, the expressions on Griffin’s and Renee’s faces said it plain that they weren’t buying into this convenient reasoning.Shit.
“We understand,” Rosaline said.“No insult to you, Rocko, but we’ve been through some serious and sad events.We’ve lost members of our group.We’ve been attacked and had people captured.Apollo is simply doing what he feels is safest for us.We love him for that, and we all sleep a little easier at night knowing he’s out there watching over us.”
Apollo almost choked on his guilt.If she only knew the truth and how well he’d slept last night, this would have been a completely different conversation.As it was, it would be better to leave it the way it was.Hell, how would he explain something he still didn’t have answers for himself?
“I’ve already told him that sitting out in the cold wasn’t necessary.”Rocko huffed.“There’s a completely empty second bedroom in the trailer that I would have to pass on my way out the damn door.He could stay warm and still keep an eye on me even if it’s not necessary.”He took a drink of his coffee.“Which it’s not.”
“That sounds like a better option, boss,” Blade said.
“Why freeze your ass off outside?”Jagger asked.
“You should do that,” Hendrix agreed.
“I’ll think about it.Now, let’s finish breakfast and get this day started.We need to get that fourth building completed before the livestock arrives.”
There was so much on his damn calendar that adding this new mystery was an uninvited issue he’d need to get cleared up sooner rather than later.
“Livestock?”Rocko asked.
“Yes,” Rosaline responded.“We’re bringing in some chickens and cows.There’s plenty of room, and then our food supply would be started on its way to self-sufficiency once we plant gardens this spring.It will take time, but someday we could make it happen.”
“Hmm, sounds like a good idea,” Rocko agreed.“I can help out with the building.I worked in construction for my uncle’s company while going through school.”
“I’m sure we could find something for you to do,” Apollo stated, digging into his food.The time for talking was over.
He’d spoken more this morning than on any other typical day.It was exhausting having to keep up with what society considered normal social behavior.
People had truly lost respect for solitude and silence.
CHAPTER FOUR
Rocko
He’d been incensed finding the team leader sitting outside his trailer.What the fuck had that been about?
His path to sleep had started like usual, with his brain working overtime on everything he’d seen and heard that day.No off switch to be found for his exhausted brain, he’d learned to live with it over the years with the help of Mr.Daniel’s.Jack Daniel’s, that is.
Hours later, still in an uneasy sleep, waking up throughout the night, he’d suddenly felt a calm wash over him, and it wasn’t due to his fourth – ok, maybe fifth – drink.It was the strangest thing.He’d woken, wondering what the hell was happening to him, and when he found Apollo out behind his trailer, his calm was shattered.The feeling of peace, which had happened several times over the past two days, was gone, replaced by a hot, biting anger.
Depression had been Rocko’s dark partner for multiple years, loneliness consuming him like a living, breathing beast.It didn’t help his mind ran on overdrive, confirming all his greatest fears with statistical accuracy.He’d be lying to himself if he claimed never to have considered silencing his mind— permanently.He was a genetically engineered group of cells created in a laboratory and abandoned in an orphanage.No one would miss him..
“So, are you ready for the tour?”Ellen asked, bringing Rocko out of his malevolent thoughts, and he turned his gaze away from the forest.
She and Hendrix were giving him the lay of the land before work began on the barn.Renee stood back, watching him closely, and Rocko couldn’t help but wonder how far her healing abilities went.Could his pain be healed even if it wasn’t physical?
“Lead on,” Rocko said.“I can’t wait to have a look around.This place is huge.”
“Oh yeah.You can get lost out here if you’re not careful,” Ellen said.
“Wait, do you get lost, dude?”Hendrix asked.“With your ability and all.”
“No, I’ve never been lost,” Rocko said.“My sense of direction, tracking ability, and memory make it impossible.”
“That is so cool.You’re a human GPS,” Ellen said before her cheeks reddened.“I didn’t mean that to sound so offensive.”
