I jump when lightning flashes across the sky, a piercing light in the dim grey afternoon.
When we get back to the cabin, he's quiet, his eyes darker than they were earlier.
He pushes the door open and gestures for me to go inside.
"Go shower. I'll have lunch ready when you get down."
He sounds tense. I don't argue.
"Ok," I mutter quietly, not in a sassy mood at all.
I owe him my life. I need to say thank you, but I sense that this conversation is far from over.
Chapter 7 - Bardil
Nikita trudges toward the bedroom with her head hanging and her eyes averted. She's much quieter than I've ever witnessed her. No sass. No fierceness.
I assume her experience out there in the wilderness has been a bit of a reality slap. An encounter with a bear is the last thing she probably expected.
You aren't supposed to climb trees when a bear is around. They're brilliant climbers. But there was no way we were outrunning it, and I figured between the axe and the difficulty it would have had reaching us through the knot of branches, it was the best bet at the time.
Lucky for us, it paid off.
At first, all I cared about was keeping her safe.
But as we got closer to the cabin, my protective nature faded, and anger replaced it.
I've never felt panic like that before. When I saw her out there with the bear watching her, I thought for sure she was in deep trouble. Why the hell can't she fucking listen to me?
While Nikita is in the shower, I take a quick shower too. Lunch is leftover pizza, so it'll be quick to heat up.
I slip into fresh clothes, opting for the comfort of my black sweatpants and a black hoodie.
Outside, the storm is getting stronger. Rain is beginning to fall, and the thunder is louder than before. Moving around the cabin, I secure all the windows and double-check the doors. I doubt Nikita will be trying to get out in a hurry again, but I don't want rain getting in. And the wind is going to get stronger later in the night.
Nikita walks into the living room with her mouth pulled tight and her arms folded across her chest. She's wearing a white tracksuit. Looking cute as hell, but like she's about to be feisty toward me.
Before she gets the chance, I step forward and snarl, "Do you know how irresponsible that was? I told you not to go out there. I warned you over and over again how dangerous it was, and you couldn't fucking listen!"
Her eyes flare wide. "Don't speak to me like that!" she snaps back at me.
"Are you kidding me? You almost died. Do you know who will be blamed if you die? Me. They'll accuse me of killing you when, in actual fact, you were just being a stupid girl who can't listen to basic instructions!"
"What do you care if I'm hurt or not! You probably planned to kill me in the end anyway! Why do you think I was rather willing to face the wilderness than stay in here with you?" Her voice is shaky, and she stomps her foot to emphasize her point.
I don't want her harmed. I never did.
Yes, I kidnapped her. But it was never my intention to hurt her. She's an innocent player in her brother's games. She isn't responsible for any of it. I just needed her to get at them. It's not in my nature to put innocent people in danger.
"You're so naive, you know nothing, Nikita," I huff.
"And you're a controlling bully who doesn't care about anyone but himself," she retorts.
"I care about a lot of things. I'mnot the monster they make me out to be!" My voice is defensive. My jaw clenched tightly with emotion.
"Whatever. You're so self-centered you've fooled yourself," she scoffs.
"What the hell is your problem! Right now, you're the one being nasty!"
