Chapter 203: Guardians, Part 8

James

I pull over in a lay-by, then tap into my maps app, eyeing the ground and the contours, trying to gauge the most likely spot for Michael and Charlotte to emerge from the woods. I settle on an area a mile or so further along, where the forest retreats a few hundred yards back from the road, with open fields in between. If nothing else, I will have a wider view there.

So, re-parking, I angle my car to point headlights out to the treeline. Then I stand to wait, buttoning my jacket tight, sipping occasionally at Ross’ soup….

He barely knows me….

…. The kindness of strangers….

The night is freezing, the air like shattered crystal, shimmering blue clouds as I breathe. A couple of feet of snow is topped by a crisp frozen layer which snaps under my feet as I pace, trying to keep warm, trying to stop my feet from numbing.

What are they wearing? They had to run....

They could freeze....

Jade....

.... Michael....