Chapter 3: The Best Friend

Kate thought about the man she’d seen, or thought she saw near the highway. It was only for a second and she wasn’t able to make out anything other than what he was wearing. “Actually, I think I saw someone over there,” she pointed toward the road. “It was dark though, I couldn’t make out anything.”

The face she couldn’t see much didn’t deter Thane’s interest. “Can you remember what you did see?” as an afterthought he added, “Or perhaps, what you felt?”

Kate shivered. She did remember the sensation of fear that ran through her just before spotting the man in the black coat. “Ew, yeah. It was like I wasn’t wearing a coat and I felt like I was gonna puke,” she paused. “Is there something I should be aware of?”

Thane shook his head. “Those I’m to meet with. They have a way of getting inside people’s heads to get what they want. I think one of them came looking for me.” Thane patted her awkwardly on the arm. “No need to be concerned. They stay away from towns even as small as this one.”

Kate didn’t know if it was because of fear or curiosity, but his vague answers were beginning to annoy her. “What is it you do?”

“I’m a negotiator who's been assigned to a border dispute in the northern territories of this area.” Thane said. The answer sounded a little rehearsed.

Kate decided not to press him about it for now, and pushed her concerns to the back of her mind when she saw curious eyes peering out from behind windows and screen doors.

Tim’s place was a general store of sorts, carrying everything from Caribou Falls memorabilia to bait and hunting supplies. He was selling souvenirs when she first arrived in town, but over time became the place you went to when you couldn’t find what you were looking for anywhere else.

The moment they walked through the door, Tim looked up from behind the service desk, put on a huge fake smile and exclaimed, “There he is!” Walking around the counter, it looked like he was going to give Thane a hug but then decided against it at the last moment and went with a handshake instead. “Tim Bayfield.”

“Thane Edwards.”

The two continued to shake hands until Kate stepped in between them.

Using a calm tone she said, “Tim, could I speak to you alone? Thane, maybe go see if there’s something you wouldn’t mind wearing.”

As she directed Tim towards the office he said, “You should probably tell him we don’t carry any muscle t shirts.”

“Just be quiet,” Kate replied as she pushed him into his office and shut the door. “What’s the deal Tim? Why are you being like this?”

Tim folded his arms over his chest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve been nothing but cordial.”

Kate narrowed her eyes in disbelief. “Tim, I know your voice well enough to know when you’re irritated.”

Tim chewed on the inside of his mouth as he formulated a response. “You do know he is far too strange to be trusted. Was he even really hurt?”

Kate blinked. “Yes, Tim. He still kind of is.”

“Well guess what? Earlier you said me and Dutch would feel like jerks if he was really hurt. Guess who doesn’t feel like a jerk right now?”

Kate wanted to laugh with how petty Tim sounded. She clenched her jaw in order to keep a straight face. “You?”

Tim nodded.

Kate had never seen Tim envious before and wasn’t sure how to deal with it. “Tim, the man is a victim of a hit and run. Whoever did it made off with his phone and wallet and left him in pretty bad shape. His chest looked like it’d been hit with a grenade,” she looked out the window of the office to see Thane holding a tshirt up to chest. “The guy’s a little odd, but I don’t think he’s the take-advantage-of-the-small-town-gift-shop-owner-and-his-employee type of guy.”

Tim’s expression relaxed a little. “Well has he called anyone? Did you talk to Sheriff Wilson yet?”

Kate shook her head. “Doctor Nguyen said he needed to get rest. After he gets something to wear and something to eat, we’re heading back to my place so he can wash his bloody clothes and get some sleep in my extra room. Just for tonight. He can make his calls there and he’ll probably be gone by tomorrow morning. He’s got some important conference he needs to be at.”

“Wow,” Tim said as he leaned against his desk. “How generous of you to put up a guy that looks like the offspring of Thor and Leonidas… and… Superman.” he shook his head. “Look Kate, I trust you. If you think he’s alright, he probably is.”

Kate smiled, went over to Tim and gave him a hug. “So I can have the day off? And he can have some clothes?”

Tim shrugged. “Yeah sure. When is something like this ever going to happen again?” He raised a finger at her. “If he starts putting off any bad vibes, call me.”

The two of them left Tim’s office at the same time Thane stepped out of the restroom wearing the clothing he picked out.

“Are you kidding me right now,” Tim said under his breath. Then out loud he said, “We have double XLs you know.”

Thane swapped out his linen button up shirt, surcoat and black pants for a pair of jeans and a white V-neck with “Caribou Falls the most underrated place on earth” written on the front.

Kate approved of how snug the jeans were, as for the shirt, it clung to his body like a second skin.

Thane held up his hands. “This is a double XL.”

Kate smiled. The moment Thane turned to her, the grin vanished and she asked, “Did you get a jacket?”

Tim interjected. “Go ahead and take two, you’ll probably need one for each arm.”

Thane ignored the joke. “Only one jacket was needed. And thank you, Master Bayfield. This is a fine establishment.”

Tim spoke to Kate while keeping his eyes on Thane, “Is he being sarcastic?”

“I’m still not sure.” she looked to Thane. “You ready to go?”

Thane held up a finger to Kate and turned to Tim. “Truly, I am grateful for you carrying my unconscious body to your medical facilities. I am a heavy man. Also, I thank you again for the clothes.”

“No problem.”

Tim then locked eyes with Thane and to Kate’s surprise, looked truly intimidating. The sociable feeling in the room from the lighthearted banter vanished in an instant as he said, “You hurt her, I’ll hurt you.”

Thane nodded once in understanding.

Kate rolled her eyes. “Okay, let’s go.”

Caribou Falls was fully awake now, but it was late fall meaning most people only went outside if they absolutely had to. Very few cars drove through town, those who normally displayed their goods outside remained indoors; their window displays showing more items than usual.

Kate preferred it like this, especially with Thane (or any man for that matter) walking beside her. She really did like the people here, except for when she was with a guy.

They reached her apartment and she pointed up to the second floor. “It’s just inside and up the stairs,” Taking a set of keys out of her coat, she opened the door to the vestibule. Thane did not follow her when she stepped inside. “Is something wrong?”

Thane kept his eyes on the building outside, refusing to look at her.

All of this was wrong. What was he doing? He didn’t belong here. None of these people should know of his existence.

Yet what was he supposed to do? They took everything he had and left him stranded in a town that may have well been cut off from the world.

He looked at her and consciously suppressed the emotions fighting to emerge from where he buried them inside. The moment he did so he thought about every time she looked at him when she didn’t think he was paying attention.

He clenched his jaw, keeping his face locked into stoicism.

“Thane, c’mon. Even you gotta be cold out there.” Kate flashed him a half smile and gave a quick nod to the stairs behind her.

In his head, he berated himself. ‘She’s just a child. Are you willing to put her life in danger to satisfy some base desire? Would you sacrifice her for a moment of instant gratification? Are you truly that selfish, Thane?’

The void in his chest swallowed his distractions. Feeling nothing, he followed Kate upstairs.