March 5th, 2013

Outside Versailles, Illinois

1

Angela flinched as Marc slammed the hatch on his Blazer, trying to get it to close over the full load of gear in the back.

"Can't we do something else? What can you teach me that won't land me on my back?"

Brady swallowed his first thought, and said, "How about a new weapon today, instead of hand-to hand? We could try a knife or even a crossbow. I have one."

"Okay. Knives are quiet."

Before she could blink, he drew the blade from his muddy boot and threw it where it landed deep in a nearby oak tree, the handle vibrating. "They're also deadly."

She watched him pull it out with a smooth motion.

"This is a K-BAR, Marine combat knife. You try."

Unsure, Angela took it and threw too quickly. The knife's hilt bounced off the tree's rough bark and skidded across the ground, landing in the damp dirt. Bracing for a correction, she was relieved when he got it for her without comment, handed it back.

Angela slowed herself down and tried to aim, but was very nervous with his big body standing just behind her, and the blade sailed past the tree. It skidded into the dense undergrowth next to the bare squares where their tents had been set up along U.S. 51.

"Sorry. I'll get it."

She moved out of his reach fast, wading through the drifts of sticker bushes and he watched her, remembering a blizzard and their house of snow. That had really been the beginning of them, of stolen, stunning moments and he hadn't forgotten any of it. Had she?

No, but she didn't say so and her confused heart distracted her. Angela threw the knife harder than she meant to, wrist twisting. It bounced off the edge of a different tree and flew back, the sharp edge hitting Marc's arm. Deflected to the ground, it slid back into the stickers as blood welled.

Angela gasped, taking a fast step back. "I...I'm so sorry! I'll get my bag."

She didn't seem to hear him say it was only a scratch, and when she came back out, he saw her hesitate and knew she expected him to punish her.

"Can you slide your arm out?" She knelt at his feet to dig in her bag, tense body waiting for the blows to begin.

Marc did it quickly, not really in pain despite the increased bleeding from the movement. The air was thick with tension and he watched her closely, sure he was about to learn something important.




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