Chapter 8 - Ace
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I don't know who I can trust.
The words ring out over and over in my head, repeating at an increasing pace as the sheriff leaves his vehicle and slowly walks toward us with his hands open, showing me he is no threat.
I face him, muscles tense, chest puffed, ready to do the one thing I've been trained to do.
Fight ... protect.
Except I'm not fighting for myself, my brothers or my country any more.
I'm fighting for her.
However she needs me, I will be there.
Until she tells me otherwise I will fight for her, always.
I’m not sure if it’s the guilt from the girl I couldn't save creeping in but here in this moment, standing in front of a woman who has faced who knows how many tragedies in her short time on earth, I will fight until my last breath, for her.
But first, I need to show her she can trust me.
Holding my palm out to the sheriff in a stop motion, he stills and I take a final glance around checking everything is secure before I go against my instincts and turn my back to any threats that lurk in the shadows.
I have to be able to see she understands when I say this to her.
That for some unknown reason she knows she is not alone in this battle anymore.
That we’re a team.
I kneel before her, our height difference making us almost at eye level, and say, “Nova.
I know we don't know each other yet but I need you to know that whatever happens after this ...
I won't let you face it without me.
That I will be there for every part of what comes next.
Whatever happened in that forest will not come after you again.
I will protect you with my life if I need to.
If you’ll have me, I want to stand by your side and help you find your family.”
Tears fall down her face but her expression remains stoic.
A skill that she has no doubt been forced to learn.
Her hand squeezes mine and in a voice that could almost pass as confident, not soft or meek, she tells me the one word that I didn't realise I so desperately wanted to hear.
“Yes.”