Chapter 37 #2
“Most people haven’t,” I add. “They’re pretty much unique to the Catskills. Something about the ecosystem here made them evolve differently.”
“They’re smaller than regular bears,” Jasper continues, “but way more vicious. And smart… they can actually work together to open tents.”
“Open tents?” Leon repeats.
“With their claws,” I nod, struggling so hard to keep a straight face. “They’re really dexterous… part of the evolution. Dad always said to never keep food in your tent because they can smell it from miles away and they’ll find a way in.”
Leon looks around our campsite like he’s mentally calculating how many Midnight Howlers could surround us. “Maybe we should head back.”
“Nah, we’re good, buddy,” Jasper waves dismissively. “As long as we follow the rules, we’ll be fine. Just don’t sleep too deeply, don’t keep anything scented in the tent, and whatever you do, don’t try to take pictures if you see one. They hate camera flashes.”
“Camera flashes?” Leon asks. “That’s oddly specific.”
“It triggers their hunting instinct,” I say. “According to Dad… it’s something about the light drawing out their predatory nature.”
Falin snorts from inside the tent, and we hear rustling as she quickly covers it up with a fake cough.
Leon stares at us, his brows narrowed. “Midnight Howlers that hunt in packs, open tents with their claws, and are triggered by camera flashes.”
“Exactly,” Jasper and I say in unison.
“You’re both completely full of shit.”
We burst into laughter while Leon shakes his head at us. “You almost had me,” he says, smiling. “But the Shea genes kicked in and gave you away. You have the same look when you’re shit-talking. Plus, Falin’s in there about to piss herself trying not to laugh.”
“We had you for a minute though,” I grin.
He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “Maybe for one second tops I was worried about being eaten by some clawed bear-wolf hybrid. One second. That’s all.”
“Just wait until we tell you about the Reptilian Tent Stalkers,” Jasper says with a completely straight face.
Leon throws a marshmallow at him.
“Oh no, you’re wasting our precious food supply,” I tease.
He sets down the marshmallow bag and walks over from the car, a devious look in his eye, and pulls me up from my chair, slinging me over his shoulder. “You’re in trouble, Firefly. I’m putting you on firewood duty.”
“It was Jasper’s idea!” I say, between laughing and trying not to get dizzy as he walks away from camp. “Put me down, I’ll accept my punishment.”
Leon laughs and his whole chest rumbles. He sets me down near a tree, and I lean on it to catch my breath. “Good girl.”
My whole body recoils. Just like that, Sir’s voice is back in my head, calling me his good girl. I turn away from Leon, trying to get my breathing to go back to normal.
“Bailey? Are you alright?” Leon rushes to my side, reaching for my arm, but I sidestep away. “Shit, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lifted you up like that. Did I hurt you?”
“No,” I manage through a shaky breath. “It wasn’t…”
I hear his footsteps as he paces behind me. When I swipe my hand over my eyes, it comes away wet. When did I start crying?
“Love, talk to me. What happened?” His voice is gentle and somehow that makes me cry harder. I feel so stupid. “Was it something I said?”
I take a shaky breath, still facing the tree. “What you… called… me. It just...” I can’t finish the sentence.
“Good girl,” he says quietly, understanding immediately. “Fuck. Bailey, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” I whisper. “You didn’t know.”
“Can I come closer?” he asks. “Or do you need space?”
I think for a moment, willing the bad thoughts to go the fuck away. Part of me wants to run back to camp, to pretend this didn’t happen, avoid more embarrassment. But a bigger part of me wants Leon close, to replace Sir’s voice in my head with his.
“Closer is okay,” I say softly.
I hear him step forward, then feel his presence behind me. Not touching, but near enough that I can feel his warmth, his comfort.
“Who?” he asks.
I swallow hard. “Sir.”
“I hate that he’s still in your head,” Leon says with barely contained rage. “I hate that I accidentally put him there.”
“He’s always there. They all are,” I admit, leaning my forehead against the rough bark of the tree. The scratchy feeling is somehow grounding me. “Some days are better than others, but he’s always there.”
“What can I do? How can I help?”
I turn around to face him, and his expression kills me. He looks devastated, like he’s personally responsible for every moment of pain I’ve ever felt.
“Just... don’t disappear on me,” I say. “When stuff like this happens, don’t treat me like I’m broken. I just need a minute to remember where I am, who I’m with.”
He nods, inching closer. “I’m not going anywhere. Take all the time you need.”
We stand there in the quiet of the forest, breathing together. Little by little, the tightness in my chest starts to ease. Leon’s comforting presence, the smell of pine needles, the sound of Jasper and Falin’s distant laughter—it all helps ground me back in the present.
“Feeling better?” Leon asks.
“Getting there.” I manage a small smile. “Thank you for not making it weird.”
“Thank you for trusting me with your feelings.” He offers me his hand, and I take it, letting him guide me away from the tree. “You constantly amaze me, you know?”
I stop and look up at him. “In what way?”
“How well you’re handling everything.” He takes a deep inhale, letting it out slowly. “You’re stronger than the rest of us, I’ll tell you that much.”
“My therapist would be proud,” I say with a humorless laugh.
“I’m proud,” he says. “So fucking proud.”
My pulse speeds up, and I squeeze his hand in response.
After a moment of silence, I clear my throat. “I guess we should find more kindling if we want a decent fire tonight. I refuse to put my trust completely in Jas.”
“Yes, ma’am. Put me to work,” he says in a mock salute voice. I raise a brow and shake my head. “Sorry,” he adds. “Was that okay to say?”
“That one’s fine. Ma’am makes me feel like a Southern belle or something though. Maybe refrain from using that one around my brother. I know he’ll torture me with it.”
He squeezes my hand back in agreement.
As we gather sticks together, I catch Leon glancing at me every few minutes, making sure I’m really okay. It’ll take some time to get used to again—the way he cares for me. But it might be exactly what I need.