Quote from Jeanette on Jul 6^th, 2019, 8:28pm:

 
Quote from Fernando on Jul 18^th, 2019, 12:00am:

 
“You tell Fernando that I am looking for him, but first I’m going to the Bettor’s Lounge to place a small bet on you guys before they get too crowded with Riff-Raff and other undesirables.” General Jastrey tells Hondo as she slowly got up from her seat.
 
Hondo nods at General Jastrey. In a few steps she leaves through the rear door and makes her way to her troops.
 

---

Fernando’s words prove themselves to be wiser than the man has ever portrayed himself, though that is because of his own choosing to let people think what they want to think about him and then prove them all wrong on Crunch Time.
 
“I will see you later, then.” Jeanette tells him before she gets up to walk to the camper’s sliding door. Pulling on the lever, the door slides open to the right, where she steps out and turns around to close the door. She makes her way between Fernando’s VW Camper and Hondo’s truck to the front the vehicles where Karl’s truck was at.
 

---

Though the betting has just started for the Death Match Event, Ichigo sends out her people to make sure that there is no cheating within the bets. Preliminary rounds of betting show no interest on anyone betting on the new comers, betting on the Lich and his team as easy money even though the payout was low. Ichigo fills out the typical insurance forms for the match in case of accidents or misjudgment causes injury to the spectators. She also chooses who will be in the ring to referee the match from within and the support staff outside of the ring. TV and radio coverage contracts are also signed as seat allotment for announcers and media crews on top of the fighters’ care crews. It is a lot of paper work but Ichigo gets it done in a short amount of time
 
But no matter how one looks at this fight’s odds, the organization is going to lose money on this endeavor, how much depends on who wins. But the organization has ways on making up such losses for unless it is a total loss, every opportunity has a chance for profit.
 

---

As the day begins to wind down unfinished business is attended too, planning and preparation for the evening meal begins to reach a high point of being cooked, and the serving plates being organized as to who gets what. The meal will be of Roast Beast Brisket or Grilled Giant Mutant Chicken, either with assorted stewed vegetables with wide noodles or rice. At least 4 sets of stoves and cooking ware are roaring their flames high to make short work of the meal’s preparation and delivery before dusk in a couple of hours. Marvin and Karl are sent to gather more water but for clean up after the meal instead for preparing for the meal. A couple 5 gallon jugs would be more than enough for clean up. The sheep girls go about to set up some tables and chairs around the space between Hondo and Fernando’s campers, though mostly everyone will be taking their meals to their own vehicles to eat.
 
At the same time as the meal is being made, a late evening/night supper is being made for those who might be interested in a before bed-time meal, referred to as “supper” by some. Many provide a Thermos bottle to put the stewed vegetables in, and a brown paper bag for a sandwich or two. The herbivore wessens get a buttered roll to go with the stewed vegetables supper. A slice of cheese was optional if they wanted it.
 

---

 
A couple of hours had past, and the dinner meal is almost complete with a few minor bits to be finished. The top of Fernando’s pop-up camper suddenly goes down and the sliding door heard opening and then closing. Fernando walks over to Karl’s truck. There he finds Maribelle, Karl and Marvin though he was looking for others. In the least he can have an audience with Maribelle and the others. Walking over to them he calls to her.
 
“Maribelle. I am in need of your assistance and cooperation.” He tells her.
 
“Oooo... What will it be this time?” Maribelle says in a taunting tone.
 
“I would need to do a head count, but since you and the wessen girls will be sleeping in Karl’s camper, I may need to add a few more human girls to the group.” Fernando explains, adding, “It is only for tonight. Other sleeping arrangements will be given to them tomorrow.”
 
“I see. And who are these girls being added to the group?” Maribelle asks.
 
“They are the teen girls from Jason’s truck. There was a disagreement with the group and they left Jason’s group but want to stay with us for the trip to Charlton. I need you to tend to their needs but also make them aware that they are to do work to earn their keep. Two of them: Lisa and Patrica want to do night guard duy with their dogs. I approve of it. They will be sleeping during the day instead but the others will sleep with you and the wessen girls during the night.” Fernando explains.
 
“Hmmm,” Maribelle thinks of the possible options, “Wasn’t the group in Jason’s truck of both girls and boys?”
 
“The boys will be sleeping in, heh... I need to find a place for them.” Fernando was about to give an answer and realizes that he does not have one. But at least he could find one in a short amount of time.
 
“Is there a problem?” Karl asks.
 
“I was about to say the boys would sleep in my dub box, but James and Red Molly are sleeping there.” Fernando answers.
 
“Red Molly could sleep with the girls; James can sleep with Marvin and I in the SUV.” Karl points out, throwing in, “The boys can now sleep in your Dub Box.”
 
“Maribelle? You willing accept one more wessen girl into the group?” Fernando asks.
 
“She can sleep on the floor with the others.” Maribelle throws back at him.
 
“Good. James and Red Molly are drivers for Hondo, so they already have a job to do for him. Do not tell them to do additional work, only I or Hondo can request that of them.” Fernando throws at her. She nods. He continues, “I need find the all those involved and notify them of the situation.”
 
“By all means, go do what you got to do.” Maribelle says, almost mocking him or his authority.
 
Fernando just gives her a glance in her direction before turning away. He walks to find the others.
 
Sometimes old habits are hard to break, though in this case such learned habits are just a few weeks or at least couple months old. Fernando finds the teens gathered about not too far from Jason’s truck on the side of the parking area.
 
“Looks like the apples do not fall far from the tree?” Fernando says loud enough to be heard.
 
They all look at him as he approaches. One of the boys asks, “What do you mean by that?”
 
“Simple...” Fernando says as he takes his last steps to them, he then points at Jason’s truck, “That was your ‘home’ for what time you had in there. But shit happens and you had to leave it. Now, however, here you are, not far from it, as if you can go back in anytime you want. But you can’t.”
 
“Even if we could, we won’t.” The eldest of the boys speaks for them.
 
“You still need a ride and a place to sleep and food in your belly.” Fernando tells them.
 
Collectively they all sigh in agreement.
 
“You all will earn your keep.” Fernando tells them, adding, “Tonight is only a temporary setback. Hopefully tomorrow things will be better but if not by the third day things will be set into stone. You will be getting your own rides and a camper to sleep in. By that I mean, the boys will have their own ride and camper and the girls will have their own ride and a camper when they come in a day or two. We just need a few more things for you all for the next couple of days.”
 
The group looks at him with all smiles that quickly diminish.
 
“What do you want us to do?” Madison (the eldest of the group) asks.
 
“Well, first off, we need some sleeping gear for you guys. Then who is going to do what jobs, when and where? Before that, introductions are in order. As you know, I am Fernando, co-leader of this rag tag group heading to Charlton. My partner in crime you met is Hondo. The other EMT – Ms Jeanette, is the other co-leader of this group. Everyone you will get to learn who they are. Now who are you guys and what jobs can you do?” Fernando tells them.  
 
The eldest male steps up, “I am Madison. I unofficially lead the boys here: Robin – who is a mechanic and tech expert of sorts, Dakota – he can cook a descent meal from scraps, Francis – he can do almost anything you tell him to do, and Jordan – like Francis he can do anything you tell him to do.
 
The eldest female follows with, “I’m Patricia – the oldest and unofficial leader of the girls – everyone here calls me Patty though, that is Lisa and her two dogs Bruno and Killer – they tend to do guard duty at night and I sometimes join her, Nancy can cook and clean, and Alicia – everyone where calls her Alice does not speak to just anyone though she can speak mostly to us – she like the boys will do anything you tell her to do. Just do not ask us for sexual favors or selling ourselves – we will leave if you do.”
 
“No one in the camp we lead will ask you to do those things. If they do, you tell me, Hondo, Jeanette or the wolf-girl Moro and it will be put to an end immediately. As for you Lisa, we met before though you were ‘busy’ with your dog here.” Fernando tells them and then focuses his attention to Lisa.
 
“Uhm, since when, Mister...?” Lisa asks.
 
“Since I took Macey out of that place you were in and took her into my protection as my adoptive daughter.” Fernando begins, “Now, Macey speaks highly of you but there is a problem in that profession you were in.”
 
“My past life is behind me.” Lisa tells him.
 
”What about your dogs, and your ‘love’ of them?” Fernando asks.
 
“My love for my dogs is between me and them. But I will say this – take care of me and my dogs, and they will do their best for you in being guard dogs to this group. I’m not expecting no one to be getting jiggy with my dogs but me, and that is only in the privacy of what time and space we can get. My days of selling doggie shows of myself with my dogs are over.” Lisa tells her.
 
“Since Macey spoke highly of you when I adopted her, I will let you two continue to be friends, but keep your dogs in check. I find them trying to sniff up her skirt, I will put them into doggie heaven.” Fernando tells her.
 
“That won’t be a problem.” Lisa replies.
 
“Good.” Fernando tells her. He begins to add, “Ruth and Joanna have a dog named ‘Trip,’ he looks like a border collie to me but I could be wrong, but he is half the size of your dogs. And there are two cats, one is mine – Meeshie is her name, she is 5 years old and trained. The other is Hondo’s, a kitten named ‘Kitty’ which is about 3 months old. Meeshie is not the mother of Kitty but she does take care of it when they are together. The animals should get to know each other in the minimum that they will not fight one another. We can do that when things quiet down. I do have a question for all of you though.”
 
“What’s the question?” Madison asks.
 
“There were a lot more girls to this group that I remember. What happened to the rest of them?” Fernando asks.
 
“They packed up their things and left when we were in Center Town.” Patricia answers.
 
“Will they be coming back or maybe looking for you in the near future?” Fernando asks.
 
“I would guess not. They do know how to contact us, and so far none of them have tried to contact us.” Patricia explains.
 
“To continue such communications, we would need a modified CB Radio, like a Cobra 128GTL, President Grant or a Super Star Ranger.” The one identified as Robin points out.
 
“That might prove difficult but not impossible to do. What channel or frequency are you using?” Fernando asks.
 
“27.8550 MHz on Upper Side Band.” Robin answers.
 
“I see. What few radios I have access to that can go there I will have them search the airwaves for you.” Fernando tells Robin and the group. He then switches subjects, “Now, dinner is about to be served soon but during this time, I need you all to think as to what you would need for the next couple of days: blankets and pillows for the next couple of nights, as when they come the campers will have sleeping bags for you to sleep in; and food for you and the dogs, I say about a week’s worth for you all. The problem is the sleeping arrangements. You ladies will be sleeping with Ms Maribelle and the sheep girl wessens. Lisa, Patricia, since you two will be going guard duty at night, you two can sleep during the day. Whoever is doing guard duty among you boys, the rest of you sleep in my Dub Box Camper and during the day those who did guard duty can sleep in the Dub Box during the day. James the Wessen will be sleeping with you boys.

“I tend to eat last.” Fernando continues. “Dinner is made with the help of various members of the group like Ruth, Joanne, the Den Mother, Tonya and others. The Wessen Sheep girls help out in setting up and preparing the food. If you can cook or prepare food, go to Hondo’s Truck to help out. After dinner, you all help in cleaning up. Follow Karl and Marin’s directions in that. Like I said, everyone earns their keep here. Lisa, Patricia, and what boys will be doing guard duty – you will be given a moderately large wrapped up meal for a midnight lunch. Any questions?”
 
The group more or less shakes their head and half of them break to Hondo’s truck to be given various tasks to prepare the dinner meal. Patricia, Lisa, Madison and Jordan stay behind.
 
“Jordan, you want to do guard duty with me?” Madison asks.
 
“Yeah, why not. Gotta earn our keep, right?” Jordan points out.
 
“Well, let’s do this...” Fernando begins. “Follow me...”
 
The four of them with the two dogs follow him as they go to Hondo’s truck. They stand at the rear door where Fernando knocks on it.  It is answer immediately by Hondo of all people.
 
“Oh. I thought you were resting, Jefe.” Hondo says to him.
 
“No rest in this damn place. Besides, I need to get a few minor things for the additional members back in town. Care to come?” Fernando says to him.
 
“Why not, the girls are getting the kitchen ready for dinner makin’ anyways.” Hondo says. He turns back to Tonya and the others in the nearby kitchen, “I’m stepping out with Fernando, need me to get anything while I am out?”
 
“We’re fine, thanks.” Tonya tells him.
 
“I’ll see you around dinner time.” Hondo says.
 
“Let’s go to my camper for a second. I need to get the wagon.” Fernando tells him. It only takes them a few seconds to do so before they head into town.
 
“What are we getting’?” Hondo asks.
 
“In getting the food and the rides ready, I forget about these guys and their sleeping needs: Sleeping bags, pillows and blankets for nine.  Perhaps a few more of those moving blankets I got at Center Town for them to sleep on.” Fernando answers.
 
“We got blankets and things.” Patricia says.
 
“If it is Jason’s things, you are going to need more than that, especially if he takes them back. Besides, he cannot take away what is already yours.” Fernando tells her.
 
“I think I remember a camping supply store not far from the vehicle dealers.” Hondo says.
 
“Then lead the way and let’s hope they are open.” Fernando says.
 

---

The walk to the camping supply store leads to a row of such stores down a short street not far from where the vehicles are sold. The sleeping gear is piled up on the wagon but the moving blankets are not found. Prices were also a bit steep but Fernando signaled to Hondo not to say a word for now. They step out of the store and stand outside.
 
“I think that is everything.” Patricia says.
 
“You still need the moving blankets to act as a sleeping pad, you do not want to sleep on the bare floor, even if it is inside a camper or vehicle.” Fernando says as he looks around. At the end of the block he spots a moving truck rental company. “Hondo, you think they would have moving blankets?”
 
“You’d reckon they would.” Hondo says.
 
“Then go ahead and them out. Take the boys with you. Get about 10 if they have them. Don’t worry about the price; I’ll take care of it as soon as I get there.” Fernando tells him as he pulls the wagon behind him.
 
“OK Jefe...” Hondo replies, before telling the boys, “Boys, you are with me.”
 
They follow him without complaint. In a few seconds they enter the moving company ahead of Fernando and the girls. Inside Hondo starts to inquire and deal for the needed items though looking at the business representative, he looks likes something that came out Mafioso New York from the 1980s. The unlit but half smoked cigar in his lips did not add any positive impressions to his appearance.
 
“Looking for a truck and moving crew?” The business rep asks Hondo.
 
“We already have a truck. You have furniture blankets to sell?” Hondo says and asks.
 
“Depends.” The business rep replies. Fernando and the girls walk in, making the business rep break away from Hondo to Fernando thinking he can rent out a truck for more money than to some guy wanting to buy blankets. Turning to Fernando and the girls, the business rep says to them, “Looking for a truck and moving crew?”
 
Fernando points to Hondo, “We’re with him.” He then turns to Hondo, “Got the blankets yet?”
 
This puts the business rep into a foul mood.
 
Hondo looks about the area and then at the business rep before turning to Fernando, “I don’t think he has much of anything.”
 
“Then let’s go. We do not have much time to be wasting.” Fernando says.
 
The business rep steps over to block their exit, “Now wait a minute, fellas. I’m sure I got what you need. Most of it is in storage, so tell me what you want, and I’ll get it for you.”
 
“We need some moving blankets, 96X144 or smaller if you have them.” Fernando tells him.

 
“How many you need?” The business rep asks.
 
“We’ll need about 10.” Fernando tells him.
 
“Can be cheaper if you buy them by the dozen.” The business rep points out.
 
“Let’s see what you have first. Then I’ll decide.” Fernando tells him.
 
Not happy where it is going, the business rep makes a call to his intercom for somebody to find and retrieve the blankets, preferable a case of them which has a dozen in the box. Somebody arrives from a back room after a couple minutes of waiting, walking up to the business rep and dropping a box by his feet. The taped down seams burst upon impact with the floor. Hondo and Fernando look at each other for a moment, as if telepathically agreeing that the price to be negotiated on just went down. The business rep pulls one out of the box to show it off, it is still in its plastic wrapper.
 
“$100 for the whole box, 12 in box total.” The business rep says as he hands it out.
 
“And if I want 10?” Fernando asks as Hondo looks it over in its bag before opening it.
 
“Still $100. Cheaper to buy the box of dozen than to buy them singly.” The business rep says.
 
“Boys, put the box in the wagon.” Fernando tells them, pulling two $50 gold coins from his pocket.
 
The boys do as they are told before they leave the store, Hondo waits behind long enough to get a receipt from the business rep. It does not take him long to catch up with the group outside the store.
 
“$100 is a bit steep.” Hondo points out as they walk back to their camp.
 
“It is but I am not going to argue that in this town. We are going to do what we have to do and get out of here when it is time.” Fernando tells them.
 
Not sure what they are talking about, the older teen boys and girls from Jason’s truck just listen and take mental notes.
 
Fernando turns to them, “For you guy I’ll demonstrate this for everyone, you take the blanket and fold in half and then in half again to lie down on the camper floor. Then you put the sleeping bag on top and set up your blanket and pillow for you to sleep in. Then you fold up the blanket and sleeping bag to put away during the day. I’ll hold on to them in my camper for safe keeping during this time.”
 
They all nod in agreement, not wanting to ask a question that would put them out of given hospitality. In a few minutes they are back at the camp where Fernando explains to the others about the blankets, and sleeping gear.
 
Fernando asks Ruth as to how much they are making, even though the amount the group makes usually covers for everyone to have large portions or at least double on small portions, he wants to makes sure that Jason’s group can be covered and he can add to the supplies if needed.
 
“Ruth, you girls making enough for everyone?” Fernando asks.
 
“More than enough I believe we are.” Ruth answers.
 
“It’s that, you counting Jason’s 9 that are joining our group?” He asks.
 
Ruth looks over the group as the sleeping gear is handed out to them, and then nods, “We should have enough for everyone.”
 
“Let me know, I’ll give you what I have to add to the meal.” Fernando tells her.
 
“It’s OK. We have more than enough.” Ruth replies.
 
“Alright then. I’ll be around if you or the others need me.” Fernando tells her. Ruth nods before walking away to deal with the meal’s preparation.
 
With little to do, Fernando takes the teens from where they were and introduces them to Maribelle.
 
“Maribelle. These are the girls I told you about. I need to get Red Molly to you later. Each has their own blankets and sleeping bags, like when we rode into town, fold the blanket on the floor half and then half in the other direction to make a 4ft by 6ft pad to sleep on.” Fernando explains to her.
 
Maribelle tries to take over to make herself look like she is in charge, “Come on ladies. You’re with me.” She starts to lead them away to her camper.
 
“Maribelle, just to let you know: Two of them will be doing guard duty during the night and will be sleeping during the day.” Fernando explains.
 
Maribelle nods and then signals for the girls to follow her. Fernando signals to the boys to follow him to his Dub Box Camper. He takes them inside. Making some adjustment to the inside, he turns the table in the center of the camper to turn it against the benches and creates a platform bed when the seat cushions are moved onto it.
 
“Two can sleep here, the rest can sleep on the floor. If not, you can undo the bed and all four can sleep on the floor. Do not use the stove, that’s for the cooking staff to make your meals with. You can drink water from the sink, and the refrigerator is empty. The storage shelves are locked. Furthermore, I am just a few feet in my camper, so I will be aware of everything that happens in here so no funny stuff. Finally, the generator is running to charge up my camper as it uses electricity to run and not liquid fuel. Do not mess with it. You should have enough battery power to run the lights in here. There is a compost toilet hidden here in this cabinet. Use it as little as possible. Any questions?” Fernando tells them.
 
They all shake their heads in unison.
 
“Then put your stuff down and come with me.” Fernando tells them. Eventually they do as they were told and follow him outside the Dub Box Camper, which he locks. They follow him as they walk down the parking lot camp grounds, “Wake up call is at 6AM though I wake up later. Ruth and the others will be making breakfast. But you need to wash up and help out with the chores of cleaning our area. Hondo and I have a fight match to attend in order to receive one of our missing crew. Ruth and Maribelle will be in charge of you during our absence. Jeanette would also be in charge as she is in charge of the group but she will also be absent for the match. Those sleeping during the day will be left alone to sleep unless there is an emergency to deal with.”
 
They all stop at the end of the parking lot, quite some distance from the camp. Fernando points to a lone spigot by a fence post, “That as far as I am concerned is the only source of water for everyone on the lot. If you want to search for other sources of clean fresh water, that is on you to do after dinner. But if you are to get water from here, the rules are simple: wait your turn and only take what you can carry. No connections of hoses are to be made to this spigot. Do I make myself clear?”
 
They nod as several from the nearby camp of Indians approach them with empty jugs to fill. The elder of the group looks at Fernando.
 
“Your face looks familiar.” The elder says as his troop begins to fill their water vessels.
 
“You were at the Slavonia’s Treating Signing at Center Town?” Fernando asks.
 
“I was. But I was referring to before that, many moons ago.” The elder says.
 
“I look like a lot of people, so who knows.” Fernando explains. He then asks, “Maybe you know, are there any other water pipes around here?”
 
“As far as I know, it is the only one in this lot.” The elder says.
 
“Well, as I was explaining to my boys, we wait our turn if somebody is here before us and no connecting of hoses or pipes to it. I think it is fair to everybody.” Fernando explains.
 
“Honest men are rare in this part of the world. What brings you here?” The elder says.
 
“Something about a match against the Lich. I’ll be betting against him.” Fernando explains to him, “If I win, it would be very helpful for my town as we have no money.”
 
“I too am here for that match and that bet as well, but let me ask, with odds so high, what makes you think you would win that bet? It would be easier to bet on the Lich and get even money on the winnings.” The elder asks.
 
“I do not need to win such poultry dividends, I need to win to sustain a whole village that is slowly dying. That is why I am bettering against the Lich.” Fernando explains.
 
“Where is your town?” The elder asks.
 
“On the Southern side of the dessert. Many miles away from the main road.” Fernando explains.
 
“I see.” The elder says.
 
“Well, as I explained to my boys, they will be here tomorrow morning to gather water from this pipe outlet. Other members of my group should be arriving on and off during the day for water to cook and clean with. I think we can share this without argument or concern.” Fernando says to him.
 
“I see no problem with sharing.” The elder says.
 
“We got a lot to do, so I’ll be seeing you later.” Fernando tells the elder before pointing to his camp, “That’s us over there. Need anything, come and ask, we don’t have much but maybe we can share more than just water.”
 
“Thank you for your offer. Anything you might need from us, if we have it, is yours.” The elder says.
 
“Thank you.” Fernando says as he extends his hand. The elder takes it and shakes it.
 
They break off their handshake with Fernando saying, “Until next we meet.” He then turns to the boys before they head off to camp, “We got a lot to do.”

With the girls were busy with supper, Fernando busy organizing, and the others about task, Hondo found himself underfoot for the first time in a while. With his camper being used to cook as well as Ruth's, he did not have a lot of places to go. He took a quick inventory of the food stock they had brought. It was starting to run low, but it would last for a few days yet at least. The fuel tanks were all full or close to it, and the portable water tanks were full as well. He tried to keep busy to keep it all off his mind but things were either done or being done.after a while he grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the supply trailer and headed away from the camp and sat under a tree. He was angry, angry but tired. Other emotions tried to slip in but the liquor seemed to help him hold them at bay. He sat there for at least half an hour before someone came up behind him.
 
"You ok." A voice asked.
 
"What you want!" He snapped before he looked to see who it was.
 
Once he looked he immediately regretted snapping. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. It was Zoey. She was holding kitty in her arms and cringing slightly.
 
"Just wanted to make sure you were ok, papa." She said timidly.
 
Hondo sighed and motioned for her to come over. She could smell the whiskey on him as she approached, and though he was not drunk she knew he was bothered. She carefully sat down beside him and leaned against him.
 
"I'm sorry, little lady. I'm ... " He shook his head as he spoke as the words just did not come to him.  
 
"You're angry 'cause Moma's been taken. Tonya and I still love you, Papa. Please don't be angry." She said softly
 
Hondo sighed, "I have to be angry, but I don't mean to be angry with you girls. I might get snappy but bein' angry keeps me sharp. Your Moma needs me to be sharp right now."
 
Zoey fidgeted a bit and sighed, "You shouldn't drink so much. It's bad for you."
 
Hondo gave a half hearted chuckle, "If you only knew little one."
 
Hondo stood up and patted Zoey on the head, "Why don't you go help your sister with dinner."
 
She walked back sadly to the camper. She did not understand why he was so angry. She missed Valentine too and just wanted him to cry with her. She did not understand why he could not.  
 
Tonya was in the kitchen when Zoey came in.
 
"What's wrong, sis?" She asked.
 
"Papa said I should come help you... He's so angry since Moma got taken and its all my fault. Now he just drinks and doesn't say much. He saved us and I hurt him! He must hate me." She said in a quavering voice.
 
Tonya gave her a quick hug, "It's not your fault. Papa is angry because he has to be. I understand. I hope you never do, though. He doesn't hate you. No one hates you. And for drinking, he hurts and it helps him not hurt so he can take care of us and find Moma again. It's going to be ok, trust me. Now we are good here, but Ruth said she could use a hand setting tables. Get Macy and get her to help set tables,"
 
Zoey just nodded and walked away. Tonya watched her leave and once she was gone she went out to where Hondo was. He saw her coming and just stood there, half expecting a scolding about Zoey. Instead she came up and hugged him. He stood there for a moment and then hugged her back.
 
"Sorry I can't give you girls what you need emotionally right now," He said quietly.
 
He took another quick swig of the whiskey in his hand. Tonya took the bottle from his hand and took a swig herself before handing it back. He raised an eyebrow at her and she smiled.
 
"You give us everything we need. I understand why you are angry. Zoey just loves you so much, as do I. We will get her back, Papa." she said
 
She kissed his cheek and headed back to the camper. Hondo could not help but give half a smile and wonder what he did to deserve such daughters, adopted though they may be, they were his. He took another swig, corked the bottle, and sat it on the tongue of the trailer behind the camper.  
 
He decided to take a walk around the camp, stopping at his Bronco first. he wanted to punch something, and wished he had brought a punching bag, but he had not. Fortunately, when you need something bad enough the universe seems to provide it. As he approached the bronco from a distance he something move under it. He had to look twice, but it was someone under the bronco. As he walked over they lay still, thinking they were not seen. He acted like he was about some other business and dropped his pocket watch. As he reached down to supposedly grab it, he grabbed the persons arm instead. It was a lanky, greasy looking fellow with a weaselly look about him. He  slammed him into the side of the bronco, and then grabbed his shirt and lifted him off the ground.
 
"What the #$@! are you doin' to my ride!" he growled
 
"Your ride? I ... I didn't know who's it was!" He whined.
 
"What were you doin'?" Hondo growled louder
 
"I was hired to do a job! That's all, I swear. It's nothing personal." He said
 
"What job an' by who?!? I ask again an' you'll wish I shot ya!" Hondo said coldly.  
 
"The Grey Lady! You don't tell her no! She .. she told me to cut the brake lines in case you tried to run!" He squealed.
 
Hondo dropped him to the ground, "You're lucky I'm a nice guy. I see you back here an' I'll shoot first next time."
 
The weaselly guy looked at him and gave Hondo a nasty grin. He pulled a knife out as he looked at him.
 
"Unfortunately, I'm not a nice guy!" He said as he lunged in.  
 
For a big guy Hondo moved fairly and this surprised the grease-ball of a man. Hondo side stepped and grabbed his wrist, twisting it until the man screamed out and dropped the knife.
 
"That was a bad move on your part, but frankly, I'm goin' to enjoy this." Hondo replied with a grin.  
 
The man grit his teeth and tried lashed out with his fists but he was no match. he landed one or two but they did not phase Hondo. Hondo just grinned and commenced to beat the shit out of the lanky asshole.

As consciousness slowly came to Valentine, her hearing was the first to return. Though she could hear her mind struggled at first to make out who was talking and what was being said. The voice she finally realized after several minutes was of the doctor she had seen and heard in the few times the tranquilizers had wore off.  He was speaking on the phone at first then went back to bark orders at some helper. After a bit he was the only one left. She forced an eye open and saw him sitting behind a desk making some notes. It was too much effort to keep her eye open, so she closed it again. It was about then she started to feel pain in her abdomen and chest, as well as her head. It hurt to think but she had to try.
 
As she slowly forced her mind to work, she heard the doctor speak again. She cracked an eye open to see him talking into a recording device.
 
“Doctors voice log, day three notes. Have taken several pints of blood from test subject. Cannot pinpoint differences in blood other than then it looks cleaner than any other specimen I have tested in the past. Have opened the subject’s chest and view heart. Forcibly stopped beating four times. Each time heart restarts on its own. Time between stop and start seeming dependent on damage done to subject during the stopping of the heart. Abdominal anatomy human. No extra organ and no different alignment. Hands on inspection confirmed. Took ovary for testing. Might be linked to reproductive system. Brain matter sample still in testing. Will test ovary after brain matter test complete if test is inconclusive. Believe immortality of subject is conditional upon damage received. Subject too valuable to test limits at this time. Believe subject was imbued with immortality and not born into immortality. DNA for age must have been locked in. Cannot determine what governs this DNA lock. If I can find what governs it, I should be able to precisely manipulate DNA and lock in. This will allow not only combining of species traits, but also guarantee 100% success rates and I should be able to extend the abilities of a subject to recover from damage making immortal subject nearly if not completely perfect! Will be transfusing subjects’ blood into my Procyon Lotor Wessen medical technician. If she does not survive, I can make another one, but if there are any advances gained from this, keeping the successes close to my side will be to my advantage. Plan to keep subject sedated and observe healing. Will take other parts as needed for study. Eye, lung, and kidney will be next parts removed for study. Plan to inseminate subject in the next few days and see if any life extending or immortality is passed on to fetus.”
 
Valentine started to panic mentally. Day three? Stopped heart? Removed parts?? Inseminate?!? None of it sound good.  
 
The doctor continued with some other plans and details but was interrupted by one of the wessen who had transported her the day she was strapped into that machine.
 
“Doc! Doc!” The wessen shouted excitedly as he burst into the room.
 
The doctor turned off the recording device and growled at the wessen.
 
“I was in the middle of dictating my notes, you worthless mutt! This had better be good or I’ll castrate you on the spot!” He said angrily.
 
The wessen cowered a bit but proceeded to continue.
 
“Doc, its important! We gotta get out of here!” He said excitedly.
 
“I cannot leave. I’m in the middle of my experiments!” He said indignantly
 
“But all the other’s have left! Something’s happened on the surface! The Grey Lady did something and now the bosses are pissed! They are evacuating and said you need to either dispose of your project or wrap it up and get out as fast as possible!” he replied with a worried enthusiasm.  
 
The wessen handed him a folder with a few documents in it.
 
“This project is far too valuable to scrap. Damn it all!” The doctor swore angrily as he glanced over the documents and notes.
 
He calmed down for a moment and sighed as he read. He shook his head.
 
“The fools. I warned them about this sort of thing. Alright, we must get packed up. My assistant and I will take care of here, Get the other room packed up and a truck ready to get us to the Lab Town facility. We need to move out by dark. This place is going to get crazy fast! I told them fight town was too unstable for a second lab facility.” The doctor said with a cold note to his voice.
 
The wessen nodded and left, having his instructions already. Valentine cracked an eye open to watch the scene play out. The doctor seemed to ignore her for a moment, but she was still tied down and her body hurt and would not function. Escaping was hopeless.  
 
The doctor sat still for a moment the walked to the other side of the room. Valentine carefully moved her head to see where he was going. As she watched the doctor walked up to another table and hit a button, making the table tip up. As it rose, she saw a female wessen, who look vaguely like a raccoon, was strapped to it, completely naked. The doctor shot something into an IV port that was on her wrist and slapped her face a few times.
 
“Wake up! Wake up, damn you!” He growled. The female wessen stirred and groaned.
 
“Hmm? Wha… what happened? Where am I??” She said groggily.
 
“Come on! Snap to it! You’re in the test lab.” He said coldly.
 
“Wha … what did you do to me?” She asked timidly.
 
“Nothing yet, lucky for you. We have to evacuate. You give me any hell and a failed transfusion will seem like a joy compared to what I’ll do to you!” HE growled at her as he undid the straps that held her.
 
Once the last strap was released, she fell to the floor with a groan. The doctor kicked her in the side.
 
“Get up, damn you! Get up and get some clothes on. I’ll #$@! you properly later. Right now we have work to do!” he said coldly.
 
She scurried to her feet, and stood, wobblily for a moment, as she held onto the bed for support. She finally was able to stand on her own and she quickly slipped into a skirt and shirt that lay on a table. There was no underwear as the doctor demanded that she never wear any as it allowed him easier access when the desire came over him. She hated him, oh how she hated him, but her fear of what he could and would do to her far outweighed the fear.  
 
Valentine tried to move her arm to test a restraint as her muscle control started to come back, but the movement sent a wave of pain through her chest and she groaned loudly. The doctor spun and looked at her. A creepy smile crept over his face.
 
“So intriguing. Your body burns up that tranquilizer faster than anything I’ve seen! I’ve given you five times the lethal dose several times already and you still burn it off and revive! Fascinating. I wonder if this revitalization works on everything. If it works on your vagina as well, I could make a perpetually virgin sex slave! Maybe even a perpetually virgin breeder! Could you imagine the value of such a being? I’ll call it ‘the Virgin Mary’ project. Could even lock in the age as desired. 14, 16, 18, the living sex doll that is always as young and fresh as the first time. The possibilities are endless!” he said as he stood leering over her.
 
The doctor turned away from Valentine and turned to the med tech and snapped his fingers.
 
“Re-sedate this one. Bump the dosage up again by two.” He said.
 
He turned back to valentine and gave her a grin.
 
“Let’s see how you do with seven times the lethal dose. I would love to run some pain tests on you while you are conscious but sadly, we have to move as a certain cyborg bitch is selling information on us.” He said.
 
He reached out to touch her face, but Valentine turned her head.
 
He sneered, “you may be revolted by me now, but just wait! You will beg me for a kind touch! You ill beg to suck my balls for a taste of relief! And you would do anything I say if I merely suggest I can bring about death’s sweet release for you! Your secrets will not be the only thing I take!  Your mind, body, and soul will be mere playthings for my amusement, and you will dance gladly for your immortal master!”
 
He laughed as if he told a joke. A bleak, cold wave of fear ran through Valentine like a bolt of lightning, and despair plunged through her heart like a dagger. Was she to live as the immortal lab ran and plaything? It was a cold, empty existence without the one she loved, and she could hardly bear it.  
 
The raccoon wessen soon came over with a large syringe filled with a colorless liquid. Valentine and the woman locked eyes for a moment.
 
“Help me, please. I beg you.” Valentine whispered.
 
The wessen woman shook her ehad, “I can’t. he … he’d do horrible things to us both.”
 
“My .. my husband… he … he’d protect us both.” She whispered.
 
“If he was able, you’d not be here. …I… I’m sorry.” The woman said as she put the needle into the IV port
 
“Please, no. not again … please.” Valentine begged as tears flowed down her face.
 
The wessen woman turned her face away from Valentine as she pressed the plunger and forced the liquid into Valentine’s veins.  As the liquids filled her veins the tears flowed down her face, unhindered. As her mind darkened her thoughts again turned to Hondo and the girls.
 
“My love, why? Why have you left me?” She whispered
 
It was her last conscious thought before her mind was plunged once again into a dark, unconscious oblivion.  
 
-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-
 
Hondo had finished looking at cars about the time Fernando and Ichigo made it back to his camper. As they walked up he walked over to the trailer hitch where he had left the bottle of whiskey earlier. He took a deep drink and lit up a cigar. He sat puffing it with a cold, almost expressionless look on his face. Everyone seemed to steer clear of him at the moment. He was not sure if it was because of his mood lately, because of how he beat the shit out of the creep earlier, or something else going around that he was not privy to.
 
The ladies had finished supper by this time and were setting it out. The spread consisted of the last of the fresh salad makings, chili with five kinds of beans, burger, and ground chicken, cornbread, veggie stew for those who did not eat meat, some herb biscuits, and rice to help stretch the stew and chili out.  
 
Ruth came up to Hondo as he puffed. Other than Fernando or his daughters, she was the first to talk to him unless told to in a while.
 
“Mr. Hondo?” She said a bit timidly.
 
“It’s Hondo, nothin’ more, nothin’ less.” He said at a half growl, though he did not mean it to sound like that at all.
 
“I’m sorry to bother you, but we will need more provisions soon. I have a feeling we will be moving out shortly after the fight if …” She paused unsure how to say what she was thinking.
 
“If we live, you mean?” He said coolly.
 
She nodded, “Yes. I’m sorry if I sound like we don’t have faith in you and Fernando. You’ve both done so much for us but this … this is suicide!”
 
“An’ I should walk away from my wife because it seems grim?” He asked almost without any perceived emotions.
 
She shook her head, “No. I just wish there was another way. You guys are almost like family now. You’ve done more for us than a lot of families do for each other. It’s nothing we can ever repay.”
 
“We are not interested in payment. I’d ask how ya know ‘bout the fight but it’s all over town, I’m sure.” Hondo replied flatly.
 
“Yes. We have tried to keep the younger girls from knowing but the rest of us heard from various outlets… We know you are not looking for payment for all this, and that makes it worth all the more to us. I want you to know that and how much it means to us.” Ruth said.
 
“You were talkin’ ‘bout supplies.” Hondo replied, changing the conversation
 
“Yes … From here we have some places we can get food, but we should stock up here if we can, especially on fresh fruits and vegetables. We could use meat and cheese, and to top off some baking supplies to prep sandwiches for travel times too. I’m not sure if you have plans on this or ..?” She paused waiting for feedback.
 
Hondo stared off at nothing, still and puffed on his cigar a few times before responding.
 
“I’ll give Tonya some money in the morning. Buy from places on the edge of town. Take Karl, Marvin, and any of the teens for help. Buy and get back. Load up all we can use or carry. If we don’t make if back take the supplies and get to safety. You have to get them before the fight, though. Once its time for the fight you must be back. No one from the camp is to go to the fight, understand?” He said a bit coldly.
 
She nodded, “Yes sir and thank you, again.”
 
Hondo just grunted and she walked away. Fernando was approaching Tonya and said something about food, so Ruth turned her attention to them.  
 
Hondo sat alone for the moment, trying not to think too much. He was balling up his anger the best he could Tomorrow three men must die, and it could not be them.
 

Hondo had a little chili, but that was it as he was not hungry. Macy and Zoey sat by Tonya at the table closest to the camper. Hondo sat in a chair by the camper and watched them interact. The two younger girls chatted away at each other over girl things. Tonya answered questions that was asked her, but engaged in no conversations on her own.  
 
 
 
Once supper was done the girls helped clean up. Macy had to be half drug by Zoey to get her to help, but it was usually like that. Other than Zoey feeling guilty for Valentine being gone and Macy feeling guilty for upsetting Zoey which lead to the events that got Valentine taken, they were as good, if not better friends than they had ever been. Macy cringed around Hondo a bit still, and could not seem to look him in the eye. Her and Zoey had talked long about him being upset and why. Zoey might have felt guilty but she knew Hondo still loved her. Macy on the other hand knew her father trusted Hondo but was not sure he even liked her. It was not so in Hondo’s mind, but in Macy’s mind, he was pissed at her and would leave her to the wolves if he had the choice!
 
 
 
Other than watching Zoey drag Macy from table to table to clean up dishes, clean up was fairly dull just like it should be. Hondo tried to help but Ruth forbade him from helping there as he had helped with so much already. As clean up happened Hondo saw Fernando leave with Ichigo. That little bitch was someone Hondo didn’t trust one bit, but he knew Fernando could take care of himself. Fernando had asked him to watch over Macy for him since he had business to handle. It was nothing new and Hondo was glad to do it. To him Macy was like a niece and though she had screwed up, she was a kid and had to learn like any other.  
 
 
As the cleaning up was getting close to done Hondo called the girls over.
 
 
“Zoey! Macy! Come here.” He called out as they passed not to far off.
 
 
Zoey once again half drug Macy as she was dragging her heals. The attitude and trust difference showed as Zoey smiled and looked at him expectantly and Macy frowned and stared at her shoes.
 
 
“Yes papa? You want something?” Zoey asked.
 
 
“Yeah, it’s getting along towards bed time and Fernando wanted Macy to stay with us tonight. Why don’t you two girls go get her bed clothes so she can get a shower. Once she is done then you get a shower.” He said to Zoey.
 
 
“Macy is going to spend the night?” Zoey asked.
 
 
“That’s the plan.” he replied
 
Macy shook her head and mumbled, “I’ll just stay in Daddy’s camper.”
 
 
“Awww… why don’t you want to stay, Macy?” Zoey asked
 
 
“It’s not up for disscussion.” Hondo said flatly.
 
 
He was not intentionally sounding that way but in his state things did not always come out as friendly as planned. Macy cringed a bit and tugged at Zoey.
 
 
“Let’s go.” She whispered
 
 
“But, why don’t you want to sleep over?” Zoey asked
 
 
“Let’s go!” Macy whispered half angrily.  
 
 
They took off, Macy half dragging Zoey this time, to get her clothes. They talked when out of earshot and passed back, Macy still dragging Zoey bit in a wide arc around Hondo. He did not think too much of it. He shook his head at their antics and light up another cigar.  
 
 
The girls shot inside and to the bathroom. Zoey grabbed her clothes and sat them on the sink while Macy stripped down and jumped into the shower. While Macy showered Zoey leaned against the sink so they could talk. Once Macy was done they switch off. Tonya, who was in the kitchen finishing up the part of the dishes she took to clean, listened in for a bit and shook her head. She gathered up the clean dishes to return to Ruth and headed out. As she exited she passed Hondo.
 
 
“The girls gettin’ their showers or messin’ around?” He asked
 
 
“Can they do one without doing the other?” Tonya asked.
 
 
“Figured as much. Does Macy seem to be a little gun shy lately?” He asked
 
 
“I listen to them talking sometimes. I heard her telling Zoey that she thinks you hate her.” she replied.
 
 
“Where did she come up with that shit?” Hondo growled.
 
 
“Well, you have been about as friendly as a grizzly bear with a toothache since Valentine got taken.” She said
 
 
“An’ I’m supposed to be happy ‘bout it?” Hondo said flatly.
 
 
“No, but she blames herself kinda like Zoey does. Only difference is Zoey knows you still love her. Macy isn’t sure you ever cared.” She said
 
 
Hondo shrugged, “She’s my best friends adopted daughter. More see Jefe as a brother sometimes, so she’s kinda like an adopted niece, maybe? Hell if I know. I care. I know she’s seen her own hell, but ...”
 
 
He just shook his head. Tonya came and put a hand on his shoulder.
 
 
“It’s ok, Papa. I know you care about us all and its hard to show for you right now. Just saying, she feels bad and is a bit scared of you right now. To be fair her father scared her pretty good as well, and she’s still terrified that she’ll screw up and be left by the road by him too. She’s been left a lot in life. I think it will just take time for her to understand she’s not going to be left behind as an inconvenience when someone gets tired of her.” She said.
 
 
“You’re probably right. When they are done why don’t you get cleaned up. I don’t want Zoey or Macy to know ‘bout tomorrow, but in case I cannot make it back for a while after, I want to spend some time with you two tonight.” Hondo said.
 
 
“Macy not staying with us tonight?” Tonya asked
 
 
“She is, though she doesn’t want to. Apparently it must be connected to me bein’ the bad guy, as she couldn’t say ‘I don’t want to’ an’ get away from me fast enough earlier.” Hondo said.
 
 
“I can talk to her for you, if you’d like. I need to take these to Ruth. She wanted them back to get some oats soaking for breakfast,” Tonya replied
 
 
Hondo took a puff on his cigar and nodded, “Would be good. Could you stop by Fernando’s camper and grab some cat food for Meeshie? Fernando said he had some for her.”
 
 
Tonya nodded and chuckled, “I like Meeshie, but I swear she’s like part wessen or something.”
 
 
Hondo shook his head, “I’ve told Fernando somethin’ similar several times. He assures me she’s just a very smart cat. Hopefully she’ll rub off on Kitty an’ teach her a thing or two when she’s older.”
 
 
Tonya just shook her head and headed off to Ruth’s then Fernando’s a few minutes later as Ruth was already busy with something else. Tonya offered to help her but Ruth declined the help.  She returned and went back into the camper add opened Meeshie’s food. As she opened it and filled the freshly washed kitty bowl, Meeshie brought out the kitten, placed her out of step on range and rubbed against Tonya’s leg as sort of a ‘thank you for feeding us’ gesture. The shower noise had stopped and Macy and Zoey’s talk got more whispery. Tonya peaked her head in the bathroom as Meeshie and Kitty ate to see what was going on. Zoey and Macy were both showered and wearing fresh t-shirts and panties. Macy sat on the closed toilet and Zoey sat on the sink. They both stopped their talking and stared wide eyed at Tonya as if they had been caught robbing Fort Knox.
 
 
“What you two talking about?” Tonya asked.
 
 
“Nothing!” They replied simultaneously.  
 
 
Tonya narrowed her eyes a bit and looked between them, “Why don’t you two come out and get your bed ready. You two can use the double bed. I’ll use the single one.”
 
 
They sighed and shuffled their feet as they exited the bathroom. As they started getting the bed ready Tonya pulled Macy aside.
 
 
“Are you alright, Macy?” Tonya asked
 
 
Macy shrugged.
 
 
“I heard you two talking a bit.” Tonya said.
 
 
Macy looked at Zoey then back at Tonya then at the floor.
 
 
“Macy, I know you are scared and feel bad, but Hondo would never hurt you or leave you behind. He loves you. Maybe not like your father does, but almost as much.” Tonya said
 
 
“How can he? I hurt you and Zoey and him. I’m just a stupid in the way kid that’s too young to be of any good, that’s what Ma used to say.” Macy said softly
 
 
“That’s not true. You have a lot to learn but we all care about you. Hondo, he’s just sad about Valentine. He loves her very much and it hurts him that she was taken and maybe is hurt. He and your father have to save her. If he lefts himself be sad he can’t help find her. So he gets angry instead. he’s not angry at you, he’s angry at those who took her.” Tonya said.
 
 
“I hurt Zoey and they took Aunt Valentine because of me. If he doesn’t hate me, I hate me.” She said.
 
 
“Why don’t you go talk to him?” Tonya said.
 
 
Macy vigorously shook her head. Zoey jumped up off the bed and grabbed Macy’s arm.
 
 
“Come on! I told you, you should talk to him!” Zoey said.
 
 
“You might feel better.” Tonya said.
 
 
Macy just looked at the floor. Tonya put a hand on her shoulder.
 
 
“Hondo loves you very much. You should give him a chance. I’ll not push you to talk to him, but you should. I’m going to get a shower now. You two behave.” Tonya said.
 
 
Macy just stood there and Zoey plopped on the bed.  
 
 
Tonya stripped down to her panties and t-shirt, as she didn’t generally generally wear a bra and though it wouldn’t have bothered her is she was topless and Hondo walked in, she did not want to encourage the younger girls to such things. The difference was Tonya had light fur on her whole body and the girls didn’t. Tonya wished she looked more human. Hondo said maybe someday, but he wasn’t sure. She grabbed her towel clean panties, and her robe, then headed to the shower.
 
 
After Tonya left Zoey looked at her friend.
 
 
“You really scared or Papa?” Zoey asked.
 
 
“I told you I’m not afraid of anyone!” Macy said indignantly  
 
 
“Then go talk to him!” Zoey said.
 
 
Macy crossed her arms. Zoey raised her eyebrow.
 
 
“Need me to hold your hand and go with you?” Zoey asked
 
 
“Fine! I guess this is payback for being mean to you. Didn’t know you wanted me dead though, “Macy said trying to get some pity from her friend.
 
 
“Really?” Zoey asked almost incredulously.
 
 
Macy rolled her eyes and sighed. She marched to the door and exited in her bare feet, t-shirt and panties. She acted confident until the door shut then she started to wonder if  swallowing her pride and admitting she was scared would have been easier.  
 
 
As she Zoey shut the door behind Macy, the sound drew Hondo’s attention. He was sitting on a log not far off, but just far enough to observe the comings and goings of the others easier. She looked at him and reached behind her to open the door again, but Zoey was holding the latch on the other side. She swallowed hard as she saw him sitting there. His eyes seemed to bore through her and the smoke from his cigar gave him a sinister look in the dull moonlight. She stood still until he spoke and she jumped at his words.
 
 
“Macy … you ok?” He asked.
 
 
She nodded shallowly and cussed Zoey under her breath as he motioned for her to come over. The cool air made her shiver as there was not a lot between her and the night. As she got close he looked her over.
 
 
“Bare feet an’ just a shirt an’ yur underwear? What ya thinking?” he said and stood up.
 
 
She closed her eyes and tensed up expecting him to hit her or something but she jet felt something heavy and warm being laid over her shoulders. She opened her eyes and saw that he had taken off his coat and draped it around her shoulders. She looked at him a might confused. He patted the log beside him.
 
 
“Why don’t ya set a spell. You look like a young lady with somethin’ on your mind.” He said flatly.
 
 
She sat down and looked at her feet, not saying anything.
 
 
Hondo sighed, “You don’t hafta say anythin’ if ya don’t want to, but it sure looks like ya got somethin’ on your mind.”
 
 
She stayed silent for several minutes before speaking in an almost whisper.
 
 
“Do … do you hate me?” she whispered in a barely audible tone
 
 
he heard her but asked anyway, “What did ya say?”
 
 
She sighed and spoke in a slightly louder whisper, "Do you hate me, Uncle Hondo?”
 
 
“Why would I hate ya?” he asked
 
 
She shrugged, “Cause … Cause Aunt Valentine got taken.”
 
 
“You think I should hate you?” He asked
 
 
She shrugged again, “Don’t know. Maybe.”
 
 
“if I did hate you an’ blame you, what do you think I should do with you?” He asked
 
 
She looked down at her feet silently for a moment before answering. When she did she whispered again.
 
 
“Throw me to the wolves or sell me as a slave or something.” She replied after a time.
 
 
“You think that’s what you deserve?” He asked.
 
 
She just nodded. He stood up and stood in front of her.
 
 
“Stand up.” He said.
 
 
She stood up and looked at the ground. She tried to prepare herself for the worst as he hunkered down to her eye level and put his hands on her shoulders. As she braced for the worst she found herself once again surprised and he had pulled her into a hug.
 
 
“Macy, I’m not your father but I love ya very much, almost as much as my own girls. I’m angry that Valentine is gone. You hurt me very bad when you hurt Zoey an’ Valentine got taken when we went lookin’ for her, but I could never hate you.” He said softly.
 
 
Macy nodded and allowed a couple tears to fall but she kept herself from crying.
 
 
“Thank you, Uncle Hondo. I’m .. I’m sorry.” She said timidly
 
 
“I know. We’ll get her back.” He said.
 
He let her go after a moment and they turned to see Zoey and tonya watching from the camper. Macy slipped back into her tough, silent act. Hondo allowed himself a slight grin. He cleared his throat and replied a bit more gruffly this time
 
 
“Now, a lady your age shouldn’t be out barefoot an’ half naked. Git in the camper with Zoey an’ git ready for bed!” He said firmly.
 
She nodded and gave him a quick smile before bringing back her somber face upon turning back to the other two girls. As she entered the camper with Zoey on her heals asking for a full report on what happened, Tonya slipped on her boots and walked towards Hondo
 
Hondo sat back down as Tonya approached. She had a light jacket on over her robe but the robe, boots, and panties did little to keep her lower half warm.
 
 
“Another half naked girl comin’ to sit and talk with the old grouchy man?” he said
 
 
“It’s getting chilly fast! How are you standing it without your coat?” Tonya asked as her teeth started to chatter.
 
 
Hondo picked up the whiskey bottle he had behind the log and held it up before taking a drink.
 
 
“Can I join you for a couple?” She asked
 
 
“You actually askin’ this time? An’ since when did you start drinkin’? He asked
 
 
She shrugged and sat up close to him for warmth, When I was a slave we’d sneak some from the kitchen at times. It was a depressing life and we did anything we could to escape it.” she said
 
 
“Well, i’ll not be havin’ my daughters becomin’ alcoholics an’ I don’t expect this to become a habit  but ..” he handed her the bottle and she took it.
 
 
“But what?” She asked  
 
 
“But given the circumstances, I’d be proud to have a couple drinks with my daughter.” He said.  
 
 
She took a drink and coughed a bit. He took another then handed it back She had to wait a bit for a second but the first was already making her feel warmer and made the chills stop. They sat there, silently for a while. They both had a couple more sips from the bottle as they sat there quietly. After a bit Hondo sighed.
 
 
“Better git you back inside. That warm feelin’ is a false warmth. Don’t want you sick.” He said
 
 
“I know it may be silly for someone my age, but … Would you hold me more tonight. Maybe … maybe let me sleep in your bed?” She said softly
 
 
“You shouldn’t be worried ‘bout tomorrow. I need you strong to keep the younger two from gettin’ upset.” he said
 
 
“I’ll be as strong as you need me to be tomorrow if you just hold me and reassure me tonight that you;ll be back tomorrow.” She said.
 
 
He nodded, “Alright. But I need a shower first.”
 
 
“I already have clothes and a towel for you kn the bathroom.” She replied.
 
 
“Don’t know what I did to get such a lovin’ daughter.” He said.
 
 
“we both love you very much and couldn’t live without you.” She said softly
 
 
“You could live without me. If somethin’ happenes, all this is yours until I get back.” He said.
 
“You mean if you come back.” She said
 
 
“No, I mean when. I’ll always be back.” he replied  
 
 
She stood up and he followed suit. They walked back to the camper and he grabbed a beer from the fridge. They were running out of beer he had brought. He made a note to see if anyone bottled beer around before they left to resupply. Tonya made sure the younger two were settled in and she fixed up Hondo’s bed while he showered. He came out a bit later in clean boxers and laid down. Tonya was sitting on the bed and curled up beside him.
 
 
“Thank you, Papa. I will sleep better feeling you close.” She said.
 
 
She was soon asleep but Hondo spent the next couple hours staring at the ceiling and thinking of Valentine. Along about midnight, just as he was dozing off he felt something at his other side. It was Zoey.
 
 
“Somethin’ wrong?” he whispered sleepily.
 
 
“Couldn’t sleep and Macy was hogging the blankets.” She said softly  
 
 
He grunted and tapped the empty spot on his right. Zoey curled up beside him and pulled the blanket over them. Within ten minutes she joined her sister in sleep. Hondo laid awake again fro another half hour or so. The love those two girls had fro him was humbling, as was the trust they put into him. He only wished Valentine was here to enjoy this too.  He realized how short a distance there truly was between true bliss and heartache, that night. With all three of his girls, his life was perfect. Without any one of them, his life was hell.