Refuge

A MOTE Prompt Response

I stared out over the pond. Dragonflies hovered over the pond, shimmering in the setting sunshine. They darted this way and that, iridescent wings glittering. This was our new home. It would take some getting used to, accustomed as I was to the hustle and bustle of city life, but already the soft light and quiet sounds of the breeze through the pine trees, the insects, birds, and everything else, were working their magic on me. Indy huffed beside me, and I glanced down. He was staring across the pond, tail wagging back and forth on the worn wood of the dock.

“So whaddaya think, buddy? Enough squirrels and rabbits here for you to chase?” I rubbed his ears.

Indy turned his head and gazed at me with that melting look that labs are so good at. I sighed. “I promise buddy, this is it. We’re staying here.”

He huffed again and I couldn’t tell if it was a “that’s great, Dad” huff or a “I’ll believe that when I see it” huff. Either way, though I knew he trusted me and many times I wondered what I’d done to deserve that trust. I decided to take it as the “that’s great” sound and stretched. “Okay, bud. Let’s go back to the cabin and see what we can rustle up for dinner. I’ve got food for you, but I need to figure something out for me.”

Walking back toward the cabin, I took in the area surrounding the pond, the woods, and the small black line in the distance that was the road into town. I’d chosen this town and this spot for its isolation and the protectiveness of the neighbors. I’d grown up here and when I needed a place to run to, this place immediately popped into my head. Returning to my roots in more ways than one seemed like the best course of action. The people here knew me by my birth name and my public name. The people hunting me only knew me by my public name and I had no intention of ever allowing them to find out my real name.

Even though I trusted my neighbors and knew they would have my back, I would be taking my own extra precautions. As soon as I’d arrived this morning, I’d set up several wireless trail cameras at strategic points on the long driveway in from the main road, including some which acted as decoys. I’d know the minute anyone got within a half mile of my driveway. I’d bought solar powered motion lights for the area immediately around the cabin because, as a wise man once said, he who has the most lumens wins… or something like that. Anyway, lots and lots of light at night. I hadn’t gone into full bunker mode yet. Key word there – yet.

Tonight though, I felt safe. In the morning, I’d start bringing in more supplies for me and Indy and working on other security measures. And go fishing. Seriously, what’s the point of having a dock on a large pond if you don’t go fishing? In the next week or so I’d start working on bringing Caitlyn and the kids here.

I stepped onto the back deck of the “cabin,” really a three-bedroom, two-bath house with a lovely deck off the back, where I now stood. It had an open plan living room-dining room area, with vaulted ceilings and a large, stone-fronted fireplace. Calling it a cabin was a serious understatement. It was lovely and suited my current needs perfectly. I sent up a small prayer of gratitude to my aunt for leaving me this place. I didn’t think she knew what I might need it for, but then again, you never knew with Aunt Shirley. That woman had a well-honed sixth sense.

I took another look around before obeying the grumbles of my stomach and stepping inside to find something for dinner. It looked like things were going to work out.

******

This week’s prompt challenge came from nother Mike: Dragonflies hovered over the pond, shimmering in the setting sunshine. If you’d like to try your hand at writing to a prompt, simply head on over to More Odds Than Ends and pick up a spare. If you want to join in the challenge fun, send a prompt to oddprompts <at> gmail <dot> com and you’ll be assigned one in return. It easy, fun, and good for you!