Find Us in the Shivering - Chapter 15

Sleep came at a price for Josh.  He had searched and found a half full bottle of rye whiskey tucked away on a high shelf in Sylvy's kitchen area.  He made it through two half glasses before his fogged brain finally fell into a dreamless sleep.  He could not remember the last time he did get any sleep but at least realized--if the words of Anson and Sylvy were true--he would have the rest of his life spend in the town.  Lucky him.

A endless dream on a loop of wind and antlered jackrabbits swirled around him before the snip of Anson's cigar cutter twisted him around, never able to locate the man.  No matter how much he tried to find his bearing, his path was filled with dust and smoke.  "Help!"  He heard the calls of children in the near distance.  "Help us!"

A loud thud forced him awake with a start.  Shadows and low light cast Sylvy mencaingly in the kitchen and startling Josh as he fought against grogginess.  

Sylvy noticed him stirring and smiled as she lifted the whiskey bottle, having taken it while he slept.  "I've got better means for helping sleep, Josh."

'I didn't want to disturb you...and I didn't want you to think I was trying anything by knocking on your door after midnight."

"Because that'd be the death of our newfound friendship, wouldn't it."  She gave him a flirtatious wink.

Josh felt heat blossom in his face; it was morning but the light was thankfully still low.  "I need your help with something," he said, shifting away to matters more important.

Sylvy placed the whiskey back on its shelf and began to rummage through the fridge where she produced eggs and bread.  "I told you last night--"

"No.  Not about that.  My guess is you heard about my run in with Cannon and his group--that's based on how information seems to travel ahead of me in this place."  He waited for her to acknowledge him with a nod.  "Well, they took all my belongings from me.  One of which is something I must have back."

She turned to face him.  "Can I convince you to move on from whatever it is?"

"No, you can't," he beat back, unable to keep his tenacity from his voice.  "It was my grandfather's.  It's the only thing I have left of him.  Without it, I might as well go back into the desert and let the jacks eat me."

Sylvy brought her hands up, running her fingers through her hair.  "There's little chance Cannon would have kept anything they took.  He and his dusters care for nothing and no one besides themselves.  If you had favor with Anson, then you could potentially get it back."

Josh stood, feeling Anson's favor ache through his body.  "There has to be a way.  Do you think Syd or Dee would help me?"

She shook her head.  "Syd's been telling everyone who enters his shop that your presence made a mess of things.  He's pegged you a nuisance."

Josh laughed at that word choice but stopped once he saw Sylvy's expression and realized it carried quite the serious weight.  "Then I have to go find Cannon myself and hope I can reason with him."

Sylvy turned back to the stove where she had placed a pair of pans, prepping the eggs and buttering the toast before igniting the burners.  "He'll take you right back out to the desert.  However you survived the last time is unlikely to happen again."

Part of Josh agreed with her.  Walter could very likely not show up to rescue him another time around.  The coyote had no true allegiance to him though they did form some kind of bond back in the creature's cave.  Josh could not continue on though without trying.  His grandfather's walking stick was his only hope in finding the kids.  Despite the nagging words of defeat he suffered from Anson and Sylvy concerning the children, he refused to give up.  

He ate the eggs and toast offered, drank three cups of black coffee, and cleaned up before returning to the kitchen where Sylvy waited.  "I'm going.  I have to," he said.  Her eyes dropped from his.  "Could you tell me where to go at least?"

"Will you make me a promise?" she asked.

He nodded, though hesitant.

"Come back so I can check on your ribs.  Maybe we can both finish off that bottle."

He shifted uncomfortably and hoping his face did not betray his feelings to the invitation.  "I'll do that."

Sylvy walked over to a narrow door that opened into a dark pantry.  "You'll need these and I recommend covering your face."  When she turned back around she held some kind of long, wide pouch apparatus that looked as if it held water.  "Put this under your shirt.  See this," she touched a red tab.  "Pull this the moment you think Cannon or one of his dusters are about to strike."

"Water?"

"Yes.  You'll still feel the pain of their dusting but at least water will protect you.  It'll give you moments to turn the tables or run like hell."

Josh took the pouch, finding it was actually more like a thin life jacket, covering his front and back.  He rigged to himself carefully but not without aggravating his bruised ribs, making sure the red tab was not in plain sight and easy to grab for.  "I appreciate it."

Sylvy smiled and walked over to the back door, opening it for him.  "I hope you get our grandfather's walking stick...but I don't think you will.  Not without drawing more pain.  Wait!"

She hurried off into another room before returning with her hands full.  "Take these."  

Josh took the lighter, rope, and folding knife from her.  "Any particular reason for these?"

"They belonged to the man who came before you," she admitted.  She saw Josh's questions forming and laughed.  "Josh, you are not the first to have come here hoping to find missing kids.  Maybe at least, the belongings of those who failed before you will serve you better."

Leaving the safety of her home and friendship, Josh couldn't help but feel she might be right about everything.