Parahuman (Parahuman Series) (35 page)

     Stepping
to the back of the jeep he open the back hatch and pulled on his hunting vest
and slipped his assortment of knives into the fixed sheaths on the front. Every
pocket on his vest had something of use, a flashlight, navigational device,
rope, matches, water flask, and some first aide. His vest wasn’t the standard orange
vest, it was camouflage. He didn’t go out into the woods to be seen, the
opposite actually.

     Reaching
back in the jeep Devan decided to take the crossbow instead of the longbow for
this undertaking. He slung that over his left shoulder along with the quiver
and arrows.

     Supplied
with what he needed Devan ran full out for the falls staying alert for any
portion of the search party. When he was within one hundred yards of the falls Devan
slowed detecting strong human odors in the wind, but he could see that the only
thing that lingered were the people’s scent, not the individuals themselves.
Secure that he was alone he continued into the clearing.

     The
area was completely saturated with the smell of humans, many of them. A
collection of different deodorants, shampoos, and soaps lingered heavily in the
air as well as coffee and donuts.

     The
search party had trampled the area, obliterating any possibility of finding a
physical trail; which meant that the only way Devan was going to find the trail
was through scent. The only problem was the immediate area was contaminated by
all the other smells. Devan was going to have to extend his grid search beyond
this segment to diminish the number of odors overlapping one another. Laney’s
scent would be easier to locate and track without the interference of four
dozen other individuals masking it. 

    
Striding out fifty yards Devan began to meticulously sniff every branch and
leaf for any detection of Laney’s scent or Jarrod’s imitation pine scent
deodorant and musk cologne.

     Each
minute seemed like an hour as he worked his way around the grid. Thoughts began
to torture him that he might be in the wrong place. What if Jarrod had taken
her someplace else? Could he have left his truck as a red herring? Devan hadn’t
thought of Jarrod as being that clever but he’d only come across the guy a few
times. Devan really didn’t know anything about him, only that he was obsessed
with Laney, and loathed Devan.

     Heck,
in one way they had that in common…their obsession with Laney. Only Devan had
been trying his best to pull away while Jarrod had been doing his utmost to get
closer. Laney had made the comment that Jarrod’s odd behavior had coincided
with Devan’s arrival on the scene, and he realized that this kidnapping undoubtedly
occured as a result of Devan’s presence in Laney‘s life.  

     Crushing
grief settled alongside the savage anger he was feeling. It was an emotional barrage
inside his head and chest.

     The
minutes continued to tick by. Additional thoughts flooded Devan’s head on what Jarrod
could possibly be doing to her. It added to his maelstrom of emotions and he
began to become more agitated by the second.

    
Finally, after five minutes, a faint smell of Laney and cinnamon drifted in the
wind past Devan’s nose.
Yes
! He would know her scent anywhere. Jarrod’s
scent was there along with a few others. This told him that at least one search
party was going in the right direction.  

     Finding
Laney’s scent loosened one of the chords that had wrapped itself around Devan’s
heart, allowing it to beat a little easier, but there were at least a dozen
more coiled around it hindering its ability to beat normally. He inhaled her
natural fragrance deeply into his sinuses, letting it imbed itself there. As he
did Jarrod and Laney’s trail lit up like a beacon and Devan was on it
instantly, running and jumping as fast as he could.

     For
the first half hour the forest whipped past Devan in a blur. When the scent
would start to weaken he would stop, realign himself, and set off again. Around
five miles into the woods the group who had been lucky enough to find the
correct route altered their course, which took them north-east of the trail.

     As Devan
shadowed their route he noticed that there were no digressions or doubling
back; it was as though Jarrod knew where he wanted to go; like he had a set
location in mind.

     When Devan
hit the thirteen mile mark the scents deviated sharply from their easterly route,
turning south-east instead. This new trail was more trampled than the other;
more branches were broken and the marks left in the ground were deeper and
farther apart. Like someone was running…running away…and another person
followed, chasing after them. 

     Had
Laney tried to get away and Jarrod ran after her? Devan’s heart pounded at the
idea. He so wanted her to be as far away from that guy as possible. 

    
Thirty yards into the new trail Devan came across a deep indent in the dirt,
like someone had fallen. Crouching down he inhaled, smelling the distinct aroma
of blood. Examining the ground he found a small stick contained a small amount
of blood on one of the points indicting that whoever had been cut only obtained
a scratch. Whether it belonged to Laney or Jarrod was the question, and though Devan
knew it was only a scratch his anxiety for Laney deepened. 

     The
trail continued on for another fifty yards and then split, one going west, one
going east. Devan paused, thinking. Looking down the western path he could
almost visualize Laney running to get away, stumbling through the brush,
panicking as Jarrod pursued her. And then Devan saw Jarrod catching up with
her, stopping her, and hauling her back through the same trail to go back the
way of his intended route. 

     His
heart raged at the thought. That she had tried to get away meant she was
concerned for her safety. What was Jarrod using to coerce her; a knife or
possibly a gun?  Devan’s torment and fury shot up another notch at that contemplation.

     He
turned and followed the eastern trail, his eyes blazing over the path, seeking
more clues to what could be happening. After another two miles he came across more
indentations in the earth…another fall. They had both hiked approximately
fifteen miles up to this point, they had to be tired. Checking his phone Devan
saw that it was eleven. Where it had taken them several hours to get to this
point it had taken him only an hour. 

     A few
feet from the depression Devan found a torn piece of cloth snagged on a branch.
It was of a light weight material…silky and thin. He plucked it from the branch
as he ran by and raised it to his nose…Laney. The idea that she wore such a thin
material wasn’t comforting. It was only mid-spring and the temperatures dropped
considerably at night, particularly in this high mountain region. It had been
in the low thirties last night.

     Devan
was passing the seventeenth mile, scanning the surrounding area when his gaze
latched onto a structural dwelling set in a group of trees. It was a small, ten
by ten hunting cabin completely covered by brush, making it almost undetectable―at
least to most eyes. 

     The
scent trail went straight towards it, and it was strong; indicating that they’d
arrived at the cabin not too long ago. 

     Devan
was still quite a distance from it, over two hundred yards at least, but he
crouched instinctively. His heart quickened at the thought that Laney was just
ahead, in that building, with Jarrod. The last thought elicited a low feral
growl from deep inside his chest.  

     All
was still around the cabin. Devan was able to see fresh foot prints leading up
to and into the building, a positive sign that someone was in there, but
unfortunately there were no windows so he wasn’t able to peer inside.

     This
had to be the destination Jarrod had in mind the entire time; the trail had
been too linear for it to be otherwise. Had Laney known this cabin was here?
Did her father know? Devan hadn’t seen hide-nor-hair of the search party since
the five mile marker.

     Devan
wanted to run right in there, grab Laney, and give Jarrod the beating of his life
The urge to get to her almost overpowered his rational thinking, but he breathed
through it knowing that wasn’t the sensible move to make at the moment. He
didn’t know what kind of weapon Jarrod had, and he would have to have something
to be able to coerce Laney all this way. She wouldn’t have let him otherwise.   

     No, Devan
needed to get Jarrod to come out; for him to show his weapon. 

     Moving
to within fifty yards of the cabin Devan was still unable to hear any sounds. He
told himself that it was because they were probably too tired from their hike; he
wouldn’t let himself think of any other reason. 

    
Scaling a large oak tree that was facing the entrance of the cabin Devan took a
position on a branch halfway up in the concealment of the foliage. He was
relieved to find that the climb had caused no twinges in his arm. He hadn’t
checked it this morning, but he was sure that all the subcutaneous tissue had
now mended, and instead of deep slashes they probably looked like kitten
scratches now.

    
Unhooking the bow from his back Devan loaded it with an arrow. If Jarrod made
himself an obvious target he wouldn’t hesitate it take it. Taking a medium
sized stone out of his pocket Devan gave it a good toss at the side of the
building. The stone arced through the air making a resounding ‘thunk’ as it hit
the outside wall, and he finally heard something of interest from inside…a soft
creak and some footsteps. Devan waited with the bow aimed at the door, hungry
for any sign of Laney. The footsteps halted at the door, as though uncertain
whether to open it. Devan held his breath, almost chanting for it to open.

     After
ten excruciating seconds the cabin door eventually cracked open and he was able
to see an arm, unfortunately the body stayed out of his range of sight. Devan
may have better than average sight but he still couldn’t see through doors.
After another second a head peaked around the corner of the door, looking
around. It was dark in the cabin but Devan could see just as clearly as if it
was lit up with a spot light. It
was
Jarrod. Devan could also see what
he held in his right hand; a 44 hunting revolver…with a scope.

    
Devan’s gaze slid past him rapidly searching for any glimpse of Laney. All he
was able to glimpse was a part of a silky clad leg on a cot before the door
closed and everything was blocked from view. It all took three seconds; from
when Jarrod peered around the door to when he closed it.

     Laney
had been in the shot trajectory and Devan had been unwilling to take a shot
that might have gone astray. Devan was confident in his bow abilities, but he
wasn’t going to take a chance with Laney’s life.

     The
revelation that Jarrod had a gun wasn’t good news. It meant that any attempt at
subduing him would have to be foolproof. If he wasn’t incapacitated completely
or relieved of the gun he would have a chance to use it. Devan wouldn’t be much
help to Laney if he got shot and he certainly didn’t want to put her in
danger. 

     His
thoughts were interrupted by a quiet voice from the cabin.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

     “Jarrod,
what are we going to do now?” Laney asked wearily. She was cold, tired and her
feet hurt. She’d curled herself up in the corner of this shack they’d come
across as soon as he’d pushed her in the door. They had been hiking all night
and she’d bypassed frightened to exhausted a few miles past. She was still concerned,
but she didn’t have the energy for full out scared.

     When
Jarrod had text her close midnight saying that he was outside her house and
needed to apologize she’d been stupefied. While he definitely needed to kiss
some butt for his jackhole behavior she didn’t understand why he felt the need
to do this in the middle of the night. So she’d text back the she was happy he
was going to apologize but that he’d have to wait till tomorrow when it was
light out. She’d laid down to go back to sleep, but then a few minutes later
he’d had texted back and threatened to go to the police about Devan’s so called
assault that afternoon if she didn’t come out and talk to him.

     Those
words had her hopping out of bed in fury; first, because he’d lied about his
so-called apology, and second, because he’d threatened Devan with the one thing
that would make him run.

     So
Laney had thrown a coat on over her silky pajama pants and tank, slipped into a
pair of booty slippers, and gone out to talk to him. He’d been sitting in his
truck near the garage and as soon as she’d climbed in Jarrod had immediately
launched in to complaints that ever since Devan had appeared Laney had
completely forgotten her real friends. That she was dumping them all so she
could spend all her time with Devan. He’d gone on and on about it and couldn’t
seem to comprehend that it was his own behavior that had morphed into something
contrary to his normal conduct.

     When
she wouldn’t listen to him anymore and made to go inside that’s when he’d
pulled the gun. She’d been completely shocked at the sight of it and had almost
laughed, whether from nervousness or in disbelief she wasn’t sure, but Jarrod’s
serious tone when he’d grabbed her arm and told her she was coming with him had
smothered the laughter real quick.

     He’d driven
out to the falls and made her hike through the woods with the gun pointed at
her the entire way. She couldn’t understand what had gotten into him. He’d
always been a little high-strung, but they’d known each other forever, and it
just didn’t make sense that he was doing this.

     Any
minute she expected to wake up and for all this to fade away, but that wasn’t
going to happen, and as cliché as it sounded a part of her waited for Devan to
come save her. She just knew that if anyone could find her it would be him.
However, the way Jarrod felt about him there might actually be some shooting,
and while the gun made her nervous she really didn’t think Jarrod would truly
shoot her…at least she was pretty sure.   

    
Jarrod turned from looking out the front door after hearing a noise outside.
“It’s not like I planned any of this, Laney. If you would have just listened to
me this would have never happened. I’ve been in your life for a long time,
longer than that Devan guy, but would you take the time to listen to me…No!
Instead, you just spent more time with him and ignored me.”

     Laney
wanted to argue about him not planning this; because carrying around a gun
wasn’t his normal MO. Instead, she remained calm and tried to get him to see
reason. “I came out to talk to you, didn’t I? We’re still friends, but you were
acting like I couldn’t be friends with other people.”

    
Jarrod expression twisted angrily. “You didn’t want to be just friends with
him. I saw the way you looked at him. You never looked at me that way.”
Jarrod’s voice rose in an alarming way and Laney tensed.

     “I
didn’t know you wanted me to look at you that way.” Laney replied carefully.  

    
Jarrod frowned. “How could you have not known how I felt about you? When your
mom was sick I was there for you, when she died I was there for you, all those
months afterwards I was there for you.”

     Laney
nodded. “Yes, you were, and I thought it was because we were friends. It was
the same when your mom left and I was there for you.” Laney was still having a
hard time figuring out why Jarrod was doing this.

    
“That’s right, we’ve been there for each other,” Jarrod said heatedly moving
closer. “With all that’s happened to us…well…it’s like were connected.”

     Laney
stared at him in mystification. Was he thinking on spiritual planes or
something? “We are linked…in friendship, and because we’ve grown up together.
That’s all I’ve ever thought was between us, Jarrod.” 

     “If
this Devan character hadn’t shown up it could have turned into something more,
but he ruined it all.” Jarrod looked down at the gun in his hand. Laney’s heart
skipped beat at that look.

     “
Our
relationship has nothing to do with Devan. You’ve been in my life forever
Jarrod and you will always have a special place in my life.” Laney said
urgently.

     “It
could be more, I love you Laney. I believe you could love me too if you just
gave us a chance.” Jarrod’s words were fervent as he walked closer.

     Laney
shrank back at the look in his eyes and the gun in his hand. He bent down on
one knee and ran his fingers through her hair. The gun rested on his knee and
was aimed straight at her. Laney had a hard time pulling her gaze from the
barrel up to Jarrod’s face. His hand had moved from her hair to her face and
neck, moving downward.

    
“Jarrod…don’t…please.” Laney choked pleadingly. This really couldn’t be
happening. If she could just get that gun away from him…God, she couldn’t shot
him, but she could definitely threaten him with it, maybe even hit him upside
the head with it…really hard.

     A
scratching noise outside against the walls of the cabin caught both their
attention. Jarrod swiveled around raising his gun and Laney gasped at the
action. He stood up walking over to the door, but didn’t open it. It had
probably only been an animal but Laney wasn’t going stop him from looking. It
at least took his attention away from her.

    
Jarrod unlatched the small wooden bar that locked the door and slowly cracked
open the door peering out the slit he’d made. Apparently comfortable that it
was safe he opened it further and stuck his head out.

     All
of a sudden he flew backward across the small shack and another body rushed
inside. Laney couldn’t stop her startled scream as Jarrod crashed into the
opposite wall hard causing the boards against her back to shake from the
impact. The person that had charged in was now holding Jarrod up by the front
of his shirt while Jarrod’s body was slumped inert; his head lolled to the
right and Laney could see through the blood coating his face that he was
knocked out cold.

    
Laney’s gaze jerked to the figure holding Jarrod up and her heart swelled as
tears filled her eyes. He’d come; Devan had found her. Cliché’s rocked.

    
“Devan?” She whispered, hoping like heck that she wasn’t in some exhausted
dream state.

     Her
voice brought Devan’s head around. He wasn’t wearing his glasses and the
expression on his face was downright feral which perhaps should have had Laney experiencing
her first real fear of Devan, but she didn’t; she was too happy to see him.

     Devan
stepped back releasing Jarrod and his body collapsed into to a tangled heap of
limbs on the ground. He stood there in a frozen state the fury on his face
transforming into agonized sorrow. “Are you okay?” He asked hoarsely.

     Laney
tried to rise but after hours of walking and then being sedentary her legs
refused to work. Devan broke out of his stationary mode and rushed over to lift
her up. Laney latched her arms around his neck as he bent down to help her. She
squeezed hard and the stress and exhaustion of the last hours finally hit her
causing tears to leak from her eyes.

     “I
knew you would come, I just knew it.” She mumbled into his chest.

     Laney
pressed herself into Devan’s body wanting to feel his warmth and strength; wanting
to feel safe again. Devan lifted her in his arms and hugged her into his body
and Laney sighed at the embrace. Her feet dangled in mid-air, but she was
utterly content. His face was planted in her neck and she felt him sniff her.
She shivered slightly at the sensation and it reminded her of when they been at
The Diner and he’d said ‘he could smell her all day’. Had he just said those
words to her last night? It seemed like days ago.    

     “Are
you alright; he didn’t hurt you, did he?” Devan whispered in her hair. His
voice sounded grim at the word ‘hurt’.

     Laney
shook her head her stomach clenching at thoughts of Jarrod. “He didn’t hurt
me.” Laney tilted her head back slightly. “Thank you for coming for me. I knew
if anyone could find me it would be you.”      

     Her
gaze got caught in the dark depths of Devan’s eyes. His pupils almost swallowed
the golden color of his iris, but she could see the deep emotion in and around
his eyes and Laney felt herself drowning in the intensity of them.  

     One
of his hands moved to brush her hair away from her face leaving one arm to hold
her against his body…her weight seemed to be no problem for him. Goosebumps
spread over Laney’s skin at his touch and not from being cold.

     Devan’s
gaze traveled over her face and stopped on her lips. Laney watched in amazement
as his pupil’s contracted and expanded. His arms squeezed her tighter and Laney
gasped at the pressure; not in discomfort but from the unfamiliar and intense sensations
coursing through her.

     “Devan.”
Laney exhaled his name in wonder.  

     His
gaze rose to lock with hers once again and there was such longing there; Laney
knew the same thing spilled from hers. She cupped his right cheek with her hand
and his eyes closed as though savoring the feel of it. His head actually tilted
and pressed into it her palm.

     Laney’s
emotions swelled even further at his actions. His lids opened and the heat spilling
from his eyes warmed her from the inside out. Without even realizing it her chin
lifted as his head dropped and their lip met and melded.

     The
touch was at first shocking; Laney had never kissed anyone before, at least not
like this. They initially just meshed and moved their lips together, but she
knew the basics and slowly opened her mouth and shyly licked at his lips.

    
Devan’s hand moved to the back of her head threading his fingers into her hair
to get a firmer grip as he opened his mouth and took charge. His mouth seemed
to devour hers and she moaned at the passion behind it. The pleasure were
electrifying, beyond anything she’d ever felt before. All Laney wanted to do
was get closer, and Devan seemed to feel the same thing as his grip around her became
unyielding and his mouth moved more feverishly.

     His
mouth consumed hers, leaving her breathless and quivering. A well of emotion
bubbled inside of her, making her head spin and her heart pound uncontrollably.
Never before had she felt this way about someone, especially someone she barely
knew. Laney clutched at his broad shoulders and biceps, reveling in their
strength and reassuring herself that she wasn’t dreaming; that his were arms
were actually wrapped around her.

    
Abruptly though, Devan ripped his mouth from hers. Breathing hard Laney forced her
eyes open to stare up at Devan in dazed wonder…and watched as his face morphed
into a multitude of emotions. The ones she indentified were; incredulity, agony,
longing, and unhappiness. Laney wasn’t sure if she should feel hurt for herself
or for him…probably for both of them.

      It
had hit her last night that Devan thought he had nothing to offer her, or
anyone, because of the danger surrounding his life, and he was obstinate enough
that she might not be able to change his mind before he made plans to
disappear. Just the thought of Devan disappearing from her life where she might
never see him again caused a dark feeling of desolation to settle on her
soul.  

     Devan
slowly lowered her to the floor and made to step away from her, but Laney’s
legs wobbled under her from the long rough night…the kiss hadn’t help either.  

     Scooping
her up Devan crouched and gently placed her back on the floor. “Rest here for a
minute; I need to take care of Jarrod.” Standing he made his way over to
Jarrod.

     “He’s
still alive, isn’t he?” Laney asked anxiously. Even after everything Jarrod had
done she didn’t want him fatally wounded or anything. She didn’t believe he was
really dangerous, just a little disturbed in the head.

     Devan
crouched down and his expression turned coldly furious as he retrieved the gun
that had dropped on the floor beside Jarrod’s fallen body. “He’s alive. I only
broke his nose.” From Devan’s tone he’d wished it was more. He flipped open the
guns chamber and shook out two bullets. The sight of the ammunition sent a
chill down Laney’s spine. She’d wondered the whole time if that gun had been
loaded and to actually see that it was staggered her.

     Would
Jarrod have truly used those on her?