“Come.” I state as I gently pull him up and into me.

    He whimpers and fights briefly before taking hold of me tightly. We simply stand in silence, waiting for the trauma of leaving to subside. I wait for him to push away first, following his lead for when he’s ready to start out towards the front door.

    “Would you like some Ativan? It won’t take effect until you’re well on your way north so it won’t alter your ability to decide to stay or go but it will make the trip easier to handle.”

    “Please.”

    Is all he manages to whisper against my neck before he pushes himself up to stand on his own.

    “Stay.”

    I whisper just as quietly as I step away from him into the attached bathroom, opening the cab and pulling out the low dose Ativan that I keep there. I return in front of him cupping his chin in my hands, lifting his head so he’s looking straight instead of the floor. He whimpers subtly as he pulls away but I don’t allow him to leave me.

    “Easy there, son.” I whisper as I use my thumbs to clear his cheeks. “I will never purposely hurt you. I know a lot of things in medicine cause pain but it’s all in an effort to help you not hurt you further. I will talk with the driver and make sure that if you change your mind before getting out of my territory he will stop and let you out. I’ll grab the truck ande get you, bring you back here.”

    He nods in understanding as I ce the bottle of Ativan in his hand.

    “One will take the edge off, two will help you sleep a few hours.”

    He nods as he opens the bottle, removing two and popping them in his mouth. He closes his eyes, obviously trying to rx as they dissolve.

    “Are you sure this is the route you want to take?” I ask again hoping he might change his mind.

    “I don’t expect you to understand but this is what I need to do.”

    “I may not understand why you need to return but I do understand unresolved business. Let Jamie help you. He knows the worse he may receive and it will end once you leave. I need you to have faith in the ones who wish to help you.

    b1/2 /b

    bChapter /b476

    Alex said the day you run, when he gets his hands on you, the max you will bstay /bbat /bbRed /bbGeneral /bis three days at which point he will implement operation underground. I don’t know the bfull /bdetails, I told him not to share them but I do know that when you are transferred bto /bWhite General it will be under a different name.”

    He looks up quickly, obviously shocked.

    “He’s been nning this?” He asks.

    “I don’t know for how long he’s been thinking about it but yes, it seems he has his own n in mind for getting you here. I don’t know the limits of Jessa’s channel but you should be able to connect with her once you’re about half way here.”

    He nods as he finally starts taking steps towards the door. I follow him out into the office where he stops at the door to put his shoes on. When we step out into the hall the six bags I packed for him and Jamie are gone thanks to my helpers.

    He makes his way slowly to the door, reaching slowly for the knob. It feels like everything is moving in slow motion yet this day has wizzed but far too quickly.

    I step outside onto the porch, looking around me I see that all the bags are gone and a smaller, ck hair, brown eyed man is finishing packing the back of the van.

    “Good day.” I call out to him.

    “Have any problems finding the ce?”

    “No sir.” His reply is short and disciplined.

    “I just wasn’t expecting to stop here on the way back. Alpha and I both dislike when our ns are interrupted but I was the closest that the council could find under the circumstances.”

    “And what circumstance is that?” I inquire as I wasn’t notified of any changes.

    bChapter /bbComments /b

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