Another day of Watch (Open) {Trigger Warning}

Taking the pack off from his back, he set it down in between his feet as he unzipped the top of it. Reaching in, he pulled out a bag of bear jerky that was still a bit tender which made chewing a bit easier. Taking a piece out, he began to chew on it while looking down at the ground. He had set his rifle down onto the ground next to the bag as he ate a small snack. Reaching to the side of the bag, he unhooked his canteen and undid the cap. Lifting it up, he drank some water and then closed it up again. As he hooked it back to his pack, he froze for a moment as he had heard heavy hooves coming towards him from the woods. Looking up, he saw a pure black horse breaking through into the clearing and was charging towards him. Rolling off the log onto the other side and pressing his back against it, he looked up and saw the horse jump over where he was just sitting. There was someone on top of it and then saw the horse sliding to a stop and that said Edson went flying into the lake. He cringed a bit at how the person landed in the water. Quickly getting up, he took off his jacket and ran for the water. But as he approached the lake in a dead sprint, he saw the person, a woman that he could now see, break the surface and gasped for air. Slowing himself down, he then walked slowly towards the lake. His blue eyes stayed on her as she came to the shore line of the lake and pulled herself onto the grassy embankment. Observing her as he moved towards her, he watched her as she tried to stand. The woman was talking, well, more like complaining at the horse as to how he acted and heard as to why the horse was in a dead sprint. A gunshot. Sighing to himself, he shook his head as he moved more closer now and it seemed that she didn’t notice him there...yet. When she tried to walk, he saw the pain in her face. Simon thought she was going to fall over from the pain she was feeling and ran over to her and wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Well Miss, I would say good morning...but it seems you have been having anything but a good morning. Don’t worry, I’m not going to rob or attack you. I’m a Fire Watch Ranger for this park.” With him holding up some of her weight, he helped walk over to the log he was sitting on a few moments ago. Easily setting her down onto the log, he reached over it and grabbed his bag and set it down on his side of the log. Unzipping the zipper that was in the middle of his bag, he pulled out a small first aid kit. Speaking up, he didn’t look up at her as he was down onto a knee opening the bag and the first aid kit. “Some nasty spill you had there Ma’am...I saw which foot your having trouble walking on and will need you to take off the boot your wearing...or if you need to, I’ll take it off of you so I can treat your injury. Also need to know if there is anything else that is hurting you.” The Park Ranger took out a few things which were a foot sleeve that compresses the foot, ankle and shin a bit, a roll of gauze wrapping and an ice pack that needed to be crushed to activate the cooling affect from the chemicals inside. Simon knew which foot it was since he had observed her a bit ago, but he asked to make sure that she didn’t have any other injuries that needed to be treated. She was soaken wet from her dive into the water that wasn’t as elegant as her beautiful face. Even though it had been sometime since he was a firefighter and had to use his First Aid training, it was something that never leaves ones mind that easily. One thing he knew well was when someone had a foot/ ankle injury, it was usually harder for the person to take off their own footwear because of them moving and trying to take it off that causes more pain. Takingnhis left hand, he slid it under her knee while his right hand slid under her calf and raised her leg off of the ground carefully. Moving himself closer, he rested her leg onto his knee. Looking around, he reached for a stick and slid his hand over the full length of it knocking off the dirt and other things from it. He handed it to her and said. “Bite down onto this...it’s going to be a bit painful...and I don’t want your horse upset and in a panic that his rider is in distress.” When she was ready for this, he would get to work to try helping her.

He reached down to her injured foot which hung over his knee. He tried to gently get the boot off so that there wasn’t as much discomfort for her. Setting the boot down, he picked up the foot/ankle sleeve and gently slid it over her foot. Grabbing the ice pack next, he began to crush up the chemicals inside by crushing it in his hands, twisting the bag and then placed it around her ankle and foot. Picking up the gauze wrapping, he began to wrap her foot up as careful and as tight as he could without it hurting her. His hands moved around from shin and around the whole foot leaving the heel of the foot exposed like he was trained. Reaching into the first aid kit, he took out a piece of metal that had four small points under it. Hooking it at the end of the wrapping, it rested on top of her foot to hold the wrapping together over her foot. Lifting her leg up and moving it so that it rested on top of the log, he sat down on the ground. “There we go. Now you need to stay off of your foot and let your foot recover. Is there anyone else out there in the forest that you maybe traveling with? Need to make sure they are safe as well and that you and them are united again.” Taking his canteen off of his bag, he undid the metal cap and took a sip of the water inside of it. Looking at it, he would offer her a drink by holding it up to her. “My name is Simon, what’s yours ma’am?”

At first, he nodded his head when she said she was alone. Standing up and brushing himself off of dust, dirt and stone. Looking around, he saw his jacket still on the ground a bit away from them. Walking over to it, he leaned over and picked it up. Brushing it off, he turned to see more horses with two ladies coming towards the lady he helped. With his jacket in hand, his free hand rested on his revolver. His thumb flipped off the clasp that held his dad’s old pistol secure in the holster. Walking back over, he saw the two ladies coming over to her and checking if she was alright. Raising an eyebrow, he looked over at the woman he had bandaged the foot and tilted his head slightly. One of them came to him, saying her name and started to thank him for helping her...’aaaah, now I’m starting to see the bigger picture now. She was only lying to keep her Sisters safe.’ Simon thought to himself as he smiled and tipped his hat a bit. But Olivia took the horses and took them to the lake to drink. Walking back over to the woman on the log, he sat down on it and heard the sigh. It caused him to chuckle a bit and he heard her name finally. “I’m Simon, it’s a pleasure to meet you and your sisters...even if it was a bit unorthodox to a normal encounter of people.” She spoke about how they needed a place to stay and then asked if there was something the horses could hold up in. “Well...at the center of the park is a camp ground of six log cabins and a bunch of tents. There is stables there where you can put your horses in and lock up if you want to make sure they are secure. There is fresh hay put in there for them. The people th-“

As he was explaining a bit, the other sister came up to him and began talking. She was close to him as he looked up to her and then saw the Looks between the two of the sisters. “No need to thank me. It’s my job to make sure that everyone is safe while in the park and if they are injured, then I must treat said injury.” Simon heard the tone of voice Ava was giving him. It was cute to hear this, but his icy blue eyes slid to look at Sophia who looked like her stare alone could stab someone with daggers. She tried to get up off of the log, but it didn’t work that well. Raising his hand, he placed it on her back to try and keep her steady and slowly ease her back down onto the log. “You lot won’t be a bother. Let’s try and get you lot to the camp ground so you can rest that foot and let it heal. If you don’t, it can get a lot worse.” Reaching over the log to the ground, he picked up his rifle and stood up. Picking up his hiking backpack and putting on his shoulders, he reached his hand down to help Sophia up. “Let’s get you back onto your horse and I’ll lead the way. Olivia was it? You mind bringing over Sophia’s horse?” Looking around, he was keeping an eye out for the dangerous wild life such as Bears, Coyotes, Mountain Lions and from time to time, wolves. There was also the whole thing with the undead, but they weren’t a real big problem here for the time being. While waiting, he heard his radio on his hip come to life as camp manager spoke through. ”Simon? You there? I heard reports that a group of partying teens had their radio shot and destroyed from a person with one shot.” Morris Harper, he was a spineless man who tries hard to get into everyone’s business. He can’t take what He dishes out. Unclippimg the radio, he spoke into it. “North Fire Tower here. And I know your talking about me shooting at those idiots. It was a warning shot and they got the message loud and clear. Tell them that their shit is still laying be the side of the lake. Fire Watch Tower North out.” Placing his radio back onto his hip, he turned the volume down almost to the point that it was off.

Shaking his head, he looked back and when they all were set to move, he would begin to lead the way. His rifle rested in his hands as he led them through the trails. Every now and then they went past signs that stated which each trail led to. But since he knew the park very well, he didn’t need to look at the trail signs or trail markers. After a forty minute hike, they came into a clearing where log cabins could be seen and people walking around doing odds and ends. Walking over to the stalls, he opened the doors for the horses and went over to Sophia’s horse to help her down and to balance her until someone helped her to move. “Welcome to the main camp ladies. Everyone here is nice and friendly. So don’t be shy to ask them something. As for me, I need to head back to my tower. If you go to the main office shack right there, it has maps of all the trails and where all four towers are located. I will come back to check in and see how all of you are doing down here.” Tipping his hat towards them, Simon headed off going north. It was a steady incline going up. He didn’t mind it since he loved the nature and enjoyed the work out it gives him. From camp to his Tower was roughly an hour and a half hike while on foot. When he finally reached his tower, he let out a breath of relief as he walked towards it. Walking up the flights of stairs to the top, he then had to climb the ladder, open the floor trap door and climb on through it. Leaving the trap door open, he walked to the windows and opened them to let some fresh air in. Taking his backpack off and setting it down on the floor, he moved to his desk and picked up his binoculars and set his rifle down onto his steel desk with his radio. Lifting the binoculars up, he began to scan the forest. Looking for smoke or something out of the norm.

So far in the day, had been standard watch for him...with the exception of the three sisters with their horses. They seemed to be a close knit family. Lowering the binoculars for a bit, he was remembering how they all were when they all showed up. How Sophia first said she was alone. He didn’t blame her. Blood is thicker than water and it shows that she does love them to lie to a stranger to keep them safe. Some areas in the world because of this new outbreak that the CDC has been working on curing, has been shooting people to protect their own things, friends and family. It seemed like everything outside of the park wa getting more and more like a living hell. At least the park was safe for the time being. Shaking his head, he raised the binoculars back up to his eyes. While he slowly swept the area below him in the forest, he began thinking about how Sophia first talked to him and then how her tone changed. To one that was more friendly, which quickly changed when her sister Ava showed up and pointed it out loud. It caused him to laugh a bit when she glared at her sister. Letting out a long breath, he started to sweep across the paths visible to him from up there in his Watch Tower. As he was going closer to look at the river, he heard one of the sister’s voices coming from the radio calling out to him. It was Olivia, she sounded a bit worried as she asked if Sophia was up at his tower and that she had the tendency of hitting the liquor more then others. Picking up his mic, he pushed the button in with his thumb and said. “No, she’s not up here with me. I’ll look around and then hit the trails. She couldn’t have gotten that far with how her ankle was.” Dropping the mic back down onto the desk, he rushed out through the side door that led him onto the towers wrap around balcony. Lifting up the binoculars, he began looking for her as he was a bit worried because since she was injured, wild life would see her as an easy meal. Sweeping from side to side, he was in a rush to find her. Soon he was look at the river and followed it down until he was seeing a female body laying against the shore. Looking carefully, he saw it was Sophia laying there soaken wet. She wasn’t moving which meant she was most likely knocked out by some sort of force or blow to her head. Rushing back inside and dropping the binoculars onto the desk with the mic, he snatched up the keys for the Polaris and grabbed his Hiking Backpack. With it on his shoulders, he just jumped down the short distance from the trap door to the staircase. Once he landed, he landed running down those stairs as he knew that each moment could be the meaning of life and death. Running down the stairs and jumping to each platform, it didn’t take much time for his feet to hit the ground racing towards his vehicles. Taking his pack off and tossed it into the passenger side seat. Rushing around, he climbed in and shoved his key into the ignition and fired it up. Shifting it into drive and slamming his foot onto the gas pedal, the Polaris ATV dug up the dirt and sped off going Eastward at first, then after a bit of driving swung hard to go south.

The tires tore up the ground as it’s rear swung around in a fish tail, coming a mere inch from hitting an old fat Pine tree with the bed of the ATV. Soil, leaves, dried pine needles and pebbles were kicked up behind him as the Polaris sped towards the direction of the river. While driving, he was keeping his eyes open for any of the predators to be out stalking for a meal to fill its/ their bellies. His foot felt like a heavy lead weight as he tried to hurry down to the river as fast as he humanly can. Hearing the rushing water of the river off to his right, he turned and corrected himself so that he was close to the river. Easing off the gas pedal, he was driving slower to keep an eye out for Sophia. Looking around the area, he saw he was getting very close to where she was last seen. Stopping the ATV, he turned off the Polaris and reached for the glove box. His hand slid inside and pulled out a mostly metal can. It was Bear Mace that he carried with him almost everywhere he went. Hooking it to his belt, he climbed out taking his pack with him. Swinging the heavy bag over onto his shoulders, he moved to the river and began moving down until he stopped upon hearing something. It was the sounds of growling up ahead and when he looked closely, he saw two wolves in a defensive stance near Sophia’s body, guarding it from a Grizzly Bear. Moving in closer to the three animal face off, he reached for his pistol and his Bear Mace. Taking them off of him and them in each hand, he broke the safety seal for the Mace as he stood straight up and fired the loud sounding caliber into the air. The first to leave was the wolves, but the bear stood up roaring at Simon. Once it landed on all fours, it ran for him. Aiming the Bear Mace, his finger squeezed the trigger and sprayed out it’s long stream of red mist into the bear’s face. Jumping out of the way, the bear ran into the river roaring and crying out from the sudden burning smell in its nose and in its eyes. Getting back up onto his feet, he rushed to Sophia. Kneeling down beside her, he began to check her injuries. A cut on her forehead, bruises and bumps across her body. With the bear still in the area along with the wolves, he picked her up carefully and ran the two of them back to his vehicle. “I told her to relax her foot in the cabin. To get some rest...but noooo....she didn’t want to listen to me, even when There is animal warning signs inside of the camp as to what you could encounter out here.” Getting back to the Polaris, he opened the passenger side door and sat her into the seat and buckled her up. Shutting the door, he was making his way around until he stopped again and saw one of the wolves slowly approaching them. Not amused at all, he took the Bear Mace and sprayed the Wolf with it. It helped and ran off with a loud thud off in the distance. It had hit a tree in a full sprint. Climbing back into the driver seat, he fired up the Polaris. Putting it into reverse, he backed up and swung it around to go back the way he had come from. Putting it into drive, he picked up his hand held radio and pressed in the button. “Olivia, I found Sophia. She was passed out by the river and has a cut across her forehead. I’ll take her to my Tower to treat her injury.” Dropping the radio down into his cup holder, he raced through the forest until they were at his tower. Parking the vehicle right beside the stairs, he turned off the engine and climbed out going to the passenger side. Opening the door, he lowered himself and slid her after unbuckling her seat belt across his shoulders and stood up. It was the way fire fighters and EMT’s were trained to do. 

Carrying her up all of the flights of stairs, he then climbed with her on his shoulders with his arms hooked through her legs to climb up the ladder. Once inside, he walked over to his bed where he set her down on it. Cracking his neck, he took his back pack off and took out his first aid kit again. Taking wipes, a small bottle of new skin and gauze wrapping out of the box. Simon gently wiped the wound with cleaning wipes and then applied the new skin across the injury. Leaning over her a bit, he began to gently blow on it to help it dry up a bit before he could put the wrapping on. With his right hand, he gently ran his index finger across and felt it was dry enough. With the wrapping, he began to bandage her head and lifted her head up gently and easily so that he didn’t disturb her forceful rest. Once he was done, he took the bloody wipes and threw them into the waste can. One thing he did before sitting down in his chair, he shut and locked the trap door. Sitting down trying to catch his breathing and tonslow his heart from racing, he looked at his one drawer of his desk and opened it. Inside was packs of cigarettes with matches and lighters. Taking out one of the opened packs out, he took out a cigarette and lit it up. Taking a drag, he exhaled slowly. Thankfully he had opened the windows earlier so that the smoke could escape out. “Well...at least your safe now Sophia.” Turning himself and the chair by spinning it, he watched her sleep while smoking the cigarette.

“Oh yes, I know they are bad for me. Fires won’t happen If i smoke up here away from the dry brush in forest. I like to think it’s somewhat better then other...habits.” Putting out the cigarette in a small steel ash tray, he stood up from his desk and walked over to his dresser. Opening the top drawer, he pulled out an olive green fleece blanket. Walking over to her, he unfolded it and wrapped it around her for her to warm up. Kneeling down, he reached under his bed and pulled out a box of supplies; food, water, minor medicines such as Advil, Excedrin, ect. Grabbing the Excedrin extra strength, he popped open the bottle and took out two pills and picked up one of the bottles of water. Placing the bottle on the bed, he took her hand and set the pills in the middle of her palm and stood up. Walking back over to his desk, she had asked him where they were at and what she last remembered. “Well, Sophia...to answer your question, your at North Fire Watch Tower...my Tower. You were by the river, thankfully it was low or you might have been in worse condition then banging your head or even dead.” Simon heard the tone in which she spoke about him watching her sleeping which was followed with how she wanted a drink. His friendly demeanor on his face became of one that was blank, lack of emotion. Taking in a deep breath, he let it out slowly as he then would reply to her comment. “In the medical profession of our training, we are told that if someone has sustained a head injury such as yourself, the wound is to be treated and are to be observed in case their condition worsens. And you don’t need a drink, you need rest to let your body recover from the trauma it just endured.”

After a moment of silence, she had thanked him and wished for him not to tell her sister that she wouldn’t be able to bare the look she would be given. The weight of guilt that would be put on her if, by his guess was Olivia, finding out she was drinking again which led to her injuries. Looking up at the ceiling a bit, he let out a sigh. He had a choice to make and since he didn’t believe in lying to someone about their family, he just shook his head. “How do you think I was able to find you Sophia? Olivia radioed up to me that you were missing from camp. She sounded very...worried about you. Especially when she found the bottles of whiskey in your bag. When she did so, I began to look around the forest until I saw you laying on the embankment knocked out. I rushed over to your location as fast as I could. When I got there, you weren’t alone. Two wolves and a bear. Shot once with my gun and sprayed the two who didn’t leave the area. The rest...well, you can figure that out.” Sitting back down into his chair, he leaned slightly back in his chair. Alcohol was going back and forth in his mind as it brought forth old and very painful moments. Turning his head a bit, he looked out the window as he began to relive one of the many times he had wished he was dead. He would say to her before his vision was fully in the memory. “I’m sorry if this might be boring for you in the ways of entertainment. Only have books, drawling pads with pencils, the view and if hungry...the box under you....” Park Ranger Simon’s voice trailed off. ”Welcome to my home Father Crawford and Young Simon Crawford...” He could hear that worthless pig’s voice plaguing his mind like a virus or the Black Death in London. This memory, it was when he was 14. Him and his dad were invited to his principals house during the summer for a BBQ he was throwing.

Simon was dreading this because the man who invited them and greeted them was no man, he was a sexual monster who preyed on the weak minded children that went through the doors and walked his halls of his School. Walking inside, the principal shut the door behind them as he took them to the back where the grill was set up. His wife was watching over the coals to make sure they are ready. “Mr. Crawford, would you mind if I take your son on a tour of my home? I can show him the trophies I had maintained when I was his age. In which, you can keep my wife company and help her with the coals...that’s if you don’t mi-“ Simon’s dad nodded his head and walked over to the wife who looked like she was a trophy wife, once upon a time. Simon’s body tensed up when he felt the older man’s hand on his upper back as he was being guided through the house to a private study on the second floor on the Western wing in the front of the house. The room was red all around. Shelves of books, cases of trophies, a liquor cabinet full of different kinds of booze, an old oak desk with nothing on top except for a handful of photos. Photos of himself, Simon. The older man walked over to his liquor cabinet and poured two glasses. “Simon, today...is a special day to celebrate. For today, our two families will be getting closer then ever one would have dreamed.” He handed one of the glasses to Simon and even placed an index finger under it and helped lift it to his lips, encouraging him to drink up. With the glass tipped up higher and higher, Simon was forced to drink the full glass in one sitting. Simon’s Head was starting to spin as he stumbled to the desk and placed his hands on it to brace himself.

“That’s the one thing about alcohol, you mix two different kinds that have been aging for over 30’s, they become even more potent for those that don’t drink. They become drunk pretty fast. But don’t worry Simon...” Simon heard the man unzipping his pants as he walked closer to the young one. Then Simon’s pants were undone and both the pants and underwear he was wearing were pulled down to his ankles. “...I’ll take very good care of you, Blue eyes. But first...” His principal went around and pulled Simon across the desk so that his head was just hanging over the edge of it. “You gotta take care of big daddy first.” He was gagging and trying to get air into his lungs while the older man was doing what he wanted with the preteen’s mouth. Tears formed, swelled in his eyelids and slid down his cheeks. Ten minutes of this felt like an eternity of hell for him as he laid helpless on the desk. When he was bored with the top, he placed his index finger on Simon’s back as he pulled the muscle from the mouth. When the filthy thing was out of his mouth, he was coughing and gasping in gulps of air. He couldn’t cry, nor scream for his dad to help.. The monster began moving around which caused the finger to turn as well and slid down Simon’s back ever so slowly as he came up behind Simon. Leaning over Simon, he whispered into his ear. “Now, pretend I’m your doctor and this...is your thermometer because cute, sweet little boys need to stay Healthy!” A painful sensation jolted throughout his body from his butt cause of the thrust. His voice was stolen as a raspy voice came out of him. More and more tears came pouring out as the pig was grunting as he did what he wanted to Simon. Placing his face down onto the desk with his wrists now being held tightly, he was still pressed against Simon’s back. For over an hour of this rape, all Simon thought about was death. He wanted to die.

When everything was said and done, Simon sat on the floor curled up looking at the wall after his body slid off the desk and him hitting the floor. When asked what took so long, it was said by the principal that he was sharing tips and stories with Simon if he wanted to join any of the sports teams for the following school year. Not feeling well, he begged and pleaded to his dad to take him home since his stomach was killing him for other reasons. On the way home, he sat there silently looking out the window as tears began to slide down with his dad all but yelling at the boy for ruining his evening at a new friends dinner/ home. Simon just couldn’t do anything right in the eyes of his father.