The Returners Read Online Free PDF Page B

did that. Something had been bothering her mom. She knew it when she'd left, but didn't want to worry her by letting her know that.
    She clutched the shotgun in her hand even tighter now and looked out the window of the loft impatiently waiting for her mother to return. Even though her mother told her to stay put, Emily was considering leaving the cabin. What if her mother needed help? Her fears were soon quelled as she saw her come from the forest into the small clearing where the cabin sat.
     
    Jessica could see the cabin now and peered up to the loft window where Emily would be. She saw her daughter's face, it then disappeared from the window, moments later she came out the front door.
    "Is everything alright? I heard gunshots. What happened?" Her voice anxious, curious and excited.
    "Everything's fine. Can you go grab the shovel for me?"
    Emily was confused. Why was her mother asking her for a shovel? "Mom, what happened? Why the hell do you need a shovel? Where's the rifle?" 
    Jessica suddenly realizing she had left the .22 back in the woods. It had slipped her mind in her haste to get back here.
    "Young lady watch your mouth. I'll explain on the way to the stream. Give me the shotgun then run and get the shovel please."
    Emily handed her the shotgun and ran towards the cabin. Returning a moment later with a shovel.
    "Now stay close to me and I'll tell you what happened." For some reason Jessica felt safer having her daughter by her side instead of in the cabin by herself. The whole incident unnerving her.
    Emily moved to her mother’s side, anxiously awaiting what she had to tell her as the two women entered the forest and headed towards the stream.
     
    It had only been a few minutes since the woman had gone into the woods. In that short time Jacob's mind had finally calmed down and begun to process the situation better. What the hell was this woman doing out in the middle of the woods? She could have easily taken him out while he was sleeping, yet she hadn't. Instead she had saved him.
    As he looked down at Flash wrapped in his shirt, anger began to fill his mind for falling asleep and not taking better precautions. None of this would have happened if he hadn't been so careless. He slammed his fist down upon the log in frustration. Stupidity and carelessness could get you killed out here and it almost had this time.
    He shook his head, disgusted with himself. He needed to do something other than sit here tormenting himself for his screw up. Standing up and pulling his knife from its sheath he walked towards the bear. 
     
    Jessica and Emily were almost to the stream, along the way Jessica had explained what happened to her daughter. Surprisingly Emily didn't ask a lot of questions and seemed to understand what her mother had told her. Even though Emily was only eleven Jessica didn't feel it was right to sugar coat things and had told her everything that had happened.
    With all craziness that had happened over the last few years, there wasn't much point in doing that. It was better to tell it like it was, unfortunately that was a sad necessity of the time they lived in. She could see the man kneeling next to the bear as they entered the clearing.
    "We got your shovel," Jessica said as they moved towards him. She could see he was skinning the bear.
    Jacob stood up at the sound of the woman's voice and turned towards her. He was surprised to see she wasn't alone.
    "Thank you. I figured the meat could be put to good use and I needed to stay busy." He looked at both her and her daughter. "My name’s Jacob Constantine, didn't get a chance to tell you before."
    "Jacob, I'm Jessica Alberts and this is my daughter Emily."
    He extended his hand to shake hers before realizing it was covered with blood and goo from skinning the bear. To his surprise she extended her hand and took it anyway.
    "Thank you for saving my life. If you hadn't come along I'd be a dead man. I don't have the words to express my gratitude."
    Jessica