Project Rescue - A Shifter Novel (NaNoWriMo19)
Chapter 38 - Remarkable

The men were talking quietly, not wanting to wake me up. They knew I had to be tired but I couldn't sleep for some reason. I should be tired not only from the surgery I had done on Manuel, but from running away from Barbosa.

I didn't hear Eagle speaking and I was wondering if he was okay. I peaked through my eyelashes to see him sitting at the table with a blank expression on his face. I was sure he was wondering how I didn't turn out like the monster. I had an answer to his thoughts I could see cross his face at times. I never wanted to be like the monster and I made damn sure I wasn't anything like him. I got into a lot of trouble when I would defy him but I didn't care. He is a monster.

Eagle had to be wondering what I went through with the monster. I could tell him the hell I was in but I didn't want to tell anyone about my time there. They knew a lot already. I didn't mind Matheus knowing but I would need to let him know in small doses. I couldn't bare to let everyone know about my visit in hell. I was thinking about what I saw and did until I went to sleep.

“How long do you think it will take Flirt to get back?” Claw inquired.

“Depends on how fast he can around Barbosa’s men. Considering his men are idiots it shouldn’t be long. Maybe a couple of hours, three tops,” answered Madrid.

I moved around in my sleep, catching the men’s attention. I had started shaking my head in my sleep, balling up my hands in a defensive manner and mumbling. Of course, I would dream up my worst nightmare. I was thinking about everything before I went to sleep. I knew it was going to be a rough sleep but I didn't know how rough.

“Ow, woman. I was only trying to make sure you didn’t fall out of the hammock,” Matheus complained, holding his nose and setting it himself.

“Oh, God, I’m sorry, Matheus. I thought you were one of his men. I didn’t mean to hurt you,” I apologized. “I was dreaming of the sick bastard I was supposed to be married to before his girlfriend killed him.”

“I know you didn’t mean to hit me,” Matheus comforted, adding a little humor. “You pack a powerful punch though.”

I nodded my head and leaned over and kissed Matheus’s head. I laid back down and closed my eyes. I was still tired. I wasn’t sure if I could go back to sleep but I knew I needed to. I felt bad that I busted Matheus nose. I sighed and relaxed my muscles, falling asleep again.

“Damn, dude, she got you. She can throw a blade, shoot, and punch hard. I wonder what else she can do,” Warrior commented.

Madrid quietly laughed. “She knows every kind of martial art’s out there. She’s never received a belt but Antonio said she would be a black belt master in all of them. She knows exactly where to punch a person to kill, stun or knock a person out. I could keep going but I think I will let her keep a little mystery to herself.

“I’m very happy she didn’t hit me with one of her killer punches. I’ll take a broken nose any time,” quipped Matheus.

“I am glad she didn’t kill you too. I need my go-go gadget,” joked Madrid as he snickered.

“Funny. Ha-ha,” Matheus dryly said.

Manuel started moving around and groaning. “I believe the patient calls,” Claw stated.

“Do you need my help?” I questioned, sitting up and throwing my legs over the hammock.

“No. Get some more sleep. I’ve got this one. I’m going to give him a little more morphine,” Claw informed me.

I threw my legs back over the hammock and laid back down. I had always been a light sleeper. But, it was made worse when I turned fifteen. It was as if every man employed by the monster wanted me. It was sick and made me feel dirty. I was still a child and I had to worry about my virginity. It wasn’t as if the monster cared whether I was a virgin or not. But, it was in his best interest if I was.

“Man, and I thought I was a light sleeper,” Claw commented.

“She was probably scared for her life and never slept well. Not that I blame her. How she made it out and stayed true to herself, I will never know,” Matheus added. “She’s an amazing woman.”

“She really is. When I first met her she made me eat my words. I was only glad she didn’t speak loud or my reputation would have been ruined with the men I had with me,” Madrid laughed out.

“What did you say and what did she do?” Digger asked curiously.

“I had told my group of young recruits to stay down on the ground. They were questioning me about going in the house by myself when I told them that I ate Marines for breakfast. Manuel had told me to be careful and it spooked the guys. Well, when I walked in the door she,” he pointed, “put me on the ground and held a blade to my throat, telling me she ate General’s for breakfast. It was funny but not something I wanted to share with the new recruits.”

“Yeah, because they made enough noise to have every drug runner and their boss running to the tree house,” I threw in, laughing at Madrid. I jumped down from the hammock and walked over to the table.

“That they were. I loved all the questions from the new recruits. Like, are you okay, General? Seriously? Way to emasculate someone,” Madrid complained.

Everyone started laughing as Manuel added his thoughts. “I did tell you that the person in the house was dangerous, didn’t I, General?”

“Yes, Manuel, you did. You were right too.”

“Anyone hungry? Stupid question, I know,” I asked and answered my own question.

“We can cook,” Warrior stated.

“Speak for yourself, Warrior. Not a one of us can cook like she can,” Digger threw in.

I walked over to the refrigerator and looked around. I couldn’t figure out what to make. I had already made chicken and I had enough broth for Manuel. I looked in the refrigerator for vegetables. I had a better idea but I needed to look for sour cream, tortilla shells, cheese, and spices. I wanted to make something easy that could be reheated for Flirt.

I looked up to ask if anyone had a problem with spices but instead I exclaimed, “What the hell is that?” I pointed at the screen.