36. Decisions

You pull Gage's jacket tighter around your chest and move up so you can sit on your legs. The temperature is dropping as the rain and hail continue falling outside. Once Gage has caught his breath he looks over and sees you trying your best not to shiver. He gets up and moves over to sit next to you. You glance at him warily as he does and inhale sharply when he drapes his long arm over your shoulder. It's heavy but warm and despite the twinge that runs down your back you don't move away. You look over at the cave's mouth and watch the hail fall and bounce around on the grass outside. You pull back when you feel Gage's hand gently pull over the shirt panel on your leg. Gage pulls his hand away quickly and holds both of them up as if to show he's not trying anything. You look down and see the scar on your thigh is exposed now. "I see how you recognized my scar now." he says, lowering his hands. You pull the lapel back over your thigh and scoot away from him a little bit. He doesn't stop you or try moving closer again.

The hail eventually lets up a few minutes later and you stiffen when Gage gets to his feet. You frown slightly as he exits the cave out into the storm without a word. You move further back into the cave until your back is touching the wall opposite it's opening. You hear deep thunder rumbling outside and finally a few minutes later Gage returns. He has some wood in his hands and tosses it on the floor a couple of feet in front of you. He gets down and sits crossed leg in front of the pile and begins arranging it. He pulls the matchbook out his pocket and curses as he shakes water off of it. He strikes the match against the strip on the back of the book a few times before it finally lights. In a few moments there's a warm fire in front of you. Gage moves over to sit down next to you again but thankfully doesn't get too close.

After a moment his hand reach out to your arm and you look down to see him brush some dirt off the arm patch where his name is stitched. The jacket is pretty beat up so you're surprised he's worried about the faded patch being dirty. As if reading your thoughts you hear Gage say "It was my fathers." You look up at him and his eyes don't look as cold as they rest on the arm patch. He moves his hand away and uses it to brush his wet bangs to the side. You turn back to the fire and begin taking your wet boots off so your socks can start drying. You notice the swelling on your ankle has gone down a considerable amount since this morning. You stretch your legs out in front of you so your feet are closer to the fire. "There's a cabin north of here." You quickly turn your towards him when you hear Gage say this. It seems like he's finally warming up to you enough to start talking to you more. You don't want to push your luck by asking him too many questions so you remain silent for now. You look down and stare deep into the fire mulling everything over.

Gage had told you earlier this morning that it wouldn't be much longer so you figure you're getting close to this cabin. If you still want to try to get away your best bet is to do it in the forest. Gage is a good tracker but you've at least roughed in the forest before. You don't know what to expect at the cabin he intends to take you to. You shiver when a large gust of wind blows into the cave. The fire in front of you flickers wildly but luckily doesn't go out. You glance over at Gage still slightly trembling from the cold. Biting your lip you slowly slide over until your side meets his. You feel him look down at you but doesn't say anything as you lean your head against him. He slowly raises his arm and places it on your shoulder. A few moments later you feel him slowly place his hand on your shoulder, when you don't pull away, you feel his hand gently slide down your arm then back up again.

His clothes are wet but you can feel his warmth beneath it, so you lean in closer, and he continues stroking your arm. After a minute or two he stops and wraps his other arm around you. You pull your legs up to your side and enjoy the warmth radiating from his body. You haven't been able to get a full nights sleep in days now and you feel yourself growing sleepy. You let out a small sigh as you burrow your head deeper into Gage's chest and close your eyes. You wake up a couple of hours later and are dismayed to see the storm is still raging outside. You feel Gage's deep breath rumbling in his chest and can tell he also fell asleep. You keep still so you don't wake him and stare out at the storm. After a while a large crash of thunder startles you and you feel Gage stir. He sits up a little bit then relaxes when feels you in his arms and tightens them slightly.