Chapter 18

The rain came down heavily, wavy curtains of water that formed after being funnelled together by the dense canopy of the forest. Adam and his mother watched it fall seemingly without cease. It was hypnotic and relaxing. An escape.

Erin’s breathing had slowed. She relaxed against her son, leaning on him. Not sleeping — just resting. At ease. A faint smile hovered around her lips.

The storm blew over in a little under an hour. The roar of the water coming down lessened and then faded, until all that was left was the sound of water droplets intermittently hitting the forest floor. Adam and his mother watched as the pooled water on the ground began to disappear, running down the incline of the trail and being absorbed by the earth.

Adam was both comfortable and uncomfortable. A beautiful woman wearing very little was pressed up against his side, leaning on him ... but it was also his mother. Adam had very little maternal affection for her considering their history, but this only made it harder. Harder to not focus on her femininity.

She felt so good.

Adam shifted, acutely aware of his arm around his mother’s waist. His hand was resting on her side, just above her hip. It was humid in the forest, but his mother’s skin felt cool under his touch. Almost chilled.

“Mom? I think it might be dry enough to head out. We should get back.”

The trail would still be muddy, but nowhere near as bad as it had been while the storms were going on. The water had mostly run off on the compacted earth of the trail. With the wooden slats placed on the steeper sections, Adam was confident enough of getting his mother back to Serenity Falls safely.

Erin raised her head, blinking up at Adam.

“Hmm? Ah, yes. I ... think I might be able to walk a little. If we take things slow.”

Adam shook his head. He gingerly extricated himself from his mother.

“No, you should stay off your leg. Even if it feels better. It’s no problem with me carrying you.”

Erin looked searchingly at him. Then she smiled, tucking her head down.

“Alright, Adam. If you think that’s best.”

“Let me get some of the bandages from he first aid kit. We should probably strap your knee or something. Give it some support until we have it looked at.”

Adam got up, stretching with his hands at the small of his back. He had been slightly hunched to one side while they waited out the rain. Adam hadn’t wanted to disturb his mother as she leant on him. He crouched by the pack and started rooting around inside of it, and then took out the rolled up compression bandage.

Gauze in hand, Adam walked over to his seated mother and crouched before her. Erin hesitated, then extended her leg — wincing slightly as she moved it. Adam swallowed as his mother placed her shapely leg on his thigh. He gingerly took hold of her, trying not to look up along her pale thigh to her bikini-clad crotch. Her leg felt so smooth, the skin silken.

Erin’s breathing picked up. She shifted, parting her legs a little more. Adam unrolled the bandage and started to wrap his mother’s knee, doing the best he could. He only partly knew what he was doing.

“Is that too tight?”

“ ... maybe a little.”

Adam nodded. He unwound the bandage and the wrapped her leg again, this time giving her a little more freedom of movement while still being tight enough to support her. Adam rested his hand on his mother’s leg, cupping the underside of her calf. He cleared his throat, trying to banish his thoughts. She had been through too much today. She didn’t need him ... influencing her.

“Better?”

“Yes. Thank you, Adam.”

They stared at each for a long moment. Erin tensed her foot, her toes gripping the fabric of her son’s shorts. Adam slid his hand a little higher on her calf, trying to not caress her soft skin.

Adam gently lifted his mother’s foot and placed it on the ground. He stood up, looking away from her.

“Okay, we better get going. There should be someone who can take a look at you at the Retreat. Or maybe organise a trip back into town? That might take a while, so hopefully you won’t need it.”

Erin nodded demurely. She was quietly watching her son, her gaze intent. Searching. Her eyes followed Adam as he moved around, gathering their things and repacking what he needed to.

Adam picked up his damp t-shirt and put it back on, grimacing as the fabric stuck to his skin. He went to pick up the backpack, but then paused.

“Hey, Mom?”

“Yes?”

“Is there anything in here that’s actually yours?”

Erin cocked her head.

“ ... no. Not really. Maybe some of the wet weather gear, but it’s not technically mine. Why?”

Adam shrugged. He dropped the pack back on the ground.

“We’ll just leave it. I’ll tell the staff about it, or even Dad if he kicks up a stink. He can come back for it if it’s important to him.”

Erin hesitated. She bit her lip.

“It’s best if you don’t carry it — not if you’re intending on carrying me back, but —”

“It’s fine, it’s easy for —”

“Hush, Adam. I agree. But ... your father will be angry. I’m just ... letting you know. Not telling you it’s a bad idea.”

Adam sighed. He gave the pack a kick.

“I know. But it’s not important. You are. I don’t want to carry it as well as you now that the trail will be slippery.”

Erin flushed, but looked happy at his words. Adam cleared his throat again.

“Come on, let’s get going.”

Erin took in a sharp breath as Adam walked up to her, but she didn’t say anything as her son stooped and then picked her up once more. She slid her arms around Adam’s neck, hanging onto him. Adam shifted his mother’s weight, balancing her better in his arms. She really didn’t weigh much at all, and Adam figured he would have been able to carry her even before he had changed. After the Cave ... well, it was absurdly easy.

Adam began the trek back to Serenity Falls, carefully cradling his mother in his arms. They were mostly silent, strangely comfortable with one another’s company. Adam picked his footing as best as he could, but the nature of the trail - a steady descent as they approached the retreat — meant that it wasn’t the smoothest trip for his mother.

Erin kept it to herself as best she could, but she occasionally took in a sharp breath when she was jostled as they crossed a particularly rough bit. Adam realised that her injury was paining her more than she let on. It only stoked his anger at his father and aunt.

It didn’t take them long to make the rest of the way down. Even carrying his mother, Adam was moving faster than he had on their ascent. He wasn’t having to match his pace with others, instead just powering through.

On the last stretch of the trail, before the bend that would reveal the buildings of the Retreat, Adam and his mother heard raised and strident voices. Shouting. Swearing. Adam felt his mother tense in his arms, her arms tightening around his neck, and he made a silent vow that she wouldn’t be the target of any more of her husband’s ire. Not today.

As they got closer, they were able to make out what was being said. Adam paused before revealing themselves, listening in on what was being said. A shouting male voice — Adam’s father — and a quieter female voice, one tight with annoyance, but trying to deescalate things. Adam wondered how it was that his father and aunt had only just arrived back. It had been at least an hour since they had seen them on the trail.

“—n’t have to stand here wasting time. We are saturated! Covered in filth. Get out of the way! I’ve paid good money for my stay here, don’t make me rethink things. Now, cease blocking me fr —”

“No one is stopping you from anything. But you will answer me first. Where are your wife and son?”

Adam recognised Delilah’s voice. Irritation and disdain was dripping from her every syllable, and Adam could just picture the look upon her face. Erin whispered in her son’s ear.

“Is that the manager? Do you think —”

John raised his voice, on the verge of shouting.

“How would I know? That little ingrate left before us! They are probably already here.”

“They are not. And you mentioned that they left early because your wife was injured?”

“What of it?”

Adam heard Delilah’s voice tighten.

“Charming. But the fact is that they are not here. Did you see them on the trail?”

“No. It was raining too hard! And then we —”

“Got lost. You said. It wasn’t wise to attempt to find your way back during that storm. You were warned about how quickly the weather can change when you checked in.”

John’s voice grew soft. Dangerous.

“Listen here, woman. I will not have —”

Delilah’s voice cracked like a whip, silencing him.

“Enough. If they aren’t here, they are still on the trail. I’ll need to organise a search party, particularly if your wife is hurt. I’m sure you will agree that’s the only way forward. I’m also sure that is only your sincere concern for your wife and son’s safety that is making you act so irrationally.”

Erin gasped softly in delight.

“Oh, I like her.”

Adam set his shoulders, and walked forward. He didn’t want to cause any further drama. As he appeared, Delilah swung her head to face him, her eyes flicking over him and his mother. Adam saw his father’s face twisted up in anger and frustration. John and Tessa were sopping wet, mud and leaves caking their legs. They must have fallen over more than once. Adam smiled easily at his father.

“Dad, you made it too! Quite a storm that rolled in wasn’t it?”

John looked over his son and wife. Apart from still being damp, Adam and his mother were basically unscathed from being caught out in the storm. John latched onto a detail.

“Adam. Where is the pack with all our belongings?”

Adam gently set his mother down onto her feet. She could stand as long as she favoured her injured leg, and he felt a bit strange cradling his mother in his arms while he faced down his father. Adam smiled wider.

“Oh, back up on the trail. Somewhere back there. I wanted to get Mom back safely, and I just knew you would want me to prioritise her over a stupid bag.”

John’s face began to purple. Delilah stepped forward, taking Erin by the arm.

“Erin, right? How badly are you hurt?”

Erin began to quietly tell Delilah the nature of her injury. John started forward, but Adam stepped between them, still smiling faintly. John stopped, glowering at his son.

Delilah turned to face them all, still supporting Erin.

“Alright, I’ll need to get Erin looked at by the first aid officer. They’ll make a call as to whether or not we need to transport her to town to see a doctor.”

John scoffed, throwing up his arms.

“I hardly think that is necessary. This is just a waste of time.”

Adam tensed, opening his mouth, but Delilah beat him to it. There was a look of incredulous disgust on her face for a moment before she schooled her expression.

“I have a duty of care to all my guests. It isn’t up for discussion.”

“If you think I’ll foot the bill for all this unnecessary grandstanding, you have —”

“I will pay any outstanding costs — even if she has to spend the night in town. Don’t worry. I have no desire to try squeezing blood from a stone.”

John’s face mottled in anger. He looked to one side.

“Fine. If you wish to waste your own time and money ... Come, Tessa. I need a shower.”

Adam watched his father spin on his heel and stomp off towards his bungalow. His aunt scurried after him without even a backwards look at her sister.

Delilah stared after the two retreating adults. She sighed, rubbing at her forehead with the heel of their hand, muttering something under her breath. She turned back to Erin, mustering up a smile.

“Okay, let’s get you looked at. Adam, you might have to carry your mother to the buggy. I’ll drive her to the office and get her checked out.”

Erin weakly protested as Adam swung her gently back into his arms.

“I — thank you, but I’m not sure if it’s necessary. It feels much better already, and I —”

Delilah waved her hand dismissively.

“I wasn’t just saying that to shut your husband up. I really do have a duty of care. I’m just relieved I don’t have to organise a search party for you both. We’ll let the first aid officer take a look and they can make the judgement call. Then I can organise any further assistance if you need it.”

Adam set his mother into the passenger seat, and made to get into the back. Delilah stopped him with a shake of her head.

“She’ll be fine with me, I promise. But there is something else you can do.”

“I really should go with — what, then?”

“You could go get her a change of clothes. Normally it wouldn’t be an issue since ... well, I think it’s best if you mother doesn’t have to deal with your father for a bit. Don’t you?”

Erin flushed with embarrassment, but didn’t contradict Delilah.

“Adam, there is a bag in my closet — I didn’t unpack everything. If you got that for me that would be enough.”

“I can. But, are will you be alright by yourself?”

Erin smiled at him.

“Thank you. But I won’t be alone. Just ... be careful, alright?”

Adam smiled tightly at his injured mother. She was obviously worried about him having to deal with her irate husband.

“Don’t worry, Mom. It’s not going to be an issue.”

Erin was quiet after her son had left. Delilah got into the driver seat, and they took off at an easy pace. The mother glanced at the beautiful dark haired woman next to her. Erin wasn’t vain, but she knew very well that she was beautiful. Delilah made her feel drab, unremarkable. Erin started when Delilah spoke.

“I’m sorry you’ve had such an eventful day. Getting caught out in a storm is never pleasant. And getting hurt before that...”

“Oh. Well, it’s alright. My son made sure I got back safely.”

“Mhmm. I saw. A confident young man, isn’t he.”

“Um. Yes?”

Erin felt off balance. Delilah had spoken to her son like she knew him. And she had made her husband back down so easily...

Delilah glanced at Erin, and then sighed.

“So ... I’m not the most tactful of women. Your husband. Has he always been such a miserable prick?”

Erin stared at the other woman with wide eyes ... then she burst into startled laughter, quickly quelling it with a hand over her mouth. Delilah flashed her a smile, giving her an approving nod.

“Ah. That’s a good sign.”

“Sorry, what?”

Delilah patted her encouragingly on her good knee.

“That you can laugh still. Sometimes it’s too late. Sometimes you try and help and the woman is too beaten down. Too ... resigned.”

The smile vanished from Erin’s face. She looked at this strange woman searchingly. She wasn’t sure how to take her familiar attitude either. But there was something about her. Something that drew Erin to her.

“ ... I see. Have you done this often then?”

“No, not often. But still more times than I’d like. I see all sorts of people running a place like this. So. Is he violent too?”

Erin hesitated. She had kept everything locked so deep inside herself for so long ... she wasn’t even sure how to begin talking about it. How long had it been since she’d had a conversation with another woman? Erin had no idea.

“Not ... entirely. And not in the way that you mean.”

Delilah sighed. She pulled into the car park by the office, but made no move to go inside at first.

“That’s worrying in a different way. And even if you’re not scared, you are still wary of him. I could see that very clearly. Let me think on things for a bit. Come on, I’ll help you inside.”

Erin protested as Delilah put her arm around her waist, supporting her as she hobbled from the buggy.

“Think about what? There’s no need for you to do anything.”

“Oh, hush. Just lean on me. Hopefully your son won’t be too long in getting your clothes, and then you can stop distracting me with that swimsuit.”

Erin blushed, even more off balance than before. They entered the office, and Delilah made a call to summon the first aid officer.

Erin was checked out and given the all clear. It turned out her knee wasn’t too bad, she’d just wrenched it while falling down on the rocks. She was instructed to ice it and to keep her weight off of it. Erin was also wearing a proper leg brace now, and the support already made her feel better. If anything changed they would arrange transport into town, but as things stood she was fine.

Delilah had produced a spare sarong, and Erin had wrapped it around her hips immediately. She instantly felt better once she was more covered up. Erin was now in almost the same outfit as Delilah. The dark haired beautify didn’t offer Erin a shirt to cover up her bikini top.

The two women sat in the office alone, waiting for Adam to return with his mother’s bag. Erin already felt down at the thought of returning to her bungalow.

“I guess we didn’t need my son to get my clothes. Since I’ll just be going straight back to my room.”

Erin didn’t relish the thought of spending a few days stuck in the bungalow — at the beck and call of her husband.

“Mmm. Not necessarily.”

“I’m sorry, what was that?”

Delilah smiled gently at her.

“You were hoping for a trip into town, weren’t you?”

Erin flushed, feeling embarrassed at being read so easily. She struggled to her feet.

“Thank you for all your help, but as you heard I’m alright. I’ll just go and wait for my son at —”

Delilah stood up and took hold of Erin’s shoulders. She gently coaxed her back into her chair with an inexorable strength that surprised Erin. Delilah gave her a crooked smile.

“See? Not tactful. But I’m not often wrong either. But all things considered, despite what the medical advice was, I think you will be needing an overnight stay in town.”

Erin blinked.

“What? But I’m fine.”

Delilah laughed softly.

“Oh, your leg might be okay. But you’re hardly fine.”

Erin glanced to one side.

“But there is no need to go to town. Look ... thank you. But you don’t need to trouble yourself.”

“Oh, there’s no trouble. Or expense. Since you won’t technically be going anywhere.”

“ ... then what are you —”

Erin cut herself off, her eyes widening. She looked down at her lap. Her hands were trembling before she clasped then together tightly. She was quiet as she spoke.

“Oh. I see.”

Delilah bent down in front of Erin. She reached out and gently cupped the other woman’s chin, tilting her her head up until their eyes met. Delilah smiled gently.

“Exactly. It’s a shame I cannot do this for your entire stay, but ... for today and tonight at least, you can stay in another room. While you are ‘in town for treatment’. I doubt it will even be questioned.”