Her head drooped as her shoulders sank. She no longer had the energy to decipher the rules to an unknown game. With a loud sigh and a glance towards Mystique, who happily grazed in the pasture, Caitlin headed inside and soaked in a bubble bath. A rolled towel rested behind her neck and offered support, both physical and emotional. Flames danced around, licking at her hands and feet. She shielded herself but the flames moved closer, laughing spitefully. When she tried to run, they encircled her with no sign of letting up until they devoured her. Scott's face flashed in the fire. She jolted and splashed water over the edge of the tub. "He's the messenger, so why hasn't he delivered the message?"
She dunked her head under the water and rinsed away the shampoo. Water dripped over her face as she sat up. "Nobody said life was easy, but it was never to be this complicated or scary. How would granddaddy have handled this?" She thought for a minute and then nodded. "He wants me to handle Scott on my terms. The question now is, do I have enough fight in me to win against an unknown opponent?"
Constant knocks at the kitchen door left her irritated. She stormed into the room, and swung open the door. "Speak of the devil. Where have you been hiding?" Disheveled blond hair and stubble showed a man who had not slept for a week. What was he up to? Where did he go? "I went out of town for my mom's birthday. What's got you in an uproar?" She remained speechless as she stared at this innocent looking man full of answers he refused to share.
"Did you happen to notice the barn?"
"No," he said, slow and deliberate. "What happened to it?" he said trying to read the exasperated expression filling her face. "What is going on?"
She shook her head in anger and disbelief. "You are unbelievable." She took a deep breath and then let it all out. Before she had a chance to say another word, Scott ran towards the barn. He stopped as if seeing a grizzly bear standing in front of him. "What the hell?" he said and then screamed like a man being tortured.
Caitlin shuddered at the noise. Scott remained planted as if he had grown roots, but then he turned and looked at Caitlin. She shuddered at the tension in his face. This man looked as if he could kill someone with his bare hands. Long, purposeful strides carried him to the porch. He now stood in front of her.