Finding Honour: Day 7

Word Count: 43,333

Summary of Events:
Chapter 13:
Borden walked through the forest around the southern end of Williston Lake and got to thinking a little bit about Mrs. Pavelick's worries. Honour and Eira — who were suffering in their rather warm clothes in the summer heat — were given some summery clothes and allowed to have showers. They also got their hair trimmed and then the man who Eira had been singing for started to discuss with Eira her unwillingness to do what he wanted.
Chapter 14:
Borden woke up and set out walking. The Frankes, having prepared a pile of explosives, set off to get revenge on the people they suspected were holding their daughter. Eira discussed with Honour how she felt so unnaturally courageous when she was talking with the man — who was threatening her — Honour told her about various courageous people in the Bible who'd been given their courage by God. Borden settled down for bed, feeling a lot better, more alive, and like he had a purpose to his life that was good.

Excerpt of the Day:
"Borden sighed and looked up to the sky. Then he heard the sound of brush moving and he surged to his feet. He was completely rigid, his eyes seeking out forms in the darkness, grateful he'd put out the fire and his eyes were completely adjusted to the night.
His entire body was on high alert, every move was slow, deliberate, and well thought out. He sought every millimetre of the forest with his eyes before moving on. Another rustle and his ears pinpointed what direction it was in.
Turning to face it, he sought out the trees with his eyes. The brush rustled again, and then a skunk came out of the bush into the learning. Borden stood dead still. He did not want to scare that.
His eyes followed the skunk as it went through the little clearing Borden was using as a campsite and disappeared into the bush on the other side. There was an occasional rustle as the skunk moved on.
Borden released himself from the tension. He took several deep breaths and then slowly laid back down. He had to admit he'd been legitimately scared. But he felt good too, like he was really alive again.
It was like combat, he was on alert, every noise was carefully considered and evaluated, he was constantly watching, carefully judging, discerning the best course, as if he were on a stealth recon mission or something. It felt really good. He was living on the edge, and there wasn't really any place he liked living more than there. Borden liked to fight, to have to think carefully and move delicately. He liked things hanging in the balance.
Sure it was walking in the bush, sure there were bears and cougars around, sure he might not find much to eat, so what? This was what he loved. This was where he thrived. It was intense, high-adrenaline action. It was danger. It was awesome.
Borden could see how Mrs. Pavelick couldn't understand. She was a woman. Women liked safety and comfort more. But he was a man, and men liked to fight, to be alive like this, on the edge, in the rough."