Word Count: 90,281
Summary of Events:
Borden began another day's hiking by following a waterway he was sure would lead him to Kitimat, but before he reached the town he encountered a well-kept and newly-built yard site that left him highly suspicious. Nadia was picked up by Horea in his car and he took her to his apartment to kill some time so that she didn't make her parents too suspicious by showing up home early. Having watched the yard site all day Borden had seen a little girl who matched the photo he had of Honour perfectly, so once it was dark he moved in, finding an underground arsenal disguised by a shed and took a gun on his way to the cabin he'd seen Honour at during the day . . .
Excerpt of the Day:
He hurried across the open space toward the cabin, he could hear quiet, childish sobbing, and he hurried toward the dimly lit window.
At the sound of something behind him Borden dropped to his stomach and lay still, ears burning. He heard the sound of the lock clicking, then feet crossed the grass and Borden heard feet heading up stony stairs.
Once the feet had receded enough, Borden raised himself up to look in the sash window that was slightly open.
The room was decorated in a more adult style, to Borden’s way of thinking, but the bedding was definitely juvenile, as was the little girl sobbing in the bed.
“I want to go home,” she sobbed.
“Honour,” Borden whispered as loudly as he dared.
Immediately she went straight and wide-eyed, looking petrified.
“Honour,” Borden repeated.
She saw him. “Who are you?” she asked, sounding defensive.
“My name is Borden, I’ve come to take you home,” Borden whispered.
“No,” Honour said firmly. “I want Mama and Papa.”
“Honour please,” Borden begged. “I’ll take you to them.”
“No, I don’t know you,” Honour retorted.
“I’m a friend of your Mama,” Borden said.
“No you’re not,” Honour snapped.
“Yes I am,” Borden said. “I just haven’t seen her in a long time.”
“That’s because you’re a bad guy,” Honour snapped.
“No, it’s because I’m in the army,” Borden replied; feeling a sharp pang of guilt for the half-truth.
Honour’s demeanour changed, she looked awed. “You’re from the army?”
“Yes,” Borden lied. “And I’ve come to take you home. Quick, get warm clothes on.”
Quickly she slid out of bed. Borden looked away from the window to let her change in privacy. In moments she was at the window, dressed as he’d seen her earlier.
“Do you have any other clothes?” Borden asked, removing the screen.
“No,” Honour replied.
“Okay,” Borden said, he lifted the window wider open and Honour scrambled out.
Borden closed the window to where it’d been before and replaced the screen, he then gathered Honour into his arms and walked briskly across the yard to the creek.
“The road is over there,” Honour said, pointing back over his shoulder.
“But I came through the bush,” Borden replied. “That’s why it took me so long.”
He walked confidently across the creek, even in spite of a small slip that nearly brought him down.
Setting Honour down, Borden walked on cautious feet, not wanting anything to stab them, until they found his backpack, socks, and boots — the latter two he returned to his feet.
Hefting his backpack onto his shoulders, Borden grabbed Honour’s hand and started leading her through the trees where he’d decided to go as a shortcut instead of following the creek through its wide bend to the north.
The further they could get back toward Prince George tonight, the greater of a head start they would have that should keep them safe — although Borden was grateful for the gun, just in case.
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