Today we are in a small town to take a break from a trip…not that we need one.
It was supposed to be a 7 hour trip, not a 3 day sight seeing excursion.
It’s been nice though can’t deny.
The twins are different than I remember.
Erik…..he literally looks like life ran him over and decided to run him over back and forth a few times for same measure.
Hairs grown and disheveled.
He has facial hair, freaking facial hair and a lot of it.
The biggest thing are his eyes.
When we were younger, there was a fire in them, passion, a hunger to make a name for himself.
Now they seem dull, like he’s been to the depth of hell and now just a man trying to take the next steps forward without going backwards.
But their observant.
I’ve noticed over the last couple days he’s always watching, scanning.
Like everything going on in his life could collapse at anytime and he looking to make sure there’s a way to make an exit and survive.
To make sure we aren’t ambushed.
It’s hard to take the easy going youthful Erik full of adventure and energy I fell in love with to the grizzled man who seems like he doesn’t ever feel like he can relax.
It’s heartbreaking but oddly comforting knowing I’m safe no matter what.
Derrick is different too.
The confidence, charisma, that aura of never surrender you get from him that just being around him can give you, it’s like it doesn’t exist anymore.
He seems distant know, almost afraid to make decisions.
There’s none of that youthfulness that I saw along time ago left.
I feel like I’ve seen almost kinda leaning on Erik for all major decisions, like he’s scared of the mistakes the decisions he makes would cause.
It’s also heartbreaking to see.
I fell in love with the sniper who could organize an operation without a shadow of a doubt and hit targets with no scope from impossible distance.
Now I see a man who lost the ability to ever feel safe and secure.
I admired the twin who could turn the tide of battle by his sheer presence before the battle even began.
Now I see a man who’s afraid of making the tough decisions that could make or break an operation if it comes to it.
I don’t know who they are anymore, and yet I’ve never felt safer.
It’s hard to imagine what these boys have been through.
I know despite my world turning upside down and full of nothing but lies, these two have seen horror and have mental and psychological scars I may never understand, but I do know that what I see now is something to protect.
One thng I’ve also noticed is how free the boys feel at the same time.
Whether it’s the beach, visiting the landscapes, or just going down the streets of big cities, you can tell that the boys are enjoying themselves with all the jokes and banter they’re having with each other.
“Alright ladies, we arrived at a hot spring resort.
Let’s enjoy to our hearts content.
And remember, no sad thoughts today.
We’re here to relax before we arrive tomorrow at my parents house.” Derricc says as we park the truck and head to our rooms.
“When did you even book these rooms.” I asked as I have had no recollection of this being done.
“Seriously…..like maybe 30 minutes ago.” Erik says with a hint of confusion.
“You have been spacing out lately.
Must be trying to come to terms with everything am I right.” “Yeah it’s a lot.
Between you two, the letter issues and just trying to figure out what to do next.” “Relax in a hot spring with us”, Erik jests.
“With everything that’s been sprung onto you the last few days, relaxing will help you from burning yourself out and allow you to reduce all these racing thoughts.
I know it’s a lot but coming to terms with everything may not ever really happen.
Just trust in yourself that you can make the best of everything and lean on Anna.
She’s got a good headspace.
Whatever you decide to do, you can always reach out to Mr brother and I if you need help.
I know that may not sound like much but regardless of the paths we take after tomorrow, I’m hoping to be here for you from now on…if you’ll let me.
I’m not sure why but hearing that from him of all people gives me a sense of security and a chance to give myself a reason to move forward.
I want the truth and an explanation.
But more than anything, even know he’s not the same Erik I married, he’s still the man who would willingly do whatever it took to keep me safe and that matters more than anything at this point in my life where I can’t trust people very easily anymore after all this.
I think this until I hear a conversation that maybe changes everything.
I enter the room I’m sharing with Anna and I’m getting ready for the hot spring when I here what sounds like a serious conversation between the twins.
“Erik, I know we said no negative conversations but we’ve delayed this long enough”, I hear Derricc say “Jackson, what are we going to do about him.
This the third time he’s been involved in something major in our lives.
First our family, then blowing up our villa and now trying to turn Ashley again you.
Enough has to be Enough.
We can’t let this continue.” “Derricc, you’re missing the big picture here.
He knew about the villa.
That’s the presidents personal villa he gifted us.
Only the president and myself should’ve known about it except maybe the staff involved in the villa or the transfer paperwork.
He’s using my wife and our family to come after us.
Think for a second.
That means whatever is going on behind the scenes, one or both us are a threat to this situation and we’re being targeted for elimination but we’re off grid so it’s hard to pinpoint us.
It also means they infiltrated someplace that either didn’t fully eliminate our existence off the planet or someone who knew us before we were ghosted thinks we’re a threat to something going on.
We don’t know enough about anything to make a move.
We also don’t know if Jackson is involved in what’s going on or if he just has a personal vendetta against us.
“All we can do is make preparations to prepare for the apocalypse in a few months and try to keep the timeline as similar as possible without changing too much or our future knowledge becomes useless.” I feel a hand over my mouth before I can speak up and look at Anna as she pulls me from the door long enough to ask me one question.
“What do you want to do.” “What do you mean Anna.” “These guys have a very extensive history with this Jackson guy who wants to marry you.
Regardless of the path you choose, Jackson will eventually come back to interfere with both yours and Erik’s lives.
Personally, they know a lot more than they’re saying.
Either they’re hallucinating very heavy or, according to their timeline talks, they’re from the future and got sent back for a reason.” “Regardless, this truth you want to find, Your husband coming back the exact moment he needed to tells me there’s something much bigger at play and those twins are the key to surviving whatever is actually going on.” “You’re right Anna, I want answers and those boys seem to have the answers im looking for.
It also sounds like they’re getting ready for something big and I can’t afford to trust anyone else right now.
Plus, regardless of what’s going on, Erik genuinely seems to want what’s best for me.
I feel I can at least trust his intentions even if I can’t trust anything else.” “Good choice, let’s see if they truly care to keep us around, mistress.”