| October 6, 2023 – 5:00 PM
Lin had barely set down her phone when she heard the low rumble of tires in the driveway. She glanced out the kitchen window—only to see Eric Porter, out of uniform, stepping out of his personal vehicle.
His expression was grim, his jaw set as he strode toward the porch. Lin opened the front door before he even knocked.
She raised an eyebrow. "Deputy."
He shook his head, his voice sharp. "Off duty, just Eric. Can we talk?"
Lin stepped back, letting him inside. "What happened?"
Eric paced to the kitchen table, frustration evident in every move. He didn't sit. Instead, he turned to her, eyes dark.
"Remember that bike you found today? Willow Creek jurisdiction?"
Lin nodded slowly. "Yeah?"
"I called their office," Eric said, voice tight. "Asked for the report, offered to help investigate. You know what they told me?"
Lin tilted her head. "I'm guessing nothing helpful."
Eric's laugh was bitter. "Worse. They said there was no case. No bike, no report—nothing. Told me I must've gotten my facts wrong."
Lin stilled. "They're covering it up?"
Eric exhaled sharply. "Not even politely. They stonewalled me. I asked around unofficially—nothing. It's like it never happened."
Lin crossed her arms, studying him carefully. "And you don't believe it."
Eric's gaze hardened. "Because I had another case exactly like it this afternoon. Another kid. Sixteen, seventeen maybe. Bike dumped, backpack left behind. Parents swore their kid would never run away."
Lin's breath slowed. "What did your office say?"
Eric's expression darkened further. "They said we'd 'look into it.' Then the sheriff took the file himself. I asked about the first kid again, and he shut me down."
Lin stepped closer, voice quiet. "Someone's covering their tracks."
Eric nodded once. "Yeah. But why?"
Lin glanced out the window, toward the farm perimeter—the fences, the cameras, the preparations. "Because someone knows what's coming."
Eric's eyes sharpened on her face. "And you do too, don't you?"
Lin didn't flinch. "Yes."
He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "What do we do?"
Lin held his gaze, steady and firm. "We prepare. Quietly."
Eric stared at her a moment longer, then nodded. "Alright."
Because now, he understood.
This wasn't just panic or paranoia.
It was survival.
| October 6, 2023 – 5:30 PM
Eric looked ready to leave, but Lin wasn't done with him yet.
"Stay for dinner," she said casually, as if they hadn't just been discussing missing kids and a cover-up.
Eric blinked, caught off guard. "What?"
Lin smirked. "You came all this way, might as well get a meal out of it."
Eric hesitated, clearly debating whether he should. "I don't want to impose."
Lin snorted. "Deputy, I've seen you survive on gas station coffee and whatever's in the vending machine at your office. Sit down. Eat real food."
Eric exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright. But only because you guilt-tripped me."
Lin grinned. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."
She led him toward the dining room, where Helen was already setting the table. Richard sat at the head, arms crossed as he watched Eric step inside.
The general took one look at him and raised an eyebrow."You bring a guest, Lin?"
"He was in the area," Lin said smoothly, already grabbing an extra plate.
Helen, on the other hand, smiled warmly. "Well, that's a nice surprise. Sit, sit. I made plenty."
Eric, clearly unsure how he'd ended up in a full family dinner situation, muttered a quiet, "Thanks, ma'am."
Jake, from his seat, squinted suspiciously at Eric."You're the police."
Eric glanced at him, amused. "That's what they tell me."
Jake nodded seriously, then turned back to his mashed potatoes.
Lin bit back a laugh. At least someone was keeping the interrogation going.
She caught Eric's glance across the table, and for the first time that evening, his shoulders seemed to relax.
Maybe, for just one night, they could forget about the storm brewing outside.
| October 6, 2023 – 6:00 PM
The sound of silverware clinking against plates filled the dining room, the warm scent of Helen's cooking making the whole place feel oddly… normal.
Lin almost forgot she had a deputy sitting at her table. Almost.
Eric, for his part, had adapted quickly. He wasn't the stiff, serious officer from earlier—he was just a guy eating dinner with strangers.
Helen smiled as she passed him another helping of roasted vegetables. "So, Eric, how long have you been with the sheriff's office?"
Eric swallowed his bite of chicken before answering. "Five years in Maep's. Before that, I was in a bigger city department. Didn't like the politics, so I transferred out here."
Richard hummed, watching him. "And before that?"
Eric hesitated for half a second. "Marines."
Lin wasn't surprised. He moved too sharp, too controlled to be anything else.
Richard nodded approvingly. "Good branch."
Eric smirked. "You Army?"
Richard grunted."Was."
Lin rolled her eyes."Don't start comparing service records at my table."
Eric chuckled, finally relaxing. "Fine, fine." He glanced at Jake, who had been watching him the whole time. "What about you, kid? You like living here?"
Jake nodded seriously."We have dogs."
Eric grinned."That's a good reason to like a place."
Jake thought for a second, then added, "And house rules."
Eric raised an eyebrow."House rules?"
Lin smirked. "Strict policy around here. No running in the house, no jumping on furniture, and no pets inside—unless it's raining."
Eric laughed."Reasonable."
Jake nodded, looking extremely proud of the system."Also, if Lin makes cookies, I get to lick the spoon."
Eric shot Lin an amused look."Very reasonable."
Helen watched the exchange with a knowing smile."You should come by more often, Eric. We don't get many visitors out here."
Eric glanced at Lin, as if checking her reaction.
Lin simply shrugged. "If he brings beer next time, maybe."
Eric smirked. "Noted."
For a moment, the room was quiet, filled only with the sounds of a shared meal. A rare moment of peace.
And Lin, for all her planning, hadn't expected that at all.
| October 6, 2023 – 7:15 PM
Dinner had wrapped up, and the plates were cleared. Eric had stayed longer than expected—not that anyone seemed to mind.
Lin leaned against the kitchen counter, finishing the last of her drink when Eric walked over. His expression was casual, but there was something just a little too deliberate in the way he stood.
"So," he started, tilting his head toward her. "You ever been to the drive-in around here?"
Lin raised an eyebrow."Can't say I have."
Eric nodded, thoughtful. "They're playing a double feature tonight. Thought I'd check it out."
Lin smirked. "And you're telling me this because…?"
Eric shrugged. "Figured I'd ask if you wanted to come."
Lin blinked, not expecting that. "You asking me on a date, Deputy?"
Eric didn't flinch."I'm asking if you want to watch a movie. What you call it is up to you."
Lin chuckled, setting her glass down. "Smooth."
Eric smirked. "It's been said."
She crossed her arms, considering. It had been a long time since she'd done something as simple as watching a movie. Longer still since someone had invited her anywhere without some kind of expectation attached.
Before she could answer, Helen's voice floated in from the living room.
"You should go, Lin!"
Lin turned her head, narrowing her eyes. "You weren't invited to this conversation."
Helen appeared in the doorway, far too pleased with herself."I heard 'drive-in movie' and that's all I needed to know."
Eric chuckled, looking far too entertained. "Well, that's one vote in favor."
Lin exhaled, then grabbed her jacket off the chair. "Fine. But if the movie sucks, I get to pick next time."
Eric's smirk widened just slightly. "Deal."
Helen gave Lin a pointed look as she passed."Don't be home too late."
Lin shot her a glare.
Eric, for once, had the good sense not to laugh out loud.
| October 6, 2023 – 7:30 PM
Lin slid into the passenger seat of Eric's truck, shutting the door behind her. The cab smelled like leather and faint traces of coffee, the dashboard clean but lived-in.
Eric started the engine, the low rumble filling the silence as they pulled onto the main road.
For a few minutes, neither of them spoke. The quiet wasn't awkward, just easy—like neither of them felt the need to fill it.
Lin finally broke it. "So, what's playing?"
Eric smirked, keeping his eyes on the road. "Some classic action flick and a horror movie."
Lin huffed a small laugh. "Figures."
Eric glanced at her."What? You seem like someone who appreciates practical effects."
Lin raised an eyebrow."You seem like someone who assumes a lot."
Eric chuckled. "Deputy instincts."
Lin shook her head, amused. "Alright, Porter. Since you're the one dragging me out here, you get one question. Anything you want."
Eric hummed, thinking.
Then—"Why'd you really move out here?"
Lin expected that.
She looked out the window, the trees blurring past. "Fresh air, space, a good deal on land."
Eric shot her a knowing look. "That's the official answer. What's the real one?"
Lin tapped her fingers against her knee. "I like to be prepared."
Eric didn't press, didn't push for more. He just nodded. "Smart."
Lin smirked. "You assume again."
Eric's lips quirked. "Yeah. But this time, I know I'm right."
She glanced at him, considering. "Your turn. Why'd you leave the city?"
Eric was quiet for a moment, then exhaled. "Didn't like the way things were run. Too much politics, not enough protecting people."
Lin studied his profile. "You think it's better out here?"
Eric smirked, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Not really. Just different."
Lin nodded, because that? That she understood.
For now, that was enough.