Keeping Isabelle

I saw Harry hit the man with the end of the rifle, very, very hard. I saw the man’s eyes roll into the ban of his head, and he dropped to the ground.
Harry pushed him off, carrying the rifle to the refrigerator and throwing it on top of it in silence. He looked back at me, but I was still paralyzed by this man trying to hurt Harry.

“Isabelle…” he came over to me, engulfing me in a huge hug. I don't remember when, but at some point I started to cry. “Shh, Isabelle. It's alright.”
I held onto Harry tighter.

“Why was he going to hurt you?” I asked quietly when I let go, wiping at my eyes. Harry shrugged, rubbing his own sleep deprived eyes.

“He said something about his bosses…” Harry and I looked back at the man. “Said his bosses wanted you back. He said you were valuable…some sort of key.”

I looked at him, scared. “What happens when he wakes up?”

“I'll drive him into town,” Harry said, thinking hard. There was lines between his eyebrows as he scrunched them. “I'll take him into the far edge of town. He didn't sound like he was from around here. I'll leave him in an alley or something.”

“Won't he wake up?”

Harry shook his head, his curls cascading around his face. “I hit ‘em pretty hard. He won't wake up for a couple of hours.“ I nodded.

“Be safe, okay?”

“Wait,” Harry said as I turned to go back upstairs. “If I'm ever not here, and you're in any sort of danger… here, come with me.” Harry held out his hand, and I took it. He led me down a staircase, then stopped at this odd metal door. Harry flipped up a panel, and there was a number pad. “This is the Panick Room. For emergencies, only.”
Harry gave me the code, telling me to memorize it, and we walked in. “There is a month’s worth of food and water in here. There is a bathroom.”

There was a door which led to the bathroom, and there were several large boxes with the food and water. In the corner, there were several small cots, and blankets were folded on them.

“I'm going now. Maybe you should stay in here while I'm gone.” I looked at Harry, alarmed. “I'll only be gone for an hour or so. Just take a nap. Don't worry, I'll come in and get you when I'm back.”

“Okay,” I said, but it was muffled by Harry's shirt. We hugged for a fair amount of time, like we'd never see each other again. “Be safe, please,” I begged. Harry nodded, watching me as I went over to a cot, laying down on it.

“I'll see you later,” he said, reaching for the doorknob. I nodded.

“See you.” And he walked out, the metal door crashing behind him with a thud.

Notes