Erie Retreat

[Doc Holliday]

"How much worse can things get?" he asked of himself.
"On second thought, John Henry, do not ask that," he thought to himself, "Caliban is still out there threatening."

Gone was his head of mental health, her remains now one with the Baffin sun. So young and so gifted, could he ever find someone like that again? He spent several days in his escape, riding his horses and taking good care of them. Fly fishing out of his canoe was also something that cleared his mind and just enjoying the water in a swim. Of course, the reminder of how horrible cardamine could be was a small burial plot near his rustic house, that of his grandson. Emiko was no longer in his life.

It was at night that his mind began to plunge into a dark place. Outside in the dark and only the sounds of nature to keep one company. The porch of his house overlooked the water and his oil lamp was the only light. To most, this would be heaven but for Doc himself, if he had demons to conquer, it was at times Hell. Still, he had a very disciplined mind and very much in control of it. Still, being alone for so long was weighing on him. Even escaping here wasn't helping the way it once did but still, he never gave in.
Now, with only the dull glow from his lamp, he sat in a chair with a glass of Scotch. It was pleasant out but he kept a nice blanket on his lap. Under the blanket was his pistol. As he sat in though, his new cat looked up to him from beside his chair.
"Niki," he said to her gently with a smile. He then patted his lap and she jumped up. She had won Doc's heart and it didn't take long to realize that her presence seemed to make things better. She bunted him repeatedly before finally settling into his lap. Curling up, she set her head down and purred herself to sleep. It was now Doc realized he wasn't going anywhere at least, for now. He just sat in though, running his hand down Niki's back over and over.

"No doubt your Mom's death hurts you too," he said kindly to her. "I too lost my mother when she was young and well, her death was just as horrible in a way."
He sipped his Scotch. He pondered when he should get back to work. He actually feared Caliban as he knew so little about him but saw his threatening demeanor. He could fight back but what good would it do? He was at a loss. He had to maintain his confidence in his staff and ship commanders and care little what others may think.
"Do not worry, Niki, we will find our way through this," he said softly to her. After about an hour on the deck, he took Niki, the blanket and his pistol to his bedroom for the night, locking the door behind him.

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[MFE]Med Force One | Tales of Recovery|Med Force Enterprises