Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Protecting Heather by Stephen Smith (C)2014

   **This is a work of fantasy and fiction.  The author does not condone
any sexual activity among persons under legal age in real life.

   -------------------------------------------------------------

   Ch.  3



   Janice drove the car through the small hours of the morning, and well
before dawn finally arrived at the camping ground.  It was deserted, closed
after thanksgiving for the season.  It was surrounded by state trust land
forest and sat a full mile back from the road.  An isolated and deserted
place this time of year.

   Oliver was already there, pacing expectantly.  He heard her car before
he saw it.  He thumbed the control for the side door of the minivan open.

   Janice pulled the car beside his minivan, and before she could get out
of the drivers seat, he was already quietly opening the back passenger door
of her car.  She joined him as he watched the girl's sleeping form.  She
was breathing well, uninjured, and quietly sleeping under the effects of
the hot cocoa mix.

   "Any trouble?" he asked in hushed tones, never removing his eyes from
the girl.

   "Her mother... She overdosed." Janice responded.

   "Will she make it?" he asked, concern in his voice.

   "It doesn't seem likely, according to the last thing I heard before I
came out here.  She really overdosed.  It almost seems intentional."

   "Oh..."Oliver responded sadly, not knowing what else to say.

   They stood in silence for a moment as Heather breathed quietly, unaware
that her life as she knew it, was taking a turn.  Janice handed him a
sealed file folder.  He opened it, looking over it's contents.  A copy of
Heather's case file.  He closed it and put it on the front seat.

   "And what about that... pimp?" he quietly spat that last bit with
distaste.

   "The police will probably look hard at him.  Most of the snitches will
point to him right off.  They know he was interested in her.  But they'll
never be able to make anything stick to him.  Still, it should make his
life difficult for a while."

   Oliver contemplated the day's events as he beheld Heather's face.  "She
looks so peaceful.  I'll try not to wake her.  "

   He looked uncomfortably awkward for a moment, then he reached into his
inside jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope.

   "Here.  This is for consideration of your trouble, your risks.  And I
hope some of it... you can find a way to put to good use."

   Janice took the envelope, opened it, and saw $100 bills laid thickly
inside.  She gaped at it.  (This is... how much is there here!?)

   "I... I just can't... That's not what this is about." Now it was her
turn to feel uncomfortable as words failed her.  Somewhere deep inside,
taking the money meant something.  It was confirmation of the line she'd
just crossed.  She tried to hand it back.

   He stuck his hands in his pockets.  "Don't think about it.  Do someone
some good with it.  Consider doing yourself some good for once.  Head back
before you're missed.  We'll talk later.  And... thank you." He smiled
weakly.

   "You better justify my faith." She said.

   He reached into the car and collected the girl into his arms, then
turned and loaded her onto the back seat of his minivan.  Then he simply
got in and drove off without a backward glance.  Janice stood and watched
until he disappeared through the woods, until even his lights were gone. 
She waited another minute past that, until she couldn't even hear him
anymore.  She stood there keeping company with the quiet and empty woods,
that feeling of emptiness echoing inside her.

   (I better get moving before I really have a chance to think about what
I've done.  )She stuck the envelope into her bag, closed up the car, and
drove off.  She left the empty woods behind, but the empty feeling came
along for the ride.