Jack had two days to get to Rose. Only two. The only way to get there that quickly was by train. And even then he wouldn't be home until late in the evening. It was a huge risk, taking a train. He had gone AWOL. Jack didn't know if the Army would already be looking for him, but he wasn't ready to find out. If Jack had the luxury of time, he would have just hitched a ride. Hell, he would have stolen someone's car if it came down to it.
He kept his head low and stayed alone in the rundown part of New York City. The train didn't leave for another hour, and for Jack it was the longest hour ever. I'd rather deal with the frigid Atlantic all over. At least I was with Rose. I was able to protect her. If I don't get there...
No. Stop it. You'll get there. And even if you don't, Rose is capable of taking care of herself.
Are you sure about that? He got her once already.
Dammit. Stop.
The internal argument didn't stop, despite Jack's many attempts to bring it to an end. When he boarded the train, he remained in the third class car. Somehow, through all the mental battles, Jack had thought to discard his military overcoat and shirt. All that remained were his pants and an undershirt. It was cold outside, but Jack barely noticed. The tangled bundle of nerves in his stomach was more bothersome than the chilled wind.
*****
Cal smiled with pursed lips. He hung up the phone and grabbed his drink. Dawson was on a train headed west. It would take him just over two days to reach Chippewa Falls. Cal finished the amber liquid in his glass and set the glass down.
Jack had boarded the third class car, according to Cal's source. The same train would stop in Philadelphia before dinnertime, and Cal would board on the first class car.
He'd let them reunite, knowing it wouldn't be joyous. It would be confusing, and startling. And in the end, Cal vowed to make it a nightmare.
*****
The next two days dragged on. Jack felt as if he was an insect that had flown onto a tree, only to get stuck in the tree sap. There was no way out now, and there was no way to speed up time. He ate little, his stomach protesting each mouthful of food. It was a battle to keep the morsels that he did eat down. If possible, Jack slept less than he ate. He was afraid of someone spotting him while he was asleep. But mostly, sleep eluded Jack because he saw Rose's terrified eyes every time he closed his.
Despite his best efforts, Jack was unable to prevent himself from thinking the worst things. One second his mind would be blank as he stared into space. The next, a horrifying vision would cross his mind. Cal beating Rose, forcing her beneath him. Rose was screaming as he was laughing. She'd be fighting for all she was worth, but he was stronger than her and overpowered her. Cal was raping her.
Jack learned to gnaw on his bottom lip, or dig his fingernails into his palm or wrist. The tiny sting of pain managed to snap Jack out it, bringing him back to the present. He'd stare into space again, his mind empty. It would remain like that for a few minutes, until the mental image of Rose laying on the floor, beaten, bloodied, and raped would flash into his mind. He saw her crying herself to sleep, and then waking up in a terrified scream. Jack would pinch himself again and he'd calm down.
It was a vicious cycle, but one that Jack coped with silently. He spoke to no one unless it was necessary. He stared out the window, keeping his face from view. It was probably for the best, for if someone saw the sadness and pain in his eyes, they might start crying.
Eventually, the train made it into Wisconsin. Jack was positive it slowed to a crawl the moment it crossed into the state. Cal hasn't gotten to her yet. He can't be that perfect. Can he? The chant in Jack's head did little to calm his nerves. The two days had just about passed. Jack knew he could be to her by nightfall. He just hoped she was safe.
*****
Rose was safe. Terrified senseless, but safe. She hadn't slept since waking up in a cold sweat the night before. Of all the nightmares she'd had over the past week and a half, none of them had been as brutal as the one she had last night. Rose didn't notice her hands tremble as the images came back to her. The images were just as vivid as if she was standing there watching it take place.
Rose's body laid on the floor, lifeless. Her fair complexion was completely gone. In its place were bruises and cuts. Dried blood was caked in her hair and around her nostrils. One of her teeth had been knocked out, and her mouth was bloody.
"Rosebud," Jack called in a cheerful voice. Rose didn't hear him. She couldn't. She was dead. "Rosebud!"
The door opened, allowing not only Jack to enter, but also a wind that was as cold as death. Her body was the first thing he saw. It took him three long strides to reach her. The look on his face was one of shock and denial. Jack fell to his knees beside her.
"Rose?" He stroked her face gently, trying to ignore the cold temperature of her now stiff skin. "Rose. Wake up." Jack shook her shoulder gently. Nothing. "Rosebud?" Jack's gaze traveled down her torso. Her dress was covered in blood. Several areas, darker than the rest, marked the places where a knife had entered her body. The wounds not only covered her chest and stomach, but traveled all the way down to her feet. Her arms were covered into them too.
"No!" Jack pulled her mutilated body into his arms, cradling it. "Rose. Honey, wake up." Tears blinded Jack's vision as he placed his forehead to hers. "Please, baby!" he cried, not noticing the high pitch his voice had taken.
Rose shook her head fiercely, as if she was trying to shake the memory away. She noticed the change of light in the room as the sun set farther behind the trees. A yawn came over her. Her brain was ragged beyond repair. Although the majority of her bruises had healed, she was still sore, especially around her ribs. She hadn't eaten all day, not that she was even hungry. In short, she was exhausted.
She didn't even know she was asleep until she couldn't escape from another nightmare.
*****
Jack froze before opening the front door. A part of him was terrified to go in, terrified of what he might find. Then he heard something that made him sick to his stomach. The early evening was silent and dark, making her small cries for help easy to hear.
Swinging the door open, he saw nothing. The house was dark, no lights were lit, no candles burned, no fire crackled in the fireplace. But from the couch he heard Rose whimper pathetically. He was beside her immediately.
"Rosebud, it's me. Wake up, sweetheart." He stroked her cheek lightly and shook her shoulder.
"No. Don't touch me," Rose replied, her voice shaky and full of fear. She was still trapped inside her nightmare with Cal. He was touching her, shaking her.
"Rose. It's Jack." Jack felt his heart beat faster as he tried to wake her. "It's okay. I'm here." He shook her again, a little harder, in an effort to wake her up.
Rose jerked her head away and tried to free herself from Jack's touch, mistaking it for Cal's. Jack couldn't let go of her, though. Rose opened her eyes and saw Jack's silhouette. But it was dark, and Rose's mind was far from clear. All she knew was that she had just woken from a hellish dream and that a man was standing over her. She screamed and lunged for him.
Jack hadn't been expecting her to lash out the way she did, and he mentally chastised himself for being ignorant. His cheek began stinging immediately from her nails. But he barely noticed it over the ear-splitting screams coming from Rose.
"No! Get away from me! Leave me alone!" Rose reached out and pressed her palms against Jack's chest, trying to push him away. Jack was caught off guard and stumbled away. "Don't come near me," she hissed, all but flying off the couch.
"Rose." Jack's voice was calm and steady, almost reassuring. "It's all right. It's me, baby," he said soothingly.
"Jack?" She squinted her eyes, letting them adjust to the moonlit room. Jack stood motionless, hoping she'd focus quickly. "I'm still dreaming," she said meekly. Rose felt as if she had woken up from one dream right into another dream.
"No. I'm here." Rose's breathing was heavy and her heart was pounding hard. Please believe I'm here, Jack pleaded silently, her fear tearing at his heart. "Rosebud, please," he whispered.
Rose's shock wore off, and as it wore off a pain stabbed her in the side. It was her ribs, protesting the sudden jolt she had given them. She groaned in pain, closing her eyes tightly before opening them again. Jack still stood in front of her.
"Jack," she whispered. I have to be dreaming. Otherwise, he wouldn't be here. But she wasn't, and for some unexplainable reason, she knew she was awake.
Neither of them knew that Cal had followed Jack there, nor that he'd been standing outside the door since Jack walked into the house.