Perilous Assurance

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  "Umm...are you awake?" Mattie whispered languidly. She opened her eyes sleepily, and smiled as she saw him turn and reach for her in the silver light of early morning. She raised up and brushed back her unruly hair as she kissed his warm shoulder.

  "Good morning, my love." Clay slid his hand beneath her jaw, gently coaxing her face to his, and he kissed her softly.

  "Good morning," she whispered. "Umm...Clay, can't we just stay here for a little longer?" She smiled enticingly, and they snuggled under the sheet for a moment, then she sat up in the bed. "On second thought," she peered down at him. "Does this campsite have a public restroom?"

  He laughed, and rolled out of the bed so she could get up.

  "Yes, there is...a few feet away, the building behind the row of trees." He found her prosthetic among their clothes strewn about the floor, and handed it to her as she scooted over and sat on the edge of the bed.

  She quickly pulled on her prosthetic and laced the corset around her thigh, seeing that he was stepping into his jeans, and she winced as she saw how shocking the long, red scar on his left calf appeared in the light of day. She'd run her hand over the thick scar the night before as they'd laid in the bed, but the dim light had masked its unsettling appearance. She sighed and picked up her black jeans and a white long sleeve tee shirt from the suitcase and dressed quickly, slipping on her tennis shoes last.

  "I'll be back in a minute," she smiled up at him as she tied the laces, and she grabbed her small bag of toiletries, and headed out the door.

  "I'll start breakfast, then." She heard him laugh and call after her.