Chapter 3

There’s another person in here. Whoever they are , they have me pinned against the wall. Panic is starting to set in as I realize, I’m all alone in the middle of the forest, even if I screamed no one would hear me. 

Whoever it is strong and they have my arms pinned at my sides and I cannot get free.

My heart is pounding so hard in my chest I feel like I’m going to pass out.

I have to fight. My arms might be trapped, but my legs aren’t. I kick my knee up and hit the person in the groin.

“Ow” said a man’s voice. I feel his weight lift off me as he says “That was uncalled for.”

“Uncalled for? You pinned me against a wall! Who are you?” I say trying to collect myself.

Does this guy think I’m here to attack him?

“Who am I?” He said as the light above us flicks on “I should be asking you that. You’re inside my cabin.”

His cabin? That can’t be right.

“What do you mean your cabin?” I ask putting my hands on my hips. “When I rented this cabin there was nothing in the description that said I would have to share with someone else.”

What was going on?

“I’m just a renter here, so I am just as confused as you are” he answers.

I couldn’t help but notice now he wasn’t wearing a shirt and he was very attractive. Tall with brown hair and hazel eyes.

“Have you been crying” he asks raising his eyebrows.

“No” I said quickly turning my head. I doubt it sounded very convincing.

“Maybe we should try to contact the owner?” He suggests.

I look in my email for a contact number. I dial the number and it goes straight to voicemail.

“No answer” I say. I’m just going to cut my loses and go home. This obviously wasn’t meant to be.

“What’s the number, I’ll send them a text” he says.

“I should just leave” I begin, “you were here first and obviously this is some kind of mix up.”

“Where are you coming from?” He asks. “My name is Liam by the way.” He offers out his hand and I shake it.

“I’m Willow and I am coming from near Toronto” I say still a bit nervous.

“Don’t be ridiculous you can’t drive back there tonight it’s going to be dark in a couple hours” he says, “there are two bedrooms here, you can have the spare room.”

“Are you sure?” I say a bit nervous to trust a guy I just met  “I don’t want to intrude.”

“You’re not intruding. I’m happy to have the company. You’re right this is probably just a misunderstanding and we will get to the bottom of it tomorrow, plus must be hungry after that long drive?” He pointed out.

I was pretty hungry from all the excitement and I didn’t want to drive back through the back roads in the pitch black, especially  after almost hitting that wolf earlier today. Who knows what else lurks in the night in these forests.

“Okay, you’re right.” I say agreeing to spend the night.

“Good, I will start dinner” he says walking towards what must be the kitchen.

“Where should I put my things?” I ask grabbing my bag off the floor and following him.

“You can have the room at the end of the hall on the left” he points, “ it has its own bathroom.”

I head down to the room on the left with my bag. It’s going to be a little weird spending the night in a cabin with someone I just met, but he seemed nice enough and at this point,  I guess I also don’t really care if he decides to kill me either.

The room is simple but nice. A queen bed, two end tables and a dresser. There is a small closet and a bathroom with a decent sized bathtub that is calling my name.

I decide I might as well unpack a couple things I’ll need for the night and throw my bag on the bed. I take out my bathroom bag and head to freshen up.

I look in the mirror, my hair is sticking out in every direction and my make up is a mess from crying. No wonder he let me stay here, I look mental. I wash my face and feel a bit better.

The smell of food coming from down the hallways distracts me from the way I look. Whatever it is, it smells amazing. I creep out of the room and back down the hall. The table is set for two so I head over to sit down.

Liam is at the stove. I notice he is now wearing a shirt. Too bad, but much safer for cooking.

“This is a really nice place” I say trying to make conversation.

“It’s one of the best places. So what are you doing all the way out here?” he asks handing me a plate of something that looks delicious.

“It’s a long story” I say.  I definitely don’t want to get into that right now. “Thank you for making this for me. It tastes wonderful.”

It looked like some kind of coconut curry.

“This is nothing, you should see what I can cook when I have a proper store nearby” he joked.

“You’re not modest I see” I laugh.

He smiled at me but said nothing as he began to eat his own food.

We eat the rest of our dinner without talking. Even though we have only just met it feels comfortable to sit in silence with him.  

After dinner, I’m washing the dishes and look out the window and see a figure of a large animal.  The animals fur reflects in the night and it’s red, like the wolf from earlier today, when I blink it’s gone. Did it follow me here?

I run outside to take a closer look, but if the wolf was there it’s gone now.

“Willow?” I hear Liam shout through the open window.

“I’m outside” I yell. Do I hear concern in his voice?

He comes outside and says “is everything okay you left the water on and it ran all over the floor.”

Shit, I forgot to shut off the water. I am not even sure what to tell him because I don’t know what I saw. This guy must think I’m crazy.

“I’m so sorry” I began, “I thought I saw something outside.”

“Don’t be sorry, it was an accident” he says “what did you see?”

I don’t want to tell him about the wolf so I lie and say “it looked like an animal.”

“You’re in the middle of the forest” he says, “you’re going to have to get used to the animals.”

I turn to head back inside and he follows me. I hear the trees rustle to my left and turn my head and I see the glimmer of two golden eyes and then nothing.

Maybe I am crazy or maybe it’s just time for bed.