The Warrior's Second Chance Mate

Chapter Seven: Into The Woods

Annabeth

The sound of Taylor Swift´s All too well song filled the car as I found myself on the road heading towards the cabin in the woods that Jo´s parents owned and was kind enough to lend me for a few days while I would be studying for my final exams.

I was carrying the large bag of my photography and history of art books together with my notes and presentations from classes in preparation for my exams and my camera for the final assignment I had.

My mind was already swirling with ideas about what to do for the assignment. The pictures I would be taking, the light I wanted to catch, the apertures I would use, the angles and different positions that I would need to take. Yes, I couldn’t wait to start.

Jo was driving next to me singing the lyrics as I joined her with the beautiful words that just a true and talented songwriter could create.

“And I know it´s long gone,” she started to sing, looking over me with a huge smile.

“And that magic´s not here no more,” we sang together and I was trying really hard not to sound like a banshee and not ruin the song.

“I think she is the only one who was able to rhyme the word refrigerator,” Jo said after the song ended and the new one was playing.

“Yes, I just love her writing. It´s so deep and sensitive, as if there was a part of her soul in every word.” I told her as she drove along the narrow forest road, the trees were the only things surrounding us, creating a thick veil of an evergreen mass.

We drove some more, getting deeper and deeper into the woods, as the trees started to be thicker and taller, surrounding the area so that even the sun wasn’t able to shine through the mass of green leaves and needles blocking its way. There was something strange here, the shift of energy, almost as if the forest was calling to me to come closer and explore, to come closer and play. It felt like something deep inside me had just woken up with the sight of the thick welcoming green scenery. I had always loved nature, I thrived on it, but this sensation was different.

I shook my head as we finally stopped in front of the small and cosy wooden cabin hidden inside the woods, promising privacy and peace. I couldn’t wait to explore the woods and to take a long walk through listening to the silence and inhale the fresh air. Just me and my camera, enjoying the relaxing smell of pine trees, the peaceful singing of the birds high in the sky, the calming evergreen land that was luring me into their embrace.

I jumped out of the car excited and pumped up with energy soaring through my body as the rays of sunshine were able to get through the mass of trees and caressed my cheek, making a warmth spread through me. I took a deep breath, inhaling the scents of nature, the freshness of the air you couldn’t find in the cities, the sharp smell of pine and sweet flowers blooming during the ongoing spring.

The huge and happy smile spread on my lips as Jo was walking towards the cabin opening the door while I just stood there with my eyes closed feeling tranquil. I could already imagine myself spending time outdoors taking long walks and coming back to the cabin that would become my sanctuary.

“Why are you standing there?” she asked with an amused voice.

I turned in her direction, seeing her standing right before the stairs leading to the cabin. She was holding the bags with food and other supplies looking at me with a small smile as I was enjoying the calmness of this place. I was already in love. I took my bag with books, clothes and other personal belongings as I followed after her.

The cabin, built from wooden logs, looked cosy and rustic, small and comfortable, the ideal sanctuary and getaway from everyone. The trees and grass were the only things surrounding it in the middle of the forest as the sun was slowly rising high in the sky, bringing more light and heat.

The one-floor cabin had a small porch with two rocking chairs that looked very tempting to sit on and watch the scenery, thinking and listening to the silence of nature. The door was opened as Jo had already entered and I heard the rustling and creaking of the floor underneath my feet as I went inside. There was a big living room with a fireplace and a comfortable looking armchair in front of it with a sofa and small table. On the left was a tiny kitchen with just the necessary equipment, but there was electricity and running water and that was all I could ask for.

Jo was taking the groceries out of the bags and placing them in the cupboards. I watched her trying to remember all the spots where she put the groceries, so I wouldn’t be looking for them like a mad woman later when she left. I wasn’t really a good cook, not like a Jamie Oliver type, but I would be able to survive a few days.

Well, hopefully.

“The bedroom is at the end of the hallway, there is fresh bed linen in the cabinet, some blankets if you are cold. The bathroom is right next door, the first aid kit is in the cupboard above the sink. The wood is outside behind the cabin, it should be enough for a few days. The generator is on and the water is running. I guess that is all, so my work here is done and I will be going.” She rumbled, gesturing all around before she smiled and took the bags with her.

I walked her out thanking her profoundly for everything as she just smiled and waved her hand. I was entirely grateful to her, still feeling like I owned her so much already. I have never received such kindness before giving something back in return. I just wasn’t used to it. That was very new to me and I was slowly starting to realise that not everything that people did was with ulterior motives.

“Thank you so much for everything, Jo.” I told her again, pouring all my thankfulness and appreciation into my voice, smiling a little bit.

“Please, I am glad that I could help.” She turned to me and hugged me, making me stiffen slightly from the unexpected action, even though it wasn’t the first time.

She smiled, but then I saw her blue-green eyes cloud, making me frown at the odd sight as I titled my head to the side ready to ask her what was wrong with them. In the blink it was gone, and her bright colour was back in full force, making me wonder if maybe I should get my eyesight checked.

“Just a little warning, there is a possibility that you will see the wolves in the woods, but don’t worry they won’t hurt you, okay?” she said cheerfully, making me look at her with wide eyes, but she just giggled as if she knew something I didn’t.

“Hope, I didn’t scare you, Beth.” She teased.

“Of course not,” I huffed, shaking my head and trying to seem unbothered by the thought that I could end up like a little red riding hood´s grandmother.

“Very well, be safe and don’t wonder after sunset.” She wagged her finger at me, making me roll my eyes at her before turning and heading towards her car.

The warm and pleasant feelings spread through my body over her concern about my safety and well-being. Was this how it felt to be cared for? It was nice.

“Yes, mum!” I shouted at her, laughing as she sent me a finger.

I turned around and went inside the cabin. I had tasks in hand waiting for me. I took the books out of my bag, spread them all over the floor in the big and bright living room. The sun shining through the windows provided the necessary light and also heat, so I didn’t need to light up the fireplace yet.

I took a deep sigh, looking over the books, notes and presentations that I needed to learn and remember. I brewed a cup of tea sitting on the plush carpet in front of the fireplace and started to read.

This would be a long week.

For the next three days, I stayed in the cabin in the woods, spending my mornings outdoors taking long walks and coming back to the cabin that would become my sanctuary, my safe heaven. I felt content and at ease, the surrounding forest provided safe arms that separated me from my own daily troubles and my personal problems or traumas. Everything disappeared and I felt as light as a feather.

The days were warm and bright, bringing the heat of the sunrays on my skin and the chilling air flowing through my hair as I walked down the narrow forest road with my camera in my hand. The pictures I had taken were so entrancing and flawless, perfect, telling stories about the forest and its inhabitants.

I hadn’t seen any wolves yet, and I was kind of glad about that.

I woke up on another beautiful and sunny day. It was my fifth day here in the cabin and I was fast progressing with my studies. The fresh air and silence was the best environment provided for me and my brain was simply working, my mind seemed to remember things at a rapid pace. I was thankful as the stress from my upcoming exams was slowly creeping up my body.

The sky was blue with just a few clouds like candy floss travelling through the azure. I got up from bed, headed for the bathroom, looking at my reflection in the mirror. My emerald eyes, normally dull and lifeless, were shining with happiness so vivid and bright, like I hadn’t seen them for a very long time. The streaks of red in my auburn hair were more visible and profound in the sunlight falling in thick waves past my shoulders. The cheeks were rosy and my lips full, my skin normally pale and ashen now tanned with freckles covering the bridge of my nose. I was looking stronger and healthier just after a few days of sunshine and fresh air. It was doing wonders.

I did my morning routine before putting on my underwear and socks, the black leggings, a simple dark blue t-shirt and a grey hoodie. I was planning to go on my annual morning walk before returning and studying cubism.

I walked out of the bedroom and into the kitchen, making a cup of coffee and a small sandwich with ham and cheese, before taking my camera, trainers and opening the door to the bright new day. The fresh cold ait hit me straight to my stunned face. I shivered from the cold wind returning inside and taking my coat as I started to walk into the woods deeper and deeper with a huge smile on my face breathing the fresh coldness of the air into my lungs, the smell of morning dew, moss, pinewood and grass filling my nose, making me feel even calmer.

The peaceful silence was interrupted by birds singing their songs flying high in the sky chirping. The camera was attached to my eyes as I stopped by a small creek aligning my body so the angle of the sun hitting the surface was perfect as I pressed the button snapping pictures. The fog was slowly lifting from the ground, creating an entrancing scene and making the thrill run through my body as I changed the lens and took a few pictures catching the spectacle.

I walked for a couple of hours. The sun was already high in the sky as I followed the stream of water up the hill absolutely not caring about where I was going. I realised how far I was from the cabin as I turned around, reluctantly walking back in the direction of the cabin. I was coming down the hill, seeing the cabin in the distance, still a few miles away from me. My stomach was curling in hunger and my throat was parched.

Suddenly, I heard the rustling of the leaves, the swishing of the bushes and the loud thumping of paws hitting the ground behind me as I turned, seeing the three massive wolves in the distance on the top of the hill.

My heart stopped, a small shriek leaving my lips as the fear spread through my frozen body. I couldn’t see them in detail as they were still far away from me, but they were not looking friendly at all.

Unconsciously, I started to back away from them, taking small unsure steps and hiding behind the tall and thick pine trees before my brain started to work again and I turned around, sprinting as fast as I could towards the cabin. The desperate need to get away and the fear were flowing through my body as my feet moved as quickly as I could, hearing the howling and snarling behind me, realizing that the wolves were following me.

Maybe running wasn’t the best decision in this situation, but I didn’t know what else to do. The adrenaline was cursing through my body as I ran like never before in my life holding my camera tightly in my hand, my hair flying behind me, my lungs were burning, my feet thumping violently against the forest ground.

They were closing on me, I could feel them. I didn’t know how it was possible, but I sensed them. I was still a few hundred meters away from the cabin when my feet stumbled over the fallen long, my hands tried to slow the collision and I fell rolling down the hill for a few seconds before stopping.

My chest was heaving as all the air was knocked out of my lungs after my body crashed hard on the solid ground. I tried to get up, rolling on my stomach and then slowly getting on my hands and knees, taking deep breaths of air as my lungs were burning. The pounding of my heart resonated in my ears as I was trying to pick myself up.

My camera flew away from the impact of the fall somewhere. I couldn’t see it, but that was the last of my problems now. I was going to be eaten by the hungry and feral wolves.

The erratic beating of my heart was now painful against my ribcage as the fear flooded my senses, the dread and massive scare was all I felt as I tried to pick myself up from the cold ground and ran away, but it was too late.

The tears were prickling my eyes as they pushed off the ground and onto my feet. Before I could take another step or start running again, the merciless growling and vicious snarling came from behind me, making me turn around abruptly to see the three wolves with feral red eyes looking at me, their sharp and long canines ready to tear my body.

I was f*cked!

And I was going to die.