Episode 6

I wipe my eyes, slowly adjusting to the light of the morning sun, streaming through the bedroom window, and drag my body into a sitting position.

Looking down, I sigh, sometime during the night I must have shed my clothes and am now only in my underwear. Thoughts cloudy, I try to focus, turning my head to the left side of the bed, I notice the empty sheets.

Empty!

EMPTY!!!

Jumping out of the bed, I land on the wooden floorboards with a thud, the cold wood causing my joints to groan as I gain my balance. Looking around the room, I manage to locate my discarded clothing, folded neatly on the rocking chair, and begin shoving them on. My eyes, the entire time, searching the room for my absent stranger.

Bathroom? I think, hoping that he is just using the toilet.

Heading in the direction of the barn door, trying and failing not to stumble whilst pulling my pants on, I pull it aside and peer inside.

Nothing, Shit, Shit, Shitty McShit! Tugging on my crinkled blouse and pulling it over my bra I rush to the top of the landing, looking down, still nothing.

Bounding down the stairs, taking them two at a time, I open the front door, and still, no sign of my stranger...

Checking everywhere I can think of, all areas now searched, I grab my bag and check to see that all my personal items are still inside.

Phone, wallet, keys – located.

Nothing missing, cash, and cards accounted for. It is like it never happened, how many drinks did I have?

Moving outside and tugging on boots, I head to my car to survey the damage, looking for something to justify that last night DID happen.

Reaching the front panel, I bend down and check, locating a small dent and traces of what looks like dark rust.

"Fuck, shit, shit, double shit, where the fuck did you go?"

It happened, it really happened!

I hit someone with my car, brought them home, put them in my bed then... I thought last night was bizarre, but having this vanish act occur, certainly takes the cake.

Turning around and returning to the porch, I notice something furry and red lying to the side of the welcome mat.

I must have missed it when I came outside.

Moving closer I gag as the furry object changes into a torso of what once was a rabbit, and the red...

Vomiting off the side of the rail, head spinning, I take several deep breaths trying to collect myself.

Missing naked man, headless rabbit, WTF! Where is my God dammed tranquility!

Calming, I steel myself, walk inside to the kitchen, locate a pair of tongs and a garbage bag and return outside to quickly dispose of the poor bunny, placing its carcass and utensil in the trash.

Returning back to the cabin, my stomach and head a mess, I wash my hands in the bathroom basin, making sure to thoroughly scrub off any potential animal residue, and look at my reflection in the mirror. My hair is matted, curls no longer smooth. My brown eyes, red around the edges, and my skin pale.

Washing last night off my face, I move back into the bedroom, close the curtains, remove my clothes, and dive straight into bed. Burying myself under the covers, I notice the slight smell of pine and spice filling my nostrils, the scent surprisingly soothing as I close my eyes.

....................................................................................

It is mid-afternoon when I reemerge to the world of the living, feeling a little achy, possibly the result of oversleeping.

Dragging myself out of the overly comfortable bed, I take myself to the bathroom and shower, brushing my teeth and letting the hot water soothe my lower back.

Cracking my neck, I notice that my lower muscles are swollen, tender, similar to PMT. I had my period last week so it must be stress.

Exiting the water and wrapping my body in an oversized fluffy brown towel, I finger comb my hair, tying it into a messy bun, and dab on some light moisturizer to my face and neck before leaving.

Locating a comfortable pair of yoga pants and a baggy sweater I tug them on over my fresh underwear and slip my feet into soft grey woolen uggs, a gift from Erin on her trip to Australia last spring.

Making my way down to the living area, I open a bottle of wine and relight the fire, grabbing a few additional logs from the porch.

Turning on the TV, I position myself on the end of leather modular stretching out and covering my legs with a soft grey blanket.

"Bodies found in the Hemlock ravine north of Black Mountain are believed to be those of the missing men. It is still too early to determine the cause of the accident but authorities are confident that they will have more information in the coming days." A blond woman in the thick brown winter coat reports from outside of Brady's Pub.

The scene now shifts to a newsroom where a man with salt and pepper hair is looking directly into the screen, "Thanks Jillian, now over to Bruce who has the latest in the upcoming college draft...

Turning the sound down, I grab my computer, powering it on.

Typing: 'current news stories on Black Mountain' into the search engine, and looking to see if there is anything about my visitor from last night.

Stories of missing locals Jase O'Connell and Evan McCarthy appear, clicking on one of the articles I find a photo of the two men, in their late twenties, neither of them my visitor, but both are strong/fit-looking, smiling at the camera, the one to the left sporting a bright red jacket whilst the one on the right was only wearing a white T-shirt.

The caption below reading: 'Image was taken 14.10.19'.

2 weeks ago.

Continuing to search other articles I manage to find multiple stories of animal killings, community markets, and the upcoming Halloween festival this weekend, but nothing on my stranger.

Continuing to search but not finding anything relating to my mystery guest, I decide to close my PC and grab my phone, 3 missed texts from Erin...

Bitch, how was your first night on the prowl – how was mountain man?... E 10:26 am

I assume with your lack of response that you are still in bed with said man. I WANT DETAILS!... E 11:45 am

BAH, what type of friend are you to leave a girl hanging???? AVA???.. E 1:36pm

Not knowing how to explain last night, I keep my response brief.

No, go with Mountain man 1, Mountain man 2 seems ok, meeting him tomorrow night for dinner, no details as yet will text more tomorrow... A 5:45 pm

Placing my phone on the charger, I make my way into the kitchen to figure out dinner.

..............................................................................................

My stomach presently satisfied after a meal of cottage pie, leftovers in the fridge, and an empty bottle of wine later, I drag myself to the magnificent tub, turning on the brass taps and running the water, adding a few bath salts, the scent of vanilla and lavender and hoping that they will help with my lower back.

Removing my clothes, I move to the vanity choosing to apply a clay mask.

Using my fingers to extend the mixture to my neck I wince as I touch a tender spot at the junction between neck and shoulder.

Turning in the mirror I investigate the source of the pain and notice red swelling where my scars are, towards the back of my neck, almost like a bite.

Oh God, there better not be spiders under my pillow!

Moving to the bed, I cautiously wrap my hand around the end of the quilt and breathe deeply. Once it is secured in my grip, I quickly pull it aside, stepping back to avoid any hidden dangers lurking below.

Empty, nothing but rumpled bedsheets and a slight red stain between both pillows.

I'll have to wash them tomorrow, thank God for the washer dryer in the little outhouse at the back of the cabin.

Returning to the bathroom, I move to the tub which is now 3/4 full and enter. The temperature is perfect, my muscles relaxing at the heat, causing a low moan to come from my throat. Leaning back so the water now rests just above my chest, I turn to the window, which is still open from the day before, and take in the night.

Marveled at the beauty beyond, I take in the clear sky, displaying a canvas of stars, with the moon its centerpiece shining brightly above.

Closing my eyes, I take in the sounds of nature, a symphony to my ears.

Smiling to myself, I take it all in, this is not something you can experience this in the city. Moving my legs in the water, I allow the music of the outside to flow through me, the gentle noises causing my eyes to droop, my mind becoming one with the creatures outside.

Everything is clearer, from the crickets chirping, their sound a mating call. The owls hooting declaring their claim to a particular territory and the wolves howling. What the F...

Sitting up in the tub, I grab the nearest cloth and wash off my mask.

Wolves how the hell do I know the sounds are from wolves?

Heart beating, stepping out of the bath, I securely tie on a robe that was hanging on a hook next to the barn door and head downstairs locking the front door.

I may love the sounds of nature but being as isolated as I am, the thought of nature being that close is not something I am that comfortable with.

Feeling a little more secure, I grab my phone off the charger noticing several more texts and images from Erin and return upstairs, climbing under the covers the pine smell still there and start replying.

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