by Vivien Vale
If someone was out here, they better have a fucking good explanation for being here and for watching my cabin.
Random images come and go as I make my way through the woods, eyes scanning in on the minutest sign.
There’s the fire from which I rescued Margot…the recent news of her seeing a strange man in the doorway just before she passed out, adding something unreal to the past…and now the news of a bad man according to Amelia.
Despite my attempts to connect the dots, I can’t.
Briefly, I return to my father’s phone call. It was also strange. We haven’t spoken in years.
I prefer it that way. I don’t ever go out of my way to contact him, not anymore.
I stop, not because I’m out of breath, but because I need to scan the horizon.
My nostrils flare as I take deep breaths in and out. I smell the wind, trying to pick up on any foreign scent that might clue me in on where to start my search.
Nothing.
I try again.
There. I hold my face slightly northeast and slow my breathing right down. If you really focus on the inhale, you generally can pick up any new scent.
It’s hard to say for sure…but I think I can smell nicotine.
Out of the corner of my eye, something catches my attention. Quickly, I stride to investigate.
At first, I can’t see what grabbed my attention. I lean toward the green bush and closer. It takes another minute or so before I spot the twig snapped off.
I guess anything could be responsible for the damage, but then again…could it? My eyes scan the area a little more carefully.
In situations like this, it pays to be extra vigilant. No point jumping to conclusions or rushing away looking for the next clue and in the process destroying vital evidence.
Carefully, inch by inch, I examine the ground around the bush, looking for indents, markings, or anything out of the ordinary.
Sometimes, I would go back and examine the site of a fire to look for clues. It wasn’t part of my role, but it interested me. On the odd occasion, I would find something the special clean-up crew didn’t.
More than one arsonist has been caught because of the vigilance of one Boone Masters.
I crouch down and pick up some dirt. Thumb and forefinger play with it before I bring it to my nose to breathe it in.
Cigarette ash, I’m sure of it.
Someone who’s been smoking has been past here. And they dropped some ash on the ground. There’s no sign of the cigarette butt, but I can definitely smell ash. It’s not been that long ago, either.
My eyes scan the area more closely.
No footprints.
Strange and interesting.
Whoever has been here did not want to be found or noticed. And yet they smoked a cigarette.
I get on my hands and knees and crawl on all fours along the ground a bit further.
Left, right, straight ahead, and left again. My eyes roam anywhere and everywhere.
Just as I’m about to get back up and keep walking, something else grabs my attention. Something blue is left hanging in one of the very low hanging twigs.
Gingerly, I break off the twig, apologizing to the bush, and then bring it up to my eyes.
Without a magnifying glass it’s difficult to be sure, but I think there’s a tiny bit of blue thread caught on the twig.
It’s probably off a sock or the trousers of the intruder—or the ‘bad man’, as Amelia calls him.
The discovery has my heart racing in my chest.
Obviously, someone was out here.
What were they doing here, and why were they here?
Is Margot in danger? Is the man she saw in her room all those years ago related to this bad man? Are they one and the same?
I put the find in the pocket of my pants and get up.
Looks like the man headed northeast. I follow what may or may not be the path this stranger took.
Of course, these signs might mean fuck all.
It could mean a hunter got lost around here, lit up a cigarette before keeping on going. A possibility, but incredibly unlikely, I decide as soon as I’ve finished the thought.
I may not know why the man is here, but I’d put the family fortune on it he’s appearance does not bode well for me or Margot.
Life sucks, doesn’t it?
Here I’ve finally found my happily ever after, and it’s already threatened by some unknown source for some unknown reason.
Driven by the desire to find answers, I keep going.
On and on I walk—without success. It’s as if any tracks left by anyone have been wiped by some magic giant mop. There are barely any animal tracks, let alone human ones.
It’s a fucking nightmare.
I want to just fucking kick something, but I restrain myself. If I’m too distracted, I won’t be any good to anyone.
To find something or someone, you need to be on your guard. I can’t fucking afford to drop mine.
But then a boulder is in my way. I mean, I could walk around it, but it seems to challenge me. It’s almost begging me to let off steam.
I stop.
I seize it up.
Sure, it’s massive, but I reckon I can do it. And it might just do the trick and help me let off all this pent-up frustration and anger.
Before I grab and shift it, I think of the stranger Margot described and the bad man Amelia has talked about and the minimal tracks I’ve found. And now I’m fuming.
I glance around. No one’s here.
I pummel my own chest with my fists and let out an almighty roar. Then I bend down and warp my arms around the rock.
I heave and heave, and eventually, I feel it lift off the ground. I haven’t lifted it far off the ground, but far enough to let me hurl it to my left. As I let it go, I feel the negativity fly away with the boulder.
It tumbles down the steep embankment, grumbling and growling as it does so, before it hits something in its path with a loud thud.
I stop and take some more deep breaths. I feel better. And I’ve made a decision.
No point going in fucking circles—and it feels like that’s exactly what I’ve been doing.
With a deep sigh, I gaze at the highest mountain peak. It stands proud and tall, like a guardian over its domain. If only it could tell me what’s been going on in these woods.
There’s no doubt in my mind something’s going on, and I don’t think it’s any good.
Better get back to the cabin. Time to call it quits for the day.
Just as I’m about to turn and head back to the cabin, I see something else. This time, I practically sprint to what I’ve seen.
Time to get back to Amelia and Margot. I need to tell them urgently. They’ll want to know about my find immediately.
As I sprint, I go back over everything. None of it makes any sense to me. What am I missing?
Later, after I’ve shared my discovery with the woman I love and my daughter, I might need some quiet time to work things out.
The woman I love and my daughter. Fuck, those words sound fantastic.
How long have I longed for this moment? And now it’s here, it seems almost too good to be true.
Was nemesis hiding just around the corner, waiting to strike?
We all know fairy tales aren’t true—at least not for people like me. There’s still all my baggage I haven’t shared with Margot, not to mention this whole damn family thing.
Finally, the cabin comes into sight, and I burst into the living room.
Margot and Amelia are exactly where I left them. Instantly, I can tell they’re on edge.
“Hey, guys.” I’m a little out of breath.
Margot spins toward me, her eyes wide with shock.
“I need you to come right now.” I pant and hold my hand out toward them.
“Why…what…” Margot asks, but I shake my head.
“Time for questions later. Just come with me now. You’ve got to see this.”
Amelia scurrie
s off the lounge and comes toward me. A mixture of anxiety and excitement is in her eyes.
“Jump on board, tiger,” I invite her and crouch down.
Instantly, she scrambles onto my back.
“Let’s go,” I say and lead the way.
I can hear Margot follow hot on my heels.
Chapter 24
Margot
I almost trip over my own feet as I try and hurry after Boone and Amelia.
My heart’s beating so fast already, I fear it might explode in my chest any second.
“Boone,” I pant, but he’s ahead of me and talking to Amelia.
What on earth has he found, and where is he leading us?
In my mind, I have an image of a hidden fortress occupied by several men, each of them fitting the description of the bad man.
It’s silly, I know, but what can I say? I’ve got a vivid imagination.
Once my imagination runs away with me, there’s no stopping it.
Of course I know Boone wouldn’t lead us into something dangerous. Therefore, common sense dictates there won’t be a fortress or any bad men.
I sigh.
“Wait, Boone,” I call again, and this time, he turns around.
“No, giddyup! Giddyup!” Amelia yells, and I see she’s holding a branch as riding crop.
Boone grins over his shoulder at me.
“Guess we know who’s calling the shots around here,” he jokes.
He might say that now, but when he’s carried her for about a hundred miles, he’ll change his mind.
Actually, knowing Boone…two hundred is probably closer to his breaking point.
“Don’t worry. I’m just ‘tending, Mommy,” Amelia pouts.
“It’s pretending, darling,” I correct her and take this break to catch my breath.
She shrugs. “Are we there yet?”
Boone shakes his head.
“Not yet, fearless princess,” Boone winks at me. “You ready to keep going? Explore new paths and conquer newfound kingdoms?”
Amelia giggles.
Wherever Boone’s leading us, it can’t be anywhere dangerous.
Unless, of course…
I don’t finish the thought.
“Are we there yet?” Amelia asks.
Boone laughs.
We keep walking.
“Are we there yet?”
“Amelia—” I start but stop because Boone has stopped. “What?”
He points straight ahead.
“Put me down,” Amelia squeals and starts kicking her legs.
“Manners, please, young lady,” I remind her.
“Put me down, please,” she says, and Boone carefully lowers her to the ground. The minute her feet hit the ground, she’s off.
I watch her run over, Crockett right next to her.
It’s the first time I notice the raccoon. He must have hitched a ride with Amelia atop Boone.
The man really is incredible. Is there anything he can’t do?
“Ladies first,” Boone’s voice rouses me out of my daydreaming.
I smile and walk toward the berry patch.
“I can’t believe you rushed out the door of your cabin to make us come to a berry patch.” I pretend to grumble, but I don’t think I’m really succeeding.
Amelia is sitting in a thick, dense berry patch and madly shoving different color berries into her mouth.
“You have to admit it’s a beautiful sight.”
Boone gets a playful punch for his efforts as I walk past him and squat down to sample some blueberries.
They are the fattest blueberries I’ve ever seen. I put one in my mouth and sigh.
“No good?”
I shake my head. “They are divine. Here, you try one.”
I pick a massive blueberry and hold it out to him. Gingerly, he takes it from between my fingers.
A tiny shiver runs down my spine as I feel his skin against mine. I want to poke my tongue out and lick his fingers before taking them into my mouth and sucking on them.
Our eyes meet, and I can see he’s thinking the same thing.
Slowly, he extends his finger and wipes some of the juice that has dribbled down from the corner of my lip before bringing his finger back to his own mouth and licking it clean. I tingle all over in anticipation.
Life is rather restricted, though, when you have a little person in tow. It’s so tempting to throw myself on top of him right now and kiss him. I want to lock lips and let my tongue explore his mouth, tasting the remaining berry flavor.
We were lucky to get those precious minutes in the pantry this morning. I mean, holy shit. We came so close to being discovered, it wasn’t funny.
“Here. Have one of these,” Boone offers.
I look at Boone holding a raspberry in front of my lips. My tongue wraps around his fingers and takes the delicacy from him.
His fingers linger longer than necessary. I practically drown in his eyes and immediately feel the wetness between my legs.
My body’s burning, and I drop my eyes to his crotch, using my eyes to caress his cock. If only I could hold it, squeeze it, and then feel it inside my pussy.
The way he’s looking at me, I feel as if he’s caressing my tits, sucking on my nipples, and then making me come by sucking on my clit.
So much power in those eyes. By now, my body is practically screaming to be touched by him. A yearning spreads through me like a wildfire.
Already, he’s holding another berry in his hand.
“I’m worried about the bad man Amelia’s mentioned,” Boone says as I eat another one of the berries.
I shake my head.
Part of me doesn’t want to talk about any bad man. For starters, I don’t even think there is a bad man.
“I don’t know, Boone.” I start and look at him. “I mean, Amelia might have made it all up.”
“Does she make up stories like this usually?”
I gnaw on my bottom lip. The berries suddenly don’t taste as sweet anymore.
“No,” I concede and play with some leaves on the ground. “But then again, we’ve never been overnight in a place like this.” I wave my hand in a sweeping motion.
“If there is a man—” Boone starts, but I interrupt him.
“What if she was playing outside with Crockett and saw a tree and then thought the tree was the bad man? I mean, some of the bigger trees around here can look frightening.”
Now that I’ve spoken my theory aloud, it sounds silly.
Boone frowns.
“I don’t know. It doesn’t sound like something she’d do. I mean…” he stops and seems to be struggling to come out with the right words.
“Maybe I just don’t want to accept that anything bad could be up here. I mean, look at all this magnificence and beauty. Why would anyone want to come up here and do what exactly anyway?”
We stare at each other for what seems like forever.
“I don’t know,” Boone starts and picks random berries. “But I don’t like it.”
For a while, we sit and eat and watch Amelia.
Amelia and the raccoon are immersed in berries. It almost looks as if they’ve agreed to participate in an eating contest to see who can eat the most amount of berries.
I hope it doesn’t make her sick later.
“Margot.” Boone’s voice is almost a whisper.
My heart beats a little faster.
“You know…” he starts and stops again. This is a Boone I’ve not seen before. “Earlier…what happened…I mean…” he stops.
I frown.
I know what he wants to talk about. My eyes find Amelia again. She’s edging closer to us.
“I…what I mean…”
This time, I put my finger in front of his lips.
“Not now,” I whisper. “Now is not the time.”
I motion my head in the direction of Amelia and Crockett.
“Ah. Right. Little ears.” He grins in understanding and nods. Then he gets all serious again. �
�I think we need to be careful in more ways than just that, though. I don’t know what’s going on out here…but things are starting to feel fishy, don’t you think?”
“Careful how?” I ask.
“To be safe, I’m going to stay up all night and make sure nothing happens to you or Amelia.”
My eyes scan the horizon. The world looks so peaceful up here. There’s nothing but mountains, valleys, lakes, and more mountains.
It seems unlikely that someone bad was hiding up here. The more I think about it, the more I lean toward thinking Amelia was making up a story about a bad man for some unknown reason.
“No harm in being extra careful, Margot. Better safe than sorry, don’t you agree?”
The words send a chill down my spine.
I nod and stare at Amelia. I’m reminded how close I came the other day to losing my precious girl. If anything happened to her, I don’t think I’ll survive.
“You’re right,” I mumble and look at Boone. “It pays to be extra careful. Better safe than sorry,” I repeat and take a deep breath.
Chapter 25
Boone
It’s going to be a long night.
Rubbing my tired eyes, I check the fireplace. It’s time to build it again.
Amelia and Margot headed to bed a little over an hour ago.
By the time we got back from berry picking and made dinner, Amelia’s eyes were significantly drooping. Her chatter had slowed down, and she couldn’t hide that she desperately needed to go to bed.
I kept my eyes peeled, constantly looking for anything—footprints, a broken branch, or any mark that would indicate that someone had breached the cabin’s perimeter.
So far, I haven’t found a fucking thing.
Maybe I should listen to Margot who seems to be inclined to believe that it was all a product of Amelia’s vivid imagination.
After all, she does know her better than I do.
Still, it bugs me a lot, even though it makes no sense to dwell in the past.
Haven’t I been applying that principle to so many aspects of my life lately?
It’s bad enough when I accidentally dwell upon my past.
There are triggers, memories that suddenly flood my mind. I fucking hate dealing with it.
I certainly don’t intend to intentionally think about it.
Oh sure, I’ve been told to go to a fucking shrink. But seeing a therapist means talking about your problems in hopes of finding solutions.