Lost & Found (Possessed 3)

“Thicker trees, a small stream, and a few caves further up the mountain.”

The stream was a real worry because if the snow had covered it and it was frozen, she’d never know it was there.

“The stream frozen?” He looked to Nick, seeing the answer in his eyes. “How deep?” A bad feeling hit his gut.

“Deep enough.”

“Stupid, Pepper, you’re so dumb. You know which way the meadow is, but noooo, you have to go the wrong way. Idiot.” Insulting herself while running for her life probably wasn’t the best idea, especially if he heard her. But that didn’t really matter considering he could see her footprints. She was up shit creek without a paddle.

When Roxie ran ahead of her, limping as she went, she wanted to call the animal back so damn bad. She didn’t want her getting hurt again, didn’t want to be left alone to fight this psycho off on her own.

Coming to an impasse with one way leading up and the other straight ahead, she wasn’t sure what to do. Dancing in place to warm her limbs up, she had no idea what decision to make. If she climbed upwards, there was the possibility of falling back down, and it sounded less than pleasant; however, if she went off to the left, she had no clue what she’d run into.

Her mind was running a million miles a minute as Roxie came flying to her feet. “Finally!” she gushed, bending down to the dog. She didn’t allow for much of a reunion as she pranced over to where she would have to climb. It was more of a hike than anything, but she knew it would slow her down.

“You sure?” she asked the dog. Roxie started running ahead again. With no idea what she was in for, Pepper put all of her trust in the canine.

It was hard not allowing her emotions to overtake her entire body as she ran for her life. The problem was, she knew that if she dwelled on even a little bit of her terror, she would let it consume her, and she would become easy pickings for her hunter. Alex would find her quicker than her feet could take her, and she’d be done for.

“When they catch this asshole, Roxie, I’m taking Tami up on that damn spa day I always mocked her over. Then I’m going to make Ray buy season tickets for the Canucks and the Lions,” she uttered.

As soon as she’d seen Alex’s face, all of her remaining memories had rushed back with the speed of a CF-18 Fighter Jet. The convincing Tami had to do to even get Pepper to go on th

at first date with Alex was stuck in her mind.

She loved Tami, but right then, she’d like to kill the woman. Then again, if all of this hadn’t happened, she never would have met Nick and Ace, and no matter what, she could never regret that. Not in a million years would she be sorry for having them in her life.

As the first explosion had erupted, she imagined dying in that moment, feeling the fire lick at her feet, the air stolen from her lungs. She could see everything she would miss in life if she gave into the fear rioting through her heart and mind.

She could fight him, though, and she knew she would. She had to. If she wanted the life she’d seen clear as day, she would wage war with every breath in her body. There was no doubt her men would come for her, she just had to maintain the upper hand long enough for them catch up.

Roxie’s yip from ahead of her, near what looked like the mouth of a cave, had her pausing mid-step.

“A cave?” she whispered. “I can’t go in no cave, he’ll find me.”

Roxie yipped again with a touch of impatience in her stance.

“Alright, but if I get slaughtered, it’s your fault.” She pointed to the dog as she passed.

For as light as the day was outside, it turned to dark as soon as she was a little more than a few feet in. Having to crouch down as the cave deepened, her heart rate accelerated.

“This is a horrendous idea, Pepper,” she murmured, turning to see where she was going. Noticing immediately, that Roxie was gone. “Damn dog.”

Sitting in the deepest recesses of the cave, she tried to make herself as small as possible while also attempting to stay warm. Being out of the sun had dropped the temperature, and there was a draft from inside the cave. It was only a few minutes before her teeth started rattling.

Hiding her head in her knees, a shadow fell across the opening of the cave, and her heart seized in her chest. A forceful chuffing sound froze her body in mid-movement. When the sound was followed by two huge bodies and golden eyes shining brightly as they entered, she wanted to run. Terrified they were going to eat her, she didn’t know what to do.

“Nick trusts you,” she sighed nervously. Tears silently slid down her cheeks as one of the animals drew closer to her. The other laid at the opening of the cave, almost as if it was standing watch.

The big cat approaching her chuffed a few times before sitting beside her, practically leaning on Pepper. It was such a surreal moment. Every piece of knowledge she had screamed she was in danger, but the facts right in front of her face told her she was probably safe.

When the cougar lay down in front of her, she froze. Couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, her brain even had a hard time assessing what the hell was going on.

Not realizing she’d squeezed her eyes shut, she opened them to see gold orbs staring at her, imploring her to trust it. She didn’t understand how it was possible, but these animals had shown her nothing but friendship, and against her better judgement, she believed that they would keep her safe until Nick, Ace, and James found her.

Barking from outside the cave drew their attention as Roxie’s aggressive growls from a distance drew stronger and louder.

“He’s coming,” she whispered, her fear finally taking root and settling in the deepest recesses of her bones.