Broken

So, after sweeping my eyes all around the area one more time, I eventually allowed Jake and myself to return inside.

Since the dog seemed satisfied too, I tried to let my guard down, but I still placed the gun well-within reach and locked the cabin door.

The lock was admittedly a piece of shit, but I figured if someone did try to break in, every second counted. Even if I could only use that time to aim and fire, at least I would be able to do something.

When I turned back around, I made sure the woman had remained undisturbed.

I noticed that she was still in the bed, but I also decided that I hadn’t seen her move, at all, in a while.

Oh fuck. I thought as I inched to her side, nor really wanting to check on her, fearing the worst, but preying that she was still alive.

While I walked closer to her, I tried to gauge her breathing, but couldn’t see her move, since she was on her stomach.

I crouched down to her level, but I didn’t dare touch her. I wasn’t sure why I didn’t want to touch her, considering if she was dead, she was in my house and therefore, I was as good as convicted anyway.

However, instead of trying to shake her awake, or employ an easier method of checking her vitality, I put my hand under her nose.

At first, I still couldn’t tell if the shallow breaths I thought I felt were a figment of my imagination, or proof of life, but eventually, I heard another familiar moan. At the same time, she rolled back over on her back and continued to breathe normally.

Jesus, Christ… I heaved a sigh of relief before I returned to my chair and tried to fall asleep again myself.

I was certain that Jake would alert me again if he heard anything out of the ordinary and I was a light sleeper, so I knew there wasn’t much that could happen that wouldn’t allow me to have a little time to react.

Plus, in this small, cramped cabin, sleep seemed to be the only way I could escape the thoughts and visions that continued to plague my mind.

The wild goose chase had helped momentarily but so long as I was trapped in the same cabin as her, I would continue to wonder what it would be like to be with her and thus, I would only become more depressed.

If for whatever reason, that or another threat did make itself known, I would have to be sharp, which mean that I had to keep as much space as I could between my new houseguest and myself.

My sanity and possibly our lives depended on it.

Chapter 5: Carrie

When I woke up again, after falling asleep after realizing the dream was merely a wild hair of my own imagination, it was, again the first thing I thought about. I was still slightly embarrassed, even though I knew it was normal. It wasn’t the first time I had a dream like that, though it was never so intense.

It’s not like he knows about it… I thought, trying to assure myself, but was only faced with the realization that I could’ve talked in my sleep. A mortified shiver quaked down my back but ultimately, I realized there wasn’t much I could do.

It had happened, and I wouldn’t for a second believe he didn’t have something similar, or even more physical plague him at an inconvenient moment.

So, instead of dwelling in how self-conscious I was about the dream, I focused on what it could’ve meant.

Dream interpretation was more Kasandra’s thing, but right now she wasn’t here, and I was hoping there was an actual reason for the way I was feeling.

Maybe it means that I’m supposed to get to know this man? I thought, not thinking so much sexually, though I had to admit, I still wouldn’t mind it, but get to know him as a person.

After all, he had saved me, and I hadn’t even found out his name.

When I sat up and looked around the cabin, I watched him chuck firewood into the fireplace for a moment before I cleared my throat.

He stopped short, his shoulders bristled, and it took a moment for him to turn around.

When he did, it appeared that he was trying his best not to sound strained, though it was obvious that he was uncomfortable.

“Hi, how are you feeling?”

The question caught me off guard, since strangely, the dream was a more pressing distraction than my physical afflictions but when he reminded me, I felt my ankle pulse with a light amount of pain. Otherwise, I was okay.

“Actually, believe it or not, I feel pretty good,” I answered, giving him a grin that he didn’t return.