She recalled seeing one particular wolf more than once, as it skulked nearby, almost hidden behind thick brush.
She knew it was the same animal because there was an identifying mark where bare skin was exposed on its side.
She still couldn’t understand why that wolf hadn’t pounced on her when it was so close. And it was strange how the wolf would suddenly appear, then in one blink of Nicole’s eyes, disappear again.
It seemed as though the wolf was looking for someone in particular, or something. She was glad that apparently she was of no interest to the creature.
It was such a mystical being, Nicole even now felt a shiver race her spine to think about it.
Anyhow, no matter whether there were evil men out there searching for her, or a mystical wolf, Nicole had no choice but to leave the Mormon community.
And she would.
Tonight.
After the lamps were blown out in each house and everything but the moon’s glow was dark, she would leave.
“Yes, I must escape,” she whispered as she went to a mirror on the wall and gazed at her reflection.
Her hair was brushed until it shone. Her face was shining and fresh from a washing only moments ago.
The rims of her eyes were slightly red. More than once this evening she had not been able to keep from crying at the thought of the danger that lay ahead.
But now she had one other thing to do.
She knew that she must be the only one who had not visited the large dining hall for the evening meal.
She had watched the families entering the building in groups. Her front windows faced so that she could see the dining hall, and now the lamplight streamed from the building, and she could hear the sound of voices.
She was afraid to join the others for the meal, for fear that they would somehow read her mind and know what she had planned. Nicole hesitated to take her shawl from its peg on the wall, thinking that perhaps she could get away with not going there tonight.
But she knew better.
If she didn’t show up, Jeremiah would most certainly come to check on her. Already, he was strangely possessive of her.
As she grabbed her shawl and placed it around her shoulders, she realized how much her fingers were trembling. She would have to get hold of herself if she was to get through these next moments without anyone being the wiser as to what caused her nervousness.
Escape!
Yes, she had to make certain no one realized what she was planning.
If there was even an inkling of suspicion, Jeremiah would lock her in the cabin tonight.
Sighing heavily, Nicole stepped out into the dusk of early evening.
She shivered when the air brushed against her face. The evenings were cool now that autumn was soon to fade away and turn into the coldness of winter.
That, alone, should be a deterrent to what she had planned. But she had to believe that before winter set in, she would find a place where she could live safely and put all the ugl
iness of these past days from her mind.
She stopped and inhaled a nervous breath as she came to the steps that led up to the dining hall. She didn’t have time to take many breaths, for Jeremiah suddenly emerged from the building. Smiling, he held a hand outstretched before him.
“I thought you would never come,” Jeremiah said, taking Nicole by the hand even though she tried to pull it away. “I imagine you were resting after your first day of teaching. I expect it was quite tiring. Was it, Nicole?”
“Yes, very,” Nicole said softly.
She hated that his hand still held her own, as though she belonged to him. He led her into the large building, as though she was his trophy for everyone to see.