AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I slip in the key my dad reluctantly gave me a few days ago, step inside and immediately feel the dry emptiness. Once quaint and homey, the bare walls of the wide-open layout lack signs anyone ever lived here. Framed pictures have been put away, no plants to speak of. All the dust and sheet-covered furniture don’t help either. Upstairs there are three bedrooms that won’t be much different.
I knew what to expect before I even started the long drive here, so I steel my nerves and refuse to let myself fall back into the big rabbit hole staring back at me, big and ugly as it is.
To the left is the kitchen. I place the box down on the counter, take in the filth and feel a sudden stab of depression. Because of the lack of attention to the place, but more so because there’s nothing here and I am all alone.
“You wanted this, so suck it up.”
Okaaay. I take a deep breath. Kitchen is the heart of a home, my mom always said, so I start there. Cleaning away the dust and plugging in the slightly outdated fridge is the first order of business. Besides the sandwiches I picked up at a small diner along the way, I didn’t bring any perishables. Just dried fruits, granola, canned vegetables and wine. I am a city girl, after all, who likes—okay loves—her wine and preferably chilled. I won’t be here long enough to need anything else.
After a few hours, a couple of broken nails and a fat, pulsing blister on my palm, I stand back to take in my handiwork. I’ve done away with the musty sheets covering the sofas and swept and scrubbed the floors until they gleam.
I take out my phone and snap a quick picture for mom with the caption: “No ax murderers found, just killer floors” with a heart emoji and hit send.
My tattered jeans and faded Aerosmith T-shirt is dirtier than the cabin, so that says something of a job well done, but…err…it’s not perfect. The large front windows still need a wipe down and the overgrown yard is still cringe-worthy, but I’d rather not think about all the tangled weeds outside when I have my own to tend to.
I put away all the cleaning supplies and slip the three bottles of wine into the cooled fridge and one more in the freezer for after my sweating session. Hey, don’t judge. I’m twenty miles from the nearest store and half that from any neighbor. Can’t blame a girl for bringing backups.
I run out to the car for my bags and another box filled with candles as the storm moves in on a low rumble.
Perfect.
Ten minutes later, I step from the bathroom freshly showered, tucking the end of my towel between my breasts. I neatly fold my dirty clothes and pack away the bottles of shampoo and lotions before I pad my way downstairs. There is wood and the necessary kindling for a fire stacked by the fireplace from someone’s last trip here and within a few minutes, I have a nice blaze heating the entire place.
Next is the incense. I pull several packets from my box and little stands that fit several sticks of Magnolia for peace and lilac for soothing the soul. Or so said the kind lady in the incense shop. She’s given me a wand of sage too, just to cover all bases, I assume. She kept looking at the dark circles under my eyes andtskingat me. Who am I to argue?
A few people gawked at me when I piled half of the shop’s candle stock into my cart, but as I place them around the cabin and others in a large circle in the middle of the living room, I find their warming glow soothing.
Oh yeah, I can feel my soul starting to stir. This just might work after all.
Satisfied, I drape my towel over a chair and come to stand in the middle of my circle of candles. Not another soul around, I remind myself and then fall into warrior’s pose. Hold. Another five minutes and I dip into a sun salutation, stretching out all the kinks from the long drive while the strain heats my muscles.
I push back into downward dog and hold. Sweat pebbles over my skin and I let my eyes drift closed.
A loud bang from behind me shatters my calm.
My eyes fling open as the lights flicker from a crack of lightning.
I peer through my open legs, every inch of my naked ass in the air, to see the upside-down face of a man.
My heart wants to stop mid-beat. My lungs, however, are working overtime and I’m about to pass out.
“Mercy, baby? What the hell are you doing?”
Three
Mercy
Holy shit.
Dying.
Thatis what I am doing.
This can’t be happening.
I drop my head between my legs and take another look at the man standing in my doorway.
Oh crap. It is.
