“I don’t know.” I lean my head against the window beside me and sob.
Joshua sighs. “Well, I don’t think you should go home if this demon may be waiting for you.” He pulls away from the curb and twists the windshield wipers up to high. They slap back and forthacross the window, doing their best to flick off the pounding rain. “I don’t think you should be alone, either. Besides…” He glances over at my cast, “…I think I’m going to have to rewrap that.” We pull up to a traffic light, and he gazes over at me. “I can take you to my place.”
“No. That’s not a good idea.” I wipe my runny nose with the side of my hand, then wipe my hand on my sopping wet sweats.
“There are tissues in the glovebox.” He reaches in front of me and pulls it open.
I snatch a few and blow my nose. “Where are we going?” I ask as we pass the last traffic light in town and breeze by the sign that reads Sassafras Mountain, fifteen miles.
“On the other side of the mountain, my family owns a small cabin. You’ll be safe there. It has an electric fireplace, no real flames, food in the cupboards, and no one around for miles.” He steers toward the exit ramp and takes a left turn. “I have medical supplies there, too, in case your cast needs to be redone.”
I squeeze the wet, mushy cast with my fingers. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.”
For the next fifteen minutes, we say nothing to each other. I can feel the stale air between us and the unspoken thoughts emanating from him. I know he has more questions, but his eyes and mind are trying to stay focused on the road so we don’t hit any deer.
When we reach the top of the mountain, we coast down the other side for several minutes before turning onto a wide gravel-coated road that leads to a muddy path. The car splashes through puddles, bouncing me around in the car. It rocks side to side, snapping my neck before finally coming to a halt outside a quaint cabin.
Solar lights illuminate the landscape running the length of the low front porch. We pull around the side, where there’s a side door with two steps leading inside. I grip my pants on mylap, squeezing the fabric with one hand, whitening my knuckles. Joshua turns off the car, rests his hand on mine, and says, “Don’t be afraid. You’re safe here.”
“I’m not safe anywhere,” I say matter-of-factly before climbing out into the rain. I stand by the side door, waiting impatiently while he fumbles with his keys.
After trying three different keys, the lock turns, and he pushes the door open. He gestures for me to go first, but I shake my head, not keen on entering a dark, unfamiliar space. His hand slides inside and moves up and down the wall until finally a light flickers on, illuminating the space. I peer around the small but efficient kitchen, an apartment-sized electric-coil-top stove set off to one side. Beside it, rests a chest freezer that vibrates noisily.
“Deer meat,” Joshua says, removing his coat and hanging it on a hook by the door. “The fridge is there, although there are probably only condiments and bottles of water inside. But in the cupboard…” he grabs the knob of an upper cabinet and swings it open. “…we have canned beans, raviolis, Ramen noodles and such. You know, easy stuff.”
A shiver runs down my spine, and I tremor violently. Joshua rubs my chilled arms and says, “Let’s get you some dry clothes. I’m sure my mom has something here for you to wear from the last time we came.”
Mom?Great. Hopefully, they aren’t pleated pants and a wool sweater.
He leaves me standing in the space between the living room and the kitchen, then takes the stairs to the second floor. A puddle grows around me as I wait for him to return. When he comes back down, he’s wearing a pair of red flannel pajama pants and a clean white T-shirt that reads, ‘Baby Bear’ in brown lettering with a teddy bear on the front.
“Don’t laugh.” I try to hide my smile as he passes me the same outfit. “These are from our family Christmas photos, but it’s all I have.”
I shake it out and frown. “Mama Bear?” My eyes lock on his. “Does this mean I’m your mama?”
“Only if you want to be.”
Heat rises in my face, and I know I’m blushing, which makes me feel awkward and vulnerable. I look around the room for somewhere to change.
“Over there is the half bath.” He points to a door beside the electric fireplace. “Want any help?’ He slides his hands into his pockets, the tension stretching the gap at the front of his pants, exposing flesh and hair. He’s not wearing any underwear. If he pushes his hand any further into his pockets, the button keeping the front flap of the pants together may burst, releasing his cock.
There’s a twitch between my legs, and I quickly turn away from him. “No, thanks. I can do it.” I quickly shut the door behind me and cover my mouth with my hand.
Hold it together, Tessa.
I slide my pants down and kick them away from me, before pulling up the flannel ones one-handed. They are a little big but should work. After fighting for my life to get the wet T-shirt clinging to my skin off, I realize I may have an even harder time putting on the fresh shirt. I lay it across the vanity, feed my bad arm through it first, and then my head and the other arm. The t-shirt rolls over my wet skin, bunching it up around my upper body. I dig into the fabric, trying to get it to unravel and pull down, but it’s stuck.
“Umm, Joshua. I think I need some help.”
The door rattles, and I grip the handle, holding it closed. “Wait. Close your eyes.”
“What? Contessa, how am I supposed to help you with my eyes closed?”
“Just do it,” I say, raising my voice.
“Okay, they are closed.”
