Until Dawn

Chapter 1

Dawn stared at the pathetic animal in front of her. She had no idea how this old, emaciated, mule was pulling her up this steep hill but, here he was, doing it at a stallions pace. Not only that, he was also tugging along his driver and the beat up cart she was sitting in. About ten feet behind her were her two companions who looked like the rocky road was going to make them puke.

She attempted a small chuckle and quickly regretted it. The driver turned around, giving her the same look he had for the past two hours; suspicion.

Dawn was angry but couldn’t blame him. They were the first Americans allowed in this Russian town in over three hundred years. All of her colleagues were jealous that she was chosen. She wanted to stick her tongue out at them when she had boarded the plane however; they all knew the reason. Her boss had a huge crush on her. Still, Dawn wasn’t going to let a little crush come in the way of a once in a lifetime experience.

She wanted this. More than she had wanted anything in her life. And here she was, staring at the back end of a mule that was older than dirt, and a man who obviously disliked her.

When they finally reached the gate she wanted to jump for joy. The big looming pillars and the guards at each end of them didn’t even damper her good mood.

“You’re here,” spat the driver.

“Thank you. How much do I owe you?”

“Nothing, they will pay me,” he grunted, nodding his head in the direction of one of the guards.

She chose not to argue since the man seemed so irritated.  She grabbed her bags and waited for her colleagues to join her. Rachel was the first to join. Instead of her usual cheerful greeting, she stared at the sign above the gate, her eyes widening.

“Dawn, did you know that the sign above says Wild Death? I thought this town was called The Wilderness?” whispered Rachel.

Rachel was the best Environmental Scientist that Dawn knew. It wasn’t a surprise that she was also chosen to come on this trip. She could read, speak, and write Russian. Something Dawn and her boss James, could not do.

“You can translate it both ways,” announced James smugly. He wiped his dirt stained brow while flashing Dawn his perfect smile.

James was easy on the eyes. Even Dawn could admit that. He had beautiful black hair that was perfectly combed to the side. His tan skin accentuated his muscular body. The chocolate brown eyes staring down at Dawn would make any girl melt but she knew better. He was a jerk with an ego as big as the ten suitcases he brought.

“Oh,” mumbled Rachel, “I didn’t know that. Kind of strange.”

James shrugged, an easy smile making its way back to his face. “Well that’s what I was told. Come on before they think we’ve changed our mind.”

The three approached the gate and were met by one of the guards. He nodded in greeting.