Karlie's pov:
I sit in my old wooden chair, sharpening a once large stick. It's only half of my height now. My sharp knife slides across the outer shell, slowly cutting it, making little shavings drop into the basket that sits in between my legs and feet. A sudden pounding makes me almost slice my hand. Bear growls and I shush him. I hesitantly stand up with my now sharpened stick in hand. The pounding gets louder until I hear a smooth voice
"I know you're in there please just let me in!" The female voice begs
I furrow my brows together and swing open the door. My breath hitches as a blonde young woman stands in a ragged blue dress before me.
She lets herself in and rushes to look out the rather large window that's a few feet away from the opened wooden door. She immediately shuts the red curtains
I finally shut the door after staring at her for longer than I should have.
She lets out a sigh as if she just caught her breath and turns to me.
Bear and Shadow take their places on each side of me. I stare at the mysterious girl then lean my stick against the wall not feeling that I need it at the moment.
Bear growls bearing his teeth. Shadow imitates.
"Stop boys" I command them
The wolves immediately sit on their hinds and shut their snouts, waiting for my next instruction.
"Who are you? And what are you doing in my cabin?" I decide to approach our first conversation with no anger, as I know that won't benefit either of us. My arms are crossed over my chest as I wait patiently for her answer
She opens her mouth but then shuts it. She takes a breath "My name is Taylor. I-I was running" she stutters
"From what?" I lift a brow. I'm beginning to grow impatient with this mysterious girl.
"Just someone..that was chasing me.." She bites her lip
I roll my eyes "you do realize that that answer gets us no where correct?"
She just stares at me with her blue eyes
I sigh, letting my guard down and drop my arms "Fine. How long are you staying?"
"You're letting me stay?" She glances at my wolves and swallows I'm sure in fear
I smirk "Well considering you're running from someone, and the looks of your condition, I'd say you need to both hide and rest. Because you can't run forever" I shake my head
She bites her lip once again
I force myself to look away
"You're right. Thank you. But uhm" she rolls her lips in and looks away "will your wolves..ya know..eat me?" She asks
I laugh as if it's the most ridiculous question ever "My wolves? No. Unless of course I tell them to" I smirk
She swallows and nods
"Don't worry you'll live.."
She smiles
"I hope" I mutter to myself. I notice her frightened expression and chuckle "I'm only kidding. This is Bear and Shadow" I point to my sides where they're practically glued
"Where did you get them?" She asks
"Questions later. Sit in that chair by the fire will you? I'll get you something to eat" I nod my head telling her the direction
She hesitantly walks by Shadow and sits in my wooden chair I once sat in before I was interrupted by her insane knocking. The wolves follow her and take their places on the rug in front of the fire place
I quickly grab some of my moccasins from a small shelf near the door and place them in her hands
She looks at her bare feet then back to me with a small smile "thank you"
I smile back then make my way to the small stove in the open kitchen. My back is facing her as I pour soup into a small, wooden bowl that I retrieved from a near cabinet
"Here" I turn to her with the bowl outstretched for her to reach
"What's in it?" She takes it slowly and stares into it
"Deer shit" I say bluntly
Her eyes go wide and she begs for me to take it back
I laugh loudly "I'm only kidding. Lighten up will you? It's deer meat and tomato juice. It's very good" I smile
"Where do you get tomatoes?" She questions with one of her eyebrows arched
"I found them." I sit on the wooden floorboards beside Bear, continuing to sharpen another stick I found in the woods that surround us. I'm almost done shaping it into an arrow when her voice overtakes the silence that was once owned by the crackling of the fire
"Where did you get them?" She repeats after chewing a bite
I furrow my brows in confusion
"The wolves" she glances at the furry carnivores
"Oh. Well..I was out hunting one morning. It was the break before dawn. So of course some wolves were still out hunting as well. But I've had my fair share of wolf experiences and knew they wouldn't attack me. I happened to be eyeing the same deer as these two. I had my bow ready to shoot but they jumped out of nowhere and attacked it. Before they digged in though, I could tell he smelled my scent" I glance at Bear "he didn't charge at me though. Neither did Shadow. We just stared. It was interesting and unexpected really. But what's really strange is that they both backed away and let me have the deer. I almost thought they were leading me into a trap and were planning to rip my throat out. But no. They let me take the deer and even followed me back home. It's like they suddenly thought I was their leader" I look to Taylor who is watching me intently letting me know she's very engrossed in my story "So it was weird but cool" I add
"Wow" she says with surprise "No wonder they looked like they wanted to murder me when I ran in. They're very protective" she comments
"Yep. Especially Bear" I rub his head
"His eyes are so blue. They're exceedingly bright and electrifying it's breathtaking-"
"Like yours" I cut her off
She blushes and I bite the inside of my cheek, also cursing in my head for saying that out loud
"Thank you" she says in a small voice
I stand up and take her empty bowl, setting it in the sink "By the way I only have one bedroom. Usually me and the boys sleep in it. But you're welcome to stay in there if you'd like" I offer with a smile
Shadow and Bear perk their heads up as if they're angry at my request
I roll my eyes "It's only for a little while. But please be my guest" I look back to Taylor
She smiles but then frowns "But where will you sleep?"
"The rug with them. I have done it-"
"No I'm not letting you do that. This is your house not mine" she argues
"Exactly my point so that's why you're staying in my bedroom" I purse my lips
"But why can't-you could-" she huffs and looks to the floor
"What?" I ask
She shakes her head
"Just tell me Taylor" I push
She stays silent
"Taylor. Tell me." She's so stubborn.
She finally looks up "Can't you just sleep with me..in the same bed?" She bites her lip
She's gotta stop doing that. If I did sleep with her would I be leading her on? But if I didn't would I be neglecting her? No we're just friends and she knows that. Hell we just met minutes ago "Sure" dammit.
She smiles but then quickly wipes it away after she notices I'm looking at her.
-
"Just to let you know, the bathroom is free to use anytime. I should've offered you a shower earlier. And you're also welcome to use anything you want. What's mine is yours" I say as we lay in bed beside each other. She doesn't respond and I bite my lip thinking that what I just said was stupid "I'm guessing you're in your early 20s?" I try to redeem myself and also aim for a conversation
"I'm 24" she states "you?"
"22"
"Really? I figured you were much older" she turns her head towards me
"And I figured you were a bit younger. By your looks of course"
She smiles
I smile back
"Oh by the way, what's your name?" She asks curiously
"Karlie" I answer
"Karlie" She repeats
I chuckle at her before it goes silent
"Thank you" she says into the darkness
I close my eyes "For what?"
"Everything. For feeding me and giving me some of your warm clothes and shoes. For welcoming me into your cabin."
"Well I wouldn't exactly say welcome.."
She laughs for the first time. It's one of the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard "You're very welcome Taylor. And Taylor?"
"Hm?"
"Who are you running from?" I swallow. I feel my heart pounding in my ears at the anxiety I feel as it's still silent. I swear minutes have passed
She takes a breath "The Nakoons."
Well. I have never written a story in my life so hopefully this all goes well. As you can see this the very first chapter, and this story will be continued maybe in the summer or slightly before then (only if this actually has any reads). I get out of school either May 20 or 27. Vote or comment if you liked this chapter. Thank you and I hope you keep this in your library :) -Rachel