Solitude

1 | Stranger

You slam the trunk of your car shut, sighing quietly as you straighten your back.

The long car ride into the mountains had been a draining one, the scenery before your eyes not making up for the back pain you now feel from the countless hours sitting in the car.

Taking in a deep breath, you inhale the cool mountain air. You immediately feel the tension of the previous days leave your shoulders, the cool air so different from the polluted city you just fled out; fresh and earthy.

You make your way to the instructed place; the barn of your best friend Natasha, hidden in the depths of the mountains of Norway.

Shuffling noises caused by your footsteps over the carpet of leaves are the only sound for miles around. The umber-brown, ancient forest holds all kinds of secrecy, the old trees reaching high into the evening sky.

This is exactly the kind of place you searched for; offering a solitude you desperately longed for after weeks of constant book-signing events that left you utterly exhausted.

You smile as the sound of a chirping bird is heard from a close distance. The lonely bird is soon joined by its fellow companions, resulting in a symphony of songs that warms your heart from within.

After only five minutes of stepping through the forest, you find yourself halting at the sight of the wooden cabin in the forest. The golden sun rays paint the oak wood of the cabin in an orange glow; a peacefulness radiating from it that makes you speechless.

The cabin looks exactly like the last time you were here; the old rocking chair still standing on the right side of the porch, in which you spend countless hours sipping your tea and enjoying the last rays of sunshine.

You make a mental note in the back of your head to invite Natasha to dinner once you are back home. Offering you a place to escape to—knowing how much you needed it—you are more than grateful for the opportunity to disappear for a few weeks into the mountains.

Digging the keys out of my pocket, you unlocked the door. The old door creaks as you push it open, stepping inside and closing it behind you. The moment you place the duffle bag on the floor and take a look around, you realize that something is wrong.

Furrowing your brows, you look into the living room, which is brightly illuminated with the switched on light.
It comes to your mind that Natasha sometimes rents the cabin for other people who look for the same bolt of freedom in the loneliness of the mountains.

Did the last guest forget to turn the light off?

Wiping any further suspicions off your mind, you step to the small table standing beside a cozy looking armchair and switch the light off. The setting sunlight bathes the room in a glowing atmosphere, the light dust in the air floating in a beam of light in a silent dance.

An odd silence hangs around the cabin; too quiet as you realize.

The flash of a pan rushing to your face out of the corner of your eye catches you off guard, your body dodging away at the last second.

A surprised gasp escapes your throat, catching the pan in midair. You turn around in a swift movement, searching for the sudden attacker.

Frightened emerald eyes stare back at you, red strands of hair falling loosely over the woman's face.

You're at a loss for words, not quite grasping the situation as you slowly let go of the pan. The redhead's breathing is uneven, mirroring yours as you muster her.

Her hair is messily wrapped in a braid, a brown cardigan wrapped around her shoulders. Lips parted slightly, the woman takes a step backwards.

Blinking quickly, pulling yourself out the small trance, your eyes change from curiosity to pure irritation. It dawns on you that she nearly hit you unconscious, utter disbelief washing over your face.