Spellbound

Chapter Four

Kennedy huffed as the group moved toward the cabin, she felt anxious about her plan. Her solution was in the cabin in front of her, and it was not a good time to have any doubts. She followed Martin into a gloomy space, trying to find the best answer for her grievance.

"It's freezing in here," Martin said, rubbing his palms.

"It's a cabin, what do you expect?" Kennedy responded, dragging her suitcase toward the brown leather couch. The luggage wheels bumped against the uneven wooden flooring, delivering hushed thuds as she walked further into the space.

"Heating system," Dylan answered, reaching the entrance of the house. He bent down just before passing the threshold.

The trio finally made it to the cabin. It's been ten years since the three of them shared a common space. They have been friends since childhood, but life got in the way and they all held in different places now, or so they thought.

Kennedy gathered the group for the weekend as soon as she got the news that Dylan came back to Alaska. The get-together seemed long overdue, but Kennedy had other plans than just catching up on the missed time.

The cabin stood deep in the Bear Valley and had minimalistic amenities, therefore the group had to prepare all necessities themselves. Dylan, of course, was not happy with Kennedy's choices for the meeting location, but as usual, Kennedy gets everything the way she wants.

"We will make fire," Kennedy said and motioned to the fireplace, letting go of the suitcase's plastic handle.

"This seems weirdly familiar," Dylan said, squinting his eyes. He stepped closer to the fireplace, the dust spread in the dim light as he tossed his duffle bag in the middle of the couch.

He stared at the golden framed painting of rye fields hanging attached to the bricked chimney. The color seemed to fade away, just one tawny streak appeared, more visible near the frame. The group stood in line, scanning the painting.

"It's because it's been here for ages," Kennedy explained, shifting her eyesight to her bag. Her heartbeats rose as she realized it will be harder than expected to manage all the secrets.

"It looks familiar to me too," Martin agreed. Kennedy glanced at him. "Reminds me of some of your past works," he applied to Kennedy. "But we've never been here before, right?"

"Not me," Dylan agreed.

Guys stared at Kennedy as she dragged her bag further toward the wooden railing of the stairs. She turned back to them, letting out a big gulp of air, trying to steady her heartbeats.

"Right," Kennedy said with a nod, tucking her loose blond hair behind her left ear. "We better start on that fire." She swiftly changed the subject, passing the guys. "You better start," She glanced over her shoulder. "I will get the food." She walked through the open doorway.

A chilly breeze ruffled her hair as she climbed down the porch stairs. She zipped her leather jacket and moved toward her car. Her Mercedes stood parked near a large oak tree. She took out bags from the trunk, hearing the guy's laughter echoing through the wooded space. She noticed their silhouettes on the porch. They already seemed suspicious of her, but her plan should work, she thought, carrying the bags inside.

"The firewood is there," Kennedy said and motioned with her chin to a small shed on the right side of the property.

"Need any help with the bags?" Martin asked, holding his brown eyes on the stuffed paper bags in Kennedy's arms.

"No, I'm good," she replied, clenching the bags tighter.

Guys nodded in response as Kennedy traveled inside the cabin. They stood in silence for a moment. Martin swiftly grabbed a copper-colored basket from the porch railing as Dylan followed Kennedy with his sight.