Trespassing | ongoing

Chapter 7. The Safe Haven

[a/n]: made this chapter a bit longer than usual but im trying to make the chapters longer, so this is a start i suppose xx

Chapter 7. The Safe Haven

The sun is already beginning to hide behind the numerous mountains and hilltops, meaning the day is coming to an end. It has taken us precisely twenty-five minutes to flee from the cabin we just raided, and my heart is still rapidly beating. A part of me is beyond curious as to what could be so important that Everett lost that we had to break in to some houses for it. Another part of me wonders why he chose to save my butt for the second time this week. I understand that both times were crucial since my life was on the line, but it surprises me that he didn't just up and leave without me. He had the chance to do so; twice.

My perplexed thoughts are interrupted when I inadvertently stumble over a large root in the ground.

"Watch your step," Everett warns a little too late.

"Thanks for the heads up." I murmur sarcastically and begin to get back up on my feet, however, something stops me from doing so.

My eyes narrow at the root sticking up from the ground, hidden beneath various twigs, dirt, and leaves. Hesitantly, I brush my hands over the root and dust off the extra debris. The dirty root turns out to be a metal handle and I widen my eyes at the sight of it, glancing up to Everett who has a discernible look of confusion and curiosity. Evidently the nature man who knows the forest inside and out has never found this hatch before.

He drops to his knees instantly and commences to uncover the hatch door by helping me scrape off the excess dirt and whatnot.

"How have I never seen this before?" he whispers more to himself than me.

Without sending him a response, he disregards the subject and wraps his fingers around the handle of the hatch. He lifts his arm up roughly and the rusty door refuses to budge. He tries three more times to open the door, but finds no such luck. By now, the sky is giving us little light as the sun drifts away from us.

"Come on, we can come back tomorrow; it's getting dark." I reason.

Everett seems to ignore me as he heaves his arm up once more and the door doesn't budge. He lets go of the handle and wipes his hands together to be rid of the dirt on them. Reluctantly he turns away from the hatch and begins walking away.

"Fine. Come on, then."

I follow his footsteps back to his cabin and by the time we reach his humble abode, the darkness of the night surrounds us. No birds around here chirp and no owls hoot, either. The atmosphere is completely silent, the only sound coming from mine and Everett's footsteps crunching the twigs below our feet. The harsh wind brushes against my face, biting at my nose, cheeks, and ears, turning them into a light shade of pink.

There is no way my parents would stay out here long enough to search for me. Why haven't they called the police? I haven't heard any sirens or any search dogs anywhere.

Everett pulls out a single home key from his back pocket and turns it into the cabin door until the living room is revealed to us. Everett steps into the warm room first and I follow suit, clasping my hands together in hopes of staying warm enough to prevent frostbite. It's practically two degrees down here in this never-ending forest.

"You hungry?"

"Yeah, I guess so." I shrug.

"There's some canned corn in the closet--or, your room... that should hold you over until tomorrow." Everett points out and I nod.

"Thank you."

He chuckles and shrugs his shoulders. "Not sure why you're botherin' to thank me for canned corn, but all right."