Love Thaws: Melting

Hide N' Seek

Elsa backed away from the hot sunbeams shining through the window. It felt like she was being toasted. Elsa turned the dial for AC higher and leaned back in her seat. She drifted in and out of consciousness, taking small cat naps when it suited her. They had already ditched one car. The drove for a few more hours. Elsa peered out of the window. The car was dangerously close to a steep precipice. Majestic mountains, covered in a blanket of forest, loomed before them, fading into blue the farther they were.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"Colorado."

That made sense. Elsa sighed and reclined in her seat. One minute passed. Two. She tried to sleep again, but she was wide awake; she'd been napping all day. Elsa plucked a strip of cinnamon gum from its box and unwrapped it, popping it into her mouth before chewing it thoroughly. It was spicy and slightly sweet. After half an hour, her jaw was sore. She rolled down the window so she could toss the gum.

"Nope."

Elsa turned towards Jack. "What?"

"Put it back in the wrapper. We can't leave tracks behind."

Elsa rolled her eyes, but rolled the window back up. "How would a piece of gum count as 'tracks?'"

"If they find it, they can test it for DNA."

"And of all the gum on the road, you really think it's likely they'll test this piece?"

"I didn't say they would, but it's a possibility."

"But anything is possible."

"Exactly."

Elsa wrapped the chewed piece of gum and stuck it in a cup holder. She pasted her face to the window and stared at the passing scenery. The sun turned the sky a beautiful gold as it touched the horizon. The rays eventually faded, leaving darkness behind. Elsa thought about the sharp drop offs and became worried. On some of the roads there wasn't even railing. But Jack seemed like he knew what he was doing.

XXXXXXXX

"Elsa." Someone was shaking her shoulder. Elsa groaned and opened her eyes. "Come on."

She let out another groan as she stood, swaying sleepily. Jack slid his arms behind her and swept Elsa off of her feet. The last thing she remembered was her head hitting a soft cushion.

XXXXXXXX

Sunlight warmed Elsa. She moaned sleepily and pulled the covers over her head, willing the sunlight to stop bothering her. Then she smelled it. A wonderful, meaty aroma. Bacon. Elsa slowly reemerged. She tossed the thick, lovely covers off, glancing around. Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore. Elsa giggled out loud. She'd always wanted to say that. 

The entire room was made out of wood. Smooth wooden floor boards creaked underneath her feet and it looked like they consisted of round wooden logs. A fan twirled lazily overhead. There was a window off to the side, offering a clear view into the forest. Elsa wanted to explore more, but a hungry growl from her stomach drove her towards the bacon. The bedroom was the only room on the second floor. The stairs creaked and groaned in protest underneath Elsa's weight. She padded downstairs, her feet bare. She rounded a corner and spotted the kitchen. Jack was by the stove, his broad back turned to her.