Is This Safe?

Chapter 17

Whatever was out with us, the cabin wasn't too far.

"Come on,"
I pick up my suitcase from the ground and look at the others.
"The cabin isn't too far from here."

"B--but--"
Chelsea stuttered as she grabbed hold of Maggie's arm tighter.
"Wouldn't you like to know what is out there first before we go? Like--animal wise?"

"Well, I don't want to wait to find out."
Maggie picked up her suitcase with Chelsea still holding onto her arm.

"There shouldn't be too many animals out here."
Ann commented as we trudged through the woods. It was an endless process of stepping over fallen logs, twigs, and sticks, but every sound we made, caused a chill to run down our spines. Were we really alone out here?
"Maybe some skunk, deer, elk, bear, raccoon, possum, moose--you name it."

"How about snakes?"
Chelsea asked quite hesitantly as she finally let go of Maggie's arm.
"Poisonous snakes, specifically."

"Oh, I'm sure there are poisonous snakes up here."
Ann nodded her head.
"They like to inhabit cool wooded areas like this. And, they like to be out at night when finding prey is a lot easier. Hey, did you know snakes can eat prey that is twice the size of their own body? It's really cool to think about actually, especially when their jaws are so small, but I bet they can stretch out really far too to be able to swallow their prey whole. Also--"

Before Ann could finish her knowledgeable speech, I shoved her swag hat down to cover her face.
"Stop it, you're going to frighten her to death."

"I'm already frightened."
Chelsea corrected me, reaching back for Maggie's arm again.
"I'm surprised I haven't had a single heart attack."

I just simply chuckled to myself, continuing to walk in the direction where I thought the cabin was. I knew it was located near the docks where the boat accident happened, but it was so dark out, I couldn't see. After all, the cabin was hidden deep in the woods by evergreen and pine trees, you could hardly see it. Was there a reason for that?

Recognizing the docks, I peer through every single branch of the trees.
"Anyone have a flashlight?"
I ask, not even sure anyone would have one with them. Sure enough, a light flashed behind me when someone handed me a small flashlight. It was one of those smaller ones you would find on your key chain, if you had one.
"Thanks, Maggie."
I recognize the band instantly when she handed it to me from behind.

"Yep."
That was all she said as she stood back again with Chelsea.
Walking through the trees, limbs scratched my face as I pushed them away with my cold hand. For fall weather, it was really cold and to my notice recently, it was quite foggy, making it even harder to see. I kept pushing away limbs as I heard my friends walking steadily behind me. I sometimes wonder if I push them too far, but they hardly complained.

"Are you sure we're going the right way?"
I heard a distant voice behind me.
Well, maybe not...

Smiling to myself, a memory of our last trip here flashed across my mind. Last time we trudged through a wooded area, I was in the back with everyone leaving me behind. This time, I was the leader, leading the way. Also, it was pouring down rain which wasn't fun, but I can be thankful now.

"Found it!"
I exclaimed almost running towards it like a child in a candy store, but I contained my eagerness and slowed down to a halt. It was the same as we left it.
Dark and dreary.

Alone.

"Now, how do we get in?"
I breathed out accidentally, wanting to keep that part of information to myself, but it just slipped out.

"You mean? You don't know how to get inside?"
Maggie asked me, approaching slowly.
"So it isn't unlocked?"

"Uhh--no."
I answered hesitantly, fiddling with the flashlight.
"Ann and I were here yesterday, but this cabin seems to be some kind of a historical cabin."

"And--you're breaking in?"
Maggie crossed her arms, unable to even believe me.
"What are we criminals?"

"We do need a place to stay."
Ann argued, coming to my rescue rather quickly.
"Would you rather sleep on the street or at a local Walmart? I'm sure the displayed beds would be rather comfortable and I don't think security wouldn't mind either."

Maggie didn't say anything to Ann's sarcasm, but she did have a point. There was no where else to go unless we stayed at a run down motel with hard water, dirty bed sheets, or cockroaches climbing the wall.

"Okay, you're right."
Maggie sighed in defeat.
"But I just don't want to get caught or anything."

This time, Maggie was right. Without saying a word, I circle the cabin once more to fiddle with the doorknob and windows, but they were all pretty sturdy. Grabbing a hair pin from my hair, I used the hair pin to pick the front lock for about a few minutes.

"There!"
I seemed satisfied as I opened the front door. Pushing it forward, it creaked the entire way causing chills to run down my spine. Too many memories flooded back to me. Just too many.

I walked in first, hesitantly, when my friends followed behind.

The cabin was dark.

Dusty.

Foggy.

The flashlight in my hand created shadows that danced on the walls playfully. It was pretty small compared to the one we stayed in back in the summer with only one big room that occupied a kitchen, living room, and bedroom. A small cot was pushed into the corner with a red and white checkered quilt on top. The kitchen, only had a small stove and an ice box. The living room had a small rocking chair and sofa that looked as if it would disintegrate if someone were to sit on it. How old was this place? And who stayed here?

As my friends arranged their sleeping arrangements, I walked over to the paintings of what I thought was Joan and her family. It couldn't be her though, that was merely impossible.

Shaking my head in confusion, I laid by where everyone else was huddled together near the cot. We just decided not to fight over the cot to not cause anymore unnecessary conflict, but who got the cot was not even mentioned once.

Closing my eyes, it didn't take too long for me to fall asleep. After all, I and everyone else got up extremely early for reasons, as you know.
Falling, drifting, soaring, my eyes became too heavy to even think about the events of the morning.

Not even the dark human figure I saw watching us through the window before I drifted off to sleep.