Unlovable

Chapter Five: Starlight

Surrounded by darkness in the confines of her car, Darcie knew there would be no turning back now. The road was bumpy and she was exhausted, but according to the map she would be at the cabin soon.

She couldn't see much of the town at night, but she could tell it was a small one. The cabin itself was tucked so far into the trees that she was sure she must've missed it, until it was right there in front of her.

She parked the car and sat silently staring at the dark cabin, a mixture of excitement and fear radiating throughout her body.

By now, he must've known she was gone. He had found her note, as well as the mess her quick and angry departure had left behind.

She could picture him all too clearly- rummaging through her now empty drawers, rifling through her now empty desk. He was picking up shards of glass off the floors and stepping in puddles of the alcohol he always loved more than he ever loved her.

Darcie knew Harold would be looking for any indication of where she might have gone. She knew he would stop at nothing to find her, she only hoped that her misleading clues would send him off in the wrong direction.

All Harold would find was a travel brochure hidden strategically in the pages of her favorite book. She bit her lip, knowing that Harold would take her 'clue' and be on his way to the Sunshine State before day break.

Darcie shut off the engine and fumbled with her keys.

Her eyes landed on her left ring finger and on the pale white circle her wedding band left behind.

Her uncertain laugh caught in her throat as she met her own eyes in the rearview mirror.

The bruises he had put there had turned a soft yellow and purple over the last three days, but they were prominent on her face all the same. The swelling around her eyes were nothing compared to the underlying pain she saw shining within them.

She sat staring at the cabin as it basked in the moonlight, not yet able to exit the car, as if leaving its confines would finally make it all real.

The cabin was a small, one story home, reminding her of something straight out of a fairy tale. The material was dark stained logs, and the chimney was fashioned out of cobblestones and rock.

Clearly, there was a wide expanse of land behind the cabin, but the foliage had left a lot to be desired. The trees looked as if they were dying, and the small hedges looked as if they hadn't been watered in years.

Either way it was homey and inviting, mystical and wondrous, frightening and exhilarating, all at the same time.

Cautiously she climbed from the car, carrying her purse and a small overnight bag.

A welcome mat was under her feet in a few short seconds.

Darcie looked down at its worn lettering and frayed edges before she took a deep breath in anticipation.

Darcie could only hope that the man from the realtor's office had left the key as she instructed. If he didn't, she supposed she could find a hotel, or even sleep right there in the car.

All she knew was she needed rest after the twelve hour drive. Maybe her mind wouldn't feel so fuzzy in the wake of a new day.

She bent down and searched in the darkness for the key that would hopefully open the door to her new home, and her new life.

In seconds, her hand hit a small piece of metal.

She didn't even know she was still holding her breath until it came out as a relieved sigh. She lifted the key to the door and turned.