Lethal Affairs

V - Curious Tales

"How dare you?!" It growled loudly in anger.

Ysabel watched in fear, trembling from the sheer voice and silhouette of the creature. Her ability for speech was completely frozen and she felt like a rabbit before a wild beast.

Of all things, she hated feeling like a prey.

"Do not growl at me!" Ysabel felt her eyes dilate in fear.

She felt the creature stare at her in disbelief. Even she was surprised that she had dared to raise her voice against such a being.

"Don't.... growl at me." she repeated after a series of clearing her throat timidly. "If you are going to do so, at least come out into the light so that we can face each other equally. I was told only cowards hide in the dark."

Silence...

Ysabel could hear the birds sing way above her in the sky, but she could not hear the breathing of the creature. The hope for her future, was that she had shocked it to death.

"Equal..." it suddenly spoke, "...cowards..." the little light that streamed in from the hole above, darkened.

The creature that stood before her in the light looked more beast than man. The wild look in its eyes was one of a predator that was used to being the top of the food chain.

"Shall I show you what cowardly means?" he asked.

Ysabel shivered in fear. Even the tone of his voice sent chills down her spine. There was definitely no confusion on who won the title for cowardice.

The beast of a man towered over her. He had a mop of dark hair on his head, overgrown and a tangled mess, and his clothes were like rags. She could barely make a clear outline of his face, but the feral glint in his eyes was enough for her to be cautious for her life.

Where did he come from? she thought, who can exist in such a cave?

Perhaps he was Tarzan.

The thought seemed overly fetched, but perhaps there had been a Tarzan in Lake Placid along, and she had found him. A Tarzan in Lake Placid was the only explanation she could think up. A wry smile crossed her lips, if he was Tarzan, that would mean she was his Jane.

A bubble of joy filled her from within, and she cringed in embarrassment at the silly thoughts she was entertaining while she was at death's door.

The creature stared at her in fascination, unsure of what to make of the female that should be cringing from fear in his presence instead of finding humor.

Ysabel felt the tension dissipate, and she realized that she had gotten comfortable in the presence of the wild looking man.

She looked up and stared at the floating rocks overhead, "Did you do that?" she pointed.

Ysabel returned her attention to him, and the hateful look that had once been on his face was now replaced by a series of emotions ranging from fascination, confusion and mild interest.

None seemed threatening.

The wild man glanced up, and the hanging rocks and mud returned upwards to its previous position. Ysabel's mouth fell open in wonder, and unconsciously she began to applaud him in excitement.

Whatever trick he was doing, she wanted to do it too.

"Oh my gosh!" she squealed, "can you do that to me?"

The creature felt an inclination to do as she had asked, the sparkle and the wondrous look on her face triggered an emotion he had never felt before.