Upside Down

Chapter Eleven

Scott and I continued to walk through the huge forest we were in. I had no idea that a forest could ever be this big! It didn't help that Scott continued to whine about his growing sensation of hunger. I was hungry too, but you didn't see me complaining!

"You know, I'm really questioning why I maintain this relationship with you." My tone came out a little more harsh than I had anticipated.

"You know, it would really help if you would actually stop dragging me by my fucking arm and give me some food! I don't ask for much." Scott's words came out just as harsh as mine did. Sometimes, he could be a total asshole.

I hoisted Scott up off the ground so that he could help me in our search for food, so he could finally calm himself down. I was already in a rough mood from our house being destroyed by two crazed lunatics. I absolutely recommend that they be dragged off to a mental hospital to be examined.

Scott's deep, brown eyes lit up quickly, and a smile crept into view. "I smell something edible..."

He grabbed my arm and dragged me through whatever forest we were in until we were in front of an old, secluded manor. The manor was located in a large clearing that was surrounded by many bare trees. The setting sun caused the trees to cast eerie shadows on the ominous manor.

Scott frowned and furrowed his brow, clearly perplexed. "This isn't the food that I could smell. Who does this house belong to?"

I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly. As if coming across a possible abandoned mansion deep in the woods was an everyday thing. "I don't really care who the manor belongs to if it even belongs to anyone! It's too dangerous to even consider going inside."

Scott tapped his chin and thought harder. "It's worth taking a chance. I mean, do you want to wander around in this damned forest all night? That's probably more dangerous than taking our chances with the manor."

A bad feeling set into my stomach. Even though I acted all big and brave everyone I've ever met didn't mean that I was big and brave. The thought of even entering the manor sent chills down my spine. "Scott, we can't just take our chances with everything you know! If you want to act all big and tough, then go right ahead into this manor that would certainly lead to death. I'll be sure to tell your departed soul that I told you not to go into the manor."

Scott, who had been standing about arm's distance away from me, came closer to me and put his hands on my shoulders. He looked down into my violet eyes, and for the first time, I noticed our height difference. Scott was about four inches taller than me! His brown eyes held a sense of protection and safety, his posture was straight and made him look stronger, Scott resembled Alan so much that I almost tackled him and sobbed away about how rough my journey had been so far. This was the man I had fallen in love with.

"Gwen, you do realize that I would never drag you into something if I knew I couldn't protect you ,right?" His voice was soft and steady. I felt at ease almost immediately.

"Scott, you do realize that I know that, right?" My tone was a little teasing. I knew he could take a little teasing.

Scott grabbed my hand and squeezed it hard, but not hard enough to hurt me. A small smile crossed my face as I began walking with him towards the manor. I knew full well that Scott would come for me if anything happened. However, I would try to protect myself to.

As we approached the manor's broken, mahogany door, my fear left me. I was safe with Scott. He rapped lightly on the door and waited with me for a response. Just as we were about to turn around and leave, the door creaked slowly open, revealing a face I never wanted to see again.