Little Red Riding Hood

Chapter 18

Chapter 18:

I’ve been cooped up in my room for a while now kicking myself because of how stupid I was. You don’t tell a guy you love him after just meeting him. Our relationship hasn’t been a normal one. I slept with him without being married to him or even engaged—that was very wrong in my hometown. I didn’t know Logan; he was as much of a stranger to me now as he was when we first met.

I believe we’re so close because we both went through the same thing. The wolf tormented me and damaged him, we ran and slept and hid together fighting for our lives… Forever I will be grateful to Logan for giving me this sanctuary. I still don’t know if the wolf is alive, but at the moment I feel safe with him. Now, I’m lucky if I don’t get kicked out—I almost did before.

It was cold in my room and I wanted the warmth of the fire that leaked from under the door. I could have had a fire in the room but I forgot to bring in some wood before I left. So I was freezing and shaking and regretting saying I love you.

I left the room anyway, my body couldn’t take it and I couldn’t stay cooped up in here for the rest of my life. I half expected to walk into an awkward moment with Logan but I discovered he wasn’t here.

When did he leave?

The fire roared powerfully in the fireplace keeping the den toasty warm. I curled up into a sitting position in front of the fire, hugging my knees to my chest. I felt so uncomfortable, so regretful it hurt. Or maybe the rejection hurt more? I’m not sure which…but it was enough for me to feel hollow—empty and insignificant.

I don’t know how long it took for the childish tears to wear me out but I slept.

~*~*~

When I woke I wished to have woken to Logan. I wanted his hands on my body, the gentle caress of his kiss on my cheeks, the warm humidity of his breath on my skin. But the house was still empty, still warm and empty.

My ears pricked at the rustling outside. My body froze and adrenaline zoomed through my veins. I shook my head and sat up ignoring the paranoia racing through my mind. I need to relax. Logan was right, the wolf is dead, and there is nothing to worry about. There was more rustling and I heard the light crush of snow. Was it Logan? Was he ready to talk?

I cautiously walked to the door. My stomach churned as fear began to eat away at me. I hesitated on the door handle trying to build up all my courage to twist it. What if it wasn’t Logan…what if it was the wolf?

“Hello?” I squeaked. It wasn’t loud enough for anyone to hear. I swallowed and twisted the door knob anyway. I took a step out, my body almost blown away by the wind. The first rays of sunlight were peeking through the trees, not enough to see further into the forest surrounding the hut. “Hello? Logan?”

There was no answer besides the howling of the wind. Gooseflesh spread over my skin and I wrapped my arms around myself. Just as I was about to go back inside I saw a shadow move. My eyes focused trying to make out every silhouette. It moved again and I realised how large the shadow was. My chest tightened and a chocked squeak escaped my throat.

The wolf…

I was frozen in the spot—frozen in fear. I was stupid for standing out here in the open. Now it knew who I was and where I was. It would remember me, remember what I did to it. I needed to run back inside, shut and lock the door and hide under the bed. I just hope it hadn’t seen me yet.

It took a step forward and created something like a growl. My heart jumped and so did I. Suddenly the light broke the treetops illuminating the melting snow. I then saw the incredible creature. Its fur was matted to its body from the wetness of the snow showing the real size of its muscular form. Its breath evaporated in front of its bared teeth and it black beady eyes continued to stare at me.