Saving the Princess

Cody

Scarlet's POV

Cody was racing around his cabin, straightening chairs, shoving papers into random shelves, and trying to dust everything off.

Indie and I exchanged looks. We were all standing awkwardly in the cramped doorway while Cody nervously organized everything.

He finally stood up and wiped his brow. "Uh yeah...you guys can come in."

Well thanks. I thought sarcastically. It's only been like fifteen minutes.

Nervously, I grasped Indie's hand and shuffled in. Cody hurried into the kitchen and started grabbing plates and cups.

"This is so awkward," Audrey muttered, only loud enough for us to hear as we sank down at the table. Carlin plopped the bag of food Henry gave us when we left and took an apple.

"Shh don't say anything," I murmured back, taking in my surroundings.

The cabin seemed to be made of rotting logs. It had only two small rooms littered with nightstands, a broken stove, and a few cabinets. On the walls hung pictures of beautiful crystals in all different colors. My eyes landed on a golden plaque with a picture of Cody holding a large emerald crystal bigger than his head. The plaque read: 2007-first man to ever touch the famous emerald crystals found in the Crystal River.

I looked closer and noticed that the hand holding the crystal had a thick glove on it, but the other hand didn't.

Strange.

Rae nudged me and pointed. I followed her finger to Cody standing across the room. He was talking in a hushed volume and I could only make out his quick, nervous speech.

Who was he talking to?

"I'm getting bad vibes from this guy..." Indie murmured.

So was I.

Cody hung up and turned to face us. He ran a hand through his hair and stalked over. Slumping in the seat next to me, he sighed.

"Alright, here's the deal. If you want to stay for a few days, or a week or whatever, you can. But stay outta my way." He leaned over and grabbed one of our pears from the bag. My eyes widened at his lack of manners.

"Why would we want to stay with you for a week?" I shot back. Cody was being plain rude and I wasn't going to tolerate it.

He turned his beady eyes on me and slammed his fist on the table.

We jumped and Indie grabbed my hand. I squeezed back in reassurance.

"I'm trying to be hospitable but clearly you ladies don't care. Do you want my help or not?" He stared expectantly at us, his jaw twitching.

"Yes," I murmured quietly after a long pause. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude."

Cody nodded, chewing sloppily on the pear. 

"Alright, decide how long you'll stay. I'm going fishing."  He grunted, tossing the pear core over his shoulder.

He got up, grabbed a fishing pole lying neglected on the floor, and tramped out.

"Uh...you forgot the fish bait!" Yelled Rae nervously.

"Don't need it!" Cody called back. His footsteps began to die out.

What an odd man.

There was a pause. My mind was reeling with questions. Do we stay? Should we just leave? What's up with Cody? Is he always this awkward? Should I be worried?