The cabin in High Wood

Chapter 3

Tommy concentrated hard, the car lights barely illuminating the road ahead.

"Are we lost?" Fran complained, running a hand through her long dark hair.

"No. It's just hard to see down these winding roads in the dark" he replied, trying to keep the irritation from his voice.

"Look, I said I was sorry... Franklin broke up with me, I, I didn't want to bum you all out" she told him, sniffing as she held back a tear.

"You know that doesn't bother me, I'm just, you know, a little nervous."

"About seeing Han again?"

"Yeah, it seems like forever since she dumped me."

Tommy looked back to the road quickly, one slip up and they'd be in a ravine.

"Why'd she dump you anyway, you practically worshipped that girl," she asked, putting a hand on his arm gently.

"She got it into her head you and I were having an affair. You know what Han's like when she gets something in her head."

He sighed, slapping a hand on the wheel. Damn that girl and her pigheadedness, why couldn't he have fallen for a normal girl.

"That explains why she's been ignoring me... you think Han wants to make good with you?"

"I hope so, I really miss that crazy bitch you know" he replied with a smile, feeling more confident she'd take him back.

"Maybe you shouldn't have brought me, you know, as I'm the cause of it all."

Tommy looked at her for a brief moment, her face seemed regretful for possibly ruining his chance to make up.

"Are you kidding, this might be our last time to meet up for a long time. You'd have regretted it" he said, watching her smile.

"Yeah, I guess I would've... you're a great guy Tommy, I'm a little jealous Han got to you first."

"Well, maybe don't tell her that. But thanks for the confidence boost."

"Any time Tommy, any time," she told him with a yawn, falling asleep shortly after.

It took them several more hours to reach the cabin, the windows offering the first external light since passing the motel. As the car came to a stop Fran woke, stretching out lethargically.

"We made it, finally" she declared, patting him on the head. "Hey, is that blood on your sleeve?"

Tommy looked at his cuff, there was indeed a spot of blood there, he'd been careless as he'd rushed to get here in time.

"It's nothing, just a shaving cut. How about you go tell them we're here while I get our cases" he told her, swatting her hand gently off his head.

"Yeah, okay... you be okay by yourself?"

"Of course I will, I'm a big strong guy after all."

"I guess so, okay big strong guy, be careful. This place gives me the creeps in the dark."

Fran pushed open the car door and ran to the door. Tommy unloaded their cases, carrying them to the open door. The light suddenly dimmed as someone stood in the doorway, barring his way.

"You need a hand with that?" Hannah asked, the sound of her voice making him smile.

"Yeah, that'd be nice."

She took the smaller case from him, walking in as she moved aside.

"Han, I've really missed..." he started as she put a finger on his lips.