Cast The Die

Chapter Thirty-Four

If I had a diary, I would have been writing about my time in the cabin, documenting every second of insanity. It's now Sunday, we've been here for three days and we only have a supply of food to last us a week, maybe less, so I'm hoping Cole has heard from his friend and we can get the hell out of here.

I've been struggling, a lot, but Cole has been helping me. He gets up earlier than I do to sort out the fire, he makes sure there's always a light on in each room when it's dark outside, he even knows how to use the washing machine and tumble dryer, so we have clean clothes. I try to help, offering my assistance when I can, but he doesn't let me, it's like I'm royalty and I shouldn't have to lift a finger. I have nightmares, and the panic attacks are a regular occurrence but that is something I can get help with, professional help, when all of this is over.

It rained all day yesterday; the TV was working for about an hour and then the signal was cut again. It's exhausting doing absolutely nothing. I read another book that I found collecting dust on the old bookshelf and explained to Cole why Jane's character was totally out of order when she slept with her husband's best friend and that her husband, Mike was an idiot for forgiving her. He nodded in agreement, but I don't think he gave a damn.

It's 11am, I've been awake a few hours and I've already had four black coffees. I haven't seen Cole yet, but I know he's still upstairs because I heard him talking on the phone. I put on the black hoody, grabbed my mug of coffee and headed outside. When I stepped out onto the decking, I felt shivers down my spine and the butterflies returned. If I'm honest, the butterflies don't really go away, I think they've set up camp somewhere in my stomach and that's just where they live now. The sun is shining from behind grey clouds, but it's no longer raining, I looked around at the trees surrounding the cabin, breathing in the smell of wet wood and listening to the birds singing. Before I could stop myself, I was walking down the grass and into the trees, hugging my coffee mug close to my chest, letting the heat warm my hands. I was walking for a few minutes, through the trees and the tall grass, when I came to the edge. It was beautiful. The sun came out from behind it's shield, like it knew I was here, and it had to show off the lake in front of me. In the distance, there was a short wooden pier leading out into the dark water and I thought about going back to get another book and a fresh mug of coffee, grabbing a blanket and planting myself there for the day. So, that's exactly what I did.

Cole didn't even realise I was gone when I went back, he was still on the phone, I was desperate to know who he was talking to and what he was talking about, but that pier was calling my name. By 12pm, the sun was at its highest and the clouds had disappeared, revealing the clear blue skies above. I had the blanket wrapped around me, keeping me warm from the breeze, as I sat close to the edge of the pier with my legs crossed underneath me. In other circumstances this would be perfect.

I start the last chapter of the book, hoping to find out if Layla's Dad is actually her real Dad or if her whole life has been a lie, ironic. Before I can turn the page, I hear my name being called in the distance. Repeatedly. Getting louder each time. Shit.