Chapter Stranger danger
I slowly open my eyes and see the dawn sky through the window. I stretch and can’t help but give a slight moan at how warm and comfortable the bed is. A bed, yes, I’m in bed. So, it was just all a dream? Phew, a wave of relief washes quickly over me as I do not like the thought of having woken up in those dreadful woods again. What an odd dream to have though.
I sit up with my eyes still half closed and feel around for my phone. What time is it? I feel around and can’t seem to find my phone, but I do feel how soft these bed sheets are. Is this silk? I don’t own silk bedsheets. I can’t afford them and I definitely don’t like the thought of how easy they are to dirty.
That’s when my eyes shot open. This king size bed I’m on is definitely not mine, and giving a quick look around this vintage styled room, it does not look like my condo either. What is going on? I quickly slip out of whoever’s bed this is, and just as my feet hit the wooden floor, I notice how naked my legs are. As my gaze moves further up, I see what I did not want to confirm.
Okay, I always had an exaggerative imagination. Just because I woke up in a stranger’s bed, in clothes that aren’t mine, doesn’t mean it is what I think this means. Yes, I’m wearing an oversized shirt, with a heavy musky scent, and may very well belong to a man, but I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. There could be a perfectly good explanation for all this. But I’m not going to start picturing scenarios, because knowing me, that can go on for hours. Right now, I need to figure out where I am and find a way out of here.
Okay, time to do some inspection. First thing’s first, I cop a feel. Okay, so at least I’m still wearing underwear. Not that it makes things any better, but it could have been worse. I start looking around the room to see if I can’t find anything, like my clothes. It’s a little dark as none of the lights in the room are on, but I try to make use of the morning sun. But I can’t find anything, not even under the bed. For a guy, this room is pretty clean, a little too clean. Oh please don’t let me be in some psycho’s room.
There are two doors, and I’m assuming one is the bathroom and the other is probably my way out of here. Just as I’m taking a step to the closest door, I see something flicker through the window. Looking through the window I can spot the front of this……double story house and see the driveway. A car just parked out front. The engine switches off, the lights go off and out steps a statue of a man, with chiselled features I want to have a closer look at. He has midnight black hair, in a comb over look that makes you want to run your hands through it. I then hear a deep muzzled sound, “how are things?”. He is speaking, I don’t know how I’m able to hear what he’s saying from this distance, but I do. And I must say, what an enticing voice that is. I literally felt a shiver run through me, and I want more.
Who is he speaking to? That’s when someone, another man, comes from the front of the house walking towards him.
“With you back, I’m sure things will get better. I’m glad you had a safe trip Alpha.” I hear the other man say. Alpha….? Is that his name? Is he Greek? My mouth quirks up a bit at my flimsy sense of humour, remembering how he looks like a Greek god.
They stand there in silence and looking at each other for a few seconds, which feels like a few minutes. Both their faces look so sombre, even though they greeted each other with quick smiles a second ago. Why so serious all of a sudden? It is starting to feel like a stare-off, and I actually feel like I’m invading in a private moment.
So I look up. From the top floor I have a pretty good view of the outside, and my palms are getting a little sweaty when realizing that this place is surrounded by woods. Where am I? This repeat of questions is really bringing me back to that strange dream, resurfacing that feeling of uncertainty I really don’t like.
That’s when I hear heavy sighs and I look down at the two men who seem to be closing that small gap between them and hugging each other like long lost brothers. But to be honest, that hug looks a little deep and is lasting a bit longer than the average male I know would like it to be. Are they gay? The thought pops up into my mind. Awh, that’ll be so cute, my little inside voice says. But it would be such a loss, I think back, for two such blessings to be robbed from the female population.
They break the hug and start walking towards the woods, talking to each other. I can’t really make out what they are saying, their voices are growing softer and the deepness of it is making it all sound like muzzled talk. The man named “Alpha” throws his arm across the other man’s shoulders giving him a hard tap on his upper back. It looks painful to me but they both seem to be laughing it off. They must be talking about some “guy stuff”.
They stop a few meters in front of the edge of the woods, and just stand there. It’s like they are waiting for something. But what? That’s when I realize something. It’s getting darker. The sun is not rising, it is setting. Did I sleep till the afternoon? Okay, somebody better start giving me answers soon, or my mind is going to start running wild again and tell me I’ve been kidnapped by a bunch of rich and hot guys. Does that even make sense? I’m nobody, practically a wallflower. I don’t even want to start trying to remember how I got here. My head already aches just considering to remember.
But who are these men? I know I’ve never seen them before. I would have remembered having seen Kelvin Klein models in real life. All these mixed emotions rolling around me is practically making me nauseous and dizzy. I feel this growing pit in my stomach from the uncertainty and pending fear of my situation, yet I have goose-bumps all over my body as I’m enjoying the moment of secretly stalking these fine specimens. This is wrong, right?
But damn, what broad and lean shoulders they have. You can practically see their muscles ripple through those v-neck shirts of theirs, with every chuckle. And I must say, in my mind of course because such thoughts never leave my mouth, that looking at the backside of that guy called “Alpha”, he sure has a great ass. Not many men can fill a jean like that. I can’t help but stare.
As if sensing my hungry gaze on him, he turns his body and looks in the direction of the house, looking for something. My breath hitches and my body goes dead still, hoping he won’t see me if I don’t move. I’m a little happy that it’s basically dark out and the room is just as dark. He can’t see me, right? Those eyes of his though, look so captivating with that dark blue colour, almost green. Those are deep eyes, I can just get lost in them, in all the secrets they hold. They’re like the ocean, like they’ll completely engulf me if I get too close. Those eyes are a warning, that he is dangerous. But why does me looking at them make me feel warm, and……….I wouldn’t say safe, because my trust issues are practically impenetrable, but I would say ‘less scared’. He finally and quickly looks back into the woods like he has heard something.
Just as I thought my situation could not get any weirder, I see dark, huge figures coming out of the woods. Are those wolves? They can’t be, they’re too huge, just about reaching the height of the two men. The four emerging wolves are gathering in front of the two men. What is happening? Are they like wolf whisperers? Is this some experimental camp where they do genetic mutation treatments? Crap, my mind is running wild again.
I scold myself mentally to just shut up and observe. And that’s when my eyes practically bulge out of their sockets as I can’t pull my gaze away from these beasts who are literally transforming into buff and very naked men. What the f…..?!
One of the men ran behind one of the trees and jogs back with stuff in his hands. He shares it with the other naked men and they start fumbling with it. Oh, they’re pants, -gym shorts and stretchy. They’re practically standing in a circle now, and talking to each other like whatever happened is the most normal thing ever.
Okay, that’s it. I need to get out of here before those,….. whatever they are, find me here. Wait, did they bring me here? Are all of them like that? Was I kidnapped into a cult? For fuck’s sake, stop thinking so much and act! Damn, one of these days I’m really going to swear out loud. I mean, thinking it doesn’t count,…..right? Forget it, I need to get a move on.
I run to the nearest door and open it, to be disappointed with it not just being the bathroom, but it has a huge claw foot bathtub right in the middle, which I would have loved to soak in right now. I grumble out of annoyance as I run to the other door, but I stop as soon as my hand touches the door knob. If this is a kidnapping situation, I should probably try to not make any noise if I’m going to sneak out of here.
I twist it slowly and as soon as I hear the click, I open it just enough to peek through the door. The lights in the hallway are on, I don’t see anyone, but I hear something. I try to focus on the noise and it sounds like there is a television on somewhere in the house. Some background noise should help me sneak out. It is a good thing I’m barefoot too. Once outside the door I look both ways to make sure the coast is clear. I don’t know the layout of this house, so I follow my gut and go left. I’m sure the stairs would be found towards the backside of the house. And boy am I happy they are, now I just need to cross my fingers and hope that none of these stairs have a creek in them.
I tip toe down, taking each stair one step at a time and as gently and slowly as possible. I reach the bottom of the staircase, which faces the front door, and just looking to my right past the wall, I see the TV on, on some cartoon show. Wait, is that ‘Gravity Falls’? I love that show. I’m actually impressed with whomever is watching it, and stretch my neck to try and see who is on the couch. I know this is stupid, but I just need a peek. I take another step and lean a bit forward, just to find yet another gorgeous and young-looking man sleeping on the couch. His exhales keep blowing at the long hairs hanging in his face. So adorable.
Mira, get your act together and focus! I should really start listening to that inner voice of mine more often, I know. So, I back out slowly till I’m back at the staircase and give myself a 360 look about. There are a lot of hallways and even more doors, but I can make out the open spaces. To my immediate left I see this long huge ass table, probably the dining room, or should I say -hall. Seriously, how many people need to sit around a table to just eat? This kumbaya stuff is really giving me a cult vibe.
Moving my gaze backwards I see cupboards through a doorway. That must be the kitchen. I walk in that direction, the back door ought to be this way. Already walking in this hallway, I see a door straight ahead of me. Could that be it? I mean, with these vintage-styled houses, they have very intricate designs but their layouts are pretty simple. I halt in my steps as soon as I hear a yawn. When I hear footsteps I simply and swiftly backtrack behind the staircase next to a door, which is probably a coat closet. The footsteps are getting closer. I hold my hand over my mouth to muzzle my shaky breath and sit down into the corner, to make myself as small as possible.
The foots steps are still getting closer and stop next to the staircase right in front of the door. I can see one of his feet, and I hope that doesn’t mean he can see me. I’m too afraid to look up. Why did he stop here? Then the door swung open, and he walks in. Okay…..So somebody likes spending time in a small, dark closet.
But then I hear footsteps, and they’re getting softer, like someone walking on a staircase. So maybe it’s not a coat closet. I take a few seconds to calm my breathing, I look past the door and see no one, so I decide it’s safe enough to crawl out. I continue my walk to the ‘back door’, but still tip toe slowly in case there are other mysterious wanderers in the house. I’m so focused on my end goal, I didn’t even focus on keeping track of my surroundings.
“What are you doing down here?” I hear a deep voice behind me. I’m so caught off guard that I twist around and almost lose my footing to look at the voice I hope is not directed at me. And there he is, Mr cutie pie from the couch, holding something in his left hand. He must have gotten it from downstairs,…….the basement? Shit! I just realized they have a fully functioning basement, and this kidnapping idea is really starting to flicker like neon lights in my mind.
I can see him, practically feel him looking me up and down with that gaze of his. It is making me completely uncomfortable that I start to hold myself, almost like I’m trying to hide my body from his gaze. He squints his eyes at my movement and tilts his head a little, and just stares at me, looking almost confused. It’s like he’s waiting for something. Oh, shoot! He asked a question. Crap! I didn’t think this far through. Do I run? Do I play coy? Should I be brave? But I’m overthinking things again and I forget that time is still ticking away as he’s waiting for my response.
I purse my lips as I can’t make up my mind on what to do. And that’s when he turns his whole body to me standing firm and tall. And I just know he’s getting ready to attack, or chase, depending on what I do next.