Falling For You

f o u r

I haphazardly threw items into a duffel bag I placed on top of my dresser, wondering what one should pack for an impromptu trip to the mountains.

"You really think it's a good idea to go to a secluded cabin to meet with a man who you've only met via skype?" Spencer asked as he lounged on my bed, watching me create a mess. When he said it out loud like that, I could hear how ridiculous my plan of tracking down my evasive author went but I was short on options.

"I know this sounds like the perfect recipe for a disaster or but what choice do I have? He up and disappeared right in the middle of editing his novel and I can't do it without him plus Iris basically told me not to screw this up." I opened up my underwear drawer and quickly grabbed a few pairs and threw them in the bag. "She's always hounding me for updates and what am I supposed to say when she asks how everything is coming along?"

"You tell her the truth. Maybe she'll be able to help you out."

He had a point but I had to prove myself to Iris that I was worthy and capable of being a senior editor and in order to do that, I needed to successfully bring this book to print and if that meant going up a mountain to chase a grown man then so be it. "I'll be fine. I can handle myself."

"It's not you I don't trust, it's this Theodore. He sounds like a vampire who is luring innocent women up the mountain so he can drain their blood."

I laughed. "You read too much." I slipped into the closet to change into something more appropriate for a trek into the mountains, a pair of black hiking pants that had pockets along both legs and a purple long sleeve shirt. I quickly pulled them on and then walked to the bathroom to braid my hair into two braids down the sides. I went back into the bedroom to see Spencer get up from my bed and grab my duffel bag off the top of the dresser.

"You'll have your location on at all times?" He asked as we padded down my hall towards the door. I grabbed a light jacket from the closet by the door and pulled it on.

"Yes, sir. Plus," I reached for an item I stashed into the side pocket of my pants. " I have this." I held the bottle of bear spray for him to see.

He rolled his eyes but the glint of approval was clear for all to see. "I don't even want to know why you have that but let's hope you don't have to use it."

We stepped outside and I locked my door then walked down the steps to my car, opening the back door to toss in my bag before slamming it shut. My stomach clenched as I faced him,  the reality of what I was about to do hit me. "I'll be okay." Was I convincing myself or Spencer? At this point, I really didn't know.

His features tightened. He wasn't convinced. "If anything happens, call me. I'll be right there."

I smiled and gave him a quick hug, lingering for a few moments before stepping out of his embrace and climbing into my old trusty 2008 RAV 4. My engine stalled for a bit but she roared to life and I drove off, already feeling regret.

I tapped on the steering wheel as I drove up the dirt road that would eventually lead me to the cabin. The scenery passing by was nice, a blurry hue of browns and greens. The evergreen trees slightly swayed in the same breeze that played with my curls that managed to find their way out of my braids, as if the wind was telling me that everything would be okay. But everything was totally not okay.

I mentally went over what I was going to do when I got there. Give him a piece of my mind? No, he'd probably quit all together. I had to remain calm and collected while telling him how imperative his cooperation was. The man had published a few thrillers and they all did amazingly well. Iris considered him a high profile client but honestly, his books were too wordy and fell on the contemporary side rather than gripping the edge of your seat fear side that most thrillers resided in but his work has won a few prestigious awards and universities across the country often did case studies on his books so I couldn't really complain.

Turn right at 34 county road

I followed the direction and drove about half a kilometre before it told me to take another right. Why did this area look familiar? My suspicions were proven right when I saw the road sign from earlier. I glared at the GPS, it had taken me in a complete circle.

I angrily hit the screen as it repeated the same directions over and over again before finally shutting off. "Are you kidding me?" I pulled to the side of the road and reached for the paper map I always kept in the glove compartment. It took me a while to find where I was and according to the map, I needed to continue driving straight for three kilometres before making a left turn and the cabin was supposed to be on the right. Okay, that didn't sound too complicated.

The new road the map put me on had a slope to it which meant I couldn't stop without pulling up the emergency brake which was a pain as it often got stuck. "Could this day get any worse?" I muttered to myself and as if there was some universal karma against me, the skies opened up and started to pour rain. Great. Just what I needed.

The rain made it harder to gain traction as the dirt road grew slick but I took it nice and easy. Just then, I felt my wheels lose all grip and my car started going backwards instead of forwards. I frantically pressed on the breaks but that did shit all as it continued going, gaining speed the further down the hill it went. I silently cursed at Theodore for putting me in this predicament and helplessly continued pressing the break.

Too late. My body jerked against the seatbelt as I crashed against something hard. My car finally stopped moving and I put my car in park, as if that did a damn thing. The wipers angrily cleaned  my windshield and I took a few deep breaths and stepped out, the rain soaked me through my light jacket as I  walked towards the back to assess the damage. Upon further inspection, the thing I crashed into was a tree and my entire trunk was caved in.

Feeling defeated, I looked up at the sky and screamed, letting out all of my bottled frustration. Then, I started to laugh. Was this what it felt like to lose one's mind? I put everything aside to get here and for what? A wrecked car and a mental breakdown? I was completely soaked now but I didn't care, I slipped back inside, turning up the heat. I started to warm but so I contemplated my options. Call for help or continue.

I grabbed my phone from my purse from where it fell on the passenger side floor and pulled out my phone, dialing the number for the local tow truck company.

My call was picked up after a few rings. "Hello?"

I rattled off what happened and where I thought I was. "Would you be able to send a truck out here to tow me back to the city?"

The man on the phone whistled. "No can do, ma'am. This storm has made all roads up there inaccessible. Your best option is just to wait inside the car until the rain lets up. I'll send someone up there as soon as it's safe to do so."

I hung up the call before muttering a thank you. Still feeling chilled to the bone, I pulled out some dry clothes from my bag and changed into those and then wrapped the blanket I was supposed to take out of my car after a picnic weeks ago around me. I turned the car off, hoping to save the battery for later on. Thankfully, it wasn't too cold out so I could do without the heat for now.

I woke up with a start, throat dry, and looked around me, remembering where I was and what happened. Shit. I must've fallen asleep. It was pitch black outside and the trees around me became spooky shadows, calling out to unfortunate me.

I cleared my throat and leaned forward, turning the key in the ignition and instead of hearing her roar to life, I heard a click. Please, not now. I tried again. Click. Third time's the charm right? Click. Apparently not.

I angrily hit the steering wheel. "Stupid piece of shit car!"

Then suddenly, something banged against my window and I did the only thing I could in that situation.

I screamed.