Hunting Sawyer

Worse

A dirt road broke off to the right and I threw the truck off the paved highway and into the unknown, without a second thought and praying for escape.

But Tucker’s eyes lit up and he gripped the sides of his car seat as we barreled Joe’s beat up old pickup down a shabby washed-out path deep into the forest’s depths.

Even after driving a painstaking fifteen minutes over the bumpy terrain, my eyes darted from the road to the rearview every few seconds. I thought I had heard a vehicle zoom and a crash at one point – but I’m sure I’m making things up in my craze. On one of my glances, I noticed Tucker drifting back off to sleep, lulled by the bouncing of the cab. My sweet boy.

Even in the early morning light, something strange held my attention up ahead. Almost a glow around a strange smattering of trees that formed a sort of arch around the busted-up dirt path. But one glance in the rearview mirror and a reminder of what would find us if we turned around….that was all it took for me to press the gas pedal harder.

I had no idea what direction we were heading, or if what was left of this tank of gas would get us to the next station. I had no idea if I’d ever get to see Tessa or Nadine or Caroline again…but all I knew is that the sleeping angel in my backseat meant more to me than the air in my lungs.

So, when we crossed through the glowing trees and my body lit in a weird, almost painful tingling static, I almost turned back on my heel and ran back into the monster’s clutches. This was unnatural. But it was over as quickly as it came as the truck puttered into the forest, slowing on its own accord.

Panic ran through my core when I whipped around to assess Tucker to see if the strange sensation had roused him from his deep sleep. But the boy slept on…

Was I crazy from lack of sleep and emotional turmoil? I could still feel the sharp pricks of static in my fingertips… so something had happened…

It was then I realized that the puttering of the pickup became more violent and the truck almost wobbled as I pulled it off the side of the patchy dirt road.

I have no idea where I am.

I have little to no food, water, or supplies.

My transportation just s**t itself and we’re stranded in the middle of an unknown wood.

And my sleeping son and I are on the run from a madman who wants us both dead.

Can’t get worse, right?

I pulled off the hat and wig, bracing myself for emotional strength. Then I stepped out of the truck, quietly closing the door to not disturb Tuck, before making my way around to the hood. I didn’t know jack-s**t about cars. But I knew that the steam was a bad sign. Steam….not smoke. So at least, no fire.

A snapping branch made my heart drop straight into my toes and I jerked myself around, certain Blake had found me.

Couldn’t get worse?

Well, ‘Worse’ was looking me straight in the face.

A massive wolf with eyes as yellow as sunflowers in the middle of summer was hunched over and stalking my way. He slipped through the shadows of the trees and stepped out, now almost silently, hackles raised and a low grumble in his chest.

I couldn’t breathe. I had so many thoughts run through my brain in an instant, but all of them led back to the fact that I had to keep Tucker safe.

I stepped in between the truck and the wolf, balling my hands into fists. If it was here for a fight, I’d be happy to give him one.

I squared my shoulders and watched his every move as he made his way around me and Joe’s truck, taking in the scene. Wolves were smart, maybe he would understand?

“I’m not here for trouble. I’ve had enough of that already. I …we… are just trying to make it to safety. Please. I don’t need another enemy.”

The wolf stopped his hunt and watched me curiously. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his and I was almost intrigued with the way his brows would pinch together as he studied the sight in front of him. I had a ridiculous urge to approach the murderous thing and pet it, like an i***t. So I bit my lip and dug my fingernails into the palm of my hand. I had half a mind to dash into the broken-down truck and lock myself in until he went on his merry way, but a part of me knew he could get in if he wanted me bad enough. So better to keep him out here and away from Tuck.

But another part of me felt…..safe….with him. Even with the danger oozing from the powerful beast. His eyes almost glowed as they watched my every move. His fur was clean and the most beautiful blend of browns and caramel. He was so still and so massive, I was scared to breathe, terrified to break his gaze in case it spelled disaster.

But the revving of a vehicle engine in the distance sent an ice-cold shiver down my spine. He looked away first, in the direction of the sound. My panic set in thinking of the situation I was currently in. Broken down and stranded in the definition of ‘unknown’ with a wolf the size of a cabin breathing down my neck. And now Blake only inched closer….

The wolf looked back at me with a look of fury, and I winced, terrified of his next move. I lost my parents at sixteen. Tucker couldn’t lose me now…. he can’t even unbuckle his own f*****g seatbelt….The danger I’d be leaving him in would be unsurmountable…

But then the beast was gone….like a shadow slipping into darkness, I couldn’t figure out how it happened.

I took the moment, not letting the adrenaline and terror slip over me just yet. I dove into the cab of the truck and tried starting the engine, unsuccessfully. But my desperation got the better of me as I tried to start it over and over and over again. No avail…

I hopped out of the truck again and pulled open the hood, praying the answer would be written for me in the mechanics. But all I was met with was more angry steam and oil.

“Excuse me?” a deep voice interrupted the slew of four letter expletives leaving my mouth and I jumped, smacking my head on the raised hood of the truck. I snapped around, terrified that one of Blake’s men had me cornered.

But this was not one of Blake’s cronies….. he was massive, muscular, and handsome as all hell. Short brown hair fell carelessly over his forehead and a strong chin bit back a concerned look. I kept my eyes trained on his gorgeous chiseled face, because I was painfully aware that this godlike man was rocking only a pair of sweatpants and I was terrified that if I let my gaze wander south, I’d be lost forever.

But his eyes drew me in, hypnotized me as I worked quickly to determine friend or foe.

“Can I help you?” He offered, holding his hand out in my direction. I only broke my trance from his stare to look at his extended hand…. Is this a trap?

The sound of the revving engines again sent me into a panic and the thought of grabbing Tucker and running on foot crossed my mind. Instinctually, I grabbed the door handle of the truck in one hand, and held the other to my stomach, trying to slow my breathing.

“Listen, I know you’re in danger. Both of you. But I can help you. But you have to trust me. Please…… let me help you.” I was locked back in his eyes again, and my world was spinning. I was losing myself in the browns and golds and greens of his eyes. His hand was out again, but I couldn’t lose myself the way I lost my senses with Blake. I had to be smarter than that. I can’t let another supermodel man get me swept up every time they show me attention.

I couldn’t speak, so instead, I took the chance. I nodded. “My son…” is all I was able to whisper out.

A jeep came breaking through the trees and I almost pissed myself again in that moment. But the man stepped forward and gripped my arm, and it was like my universe snapped into place at the contact. Warmth burst from his touch and we both stared at his fingers gripping my skin and I simply had no words.

“Get your boy. This is my car. We need to move now.”