Chapter 7 - Don't go into the woods
1187 Words
Isabel opened her eyes, slowly... It was still dark in the room, the thick and heavy curtains making it difficult to tell what time it was. She yawned and stretched her arms before she grabbed her phone, not believing her eyes when she saw the clock on the screen. Midday already? She must have slept for more than twelve hours! She couldn’t remember she had ever slept for that long before.
With a content little smile, she went out into the kitchen and brewed coffee. It had been raining during the night, and the air was fresh as she stepped outside with the mug of the steaming hot beverage in her hands, and she sat down in the porch hammock facing the lake. It would probably be a warm day, but right now it was perfect to sit outside in her negligee, sipping coffee and embracing the stillness.
She unlocked her phone. Thank goodness it had been on silent mode the whole night! She had seven missed calls from David and eleven new text messages, most of them also from David. There was one from her mother, though, simply asking > and another from Emma saying > Emma had to mean Marcus, that attractive lawyer with the auburn hair... There had been some undeniable attraction between, she had to admit it! But she really shouldn't get involved with any man right now. Besides, Emma was clearly into him, making the decision to stay away easier...
She continued the day in the same way, in slow motion. It felt like she was walking in syrup, she was so tired. Exhausted. Drained. Why was she so damn tired? She fell asleep again in the afternoon, dozing off in the hammock.
She woke up to the sound of her phone buzzing, a photo of herself and Miriam on the display.
"Hi mom" she mumbled.
"Isabel! I've called you several times. I was starting to get worried."
"Sorry mom, I was just so tired. I feel totally drained," Isabel rubbed her eyes.
"Did you eat?" Miriam sounded worried.
"Yes mom, thanks. Thank you for the pie, it was very thoughtful of you."
"You still don't want me to come?"
"I'm fine, mom. I just need some rest, that's all," Isabel really needed some space.
"Of course. You do that. And call me if you need me."
“Sure…” Isabel hesitated. “Mom?”
“Yes honey?”
“Have you seen any bears here at the house?” Isabel felt silly, but she had to ask.
“Bears? No, never. Or was it a wolf?” Miriam’s voice was cautious.
“A wolf? No, it was too big for being a wolf,” Isabel chuckled.
“What did you see?”
“Ummmm… I don’t know. I think maybe I was hallucinating,” Isabel shrugged. “It was late and getting dark. It was probably just the shadows, my mind playing tricks on me.”
“Maybe…” Miriam seemed to consider her words. “But still, be careful, OK? One never knows. And don’t…”
“Don’t go into the woods when it’s dark. Of course. I know, mom. Bye, love you.”
After they hung up, Isabel had a snack and scrolled through her social media on her phone, trying to not fall back into sleep. It was hard though, her eyelids felt so heavy! She needed to do something to release herself from her doziness. She needed to move! Maybe go for a swim? But then she thought about last night's experience, not feeling eager to go nude again. It was better to go for a run... The sun was soon to set so she had to hurry, though.
Still in her night gown, she went inside and changed into tights and a singlet, and laced on her running shoes. She loved running in these woods! However, just as she had opened the front door to go out, she hesitated and went back inside, grabbing her phone. After a quick google search, she let out a sigh of relief. There weren't any bear territories anywhere close.
“You’re so silly,” she mocked herself with a chuckle. Her mind had obviously played her a trick! She left her phone on the kitchen table and ran outside.
Her body felt heavy at first, as if her shoes were made of lead, but the further she ran into the forest, jumping over rocks and sprinting on trails, the stronger and more energized she felt. She ran on her childhood trails, close to the lake so she wouldn't get lost. Eventually, she reached her favourite spot in the woods, a glade right by the lake. There was a little cliff by the lake, a perfect spot to watch the sunset… She used to go here as a teenager whenever she needed to be alone and have some space.
Arriving at the glade, she stopped abruptly, and she panted heavily with both hands on her knees. Sweat was running from her forehead and into her eyes, and she was using her singlet to wipe off her face when, all of a sudden, she got a weird feeling... As if someone was watching her again! The burning sensation at her back was back, and she swirled around, shivering, gazing into the wood. Looking for someone, or something... But there was nothing.
"Hello?" she called tentatively, but no response. She should go back. She turned around again and was just about to run back to the house when she saw it... A huge black wolf! A real wolf, with massive razor blade sharp teeth, standing on the other side of the glade. Watching her.
She panicked! Without further thinking, she immediately started running, now even faster than before. When she looked over her shoulder, she saw that the wolf followed her, its eyes gleaming at her greedily. Damn it! She definitely did not want to become that wolf's dinner...
She picked up the pace, running as fast as she could. She was so scared that she found it hard to breathe, as if she was being suffocated by fear. However, oddly enough, she soon realised the wolf was keeping its distance from her? If she slowed down, the wolf did too, all the time watching her. Maybe it didn’t want her any harm? It looked more interested and curious about her, somehow, rather than menacing. Maybe it wouldn't attack her?
She was just starting to think she might not become wolf dinner after all, when suddenly, it started to sprint. Fast. It was too fast! She tried to run even faster, but the wolf was quickly outrunning her. Suddenly, in a snap, it took a giant leap! Landing right upon her...
Isabel screamed in fear as the wolf pinned her down to the ground.
- Writer
