Zoya’s P.O.V
She pushed open the latch at the side of the front desk and stepped out so we were both on the same side. She shoved her hand into her pocket and fished out a set of keys. “I'll take you to your cabin,” she said. “You came with your car, yes? I ride a bike, so you can just follow me with your car.”
I looked at the luggage I had put to the side and sighed. Turns out I didn't need to take them out of the trunk after all. But whatever, what's done was done. There was no use crying over spilled milk. I hefted all my bags in both of my hands and followed Cam outside. She revved the engine of her motorbike and waited for me to put my bags in the trunk again and get settled into the driver's seat.
Once she saw that I was ready to go, she pulled out of the driveway, and I followed suit. Cam was surprisingly good with the motorbike. Not to be prejudiced, but Cam's nature on the first impression seemed to be too gentle and nice for a motorcycle. But I guess one’s personality did not dictate one’s preference in vehicles.
Much to my elation, the ride up was relatively smooth unlike the ride that I had experienced on my way to the Sapphire Mountains. My car did not break down once despite the rising elevation and the growing pull of gravity.
She guided me further up the mountain, away from the main town area, and I was too exhausted to feel nervous about this newfound seclusion. I had always been around people my whole life, so I guess this new life of living alone was another new thing that I was about to try. I tried my best to remember the way up, committing each twist and turn to memory. Unfortunately, I was too emotionally and physically drained that I could not recall much else after the first right turn.
I'll have to exchange Chat IDs with Cam so I have someone to share location with in case I get lost on my way down tomorrow. This thought, I truly ingrained in my head. Even though I was already very tired, some parts of my still-rational mind did not want my new day tomorrow in this place to be ruined just because I got lost in the woods. And if I did get lost in the woods, I doubt I would have the survival skills and means to stay alive in the wilderness.
Finally, Cam's motorbike stops in front of a cabin that had clearly been unused for a couple of years. Perhaps the old owners had forgotten that it even existed in the first place. It was dark here, and the only light that helped me see was the moon and the stars in the blanket of the night sky.
She hopped off her motorbike, taking off her helmet and tucking it under one arm. I stepped out of my car as well.
“I'm sorry, but I won't be staying long enough for you to get settled in,” she told me apologetically. “I have a child waiting at home, so I don't want to take too long. You can carry your own bags, yes? I'll leave you to it in a bit. For now, I'll just inform you of the basics. This place has working electricity and running tap water, although sometimes either or both won't work. Don't worry; I don't think there are any harmful creatures in these woods, so you are most likely safe here. The cabin has virtually anything you might need. The only problem might be the food stocks, but you can just head down and grab something to eat in town. Tell them to put it on my tab. Remember my name.”
“Alright,” I told her. “Thank you, really. This means a lot. And it's alright if you are not able to help me get settled in. This is more than enough already, and like you said, you've got a child waiting for you back home. I bet they can't sleep without you by their side.”
“Yes, our situation is a bit like that,” Cam said with a light laugh. “Well, then, I had better get going. I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Or, actually, later since it is already quarter to one.”
I nodded, not letting the shock show on my face. “Yeah, okay,” I told her with a wave. “I'll see you then.”
She took another set of keys from her pocket. “Here,” she said, reaching over to hand it to me. “For the cabin. Keep the doors locked, okay? The people here are trustworthy, of course, but it's always best to be safe.”
“Of course,” I said gratefully, taking the keys from her. “By the way, I almost forgot to ask you, can we exchange Chat IDs? I'm not sure if I remember the way down. I might need your help tomorrow.”
“Oh, of course, love,” she said. “That's no problem at all. Give me your phone.”
I walked back to my car and took my phone that I left on the dashboard. I opened the scanner and handed it to her, which she quickly took and scanned in her ID.
“There you go,” she said, smiling again. Cam sure loves to smile. It was one of the things about her I found that I was beginning to adore. After all, she was not a difficult person to like.
She mounted her bike again, and I watched her pull out of the driveway. I did not move from where I stood until I could no longer see her or the taillights of her motorcycle in the distance.
Finally, I walked around my car and opened the trunk. I took out all of my bags again, closed the trunk door, locked my car, and walked up the steps of the front porch. The wood cabin was just enough for me in size, and despite the fact that it looked abandoned and, in Cam's words, in need of a fixer-upper, it still screamed homey. I was grateful for that.
Using the keys that Cam gave me, I unlocked the door and twisted the knob, pushing the door open with one hand. My other hand found the light switch close to the door, and I was relieved to see that the electricity was indeed working.
“I just hope it doesn't stop working all of a sudden,” I muttered to myself.
I didn't notice the body until I stepped inside, closed the door and really took stock of the cabin. Then I saw it, and had to suppress my scream.
There, in the middle of the room, was the naked body of a man, bloodied and bruised and hopefully…unconscious.