by Autumn Reed
The stranger walked to the bedside table and turned on the lamp before stepping back away from the bed. I stared at his dark blue jeans and green plaid socks while I attempted to get my nerves under control. Surely a guy wearing plaid socks can’t be that bad, right?
Unable to stall any longer, I finally lifted my head up, and then up some more, to look him in the eye. It took everything in me not to audibly gasp when I saw all of him for the first time. He was incredibly handsome and so tall. My pulse started racing, and I felt myself getting nervous for an entirely new reason.
He had chestnut brown hair that was short on the sides but longer on top and styled to look just a little messy. Behind stylish glasses with black plastic frames, his dark brown eyes appeared concerned and maybe even a little amused. Probably because I was hiding under the blanket like a three-year-old.
I finally gained the courage to ask him who he was, but before I could get the words out, I started coughing again. He handed me a glass of water that he must have brought in the room with him. I accepted the glass but stared down at it with doubt. I’m guessing the rule against accepting candy from strangers also applies to drinks. What if he’s trying to poison me?
Apparently reading my mind, he chuckled and said, “I promise that it’s just water. Do you want me to take a drink first to prove it’s okay?” I saw a slight smirk on his face and blushed.
The stranger smiled reassuringly and held out a hand as if to take the glass of water before I started coughing again. Struggling to catch my breath, I lifted the glass to my lips. The cool water splashed down my throat refreshing me.
“Thank you.” I had so many questions running through my head, I didn’t even know where to start. As the silence became oppressive, I finally asked, “I don’t mean to be rude, but who are you and how did I get here? Where am I?”
He moved farther away from me and leaned against the wall, making it easier for me to look up at him. “My name is Ethan. But, the rest is a little more difficult. I know you have questions, but for now just know that I want to help you, I promise. Why don’t you take a shower and get cleaned up, and I’ll make breakfast. I’m sure you’re hungry.”
My smoke-scented hair and rumbling stomach couldn’t argue with his suggestion. I felt so dirty; if he told me I had to use the garden hose to get clean I would have, gladly. But my head still needed a few answers. “My dad . . . ” I couldn’t finish my thought, choked up by the possibility that something horrible happened to him.
Ethan’s expression turned serious. “What do you remember about what happened?”
Flashes of the night before raced through my mind. It all seemed like a blur now. “Not much. There was an explosion, and I ran toward my house, looking for my dad. I fell and twisted my ankle but got up and kept running. And that’s all I remember.” I didn’t know if I really wanted to hear the answer or not, but I went ahead and asked, “Do you know what happened to my dad?”
Ethan sighed. “As far as I know, he’s okay. He got away from the house after the explosion, but I don’t know where he is now.”
I sat there in silence, relieved that maybe Dad was okay. But, I still had no idea what to do next. There was no way of knowing whether I could trust this man, regardless of how nice he seemed. Suddenly remembering the cell phone in my satchel, I asked, “Do you have my bag? I need to call him.” My throat was still raw and dry.
Ethan nodded and left the room. A moment later he returned; my bag looked dirty but mostly intact. I dug around until I found the phone and cringed when I saw the cracked screen. That’s not a good sign. When I couldn’t even get the phone to turn on, I gave up. Clearly my cell phone wouldn’t be of any use.
Before I could ask, Ethan pulled a phone from his pocket and handed it to me. “Here, try calling your dad on this. I’ll give you some privacy.” I watched him leave the room and shut the door softly behind him.
My hands shook as I quickly dialed Dad’s cell phone number and waited anxiously for him to answer. My heart sank when I heard, “the number you have dialed is not in service” rather than my dad’s voice. What now?
I nervously clutched the blanket. Hoping I had merely dialed the wrong number, but knowing in my heart that I hadn’t, I dialed again. Holding my breath, I prayed I would reach Dad this time. My heart started pounding when I got the same message again. Guessing a third attempt was futile, I sank into the bed, anxious about what to do.
There was a light knock on the door. I quickly deleted Dad’s phone number from the recent calls log before cautiously responding, “Come in.”
Ethan stuck his head in the door. “Did you reach him?”
Not wanting to give too much away, I just shook my head. “Thanks for letting me borrow your phone.” He walked the rest of the way into the room and took the phone from my outstretched hand. Needing time alone with my thoughts, I said, “I guess I’ll go ahead and take that shower now if you don’t mind.”
“Of course. The bathroom is the first door on the right. I put a fresh towel and clothes on the counter for you. I don’t have any clothes your size, so you’ll have to make do with borrowing mine for now. Do you need any help walking?” he asked, glancing at my ankle.
Heat crept up my neck. There was no way I was going to let Ethan help me get to the bathroom. “Um, no thanks. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay, well, let me know if you change your mind. You can join me in the kitchen when you’re finished.” He gave me an encouraging smile before walking out of the room.
I watched until his tall form disappeared down the hall and then stood up. I swayed, feeling unsure on my feet and slightly dizzy, before gingerly stepping over to the window to look outside. The sun was just starting to rise, providing enough light to get a peek at my surroundings. Unfortunately, all I could see was dense forest, no civilization in sight, and really no clues as to my location.
With no obvious solutions to my current predicament, I decided I might as well take it one step at a time. For now, I needed a shower and then food. I limped to the bathroom and tried to ignore the sharp pain every time I put pressure on my injured ankle. Thankfully, the bathroom was just a few steps down the hall.
Once I made it to the bathroom, I shut and locked the door before looking around; it was tiny and outdated but clean. A small window let light into the shower, but it was too small to consider climbing through. The linoleum floor creaked gently underfoot, and a row of fluffy peach towels hung behind me.
Catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I gasped. I was fairly certain that I had never looked worse in my life. Fragments of leaves and sticks were intertwined in my long hair. Instead of its usual shine and luster, my hair was dusty and tangled. I had streaks of dirt or soot across my cheek and forehead. My whole body was covered in a layer of sweat and grime.
I realized for the first time that I was wearing a men’s T-shirt but still had on the now filthy shorts I’d been wearing yesterday. As I undressed, I forced myself not to dwell on the fact that Ethan (or someone else) had changed my shirt. I had bigger problems to deal with. And at least I still had my bra on. I noticed that in addition to the bandage on my ankle, my scrapes had been cleaned and a few even bandaged.
I turned on the faucet, releasing the water and starting the shower. The splashing of the water against the tub was calming. Unable to handle the stinging of hot water on my cuts, I set the water to lukewarm and went about scrubbing myself clean. I grinned at the only soap in the shower: apple-scented body wash. Very manly.
I squeezed shampoo onto my hand and its scent filled the bathroom. Luxuriating in the warm water, I gently massaged my scalp. As I attempted to wash the smoke scent out of my hair, it suddenly occurred to me. My home for the last twelve years just went up in smoke. Literally.
Although we didn’t own that much, it was still a blow to realize that everything was gone. I quickly looked down at my right hand and almost cried in relief. At least I still had my mom’s ring. As devastating as losing the house and
everything in it was, her ring was the only possession that I genuinely treasured.
Seeing my mom’s ring took me back to the dream that woke me up this morning. When Dad told me the story about the car wreck that killed my mom, it didn’t totally sink in that I was there when it happened. Even though I was only five at the time, I couldn’t help but wonder why I didn’t remember the traumatic accident and subsequent fire.
Soap washed over one of my cuts, stinging me and bringing me back to my current problems. If I hadn’t been so wrapped up in myself, I would have been making dinner when Dad got home yesterday rather than daydreaming in the woods. I would have been there when the fire started, and we never would have gotten separated. What if I never saw him again? I felt a sharp pain in my chest, my anxiety mounting at the thought.
Okay, Haley, you need to focus. Even though you thought he was exaggerating, Dad did warn you that something could happen to him. Considering the timing, there is no way that the explosion at our house was a coincidence. He told you to run and to take care of yourself first. You have to trust him. He knows how to handle himself, which means he’s fine. So stop worrying about him for now and concentrate on yourself.
I thought through my current situation logically, trying to make sense of what happened. I knew that I passed out at the fire and was brought to a secluded cabin in the woods. Ethan, a complete stranger, took me in and cared for my injuries. And, my dad apparently got away from the fire but was chased by unidentified men. It wasn’t a lot to go on, and my mind warred with whether or not I could trust Ethan.
On one hand, he seemed non-threatening and even concerned about my well-being. And he did allow me to use his phone to attempt to call Dad. On the other hand, he could be working with whoever was after Dad and using me for information or as bait.
Whatever the answer, I wasn’t going to find it by staying in the shower all day. I needed to eat something and try to get more information from Ethan. Hopefully I could at least get a better feel for his intentions.
Tangled
I dried off and took inventory of the clothes that Ethan provided: a soft navy T-shirt and light blue and orange plaid Polo boxers. Okay, someone definitely has a thing for plaid. Unwilling to put my dirty panties and bra back on, I pulled on the shirt and shorts and looked in the mirror. I couldn’t help but smile at how ridiculous I looked in a shirt made for a man who was so much taller than me. I knew I should be embarrassed that I was wearing a stranger’s boxers, but I was so thankful for clean clothes that I couldn’t bring myself to care.
Without a brush or hair products to help me out, I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to work through as many tangles as possible. Finally deciding it was a hopeless cause, I left my waves alone to dry. I knew I wasn’t exactly looking my best, but at least I was clean and smelling like apples instead of smoke and sweat.
I hobbled into the kitchen, taking in my surroundings as I went. The cabin was clean and somewhat spartan. With low ceilings and rough wood floors, it was just as you would expect. Exploring the rest of it, I realized there wasn’t much more to it than the bedroom and bathroom I had already seen.
On the far side of the cozy living room was a wood door that I supposed was the front entrance. A slightly worn-looking couch and chair sat facing pine shelves filled with assorted books and games. Across from the living room, the kitchen flowed into a dining area with a round wooden table and four chairs placed beneath a brass chandelier. Beyond the table, a pair of sliding glass doors led to a large deck outside.
Apart from the necessary essentials and a picture or two on the wall, the place seemed like it was rarely used. The few pieces of furniture looked dated and the air felt stale. Large windows let in natural light that filtered through the trees giving the feeling of being part of the forest. Inside and outside met almost seamlessly.
I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I smelled breakfast. Ethan’s back was to me, and I took a few moments to study him. Admiring the way his pale blue polo shirt hugged his broad shoulders and obvious biceps, I wondered how often he found himself cooking breakfast for a girl.
When he turned around, I saw his eyes quickly flick from the top of my head down to my bare toes and back. Self-conscious about standing there in nothing but his boxers and a T-shirt, I crossed my arms over my chest and looked away.
I was surprised when he walked to the table and grabbed a hoodie off the back of one of the chairs before handing it to me. “Here, you look like you could use this.” It was red and had the Anaheim Angels logo across the front. Grateful for more clothing, especially since it was cool in the cabin, I thanked him and pulled it over my head. It was big on me but warm and smelled faintly like cedar.
Ethan pulled out a wooden chair for me next to the round table. I sat down awkwardly, trying to avoid putting more pressure than necessary on my ankle. The chair felt sturdy but creaked under my weight. The table was set with plain silverware that was flat and patternless. It felt like the type of silverware you would find at a cheap, roadside diner.
He turned back to the stove. “Almost ready,” he said, still facing away from me. Shaking the pan of scrambled eggs with one hand, he calmly ran the other through his chestnut hair. He moved with ease, clearly in his element.
A minute or two later, Ethan set a large, plain plate down in front of me piled high with scrambled eggs, toast, and fruit. “I didn’t have a lot of options, so hopefully you like eggs.” The steaming breakfast filled my senses with longing.
Before I could respond, my stomach growled loudly. Ethan just laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He handed me a glass of orange juice and a sealed bottle of over-the-counter pain medication. “Take two with your food to help with your ankle. After breakfast, it needs an ice pack and elevation.” I stifled my urge to salute him.
Ethan pulled out a chair and sat down across from me. Despite his size, he moved smoothly, more like an acrobat than a cat. I thanked him and quickly tucked into the savory scrambled eggs and sweet fruit. Perhaps it was my hunger talking, but I was pretty sure this was one of the best breakfasts I had ever tasted.
I had almost cleaned my plate when I felt his eyes on me, and I slowly raised my own. His dark brown eyes betrayed a hint of wonder. I quickly looked down and folded my hands in my lap, embarrassed. I didn’t often eat in front of others, and while my dad had taught me manners, I was so consumed by hunger I had forgotten to use them.
He chuckled, “Don’t let me stop you. There’s more if you’re still hungry.”
I shook my head. “I’m good. Thank you for the delicious breakfast. And for taking care of my injuries.”
He responded with, “No problem.”
My hunger mostly satisfied, I picked at the remaining food, contemplating what to say next. Ethan spoke first, breaking the silence. “Feeling better now?” I nodded. I still felt like I had been run over by a train, but the shower and breakfast helped dramatically.
Debating how to broach the subject of my dad, my pulse quickened. Not knowing who Ethan was and what he knew, I needed to tread carefully. “You said you saw my dad get away from the fire?”
The light coming in through the windows glinted on his hair and face. I noticed the shadow of stubble on his jawline. He nodded, his hair shifting slightly with the movement. He looked a few years older than me; I guessed he was in his early to mid-twenties. I was struck again by how handsome he was.
Fiddling with the napkin in my lap, I hoped to keep my voice calm and level. I didn’t want to reveal anything more than necessary about me or my dad. Nor did I want to show how nervous he made me. Looking down to keep from staring at his chiseled face, I finally said, “I kind of live in the middle of nowhere. What were you even doing there?”
He answered slowly, as if weighing what he should say. “I was in the area and noticed the smoke. Since I have medical training, I went to the scene to see if I could help.”
I internally scoffed at his response. Did he really expect me to believe
that he just happened to be in the area? This whole situation was so suspicious, I had difficulty keeping my disbelief hidden. “Can you tell me more about what happened? I don’t remember much after realizing the house was on fire.” I trailed off, hoping he would fill in the blanks.
I glanced up to find Ethan studying me. “I know you have no reason to believe me, but I promise to tell you the truth even if I can’t go into all of the details.” Apparently I hadn’t masked my reaction as well as I thought.
“I really was in the area with a colleague when your house exploded. We were still several miles away but saw the smoke and immediately headed that direction. Soon after, a truck approached and then sped by with a car right on its tail. Your dad was in the truck, but I don’t know who was following him or where he went.”
Ethan paused, giving the new information a chance to sink in. I clutched my napkin and tried to keep my face unreadable while my mind whirred, trying to figure out what happened. The obvious answer was that the criminal organization Dad told me about managed to find him. Did they cause the explosion, trying to kill him? If he got away, where was he now? And how did Ethan even know that it was my dad in the truck?
“We didn’t know what was going on, so we continued in the direction of the smoke which was billowing in the sky by that point. We searched the outside of the house but didn’t see or hear anyone, so I reported the fire to the authorities and left. Chase called and told me that he rescued you and was headed toward the cabin. Since I’m a paramedic, he knew I would be able to help with your injuries.
When I arrived here, you were unconscious on the bed. But your injuries were pretty minor, and I could easily treat them myself. I checked your breathing and then tended to your ankle and other superficial wounds before leaving you to sleep. Mostly, you just needed rest after such a shock.”
I absently twirled my hair around my finger, trying to put all the pieces together. Apparently Chase saved me, but I didn’t even know who he was. And if he and Ethan really just wanted to help me, they could have dropped me off at the hospital or called the police. Instead, they brought me to a deserted cabin in the woods. That wasn’t normal behavior, even if Ethan was a trained paramedic.
