by Marian Stack
Then suddenly she was jerked out of her nostalgic dream with the low growling sound of a wolf snarl. “Hey baby girl… it’s me.”
The familiar sound of the voice immediately calmed the pup.
“Are you okay?” Blares’ voice broke the training moment. “Well that’s a statement I haven’t said much this trip. But are you?” Blair nervously chattered on and then stood so close to the side of Turtle’s body that she had to readjust her footing, to adjust her balance to remain standing.
“It’s really not that bad.” Turtle declared, “Really it’s a thousand times better than I thought it would be. Let me get a fire going and this place will heat up in no time.”
Blair’s mind wouldn’t allow her body to move an inch, as this dark scary building reminded her of every scary wilderness movie she had ever hated watching.
Noticing that her guest had not moved and saw the humour but remained focused Turtle spoke as she stuck the stone to send a spark into the small skillfully constructed mound of dry moss.
“Miss Foster. Listen to me. Let me point out a very important point. It’s pouring rain outside and you are dry.” Suddenly Blair walked over to Turtle and invaded her space with a big hug and with joyful and apologetic laughter as she cried out, “I really don’t like this kind of inside dark, and then when you add creepy in front of that word, well it kind-a freaks me out.” She snuggled into Turtle’s wet lumber-jack style wool coat.
“That I completely understand. Living in the wilderness should be a want not a need.” Turtle spoke as if summarizing her father’s message using fewer words.
“Well isn’t that a profound statement. Where did that come from?” Blair continued to be amazed with her guides’ depth of insight.
“Just something my father told me the year before he passed away.”
“Well he sounds to me like a very insightful man.”
“Yes, he was.” Turtle softly spoke as her mind pictured him in one of his famous poses, which was him standing in the river, with fast water smashing against his legs, knowing that his mind had begun to wonder as he stood staring off into the picturesque view that surrounded his world.
Once the small fire lit, and a few larger logs were added, and once the flickering light attempted to fill the inside of the cabin, Blair could no longer resist adding her voice, critiquing the décor. “Well honey, I have to say this little hunter’s cabin could use a serious make-over. Sparse is an overstatement. It’s clear to me that your father put a lot more energy into supplying the cave rather than this place. All you have here is a twin bed, and trust me calling that thing a bed is exaggerating the word bed, not to mention calling this so-called table and several carved out two foot high logs as chairs… inviting, is also being generous.” She stated without care as she watched Turtle move about the cabin. “And by the way, what the hell are you looking for…? Possibly a secret door that would reveal a comfy cosy hidden bedroom with all the amenities.” She laughed as she walked over to where Turtle had crouched down, apparently looking for something important.
“That would be nice, but no, no hidden cozy bedroom with a king size bed and a Jacuzzi.” She stated as she moved a wooden box that was under the bed, and as she moved her body to sit on the wooden floor Turtle reluctantly continued to inform her guest for the reason for her in-depth search. “However I was hoping for maybe a secret stash of dried food of some kind, our supplies have pretty much run out. We have been out here for…”
“Eight days, yes I know. And I too had noticed that our food stores were getting very low. But we are pretty much out of this situation, aren’t we!” Blair’s voice offered both concern and hope.
“Yes. That is true but we still need to keep eating to control our energy loss. So what I suggest is that you remain here and I will attempt to find the stream that my father often talked about and again hopefully we will have fish tonight for dinner. I want you to remain here with Rain,” looking at the pup who had found a cozy place to rest in front of the fire, “she looks tired, and you can stay to rest with her, again if memory served there is a stream a mile or so to the south of here.”
“No I want to come.” Blair’s normal loud voice startled the pups sleep to the point that the pup began her low warning growl.
“Blair you will be fine here. And look you seem to have the best protection.” Turtle joked, as her hand rubbed the neck of the pup to quiet her down.
“Honey, please don’t be too long. I know I’m acting a little peculiar but I have an odd feeling about this place.” She had walked over to her guide and offered her a shivering hug to accentuate her feelings.
Turtle offered a fast hug back, released her body from the hug that seemed to be offering more than a gesture and turned to exit the door. However remaining in the depth of their constant changing situation quickly turned around to view the woman standing in the door frame and affirms their vulnerability, “Whatever you do don’t let the fire go out.” Then rapidly turned away and began her run south.
What she didn’t want to say was that she too felt that something was off about the cabin, but thought she was only feeling the anxiety being projected by Blair’s intensity.
As Blair watched her guide leave her sight she was startled by the repositioning of the wolf pup, which now stood directly beside her right foot.
“Well my little friend how would you like to come with me to gather some more fire wood and maybe with your help find some greens or mushrooms to have with the fish dinner I’m quite certain we will be eating tonight.” Blair stated as she closed the door behind her and motions to the pup to follow her by the continued training sound of the slap on the side of the leg.
She stepped off the porch and noticed that there was a worn path that would lead anyone to the north of the cabin. “Well Rain let’s give this direction a try.” She stated as she secured her jacket collar to tighten around her neck as the pouring rain seemed to have lessened but the cool early night air was lowering in temperature.
As they followed the path Blair was pleased to have found some wild mushrooms and what she believed was wild kale. She was so excited that she found extra food that she was unaware that her search for the food had gotten her turned around. As she looked down at the pup that didn’t stray far from her side, “You wouldn’t by any chance know how to get back to the cabin, would you?” She stated as she bent down to touch the pups head. “Shit little one, I think we might be a little lost. And that means Turtle is going to be very mad if she gets to the cabin and we’re not there.
“Well… should you follow me or should I follow you?” As she completed her question, she looked at the pup again and surprisingly the pup began to walk back from where they came. As she looked around to decide on a different route she realized that the pups way had about a fifty percent chance of being right, “What the fuck?” She laughed out loud then began to follow with her prize in hand. She knew that all she had to do was find her pile of gathered fire wood and she would know that they were heading in the right direction.
With the cabin in sight and the three small trout that dangled from her hand Turtle approached the cabin with stealth speed. As she stepped onto the small porch she immediately felt nervous that she did not hear the pups warning growl or her travelling companions’ voice.
As she opened the door she stood frozen to the spot realizing that neither human nor animal were in the room. She called out first for Blair and then the pup. No response of any kind bounced back at her. She dropped the fish and turned her entire body to try to locate them anywhere outside near the cabin. She then proceeded to run around the cabin looking to see if maybe Blair was just toileting in the nearby bushes. She could feel the panic overwhelm her as she, for no other reason than pure fear began to run around the cabin a few more times looking for any signs that she had been taken by a bear or anything that would drag her off. Her entire body began to vibrate with fear as she stood looking at the open cabin door, desperately trying to visualize Blair
standing in the door way with her hands on her hips laughing at her instability, informing her that the joke was over and to come inside, but nothing, no Blair, no wolf pup, no joke.
“Ok Turtle get a hold of yourself and think. Where would she go?” Turtle questioned aloud as she turned to sit on the porch. Surveying the outside area she turned her head to her right and then the left and then her right again, because suddenly her panic mind allowed her vision to noticed the path leading away from the cabin. And then she knew. She had gone off to get more food for dinner. “Damn it” She whispered in a worried voice as she rapidly moved to search for her companions.
“Rain you did it, look the fire wood pile.” She couldn’t believe her eyes as she noticed the small pile of wood she had gathered, and placed in the pyramid style formation, so she would be able to quickly notice it. “Well done little one.” And then to her absolute surprise she heard Turtle’s voice screaming out her name.
Looking down at the pup she stated, “We’re in trouble now. You can hear by the sound of her screaming that she is going to be really pissed at us. And yes I said us.” She joked as she looked down at the pup who was just staring up at her with her tiny head on a tilt and a confused look on her face.
Taking in a deep breath and steading her nerves for a full raging reprimand “We’re over here, Turtle… honey.”
“Call out again,” Turtle’s voice commanded. “And keep calling until I find you.”
“Honey, we’re over…”
“Don’t you ‘honey’ me?” Turtle’s voice stopped the back and forth calling as she approached from behind and then with lightning speed she grabbed her shoulders and turned Blair’s full body around to inspect that she wasn’t injured. After a frantic inspection of lifting her arms and checking her body as if she was in a police pat down, Turtle then pulled the smiling face little girl in for a full forceful reassured bear hug.
After allowing for the fear to subside she then felt the anger arrive, as she pushed Blair’s body away to arm’s length, “What in god’s name were you thinking. We are so lucky that this little outing of yours has given us this outcome. Do you have any idea what could have happened to you?”
“You’re shaking.” Blair announced, as she pulled in hard for another hug.
“Yes… I’m shaking… of course… I’m shaking. You are my responsibility as a guest with my company. Did you not read any of the paperwork? You are my responsibility.” Turtle was moderately screaming her worry right into Blair’s face.
Stunned by the honesty, “So that is all I am to you… a business responsibility!” She cried back, and then without skipping a beat she bent over to pick-up Rain, securing her in her arms and then marched off like a spoiled child being sent to her room.
“Frigg.” Turtle whispered as she gathered up the fire wood.
As Turtle entered the cabin it was clear by the thick angry air that this night was going to be a long silent one if she didn’t break the tension. But she was still mad and still scared about what could have happened.
“Blair I understand that you are upset with me for being angry at you, but how many times, do we need to be placed in a dangerous situation for you to realize that I am your guide and yes… you are my responsibility.”
“But what if I want more?” She whispered under her breath as she stepped away from the fire place, to sit alone at the table.
Hearing the words that her guest just mumbled under her breath but loud enough for her to hear, Turtle panicked at first as she marinated on each word but instead decided to slowly turn towards her guest to ask Blair to repeat her last statement. She then stopped dead in her tracks and decided to take control of this physical attraction dilemma and chose to remain silent.
Yet again, she tried to get their travelling positions back on track. “Blair not to change the subject but the mushrooms that you picked, well they will kill us all if we eat them.”
“Are you kidding me?” She timidly stated as she grabbed the mushrooms and tosses them in the fire so no one could eat them especially the pup. “I guess it is a good thing you are the guide and I am… your responsibility.” Blair’s words sounded more of acceptance rather than defensive, as she readjusted her sitting position again to try to find a soft place on the hard wooden seat.
Offering a rare timeout of silence, Blair remained seated and began to observe her guide moved about the cabin, manoeuvring from task to task in her gentle way demonstrating her love of life.
As she watched Turtle prepare the dinner Blair’s mind wondered back to their first meeting just eight days ago and even though she was not in a good mental place she still was able to observe how this woman so easily moved through her day as if she didn’t have a care in the world. And now after these eight difficult days of being with this total and at times unhinged stranger, Blair could clearly mentally reminisce about how difficult she had made this journey for this woman just because of her interwoven belief of her superiority but now clearly recognized her deepening love with the woman that was guiding her back to safety and back to the reason for this trip. Frankly she had never felt like this before, and sadly she most certainly does not have these same feelings for her fiancée. And then an additional realization that all the while she walked through the woods looking for food all she could think about was pleasing Turtle and making love to her every night for the rest of their lives. How she wanted to breathe the same air as her, and to spend the rest of her life loving only her, but then…
As she continued to watch she began to anguish over how this could be. “How could she leave the city and move into the wilderness?”
“Could love truly conquer all…this?” She silently mumbled, ensuring that Turtle didn’t hear this question of the life changing words not being spoken to Turtle who stood by the fire, with her back to Blair’s position, inspecting the fish to ensure that their dinner was close at hand.
During dinner both woman seem to fall into their own personal space as very few words were spoken.
“Thanks for the fish dinner.” Blair softly spoke.
“You’re welcome, the first catch was so small that, well normally I would have tossed it back in but under the circumstance and then I was so happy when the hook grabbed the second and then the third fish, that I felt better that fish was on the menu.” Her voice was sincere but sounded tired.
“Well I’m feeling better now that I have some food in me.” Again her voice sounded softly flat.
“I’m almost certain rescue will be coming soon.”
“Yes. I believe that too, possibly tomorrow.” Blair spoke then stopped talking as it was apparent by the faraway look on her face and the in-turned body language that her mind had begun to wonder.
Turtle noticed the stare and purposely decided to remain silent. Her deep thoughts formed quickly around the possibility that she believed that Blair was more than likely thinking about getting home and resuming her normal life away from this entire amount of nothing.
Unbeknownst to Turtle her assumptions were way off base as Blair’s deep contemplation was in part of how and when they would to be rescued, however what was not noticeable by body language, was that Blair’s true thoughts were attempting to problem solve her way out of this situation of just…how to the girl and keep her lifestyle… was in full processing mode.
With personal space being a premium in such a small cabin and remembering that there was a rain barrel out back and assuming that it was filled to capacity she decided to leave the cabin without speaking to allow Blair her space believing her thoughts held merit. So without speaking or offering any information she stood and walked outside with the large bucket in hand, and then with equal silence returned moments later with a bucket full of rain water.
Plucked out of her silent moment with the click sound of the latch of the door being pressed, Blair immediately noticed that her companion had re-entered the cabin with a bucket full of water.
As Turtle entered Blair watched the process as sh
e without struggle lifted the heavy bucket of water placing the handle on the cast-iron hook and with one even push swung the bucket into the flames of the fire.
“Are you making tea, and can I help?” Blair meekly asked thinking that was an awful large bucket full of water for tea-for-two.
“Yes I can, it’s not what I was heating the water for but yes, maybe a tea will help settle the room.”
Blair just looked at the woman in the room and knew she was falling hard. She loved the way Turtle could state the obvious, without malice. So without any more questions Blair decided, on that night, to merely become an observer and follow Turtles’ every move to its outcome.
Without realizing it, and the motion picture she was staring in, Turtle began to undress.
The water was for bathing. A sponge bath, her mother would call it when she was a little girl, and when she didn’t always want the big bath.
True to Blair’s personal agreement she sat back and watched her new love remove all her clothing and place them next to the fire so that they would completely dry out. Then as her eyes continued to drink in the scene, she watched as Turtle moved about the very small space just to the left of the fireplace preparing the spot for her bath, and then as both women remained silent in their own tasks, Turtle stood tall in her self-exposed natural naked form, cautiously poured some of the heated water into a larger bowl and then after testing the water with her elbow chose to add just a little of the cool rain water, allowing the water to find a soothing temperature for bathing.
Again without realizing, that she had an interested audience, using the soap that was taken from the secret cave treasure chest she began to roll it in her hands to gather the silky smooth soap suds that would roll across her skin. She began the bathing process with placing her left foot on the resting upright log by the fireplace that immediately threw a silhouette shadow on every wall in the cabin that sent Blair’s wanting into a tail spin. She silently became a peeping-tom as she was unable to turn her eyes away from the bathing scene, allowing the sounds of the splashing and wring sounds of the water to begin the desirable moisture between her legs. She watched as the small towel that was being used as a wash cloth glide over and around the dripping moist bent leg from her ankle to the inner thigh, and then without thought, as she adjusted her balance she switched her legs and proceeded to caress her other leg from foot to inner thigh.
