Page 44 of Cedarwood Cabin

A news channel is broadcasting a breaking story:

“A new strain of the Coronavirus has been discovered with a much higher fatality rate. The President has put America on lockdown for three weeks. You must only leave for essentials.”

My backpack slides off my shoulder. “Oh my God,” I whisper to myself as I allow the information to sink in. Lyka and Dax turn to me.

“I thought the world was going to live with Covid now,” I utter, my voice tinged with disbelief. Just when it seemed like everything was going back to normal, this happens.

“What do you want to do, go home or stay here?” Dax asks in a supportive tone. It’s clear he wants me to be comfortable with whatever decision I make.

“For three weeks? Just the three of us?” I ask. But the idea of being alone with my dark thoughts for that long feels unsettling. I’ve been fighting hard to keep them at bay. The thought of returning home without my father being there and three weeks of being alone…

“We have everything we need. We don’t need to leave the cabin,” Dax reassures me.

I feel uneasy and take a deep breath. The idea of traveling now seems risky. “Covid killed my mother. I know what it can do to people. I guess I have to stay here,” I say, shrugging.

They both exchange glances. “We’ll make it work. Don’t worry,” Dax says.

“Yeah…” Lyka adds.

“One problem. I don’t have any spare clothes or underwear.” Being stuck here for three weeks without any clean clothes feels daunting.

“It’s fine. My mother had a whole wardrobe of clothes she didn’t wear. I think they will fit you.”

“Oh, Dax. I couldn’t.” The idea of wearing someone else’s clothes feels intrusive, especially considering she is dead.

“It’s fine. Some of it is brand new and still has the tags on.”

“Okay…well, what about underwear?” I ask, feeling uncomfortable.

Dax pauses. “I guess you could wash your bra often and wash your panties daily. Or…wear some of my underwear?” He looks up and gives me a smirk. Lyka chuckles under his breath and shuffles his feet.

Dax tries lighting the mood and raises both of his hands. “Hey, it’s not a bad idea…Better than going commando, right?”

I can't help but laugh. “I guess you’re right. Thanks, Dax. I’ll take a look at the clothes and figure something out.”

Lyka suddenly speaks up, “Don’t think you are getting an easy ride staying here for three weeks. It’s not a vacation. You can help around the cabin.”

“I'll help out wherever I can,” I agree immediately.

Lyka nods before turning and heading to a door near the stairs. It's a heavy wooden door with a sturdy lock. He pulls a key from his pocket, unlocks it, and steps inside, closing it behind him. The lock clicking back into place echoes slightly in the living room.

“Where does that door go?” I ask Dax, curiosity getting the better of me.

“Oh, just to the basement. We grow cannabis down there. It’s best you don’t go down there…it’s not safe,” Dax explains.

I nod, acknowledging what he just said. I reach the couch and sink into the cushions.

“Dax, wait…You can’t sleep on the couch for three weeks…”

“I mean…if you’re offering, I’ll happily stay in bed with you,” he says, winking and raising his eyebrow with a playful glint in his eyes.

“Nice try. Seriously, I’ll take the couch,” I insist.

“Honestly, it’s chill.”

Dax walks over to the couch and extends his hand. I grab it and he helps me up with ease. “Let me show you where we keep our stock.”

“Stock?” I echo.

---