Page 23 of Through The Woods

Chapter Seven

“Neve.”

I pushed my face deeper into the warmth of my pillow.

“Neve, get up.”

The deep timbre of the voice reluctantly pulled me back to consciousness and I blearily blinked a few times before rolling over. It was still dark.

“Neve.”

I snapped, “I’m up. You expect me to start cleaning when it’s still dark out?”

I shouldn’t have complained. He’d given me my own room last night even though I deserved to sleep outside after my outburst. I’d left them downstairs talking afterward while I fell into bed, exhausted, but I distinctly remembered locking the door behind me when I came in. I should’ve known he would’ve had a key.

“Get up.”

I sat up and rubbed my eyes. There was just enough light coming in from the hall for me to make out his silhouette crouched on the side of the bed. “Can I at least pee first? Or is that not allowed?”

Charm chuckled quietly. “I think I can make an exception.”

When I came out of the bathroom, he was still crouched in the same position.

I yawned before asking, “Where should I start? Is there a cleaning cart somewhere downstairs that I could use?”

He stood up slowly and handed me a sweatshirt. “Put this on. You’ll need it. Got you some shoes as well. Size six, right?”

My heart started beating a little faster. “Um, yes. Where are we going?”

He walked past me and stood near the door. “Get your shoes on. We’ll talk outside.”

My heart was hammering wildly in my chest at this point and my eyes were on the verge of welling up with tears. He was going to take me back out into the woods.

After he told me that he’d give me another chance.

That lying sack of—

“Sometime today would be nice, Neve.”

I hurriedly forced my feet into the tennis shoes he’d left and pulled the sweatshirt over my head before following him downstairs. The lodge was deathly quiet.

He was getting rid of me while the other men slept. He’d probably tell them I ran away too.

I forced a sob back and instead continued walking to my imminent death. Charm slowed down enough for me to catch up to him outside, but instead of heading toward the vehicles, he led me down a small path that ran near the back of the lodge, using a small flashlight.

Maybe this was where he took all the mangy dogs to be put down. The thought forced a bubble of hysterical laughter out and Charm turned back to me, swinging the flashlight up toward my face.

“You okay?” I couldn’t see the expression on his face, but I imagined it was one of confusion.

I nodded, blinking through the brightness, and he took a few more steps before stopping near a ledge made of stone.

“What is this?” I’d thought he was taking me back into the woods; not throwing me off of a cliff.

Charm pointed to the stone. “You’ll see. Come here.”

I shook my head and took a step backward. “I—I’m sorry if I came across as rude last night. I can be better…I swear.” My throat tightened and I rubbed at it, unable to hold back the tears. It was a great time to realize just how much I wanted to live.

“Please don’t hurt me.” I managed to force out and Charm reared back as if I’d slapped him.

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