Lost She-Wolf

Violet was just pulling up to her Uncle's Cabin. She looked around at the deep Oregon forest of dense green trees surrounding the small log cabin. Just past the front porch, she saw the boat dock leading to the lake where she used to swim. She couldn’t help but take a cautious look into the trees again. Taking a deep shaky breath Violet tried to motivate herself “You can do this Violet.” She moans, closing her eyes and laying her head on the steering wheel.

        She let her long curly locks block the side of her face like an unruly scarlet curtain. She hadn’t been back to this place since her freshman year of high school.  She was scared to look. “He is not here! Get a grip.” Violet thought trying to mentally slap herself out of her current anxiety.  Slowly she lifted her head grabbed her purse and slid out of the Jeep.  The fresh air hit her face helping her to breathe easier. 

        She stood in front of the cabin taking it all in.  It was just as she remembered. The rustic log cabin sat with a screened-in wrap-around porch and green shutters that looked like they grew there. The cool air moved her hair and helped cool her skin.  Wow, she thought someone has been taking care of this place.  That’s when she noticed a new building near the tree line at the back of the lake. That’s new, but no one has been here since Aunt Ray passed my sophomore year. Uncle Scott couldn’t bear to visit anymore.

        The thought of her Uncle came on so quickly she had no time to prepare herself and the grief hit her like a freight truck. She stumbled backward, using her dark blue Jeep as a brace.  The tears came streaming down her face. She felt lightheaded and put her head between her knees as she sobbed uncontrollably.  She was so absorbed in her pain she didn’t see or hear the person headed toward her. All of a sudden Violet felt a hand on her shoulder.

        Panic set in she sprung to her feet ready for a fight. Her sobs of grief turned to tears of terror.  “No” she screamed, swatting at the blur in front of her.  Violet's heart was beating so fast she was seeing stars. 

        “Miss your safe, I am sorry for scaring you.” A gently mysterious voice said.  

        He noticed she was white as the moon itself and looked like she might fall over.  Her eyes suddenly fluttered closed but not before she screamed “ You won’t hurt me again.” And she collapsed to the ground.

One Month Earlier

        Violet stood in front of the bait shop waiting for Uncle Scott to come out.  She leaned lazily against her car playing with her phone lost in thought.  Uncle Scott always closed the bait shop on Fridays, so his employees could have a nice start to the weekend. He always said everyone should have a fun Friday night. She smiled to herself thinking about what a wonderful man her Uncle was.  She normally waited at home for him but Uncle Scott's car wouldn’t start today so she was his ride.  

She really didn’t mind helping her Uncle out. He was like her dad. He raised her since she was six weeks old and her parents passed away in a car accident. He was her mother’s brother and took her in without a thought. She loved him more than anything and since Aunt Ray, his wife, passed away four years ago it was just them against the world.

Suddenly a noise from the trees had violet snapping out of her thoughts. She looked around feeling like someone was watching her. She stood up straighter. Her senses heightened, she zeroed in on where the noise was coming from. Not taking her eyes off the spot she slowly walked towards the shop. Suddenly strong arms were wrapped around her picking her up off the ground. She kicked and thrashed her body, flailing around like a toddler wanting down. She took a deep breath getting ready to scream when a hand covered her mouth and fingertips dug into her cheeks. She moaned in pain. Then she smelled the scent of her captor's breath. The smell of eggs and rotting meat nearly took her breath away. A crazed voice whispered in her ear “Make a sound and your uncle will die tonight.” Her stomach churned when all of a sudden the bait shop door opened Uncle Scott turned to lock the door. Violet thrust herself forward biting down hard on the man’s hand. He screamed out in pain “ You little bitch!”

Uncle Scott turned quickly his eyes large with worry landed on his niece. Violet frantically yelled “Run!” just then something hit her hard on the back of the head and everything went dark.

Present

She was warm and laying on a soft surface.  She could feel eyes on her, but what happened, where was she?  Then she remembered she was at the cabin and someone was with her.  Her eyes shot open and she quickly sat up.  That was a mistake; she saw spots and laid her head back down closing her eyes. "Good, you're awake." A gruff voice came from the other side of the room.  Violet's eyes shot open again and looked around cautiously. She met eyes with a boy no older than sixteen.  He had blond hair and gentle light blue eyes.  He smiled shyly.  She thought there was no way that voice came from him, then she saw a large man walk over to the boy.

"I am so sorry I scared you, miss." the young boy said in the most gentle voice, she then realized the original speaker was the man behind him. The boy followed her gaze "That is my brother Eli. I saw you and walked over to see if I could help. When you fell I yelled for him. I knew he would know what to do to help you." His soft eyes and gentle smile made it easy for me to trust him. He just seemed so genuine and worried.

"And you are?" Violet said, looking at the young man sitting in her uncle's armchair.

"Sorry, I am Alex.  You are Miss Lara right?"  Violet nodded her head softly squinting her eyes. "My brother Eli and I were hired by your Uncle to take care of the cabin for him."  Violet took in a deep breath she had no idea her Uncle was having someone take care of the cabin.  What else did she not know? Sorrow and confusion mixed in her thoughts. 

Violet opened her mouth and then closed it not sure what to say or ask next. Then the gruff voice of Eli interrupted "You could thank my brother for saving your head when you fainted." Violet got a good look at Eli.  He was probably around her age maybe a few years older.  He had a stern rugged face with slightly darker hair than his little brother.  His eyes were light like his brothers but had an intensity and harshness that put violets' senses on edge.  She quickly felt angry.

"Excuse me if I just woke up and am a little slow on the pleasantries!" she spat, glaring at Eli with as much intimidation as she could muster. She then turned to Alex and smiled warmly "Thank you, Alex, I am very grateful you were there to keep me from a nasty concussion." she hoped he could see her sincerity.

"Well since you’re ok we need to go. Alex." Eli said in a very aggressive manner. He nodded toward the door. Violet looked at the man closer; he had a large muscular build and looked like a Greek God standing there with his arms crossed. She shrugged away the feeling of lust.  

"Thank you again for your help." Alex looked at her and waved, then looked at her brother who grunted and pointed to the doorway.  Eli went out the door without another word and slammed the door shut.  Leaving Violet reeling in what just happened.