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His words hang in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. The forest’s eerie silence seems to intensify, and the sense of unease that has been growing within me reaches a new level of force.
“What monsters?” I insist, my determination to uncover the truth outweighing any doubts or fears. I refuse to acknowledge Roarke’s suggestion that I shouldn’t be here. It feels like too much of a coincidence that Theo gave me the letter, and that I happen to know everyone here. There must be a reason for my presence in this mission, a purpose that I’m determined to uncover. “I don’t understand,” I continue, my voice filled with skepticism. “Monsters aren’t real. It’s all just... stories.”
Roarke gives me a knowing look, his expression filled with a weight of experience and knowledge that I can’t comprehend. “I used to believe that too,” he admits, his words carrying a sense of solemnity and a hint of the horrors he’s witnessed. “All I can do is protect you,” Roarke insists, his voice filled with determination and a sense of responsibility. “And make sure you get out of this mess alive. It’s only a year...”
I stare at him in disbelief, my anxiety and confusion reaching a breaking point. “A year?” I scream, the shock and frustration evident in my voice. “No one said anything about a year...”
My scream cuts through the eerie silence of the cave, jolting the other men from their slumber. Their expressions shift from peaceful sleep to one of surprised horror as they look at me.
“Did you know nothing about this?” Owen asks, his voice tinged with disbelief and concern.
I shake my head, my thoughts spinning as I try to make sense of the overwhelming revelation. The forest’s secrets, The Rift, and the mission’s true nature have been kept hidden from me, and I’m left feeling like an unwitting participant in a dangerous and enigmatic journey.
“How can I be here for a year?” I voice my concerns, a sense of panic rising within me. Thoughts of my life, my work, and the people I care about flood my mind. It feels like I’ve been thrust into a mission without fully realizing the consequences.
My work, which I’ve dedicated myself to, is now suspended indefinitely, and I can’t help but worry about the implications it will have on my career. And then there’s Ryan, a presence that lingers in the back of my mind. Maybe it’s for the best that he keeps his distance from me, especially now. He won’t miss me for a year, and perhaps it’s safer that way…
Feeling overwhelmed by the sudden revelation and the uncertainty of the situation, I seek solace in an isolated corner of the cave. Thankfully, the men understand the need to give me space, and they allow me the solitude I require to think things through.
The cave’s dim light casts a shadow over my contemplation as I try to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions and thoughts swirling within me. The forest’s eerie silence provides a backdrop for my introspection, and I’m left to grapple with the weight of the mission, the secrets of The Rift, and the implications of being here for an entire year.
As I sit in the solitude of the cave, I hope to find clarity and purpose amidst the chaos, a way to navigate the challenges that lie ahead in the Knot Head Forbidden Forest and discover the true reasons behind my presence in this enigmatic mission.
Things don’t get better over the next couple of days. I still can’t wrap my head around being here for a year especially because tensions among our little group are steadily rising. The close quarters leave little room for personal space or privacy, and it’s becoming increasingly challenging to maintain a sense of decorum.
In this confined space, the only semblance of privacy is found toward the back of the cave, where we all retreat when nature calls. It’s a spot that offers some semblance of solitude, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Two sturdy branches serve as makeshift facilities, with a sheer drop of more than two hundred feet beneath them. It’s a daunting setup, and the fear of slipping has kept me from using it for far too long.
I resisted the urge to answer my body’s call for a while, holding out against the baser needs threatening to overwhelm me. It was a stubborn battle of wills, but eventually, my bodily demands won out, and I begrudgingly made use of the precarious setup.
Now, I can’t help but vent my frustrations whenever the opportunity arises. I’ve taken to complaining about the situation at every chance I get, using humor to mask the discomfort. It’s a way to cope with the absurdity of our circumstances, to find a bit of relief in the midst of the challenges we face.
“I’m back!” Owen’s cheerful voice breaks through my thoughts as he re enters the cave, carrying a catch from his hunt. My attention is immediately drawn to him, and I can’t help but be surprised once again by how much he’s grown since I last saw him. He’s no longer my son’s childhood friend but a fully grown man, and it’s impossible to ignore the transformation he’s undergone.
Owen’s physique is impressive, his muscles rippling across his body as he carries the game. The sight of his physicality leaves me momentarily stunned, and I can’t help but wonder how the years have shaped him into the person he is today. With his bare chest glistening with a sheen of sweat from all the climbing up and down the rockface. It’s almost surreal to think that he’s grown into such a strong and capable young man, and I can’t help but be impressed.
But there’s something about the situation that leaves me feeling unsettled. What woman my age finds herself entertaining naughty thoughts about a man nearly two decades her junior? I scold myself for such inappropriate daydreams, but they persist, defying my best efforts to push them aside.
Not the easiest thing to do when he keeps shooting me naughty looks…
The intensity of Owen’s gaze feels like a physical presence, as if he’s undressing me with his eyes. The heat of his stare sends a shiver down my spine, and I can’t help but feel a magnetic pull between us that defies reason and propriety.
To make matters more complicated, it’s not just Owen. All of the men in our group seem to cast lingering, hungry looks in my direction. It’s both flattering and perplexing, especially given the age gap and the strange circumstances that have brought us together. Part of me is secretly flattered by the attention, while another part remains wary and guarded.
What troubles me even more is the lack of answers regarding the mission and my role in it. My attempts to question the group about the nature of the threat we’re supposed to be fighting and my involvement in it have been met with vague responses and evasive maneuvers. Frustration simmers beneath the surface as I try to assert my independence, mentioning my desire to go home if they won’t tell me more about the stupid Rift and what the hell is going on…
Lucas, his brow furrowed with concern, always speaks up first. “Anya, it’s too dangerous out there. We can’t just let you go.”
Wyatt will then usually chime in, his voice filled with urgency. “We’re here to protect you, and that means keeping you with us.”
And Owen, with a determined look in his eyes, will add something along the lines of, “You’re a part of this mission now, whether you like it or not.”
They all seem adamant that I can’t leave… that there’s something more significant at stake that I must remain a part of. It’s a baffling situation, one that leaves me feeling like a pawn in a game I don’t fully understand. I really wish that someone would just tell me what’s going on…
As the days pass in the small cave within the Forbidden Forest, we settle into a routine of sorts. We sit and talk, discussing safe and inconsequential topics, mostly avoiding the weight of the mission and its mysteries. It’s a way to maintain a semblance of normalcy in the midst of uncertainty.
Every once in a while, the men rise from their spots and declare that it’s time to go, assuring me that they’ll return in a few hours. It’s a routine I’ve grown accustomed to, though I can’t help but wonder what they’re doing during those absences. But Wyatt, he’s different. He stays with me, offering his companionship and keeping me company until the others return.
I suspect why he stays, understanding that it has something to do with his flashbacks and the demons that haunt him. I don’t press him to talk about it, respecting the boundaries he’s set. Instead, I choose to be there for him in my own way.
