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Feeling brave, since it was the middle of the week, I stepped off the back porch and wandered along the path. The trees were dense, and the smell of wood and earth suffused my senses.
An animal noise made me stop. Peering to my left, I spied a small pond and a doe drinking from it. Moving off the path towards it, I kept low and quiet. Having never seen a live deer before, I was curious how tame the animals were here.
The doe lifted her head to watch me approach. "It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you. I'll stay on this side of the pond. I just want to watch you."
The doe hesitated but allowed me to come closer. When I reached this side of the pond, I squatted to watch it, tucking my robe around my legs so it wouldn't get in the dirt. The doe and I sat staring at each other, my smile growing.
Then the doe cocked her head, eyes widened with fright, and she darted off into the forest. Standing surprised, I wondered what startled her. Turning my attention to where the doe spooked, it took me a moment to see the golden eyes reflecting the moonlight in the dark.
Swallowing the lump of fear in my throat, I took a step back as the snout of the dog became clearer. "Nice puppy." My voice trembled like my legs as adrenaline coursed through my veins.
The dog snarled, it's lip lifting to show enormous canines. Backing up, I exhaled hard when I rammed straight into a tree. Cringing with the pain that burst through my already injured side, I prayed that this was a dog from the main house. "Okay, not a puppy. Nice doggy?"
The animal lifted itself from the foliage and stepped into the clear, allowing me to see it. It lowered its large head and snarled again as it evened its weight on its paws. Knowing that maneuver from the discovery channel, I tried to plot my retreat while keeping an eye on the dog.
The animal was huge, and it took me another moment to realize, it wasn't a domestic dog breed I'd ever seen before. "Oh, god. Not a nice doggy then."
Bolting through the forest towards the cottage, I used the lights of the path off to my left to guide me. The snarling and snapping of foliage let me know the dog was chasing me through the scrub, gaining on me.
Making the clearing, I tripped on a cable I hadn't seen before. Falling to the ground with a yelp, I caught myself on my hands. Refusing to take the time to feel the cut across my shin from the cable, or the fact breathing hurt, I rolled over. Sprawled on the ground, I stared at the angry dog as it slowed and crossed the boundary of my land.
It snarled at me again, stalking closer. Whimpering, I cringed back as it lunged for me. Snatching my dressing gown, the dog tried to drag me back to the forest. Clinging to the ground, I dug my fingers in to try and prevent it pulling me to my death.
When material started ripping, I realized it gave me an opportunity. Letting go of the ground, I yanked the tie on the robe and shrugged out of it. Sobbing as I backed away, I crawled further into the yard toward the cottage. My ankle was on fire, so trying to stand and take my weight would only disable me.
Growling, the dog swung his head, throwing my gown to the side before he lunged forward. Throwing my arms up to protect me, I prepared for the worst. Nothing happened.
The dog was standing above me, his breathing angry, but it didn't bite me. Opening my eyes, I dared a peek. Standing astride my legs, it was staring at my body, then lowering his snout to my exposed abdomen, the dog sniffed.
Whimpering when he poked the freshly healed wound in my side, I cringed. The stitches only came out last week. He nuzzled the bruising across my abdomen, causing me to sob louder.
Stepping back, the dog nuzzled the dark bruises across my thighs. Lifting its head, the dog frowned at me, tilting his head in question. Biting my lip on the fear inside me, I found the sudden pity in the beast's eyes disturbing. Waiting, he barked at me before poking my bruised thigh.
"You're not the first beast to attack me." Trembling, I pulled myself out from under him and glared into his eyes. I swear they'd changed. Not so gold anymore, not so animal.
The dog backed up a step, then another. Turning to consider the forest, it then glared back at me. With an undercurrent of growl, it snapped towards me.
Jumping, I whimpered, nodding my head. "Stay out of the forest. I get it."
With another growl, the dog turned and leaped over the cable I'd not seen, and back into the forest. Sobbing as the night became quiet around me again, I collapsed and bawled into my forearm.
I'd survived years of abuse and risked death to earn my freedom. To near die at the jaws of a wild animal on my first night of freedom was too much. Fate could be cruel.
Chapter 2
Sitting at the dining table working, I was enjoying a coffee as the light of day revealed the world outside. Pressing send on my latest project to my client, I was closing my laptop when there was a knock at the front door.
It'd been three days since I moved in and made the mistake of entering the forest. The cut to my shin had been superficial, but my ankle was still tricky to walk on. Unfortunately, it was also my right ankle. That meant driving wasn't an option until I could apply weight to it.
Hesitant, I hopped to the front door, then opened it only a crack. A man in khaki shorts, a polo shirt, and grass-stained work boots stood on the porch. His smile was friendly as he took in my loose slacks and flowing grey singlet top. His blue eyes met my brown contacts, and he took off his hat to expose honey blond hair.
"Morning. I'm Bob, the groundskeeper for the manor house."
Easing the door opened a little further, I checked there was no one else with him. "Morning."
When I stood watching him with the door only half open, Bob smirked. "I've been taking care of the grounds here too for the last few years. Mr. Hearn used to pay for it, but now that it's sold, he's told me to negotiate with the new owner for my services."
It took me a moment, then I finally caught on. "Oh. I'm not sure. I mean, I hadn't even considered having someone maintain it for me." My gaze dropped to his work boots. Damn it, I'd not accounted for any of this. After doing the maths, I shook my head. "I'm afraid I can't afford your services, Bob. I'm sorry."
