Awakening (7 page)

“
It was great!” Arie exclaimed. We all seconded Arie’s exuberance as we climbed out of our sleds.

“
Well, wonderful. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Our dogs are part of our family so they will be pleased to know you had fun, which translates into extra salmon for dinner for them and a few extra belly rubs for sure. There are drinks awaiting you in the front foyer. I wouldn’t be surprised if there weren’t more baked goods as well.”

I was rearranging my jacket and hat when Athen lifted me up and carried me up over the steps. I looked behind me only to see Cyril doing the exact same thing to Arie.

“
Holy crap, Athen. You scared me to death.”

“
Get used to it,” I heard Arie proclaim, “It seems to be the only weight lifting they like to do.”

“
Oh, brother.” I said laughing.

Athen and Cyril put us down so we could be somewhat presentable as we opened the lodge’s doors leading into the foyer. Once they were opened, I saw the quaint room from earlier turned into a dreamy setting from another place. The lights had been dimmed. Candles had been placed everywhere, with the fireplace blazing, and Chopin playing softly in the background. It was a purely splendid setting.

“
Geez, man. Could you get anymore over the top? There are more than just you two here you know.” I could see Arie kick him gently in the shin, and he grimaced as we all walked in through the wooden doors.

“
Wow, Athen. Did you do this for us? This is so touching.”

“
No, I did it for you.” He whispered into my ear. Chills began to run through my entire body, creating energy between us both.

It was as if we were the only two in the universe. He led me to the table that was set up with wine glasses and a couple buckets of wine. The table had a luxurious silk tablecloth in an ivory that reflected the candles flickering an orange glow all over the room. The oversized log chairs were so comfortable that were surrounding the table, especially after the sled ride.

Everyone got situated around the table, and I thought it would be the perfect moment to ask about the animal that Athen and Cyril have been tracking. I wasn’t sure whether to be serious about it or joke about it so I tried my best at making light of it.

“
Well, since tracking is kind of an off pastime, I’m kind of curious about what kind of animal you have been seeing and keeping tabs on up here? Is it the elusive Sasquatch or how about a werewolf?” As soon as the words left my lips, I felt the air get sucked out of the room. In that instant, I wished I hadn’t said anything because the strain in the air definitely took away the relaxation that we experienced all afternoon. I saw Cyril look over at Athen and nod his head. I couldn’t imagine that they were taking serious either of the creatures I threw out as possibilities, but something happened in the room. I just didn’t know what.

“
Um, there is an animal that looks like a bobcat that we have been noticing. The problem is that the coloring is off so we are trying to figure out what it is. Nothing more than that for a story. Unfortunately, nothing as exciting as your Sasquatch or Werewolf theory.” Athen quibbled lightly. He gave me a squeeze, and Arie began talking nonstop to me about her favorite activities. I realized I had better drop it for now.

My heart knew that they had nothing to do with the missing hikers. Karen’s silly paranoia was no longer mine. The good night’s sleep did wonders too. The last thing I wanted to do was destroy this special time that Athen planned for me. I reached for my glass of wine and tasted the warmth run through my entire body as I sipped it slowly. I hoped that I could make this family mine.

******

We had gotten back to my condo around 8:00 pm that evening with Cyril and Athen, of course, dying of hunger; so Arie and I raided my pantry trying to put together something halfway decent. As I scanned my shelves and empty refrigerator doors, it dawned on me that I hadn’t done my usual weekly grocery shopping and was now completely out of the staples. I was thankful my dog walker was in town this weekend so she could at least spend time with Matilda, but I made a mental note to give Matilda extra snuggles in the night. I definitely had to go to the pet store and grocery store the next day. Matilda only had enough food for the next morning.

Arie began defrosting the chicken as I gathered together the items to make a quick pasta dish. At least I still had cilantro, and a lime rolling around in the fridge drawer. Hopefully, that would do I thought to myself. The television echoed in from the living room, and I heard the guys discussing something rather low. I couldn’t decipher what they were saying, but my gut was telling me that it had to with the infamous bobcat that they were or were not looking for.

“
So, have any special plans for tomorrow?” Arie asked me. She was squeezing the lime for me and had a hopeful look in her eyes.

“
Well, I was going to play catch up and do some shopping and cleaning and stuff like that. Nothing that is too out of control. How about you?”

“
Pretty much the same thing. I was going to try and squeeze in a facial though if you would be into a spa thing, my treat?”

“
Sure. That sounds like fun before I hit the workweek again.” I could hear Matilda snoring hard in the living room. My guess was that one of the guys let her on the couch with them.

“
So, this alleged bobcat scenario. Are you by any chance going to let me on the secret? I highly doubt that Athen and Cyril are biologists or something.” I asked Arie and judging by the look on her face she was not expecting it at all.

“
Ana, I swear it’s true. They are trying to figure out if that is a bobcat they are seeing.”

“
You aren’t very good at lying. But if you don’t want to tell me either, I will leave it alone…for now.”

The microwave beeped at the perfect time for Arie to spin away from me and start on a new task. I grabbed the placemats to set the dining room table.

“
So are you two in there scheming about the bobcat or what?”

“
Boy, you are persistent.” Athen said as he started coming towards me as I finished setting the table.

“
Oh yeah? Well, I’m pretty skeptical that you guys are so interested in an animal. I’m dying to know what got you two so riled up. Nothing personal but I don’t take you two for biologists.” I said grinning.

“
Well, alright. You got us. But it won’t make any sense right now. I promise we will tell you when we figure out exactly what’s up. Is that a deal?”

“
Just as long as it doesn’t have to do with the missing hikers, I think I can handle it.” I told Athen giggling a bit. “You know, Karen will kill me for telling you… but that first night I went out with you she was rattling all sorts of reasons why I shouldn’t go out, and that popped out.”

“
Wow, good to know. We won’t mention any invites to her about camping then.” Athen said grinning. I noticed concern swelling in his eyes. I couldn’t place why that would be. Arie’s laughter began ringing through the air, which broke my thought once more.

“
That is pretty worrisome about those hikers though.” Cyril piped up. “I wonder what did happen to them.”

A shiver went through me. I shook my head in bewilderment. Being that I had never gotten this far before in obtaining an answer I took it. Besides, I knew I would keep digging until they told me the truth so I would eventually win.

Then the images began flooding in. I saw one of the female hikers completely disrobed, in a fetal position staring bleakly onto what looked like a crimson puddle of liquid. Rainwater was rolling off of the cave walls that she was in, keeping a steady beat as it dripped to the floor to match her rocking back and forth. It was almost like I could smell the mustiness of the cave. I couldn’t see any of the others. I sensed that there were more around her though. Not being able to see anyone else, I didn’t know if it was the other hikers or her capturers in the cave.

A sigh escaped at the realization that my nightmares no longer had the need to wait until my eyes closed. I did my best to shake the despair that was rising in my chest. Being awake had been my one and only escape from these terrors. I guess that was no longer the case. I forced myself to come back to reality. I couldn’t let these people in on my ever-growing stash of terrible secrets.

I looked up to catch Athen’s eyes, which were lodged with worry.

“
Is everything ok, Ana? You look ashen. Did I do something?”

“
Oh, gosh no. I’m sorry. Just ignore me. I thought I left something on the trail earlier is all. I didn’t though. Not to worry.” Lying didn’t come naturally, and I was pretty sure he knew that too.

Arie yelled from the kitchen for help from the guys as I sat down at the table while dinner was served. It was nice to have a table full of people in my dining room. I think Matilda appreciated it too as she waddled in from her resting spot in the living room to right under Cyril’s feet. The guys dug into the pasta as if they hadn’t eaten for days. It was a good thing I wasn’t that hungry after the latest thoughts had invaded my mind as pile after pile went on their plates.

“
So, Ana and I are going to do a spa thing tomorrow.”

Athen looked at me with a huge grin as a long noodle began its way down to the tablecloth, which he grabbed with his fingers in an instant. The poor noodle never had a chance. “You are going to go with Arie, huh? Well, that will be an experience.”
I was baffled, and it must have shown because Arie jumped in to make sure I didn’t back out on her.

“
He is only kidding, Ana! I happen to enjoy the spa and can make it an entire day’s process but not to worry! I know you have a lot of stuff to do tomorrow so it will be a quickie.”

“
Yeah right.” Cyril muttered under his breath.

“
Well, whatever the case, I will get up early and get everything done beforehand so I don’t rain on Arie’s parade.”

“
See, Athen, I told you she was a keeper.” Arie said as she pushed the bowl of pasta toward me.

“
Sweet! Hopefully all I have to do is keep spa dates penciled in to stay on everyone’s good side.”

“
You already are!” Athen replied beaming, and laughter filled the air.

It got silent as everyone dug in, which gave me a chance to look around the dining room absorbing how wonderful things had become since I met these people. A void was slowly beginning to be filled. I might be ok after all. Matilda had given up on getting any scraps and was sound asleep under Cyril’s chair. Minutes had gone by, and no one had said anything, yet it wasn’t awkward at all, just peaceful.

“
Well, I wanted to thank everyone for such a wonderful day today. It was pretty amazing. Totally unlike anything I have ever done before.” I peeped up, noticing I was only staring at Athen, which made my cheeks begin their usual chameleon act.

“
Are you kidding? It was a blast!” Arie exclaimed, and I became aware that if nothing else I could always count on her to lift the spirit of the conversation and lighten up my too serious overtones. If only she could be present in my dreams.

M
onday came so fast. I could finally relate to what everyone always talked about with the weekend flying by. I used to enjoy the thought of going into the pub and seeing everyone, but this night it made me wish I could stay at home and think of a reason to have my new friends over. I slowly got off the couch, repositioned Matilda on the cushion with her favorite fleece blanket and convinced myself to get dressed for the evening. The thought of my inheritance sitting in my brokerage account flashed into my head, and I flushed it right out. I have never once thought about touching it, except for buying the condo I was living in. I certainly wouldn’t allow myself to go there off of meeting a guy. I was actually a little pissed at myself for letting a thought like that enter my head and pouted my way into my closet to choose my outfit for work. I was so thrilled to have had another wonderful night’s sleep the night before and hoped my nightmares were possibly behind me.

I turned on the light in my closet, grabbing a black pair of leggings and a grey, oversized v-neck matching my bland mood since I was probably not going to see Athen tonight. I was doing my best to persuade myself that the time away from Athen was for the best so I could get my own things done and caught up, but I knew it was a lie. I wanted to be with him. As that last thought popped into my head, I had a sudden yearning to call in sick and go over to the Fairmont to say hi.

What was wrong with me? I thought to myself. I couldn’t separate myself from these guys. I had only known them for a few days, yet I wanted to hang out with them constantly. I was normally so easily annoyed with people that it was hard to believe that it wasn’t just Athen I was enamored with but all of them were fun to be around. It was too fitting, too perfect. Because of that I think I was afraid to lose them, one in particular.

As I continued daydreaming about Athen, I managed to get the rest of my makeup applied and hair done. I was so thrilled to have two nights of sleep that I wasn’t sure what to do with myself with this much energy. Work was probably the best answer. I shuffled in my house shoes into the kitchen to make sure that Matilda had plenty of food and water while I was at work, which she did; so I thought I better grab some water for myself. I filled up my glass with crushed ice and water and gulped it down fast telling myself once I got into work it would all be fine. I looked around my kitchen and was thankful I had cleaned it up for the week even though I had thought twice about doing the dishes this morning.