Chapter 8 -- Mind Games

Cassidy tossed and turned in her bed as she tried to sleep. Her subconscious was playing games with her and her dreams. She was in the back seat of her parent's car, yelling for help as she tugged against the seatbelt, trying to get out of her seat. She continued to call out to her parents, but neither answered her. Cassidy's head popped up when she heard the howling of the wolf close by. She needed to free herself, but her leg was hurting, and she could smell blood. Cassidy shivered as she felt something was looking at her. She turned slowly to look in the direction of whatever was looking at her; her brows furrowed as she saw a man staring at her through the window. Cassidy shook her head and turned back, only this time there was no man, but an enormous wolf staring at her with bright blue eyes. Her heart started to race as she continued tugging on the latch that kept locked in place. Cassidy took slow, deep breaths, trying to keep her fear down, but it was useless. She was scared and didn't know what the large wolf would do to her. Cassidy's eyes popped wide open, her body numb as she slowly pulled herself back into the real world. She looked around the unfamiliar room, her chest filled with panic, and then she remembered the cabin. Cassidy sighed as she pulled the sheets back and got out of bed. She walked out of the room and went down to the kitchen to get something to drink. Once in the kitchen, Cassidy opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. She walked over to the sink to look out the window; the moon was full, and the sky was packed with stars. She had never seen a night more beautiful, but she was conflicted. As much as the house was beautiful and it was a connection to the people she lost in her life, could she really afford to keep this place? So much pain and history lay within the cabin walls, so many unanswered questions she didn't know if she had the strength to learn the answers to. Cassidy rubbed her forehead as she turned to make her way back to the room. From the corner of her eye, she saw movement outside. She turned quickly around, and her eyes widened. In the distance, a large wolf was standing near the bushes in the backyard. The animal's eyes glowed brightly in the night. Cassidy gasped as she dropped her water bottle and clapped her hand over her mouth. It took everything she had not to scream. She closed her eyes and started to rock back and forth in her spot. It was just a dream; it was just an illusion. There's nothing there. When Cassidy opened her eyes. The giant wolf was gone. She rushed back upstairs and into her room. She was done. In the morning, she would tell Nat that she didn't want to have anything to do with this place any longer. Maybe in the morning, she would call the man interested in the property and take his deal. Then she would never have to think about this place ever again. Cassidy closed her eyes and pleaded with her brain to let her go to sleep and forget everything that just happened. Thankfully, her mind let her rest. For the moment. Cassidy woke up the next morning to the wonderful smell of coffee and hot food. She got out of bed and followed the delicious smell down to the kitchen, where she found her friend Nat cooking up a storm. "Morning," Cassidy said as she stepped into the kitchen. Natalie turned and gave her friend a huge smile. "I think I'm in love with this place," she admitted. Cassidy's shoulders slumped. "This kitchen is so amazing. I wish we could live here forever and never have to go back to the city." Cassidy chuckled. "I don't think the publishing house would be too happy with us if we up and quit with no notice." Natalie pouted at her friend. "I just can't get over how beautiful this place is; it's great, right?" "Not quite sure I would put it like that. I don't know, Nat, maybe I should just sell this place and let the next people truly enjoy this place. I don't know if I will ever get past the pain this place causes me." Nat walked over to her friend and hugged her. "I know that this is difficult for you, but you are not going to heal in just one day. Please, you promised me you would give this an honest chance. Let's just make the best of this weekend, and then you can decide." Cassidy rolled her eyes as she sighed. Nat had been her friend since College and knew how to say just the right thing. "Fine, we will stay until Monday. But that's all." Natalie smiled at her friend. She knew she could persuade her friend to make the right decision.