Left for Wild - Harloe Rae Page 0,15
rather stunning. Under different circumstances, I could probably appreciate the natural beauty cocooning me. But these isolated woods currently represent a trap with zero means of escape. It’s so quiet that my ears burn to hear anything at all, just to prove noise still exists.
While staring across the desolate stretch of forest, I wait for a second surge of terror to rise within me. Nothing bubbles above the surface. There’s only skeptical indifference peppering at my lid of firmly sealed emotions. My psyche is firmly parked in the denial phase. Acceptance is far away, if this numb defense is any indicator.
Am I one strangled inhale short of a panic attack? Most likely. My behavior is tough to predict seeing as I’ve never been drugged, captured, and left for dead until now. I should probably be more upset. But flipping tits isn’t going to change a damn thing. My life will be forever altered, regardless of what the next five minutes bring. That’s precisely why the urge to tuck and run is nonexistent.
I pause for another moment until the quaking in my thigh muscles subsides. The sedatives or whatever was pumped into me has mostly left my system. All that remains is fading adrenaline. After a mental shove, I place one foot in front of the other. The squish of wet snow underneath my boots is startling. I glance down at the offensive slush with a scowl that’s meant to express my upset. As a Minnesotan, I’m no novice when it comes to the wintery white stuff. But it’s only October, dammit. What part of the world already has several inches accumulated? I almost smack my forehead at the stupidity behind that query.
“Are you okay?”
The low timbre of Halder’s voice nearly tips me over the edge of hysteria. A warning would’ve been welcome. I pin him with a glare. “No, I most certainly am not.” The fire in my tone is enough to burn down all the neighboring trees.
He lifts his open palms toward me, as if I’m a spooked animal. “I deserve that.”
A rabid blaze simmers in my belly. The urge to gnash my teeth at him barrels forward. I blink that impulse away. What the hell is wrong with me? I can only imagine what’s reflected in my expression. The ire sizzling within me cools after several slow breaths.
“Sorry,” I mutter. “I’m just very uncomfortable and out of my element.”
“No need to apologize. I willingly accept the role of verbal punching bag.”
When I glance over, his green eyes are sparkling at me. They’re several shades lighter than the pines surrounding us, creating an appetizing contrast. Streaks of sunlight fight through the branches above, making his tan complexion glow. Staring at him disperses the blistering fury, replacing it with a much more appealing form of heat.
This growing attraction to him isn’t beneficial for my survival instincts, unless I’m counting reproduction. Practicing the act might increase our chances. I shake off the idiotic thought with an internal scoff. A raging case of lust has no business in this time and place. Adding my hormones into the mix will only hinder what little sanity I have left.
He might as well be a complete stranger. I know next to nothing about this guy, aside from the obvious. He’s my only source to rely on at this point. Maybe that’s why I find him so appealing.
Halder is still looking at me when I finally yank my mind out of the gutter. “Should we open the packages?”
Wait, are we on the same page? It seems slightly inappropriate, all things considered. But my resolve is only so strong. Then I notice him nodding at the duffel bags across the clearing. He’s being practical and not pervy, unlike someone else in this duo. Good grief, I’m a mess. “Yeah, for sure.”
He kneels beside the large totes and gets to unzipping. I hover over his shoulder, stealing a peek without seeing much. Whatever they dumped in there appears to be individually wrapped for their entertainment. Having to rip through layers while fighting to survive is all shits and giggles. Halder pulls out a few small boxes while continuing to search through the limited contents. Nothing appears to be extremely useful from this angle.
I cross my arms and decide to quit crowding him. “Anything good?”
With a grunt, he settles onto his heels. “Could be worse. Looks like we have a dozen or so protein bars, some trail mix, a tarp, one sleeping bag, a pair of socks, two stainless