Chapter 4: Carried to Safety
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My scientific mind was cataloging everything—his unusual strength, his perfect night vision, those golden eyes I'd glimpsed. There was something very different about this man, and the researcher in me was determined to solve this mystery.
But another part of me—a part I rarely acknowledged—was simply aware of his strong arms around me, the steady rhythm of his breathing, and the strange sense of safety I felt despite the raging storm.
"Why are you helping me?" I asked softly. "You made it pretty clear you wanted me gone."
"I don't let people die in my forest," he replied tersely, not looking at me.
"So it's 'your' forest now? Not just private property?" I couldn't help asking.
He didn't answer, his jaw tightening as he focused on the path ahead.
As we approached a small clearing, a rustic log cabin came into view. It looked like something from a fairy tale—sturdy and handcrafted, with warm light glowing from the windows.
"We're here," he said, carrying me toward the cabin door. "You'll stay until the storm passes. Then you leave. Understood?"
I nodded, though I had no intention of leaving without answers about what I'd seen in his eyes. As he carried me across the threshold, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was crossing into a world far more mysterious than I could have imagined.
Forest Man's cabin was nothing like I expected. From the outside, it looked rustic and primitive, but the interior was a fascinating blend of old-world craftsmanship and thoughtful design. Hand-carved wooden furniture, a stone fireplace, and—most surprisingly—walls lined with bookshelves filled to capacity.
"You can put me down now," I said as he carried me through the door, suddenly self-conscious about how long I'd been in his arms.
He set me gently on a comfortable leather sofa near the fireplace. "Stay here. Don't move around."
As he disappeared into another room, I took the opportunity to examine my surroundings more closely. The books on his shelves ranged from classical literature to modern science texts—I even spotted several botanical references that I used in my own research. There were no electronic devices visible—no television, no computer—but the cabin didn't feel primitive. It felt... intentional.
