Run & Hide by Beatrix Hollow

15

My boss at Sasquatch Inc, Ben, was on the other side of the phone. The morning sun filtered through the trees. The air was still cool as I sat on our picnic table, the only place reliably getting service in our camp.

“I need to leave New River Gorge,” I emphasized to him. I wanted to leave this forest. The rolling blue mountains no longer awed me, they terrified me. They made me feel small, like a bug underneath a fast-approaching shoe. Any moment the only thing left of me would be the sick crunch as I was squished.

The Appalachian mountains were one of the oldest and, by area, one of the biggest mountain ranges in the whole world. How many deep caverns held never seen creatures? How many people worshipped old gods and believed in magic in these very trees?

I’d thought the woods were an escape from the strange and unusual but now I wondered if I’d willingly walked into something worse. An entire ancient forest of creatures peered out at me from between the trees.

“That’s fine,” Ben said in my ear and my body sagged in relief. I hadn’t realized how tense I was until suddenly I could breathe again. “Can I ask why?” He continued. I nearly snorted but remembered he was technically my boss and held it in. Then the words stuck in my mouth because I wasn’t sure which words to share with him.

“Someone died,” I finally said.

“Family?” He asked, sounding concerned.

“No, no. Someone here at the camp. I just…” I trailed off, not knowing how to describe how I was feeling. I looked over at Caspian. Thankfully, he’d kept his distance this morning. Right now he was at the empty campsite right next to ours, sitting atop the picnic table with his violin. His warm brown eyes were on me though, always on me, always watching. He was playing his instrument perfectly, the bow pulling beautiful notes. The song sounded like a ballad as if it were telling a story with highs and lows.

“It’s okay,” Ben filled in my silence. “Can you stay today and get the pictures we need? Head out tomorrow?” I jerked my gaze from Caspian’s.

“Yes.” I agreed but wasn’t happy. I wanted to leave immediately. Get away from this place. Suddenly it felt like the mountains and trees were looming in close to strangle me. As if they never wanted me to leave. As if they’d been waiting for me to step foot here my entire life.

I had to get out.

“Ava, I was wondering…” Ben trailed off.

“Yes?”

“Have you seen anything weird there?” He asked and I stilled. Why would he ask that?

“Weird?” I asked tentatively. He gave a self-deprecating snort.

“Sorry, it’s a personal interest I have. That's why I named the company Sasquatch Inc.”

“You like Bigfoot?”

“All cryptids. You know, monsters.” Whatever else he said was drowned out by the rushing sound in my ears.

“I’ve got to go,” I interrupted him.

“Oh…”

“Sorry… I didn’t mean to cut you off. I’ve just got a lot of pictures to take. Then I’ll need to pack up camp,” I said, forcing out a chipper sound.

“Of course. Of course. Just let me know, okay?”

“Hmm?” I asked, my eyes sweeping the trees then landing back on Caspian, still watching me. I swallowed and looked into the forest again.

“If you come across any Mothman stories, of course! He’s famous where you are.”

* * *

Ava pulledthe phone from her ear and tossed it in her lap before rubbing her forehead anxiously. The song I was playing became faster as my eyes dragged down her body. Could she still feel the places I’d been yesterday? When she walked, did it ache? I loved seeing the way she pressed her thighs together because she could still feel me inside her.

The violin screeched as I lost focus, causing her to look in my direction. I had no idea what she remembered from last night. I’d brought her back to camp and she had slept fitfully, whimpering and moving all night in my arms. In the morning she had woken up gasping, her eyes wide.

“The cameraman…” had been the first words from her mouth.

“The rangers took care of it. Officials came last night and took the body.” She’d looked up at me with wide eyes, sleep still clouding them. Then they had cleared and she scooted away.

“Oh,” was all she had said before slipping out the tent, leaving me there with cresting anxiety that things weren’t okay.

I stopped playing my violin and tried to swallow down the anxiety that still plagued me. Even if she hadn’t seen me last night in the woods. Even if she couldn’t remember that motherfucker that grabbed her. She still had figured out that I wasn’t what I pretended to be.

She’d trembled after we had sex yesterday. I didn’t like the fear I’d seen in her eyes. Panic had slithered into my gut. The idea that I could lose her was a thought I couldn’t handle.

“Caspian,” she called. I jerked up, clutching my violin’s neck, and quickly went to our camp.

“Yes?” I asked in earnest.

“I asked my boss if I could move on to the next forest tomorrow.” Her eyes held mine. “Will you… are you still going with me?” She asked tentatively and my eyes widened.

“Of course,” I said, going to my knees in front of her. I set my violin and bow down before I placed my hands on her legs. “You want me to go?” I held my breath as I waited for her response. She didn’t back away from my touch so I squeezed her legs gently, latching on to her. Her expression was filled with conflicting emotions as she looked at my hands on her.

“I need you,” she admitted quietly. I sucked in a breath.

“Oh,” is all I said as I exploded inside. She needed me.

“I sort of hate admitting it. I could travel around by myself but I don’t want to. I want you with me. I don't think I'd continue the contract if I had to be alone.” She slipped her hair behind her ear, looking self-conscious.

“You don’t need to do anything on your own. I’m here. I’ll always be here, Ava.” Her eyes slid to me, a look of concern in them. I got up from the ground and pulled her off the picnic table. She made a noise of surprise as I tugged her into my chest and held her. She needed me.

“I’ll always be here,” I repeated quietly, running my hand down her back.

“I think I understand that now,” she whispered. I wasn’t sure what she meant and I needed to ease the anxiety I felt. Reaching up, I cupped her face, tilting it up. I swept my fingers over her temple, dragged them over her eyelids, traced her nose, and then let my fingertips linger on her lips.

When she gave no sign of reluctance I pressed my mouth to hers, sweeping my tongue in and gripping her to me tightly. She tentatively kissed me back--hesitant and stiff. That was okay, she needed time.

I wanted her to love me though. Could she? Did she? I pulled back and thought of asking.

“Caspian, I think at some point we need to talk,” she said, looking away from me. My heart thumped in my chest and I swallowed. She played nervously with the sleeve of my shirt.

“Of course—”

“Not today though,” she finished, pulling out of my arms. Ava walked away to the car. I didn’t know what to think about where we stood. Still, I felt better than before. We were leaving together. She needed me.

I looked off into the woods and I smiled, walking to the edge.

“We’re leaving fucker, you don’t get her.”

Sharp static entered my head, letting me know the Mothman monster was close enough to hear me. I grit my teeth in annoyance. Instead of imparting me words, he filled my head with a rolling, deep laugh that sounded like a demonic beast hacking.