Chapter 1
Wind whipped past Rose's face, the bitter cold of the ice and snow. She was far from dressed in the appropriate winter attire. Her red converses crushing snow as she frantically tried to navigate Spruce Mountain. West Virginia winters were harsh under normal circumstances.
“Help! Help! Someone please help!” Rose belted as she put as much distance she could between herself and her kidnappers. A trip, and a tumble down a snowbank the only thing halting her retreat. Rose began to pick herself up in action, quickly seized by a sharp pain, shooting through her body, which caused her to come crashing back down to the cold, ground. Crimson red, decorated the snow around her as her head gash leaked.
The sound of crushing snow under footsteps could be heard as Rose faded, her vision blurring the person approaching in the distance. Rose‘s last words being “Help me please.“ before she passed out reaching for whom she hoped was her guardian angel.
Rose awoke with an agonizing headache, her body felt like it was hit by a truck, then pieced back together. She set up for a moment before surrendering to the splitting migraine. Placing a hand on her head, she noticed that her wound was bandaged Rose, examined her surroundings, rustic yet warm. She was in the bedroom under multiple blankets and a plush bed. This was definitely not where she had just escaped from. Rose forced herself out of bed the coldness of the wood floor on her bare feet, a shock to the system. She noticed the clothes she now wore were not hers. A pair of grey champion sweatpants, and an oversized Golden State Warriors jersey.
“ Where are my clothes?” Rose asked herself as she stood and walked slowly to the bedroom door, her heart racing. When she stepped into the living room her eyes shot straight to the fireplace, which her red converses were sitting in front of. She frantically raced over, sliding them on her feet and grabbing the nearest coat she could see.
Upon exiting the cabin, the sound of wood being chopped put her on edge. Rose was fixated on one thing, and that was the trail to her left that looked like the way out.
“One...Two...Three!” Rose exclaimed, as she made her attempt to run.
Jabari did not miss it, he tossed the axe past Rose‘s head embedding it with an a nearby tree. The act causing Rose to halt in place. “ If you run, you will die on this mountain.” Jabari said his voice, deep and guttural. Rose turned to him, slowly, unsure what to say or how to respond. However, Jabari could see the fear and confusion upon her face. He softened his voice only a little removing his hood. “Come on back inside, help me with some of these logs.” Jabari said, bending to pick up a handful of freshly chopped firewood. Rose walked over, picking up a couple and followed Jabari back into the cabin.
Jabari dropped the firewood by the fireplace before he stood, and removed his oversized fur coat, his bare chest on full display glistening with sweat. “Are you going to stand in the doorway like a statue? Trust me, you’re safer in here than out there.“ Jabari said placing his coat on the hook behind Rose‘s head before retreating to the bathroom to freshen up. “The names Jabari by the way.” he said from the other room. When Rose heard the shower start she hung the coat up and proceeded to move around the cabin.
“Rose, my name is Rose.” she said.
***
Rose sat in the recliner in front of the fireplace, watching the wood crackle from the heat.
“Here you need to eat.” Jabari said holding a plate of food in front of her.
Rose set up, grabbing the plate from him. “Thank you.” she said before ripping into the food. Jabari smirked and sat on the sofa opposite of her. “So, why no TV?” Rose asked trying to start conversation.
Jabari chuckled brushing his dreadlocks from his face. “That's the first question you ask?” he pauses taking a bite of food. “I live off the grid, a television is not a need for me.” He finally said.
Rose swallowed. “I just wanted to watch the news.” she said looking down.
Jabari examined her change in body language. “Are you going to tell me who your running from?” he said the words causing Rose to look up at him speechless.
