The Letter Excerpt

THE CABIN IN THE WOODS

JONATHAN LANKSTON

CHAPTER 1

Tapping my fingers on the keyboard, I stare at the blank document trying to think of some words to type on this computer. My mind is completely blank. I had nothing.

I sat back in the booth rubbing my hands on my face while watching the endless rain pounding on the glass window beside me. Now that it was raining cats and dogs, I don’t know how the hell I was supposed to get back to my classes. I jogged from Miomy University this morning hoping to get some steps in. Something told me to drive but I just ignored the voice and walked off campus.

I took a sip of my whipped-up Starbucks coffee and shifted my eyes to the TV near the glass window by the entrance doors. The TV showed a massive storm near the Gulf of Mexico.

“Florence is expected to make landfall near the Tampa Bay Area by midday on Saturday.”

The red shading on the screen passed through the Florida Panhandle before turning into Southeastern Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina and then merging off into the sea.

I chuckled. “That’s what they said about Matthew and then what happened? It slammed into North Carolina.”

Coming from me, North Carolina hurricanes typically aren’t that bad as compared to the ones in Southern Florida but they are still the worst especially since I live near the coast. My grandparents were in Hazel a long time back and from what I heard, the whole city of Miomy was flooded.

But that’s not relevant. What’s relevant is this book I’m trying to begin. I’ve sat here for almost an hour and I still can’t think of anything. I lowered my dark blue hat and reached inside my bag for my cell phone. The distinct chatter throughout the restaurant decreased and the smell of the honey and caramel fragrance made me want to stay longer.

I checked my phone. Seven-thirty. I have a class in about thirty minutes. I set my phone on the glass table and closed my laptop. Slipping the laptop into my gray Adidas backpack, I checked outside. The rain seemed to be pounding harder than before. The room was brighter and it was dark outside.

Guess this weather is not stopping anytime soon.

I picked up my cell phone to text my roommate Leroy Young.

-Hey, do you mind giving me a ride from Starbucks? I’m stranded out in this rain.

I clicked off my phone and sat it on the table face down. My arms shivered as the temperature seemingly dropped. I looked around trying to find something interesting to do. Then all of a sudden, a soft voice lurked from behind me.

“E-Excuse me.”

I looked over and saw a girl standing beside me. She was beautiful with gold locks in her black braids and large black eyelashes. She wore blue overalls with a black sweater under it. She looked at me holding a leather brown journal in her hand along with a black pilot pen.

“Would you mind if I sit here?” the girl asked. “There are no other seats around and you’re the only person I know.”

The only person I know? That’s weird. I don’t think I’ve seen her around before.

“S-S-Sure!”I stuttered moving my backpack onto my lap giving her space to sit. Instead, she sat across from me, opened her journal, and started scribbling.

“Oookay,” I slowly said. I don’t know why I expected her to sit right next to me. I’ve never had a girlfriend so this talking-to-girls stuff is kinda new to me. I’ve spoken to other girls before but not in a way that they just approach me. I peeked at her drawings. The one she was currently working on was a picture of a girl with pink curly hair and bright blue eyes and it was drawn in anime form.

“You like anime?”I asked, impressed by her drawings.

The girl looked up and just nodded. She stared back down at her drawings.

“You know, I used to write anime,” I told her. “It was my favorite show too.”

The girl stopped drawing. Her eyes lit up and a smile spread across her face. “Really?!”

“Yeah. Writing’s my thing,” I replied. “I was into anime until high school and that’s when I shifted to mystery novels. But I still incorporate elements from anime into my books.

“I like anime too,” the girl said. “I’m majoring in graphic design and minoring in art.”

“Really?”I asked. “You attend Miomy University?”

“Yep,” she said. “The School of Art and Design.”

I kept smiling. I never knew starting a conversation could become this easy. At first, I thought I’ll be staring at the wall.

“I’m majoring in criminal justice and law enforcement,” I told her. “I want to be an undercover detective so I can get under people’s skin.”

The girl laughed and I laughed with her. This small talk made me forget all about the rain.

“You should publish your drawings online,” I suggested. “You’ll probably make a lot of money.”

“I know. I’ve always wanted to become a graphic designer and start my own company. It’s just that-

She paused and looked down at her book. Her expression changed to a low-like mood. “I don’t think anyone would approve.”

I shook my head confused. “What do you mean no one will approve? Talk to me.”

She shrugged. “My parents think my art is a waste of time and won't make me any money. They let me make that decision anyway. Calvin, my brother is fine with it. But my boyfriend-

Boyfriend! I didn’t know that someone would be dating her especially since she seems so quiet. My mind shook at the thought that I’m talking and sitting next to someone’s girlfriend.

“What about your boyfriend?”I asked, eager to get some answers.

“My boyfriend doesn’t want me to be a graphic designer. He studied law so he thinks being a lawyer will provide for both me and him. He also said that it’s better if I’m without a career so that way I’ll be around to raise our kids in the future,” the girl explained.

Kids? Already? I'm not committed to having children and I’m still single!

“But that’s not right,” I said. “No one should be keeping you from pursuing your career. No one should. And kids? Don’t you think that’s a little too fast? You guys aren’t even committed to your relationship yet.”

“I know,” she replied. “He just wants me to be happy.”

“Forcing someone not to follow their passion is not making them happy,” I said in a firm tone. “Are you even happy with your relationship?”

The girl stayed quiet. She slowly slid up from the booth with tears sliding down her cheek.

“I need to go,” she mumbled.

“What?”

She left, leaving her notebook on the table. I swiped it up and went after her. “Hey!”

I dashed out of the door into the pouring rain holding up her notebook. I felt the rain pouring down on my gray jacket.

“You left your notebook!”I yelled looking both ways. She just disappeared into the wet streets of Miomy. People were walking down the sidewalks with their umbrellas so it was very hard to spot her. I could see the university’s tower from downtown.

“Damn!”I shouted, my clothes and shoes now soaked.

I haven’t even gotten her name.