Primal Instinct: A Stockholm Syndrome Love Story

The beginning of summer meant no more exams, no more late-night studies, no more cramped college bedrooms that were fully scattered with books that needed to be read and learned to succeed in life and make a carer, be independent and be able to say that none is controlling your life, but your own decisions.

That was your prime objective in life, be able to walk outside with your chin held high and to finally say ‘Yes! I did it! I am free! I am my own person’.

Your eyes were glued on the screen of your laptop, your teeth sinking into your bottom lip as you thought over and over what your next sentence on your essay would be. It was an essay for the next year of college, that you had for summer. The topic? Anything you desired. What did you choose as your topic? The behavior of wild animals and how such behavior could be seen in the man.

The headmaster of the college you were studying at said that what you chose was something none has ever done before and if you did it right, you would have many unique opportunities. It

was a delicate topic and in order to do that, you needed to be familiar with information about the wildlife, which was not a problem. Watching documentaries day and night in your free time was one of the best choices.

Ever since you were little you were always attracted to the wild aspect of life; the animals, their behavior, their instincts, and the life they lead. How free and without social and moral obligation they were; tigers, bears, wolves.

You were so fascinated by them, by the natural and enigmatic beauty they were born with. Wild beasts that could kill you in a matter of seconds, beautiful, yet so deadly.

Often you wondered how it would be if the human race would be undressed of their weapons and technology, to be left with only what they were born with. Humans didn’t have natural weapons like animals; claws, canines, the strength they packed into their bodies, much smarter in life and death situations.

You were pulled out of your thoughts by a knock from behind you. Turning around your eyes meet the brown ones of your friend, Tina, who was leaning against the doorframe of your bedroom door with a raised brow and one of her cheeky smiles on her face.

“How did you get in?” you asked her, turning around into your chair to fully face her.

“Your mother let me in. So? Are you ready for this trip?” she asked with an excited smile, rubbing her palms together like she was planning to do a robbery.

Of course; she asked you two weeks ago if you wanted to come along with your common group of friends on a trip to Tongass National Forest and you weren’t so sure about it. It was pretty far from your home town.

“Tina... I am not sure about this. To be honest, I was gonna-” before you could finish, she put her hands up.

“Wait. Let me guess. You were gonna stay your whole summer writing the next essays for college and hopefully work to earn more money so you could buy your own car, your own house.” she spoke with a sarcastic voice, making you purse your lips and huff.

“No, but-”

“I don’t wanna hear it, dear... You need a change, you know. Something exciting... and since you wanna writing something about the WILD... what better place than going deep into the heart of it.” she suggested, making you have second thoughts, eyes averting on your unfinished essay, to the many books about animals next to your laptop.

Why not? You didn’t have anything to lose. It could be a great and unique experience, besides it’s been so long since you went camping and exploring the wildlife... Ever since your father died. It’s been so long you forgot how it feels like to breathe deep into the air of mountains, to smell the scent of pine trees and freshwater coming from the heart of the forest.

“Fine.” you simply said, closing your laptop and making Tina look at you with a dumbfounded expression, almost like she couldn’t believe that you actually agreed.

“Wait... Did I hear it right? You are coming!” she said, jumping up and running straight to you, pulling your form into a big hug that almost knocked the breath out of your lungs.

You laughed and nodded as she pulled away, her brown eyes sparkling with mischief.

“You are not gonna regret this decision.” with that said from Tina, she pulled your backpack from under your bed.

Ohhh... If only you knew the true meaning of these words if only both of you knew that these words would forever change your life.

“I am gonna help you pack. The group should be here in two hours.” she informed you, and with that, you started to put everything that you needed for this trip, making sure you didn’t forget anything, and while doing so, you chatted with Tina.

“So... None knows where we are going?” you asked, a little anxious by this information.

“It’s an escapade. None is supposed to know, duh! Besides... most of our parents wouldn’t agree to go that far into Alaska. You know how my father is.... and I am sure your mother would love to glue you down here for the rest of your life. Trust me... Ever since I meet you in college, you always have motivational ways of speaking about freedom, being independent, and do what you feel like. It’s time for you to finally fly out of your mothers’ nest and find who you are.” she spoke with a firm voice, sure of herself.

Her words hit deep and you knew that everything she said was true. You truly yearned to find yourself.

“I really want that... but... I don’t know where to start.”

“Well.... like I said, this trip is a good start.” she replied, and finally you both finished packing everything.

“What am I gonna tell my mother?” you whispered, as you both stepped out of your bedroom.

“Let me handle this, baby.” she told you with a wink, walking downstairs and stalking with you behind her to the kitchen where your mother was.

Your mother’s gaze averted from her cooking to you two, eying the backpack suspiciously.

“What are you two up to?” the older woman asked, raising a brow at you and Tina, especially you.

“We planned a trip to one of the local cabins into the wood nearby... Your daughter probably forgot to tell you ma’m with all her mind on college and learning. It’s a little vacation after many exams and pounds of stress.” Tina stepped in, seeing that you were tongue-tied.

Your mother hummed in thought, still not fully trusting the story.

“A big backpack for such a small vacation.” she commented, eyeing the luggage by your feet and on your back.

“We plan to stay for two weeks! Enjoying the beautiful weather of the summer.” again, Tina interjected, with an innocent look on her face and you needed to remind yourself to give her ‘best award for the greatest actress’..... or a liar.

“Well then... I suppose my baby girl needs that. I was seriously anxious seeing her not come out of her room these past days.” your mother said, wiping her hands on her apron.

“That’s what I told her! She needs a nice fresh breath of air.” your dark-haired friends said with a giggle.

Your mother walked over to you, pressing her lips to your forehead, she gave you a warm smile.

“I hope you have fun, my dear. I know I can be very strict with you, even though you are already all grown up. I suppose I am afraid to let my little girl flew out of her nest.” she told you, littering your face with kisses, her arms wrapped around your form.

“Awww.... This is such a sweet moment!” Tina beamed, making you mentally roll your eyes.

“Just make sure you stay safe and don’t drink too much. I know you kids nowadays like to reach your limits, but please... drink responsibly.” your mother told you both, pulling away, her hands rubbing your shoulders.

“Don’t worry! I will bring your baby bird in one piece.” Tina said, grasping your hand as she tugged you towards the front entrance, and just in time for the sound of a horn honking to be heard from outside on the street.

“The van is here!” your friend, said, opening the door and pulling you along, the door to the van opened, and outside stepped Josh.

Josh was one of your very good friends in college, almost like a brother, always happy to help anyone in need. The only problem was that he was very naive into doing that for everyone even the ones who were poisonous.

“Hurry up, bitches!”

And speaking of poisonous people. That one was Olivia, your typical stereotype snobby girl who was too prideful of herself, despite that there was no reason for her to be like that. She was Josh’s twin sister and you swore the myths about twins being the complete opposite, applied to them like a glove.

Tina rolled her eyes at Olivia’s attitude, following after Josh with you, getting all your luggage into the trunk of the van, shutting it closed, then getting inside, Adrian waiting for you all to get settled, his green eyes hidden by a pair of shades.

Adrian was Olivia’s boyfriend and the two couldn’t be more perfect for each other and destructive at the same time. Both were explosive people with an ego bigger than Mountain Everest, both basked into their own vanity and were too arrogant for their own good. You get the perfect picture couple.

“All settled? Let’s do this! Whooooh!” Adrian yelled with a grin, starting the engine and taking off down the road to the location none knew you were going.

Sitting in the backseat of the van, you gazed out the window as the houses of the neighborhood passed by, driving through the small hometown and exiting it, you saw as the many buildings started to vanish and the outskirts of the town, trees, and field appeared.

Before you knew it, your eyelids got heavier and heavier, sleep slowly but surely overtook your tired form.