Page 21 of Ash
He stared down at me unmoving.
It was a stalemate neither one of us was willing to back down. I could see the determination in the hard lines of his face.
But he wasn't the only one who could be stubborn. I let the sleeping bag drop to my feet, the dark green of it stood out in stark contrast to the white snow.
Bending, I went to duck inside the tent and he caught my arm. “What are you doing Lainey?”
“I'm going to put my clothes on.”
A low rumbling sound echoed from his throat. An animalistic sound that sent goosebumps erupting all over my body.
“Your clothes are wet and…”
“I don't care. I'm going up this mountain, Ash. I'll go in socks and the T-shirt if I have to. I need to find out….”
Pulling me upright he engulfed me back into the sleeping bag. Wrapping it tightly about me and trapping my arms to my side as he squashed me into his chest. His chin came down to rest on my head and I could hear him breathing for several long seconds before he spoke.
“You are not going up the mountain alone, Lainey.”
His words just went to prove that there was something up there, something that wasn't human.
“You best come with me then,” I mumbled against his chest.
He sighed. “Fine Lainey, I'll take you up but only to prove to you that there is nothing up here and when you finally know then I want your word that you will never come up here again.” Holding me out at arm's length he searched my face, his eyes pleading. “Promise me, Lainey?”
“I promise.” I lied.
