The breeze felt cool on my skin, something I normally welcomed but that now interfered with my attempts at building a fire. I had grown quite accustomed to disappearing into the woods for most of my weekends despite my parent's griping over it. I didn't want to stay at my house where my mother used my paychecks to pay for her sheets and the odds and ends she constantly shopped for. No.
I had a three day weekend for myself and I was going to take full advantage of it. With the loss of my dog and camping companion, I was even more spurred to leave for awhile.
Still, the impending storm actually had me comtemplating going home but I stopped myself, thinking, 'If you can't camp during a storm, what use are you?' I nodded to myself, my decision finalized as I gathered up my supplies and headed deeper into the cave I had found for the night. It was a rather shallow cave, one that I could go to the back and still see the opening but I was glad for it as it was sloped slightly uphill and would prevent the coming rain from dripping in. I dodged out for a few moments, gathering up enough small bits of wood, dead undergrowth, and twigs to keep a fire going for the rest of the night at least.
Once back in, I started to unpack, taking my time so I would be as comfortable as possible. I rolled out two sleeping bags, placing one over the other and unzipping the top one for use. I pulled out my pillow, two extra blankets, some candles, and was able to find my matches just under those. I had canned goods and a fork, and, beneath all that, a hunting knife I would retrieve before I went to bed. It was quick work, getting the fire to light and then feeding it until it was just right. I gave a sigh, lighting a few candles and setting them up around me as I pulled out a book. It was a paranormal romance series my best friend had gotten me into and I grinned, seeing the dog-earred page I was left on. The BDSM incubus was just about to seduce a female werewolf into his bed or, quite possibly, into some chains.
I sat down on my "bed", leaning my back against the wall of the cave and feeling myself relax. I know, I know, what kind of teenager finds relaxation sitting in a cave by herself reading a romance book? Well, that's me. I'm not your average girl by any means. I'm short and stocky, not the pretty little things you so often hear described in these stories. I have red/brown hair I keep cut short to avoid having it snagged on branches or caught in the mouth of a dog when I romp or wrestle with them. I have dark blue eyes and pale skin despite the time I spend outside. I really don't like it because no matter how much I tan, I can't keep it for more than a few days.
I'm chubby too, despite my ventures, sporting a DD36-32-44 figure; wide hips and a bubble butt that doesn't belong to a white girl. So no, I'm not going to sit in a bedroom or go to the mall to find my "happy place". I go to the woods.
Which had never been a problem for me before. Until that night.
I sat in my cave, starting to get sleepy but fighting it off, wanting to finish one more chapter..and then...maybe just another. I didn't notice my head starting to dip forward into my ample cleavage but I did notice when I landed against them. I took in a sharp breath and huffed at myself before getting ready to go to sleep. As usual, the only clothing I removed were my boots and my bra before climbing into my sleeping bag. There was no point in sleeping with those on but the rest of my clothing would help keep me warm should my fire happen to go out. I wiggled in until I was comfortable, giving a happy sigh and pulling the flap over me and then arranging another blanket over myself, just because I like to feel cuddled while I sleep. It was some time later when I awoke to the slightly familiar sound of an animal snuffling at the front of the cave. My sleep-fogged mind perceived as my deceased companion and I crooned softly to him, "Momo? Its ok boy, come 'ere.." I yawned, slowly sitting up and the snuffling turned into a low growl.
I was shocked and immediately aware. I realized that I had forgotten my knife in my bag and any sudden movements could cause an attack. I gulped some, trying to look past the calm fire to see what was in the cave with me. I didn't get the chance to see anything because whatever it was came flying at me. I instantly went limp, letting out a little grunt when I was grabbed by the throat and, shockingly, the waist. The teeth at my throat didn't snap closed immediately though, another shock to me and my blood hurdled through my veins, pounding in my ears as I fought to remain calm. I've been in dog fights before, real ones where they tear at skin and try to kill so, I think, that experience was the only thing that kept me alive.
The creature was a great hulking beast, one that curled over me, paws, or, more accuratly, paw-like hands on my waist to hold me up. It let go of my throat when I didn't struggle and lifted me clean off my feet, raising me higher and higher so it could look at me, I guess. I smelled it before I saw it, the smell of wet dog isn't all that unpleasant to me but it filled my nostrils, mixing with a heady musky scent that had me swallowing hard. I trembled in huge hands, amazed it could lift me. I looked down at it finally and I immediately recognized what it was that was examining me.