Extricate

The following week seems to pass by in a blur of confusion and gloom. You vaguely remember fragments of conversations with some of the housemates, primarily Aden and Kaleb. However, if pressed you’re certain you couldn’t provide any significant information about the topics or details of said discussions. Instead, your thoughts remain centered around the one object that has remained out of your purview since that fateful morning. It’s strange how something that was once viewed as disagreeable or even unfavorable could now be so desired.

No one else had heard from Ash since that day, not that anyone else seemed particularly worried about his disappearance which had come just as quickly as his reappearance. One thing you do remember is Aden mentioning that these disappearance and reappearance happen fairly often. Regardless, you still can’t help feeling concerned. Was he alright? Was he eating? Where was he sleeping at night? You of all people had a much better understanding of hard things without a consistent place to call home.

The line of thought brings up another uncomfortable question - you’re not entirely sure how much longer you can stay here. The tow yard was “generous” enough to offer one more week for them to turn up your car, otherwise, they’d pay you for its full retail value. Not that that was a significant amount of money considering the car is about 15 years old and in **** need of several major repairs. Something that hadn’t been a major concern when it was more of a domicile than mode of transportation. Now, you’re looking at the equivalent of a couple of night’s stay at a cheap motel at best for what you might receive in exchange for the clunker.

Tears of frustration begin welling up in the corners of your eyes as the weight of your situation begins hanging down. An overwhelming feeling of anger and despair seems to fill you as you continue making your way back to the Zodiak house. Thankfully the residence is quite some distance away from most of the other houses, leaving for a secluded walk back. You wipe a tear away furiously as you quicken your pace at first then slowly tapper back down. What’s the rush after all? As nice as the other housemates are, you’re not exactly in a rush to see any of them.

“Fuck!”

You glance up, startling visibly at the unexpected shout. Looking around in confusion, it doesn’t take long to pinpoint its direction as it’s quickly followed by another myriad of curses. The voice is somewhat familiar and takes a moment for you to place. A light frown creases your brow as you initially consider ignoring the commotion and continuing back to the house. However, after another colorful explosion of expletives you feel somewhat obligated to learn the reason for their use. Leaving the path, you follow the sound into the woods that line the outskirts of the campus. It doesn’t take long for you to find the source of the noise and learn its reason.

You haven’t seen Everette either since that day and you certainly didn’t expect to see him today, let along, alone, like this.

“Are you alright?” You inquire in between another bout of irritated shouts.

“Fuck, where did you come from?” The man inquires, craning his neck to get a look at you before quickly adding. “Careful, don’t get too close.”

Frowning, you pause as you reach a fallen tree and peer over it to see the full extent of the situation. It seems while hiking off trail the young man was misfortunate enough to come across some sinking mud. Only one of his feet seems to have come into contact but it was enough to trap him. Everette brushes damp, dark locks from his slightly tan face before turning away again. Dismissing the man’s warnings, you cautiously slip over the fallen log and tentatively make your way closer to site.

“You're stuck..." You mumble under your breath as you vaguely remember being warned about this mud during student orientation.

"No shit." The man retorts in exasperation before sighing and adding. "Sorry. Look, why don't you go back to the house for some help? I don't think there's much you can do on your own."

Ignoring him, you turn your attention to the immediate area in search of something that might assist you. Finally you spot a sturdy fallen branch that you should be able to move fairly easily. Everette watches as you drag the large limb over and begin positioning it behind his leg.

"What are-"

You're rewarded with momentarily silence when the end of the branch slips beneath his foot and you thrust your weight against the other end. There is a satisfying pop as he's freed from his miry confinement.

"Oh!" You exclaim, quickly releasing the branch and pulling your left hand to your chest protectively.

"Hey that was some quick thinking- " The Everrette's words cut off when he sees the pained look marring your expression. "Are you okay?"

"I think I got a cut but I'm scared to look..."

There's a brief pause before the silence is broken by a slightly melodic laugh. A deep blush quickly forms over your face when the man steps forward and reaches out. His touch is warm and rough but surprisingly gentle. Turning away, you wait for him to gauge the damage done to your palm.

"Hmmm..."

"Is it bad?" You cringe in a mix of embarrassment and pain when you feel his fingers brush against the wound.

"Just keep looking away for a moment."

"What?!" You almost instinctively look back in spite of his warning but catch yourself at the last moment. "Is it that bad?"

"I've seen worse." He replies nonchalantly, his rough fingertips still lightly brushing against your flushed skin. "There's just one thing.... there!"

The forest is momentarily filled with a small cacophony of uncharacteristic curses as you feel something ripped from your flesh. Reflexes take over and you try to pull away but are stopped by the firm grip around your wrist.

"Careful!" The man exclaims as you fall back into him causing you to both lose your balance.

Gasping, you feel yourself pulled down with him as he's knocked to the ground and you roughly collide with his firm figure. Groaning, you try in vain to sit up but find one of your hands has already been claimed by the very mud from which he had just been liberated.