17.2 The House

While neither situation seems particularly ideal, you can only assume the house is the better option. Hesitantly, you make your way past the open door into the dimly lit area. The leader is no longer visible, likely having gone into one of the surrounding rooms. A thick layer of dust covers the ground, only disturbed where footsteps have tracked through. The house seems to be of decent size, making you curious as to why he's it's only inhibitor. Following the trail of prints through the narrow hallway, you're acutely aware of every creak and groan the floor makes as you step through.

Peaking your head in through a doorless entryway, you feel your heart skip a beat. Standing in one corner of what is clearly a living room is a large bookcase. Cautiously stepping further into the room, you can see there is a wide variety of reading material lining its shelves. Just as you reach the fixture and begin reaching for one of the books, there is a loud creak behind you. Quickly turning, you see the leader standing in the doorway. His large frame takes up the entirety of its space, severely limiting the amount of light entering the small room. Swallowing nervously, you try to get a look at his expression only to find it is masked by a long dark shadow.

"What are you doing?" He questions in a low tone before striding forward.

Stumbling for words, you continue staring silently when he stops before you. Your back tenses when you see one of his hands reaching forward. Flinching, you recoil slightly when he takes the book from your hand. Turning it over, he glances over the cover before returning it to the shelf.

"It's not polite to go through other people's things." He remarks placidly while turning his still partially obscured face towards you.

"I..." You begin falteringly, unable to ignore his close proximity. "I was just curious."

You can see him raise a thick eyebrow skeptically. Your eyes briefly drift back to the shelves and become aware of the lack of dust in this area. Something is nagging at the back of your mind, informing you of some unknown discrepancy. Frowning, you slowly look back up at the man in confusion.

"Wait," You muse out loud as the gears in your weary brain slowly grind. "Is this place yours?"

"Why do you think I came in here?" He replies in an almost amused tone.

"No, I know that." You respond abstractly and tilt your head slightly. "I mean, was this yours before all of this?"

The man lets out another deep laugh, once again catching you off guard. He takes another step forward, closing what little space remained between you. He's nearly as tall as the ceiling and towers over you imposingly. Bits of coarse fur brush against your skin when he leans down towards you. Your eyes widen slightly as you find them locked into his dark gaze.

"Of course not." He breathes out softly before flashing you an unnatural looking smile. "But it is mine now."

"I see." You reply uneasily and take a step back only to find yourself pinned between him and the bookcase. "Maybe I should leave now. I don't want to disturb you... or you things."

"So soon?" He questions before reaching out again. "I thought you came here for answers."

Your eyes widen again when his fingers grip the collar of your shirt. Unable to answer, you nervously look down to watch him run his hand down to the shirt's lapel. His fingers brush against your skin in the motion, causing you to shiver slightly.

"That's okay." You retort before quickly pulling away and moving around the man. "I'll be on my way now."

Your pulse is pounding in your ears as you quickly make your way to the exit. The floor groans loudly as you hastily make your way across it. Though you can tell the man is showing no intentions of following, you're quite eager to get out as swiftly as possible.

"Just one question before you leave." You hear behind you, though you have no intentions of being baited into staying. "Why didn't you go back to the cabin?"

You feel your heart drop to your stomach at the unexpected inquiry. Whirling around you look at the man in unconcealed confusion.

"What did you just say?" You demand hastily, your voice sounding muffled in your ears.

"The cabin." He repeats in an almost pleased tone, clearly aware he's achieved whatever his goal was in asking his question. "You've traveled quite a long way. It seems to me as if it would have been the smarter choice to go back there."

"How do you know about the cabin?" Your voice is barely above a whisper.

The leader gives you another uneasy smile before he folds his large arms over his chest. He remains silent for a moment while looking over your tense frame.

"Someone's looking for you." He finally reveals, sounding almost thoughtful now. "One of my men ran into him not too long ago."

"Who?" You question frantically, marching back over to the man. "Who was it?"

"You demand a lot of information," His eyes slowly drift over your frame as he speaks. "For someone who has yet to offer anything in return."

You grimace in slight annoyance, realizing that this was likely his plan all along. He's likely been aware of who you are since your discovery. Meaning this slow trickle of information has been purposefully meant to toy with you. The more he withholds, the more you're likely to give in to his demands.

"What do you want?" You exhale shortly, though you're sure you have some idea of his answer.

"Come now," His voice has returned to its hypnotically melodic pitch. "There's no need to suddenly play dumb."

Sighing again, you shoot the man an unappreciative look. It's quite the gamble on your part, seeing as there is little to ensure he will keep his word. Unfortunately, it is a risk you feel is necessary. It was one thing when you thought he only knew about Boyd. However, now that it's become apparent his knowledge expands further than that, you feel as if you're left with ****.

"You men are all the same." You castigate angrily when he moves to stand before you again.

"I'll let you be the judge of that." He almost smirks before wrapping his hand around one of your arms.

A mix of emotion quickly overtakes you as you're led out of the room and back into the hallway. Slight dread and uneasy anticipation has completely clouded your mind. As if moving on its own, your body allows him to escort you to the end of the corridor. Before you can really comprehend everything, you find yourself in a room alone with the strange man. Swallowing nervously again, you glance over at him in apprehensive suspense.