Hermit

After a moment the door is opened, bathing you in warm yellow light. A large man stands in the doorway, looking at you in what appears to be irritation.

"Who the hell are you?" he asks, his voice annoyed and impatient. You shiver in front of him, your teeth chattering, dismayed at his unfriendly tone.

"Please, my car is stuck, and I...I need help..." you stammer, holding your arms across your chest.

"I can't help you. Go call the auto club." He makes as if to close the door, sending a wave of panic through you.

"I can't, my phone has no service out here!" you wail. "Please let me get warm! Please!"

He looks at you a moment longer, shaking his head and frowning with annoyance.

"Oh Hell, come in and get warm," he says with a surly voice, standing aside to let you in, then shutting the door. It's a small cabin, lit by the light of a fireplace and a kerosene lantern. You stand huddled and shivering, dripping on his floor, looking and feeling totally pathetic.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Go get by the fire. I'll bring you a towel." You crouch in front of the fire, holding your hands out to it's warmth, shivering, your bare arms and legs covered with goose pimples. The man returns and drops a towel beside you and then takes a seat at a table across the room.

"Thank you," you murmur, rubbing the towel in your drenched hair.

"You can get warm, and then you can be on your way," he says, the irritation still in his voice.

"Thank you sir," you say, trying to sound grateful even though his words dismay you. "My name's Lisa, Lisa Carter. Thank you so much."

"I don't care who you are. I don't want to have a conversation with you. I just want you to get warm and go."

The coldness of his voice breaks what little strength you have left, and you start to cry. First a trickle of tears, then deep sobs as your fear and misery take hold of you.