LOVING A STRANGER

Summer days are here which means sleeping in late, going to the beach, hanging out with friends and just being lazy. This is not what I want for my summer days. I like crazy. I like adventure. I like new. I like danger.

A crazy out of this world trip to a place that has been a dream of mine to go. A place I never been too. An island dream I can explore.

I wake-up bright and early. The sun is shining. The birds are chirping. I have a big smile on my face.

Today my wild crazy adventure begins. I do my morning routine. I start off dancing to my favorite song. I dance my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth. Finally, I take a shower.

I love singing in the shower, out of tune that is. Shower all done. I leave my hair to air dry.

Crescent Bay, a beautiful island town in the Pacific Northwest. A perfect place for me to go. I love the outdoors, anything having to do with rock climbing and hiking. I always say "Danger is my middle name."

I finish getting dress. I go downstairs to make breakfast. A simple breakfast is what I like.

I grab my strawberry, apple and banana fruit bowl, yogurt and a glass of orange juice. I go and sit down. I make a mental checklist on the activities I'm going to do.

First, I'm going hiking, then rock climbing, then I'm going to rent a boat for a ride around the lake and then do a little swimming and snorkeling.

I finish eating breakfast. I get up and wash my plate. I am extremely excited to begin my adventure. I'm ready to pack.

I go to the garage and grab my hiking and rock climbing gear. I leave my gear in the living room. I head to my room to pack.

I'm a minimalist. I only take the bare essentials. A couple of changes of clothes, two pairs of sneakers. My hiking boots, swim suit and other important things. I can't forget my camera. I love taking pictures of my adventures.

I'm ready to go. I bring my bags downstairs. I grab my car keys and go pack my car.

I lock my home up, get in my car and drive to the port. The outdoors has always been a place for me to disappear from reality if only for a little while.

I made it to the port. I hop out of my car. I go and buy a ticket to board the taxi way. I'm back in my car waiting with the other passenger.

The taxi way opens its doors. I start my car and drive inside. I get out of my car with the rest of the passengers and walk to the top.

I'm in awe by the beauty of nature. The lush green trees filled with beautiful green leaves. The beautiful crystal blue water. The beautiful bride flying. Crescent Bay here I come.

I love the feel of the wind blowing against my skin. I love the feel of the boat moving through the water. This is what I live for.

Half an hour later the taxi docks at the port in Crescent Bay. I excitedly go to my car. I wait with the other passengers for the taxi way to open its doors.

Finally, the doors open. One by one the cars begin to leave. I follow the cars out.

I drive to a small bed and breakfast called Crescent Moon Lodge. As I drive to the lodge, I take in the sights of the island town.

A few minutes later I arrive at the Crescent Moon Lodge. I park my car, take my bags out and go inside. I check-in and go to my room.

I unpack and decide to wait until tomorrow morning to begin my adventure. My stomach begins to growl.

It's a nice night for a walk. I walk to the local diner. As I walk to the diner, I sense someone watching me. I brush it off. I enter the diner and take a seat in the back.

I order my food. While I'm waiting, I go over my plans for the coming days. I still sense someone watching me. I look around the diner. I see no one suspicious. My food is here. I begin to eat.

The feeling of being watched has me feeling edgy. I leave the diner. The night air is cool and brisk. I walk back to the lodge.

I calmly open the door to the lodge. I look around my surroundings.Nothing but the stars and the moon out. I walk inside and go to my room.

I change into my pajamas. I lay out my clothes for tomorrow. I jump into bed and fall asleep.

My alarm is ringing. It's bright and early, 7 am. I take a quick shower, get dress, grab my bag and head downstairs for breakfast.

I eat a quick breakfast. It's 7:30, I leave the lodge and walk to the General Store. I go in and grab three bottles of water and some snacks.

I have everything I need. I walk to the hiking trail. The early morning sun is getting hotter and brighter.

I reach the hiking trail. The map of the hiking trail shows two paths. The popular Eagle Eye trail and the more secluded Ember trail.

The Ember trial is good for me to go. I walk to the trail. I take out my camera and begin taking pictures.

I go up the trail taking more pictures. It is so beautiful just me and nature. What's that noise? It sounds like footsteps coming my way.

It must be some hikers. I continue up the trail when I suddenly bump into something. No not something but someone. I back up. I say sorry to the man. I turn to go past him. He doesn't let me pass.

I'm scared. I know I'm in deep trouble. I don't show it. I turn back around to go in a different direction. Two more men block my path.

I feel arms around me. The man behind me grabs me. I fight him. I kick and scratch him. He throws me on the ground. The man begins to beat me. The other two join in.

I can't keep my eyes open. I'm slowly losing consciousness. The world around me is turning to darkness. The kicks are intensifying. Suddenly I don't feel anything.

I hear footsteps. Someone is coming. I feel nothing but the air. My body goes limp. Hours later I wake-up to the smell of wood burning and the smell of men's cologne.

I carefully open my eyes. I look around the small room. My body is killing me. My head and stomach are throbbing.

I try to get up. I end up falling on the floor. Strong arms grab me. I fight him. He holds on tight.

"I'm not going to hurt you."

I face my rescuer. I'm captivated by his green eyes, shaggy brown hair, broad shoulders. He helps me back to bed.

"What's your name? My name is Sabrina."

The stranger doesn't answer me. he gives me a cup of hot chocolate. I drink a little bit. I can't take my eyes off of the stranger.

"Thank you for saving my life." He looks at me and nods. I finish my hot chocolate. I put the cup down and fall asleep.

The sun has gone down. The moon is high in the sky. I get out of bed and go to the living room. I find the stranger sitting by the fireplace. I sit down in front of him.

I ask him his name. He doesn't answer me. We sit in silence for a while. I get up and go to the window. I look up at the night sky. The stars are so beautiful.

My stomach begins to rumble. The stranger hands me a plate of food. The stranger looks at me and I stare at him.

We don't say a word to each other. I finish eating. I'm still tired from my attack. I say goodnight to the stranger. He says goodnight to me. I'm surprised he talk to me.

It's morning. I had a goodnight's sleep. I didn't wake-up at all. I find my bag, camera and some clean clothes on the chair. I'm able to move better today. I get up from bed and go to the bathroom to shower.

I turn on the shower. I begin to sing out of tune. Shower all done. I get out of the shower and dry myself off. I see the bruises on my stomach.

It looks horrible. I get dress. I look in the mirror and see the bruises on my face. It doesn't look any better.

I leave the bathroom. I find the stranger in the kitchen making breakfast. He hands me a plate of bacon and eggs. We eat in silence.

"Breakfast was good."

I tell the stranger. He nods. I grab my camera. Snap, I take pictures of the stranger.

"You look handsome in the pictures."

I show him the pictures. He groans. I take more pictures of the stranger. I get up from the chair and go outside to take pictures of nature.

I'm taking pictures of the flowers, birds, little insects even some deer. I hear the door opening. The stranger comes out. He asks me "You want to go fishing?" I smile and say yes.

The stranger takes me to the lake. He shows me how to set up the fishing line. I'm a quick learner. I catch two fishes. I'm proud of myself.

"I love hiking, rock climbing." I tell the stranger. I keep talking about my love for the outdoors. The stranger never takes his eyes off of me.

I see a little smile crossing the strangers face. He tells me his name. "My name is Liam." I smile.

"I knew I could get you to talk."

Back at the cabin the stranger or Liam cleans the fish and prepares the fish for dinner. I look around the cabin. Liam is watching me closely.

I want to know more about Liam. He doesn't say much. His cabin is bare of anything personal. Looking at Liam is the only way I can gauge who he is.

Dinner is ready. I sit across from Liam. I begin to talk. Liam is listening to me but doesn't say anything.

Dinner is finished. The stranger grabs my plate. I offer to help. He shakes his head. I stifle a yawn. I'm tired after a long day. I say goodnight to Liam. He nods. I thought I found a way in with Liam. I was wrong.

For the next couple of days I stay with Liam. He takes good care of me. I talk and he listens. Liam takes me hiking. I take my camera with me. I take more pictures of Liam. I can't get enough of taking pictures of Liam.

I'm feeling something for Liam. I don't know what it is. One thing I know for sure is I'm healing fast and soon I will leave.

Liam and I do more fishing. At times I'd see him smiling. I like when Liam smiles.

The time has come for me to leave. I'm all healed from the attack. I haven't thought about the attack. Liam makes me feel safe and protected.

Liam takes me down Ember trail and walks with me to the lodge. I don't want to say goodbye to Liam but I do.

Me and Liam part ways. I watch Liam walk away. I want to go after him in the worst way possible. I don't.

I reluctantly go inside the lodge. I go up to my room. My energy and excitement for my trip has come and gone. All I think about is Liam.

I fall asleep. I wake-up the next morning with plans to do nothing. I don't have the energy to do anything.

I leave the lodge and go to town. I walk around town thinking about Liam. My mind keeps going back and forth over my feelings for Liam.

I walk and walk and walk. I end up at the lake. I sit on the ground and contemplate about what I should do.

Should I go home, live my life the way I've been living? Or Should I stay in Crescent Bay and fight for Liam, for something greater?

The answer is taken out of my hands. The sensation of being watched hits me. I stand-up and look around. I'm alone. Nothing but me and the water.

I hear footsteps behind me. I turn around and see Liam. He grabs me and kisses me.

An earth=shattering kiss. Liam lets me go. "Don't go. I'm falling for you." I smile.

Liam kisses me again. "I'm falling for you too." We kiss again.

When I needed a savior Liam came to my rescue. A stranger came to my rescue. Nursed me back to health and somehowI got under his skin and didn't let go. My new adventure begins now.