I wanted to say something to change the mood as we roamed about the grocery store, but nothing even remotely brilliant was coming to mind. Rowen had said little to nothing since our departure from the mall, and it was starting to create a toxicity in the air that was downright suffocating. As Rowen picked up some carrots, I wondered if there was something I could point out or make into a conversation.

Why did I care, I wondered. It wasn't like Rowen ever had anything nice or appropriate to say. The first thought that came to mind any time he opened his mouth was "Shut up", so why did I care now? I rubbed my temples as a headache began to bloom. Being around Rowen only brought frustration, it seemed, even when he was quiet.

"Are you okay?" 

Rowen's question drifted into my attention why I was still trying to work out the knots in my mind. However, genuine concern was apparent on his face. "I'm fine. It's just a headache," I told him.

"Should we pick up some medicine?" he asked.

I waved him off. "No, I'm fine," I said. "I'm going to go look around. I'll find you later."

Surprisingly, he seemed relieved for the separation. But I wasn't about to question it and lose my chance to get away.  As I rounded a corner, I couldn't resist pausing for a moment to take a peek back in his direction. Looking down at his shopping list, he ran a hand through his hair. Even from a distance he looked stressed.

I should leave him be alone, I decided, walking away. Whatever was bothering him was none of my business, and I didn't want to pry into the life of a murderer. Besides, I'd be happier without knowing. I made my way to the other side of the store, not really paying attention to where I was going, and found myself in the movie section. I didn't know if the cabin had a DVD player, but I figured it couldn't hurt to look around.

I took my time, looking at every movie, reading the backs of some, nodding if it sounded interesting and shaking my head in disgust at the boring ones. There were some kid's movies and while I wasn't into My Little Pony and the lot, I poked around there too. Anything was better than worrying about Rowen.

I picked up a movie with an interesting looking cover just as a familiar voice said, "What're you looking at?"

I jumped and the movie I was holding clattered to the floor. Rowen chuckled. "You dropped something," he pointed out unnecessarily.

"I noticed," I said with a scowl. I picked up the case and placed it back on the shelf.

As I left the DVD section, Rowen followed after me, bags of groceries in his hands. "I already checked out, so if you're ready to head home, we can go."

We walked out of the store. I climbed back into the car with a small sigh. Rowen noticed my disheartened state and asked, "Anything on your mind?"

Maybe this was my chance to see what was up with him. "Not really," I said, sinking down in my seat casually. "Just tired. What about you?"

This was the deciding moment, but Rowen hesitated. I pushed a little harder.

"You've seemed a little worried recently. Is everything okay?" I questioned.

He stared ahead at the road, his jaw moving as he contemplated what to say. Finally, he answered, "Yeah. I'm just tired too, I guess. I haven't been sleeping well."

"Oh," was all I said, internally disappointed. Rowen's response had been a blatant avoidance of my question. For the rest of the ride home, neither of us said a word, and when we entered the house, Rowen went straight to his room and closed the door.

I left my new clothes on the couch, heading back outside once more. I was going to take another walk. My thoughts were cloudy and the cabin was stuffy with tension. A walk would do me good.

Having enjoyed my time at the lake that afternoon, I headed back to it, looking for a shady spot to sit. After finding a dry, quiet place to rest, I plopped down on the grass and leaned my head back against a tree. I didn't do anything right away. At first, I just sat and listened, letting the sound of nature calm me. Then, after a time, I took a deep breath and started to pour over my problem with Rowen thought by thought. He had been acting different ever since I got back from the lake. I don't know what it was that suddenly changed everything, but something was different.

I chewed on my bottom lip thoughtfully. Maybe he found something in the house that had disturbed him and he just didn't think he should tell me what it was.

I quickly shook that thought away. He liked to make any kind of joke he could. He'd find a way to turn it into some nasty prank to get on my nerves. He wouldn't have hidden it from me, and he certainly wouldn't have been so affected by it that he'd be acting secretive. 

Crossing my legs, I propped my elbows on my knees and I reset my chin in my hands. What was he thinking, I wondered.

I was still musing to myself when I suddenly became aware of the faint sound of music. My eyes popped open. I wasn't close enough to the cabin to be hearing music, but I hadn't seen any other cabins when we drove in. Wherever it was coming from, it was close enough for me to just barely make out the direction.

Beside myself with curiosity, I stood up and walked towards the cheery, melodious sound cautiously. As I drew closer and closer, the trees began to thin and I could make out a cabin settled a few yards in front of me. It wasn't Rowen's, but it was very similar. The typical firewood stack lay against the side of the structure, and I could see someone had been chopping firewood recently.  The front door was wide open and the music seemed to be coming from inside.

I glanced around to see if anyone was nearby, but I saw no one. I stepped up to the porch and poked my head inside. The interior was furnished with a grand amount of hunting prizes and looked well lived in. However, I still didn't see anyone inside. It was weird to just leave a radio on while no one was home, and leave the front door open. Troubled, I wondered if someone was hurt and they couldn't call for help. Before making any rash decisions, I ran back down the steps and around the house, looking for any fallen forms. When I didn't see anyone, I returned to the front of the house. Maybe they were inside, I reasoned, taking a tentative step past the threshold. 

Aside from the music, he cabin was silent. A chill ran down my spine as the aged floor creaked under my steps. I made my way around the living room, before walking towards the connecting rooms. They were all empty. Spotting a wallet on a bedside table, I was just picking it up when I heard the sound of someone coming up the porch steps. I rushed back to the main living space just as a man entered the house. He stopped in his tracks when he saw me. "Who are you?" he asked, looking angered.

I stared at him. It was the guy from the mall. "You live here?" I asked, forgetting to respond to his question.

He slammed the door behind him, cutting off my exit. "Yes, I do. But you certainly do not," he said. "Trespassing is a criminal offense, you know? I could press charges."

My stomach dropped when I realized what he was threatening. "Trespassing...?" I shook my head. "The door was open, but no one was around. I wasn't trespassing. I was looking to see if anyone was hurt."

He looked pointedly at the wallet in my hand that I didn't even realize I was still holding. "A likely story," he mocked.

I looked at the wallet too, knowing how my having it made me look. "I swear, I didn't mean any harm," I said, hurrying forward to hand him the wallet.

He didn't take it. Instead, he grabbed my wrist in an iron grip. "Tell that to the cops," he said, and dragged me into a nearby room.

*******

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