You get up and grab your bags quickly, headed for the safety of the car. With your keys in hand, you hit the unlock button on your key fob and toss the bags in before you slide into the driver's seat. When the doors are locked, you glance back up to the cabin and find that there is someone coming around the corner of the wraparound porch.

He is tall, and wears a crisp uniform with a tan button up shirt and dark green pants tailored to him. In his hand he carried a wide brimmed hat with a dark green ribbon wrapped around it, and a patch that proudly displays something you can't quite see from in the car. You stop caring about what it says when you see his face, though.

His skin is sun-kissed, and his mouth is set in a crooked grin that shows off his slightly long canines. Emerald green eyes catch the light as he steps off the porch, and sunlight brightens his blonde hair. It's long enough that he has it pulled back in a very small ponytail, but a few errant curls are loose and rest against the nape of his neck.

All danger forgotten, you stare at his chest, which is obviously well muscled, even under his stiff uniform shirt. As though he can feel your stare, he looks over to your car and his smile widens. He walks over to your car and knocks lightly on your driver side window. You lower the window, and the scent of woodsmoke wafts in.

"Hello, ma'am." His voice has the hint of an accent. On his shirt is a name badge that reads: Hunter. "Is everything okay?" A Southern drawl, maybe, but the accent is so slight. He blinks at you, and his brows crease. "...ma'am?"

You shake your head. "Oh! Sorry. Yes. Everything is okay."

He looks relieved, and his crooked smile comes back. "Glad to hear that. Are you in the area for any particular reason?"

"I'm...on vacation. This is my cabin." You gesture at it, as though it weren't the only cabin in the immediate area.

He looks back up at it and nods. "Oh, sure. It's a great choice, ma'am. If you're looking for a guided hiking tour during your stay, the ranger station's only a few miles down the road." He lifts a hand and tips his hat to you. "You have a great day now, ma'am, and welcome to the Great Smoky Mountains."

With that, he turns and walks off toward the trees, headed right into them. Soon enough, he's gone. But it is a comfort that the ranger station is so close, so you muster up your courage and gather your bags. You can do this.

You head into the cabin.

[Go to chapter: Five]