Two days they were stuck in the cabin. The pantry was stocked with food, which kept them from making the trip to the town. But Mia wasn't completely hauled up in the past two days. She found a reason the next morning, after arriving at the cabin, to wander around her aunt's property.

Even if she'd been a recluse living in the city, there was always some solace to it, especially her morning jogs at a nearby park. As early as four in the morning, she'd be out and about, breathing it some fresh air. The street would clamor people and cars by the time she'd finish her morning exercise. But that was long before she'd imprisoned herself in her own home. Yet here, so far up north, there was freedom to enjoy the silence.

She expected the chilly weather. But not teeth-chattering cold. At one moment on her jogging route, she'd expected for the snow to fall. Luckily, by the time she reached the edge of the property—by her aunt's description would be a poorly made wooden fence—the sun was up. She'd never felt welcoming by its heat before, living in the city polluted with soot and people. Yet the vast emptiness with no soul in sight, Mia found solace, for once.

In the afternoon, at the cabin, she and her aunt stayed in the living room by the chimney. A small pit of fire blazed, warming up the place enough for her to wear a tanked top and shorts. They'd mostly stayed in quiet comfort. Her aunt doing her work on a makeshift desk she'd set-up behind the couch while she lounged in it, reading a novel.

Mia expected her week to be the same. But it only took two days until her peace was disrupted. She wasn't too keen about it, unlike her aunt.

The landline phone rang, a vintage-looking set she'd thought belong in a museum, giving a happy glint of enthusiasm to her aunt. Her cheery voice brought Mia out of her trance from a book she was reading. Given the small living space, there's hardly anywhere where she won't overhear the one-sided phone conversation.

She shamelessly eavesdropped by the couch.

"Morning, dear. We're doing well, thank you for asking." She paused, listening to the other end. "I'm not sure, though. She seemed content. But I do think it's best she spends most of her time outdoors. She'd done enough of it in the city." She stopped again, chuckling. "Yes, please. I'll tell her to get dress now. See you later, Richard."

Mia's ears perked up at the name. Even if it was a one-sided conversation, she knew what her aunt was about to say.

"What were you thinking, auntie?" She got up from her little nest of pillows and blanket. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm perfectly satisfied with..."

"We both know you're eager to look around the island, Mia. You spend most of your morning outside, jogging as you put it, and only return for lunch." She arched her eyebrow in challenge. "I've started drafting my new design project so I can't do the driving myself, and you don't have a license. Also, you did agree on his offer."

"Yes, I did, with the impression I'm the one who'd offer when we'd go. Not the other way around, auntie." Mia scoffed. She gathered her pillows and blanket that scattered around her foot. "Besides, you did say Mr. McKenzie and Mrs. Grant owned a farm and a pub in town. He might be busy."

"They do. But it doesn't mean they don't have help, Mia." Leanna walked around the couch towards her niece and placed a hand on both her shoulder. "So, you go and get a dress. Richard will be here in half an hour or so." She spun her around and lightly shoved her towards her room.

"But, auntie..."

"I've also made a list of things I need in town as well," she said. "Now, you can't say there was no reason you couldn't go, is there?"

She glared at her favorite aunt. "I'll go, but I won't forget this, auntie."

Leanna waved her hand in dismissal. "Threaten me all you like, Mia. You'll thank me later."

"Yeah, right." She scoffed and turned on her heels, heading to her room.

Mia regarded her space. She'd thought about barricading herself, and refused to go. Though childish it may seem, it's was an enticing idea. However, she'd come with her aunt knowingly what she may have her do. Her parents trusted Leanna under her care, in the hope she'd be able to help Mia's spirits recovered.

Though Mia hoped her aunt won't be taking part in her parent's scheme, as it wasn't her usual characteristic to do so, she was wrong. Obviously. Her aunt seemed to have plans of her own.

In contempt, she started bundling herself with a thick sweatshirt, denim jacket, jeans, and a thick sock to pair with her brown hiking boots parked just by the shoe rack by the main door. She'd started packing her things for the day's trip, listing on possibilities of what's ahead. Her leather satchel hanged by her hip when she heard her aunt called out in the living room. With a heavy heart, she walked out.

She halted on her tracks upon seeing the visitor by the door.

"Mia, good you're here. Richard just arrived," Leanna said, turning at her sound arrival.

Mia pursed her lips and glanced briefly at Richard, who refused to meet her gaze. "I can see that," she remarked dryly. "Where are we going today?" She addressed him without preamble.

Richard cleared his throat before answering. Not meeting her gaze. "Yer aunt told me ye have a few errands to run. We can start in the town, and then work our way through it."

Leanna signaled her niece over, sensing her flight. "Come along, Mia. If you want to be back before sunset, you should head out now."

"Of course." Mia sighed in defeat and walked over.

With a brief goodbye to Leanna, Richard turned back out and headed to his car first. The pale-yellow Volkswagen looked lilliputian to the truck Adelia offered to lend for their use. Yet since their arrival two days ago, it remained where it parked, unused.

Mia was about to offer they use the truck, sensing it had more horsepower for their travel. But then Richard got in the driver seat. The car roared to life after one attempt of turning the ignition. In comparison to the truck, by her memory, Adelia took at least three tries before the truck's engine cough and hummed to life. Though she'd hope, it had the mileage and gas for it. The idea of being stuck in the barren grass field with Richard McKenzie made her heart race.

As she got in the front passenger seat, Mia forgot to picture the stuffy compact interior of the car. Now, she welcomed the idea of being outside in the field with Richard, rather than stuck for hours driving in the car with him.

"So," she started, sensing the need to prompt a conversation or they'll continue driving in silence. "What made you invite me out today?"

With both the windows down, the strong sound of waves can be heard through the sea was miles away. It's what kept Mia from going insane, for a time. Even then, she has her limit.

He didn't reply directly. Richard kept his eyes glues to the road, which didn't warrant much of his attention as it was deserted. They've been driving for nearly twenty minutes and not once came across another vehicle.

"Why did you invite me out?" She prompted again.

"Didnae grannie tell you about..."

She interjected. "She did. But I was under the impression I'd be the one who'd offer when I'm ready. And right now, you look like you'd rather be elsewhere."

"Aye." He muttered dryly.

Mia was shocked at his admission. "Then, why?"

He sighed and briefly looked at her, then returned his gaze towards the rocky road ahead. "D'ye ken Erik Alexander Kingsley?"

Her heart skipped a beat hearing that name. Luckily, she kept her composure and voice calm. "No."

"That's odd given the man seems to ken ye."

She abruptly turned. The muscle of her neck ached at the attempt. "What did you say?"

Mia watched as Richard tightened his grip on the wheel. She was about to press again when he spoke up. "The day after yer arrival I met a man, or rather he introduced himself to me." He paused to take a deep breath. "He then proceeds to ask whether I ken someone. At first, he asks about Mrs. Stanton and then continues to asks about her niece. So, ye tell me, Ms. Harnett, d'ye ken the man?"

Slowly, Mia looked away and glanced towards the vast endless field, and the dark gravel road straight ahead. "No," she answered. Her voice sounded devoid and distant. "No, I didn't know who he was when I met him. Until now, I don't know who it was I'd met."

"So, ye ken him somehow."

"I do." She kept her face away from his view. "I met him a year or so ago."

The memory was fresh in her mind. She was drawn in, pulling her to live it all over again. In her eyes, she was no longer in the car with Richard.

****

The heat of the spotlight felt warm as she stood in the stage, waving enthusiastically towards the crowd. Their echoes of cheers and applause enveloped the room. Her co-workers lined up beside her, holding hand in hand, bowing towards the audience. Once the curtain closed, a sea of loud congratulation circulated within her peers.

She cradled a bouquet of flowers like a baby and walked off the stage. Her friends and family greeted, praising her on yet another successful performance. She was passed from one embrace to another, and finally to her mother's welcoming arms.

"A job well done, my dear," she whispered softly by her ears.

"Thank you, mom. I hope I did well. I still have my last performance tomorrow though," she whispered back before pulling away.

"You did, my dear. You were excellent. And you'll do great again tomorrow."

Mia smiled and briefly hugged her before excusing herself to the dressing room. The dim hallway felt eerily quiet and empty. However, not too far, there were faint voices of the staff. There were no red flags yet as she made a sharp turn towards her shared dressing room with two other female lead. Opening the door, she was startled to see it empty. She peered out the hallway to check whether they were on their way, but there was no soul in sight. It was then she heard someone cough, stunning her into momentary silence.

"Who's there?" She called out, turning back around.

The floorboard creaked underneath his weight. The light from her vanity mirror was on, which kept the room from the darkness. First, she saw his leather shoes from the shadows; and then, he stepped further into the light, showing his tailored suit. He wore black from head to toe. He looked daunting in the darkness, like a predator lurking in the night. And then there were his eyes gleaming like sapphires. It seemed unearthly for a man. She felt herself shiver despite the lack of air ventilation in the room.

"I'm sorry for startling you, my dear. It wasn't my intention," he said. His voice was deep and elegant compared to her plain American accent. An Englishman.

"No harm done," she replied, chuckling as she composed herself. "Are you here waiting for someone?"

"I am." He smiled. "I was waiting for you."

"For me?" Her eyebrow creased in confusion. "Why are you waiting for me?"

"To meet you, of course." He grinned coyly. He then gestured towards her vanity mirror, where her chair was already pulled out from under it. "Sit, my dear. I know you are tired of your performance. And it was a wonderous scene to behold. I'm honored to have seen it in my lifetime, and to meet the person who's responsible for the riveting atmosphere tonight is such a pleasure."

Her cheeks flushed at his remark but kept calm. "I'm not sure I'm worthy of such praise without knowing who you are, at least."

"Does it matter who I am in order for my words to have substance?"

Now it was her turn to feel embarrassed. "No. It doesn't. But I'm intrigued nonetheless. I presumed you're the reason why my co-workers aren't here."

"Ah!" He chuckled. "So, you're now making presumptions."

"Only because you seem to deviate my attention from knowing who you are." She arched her eyebrow in challenge.

"Not only do you have talent and beauty, but also wit. How have I not known you until now?"

Though Mia was intrigued by their conversation, she was slowly losing patience with him. "I don't think it seems fair you know me when I haven't even got a name from you." She presses again, not wanting to get lost in the spell of his charms.

From this, the color came back to the man's face. His blushed brought life in beautiful features. "My apologies, again, my dear. I didn't mean to remain a mystery." He paused and held out his hand to her. Mia regarded it for a moment before accepting it. Rather than shaken her hand, he held it up and kissed the back of it. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. Mia Harnett. My name is Erik Alexander Kingsley."

His kiss at the back of her hand lingered. Even as he walked away after, only with a brief goodbye, she felt it burning on her skin. In fear he truly left a mark, she glanced down and checked the area only to see nothing. Yet she wasn't aware it was invisible to his prey.

****

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