I am enveloped by silence. With the exception of the quiet flow of the river there is not a sound to be heard. The moon is bright which helps me check for any disturbances before I doze off. Looks like at least for now I’m safe to sleep. I watch the current flowing through half melted patches of ice alongside the banks of the river. Spring must have arrived during the time spent in the holding cell. My eyelids begin to weigh heavily and start to droop as I stare into oblivion. Moments pass and I am just about to drift into unconsciousness when there’s a snap of a twig behind me. My body immediately jumps to attention and I search, desperately looking for what may have caused the disturbance in the atmosphere. I squint to see a figure moving at a short distance. The moonlight illuminates both her and the trees around her and I recognize the seductress at once. Her pale skin, black, curly hair and luscious, glossy lips. It’s the woman who haunts my memories of the horrific scene that took place at the bar. I calm down and quietly try to move behind a bush, hoping that maybe she didn’t see me. The last welcome from a stranger wasn’t exactly warm and I don’t plan on falling into any trap. ‘You don’t need to hide from me you know. I'm a friend,’ she says; not even looking in my direction. ‘How did you find me?’ I ask as I walk out from behind the bush and confront the woman in red. ‘Does it really matter?’ I give her a look and she smiles. I stare deep into her eyes. ‘I rescued you that night. I assumed the worst and it seems that I was right. Did they hurt you?’ ‘A little, but I’ll survive,’ I respond. She walks toward me and I can’t help but go to her as well. Knowing that the last time we met, things went a little crazy, I feel somewhat leery of trusting her. I have no idea who this woman is or what her intentions are but still I cannot contain myself. ‘I can feel your presence from a great distance. I couldn’t come anywhere near where you were being held, but I waited out here until I could feel you again.’ I look at her funny, and ask, ‘How do you feel someone from a distance?’‘With ease. Are you hungry Michael?’ She read my mind. I could eat my own limbs right about now. ‘Follow me.’ She grabs my hand and we walk together as if we have been together for years. ‘What is your name? And how did you know mine?’ ‘There isn’t much I don’t know about you, Michael. I have a special gift. I can sense people’s energy, and in turn; locate them. I can also read their thoughts. Oh, and my name is Levi.’ She almost glows as she walks over a light film of freshly fallen snow with a hop in her step, as if she hasn’t a care in the world. She could be picking flowers right now by the light manner in which she carries on. ‘Nice to meet you Levi.’ I politely smile as we stop to glance at each other momentarily. I look away awkwardly. I’m getting very nervous. As weird as the situation is, I am very attracted to her and I don’t want to come off as someone who can’t carry a conversation. ‘Don’t do that,’ she says as she looks semi-upset . ‘Don’t do what?’ I ask. ‘Feel awkward. You don’t need to be nervous around me.’ She then gently touches my face and pulls me up against her body. Our lips meet tentatively then fiercely with passion. I pull away and question her immediately. ‘Not that I mind, and I really don’t mind, but we just met. This is kind of unorthodox.’ She looks away and begins walking again. ‘You like strong women. I am not afraid to act how I feel. Nor speak what I think. The moment felt right and it’s what you needed in order to loosen up. Oh, and you were thinking it.’ ‘Right, the whole thought reading thing, gotcha.’ She pulls her hair behind her ear to better see where she is stepping. ‘Where are we going anyway?’ I ask. ‘There.’ She points a perfectly manicured finger straight ahead. Light illuminates from behind the trees but with the thick brush it’s almost impossible to see. I catch her by her waist to lift her over a fallen log blocking our way. She smells amazing. My senses are fuming with lust and I have to try hard to control myself. ‘Relax, my dear,’ she says. ‘There’s a time and place for everything.’ I can’t get away with much. She knows what I’m thinking. It wasn’t a shoot down though. That makes me happy. An opening in the trees reveals a quaint cottage nestled within a small but cozy break in the dense brush. The front porch light is on and it illuminates the wood sided exterior giving it a quaint country appearance. She looks at me and pulls me toward the door. I step onto the porch as she opens the door and walks through the entrance way. I follow her in and look around surveying the interior. It looks like an average home; nothing special. The fireplace is alive with flames and the smell of campfire is enticing. The ambiance of the small cottage is very welcoming. There is something bubbling on the stove and I walk in a trance-like motion toward the amazing fragrance. I cannot mistake the choice of meal. Chicken Cordon bleu and other pots reveal mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. My favorite meal. ‘Y-you know my favorite meal as well?’ I stutter with excitement. ‘Naturally. Enough talk sweety, grab a plate and enjoy.’ I don’t need to be told twice. I remove a plate and utensils from the counter and load my dish. I sit down and begin shoveling mouthfuls of food in my mouth. I look around and notice that she isn’t sitting with me. She isn’t eating at all. There’s clearly enough to go around. ‘Are you not eating, Levi?’ I inquire. I feel disgusted with myself; I’m such a gentleman. Such manners. ‘Don’t feel bashful. I’m not hungry and I know you don’t like to be watched while you’re eating;’she says as she stands to face me. I wipe a glob of mashed potatoes from my lip. ‘I’ll go prepare a bed.’ She says this as she glides past me delightfully. As I eat I ponder many things. Why did she come looking for me? She doesn’t really know me. Well she does, but there hasn’t been much said between us. Actually, I’d never even met her ‘til the bar. What was she doing in the bar that night? Wait! The bar!! She knows what happened to me that night! I get up and run into the next room to ask her. She’s waiting for me in the doorway. ‘All is prepared my love.’ She grabs my hand and pulls me toward the bathroom. ‘I have brought some of your clothes. Take a couple of minutes and clean yourself up.’ ‘Oh, thank you,’ I say; forgetting how long it’s been since I’ve had a shower and suddenly, fiercely longing for one. ‘How did you retrieve my clothes?’ I ask. ‘I went to your apartment. Your landlord was quite persistent in refusing my entry but I managed to get her to let me in. There are razors, soap and a few of your much needed hygiene products.’ This girl is fucking awesome. Much later I emerge; freshly showered, clean shaven, sporting a clean set of boxers and freshly brushed teeth. I could kiss her. And I mean to. She’s lying under the covers and I am really hoping that she’s naked under there. I turn out the lights and she leans over to light a candle placed on the bedside table. I lie down next to her nervously and quickly pull the covers over my body. Under the covers she grabs my arm and wraps it around her. She places my hand on her pelvic area and I can’t help but get excited. ‘I have my reasons Michael, but please understand that nothing sexual can happen tonight.’ I can’t help but feel a little let down but it’s not like I absolutely need it right now. I am after all, very tired. ‘Oh, I’m...I’m sorry, I just thought.’ ‘It’s okay’. She stops me. ‘I would like to but you are exhausted and there are more important things to do tomorrow. Get your rest and we will discuss everything then.’ She hugs me hard and rather than argue the fact that I’m tired, but not dead; I listen obediently. She turns around facing away from me and pulls my arm over her. Holding her right at this moment I feel surprisingly content.