2023-10-12 08:12:07Where would you say is the best place to hide when you’re starting a new life? Some people say it’s in plain sight, right in front of the people who might look for you. Some others dream of a peaceful, quiet hideaway, that’s located a good distance from everything familiar.
Like a remote lumberjack camp up in the mountains, so far, far away.
“I can hardly believe that you were just a security guard back in your city, or how they let go of a guy that looks so menacing as you. Are you sure you were just that?” a smiling man with brown hair and blue eyes said.
He was walking and talking with another man, with a similar description as his, having the same height of six feet, broader shoulders though, and a slightly more muscular body. Also, the second one happened to have brown-reddish hair, hazel eyes closer to green than brown, and a more obvious tan.
It had been less than an hour since the job interview, and the employer decided to make sure his newly hired employee would be ok with his first day at work, especially since this newcomer said he had never worked as a logger before “but he could manage”.
It was necessary to make sure that this newbie could really get by with his new job, right?
“Well yeah, I’m sure. I don’t know about the ‘menacing’ part though,” the second man said, while memories were suddenly triggered inside his head due to that particular adjective.
These same realizations also reflected in his light-colored hazel eyes, but he kept mum about it…
His thoughts: "That’s a topic that should never be touched. Not ever again, if I could help it. So yeah, stop thinking about that, Eron. And you have to be a little more laid back… let The Charmer out instead of the dark one."
“Why the question, Mr. Schneider?”
“Told you already, Eron, just call me Jack. Mr. Schneider is still my father. I asked because I got curious, simple as that. You don’t look like the usual guy who would work out here in the boondocks.”
And it was true.
Jack had developed muscles by working hard up the mountain, but the new guy in the logging company just come from the city and was born in another city in a different country supposedly.
And those two facts were making Jack even more curious and made it hard for him to believe.
Mr. Schneider's thoughts: Sorry bro, but you don’t look like a regular security guard… maybe a gym buff… a bouncer in a nightclub… even a stripper… but a security guard? The ones I know have a belly, not an eight-pack… damn, I think I’m looking too much into it… I guess I’m used to different things. Those guys from the city care too much for the looks.
“A stripper, huh? Ok, Jack, then. I’m really thankful for the chance to work with you guys, especially since I have no experience in this,” Eron said, a small relieved smile marking his face. “But I really was a private security guard and no way am I any of those.”
Now, got to get into the groove… heh, tree grooves… pun intended…
Half an hour into working, his perfect tan shone with the small drops of sweat that ran wild over his skin as he regularly and strongly raised his axe. His naked torso showed how his toned muscles flexed and then contracted when he powerfully let the axe fall on the fallen massive tree trunk that Jack had directed him to chop.
This was the easiest job they could give him while he got used to the machinery. Although Jack was still unsure of his new worker’s inexperience since, after about an hour, the newcomer had already demolished a few logs.
The foreman/owner looked from his new hire to the bunch of fast-increasing, well-cut pieces of wood that Eron had stacked up already, and felt his jaw suddenly dropping.
“Looks like you came here at the right time, too. We’re starting a new season of harvests, and the more help we can get, the better,” said Jack, after he had closed his mouth and had recovered from the shock.” There’s more to this lumberyard than just cutting down trees, you know.”
“Heh, as long as I can earn from it, I’m all good, Jack.”
"Damn, I wish I looked like that… the boss sadly thought as he continued to watch his new employee cut through more wood. “Maybe that way I’d easily get a girlfriend and not be friend-zoned all the time…"
Even if he was well built, he didn’t have the confidence that the guy in front of him, who simply exuded charm. And somehow, he knew that well, just by looking at Eron. Besides, the city mouse just looked too good-looking to just be cutting up wood.
“Anyway, I just came to check how it was going for you. Call me if you need anything,” Jack finally said and was almost leaving when he heard a question from the sweaty, tanned newbie.
“Well, there is something I wanna ask, but it isn’t an urgent matter really… I’m looking for a room to rent. Do you know about any? I got here literally a couple of days ago, and I don’t mind camping. I actually like it, but if it rains, I’ll be in trouble. Well, at least my bike will be for sure.”
“You’re just CAMPING?! ALL ALONE?! Where?”
“Not far from here. I have all I need, but, yeah, as I told you, rain would be a big problem.”
“Well, there’s someone I know that maybe… but I’ll ask first. I’ll let you know what the answer is.”
“Okay, thank you,” Eron said, now more relaxed and softly smiling as he got back to work.
Jack looked once more at him, suspicion in his eyes. It was not usual to receive tourists in that part of the mountains, not locals, and it was even rarer to see foreigners. It wasn't about distrust, after all, but that feeling of the unusual which was poking at the lumberjack’s brain…
*A foreigner that had just arrived in their country, and was camping in the forest, and cutting wood as if it was his second nature. And insisting that he just got tired of the city, which is why he’s doing all this?*
“I swear, bro, not a bodyguard, not a bouncer, not a stripper. I had a simple job because I always liked to live a simple life. But I just got tired of it all. The job, the city, the people over there, all stressed and rushing all the time. I just needed a break, and this place seemed to be exactly what I needed,” Eron said with a chuckle, surprising Jack, as he noticed the disbelief in the way his boss looked at him.
Jack, too, was lost in his thoughts, not noticing that he was still staring: "How does a guy like him get tired of the city? I could bet a month of salary on him being followed tirelessly by a group of lades, and I dare say, a few guys like Uncle Louie…"
"Yeah, I think I still have ‘The Charm’ as they used to say. Sorry boss, it’s not you. I was trained to cause that kind of attraction on people," thought Eron to himself as he chuckled. “Well, to make us security guards more approachable, I mean…”
Good save, Eron…
Jake snapped back to reality and explained hurriedly, “I’m sorry, but I was seriously wondering, if I was to leave my country, I couldn’t stop thinking about my mother and father, and if any of my brothers are helping them. I don’t like to ask questions; you know? I do try to mind my own business, but you happen to be the first foreigner I’ve seen in a while. Do you not miss your family, man?”
These words triggered another trip through Eron’s memories, which he quickly put aside. This was another conversation that he wasn’t willing to have. At least his plan wasn’t to go any deeper than what was necessary.
“I kinda miss my older brother. But with the rest of the family, I really wasn’t that close. I talked a lot with his… uh… wife… and I do miss her, too. But really, not much with my parents, or the… town we lived in.”
The small pauses and second thoughts had caught Jake’s attention. He had noticed that these clues were heavily hinting at a deeper and hidden part in Eron’s story.
That part that the foreigner refused to let anybody know…
“So, you left without thinking of going back? That’s really something… And chose here to stay?! You’re either crazy or are a loose killer that’s been wanted by the police in different countries and thinks that he won’t be found here. Sorry bro, but your story is that… uh… unique.”
"Heh… if you only knew," the newbie whispered.
Eron let out a hearty laugh, more out of irony than sincerity, and started editing the words in his head before it spilled out of his mouth…
“To be honest, Jack, I wasn’t really living or spending time with my family anymore. It had been like that for quite a long while now. My father wasn’t really happy with me and always favored my older brother, because I wasn’t up to his standards. Meanwhile, my brother ended up being an obnoxious overachiever, but I guess that comes with the role he’s supposed to have in the family. Although, I'm still thankful that he made me feel like his brother from time to time. I just had to find my own life away from them, that's all.”
And so that was it. If there was something truly real from what Eron said to Jack during his job interview or any time after, it was that.
“So, I got myself into different countries, mostly using working visas, and got busy. And here I am today at your lumber company, and I think I’m gonna like it here. Compared to my former work, this is all pretty amazing for me.”
He paused a moment, still seeing in the back of his mind the countless memories that the conversation was triggering. So many things he never talked about, or would even dare to tell just anyone.
“Aaaand… if you ever, for any reason, wanted to go back home, Eron, will you give me notice or just disappear?” asked the boss with concern.
“Oh, I don’t think I’ll leave. My father would never take me back. As a matter of fact, he would probably kill me the moment he sees me walking towards the family house,” Eron said with a sad smile.
“That’s a shame… Families are meant to be close; you know. Especially during the hard times…”
Now it was Jack’s turn to stare out into the distance, his memories now running scenes from his past. He couldn’t help it, since every time he thought of his family, he would think of all of them.
Including the ones who he was not even certain if they were still alive…
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
Wolf’s Bane THE PAST MEETS THE PRESENT
More than a decade ago… “Sorah, what are you doing out of the house at this time? You know we shouldn’t be outside at this hour!” A teenager Jack hissed/yelled to his sister, who was just a year older than him. “What? Nothing’s gonna happen! Besides, I’m technically not even outside the house, I’m just sitting on the roof, Jack, what could go wrong?” “I don’t know, but you know they tell us those stories for a reason, Sorah…” “The legends? Just fairy tales to keep us kids inside the house at night. Do you really believe that it is possible that something like a werewolf exists? I’m no longer a child and I can’t really believe those tales, brother, sorry.” “Just because you’re eighteen now, doesn’t mean that you just can do whatever, sis… Please, come back in or I’ll tell Mom and Dad.” “Ugh, fine, fine… you’re a traitor, Jack, you know that? And you talk like an old grandma.” “No, I’m your brother and I’m supposed to watch over you.” The young lady tried to go back inside the ho
Wolf’s Bane SECRET MEETINGS
The barn showed signs of being abandoned, while the farmhouse that was about fifty feet away looked uninhabited as well. Technically both were, since the family who owned this farm had obviously gone abroad, died out, or was killed off by an angry mob. Considering how off-grid the place was, even the last option was possible. So, when two expensive cars arrived to park near the barn, thirty minutes apart from each other, and then two men in suits and long coats went out of the said vehicles to meet under the shade of a nearby tree, it’s obvious that this was a meeting that’s out of the ordinary. “It took a while to scrape off enough tissue and blood just to get a proper sample, Hero. Other than the initial evidence that I ran off with before, I really can’t promise you more of that any time soon, I’m sorry,” Myron the Insider said as he passed over two vials to the other man. Hiromoto raised the two glass tubes to look at them carefully before replying, “We appreciate what you’ve a
Wolf’s Bane THE GOVERNOR
Hours later back in the city, inside a classy but modern conference room, a number of distinguished men were seated at a luxurious long glass table with matching chairs… “So, gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that I have found more samples taken from the site. However, our contact can no longer give us any additional ones in the future since there are no more.” “Well, unfortunately, the ones that we received before are already quite tainted by the chemicals and heat of the explosions, Left Hand. It was quite impossible to be sure if the source of the samples is indeed Aaron Keiser.” “I don’t think you understand what I’m trying to complete here, Doctor. It’s very simple: I want absolute proof that the body - or body parts - of the burnt corpse found in the destroyed vehicle of Aaron Keiser is indeed him.” “Don’t you mean was, Governor?” “I don’t like repeating myself, Doctor Hauptman, but I believe that Aaron Keiser IS still out there, alive and kicking. I also believe he set up
Wolf’s Bane HUNGER
“Me and my big mouth,” mumbled Eron beneath his breath. “And damn it, her rice cakes and cassava sweets are absolutely delicious!” No thanks to him insisting that they go and talk with the woman he saw from afar, his boss had relieved him from his work and had insisted that they accompany her back to the sawmill. So, after having several small pastries which he bought from the beautiful, buxom woman, he found himself carrying her other eco-bag since she insisted on carrying her basket. And to his alarm, he was now trying to control his lust as he strolled beside her, so very close to just ravishing her as she talked to his new boss. He suddenly was wishing he never came near her… How thankful he was that Jack was the one talking to her and not him. “I really think that it would be good for all of us, Diwana… I know I’ve mentioned it many times, but, if you had a diner here in the camp, you’d make a lot more money, and also, you’d avoid having to take long walks back and forth every
Wolf’s Bane CHALLENGES
“Don’t worry, bro, if she doesn’t accept your request, you can stay with me,” Jack said, still hugging Eron, who turned and looked at the smiling, innocent boss of the site. “Bro, I don’t know what to think about what you're offering me,” Eron said, smiling/smirking, but above everything, putting a big effort not to burst into laughter. Jack looked at the newbie’s naughty expression and took two steps back. “What the hell, bro!?” he laughed. “Seriously? I mean that we have a campsite, way safer than the middle of the forest, and you can stay there for free as long as you’re working here. Damn bro, your mind… it’s filthy, haha!” Eron's thoughts: “Sure… My mind… filthy? After the way you’ve been looking at me, I hope it’s really just my mind, bro.” “Well, doesn’t sound bad at all. I’ll take it. Hope it’s less dangerous than the forest, though,” he said, now letting out a hearty laugh. “Who knows, there might be more people there that would be giving me invitations to ‘stay with them
Wolf’s Bane SILENCE
His mind wandered back into the past, almost against his will... He was called by his brother after his hand-to-hand sparring session because of an important meeting with his father. Eron cringed inside, knowing that this would most likely be about the same damn topic that he had heard from his old man even way back since he turned eighteen. And yes, unfortunately for him, it was indeed that dreaded topic. Yet again… Good thing that it was just between him and his father, this time. “Son, are you absolutely sure that you don’t hear him in your head?” He tried to keep his voice toneless just so his irritation wouldn’t show, “No, father.” “Not even a whisper? Or even feel him?” “Dad, I’m telling you, I don’t have a voice in my head that answers me back. I keep talking to practically nothing! I’ve tried everything, but I really can’t hear anything - or anyone - inside me. Besides, does it really matter to you? I can still do whatever you ask me to. I can easily win in a fight, a b
Wolf’s Bane TWO SPECIAL WOMEN
“Oh, my Goddess!” he whispered to himself as he viewed the naked woman’s back as she waded waist-high in the clear waters of the pool. “She’s absolutely gorgeous…” The view of the small waterfall, the large ferns, bushes, and trees surrounding the pool was the perfect frame for this curvaceous, tanned, naturally beautiful female who had her midnight black hair up in a bun. He was struck speechless and was frozen in place at the stunning beauty of the whole scene, but his eyes would not leave that one glorious focal point of his attention. And the way she smelled! It wasn’t just roses and strawberries now. There was something else and though he found it hard to identify it was overwhelming all his senses as if he was dunked into the perfume that she was exuding, threatening to drown him… Eron just wanted to stay there, breathing, drinking, eating her scent without caring if he ever inhaled air again. But he didn’t know why… It just seemed to be the most natural thing in the world f
Wolf’s Bane SECRECY & SAFETY
The darkness in the room made it hard to make out what was happening within. However, once your eyes adjust to the shadows in the room, you realize that it’s actually a larger-than-average bedroom. And if you would just listen intently, there were two people on the large king-sized bed. It was a man and a woman, and they were both naked… And... well, they were doing more than just sleeping. “My love, p-please… go faster… harder… I’m close…” begged a low and lusty female voice as she breathed hard in between her words. The muscular man above her kept moving in and out of her, his manhood tightly gripped by the woman’s wet and luscious walls. He increased his pace and moved deeper into her; his strength being fueled by his fiery passions. This caused the woman to writhe and tremble even more, and he felt his libido rising at the sight of her pained pleasure. Hero knew she was close, based on her impassioned moans, the wetness of her slick pussy, and how her lips were now tightening
Latest Chapter
GETTING READY TO GET MARRIED
“I just can’t believe how fast things are going for you Boss!” stated an awed Orlie as he looked at his employer in admiration. “Imagine, you didn’t even have a girlfriend then you suddenly were asked to be someone’s best-man just yesterday. Suddenly, you’re already the groom today. Wow, talk about being instantly promoted!”“Indeed he is, boy,” a slightly unfamiliar middle-aged male voice spoke from the open screen and front door of the Alpha mansion. “And that would mean that he is extremely lucky, right son?”“Mom, Dad, Sis, you’re all here!” exuberantly exclaimed Jack, feeling a little sheepish at the realization that he was so focused on his marriage and his future wife that he completely forgot to tell his family about his sudden wedding even through text message. “Aren’t your kids with you, Sorah?”“They’re just outside playing with the other kids of the house,” Sorah informed his younger brother with a honeyed giggle. “Shame on you little bro for not telling us about your pla
WANTED AND UNWANTED GUESTS
“Hey you there, time to eat up. Your meal is here now!”Max looked up from the wooden bed that he was sitting on inside the small metal jail cell where he was earlier incarcerated. The two city cops who had arrested him almost a day before had took mug shots, his fingerprints and the whole she-bang, acting like they were in an actual police precinct . He was actually wondering if he will be given something to eat since his grumbling stomach was already telling him how much he needed some food right at that moment. And he was so famished that he was very willing to eat anything that was offered to him.Well, it seems his captors aren’t such a bad lot after all, since here they were providing him more than the usual amount of sustenance. As he glanced at the mounds of grub on the aluminum tray that the spindly male youth was offering him at that moment he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.“Thank God, what took you guys so long? I haven’t eaten anything since yesterday, dude!”
MAGICAL EXPOSÈ
“OK Mama Diwana, we’re finally here now in the kitchen. What were you planning to show us?” the eldest Wolf offspring asked a little eagerly as her younger siblings excitedly surrounded her and echoed her words.“Yes, mommy Di, what is it all about?” the youngest inquired in her cutest voice.“You can tell us, Mom Diwa. We promise that we’ll be able accept it, whatever it may be,” encouraged the sharpest of the three, which happened to be the only male teen in the Alpha villa at that time.Eron’s charming smile stretched slightly wider at what he heard from the young trio. He then lightly nudged his hesitant and still nervous mate forward toward their adopted kids to encourage and strengthen her confidence even further. The wolf-man also nodded to his Twinny, the middle-aged female Merhi spouse and Police Chief Bilal who were all cheerfully grinning back at him.“Go on cherry tart, they are all eagerly waiting for your admission and they promise to accept it all,” Eron stated with an
A HOPEFUL REVELATION
“My children, can I talk to all three of you in private,” the tanned long-haired adoptive mom requested as she slowly entered the still half-filled living room since the first batch of elderly Ärgers had yet to return with their promised catch of rabbits and hares. “This is really important to me and I need to share this special secret of mine with all of you before our city visitors arrive.”“OK, Mama. Where shall we talk about it?” the eldest Wolf offspring asked for herself and her very curious siblings as she stood up from the armchair that was beside her beloved Orlando Kyle’s high-tech motorized wheelchair. “Although, I think I already have a feeling about what you are planning to tell us.”The young surrogate mother looked at her step-daughter with a hesitant look before speaking again, “I would prefer that I tell you in the kitchen since I plan to show you proof of what I will reveal there,” Diwana stated in a determined but still anxious tone.“Go on, kids! You just get to th
FACING THE TRUTH
“Dad, what’s this I hear that you’ll be sending your special troops to help the governor with keeping his people under control?”The Brigadier General could not answer his son Bien’s query at once. He was fully aware of how his sole offspring sees the Kahlagus despite them saving him and his mom from the killer flu that ravaged the country about a couple of years ago. His only boy, who is now a young man, is part of a social awareness group that is on the verge of being called resurgent if not for their connection to the government’s army and their continuous assistance to the public during major natural disasters.But due to their consciousness of the present socio-political situation of their city, which includes the corrupt actions of current political bigwigs of their state, Bien Castaṅeda is very much against any kind of assistance that his military father would give to the Kahlagus. This new decision by his Dad is not going well due to their recent closeness. True, Bien’s parent
A LOVING REMINDER
“Diwana, I know you’re in there,” Eron soothingly said as he knocked on his new spouse’s bedroom door in the hopes that she would let him in without much fuss or fight. “I just want to talk, honey pie. Would that be OK?”The muscular Charmer waited a moment, but due to his enhanced hearing, he was sure that his troubled wife was already rising from her bed and was about to open her bedroom door. Within half a minute, she had already done so, but it was obvious from her facial expression that she was anything but all right.Eron instantly held her close as his fingers rubbed her long, wavy, ebony tresses before she could say anything.“Why do you look so down, Di? You can tell me, alright? What’s bothering you, pumpkin pie?”“I can’t do it, my love. I feel so weird doing it. It feels as if I’m not even a normal human being,” Diwana sobbed as a warm tear or two fell on her caring man’s shirt. “I’m afraid the kids may see me differently when I use my magical powers… Or even you!”Eron h
OPENING CLOSED DOORS
Eron speed-walked into the kitchen and was surprised to only find his Twinny with Mr. and Mrs. Merhi looking unsure at each other. In front of them was a large violet bucket of dark green liquid beside the large dining table with all the food items that they planned to feed the Ogre’s men upon their arrival.“Twinny, where is my wife?” the bulked-up former city man asked hesitantly.“She got a little overwhelmed when Tess and I told her all the possible things she could do with her Faye powers,” the dejected Luna stated with a crestfallen sigh. “I think she was overcome knowing everything that she could do, Twinny. But her Tikbalang Father assured us that it is absolutely essential that she learn the majority of her powers because of the upcoming battles that she would need to face.”“I feel that Senyor Armanaz means to pit her against that whore witch Chin Kahlagu when Eleuthera finally goes full force, Eron,” the chubby Police Chief admitted as he lovingly held his wife Tessy to his
ASKING PERMISSION
“Hello, mom! It’s Emily…”At that point, Jack could hear various muffled but delighted female squeals and male yells in the background of his new fiancé’s phone call’s other line, which was obviously on speaker mode. He could easily tell that Em’s family was truly rejoicing over her return to Mendez.After a few moments of awkwardly answering her parent’s and siblings’ questions about her sudden disappearance from their village, the young light-haired lumberyard owner cleared his throat to make the female abductee aware of his presence along with his willingness to rescue her from telling more about her past traumatic experiences to her very curious family members.“Oh, by the way, I’d like to introduce a longtime friend to everyone there. Everybody, this is Jack. Remember the guy who gifted me the so-called alabaster box as you all called it years before? He would like to talk to you, Dad, if it’s OK?”“Yes, I do remember him, daughter. Put him on the line, please…”At her male paren
SPECIAL INTRODUCTIONS
“Eron, I’m already done with your request,” Madame Tess declared with a pleased voice as she entered the half-filled living room. “We can now use it to enchant the food items that you plan to feed to your Ärger guests.”The hazel-eyed Charmer immediately stood up from the flowery-patterned armchair where he was lounging and gave a small nod and smile of approval at what he heard. “That’s wonderful news, Mrs. Merhi! Now all we have to do is drizzle your potion on the foodstuff in the dining room table and kitchen counters.”“Leave that to us and your Twinny, son. But I would like to ask Diwana to join us so we can continue to teach her how to use her Faye magic.”“Of course, Madame. All you need to do is ask,” the smiling curvy mate said as she stood from the matching floral sofa, then quickly walked towards her renter slash magic mentor. “We can begin now, no problem.”“While you're doing that, we’ll just take our ride back to our rented shack and get those skinned bunnies so you can
