The drive was less than one mile and stricken by nerves, I sat parked outside of the pub for nearly five minutes. My cell jingled notifying me of a text message.
"Do not prolong the situation. Enter the pub Rebecca."
Oh my God, I thought. Are these people watching me via satellite? I grabbed some cash from my purse and locked it in the glove box. I exited my vehicle and walked into the pub. Music was playing and the drinking hole hummed with conversation. I walked to the bar not knowing what to order. I am not a drinker usually, so I ordered a Margarita. The female bar tender fixed my drink and collected the fee, complimenting me on my outfit. I thanked her and took a sip of my drink. The salt around the edge of the glass was surprising, but it complimented the drink.
I spun the bar stool around, turning my back to the bar, watching the groups of people engaging in conversation, playing pool, or playing darts. I felt shy being in this place all by myself. I turned the stool back around and sipped my drink again. The bartender approached me asking if I was a local. I proceeded to tell her I was vacationing at the Rock Creek Cabins.
"Oh," She said. "I've heard some bad things have been happening there."
"What you are hearing is true. A police officer visited my cabin this morning filling me in with details. Sounds like a scary situation," I said.
My phone jingled again and anxiety filled my chest. More instructions I thought. Nine more days I kept telling myself. "Excuse me." I said to the bartender, unenthusiastically, viewing the text message.
"Two men are playing darts, one in a green and gray T-shirt, the other in a brown polo shirt. Introduce yourself to them." I was tense and almost couldn't bring myself to approach them. I got off of the stool and walked towards them, following the instructions of the message. Many sets of eyes gazed in my direction as I made my way across the pub. I knew I looked good and I should have been more confident. My heart was racing as got near the men, who were bullshitting while taking turns tossing the darts.
"Hello guys," I said. "Got room for one more?"
The men looked at me like I was a bother or that I couldn't play darts competitively with them.
"We're just about done here honey, how bout we buy you a drink?"
I shook my head in agreement as the man in the polo shirt tossed a bull's eye proclaiming his victory.
"What are you drinking?" The loser of the match asked.
"Margarita," I said, raising my glass to him.
The other man pulled a chair out for me at a table while his friend shouted across the pub for two beers and a margarita. I took a seat along with the gentlemen. They introduced themselves as Jim and Randy. Jim, the man in the polo shirt was handsome. Brown eyes, dark skin, and dark hair. Clean shaven yet rugged looking. He had to have been at least ten to fifteen years older than me, perhaps in his late thirties to early forties. The other man, Randy was more my age. He was fairly good looking as well. Blond hair, blue eyes, short stubble facial hair, his appearance was more of the gentle looking type.
The drinks were brought to the table and I introduced myself as Rebecca, sipping from my fresh margarita. They questioned my dart playing and I told them I was probably better than they would expect. They said that maybe we could play next time. I told them today might be the only chance. I was only here on vacation. They said they were done with darts for the day and had to be leaving soon after their drinks. I smiled and said that was too bad. They laughed and asked where I was vacationing at. I told the at the Rock creek Cabins.
"That's been a dangerous place lately, Rebecca," Randy said.
"I wasn't aware of that when I arrived, but I have been hearing that quite a bit. I even had an officer stop at my cabin this morning," I replied.
We talked briefly about the city and other fun spots and soon they were excusing themselves. They ordered me another margarita, insisting against my decline, and said that it was nice to meet me. I concurred and waved them goodbye.
I finished what was left of my margarita and knew I was starting to get buzzed. I didn't need another drink, but I thought nine more days, maybe this one would go by a little easier. My next drink arrived and I said thank you. I was sitting by myself again, but being liquored up I felt more relaxed. My phone jingled again.
"Finish your drink and go outside of the pub. A man will be sitting on a bench, wearing a suit and tie. Ask him for a cigarette and walk into the gift shop across the street. Browse the shop and try to find something to take home to remind you of your stay here."
I sat quietly drinking my drink catching compliments from men coming and going from the pub. When I finished, I approached the bartender and tipped her generously with a smile. I walked out of the pub and noticed two benches. No one was there and I stood for a moment, looking across the street noticing the gift shop. Then from around the corner walked a man in a suit and tie. I watched him. He was absolutely gorgeous. Or was I just drunk? He sat at the bench nearest to me and pulled a cigarette pack from his jacket. I walked up to him and asked if he could spare one.
He extended his hand with a cigarette. I thanked him and took the cigarette, putting it to my lips not knowing what I was doing. I am not a smoker and didn't realize him holding a flame out for me. I leaned in, feeling that he could see down my blouse, but I didn't care. I managed to get the cigarette lit without coughing up a storm. I puffed at it almost naturally, accidentally inhaling. I was started to get a little light headed and held the cigarette down to my side.
I thanked the man again and walked across the street to the gift shop. I extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray outside of the shop and walked in. I browsed for a while, finding nothing that caught my attention. Nothing was going to remind me of my stay here more than what was being recorded in my own mind.
I exited the shop and my phone jingled again.
"Go back to the cabin and freshen up. You smell like cigarettes."
I walked back to my vehicle and entered it. I hoped I could drive okay. I have never operated a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. The drive was short and I managed okay. Climbing the mountain was frightening, thinking I could unintentionally drive off the edge into a deep ravine. I pulled up the drive and parked and made my way up the long flight of stairs and entered the cabin. I went downstairs to the bathroom and washed my hands and brushed my teeth. I thought I could smell cigarette smoke still and sprayed body mist over me.
I figured I had rid myself of the cigarette smell and went to the bedroom to take off my boots. Again I found a gift box on the bed. Decorated in the same red paper, silver ribbon, and a smiley face sticker, I opened it. Inside was a pair of fuchsia lace up platform sandals and a fuchsia strappy lace bra and tanga shorts. Knowing what needed to be done eventually, I just put the sexy lingerie on.
Before going upstairs I looked at myself in the mirror. The fuchsia complimented my freshly darkened skin. I felt sexy, but the way the day had progressed, I was also feeling uneasy. For a moment I contemplated on whether to go upstairs or not. I was afraid. I was afraid if I went upstairs I would receive a new set of instructions. I was afraid it wouldn't be long before someone arrived and I would be the subject of intrusion.
As much as I fought myself from walking up the stairs, I couldn't stop myself. My body was seemingly moving involuntarily. The instructions to not prolong the situation and knowing after tonight I would only have to face eight more days acted as combined forces on my behavior. Triggered in my mind by confusion was the long lived philosophical debate of free will versus determinism. Was I making my way upstairs against my will or was I actually moving willingly, driven by fear and by wanting this dilemma to be over?