Come, Bring Me A New Puzzle
" I am saying this for the last time Sherlock. I want the first copy till Friday."
" Not possible. I am still working on details."
" What details are you talking about? Still that experiment with hair- or whatever?"
" I don't want to spend my precious time chatting with you. So if you don't have something really important to- "
" Damn it, Sherlock! You are not bloody Marie Curie! You are a writer."
" Do try not to be ridiculous Lestrade. I have never been interested in radioactivity."
" Sherlock! Friday. And it is final."
" I will send you a copy when I think it is ready. It doesn't speed things up your calling twice a day."
"And Lestrade. Do tell your secretary that she can spend her time more efficiently improving her pronunciation instead of online shopping. I don't want to be called 'Missa Halms' again if possible."
Arg! Publishers. Is there any of them who does not whine? I can't even have peace here, in the middle of nowhere.
There is a strong wind outside. I can't go to the forest in such weather. I have things to do anyway. If I could focus a bit. If I can stop thinking about -
A pair of brown eyes invaded my consciousness. It is the first thing come to my mind as soon as I close my eyes. And if I am lucky enough to sleep a couple of hours, I find myself thinking about it next morning.
First I blamed it to sleep but it doesn't matter day or night anymore. In the kitchen or sitting on the couch or in the middle of an experiment; as I write, eat, wash or do whatever I do that exact moment; I catch myself lost in the same thoughts.
Each movement of tail. Each inhale. The rises and falls of bright fur with each breath.
The sound he made when I walk to him.
The straight up posture. The challenging gaze.
When I figure that I can't focus on anything other than this strange encounter, I totally give up trying. In the last three days, I have unreeled this scene in my mind dozen times a day. Each time I pause it on a different moment and analyze every little detail. His every little detail.
His height, muscles on his legs, angle of his ears, bow of his head, colour of his eyes.
Sometimes I speculate about his features, like measures of his torso or canines. Or how his fur would feel like when touched. What would he do if touch it? Would he attack me, would he howl, would he pierce my flesh?..
I am aware of his strength. His imposing body gives not much to doubt. If he had wished me dead I would not have been here. I didn't even notice him till he decided to be seen. He surely knew my presence prior to get close. Probably even smelt me. Still he approached so slowly, quietly. Like- approaching his prey.
And that confuses me even more.
He saw me. He watched me. He was cautious but didn't attack me even though I tried to get close. As if he was experiencing the same curiosity about me while I was trying to get clues about him. As ridiculous as it sounds, his actions were even civil, given he is a predator.
That's why I am so angry at myself! If I had taken a little risk, I wouldn't have struggled with these thoughts now. Maybe he was a huge wolf, maybe not. But if I had touched him, I would have at least be sure that he really existed. I know that I didn't have a dream or hallucination. I know what I saw. But I don't have a logical explanation about it and it kills me.
After the incident, I walked around in the forest hoping to see him again. Each time I knew my efforts were in vain. If he does not wish me to see him, I can't. But this fact does not comfort me.
Oh shit! It is four thirty. I've already wasted twenty minutes with the same madness. I am ceasing it now. I must do something. Anything.
Why is it so cold? I take a look at the window. It is impossible to have a clear view from dust cloud. I hear the roaring of the wind in the house. It is no good.
I turn on TV. The voice of the irritating woman from channel8 fills the room:
" …advise to not go outside except emergencies. It will keep raining for the next two days. The dust cloud has blurred drivers' vision badly, some minor accidents are reported. And it is announced that 55. highway is temporarily closed to traffic.."
Damn it! I was going to go to town tomorrow. I should use Molly's lab. If I do not check the experiment on time, I will have to repeat the fermentation process. Even if the main road is open to traffic there will be mud everywhere. I can't even get -
What is that noise?
I turn TV off and come near the window. Can see nothing except dust and flying leafs. The wind must have crashed something to the wall. Everywhere will be a mess tomorrow.
The same rattle. Coming from the porch. I should probably check it. But I don't want all the dust to come inside.
Then I heard the knock on the door.
A thud.
And another knock with more force.
In seconds, I consider all the possibilities about who my uninvited guest would be. And disproof all of them one by one.
I turn the door handle.
And find myself lying on the floor.
Over me there is a head clutched on my stomach.
I shake off my dizziness. Straighten a bit to try to see where this head connects to.
Oh…
It is connected to –
- a male body.
A very naked one.
