I was on the border of collapsing, when I saw a shadow move ahead of me. I stopped, swaying on my feet and squinted into the darkening light.
Through the trees I could see the shadow was moving closer, and soon it took the form of a man.
I am probably hallucinating, I thought. My eyes are playing tricks on me.
Despite what I told myself, I didn't move and I kept my eyes fixed on the man. Eventually he was close enough for me to see. He looked tall, and bulky. He had a good looking physique completed by broad shoulders covered by a brown leather jacket. I would have been frail and small in comparison.
My feet had decided they weren't going to move, no matter if this guy was dangerous. And he certainly looked dangerous. As his face came into my focus, I could see his dark brown hair resembled ears of an animal and he had a beard, adding to his feral, strong look. However, his expression told me he wasn't going to hurt me. He looked grim, but I could see in his dark eyes that he wasn't here for violence, he was just curious, and a little cautious.
"Valorous evening sir. Can you help me?" The words slurred out of my mouth before I knew what I was doing.
The man raised his eyebrows.
"Whad'ya need help for?" He replied in a gruff, baritone voice.
I swayed on my feet, closing my eyes in bliss for the sound of another human's voice. And a deep, velvety one that I could just wrap around me like a blanket. Although his language wasn't like what I was used to. He used a rough, shortened speech, and it took me a second to decipher what whad'ya meant.
"Are ya hurt?" The man asked shortly.
I opened my eyes to his voice and suddenly vertigo caught me. My vision darkened, I gagged and staggered forwards. But my feet weren't working. I couldn't feel them. I tipped over and landed on my knees painfully.
I felt some hands on my shoulders. I inhaled the smell of woodsmoke and my eyelids drooped over my darkening vision.
"Need help…" I mumbled, before my strength left me and I dropped to the ground.
Or at least, I would have, if the man's hands weren't holding onto me. I found myself resting in a pair of warm arms being pulled closer. Somehow, bundled against this stranger's chest, I felt safe. Safer than I could ever remember being. Not that I remember much anyhow.
Before I completely dropped to sleep, I heard the man's voice call out.
"Charles? Charles, I'm bringing her in."
I fell asleep wrapped in woodsmoke, warm arms and a deep, baritone voice.