The sound of crunching snow filled the dark night as tyres gradually made their way up the lane, coming to rest at their destination. Exhaust fumes huffed out the back as the dull red light illuminated the ground near the trunk as heavy booted feet approached. The trunk popped open and, with a grunt, the heavyset man lifted the suitcase from the car. He placed it on the ground and turned as the backdoor of the cab opened. Booted feet stepped out into the cold night followed by long, slender legs. Catherine pulled her jacket tighter around her body as she stood straight. The thin jacket doing virtually nothing to stop the cold night air from seeping into her slim body. She had completely underestimated just how cold Canada would be in the depths of winter. Being a Vegas girl through and through she wasn't equipped for snow.
Her blue eyes scanned the environment around her, her warm breath misting in front of her distorting her view. Nothing for miles except trees. She looked down the lane she was currently standing on, again noting the tall trees lining each side of the road making it seem even more ominous and dark. Just how she felt on the inside.
Wiping the snow from her face she turned to the driver with a muttered "thank you" and took the offered suitcase and turned her attention to the dark cabin set back into the trees barely visible through the heavy snowfall. Not for the first time she wondered what had possessed her to choose somewhere so vastly different to anything she was used to. Maybe that was it. It was completely different, no reminders of everything she had given up, everything she had lost.
Sighing she took a step towards the cabin and promptly fell on her ass. A slight yelp left her lips as her feet slid out from under her, her butt meeting the cold, hard ground with a thud. The hood of her jacket slipped over her eyes from the force of the fall.
Groaning at the slight stinging to her buttocks she pushed the hood from her eyes, took hold of the suitcases handle and used it as leverage to hoist herself back up. Keeping one hand on the suitcase she reached back with the other and wiped the snow from her now very wet backside.
Steeling herself to try again she squared her shoulders and set her jaw in determination, gripping the handle tightly she slid her right foot forward, testing her stance and determining it steady she mimicked her movements with her left foot. She continued this way up the walkway, pausing every couple of steps to pull the heavy suitcase next to her, leaving a deep trench in the snow that quickly began to fill in again. It was slow going but it far outweighed any more collisions with the floor. She was just thankful the cab had already pulled away when she had fallen, she didn't need to add a bruised ego to her bruised ass.
Finally reaching the cabin she paused to catch her breath and assess the situation. Tilting her head she studied the four wooden steps leading to the porch, her mind working over how to best approach them. Deciding she had no choice but to just go for it she tightened her grip on the suitcase handle yet again and used her right hand to grip the wooden rail, using it to hoist herself up and keep her on her feet. She yanked the suitcase behind her as she took each step one at a time, being mindful of every time it bumped against the hard wood. She just hoped nothing in it broke. The last thing she needed to be dealing with was spilled toiletries and ruined clothes. God knows where the nearest launderette was and she certainly didn't fancy trying to find one in this weather.
After what felt like an eternity an out of breath Catherine reached solid, and more importantly, dry ground. The canopy over the porch prevented the snow from falling there, offering her a moment's respite. Blowing out her breath and wiping her damp brow with the back of her gloved hand she allowed herself a moment to rest. She had always considered herself a relatively fit person but damn, that had been one hell of a workout. Snow was an unforgiving bitch. She looked down at her black heeled boots suddenly realising she was completely unprepared.
Getting pissed at her own foolishness she stamped her feet to rid the snow from the boots and made her way to the front door. Her eyes scanned the dark wood, under normal circumstances she would consider the cabin homely. Somewhere she might have vacationed with Lindsey. All she saw now was darkness and sorrow.
Reaching into her purse she pulled out the slip of paper containing all the booking information, she flipped it over and scanned the directions she had scribbled down. Raising her eyes she brushed her damp bangs from her eyes and scanned the porch looking for the keys hidden location. Finally finding the large ceramic plant pot she made her way over and retrieved the small brass key. She stood from her bent position only to be almost knocked back to the floor.
"Son of a bitch!" she yelled pressing her hand to the back of her now throbbing head.
Blinking rapidly against the sting of tears she raised her eyes to the heavy metal lantern now swaying back and forth on the beam of the porch. Groaning in frustration and pain she gave the unlit lantern the finger and stomped her way back to the door in serious need of some painkillers. Or maybe a large glass of wine. Either would do at this point.
Unlocking the door she pushed it open with a slight groan of protesting wood and stepped inside, pulling the suitcase in behind her. She quickly located the light switch beside the door and flipped it on causing the whole bottom floor to be bathed in a soft yellow glow.
"Home sweet home." She muttered darkly, kicking the door shut behind her.