Page 44 of Property of Woods

She climbs back on her four-wheeler, and says, “maybe you shouldn’t fuck other people’s husbands,” and speeds away, throwing dirt and debris all over me.She’s right.I shouldn’t have fucked Woods but I did.This is the consequences of my own actions.

I deserve this and worse.

I’d hate me, too.

I’d want me dead.

The moment she disappears in the distance, I wiggle toward the direction she threw the knife.

I roll around for what feels like hours, but could be mere minutes.Thunder booms in the distance, signaling a storm is brewing, and it’s growing closer.I’m trying not to panic, but desperation is settling in my bones.I’m tired and thirsty.I close my eyes and suck in a deep breath, followed by another.Bugs are biting me and crawling on me.

Faye’s psychotic ass is probably hiding in the bushes somewhere, having a good laugh at my expense.Who would blame her?Maybe her and Woods fight like this all the time.

Does Woods know that I’m missing, or will he think I simply ran away given the opportunity?Tears roll down my cheeks, but I can’t give up.I’m not going to be bear chow.

I’m going to make it out of this alive.

I survived Thad.I can survive this bitch.

I can survive anything life throws at me.

Light rain pelts against my skin.Great.Now I’m going to be muddy too.

I must have someone up above watching over me because, by some miracle, I spot the knife not far from where I’ve wiggled to.It takes some time and not without rocks and twigs digging into my skin.I’ve probably got pebbles embedded in my ass, but eventually I’m able to get hold of the knife.I cut my palm and one of my fingers, but I manage to free my hands, then my ankles.I use the fabric from the black bag she had over my head to bandage my finger.I must’ve gashed it open deeper than I thought, because the wound won’t stop bleeding.

When I was a kid, when my dad was still in the picture, he’d take me camping and he always said if I ever got lost to find water and follow the direction it flows.

I could try going the direction Faye went, but I don’t want to risk another confrontation if she’s still out there.I’m weak from blood loss and need to find a way out of here.

I walk a little way and come across a stream where some white-tailed deer are drinking.They make a huffing noise and bound off into the trees.Too bad I can’t wrangle one and ride it like a horse.

Everything aches as I continue following the water until it eventually runs into the lake.Hope blooms in my chest, because maybe it’s the same lake Woods brought me too.

I walk along the bank, hoping to spot a boat or someone camping.I’m not sure how far I’ve gone when I trip over a piece of driftwood and cry out when I hit my knee hard on a large rock.

“Are you okay, dear?”A gentle female voice questions so soft and low I think I’m imagining the sweet grandma looking woman who is walking up on me.

“I’m lost, and I’m injured.”

“Frank,” she calls over her shoulder.“Get help.”

“Your vitals all look good.Nothing is broken.The baby is doing fine, too,” the nurse tells me and my stomach drops to my feet.

Did she just say what I think she did?“Baby?”I can’t be hearing her correctly.I can’t be pregnant.Or I should say I don’t want to be pregnant.

“You didn’t know?”She shoots me a sympathetic smile.

I must look like horror movie creature.I’d hate to see my reflection in a mirror.

I shake my head.I’m pregnant by Thad.My husband who wishes I was dead.There’s no way it could be Woods’ baby.

This changes everything.

I think I’m going to be sick.

“We’ll treat you for dehydration, clean up those cuts and get some stitches for that finger.You’re lucky that couple found you.Some people get lost out there and are never found.”

I give her a weak smile of my own.How sad am I?I got beat up and dumped in the forest by a crazy woman because I fucked her husband, and now I find out I’m pregnant by my wife beating husband.

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