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“You’re in charge, never forget that,” he said slowly. “Your fear has done its duty. You’re alert. Now let the fear step back and call forward the strong warrior inside you who is brave and calm in the face of uncertainty,” he said. “Tell your fear to stand down.”
“How?”
“Repeat after me. I’m not alone.” He nodded for me to do so.
“I’m not alone,” I repeated.
“I’m safe inside this cabin.”
I repeated it.
“Max will protect me. Adam will protect me. But more importantlyIwill protect myself.”
I repeated and felt my heart rate slow.
“Now take a deep breath and raise your arms up and out.” He guided me through ten deep breaths while Max still barked like crazy.
“Making power movements like these will decrease your cortisol level and increase your testosterone levels in only a few minutes.”
I felt like an idiot when he got me out of the bed and had me hold my head high and pump myself up by swinging my arms with him, but oddly enough my fear lessened and a calmness fell upon me. But since I was still holding Adam’s hand I wasn’t sure how much was his energy and how much was mine.
A knock on the door made us both spin our heads.
“Ask who it is before you open,” I warned and watched as he strode fearlessly to the door. “And if anyone asks I’m Faith, my sister, okay?” I hissed in a whisper.
“Who is it?” Adam bellowed out, pulling Max back.
“My name is Nigel, I was hiking when I got lost,” a male voice answered.
Adam opened the door, letting in the sound of heavy rain and a blow of cold wind.
“Can I come in?” the young man asked, his clothes looking completely drenched.
Adam stepped aside and let in a young man. He looked like one of those college students Faith hangs with.
“I’m sorry to intrude,” he said apologetically and patted Max when the dog sniffed at him.
“You got lost?” Adam asked and kept a stance by the door, his arms crossed and his face hard.
“Yeah, I’m home for Christmas and wanted to sneak in a hike before I go back to school tomorrow. It’s kinda embarrassing that I got lost, since I’ve done the hike many times before. I guess I must have taken a wrong turn and then the rain started pouring and it got dark really quickly, but at least I found your cabin.”
“I can give you a lift to town,” Adam offered.
“Actually, I don’t think you can. I saw a tree blocking the road just hundred feet from here.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You can go and check it out if you like.”
Adam looked to me and I got a protective vibe from him. “I think I will.”
“Do you mind if I warm myself by the fire?” Nigel asked and my good manners made me nod in approval.
“Actually, I prefer that you come with me and show me that tree.”
Nigel pointed. “It’s just down the road, you can’t miss it.” His eyes slid to me.
“You’re welcome to warm yourself by the fire,” Adam said in an authoritarian tone. “But not until you’ve shown me the tree.”
