Harley:

I pace the small cabin anxiously, the sun is setting for the fourth time since Drew left. I stop for a few moments to stare out the door I have open to catch the last of the sunlight and warmth. 

 “Two nights,” I mutter to myself. “Andrew said he would only be gone two nights at the most.” I begin pacing once more. It is nearing mealtime but I have no appetite, fear and uncertainty make my stomach churn sickeningly.

 Inside the cabin grows dim and I shut the wooden door against the cool night air. I sit on one of the stools and stare at the bench top, a faint sound outside has me looking towards the wall beside the door hurriedly. I can hear the footsteps that move along the side of the cabin where there is no walking path, once past the back of the cabin they recede into the distance.

 Unease prickles at my skin and I stand up with a grimace. I feel the small trickle of fluid and know I am bleeding once more. I place a hand low over my stomach and wonder what it means for the small life I carry. There has been no pain or cramps on the other two occasions this occurred, but still, there is the faint fear in the back of my mind that something is wrong.

 It is totally dark outside except for where a few lights illuminate some of the park amenities. The bar-b-que area is deserted as is the under cover tables and seats. It is getting late and I know I need to eat for the sake of my unborn kitt. The food I prepare is simple and I barely taste it as I force it down as I stand staring out the small window over the sink.

 Around midnight I crawl onto the bed without undressing, rest my head on one pillow and hug the other one to my chest as I stare at the wall. I can’t shake the feeling Drew should be back here by now, that there is something wrong. Sleep eludes me and I listen to the faint sounds of the near by town in the distance. I can identify a lot of the different types of motor vehicles just by the sound of them as they drive through the night.

 Diesel 4wheel drives have a different sound to their petrol-powered counterparts. The huge trucks have deep throaty engines accompanied by the hiss of air brakes as they slow where the two highways meet. A few deep throaty purring engines tell me when big powerful motorbikes cruise along the highways, occasionally the higher pitched buzz of a fast road bike drones like an insect in the night.

 An engine starts on the other side of the caravan park and I lift my head from the pillow as I listen to it. Something curls in the pit of my stomach as I listen intently. I wait silently, expectantly. Yes, it’s a Ford XR8 but no, it’s not the right engine … the one I wait for.

 I shake my head in confusion before pressing my face into my pillow. Drew drives an old Mazda, what was I thinking? I am still puzzling over the mistake when I close my eyes wearily. I’ll just rest my eyes for a few moments … I need sleep for the sake of my unborn kitt.

 Those annoying birds that camp in the trees beside the cabin disturb me and I blink several times before I realise the world outside the cabin is starting to brighten and come awake. I must have fallen asleep!

 I roll onto my back and yawn and stretch, my body is stiff from not moving while I slept. There are creases on my left forearm that match the rough pill case Drew likes on his pillow. I run my hands over my face, I can feel traces of tears. They have left my eyes feeling gritty and tired beneath my fingers. I sigh as I sit up placing my hands on the bed either side of me.

 I glance at my feet and am not surprised to find I am still wearing my old tennis shoes, I curl my top lip and reach for the laces on my left shoe. I need a shower, should have had one last night before lying down. As I strip off I am relieved to find the bleeding was/is only very faint, just a light trace evident.

 I pad into the tiny room, one end has a shower stall and at the other end of the narrow room is the toilet. The water pressure isn’t very strong but the water is warm and I close my eyes as I step completely under the spray letting it splash against my face and wash the traces of tears from my cheeks. I shower quickly, the fear Drew might return and think I am gone when he doesn’t see me immediately raises its preposterous head. I cut my shower short and dry myself hastily and pull my clothes on. The clothes cling damply and I jerk at them impatiently as I walk into the small front room.

 I open the fridge door and peer in as I remember I used the last of the food as my dinner last night. I shut the door miserably and head into the bedroom where I fling myself onto the bed, bury my face in a pillow and begin sobbing. I’m hungry, I’m lonely and scared as hell something has happened to Drew. I feel a strange feeling low in my stomach and freeze for a second or two. 

The kitt moved! Not just the tiny little flutters I have noticed but honest to goodness moved! It rolled over and it felt like it windmilled its little arms and legs as it went!

I roll onto my side and wrap my arms around myself cradling this precious thing I nurture in my body. I pull a blanket over myself, draw my knees up towards my body and curl up protectively. I can almost imagine Drew’s arms around me holding me close as he settles against my back lending me his warmth. His breath would waft against my cheek and I would be able to hear his heartbeat and breathing as we both settled down for a nap. I feel my breathing even out and my eyes blink slowly before closing sleepily.

I know I am falling asleep when I should be getting myself food but I am lost in the memory of being held in his arms and his warm body against mine. I feel warm, safe and loved, so very loved …

It’s dark and I can’t see where I am or where I am going but I take several steps forward without fear. I hear the murmur of voices, the soft sound of laughter and I almost catch a glimpse of figures as they move about in the haze … I feel the strange sensation that time has passed and I look up above me. The moon is full and the stars shine brightly but as I hasten to look around me everything is in shadows. Dark forms move in the deepest of shadows and I feel the tingle of excitement start to stir in my blood …

I run on four paws through the night, it is inky dark but darkness is my friend. I sense rather than hear or see the dark forms beside and behind me and I slow until I am barely walking so I can look around. The ghosts of forms seem to dissolve into the darkness and I stop moving to search the shadows …

Music flows, it seems intertwined in my life. Drew and the music he always seems to have playing ‘for company’. I hear bits and pieces that don’t fit together, don’t belong together. I haven’t heard them before and yet they seem so familiar.

‘ … Stars they burn … fall to the earth …We've got … learn … we're worth … I won't give up’

I hear myself whimper in my sleep and I turn my face into the bed beneath me to nuzzle looking for his scent to sooth me.

‘ … he’d understand …’

‘Yeah I know but I’d never forgive myself …” I see the hurt fill his eyes making the brown turn nearly black and I turn away even as the deep burning need within me urges me back into his arms.

Time and place whirl once again and I am lying in a bed. His arms are wrapped around me and he trails kisses down the side of my neck. We are both exhausted, languid with satisfaction and I smile to myself as his hand settles just below my navel.

‘I can’t wait until I start life growing in here …”His voice is deep, rich and husky making my body come alive and tingle with desire once again …

‘Honey I’m home!”

I come awake with a start. My breasts are full and achy while a hollow ache throbs deep within me. I can smell my own arousal and still hear the words ringing in my mind. I can hear my heart pounding and it takes me a minute to realise it isn’t my heart, it is someone pounding on the door of the cabin!

I get out of bed hurriedly and rush to the door, jerk the locks roughly and fling the door open without caution. Drew is home! I feel the smile freeze instantly on my face. It is well past midday, I have slept half the day away I realise with shock. Two guys standing at the bottom on the step. Warm dark skin, black hair, one curly, one slightly wavy and both with hazel eyes. One set a strange mixture of blue and brown, the other deep forest tones of green.

“Who are you and what do you want?” I demand. An instant later the mouth-watering aroma of cooked meat and chips hits me along with the stench of dog. My stomach makes an embarrassingly loud sound of hunger. I feel my top lip curl menacingly and a chuckle comes from the taller, leaner of the two - the one with the wavy hair and strange eyes.

“We come bearing gifts bitch,” He says softly lifting one arm and I spot the brown cardboard drink tray he holds containing four large bottles of drink.

“Drew asked us to make sure you had food if he didn’t get home yesterday morning,” The second guy says in a neutral tone as he holds two MacDonald’s bags out towards me.

I step back without a word and slam the door locking it between us. I am sure the door would pose like or no hinderance if they decided to come in but it is a public place.

“We’ll just leave this on the steps for you,” The second guy’s slightly disjointed voice says and I hear the faint rustle of paper outside. “I’ll come by tomorrow morning and check to see if you need anything,” 

I listen to them moving away, I move to look out the small window and spot them well away from the cabin. Hurriedly I open the door and retrieve the food and drink from the steps before retreating into the cabin and locking the door once again. I place the items on the small bench and move well back to eye them half expecting something to crawl out of them or for them to explode.

“Where are you Andrew? Why are you taking so long?” I whisper to the empty cabin as I approach the table cautiously. Both bags are full and were heavy, I hesitate for a few moments before opening one cautiously. A couple of muffins, several containers of salad with chicken cut up in it, take away cutlery.

I turn to the other bag and it’s delicious aromas. Burgers, mostly chicken and fish burgers but I smile as I see a beef one with onions and bacon. I begin eating hungrily. I pull a container of fries from the bag and pull the top off the burger I am eating to dip the fries into the sauce on the burger before stuffing them into my mouth. I pick up a large bottle of fruit juice and open the lid, I smile as I hear the plastic break breaking the seal. I drink thirstily and sit down on the stool, put the drink aside and take several bites of the burger.

I stare at the door as I worry why Drew hasn’t returned.