Waking up slowly, I was surprised to find that I felt as if I'd slept on a cloud.

Having fallen asleep in the total darkness, I was struck by the sight around me as I remembered where I was and what had transpired.

Sitting upright, I peeled three, if not four layers of blanket that were over me.

Weird, I thought. I swore I only used one.

Brushing it off, I stretched, stood up, and surveyed my surroundings. I was pleasantly surprised by the place in the day light.

It was as if nothing had happened the night before, all evidence of a storm had disappeared, and despite the chill on window panes, the sun was breaking through and casting a luminous glow across the room.

Little things I didn't have a chance to notice before the power outage piqued my interest. Walking through the center of the room, I noticed an old retro air hockey table that I didn't see previous. Cool, I mused.

As I fiddled with the paddle, it dawned on me just how thirsty I was. Remembering what Prince Charming said the before he waltzed off into the night, I decided to go and get a drink from the bar. Except my beverage of choice was now water, of course.

Pulling a glass from of the dish rack, I turned the tap before sculling the entire thing in what felt like two seconds flat.

Wiping my mouth with my sleeve, I let out a shriek when I saw him clearly for the first time.

Stepping into view from the door frame, his features were harsh and unforgiving.

Suddenly, I felt distinct regret for how I spoke to him earlier. Had I had any knowledge of just how imposing he was, I would never have spoken to him the way I did.

Eyeing him carefully, I gently placed the glass back down on the counter top before gulping in regret and began fidgeting nervously.

"What's the matter, cat got your tongue this morning Edie?"

Trying to stifle nervous laughter, I tried to pry my eyes from his, but I couldn't tear my gaze away.

What the hell was wrong with me.

It was apparent he was a few years older than me. His eyes looked almost black, matching his wavy hair that he'd just ran his fingers through.

It was strange. He looked almost battle worn, like he'd lived a thousand years, with a thousand tales to tell. A small scar etched its way through his eyebrow, and his stubble made him look all the more wild and untamed.

I couldn't even bring myself to answer him, I just stood there gawking as his frame filled the one he was leaning against, the tight black shirt he was wearing further emphasizing just how intimidating he appeared.

I had never seen anyone that looked so completely undomesticated. It did something to me that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Fear was part of it, but not all.

Shaking the thought, I offered my penance, "Thank you for letting me stay last night. I really appreciate your kindness."

I looked up at him through my lashes, and met his intense gaze.

"It was nothing. Why are you here, in Haven anyway? We don't normally get passers by."

My brows furrowed in confusion.

"Have I done something wrong?"

"No. I'm merely curious how you found us. We aren't on any maps after all."

"It's a long story. My mom- well my aunt actually... she told me I needed to come here. She gave me a note, along with a general description of how to find Haven and the preceding towns to pass along the way."

Raising his eyebrow, I had no idea why that seemed so curious to him.

I shrugged my shoulders. I mean, it wasn't rocket science was it?

Deciding to change the topic, I remembered my phone, "since I'm on a roll with favors, do you happen to have an iPhone charger here at all? I need a charge so I can find somewhere to stay."

"I don't have a phone. And you won't find anything about Haven online remember. We keep to ourselves around this neck of the woods."

I was aghast, "you don't have a phone?! Who doesn't have a phone in 2020?!"

"You'll find no one around here does, Edie. We don't have a use for them."

I felt defeated, what on Earth was I supposed to do now?

He must have noticed my change in demeanor, and for the first time tried a gentler approach.

"I'm sorry if we started off on the wrong foot. I'm not the conversational type."

And with that he extended his hand, in an offer to mine before a pensive smile curled the corner of his mouth.

Meeting his hand, I returned the favor, "that's okay, as you've noticed, I can fill the silence for both of us."

Offering a coy smile, I felt his hand embrace mine before a sharp and sudden pain shot up my arm, making me wince and retract immediately.

Stepping back from him, I cradled my arm, rubbing my wrist in an attempt to stop the shocks that travelled up and beyond my elbow.

"What the-"

It appeared that this stranger didn't feel whatever I just did. He merely stood there inspecting me, "must be static in the air from the storm," he said rather nonplussed.

I didn't particularly get the impression that he would be one to argue with, so just nodded in agreement, and once again filled the void of silence that grew between us.

"I best be heading off, I need to find a place to stay."

"You won't find a B&B in Haven, but I know someone who can help..." He gestured out the window with a nod of his head before he continued, "I can take you- your car's not moving for a while..."

Turning to follow his gaze, I noticed what he was referring to, "Oh... that is a lot of snow."

Well, what did I have to lose. Had this man been a serial killer, he'd already had ample opportunity to bump me off. And after seeing him in the day light, had he wanted to take advantage of me, I'd probably tell him to get on with it faster...

Snapping out of my thoughts, I felt my cheeks blush and only hoped that he hadn't noticed.

God dammit.

"So....."

"Sure, thank you. I mean, that would be great."

As if he snapped from his own thoughts, he abruptly turned and left the room.

God this guy is so hot and cold, I thought.

Gathering my things, I waited by the front door. Upon stepping out onto the deck I was struck by the stark beauty of the landscape before me. A stunning backdrop of jagged mountains lined my view, the single bitumen road all that stood between me and the unending rows of pine trees that led into the wild on the other side.

It was magic.

As I stood there in awe I understood why the people here wanted to shelter it from the world. It was a hidden gem untouched from the wayward destruction of modern upgrades and developments. It was like a snapshot from the past, timeless and effortless in its beauty.

I heard him before I saw him. The jingle of his keys and his slow strides alerted me as I turned to face him.

"Pick up truck is this way."

Silently nodding I followed him, and quickly jumped into the old rusted thing that had seen better days.

Rugged up in my jacket, I pulled the hood over but began rubbing my arms furiously to battle the cold. I was freezing.

As he started the engine, I pulled my seatbelt on and placed my bag between us. It was only then I noticed he was still just wearing the black t-shirt from earlier.

"How are you not cold? It's freezing!"

He didn't so much as look at me as he reversed back and then pulled onto the main and only road.

His eyes narrowed as he gripped the steering wheel, both actions not lost on me.

"I don't feel the cold."

The car filled with tension and I had no idea why. The whole situation becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

"Okay. Sorry I asked, geez..."

Just like that any progress on our interactions had gone ten steps backward and I was once again spending time with a Neanderthal that couldn't communicate properly.

And that is exactly how it stayed for the 20 minute drive that I spent plaiting the ends of my hair in a fruitless attempt to seem preoccupied and unfazed at the awkwardness between us.

I had no idea why he seemed so uneasy and tense around me. Did he resent having to go out of his way to help me? Was it really that bothersome? Was I?

Giving up trying to figure him out, I rested my head on the window and looked out the window.

I gasped as I saw a wolf run along side us through the trees, but he didn't so much as acknowledge it.

I was stunned, and not so much as directed at him, but in realization to myself mumbled out in awe,

"I've never seen a wolf before..."

Turning to look at me, I was struck by his expression which was oddly difficult to decipher.

"There's plenty more where he came from."

Silently nodding at his comment, I had no idea what he meant but one thing was clear; nothing around Haven was as it seemed. And I was going to stop at nothing to get to the bottom of it.