Shelter
by Elizabeth Averay
Sitting looking out over my very own waterfall with a beautiful valley view. I love my little cottage in the hills, with no one around – it is my sanctuary from the world. My heaven.
Best is when it is off-season for tourists. They think my little place is here for their use. I am working to make sure they leave me alone. I have been digging out my basement; it is now a good twenty feet deeper than it was and a lot longer, as it sat to the side of my home to begin with.
My plan is almost ready for action. I go to fossick for roots and wild vegetables in the forest surrounding me with my furry friend – a mountain lioness I rescued when she was no more than a cub. When we return there are two strangers trying to force their way into my home. My companion snarls in fury – she hates strangers more than I do. They turn at the sound. ‘Hey, mate, we’re lost and thought we could shelter here as it looks as if a storm is coming, but we can’t get in. I thought these places were here for our convenience.’
I stare at them until they are uncomfortable and this makes me smile. ‘No, this is my home. It is private property but you can come in if you like.’
I lead them inside and show them to the bathroom and sitting area. I make them a hot drink just as the rain hits and the thunder starts.
‘You are lucky. I don’t let people into my home. Normally I turn everyone away.’
I hand over some soup I have prepared especially for this sort of situation and smile. They eat their soup with a grimace at the bitter taste, but are too worried about upsetting me to not have it. After a short time they have dozed off in a drugged sleep. I heft them along my little cottage to the dug-out basement, throw them in, then I slowly slice the flesh off their legs and tenderise and season the meat.
Taking the fleshy morsels I cook them up and give them to the rangers that keep telling people who are in need of help to come to me. That I will shelter them. Now the rangers might leave me alone – once I make them finish their delicious meal, that is.
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