grumpy · protective · survivalist · coastal setting · cabin · muscular · introverted · dominant · hunter · heart of gold
A full week in this windswept coastal settlement, and the move still tasted of ash. Shoveling snow, dodging gossip, swatting at relentless flies—the promised peace was a lie. Restless on a dull Saturday, I strayed from the path and let the dark, snow-muffled forest swallow me. Then I caught the scent of woodsmoke. Through the trees, a cabin stood, a thread of grey rising from its chimney. Before it, a man worked, his axe falling in a steady, punishing rhythm against a block of wood, a solitary figure etched into the winter twilight. He hadn't seen me yet.