He turned a second before I heard the crack of a branch from a fair distance away. He began to growl, then. Not at me, but at whatever else was out there. A growl unlike any I’ve ever heard. Like a tractor engine or something. A big diesel truck. He puffed his chest out and extended his arms, his back turned toward me now. I heard a halting step out in the brush, then a second growl from out that way. But more timid, like. Then he walked away from the window toward whatever was out in the woods.

All the others I had seen outside the cabin had felt predatory. This one, though, even in that one brief encounter, had felt protective toward me. Displaying a more human-like intelligence than I had seen before. Curiosity, if nothing else. But I thought it was more than that. Call it vanity, but it had felt like attraction. Bloody hell if that he-beast didn’t fancy me!

I can’t say that

* * *

April 24

My poor hand keeps cramping. I’m not used to writing longhand like this. Good thing they spared my good hand. Left hand is squashed right up. Oh how it hurts. So much of me hurts and has yet to heal. I do wonder how much pain I have left to endure. I’d rather just end it, yeah? And might yet.

Whether or not I do depends on my would-be rescuer. My last chance out of here, I think.

I slept little that night I first encountered the man at the window. There are no blinds here, so I feel exposed. Like a hamster in a cage. On exhibit, or something. I heard people, animals, whatever all is out there doing their nightly patrol. The crack of branches, footsteps through leaves, the occasional growl or lonesome howl. I tried reading a book, but Lord what frightening literature they keep out here. I’m done reading, I’ll tell you that. Were I to live another hundred years I’d never touch another book. I’ll watch reruns of Downton Abbey till I die, if I must. Ha!

It had been a week at this point. I’d resorted to eating the dreadful mush in the cupboards by then. Like chewing dust, that was. Whose idea was it to make crackers in the shape of adorable teddy bears, anyway? Like I find that appetizing, chomping off the head of a teddy bear?