ASHLEY

I swirled and faced Axel immediately. My mouth was agape and my eyes were ready to pop out of their sockets. I could not wrap my head around what was happening. Why was Axel in the abandoned cabin?

What was he here in this underground room? Did he follow my scent?

But how did he know about the painting?

"A...Axel?"

"Yeah, I figured you might need some company, so I decided to be that guy," he flung his hands in front of him.

"What guy?" I was getting irritated by the calmness ...