Saturday, June 2, 2012
3:03 PM
Sitgreaves National Forest, Arizona
Amber loved the woods and any chance to get out of town. It was so boring living in the small town of Winslow. It was such a drag compared to what she was used to in the big city of Phoenix were she was originally from. Her dad, a rail road official for the BNSF Railway was transferred to this dreary little armpit of Arizona six months earlier and it just about killed her to pack up a move away from all her friends. Luckily she had graduated from high school just a few weeks ago and was now eighteen. This meant that the ordeal of living in a small tedious little town was just about over. She would be moving back to Phoenix to attend Arizona State University in the fall where she hoped to earn a degree in business management. She felt pity for anyone that grew up in this place. Amber had never been out on her own before. Her mother passed away when she was small and she lived under her father's care most of her life. She was looking forward to the next adventure in her life. The freedom and independence that university life would bring was very alluring.
However, today was a new day in and of itself and she was going to have fun. She was going to make the best of things until she left for college. Even though she had grown up in the city, Amber had a love for nature, especially the woods and the only saving grace about this pathetic little place was its location. It was less than an hour's drive to the forest. She had a lot of fond memories of her and her dad camping so it was no surprise that her passion was for the outdoors.
It was like any other day in this part of Arizona. The warm sun peeked in and out from the behind the clouds over head in a grand game of peek-a-boo. The breeze whistled through the swaying tree tops and you could smell the sweet scent of the pines as it drifted on the currents of air. It was an absolutely perfect day as far as she was concerned. What made this day even more special was a small town boy named Trent had asked her out for a weekend hike to these very woods.
Amber was in great shape and loved hiking. She was relatively tall, six foot-one and lean. She had long legs that were great for hiking. Her legs were the kind that only models could dream about. Boys were always hitting on her because of her beautiful figure, blonde hair and sky-blue eyes. She also had a large bosom and deep cleavage that always drew the eyes of any male in her presence. In a word she was a princess.
Amber was excited when Trent asked her out. Amber had always thought Trent was sweet if not the quintessential Prince Charming type. After graduating from high school Amber got a summer job at The Pizza Pub as a waitress just to earn a little spending money before heading off for school. It was a good opportunity for her to meet people. Amber had always noticed that Trent was not like the other small town boys that frequented The Pizza Pub. While other boys were being rowdy and obnoxious Trent was quiet and reserved, even to the point of being shy. So when Trent had asked her out for a weekend hike it was an utter and delightful surprised.
"This is such a beautiful place. So peaceful and full of life", Amber said feeling the warm sunshine on her face.
"I have been coming here most of my life. I love this place too. It has a very special place in my heart. Up ahead is something that you may find interesting. There is an old cabin not much further from here. We can stop there and rest for the night." Trent said pointing to the left of the trail. Trent was dressed in a loose fitting black tee-shirt and faded blue jeans. He was a handsome nineteen year-old, and most women wanted to be with him. He too was lean but not in anyway scrawny. He had very muscular arms and abs. He too loved nature and the outdoors and could attribute his muscles to hard work.
As they turned off the trail they began heading uphill though the woods at a good pace. Trent's tan skin was beginning to glisten with sweat as the trek became a little more strenuous. Amber loved the challenge. Amber thought it was nice to be with someone that was not afraid of a little physical exercise.
"Trent you never did tell me where you work at? Amber said as she tugged at the straps on her backpack adjusting it to ride better on her back.
"My family sells livestock to wealthy buyers overseas. We've been at it since the early nineteenth century. It's very exciting."
"That sounds fascinating. So you're like cattleman or something right?"
"Something like that. We think of ourselves as being in the animal trade. Once a year everyone goes out on a big roundup and whatever we gather up has to make due for the year. You never can predict how things will unfold during a yearly round up. It's important that we get the very best animals we can for our clientele. Our clientele is very particular and gives us a list of attributes that they are looking for in an animal. Sometimes it is damn near impossible to meet those expectations but if we do then the payout can be huge." Trent said as he ran his fingers through his thick black hair.
"That sounds exciting. I would sure like to see a roundup someday." Amber said.
"I can arrange that. I promise you it is like nothing you have ever experienced before."
"How much further? I am famished."
"It's at the top of this rise. I think you will love the view from up there." Trent said as he wiped the sweat from his face with his hand.
As they reached the top of the wooded hill it leveled out. Amber could see the old rustic cabin not more than one hundred yards away. It felt good to be on flat ground again. Amber's legs were starting to feel the strain and she didn't think she had another mile left in them. As they approached the cabin Amber notice a small aluminum trough of clear cool water. She was so hot from the climb she wanted to just jump in. Also there was a dog collar and chain that was cemented into the ground on a large pole next to the trough. The rest of the area was neatly kept. It was clear of any brush and a small wooden bench was placed next to the cabin. She looked around and as promised the vista was beautiful. The cabin was perched in such away that one had a wonderful sweeping three hundred sixty degree view of the complete forest for miles and miles around. It was an ideal little get away for anyone that loved nature.
"Whose cabin did you say this was?" Amber asked.
"It belongs to my family."
"That's a good size dog someone has." She said bending over and picking up the open collar. I hope it's not lurking in the woods waiting to pounce."
Trent just shrugged and opened the door to the cabin. "Come on in and take a load off. I'll get us something to drink."
Trent pushed open the small wooden doors covering the windows and let the lazy afternoon sun in. It washed over the interior of the cabin bathing it in a golden light. As the sun light streamed in at a low angle Amber couldn't help but notice how remarkably clean this cabin was. It was as if it had been recently swept and dusted. Trent poured two clean Mason Jars that he had found in a cupboard with water from his canteen.
"This place looks great. You must have a maid that comes in and cleans." She said jokingly.
"As promised." Trent said as he handed Amber one of the Mason Jars.
Amber quickly downed the water. It felt great going down and she passed him back the glass container, "More please." She said with a big smile.
The two sat there enjoying the sounds of the birds singing in the trees and the peaceful nature of these beautiful surroundings. As Trent began to pour more water Amber noticed that something was a bit off. Her vision became blurry and she had a difficult time concentrating. She tried to stand but she felt lousy. That climb up the hill must have been more demanding than she thought. Her eyes burned and felt as if they were full of grit. Her eyes began to flutter in effort to stay open. Her mind became cloudier with each passing moment and it became a real struggle to stay awake. Her neck could no longer support the sheer weight of her head. It started to teeter to and fro. The last thing she could remember was she sliding out of her seat as if she was water being poured onto the floor.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
6:22 AM
Sitgreaves National Forest, Arizona
Preston Family Cabin
Amber awoke outside. Squinting through her eyes she raised a hand to block out the bright morning sun beaming into her face. She felt a chill and her head was pounding like someone was inside her skull with a hammer. She also was experiencing some nausea as her stomach lurched. It threatened to bring up anything that was left inside of her. Oh God. I am so sick. She thought.
She bent over so she could throw up and that is when she realized something was around her neck. She grabbed at it. It was a metal band of some sort. She tried to stand but she was quickly snatched from behind and pulled to the ground. The metal band was a collar attached to a chain. With a sudden understanding she put the pieces together through the haze of her cloudy mind that she was outside the cabin attached to that dog collar she had picked up earlier. But why? Quickly she felt around her neck only to discover that there was a small padlock on the collar. Oh my God what is going on here? Her mind was racing ever faster. Trying to claw out the reason as to what this was all about she then discovered that she was completely naked. Not one scrap of clothing remained on her body. In a sudden shocking realization of panic she yanked and yanked on the chain trying to pull it free from the metal rod that was imbedded into the ground. She was like a trapped animal. Her fight or flight instinct took over and all she could think about was escape. She had to get out of this thing. Nothing else mattered. She could not be found by anyone like this; naked, vulnerable and exposed.