It was 2 AM. I didn’t have to work tonight, for a change, but as usual, I could not sleep --- the moon was full --- I never sleep when the moon is full. Everyone in the apartment was in a sound sleep so I decided to take a drive. I wasn’t even sure where I’d go; I would just follow my instincts.
I quietly threw on a light summer string strap dress over my thong, not even bothering with any other undergarments, slid into my car and headed for the countryside. Shortly after the moon was fully overhead, I found myself on a desolate country road. I don’t recall seeing a house for quite some time. It didn’t bother me though --- I like it that way. I was on a part of the road where the trees arched their branches across the road interlacing their leafy fingers so as to block out all but patches of moonlight. I’ve always enjoyed places like that and even have a tendency to drive a bit slower so as to savor the experience.
This time, however, my car decided to give me all the time I’d need to enjoy the place. It just suddenly lost all power. The engine quit, the lights went out --- the battery seemingly dead. After turning the key a time or two with no response, I shrugged my shoulders, got out and began walking. I knew it was the middle of the night but I’ve never been afraid of the boogieman, so I didn’t give it a second thought. Not even bothering to put on my shoes, being barefoot 90% of the summer, I set out on a leisurely walk to --- anywhere --- wherever I happened to wind up.
Part way down the road, I noticed a slight change in the climate. A heavy cloud had covered the once bright full moon, plunging all around me into blackness. A wind with a distinct chill to it picked up enough to blow my hair back from my face. I didn’t mind. I love the wind. It seemed to caress my cheeks like the gentle touch of the backs of a man's fingers. I savored it.
Then the thunder and lightning started, accompanied by a light rain. Still I did not pick up my pace but I visually searched for a refuge from what threatened to be a rough storm. While I loved watching summer storms, I had sense enough not to get caught out in one.
The rain increased and had a bitter cold sting to it. Soon my light cotton dress became drenched, clinging to my wet body. My hair could hold no more water as the rain came now in torrents. Stubborn as I am I did realize that I simply had to get out of the rain soon or become sick. I quickened my pace, not sure if I was even still on the road. The rain obscured all objects around me. I could have sworn I had just passed a tombstone. I have never given in to panic, but I was becoming a bit anxious. This wasn’t leisurely fun anymore.
Soon, off to my left, I caught sight of an ever so dim flicker of light. I made my way toward it, not knowing nor caring if it was a safe refuge or not. My bare feet seemed to find every sharp edged rock on the gravel path I now trod. The coldness around me and the frigid rain made my feet ache. This was not such a good idea after all.
I was just beginning to think I would never reach safety before my feet fell off from the cold, when I reached a great iron gate. It was the entrance to a stone building that appeared to be a mausoleum. It was the source of the guiding light. Without a second thought, I tugged on the gate. It opened readily. As I said before, I was never afraid of the boogeyman, and the rain was increasingly uncomfortable. Of course, I went inside.
Once inside, it took a few moments for my vision to adjust to the light. The Mausoleum was lit by a single torch. There were the usual drawers in the stone walls and one huge stone casket in the center of the room. The name CALLOWAY chiseled on all. Looking around, I saw off to the far back corner a stone door, slightly ajar. I am by nature a very curious, spontaneous individual, knowing my curiosity usually gets me in trouble; I still went inside to check it out. It stood open just enough for me to squeeze through.
