A long winding stretch of black asphalt weaves in and out of view through dense shrubbery. Amber leaves glided gently across route 25, faintly reflecting the last rays of the setting sun. Breaking into the sounds of nature, a rusty brown Buick plows through the fallen foliage, resembling a cold north wind blowing whirlwinds of debris.
Sam Evens' eyes were locked onto the blacktop. Center markers flashed patterns of white across his face and mind as the headlights replaced the darkening sky. He glanced into the rearview mirror, and saw eighteen-year-old Becky curled into a fetal position in the back seat. Her head was resting on a book. She was recovering from a long, traumatic day.
Sam pulled the old car over to a shoulder, shut down the engine and stretched in an effort to relieve stiffened joints in his arms and fingers. With one arm worked free, he reached down to the floorboard. His hand cautiously felt under the seat, and without sound, pulled out a container wrapped in a brown paper.
The door squeaked, as he stepped out and stretched to his full height. The bottle raised, and he felt the intense internal flame as it opened both eyes in renewed sight. Then as he lowered it, Sam noticed an eerie wicked tree a short distance up the road. It was a bare tree with irregular bark and twisted limbs that seemed to point into the wilderness. He walked closer; a gust of wind from behind hastening his approach, and dying off as suddenly as it arrived. The night creatures sang in low key, slowly their tunes faded into a humming song, soft, delicate, feminine tones, followed by giggling of female foolery. He followed their attractive call and neared a wall of brush. Through the barrier, the sounds became louder, luring his curiosity into a lust for a fast glance.
Sam stepped through what looked like a protective vegetation barrier. Twigs and thorns poked at his hands as if they were hastening him to the other side. After a moment, he stepped into a clearing that looked like a well-hidden area of tranquility. The laughter resumed, Sam looked toward the clearing's center and saw a lone tent, just outside its entrance, a small campfire flickered casting light into the burlap structure. Two shadowy figures appeared to dance and play inside.
Sam stepped closer, his interest increasing with each passing moment. Without notice of the path ahead, he stepped on a brittle limb. A cracking sound echoed. The images stopped; their attics ceased. Slowly the tent's flap opened, and a fair young woman looked toward the unexpected intruder.
"Why sister, it appears we have a guest, and a fine looking one he is!" Before she completed her statement a second fair maiden came into view. She appeared slightly younger than the first but just as attractive in Sam's mind. The women giggled and ran to greet Sam. Each took an arm and led him back to the fire still chuckling like immature girls.
"Sit here by the fire," requested the younger of the two.
"What brings you out on this dark damp night," asked the older maiden. "Are you lost?"
"No," Sam started to reply, but his effort was cut short by the younger of the two.
"Who cares how he arrived, it's a welcome relief, and a break of the boredom that's plagued us this night."
"But...why are you two beautiful women out here, and all alone?" Sam queried in surprise.
"Waiting, and its been such a long...long wait," the oldest replied.
"Surely not for me, I would assume?" Sam continued in his quest for knowledge.
"No, silly. We wait for our husbands' return, but I wonder if they will tonight," stated the youngest as she picked up his hand and caressed it with care.
"They must be crazy, for what sane man would leave such beauties here in this wilderness all alone?"
"I could say the same," the eldest returned. "You're here, alone, and still I wonder why?"
"I'm not alone," Sam muttered out in slight distress, as the young maiden's hand slipped from Sam's palm down onto his left leg. "My daughter is with me. She's sleeping in our car. I stopped to stretch and was drawn by your song. It sounded so familiar, and I thought you must be someone I once knew."
Both giggled, Sam started to sweat. For the youngest one's hand was tickling up the inside of his thigh.
"Some day, I would like a child," the brazen woman remarked.
