I live in the city, but I have a spot out in the national forest where I like to hike. My husband was visiting his invalid mother for the weekend and I decided I needed to get out and get some exercise. It was early morning when I started my hike. I hydrated frequently and by noon, I had stopped to eat in a shady area just off the path. I decided to try a new trail and by evening, I was ready to head back to the car. I knew where I was, or at least I thought so. A few hours later, I knew I was in trouble. My phone wouldn't get a signal that far out, and the mosquitos were beginning to bite, so I decided I needed to pitch my little tent until morning, when I could hike out.
As the dark came upon me and I started to pull out my tent, I noticed it. It was a small light in the distance. I realized that since there are no cabins in the national forest, I somehow must have worked my way into private property. As I approached the cabin, caution caught hold of me. Who might be in that cabin? Might they be dangerous?
I found a vantage point and peeked in the cabin window. All I could see was a middle-aged red-headed woman, walking around in a white terry robe. I watched for a while until I was certain she was by herself. Then and only then did I approach the cabin and knock. I heard some rustling and the unmistakable sound of a pump-action shotgun being cocked. Then the door opened. Her raw beauty struck me before the sight barrel of the gun did.
"What do you want?" she asked.
"Can you help me to get back to the trail?"
"It's too late for that. Get out of here."
"Could you call someone for me?"