I had walked down the familiar path to the water's edge many times. I have come down here to clear my head. To find some of the tranquility that had become a stranger. This night seemed no different.
The moon was full, surrounded by thousands of stars on this cloudless night. I watched a small breeze as it rippled the mirror-like surface of the bay. Warm air swept past me as I sat down on the old familiar driftwood log. I leaned against a large boulder, closed my eyes and listened to the motion of the water against the rocks; the rhythm soothed me.
Some time had passed before I opened my eyes and noticed that the moon was no longer visible. Dark clouds had completely covered the sky. The air was heavy and still. I tried to estimate how long I had been asleep, but I was not sure.
Surrounded by clouds and a gray mist that appeared from nowhere, I lit up a cigarette. For a moment, the flame of the match blinded me. A sudden burst of wind extinguished it. I sat there quietly until my eyes readjusted, and I listened to the loud thunder of my heartbeat.
This is ridiculous, there is nothing here, I told myself. My heartbeat returned to normal. I glanced around; the red glow illuminated the ground in front of me. I took another draw from my smoke. I neither saw nor heard anything except for the strong wind that whistled through the trees.
I got ready to leave when I thought I heard footsteps behind me. I ran for cover behind the boulder and waited to see what would happen.
It did not take very long.
Just beyond the edge of the clearing, I could see a beam of blue light. It appeared to be some kind of lantern. The light source approached, and I could see that somebody held it. Whether it was male or female, I could not tell. The fog hid its identity.
It came closer to where I hid. I could see that a long, hooded cloak covered this figure. I stood still. My heart pounded loudly, I was sure it would give me away.
All of a sudden, the clouds had moved and the moon was again bright. The glow now illuminated the vicinity. The figure stood alone in the clearing, as it lowered the hood of the wrap to reveal the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.
Bathed in the moonlight, the vision astounded me. Her black hair was straight, the length reached just below her shoulders. Her dark eyes seemed to pierce the darkness as she scanned the area. She now stood in the exact spot as I had earlier.
While the woman surveyed the area, she turned her head and gazed in my direction. My chest tightened, I could hardly breathe. Without speaking, she beckoned. I came out and walked towards her. I stared up into her eyes. I did not know why I felt no fear. There we stood. There was no need for verbal communication. Somehow, her thoughts entered my mind; I understood her very clearly. She told me how she had watched me (how many times had I thought myself to be alone!) and observed my nocturnal habits.
She then reached out her hands, and waited patiently for mine to join. Her strong, soft hands pulled me closer towards her and slipped my arms around her waist. The heavy covering she wore hid a lithe body. My head came to rest upon her small, firm breast. I tingled with excitement. She removed her cloak and laid it on the ground. I sat down and leaned back as she loomed over me. Her soft, thick hair tickled my face.