Author's Note:
This story I am about to tell you is not, I repeat, is not a work of fiction. I am putting it to words exactly as my best friend transcribed it to me. If I were to tell you his full name, you would know exactly who he is. I wanted to tell his story as a cautionary tale only and it is his strictest desire to be left alone. I have in no way taken any literary or creative license. Take this story for whatever value you can glean from it.
I hadn't seen Paul in probably about a year and a half. It was way too long for at one time we had been the closest of friends. I am a reporter for a large metropolitan newspaper and Paul, not his real name, is a paranormal researcher of some renown.
The day I met with him was overcast and cloudy, an unusual rain was falling in the outskirts of Apache Junction, Arizona on a burgeoning fall day, that October. At first it was hard to recognize my friend in the weathered gaze that stared back at me. He was looking a bit rough around the edges, so to speak.
He looked as if he hadn't shaved in days. His eyes were dark and set back, but his gaze was sharp and penetrating, piercing as he stared back at me. He was or had been a very ruggedly handsome man, at least in the eyes of the many female friends in which he was acquainted. Now he looked leaner, more sinewy. Not that he was skin and bones, on the contrary, where he used to be bulkier and fit, his muscles seemed to be lean and taut, like a rubber band bound tight.
We were sitting at a booth at a local café, sipping coffee and talking about the old times. After about a half hour of catching up, he turned to me with that penetrating gaze of his and said, "Tom, I have a story I have got to share with you. It is going to be really hard for you to swallow, but as a friend, I want you to hear me out. Is there someplace we can go private to talk. Preferably for two or three hours, undisturbed?" He said this last bit with a pause.
"Well, yeah, you know your always welcome at my home. I don't have any visitors and I'm not expecting any, if you know what I mean." I gave him that good old boy smile and winked. He just seemed to ignore it.
"Thanks, yes, that will work. I've got to tell someone about this, and I figured you would be the best to tell, besides the fact that you were my best friend."
I wondered a bit about that part of his statement when he stated I was, past-tense, his best friend.
He started to put some money on the table as he got up and I held his hand back and told him, "No, Paul, put it away, it's on me."
I left a five on the table which more than covered the coffee and we left to my car. While I drove to my place a few minutes away, he didn't say anything. He leaned his head back against the head rest and just closed his eyes.
I was really beginning to wonder what kind of trouble he might be in or what was weighing so heavily on his mind. But, I let him have his time to his thoughts as my mind began to wander. I thought of the good times we had, of the girls we knew and sometimes shared, of all the things that make up a good friendship. Truth be told, I had definitely missed that the last year or so.
We arrived at my house and the rain at let up here, as it usually does in most of Arizona. Across the street it could be pouring and not a drop hit your porch. Such was desert weather. I opened the door and led him inside, turned on a kitchen light and told him to make himself at home. He took a seat in one of the chairs at the table. In the bright light of the kitchen, he really began to look haggard.
"What time, do you have?" He asked. The question by itself took me by surprise.
"4:30." I simply replied.
He repeated it, "4:30, yes I have time." He didn't offer an explanation and despite my overwhelming curiosity at his behavior, I didn't ask for one.
He looked up at me, started to say something, then shook his head. A moment later, he looked at me again a little weariness in his expression, "You might want to take notes. Seriously."
I leaned over the back of the chair I was sitting in, reached to the counter behind me and grabbed one of my yellow legal pads that I always keep handy. The pen was clipped to it. "No problem." I stated as I placed the notepad on the table. At first I was wondering if he was even going to start, then with a sigh he began.
"What's left of my conscience demands that I tell you, as a true friend. Please don't interrupt me until I'm done at which time I will be glad to evidence some proof so that you will know I am telling you the truth. Otherwise, I guarantee, you will not believe it." He gulped a breath of air and then continued.
What I am about to write is the tale that he told me. Yes, he did give me proof, and yes, if it wasn't for that proof, I wouldn't be putting my career on the line this day. You may not believe me because I was only a witness to said proof. I have none to be able to show you this day. I have only the integrity of my career to put on the line in the hopes that others will believe me. I don't even know if he wanted me to share his story, but I feel I must.
The following is in his own words:
I love the hills and the countryside. I love the wide open spaces and yet I love the security of the trees and forest fauna that surrounds the beauty of most of our landscape up north by Showlow. I used to love to go up to the national forest there and spend days camping and hiking and just enjoying the fresh air. It's also a great way to meet people who love to do some of the same things.
This one particular outing approximately thirteen months ago, I was out hiking a popular area up there. I had my backpack with my small tent and sleeping bag, my little burner some water and about a days worth of rations. Like I said, I love to hike. Upon this particular day, I ran across a woman, in fact a very beautiful woman, who was also hiking and she had found a lovely log to stop and rest against from the noon sun that had been trying to peer through the forest canopy.
I was on my way down a particularly well-worn trail and was just going to keep on going when she waved and yelled out a hearty hello. I try never to be rude to a woman, especially one as attractive as she was. So, I waved back and taking that as an invitation, wandered over to where she was leaning.
She looked up and smiled as I approached and I noticed she had a rather exotic look to her features. It was hard to place her nationality. She could have been Asian or Oriental, either way it suited her well and she was beautiful. Full round eyes that hinted of a hazel green. A smile that was full and drop dead gorgeous with teeth so perfect and white. She had dark hair pulled back with one of those stretchy tie things that women use. She had a very pronounced flush to her cheeks.
"Hi, how ya doing? Are you okay?" I asked trying to be polite.
"Oh, yes, fine, thank you." She greeted me with that gorgeous smile. "Just thought I would sit and rest for a spell. Why don't you join me-----if you aren't in a hurry that is."
I slipped the backpack off my shoulders and placed it on the other side of the log. I found a stretch of log close by this attractive young lady and took a seat. Immediately she struck up a conversation.
"Do you come this way often?" she asked as she gazed into my eyes.
I started to feel the blood rush to my face a bit as she gazed at me, but I replied, "Actually no I don't. I like the forest in this region, but this is the first time along this path. So far it's been pretty nice."
"Oh, this is a wonderful piece of forest, but this part isn't frequented that often." She had a real breathy voice, not really husky but oh so very sensual. I was starting to feel my gaze wander to her lips as she continued talking. It was as if I was becoming mesmerized.
"No you parted the forest path some while back there. This here is private land adjoining the forest." For a second there, her words took me by surprise as I didn't realize that I had strayed from the National forest. Usually there are signs or fences to notify of the change, but I had encountered none.
"Well I'm glad you were here to tell me. I don't usually trespass. I don't mean anybody any harm."
"No harm at all, we have nothing to hide." She again looked up at me with those penetrating eyes. "In fact, if you aren't in a hurry, why don't you stay and have dinner with me, meet my family."
I was going to make some excuse and pass, but as I gazed into her eyes, I found myself agreeing to dinner with her.