Awake
And seeking reality
Preface
Skeletal tree branches against milk chalk sky enhanced the chill which runs the length of my body.
I am uncertain if temperature or fear has hold of me as I looked past the tree tops to the roofline of the run-down home before me.
The window glass, dull and lacking luster after years of being ignored, reflected the gray of the sky, but nothing else. The wood siding gives hint of a time when it may have worn the color of forest green. Upon closer look I realized most of the glass is gone, broken from it frame and laying before my feet as if some sizable force managed to push it out from the inside of the home.
Yet the space where the glass once resided reflects the opaque sky as if the home has eyes itself for watching. I am temporarily spooked over the thought, but shake it off after a few minutes of rationalizing.
I heard rumors of this place long, long ago whilst stateside, the stories carried on like the smoke of campfires being extinguished. Looking innocent enough, but harboring embers which could easily burn you to the bone.
Repeatedly warned to stay away, or at the very least go in numbers for safety sake. Yet not a single soul seemed capable of explaining why, as if their tongue had been torn from their throat or fear had rendered them unable to speak.
Here among the overgrown foliage the cottage like structure seemed nothing more than a house slowly decaying. Losing its dignity to time and the environment. Yet it still seems to have a special charm demanding my attention. I feel no fear, it is as if the house has open arms.
The sky seems surreal, whitewashed by child leaving spots missed and smeared here and there. Emitting light, but just enough to qualify as day. The house calls me to enter, but the little voice within my head warns me against it as night hints its arrival.
Every now and then I hear the cracking of a twig or the brush of a branch. I feel I am not alone in this vast foliage, but remind myself I am an adult. Forest has a way of both enhancing the imagination and allowing fear to slowly seep in. I could easily let things gets out of hand for this is not just any forest but Hoia Baciu of Transylvania.
I have concerns over the wildlife, so I do a quick browser search on my cellphone. Bears, wolves, lynx, red deer, eagles and eagle-owls, I hadn’t considered predators, being so wrapped up in all the haunting stories. I decide to collect wood for a fire, always a good deterrent with wildlife and a great way to warm up and feel safe.
I was surprised at the health of the Romanian forest and the few fallen branches for collection. Oddly, it seemed as if someone had been cleaning the forest floor, which forced me to move further away from the house than I had planned. I didn’t want to lose my bearing and become lost once nightfall darkened everything.
Then about two hundred feet from where I began, I find a pile of fallen branches obviously collected and stacked by humans. The hair on the back of my neck stands up until I think about it for a minute. The forest must be riddled with the likes of me on a regular bases and if any of them is planning return then preparation would answer the piles creation.
I can’t tell if I have answered my fear or if I am just trying to convince myself all is well. The pile is very large and tall, it would have taken many individuals and many man hours. I shake it off and begin bringing wood to my makeshift camp location, no time to waste as night is making progress.
Once finished, I find myself in total blackout with only starlight to breakup the darkness. I use my phones flashlight, but still manage to trip over something near the house. Once standing the hairs on my neck rase once more as the light finds me within what appears to be a fire pit. Again, I try to convince myself I am making a big deal over nothing.
I do not remember seeing a rock circle when I was walking up to the home in daylight. How could I have missed something in plain sight?
I get busy arranging the firewood for the burn to get my mind off of it. Not an easy task with the lack of light. I fall a few more times before getting the wood in place and finding the lighter in my backpack. Light the small twigs within the center of my build which seem to take an extraordinary amount of time to begin burning seriously.
I arrange my backpack and other soft items a distance from the pit so I can lay back and enjoy the fire once it comes to fruition. Slowly the flames branch out in an unusual and unexpected pattern, leaving areas where the wood is untouched by flame. I convince myself, maybe the wood has green spots or it is the gapping of my build.
The suddenly there is a burst of flames and everything is ablaze. I cannot explain it and do not even attempt to argue with myself over the logic. Just lay back and enjoy the warmth of the fire. As I begin to fade off I think I hear my name called from inside the house. The sound of the fire carries me closer to sleep.
“HEY! Sleeping beauty, how did you know my name!”
I’m abruptly torn from sleep looking up at a young woman, slight, pretty, and angry.
She makes a kicking motion towards my side. “Answer me.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Where did you come from?, You’re not here alone are you?”
“You would like that wouldn’t you sick-o. No my friends are catching up to me.”
I stand up and we are eye to eye. Even angry she is very attractive. “Sorry, still don’t have a clue.”
“I distinctly heard a male voice call my name out, C-l-a-i-r-e.”
“That’s crazy because minutes ago I heard a female voice call mine from inside the house.”
“Right, try again.”
“Really Claire, I’m telling you the truth.”
I see her expression change against the firelight.
“Now that you’ve said my name aloud, I know it wasn’t you. Are you here alone?”
“Yes.”
“Not a very smart move. What did you say your name was?”
“Sorry, I didn’t, it is Chase.”
She laughs.
“Did I say something funny?”
She doesn’t respond, just sits down next to where I was sleeping minutes ago.
“Sorry Chase, this place is weirding me out. My friends are pretty far back and I guess it is starting to get to me.”
I sit down next to her.
“Would you like a drink Claire?, maybe a power bar.”
“Sure, like an idiot I left my backpack with my friends.”
That strikes me as odd but somewhat believable, so I pass her the water and protein bar.
She takes a good swig out of the water bottle then rips open the bar’s wrapper. “Yum, peanut butter & chocolate.” She tosses the wrapper at me and it bounces off my face then lands just shy of the fire pit.
She isn’t dainty in her mannerisms or the way she attacks the protein bar, but still maintains femininity in her presence.
“Thanks, that hit the spot.” She set’s the water bottle to her side outside my reach.
“You’re welcome Claire. Are you from the area?”
“Yes, very much so Chase.” She smiles, then leans in and kisses me.
“What was that for?”
“Consider it a Thank You, is that a problem?”
“Was that for the water or the protein bar?” I laugh.
She pushes me down and begins kissing my neck, then nibbles my ear lobe.
“Just relax, I am going to make sure you feel thanked.”
She continues to kiss me while unzipping and sliding my pants down. I think to myself this only happens in erotic magazines and horror films. She lifts my shirt up to tongue my navel and kisses my stomach. My mind is racing ahead expecting a climatic crescendo.
I bolt upright and let out a scream from the piercing pain of my inner thigh. I’m confused to find I am alone, still fully clothed. I reach behind me to get my backpack, my water bottle is still inside of it. I look for the power-bar wrapper near me and find nothing. I count my protein bars and discover they are all there, even the one I gave to Claire.
I couldn’t have been dreaming, it seemed so vividly real. I hear my voice called from the house again. My arousal turns to fear and then anger.
I don’t appreciate being toyed with, but I’m intelligent enough to know I’m being baited.
I yell out “I will wait for morning’s light!
After a prolonged pause, I hear a woman’s voice respond “The Chase is on” followed by laughter.
I’m not sure what frightens me more, not knowing what is in the house or realizing it’s has intelligence.
“Hey!, are you alright, we heard a scream and I ran towards the light of the fire.”
“Claire?”
“How did you know my name?”
I’m standing there frozen, unsure of what to say or do.
“Really, how did you know my name?”
“If I told you I’m sure you would consider me crazy in no uncertain terms.”
She moves closer “Mind if I warm up, we couldn’t find any dry wood, I’m freezing.”
Not sure what to make of it all I remain in place “Sure.”
“Are you hurt, is it serious?” She points to my leg.
I look down and my pant leg is saturated in blood.
Sitting up quickly I check both legs and to my surprise, I discover I was dreaming again. No blood, not even a wet spot. I pinch myself hard, then again to make sure I am really awake.
“C-h-a-s-e?”
The fire makes it difficult to make out details, but as the woman approaches, I see the all too familiar face.
“You’re going to think I’m nuts, but I have been having dreams about you Chase, if that is your name?”
Before I can utter a word a small group of others arrive.
“Sorry to intrude, but we heard a yell, everything ok?, I’m Jeff”
I look down to check both my legs. “Yeah, No problem, circle up and get warm. My name is Chase.”
John looks over to the woman who approached me, she is still looking my way.
“Claire, everything ok?”
The two others introduce themselves as Josh and Lisa. I hear them tell me how they looked for wood and were unable to find anything for burning in the background as I continue to watch Claire.
She slowly walks up close and whispers in my ear. “Why did you bite me?”
