The red haed says "Great to meet you. I am Cassie and this here..." She jerks her thumb in the other girls direction "Is Katie. We were all just planning a hike into the oak forest at some point this week. Interested?"
The manager sighs heavily then states Look. Ivan. I just don't have that kind of power. If you cannot accept it you can find another job.
Ivan again narrowed his eyes at his manager. Stared hard at him, but then he blinked first.
"I think over your proposal. Clearly, bear have your arm behind back. Have good day." he said, before turning to leave the office. As he opened the door and stepped outside he stopped.
"By the way, schnitzka is word I come up with. Perhaps I tell you its meaning someday." Then he closed the door behind him.
Hmm, breakfast maybe? Or walk first?
As Ivan ponders his next move he see can see that the oak forest looks very beautiful this morning with the sun shining through the leaves. With their green leaves swaying gently in the breeze.
He remembered he had some beef jerky in pocket.
Michael rolled out of his bed and looked out the window at the fields below, he hasn't slept well in days. he wasn't sure if it was the bad dreams, the forced leave he was on or just being in his parents house for the first time since they passed. he joined the air force to get away from porter but here he is again.
As Michael contemplated things, he heard a loud knock on the front door.
A fine day for walk and good accompianment too! he thought too himself as he pulled out some beef jerky and began to walk to the forest.
As Ivan approached the forest, he noticed a young man of 18 or so with dark skin and a buzzed haircut and simple purple t-shirt and blue jeans along with black tennis shoes. Standing outside one of the forest trail entrances that Ivan often walks. As Ivan gets closer the young man sees Ivan and gives a slight start at his presence. "Hey how's it going." The young man greets calmly though still looks a little unsure. He then asks while scratching his chin in a nonchalant manner, "You walk in these woods often?"
The red haed says "Great to meet you. I am Cassie and this here..." She jerks her thumb in the other girls direction "Is Katie. We were all just planning a hike into the oak forest at some point this week. Interested?"
"Certainly, ladies, Amanda and I were about to discuss just such an excursion."
Francis decides that this is the most eventful meal of his adult life, and he has not even ordered yet. Everyone seems strangely eager to go hiking in the woods, though he does admit to himself that he had been the first to bring it up. The idea of hiking makes him think of his recurring dream which he finds unsettling, but he realizes that thinking there is a correlation between his dream and this planned hike is just silly.
”We should check the weather this week then. So we don’t get rained on or anything.
He looks over at Arthur. ”So did have a trail in mind? We could make a plan or something...if we are all going."
Cassie Interrupts enthusiastically, "I heard the north trail Is one of the nicest. I vote we take that one." She then checks her cell phone.
Shoot. I have got to go. But I say Friday (it is currently Wed) we take the North trail at oh...10:00 am. Alright then bye." She said all of that very fast. Then before you can get in a word she is out the door after dropping a $20 on the table.
Now you all stand around feeling slightly awkward.
at the sound of the knock on the door, he pulls himself away from his thoughts. he goes and pulls a blank t-shirt on over his head as he goes to answer the door. web he gets to the door he pulls it open
good morning how may i help you
at the sound of the knock on the door, he pulls himself away from his thoughts. he goes and pulls a blank t-shirt on over his head as he goes to answer the door. web he gets to the door he pulls it open
good morning how may i help you
Michael, looks down to see a young boy of 12 or so standing before you. He has short blonde hair, green eyes while wearing a simple white t-shirt, blue jeans and black sneakers.
He has a blank look on his face. "I was told to deliver this in person. Just to make sure you get it." The boy stated simply as he handed Michael a white envelope. And with that he quickly strode to his bike and rode off.
Michael, opened the envelope curiously. And found inside a small hand drawn map of Porter. Strange enough but then he saw a penciled line from his house to the crossing Porter and ending then going up into the north most part of the oak forest, and then lining it's way through multiple fork; left, right, left, right, right, up.
As Ivan approached the forest, he noticed a young man of 18 or so with dark skin and a buzzed haircut and simple purple t-shirt and blue jeans along with black tennis shoes. Standing outside one of the forest trail entrances that Ivan often walks. As Ivan gets closer the young man sees Ivan and gives a slight start at his presence. "Hey how's it going." The young man greets calmly though still looks a little unsure. He then asks while scratching his chin in a nonchalant manner, "You walk in these woods often?"
Ivan is approaching forest and finds young man standing at forests edge. Curious, Ivan responds.
With a small smile, Ivan nodded to the young man. "Unknown, at this time, comrade. I have been before. Yes."
Yeah, yeah. That's cool... Hey? Have you seen the strange house that is in here?" He nods his head in the direction of the forest.
"Strange house? No, I have not. Sound interesting... I could use more interesting morning. You take me there, yes?"
"Strange house? No, I have not. Sound interesting... I could use more interesting morning. You take me there, yes?"
The young man looks slightly unsure, then says, "Well, I suppose it would be nice to have someone to talk to...And I would be lying if I said that house didn't weird me out a little bit." You both begin to walk along the trail into the forest. then after a moment the young man looks at you and says, Oh, I'm Trevor, by the way."
I sit down and order a small stack of pancakes and a coffee.
"I appreciate her candor but I think I'm gonna need something sooner,"I load my coffee with sugar and creamer and nod to Amanda,"I think we should take a jaunt into woods when we're done here. You're welcome to join us, Mr.Pryce. "
I sit down and order a small stack of pancakes and a coffee.
"I appreciate her candor but I think I'm gonna need something sooner,"I load my coffee with sugar and creamer and nod to Amanda,"I think we should take a jaunt into woods when we're done here. You're welcome to join us, Mr.Pryce. "
Amanda, stares down into her black coffee looking slightly uncomfortable. It looks as though she unsure how to act in front of the two strangers. But when you address her she glances up at you and gives a quick nod, then goes back to sating at into her black coffee.
puts the note in his pocket,slightly curious about it. he decides to put his shoes on and go to the forest for his fault run.
this might be your worst idea yet
he says to Himself as he climbs on his bike
I sit down and order a small stack of pancakes and a coffee.
"I appreciate her candor but I think I'm gonna need something sooner,"I load my coffee with sugar and creamer and nod to Amanda,"I think we should take a jaunt into woods when we're done here. You're welcome to join us, Mr.Pryce. "
Francis nods. "It seems like today is insisting on an adventure. So sure I'll join.
He paused for a moment frowning. "Wait what did you mean by needing something sooner? Are you going to be looking for something particular out in the woods?
puts the note in his pocket,slightly curious about it. he decides to put his shoes on and go to the forest for his fault run.
this might be your worst idea yethe says to Himself as he climbs on his bike
As Michael, rode his bike to the northern part of the of the forest.
He saw folks and cars of Porter, going this way and that. Many small establishments looking very well kept, for places that earned very little money. At least Michael assumed. It was not as though Porter had a very big population, maybe 5,000 or so. And Porter, did not get many visitors this time of...Ever.As Michael, approached the oak tree forest, the gentle morning breeze blew the refreshing smell of oak leaves his way. He felt his mind perk up a little more. As he started up the northern trail he saw a little ways ahead a electric blue bike laying on it's side a little ways off the path. And sitting next to it a young boy with blonde hair, inspecting his severely scraped knee. You recognize that this is the same boy who gave you the map.
"Have you been having any weird dreams here as of late?"I lower my voice to a whisper and lean in,"I've been going through historical records for the town. Some strange happenings in these parts long before I got here. Amanda was saying she knew of some trails and I figured why not? She's pretty sharp and I respect her opinion."
I smile warmly at Amanda and swig my coffee.
he makes his way to the boy, when he gets to the boy he kneels beside him.
are you all right, looks like you had quite the fall. here let me help you
takes his shirt and wipes the boys leg
"Have you been having any weird dreams here as of late?"I lower my voice to a whisper and lean in,"I've been going through historical records for the town. Some strange happenings in these parts long before I got here. Amanda was saying she knew of some trails and I figured why not? She's pretty sharp and I respect her opinion."
I smile warmly at Amanda and swig my coffee.
Amanda, looks up at you when she notices you talking about her. Smiles shyly at you in return, then goes back to sipping and studying her coffee.
he makes his way to the boy, when he gets to the boy he kneels beside him.
are you all right, looks like you had quite the fall. here let me help you
takes his shirt and wipes the boys leg
The boy watches you wipe his leg for a few seconds, then responds blankly, "A dog ran onto the path." He then stands abruptly, and says simply. "I'm fine now, thanks." He then walks quickly to his bike, picks it up and then rides further up the north trail.
You were so surprised by his almost robotic attitude, that you didn't really respond.
"Pleasure. I am called Ivan." he said following Trevor into the woods. "So, what about this house creeps you out?"
"Pleasure. I am called Ivan." he said following Trevor into the woods. "So, what about this house creeps you out?"
"Well I guess it just..." He struggles a bit. Then says finally, "There is just an otherworldly presence to it...Yeah that's it."
"Have you been having any weird dreams here as of late?"I lower my voice to a whisper and lean in,"I've been going through historical records for the town. Some strange happenings in these parts long before I got here. Amanda was saying she knew of some trails and I figured why not? She's pretty sharp and I respect her opinion."
I smile warmly at Amanda and swig my coffee.
Francis is not about to admit to having any strange dreams himself. Neither did he want to ask what sort of strange dreams the librarian was talking about. He could not think of a reasonable reaction if Arthur's dreams mirrored his own, and an instinctive part of him feared they did.
"I would like to join you I think. I know some of the history of this place, being that it's why I'm here. But I would very much like to hear what you two have to say about it.
Then he smiled disarmingly, "But breakfast first. Carbs are good before a hike."
shakes his head and begins down the path, pulling his cell phone out as he runs and hits play, as he does so metallica begins playing thru the speakers. he picks a steady pace as he goes. he let's his mind wonder back to his thoughts this morning. what did the dreams mean? when will they let him return too duty?
"Have you been having any weird dreams here as of late?"I lower my voice to a whisper and lean in,"I've been going through historical records for the town. Some strange happenings in these parts long before I got here. Amanda was saying she knew of some trails and I figured why not? She's pretty sharp and I respect her opinion."
I smile warmly at Amanda and swig my coffee.
Francis is not about to admit to having any strange dreams himself. Neither did he want to ask what sort of strange dreams the librarian was talking about. He could not think of a reasonable reaction if Arthur's dreams mirrored his own, and an instinctive part of him feared they did.
"I would like to join you I think. I know some of the history of this place, being that it's why I'm here. But I would very much like to hear what you two have to say about it.
Then he smiled disarmingly, "But breakfast first. Carbs are good before a hike."
After a short time buttermilk pancakes are served to the hungry three. While Katie, remembering her own food, grabs her plate and rejoins the others.
shakes his head and begins down the path, pulling his cell phone out as he runs and hits play, as he does so metallica begins playing thru the speakers. he picks a steady pace as he goes. he let's his mind wonder back to his thoughts this morning. what did the dreams mean? when will they let him return too duty?
As Michael jogs with Metallica's "One" playing through his phone speakers. He can feel the gentle summer breeze blowing.
After a short time he comes a across a fork. And after this he remembers that there will be a number more.
I finish my second cup of coffee and most of my pancakes,"Superb pancakes. Amanda, my dear, what can you tell us about the trails in the forest? I ask because I don't get out much. Do any of them lead to a beige house, something modest but striking?"
I add to the pile of cash for the bill, a sizeable tip included.
he runs down the left lane without stopping he seems to have the map memorized
I finish my second cup of coffee and most of my pancakes,"Superb pancakes. Amanda, my dear, what can you tell us about the trails in the forest? I ask because I don't get out much. Do any of them lead to a beige house, something modest but striking?"
I add to the pile of cash for the bill, a sizeable tip included.
"Well..." Amanda thinks for a moment, then responds, "They tend to have a lot of forks and that some, especially the northern ones, go on for a very long time..." She thinks a little more. Then says sheepishly, "Honestly I don't walk them that much, so I can't really tell you anything else..." She then sips her drink quietly.
he runs down the left lane without stopping he seems to have the map memorized
Michael runs up a series of more forks going in the directions the map stated. After 45 minutes or so, Michael come to the end of a long trail and to a large green grass hill with stone steps leading up to a large beige house waiting at the top...
he stares at the house something is familiar about like he has been here before, but when he can't place it
"Well..." Amanda thinks for a moment, then responds, "They tend to have a lot of forks and that some, especially the northern ones, go on for a very long time..." She thinks a little more. Then says sheepishly, "Honestly I don't walk them that much, so I can't really tell you anything else..." She then sips her drink quietly.I finish my second cup of coffee and most of my pancakes,"Superb pancakes. Amanda, my dear, what can you tell us about the trails in the forest? I ask because I don't get out much. Do any of them lead to a beige house, something modest but striking?"
I add to the pile of cash for the bill, a sizeable tip included.
Francis went cold hearing the librarian ask about the house. He certainty did NOT want to go looking for the house that was now the subject of a shared dream. He was not adventurous. He liked books and research, not investigating what was turning into a surreal mystery.
But he had to admit to himself that if he didn't resolve this mystery his anxiety would just keep building. He couldn't avoid this. He made a point of eating all of his pancakes and then added his money to the pill on the table. Somehow it felt like a final meal.
"Well okay. I do a lot of hiking, it being the only exercise I really enjoy. I don't do the north trails a whole lot but if you're wanting I can't think of a reason not to. Just so happens I'm wearing my favorite hiking shoes right now.
They are actually his only shoes...and they are six years old.
he stares at the house something is familiar about like he has been here before, but when he can't place it
As Michael, stands there wondering where he has seen this place before, It slowly starts to come back to him. The dream. The dream he has been dreaming for the last week or so. The one where he woke up remembering a strange feeling of longing to find something, was becoming more clear. This house was in that dream... He had found it. He started to feel a little light headed.
he lowers himself to the ground placing his hand on his head rubbing the front of it
he lowers himself to the ground placing his hand on his head rubbing the front of it
Michael, feels a warm and inviting feeling coming from the house. A scent, floats through the air that feels him with deep nostalgia.
Ivan, as you and Trevor walk in mostly silence, you both come to a fork in the path. "don't worry man, I remember the way." Says Trevor, confidently.
And after coming to many more forks, you finally come to a straight path.
"It's just up this way..." The young man says slightly nervously.
After a 10 minutes or so of walking this very long path you come to a large green grass hill with stone steps ascending to a waiting beige colored house...
Ivan, as you and Trevor walk in mostly silence, you both come to a fork in the path. "don't worry man, I remember the way." Says Trevor, confidently.
And after coming to many more forks, you finally come to a straight path.
"It's just up this way..." The young man says slightly nervously.After a 10 minutes or so of walking this very long path you come to a large green grass hill with stone steps ascending to a waiting beige colored house...
But yeah Ivan, that happens.
Ivan looks up at the house then turns to Trevor. "Who owns this house? Or owned if past tense? Also any strange occurences?" he asked, starting to get a little excited.
Ivan looks up at the house then turns to Trevor. "Who owns this house? Or owned if past tense? Also any strange occurences?" he asked, starting to get a little excited.
Trevor looks slightly taken aback at you enthusiasm. "Uhhh...good questions and unfortunately I don't have the answers to them... He then looks up at the house. "Well, with the second one, I suppose the answer is no. I have not heard any strange things about it. Honestly I don't think many people even know of it." He then looks he then points to the front of the house "Looks like we're not alone."
Ivan then sees who Trevor, is pointing to. It looks to be a young man in his twenties or so kneeling at the front door, with a hand over his forehead as if he were in pain or praying. Hard to tell from where you are.
Ivan figures he overlooked him in his excitement.
Ivan, as you and Trevor walk in mostly silence, you both come to a fork in the path. "don't worry man, I remember the way." Says Trevor, confidently.
And after coming to many more forks, you finally come to a straight path.
"It's just up this way..." The young man says slightly nervously.After a 10 minutes or so of walking this very long path you come to a large green grass hill with stone steps ascending to a waiting beige colored house...
But yeah Ivan, that happens.
Ivan looked over at the figure in front of the house, and nodded to Trevor. "Stay here in case of touble. I was given basic first aid and hand-to-hand instruction for field combat. I'll call if safe."
He then went closer to near the steps leading to the front of the house. "Hello there and good morning. Are you in need of assistance?"
At present Francis decided that perhaps it would be best to investigate these northern trails on his own. He wasn't the most comfortable around other people and this idea of a shared dream really bothered him. Besides, they would probably catch up to him out on all of those switchbacks. After he had put his share of the bill on the table he indicated he needed to use the restroom which was close to the front door. Then like a scene right out of a movie he slipped out of the entrance and made his way to his car. He made his way north across town toward the trailhead for the northern paths.
He had to admit it was a pretty nice day for walking in the woods. And rather than ominous the forest in front of him looked vibrant and welcoming. Taking a deep breath he left his car behind and started down the path.
Michael stands up and looks at ivan. before ivan stands a 6'3" man with grey eyes. he seems well toned with stubble on his head and face. he seems to stand at attention Thank you sir i was just slightly light headed. you're not from around here are you?