Walk In The Woods

Walk in the Woods
The sun was beaming through the side window of the living room where I was lying on the couch. Strange, I don't remember lying down for a nap. I got up and went to the bathroom to relieve myself. Looking in the mirror startled me; I was not me. I mean, not how I last remember myself to be. I immediately turn around to see if someone else was in the bathroom with me. I said to myself, I must have been dreaming and brushed it off. I started for the kitchen to get a cup of coffee.

Moving around in the kitchen, my body felt weak, as if I had been physically drained from heavy labor. Not what you would expect for a lead person in an accounting office. I got my coffee and headed back into the living room to locate my phone. It was 2:30 in the afternoon. Wow, that was a long nap. I decided to check my email, not expecting a lot of traffic since my boss knew I was headed off to the woods for my vacation.

Strangest thing though, my email was addressed to a Tom Wright. I don't know any Tom Wright. My name is Jerry Anderson. What happened, satellite glitch or something? After a few cups of coffee, trying to clear my head, I gave my boss a call to let him know my email was messing up and wanted to be sure that if he needed to reach me, call me. Strange, the phone just rang and rang. Not like it for someone not to pick up. Maybe it has something to do with my location, however, I have never had a problem before when I have stayed at the cabin. Oh well, I will check back later. I was feeling a little hungry so I thought maybe I would drive back into town and get a pizza and a newspaper. I grabbed my keys and headed out the door.

What the hell happened in the area? My car was gone. It was parked in the driveway when I came back from my walk, I thought. I actually don't remember my walk back, that is really weird. I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and dial 911. It rang a few times and then rolled over to a recording...911, a recording?? There must be some interference up here where I am staying. Hell, I am only about a mile and a half from town, I will walk. The fresh air will do me good!

I started down the main road, back toward town. It was a beautiful afternoon. I was happy I could hoof it since my car was gone. When I get into town and file a police report about my stolen car, I will check to see if there are any rentals. Maybe, Mr. Rankin at the grocery will let me borrow his bike; I could always bring a few food items back to hold me over till I get my car back.

As I continued down the road, my eye pickup a flash of light or reflection that came off a mirror, like you get from a parked car off the side of the road. Walking a little further down the road I noticed a car, my car parked in between the trees off a dirt road. For a second, I could not help but wonder if I should approach it. Who leaves a stolen car a few blocks from its stolen location? This is crazy. I knew I had plenty of gas in the darn thing. I approached the driver's side and looked in. I could not believe my eyes! The car was gutted inside; radio, stereo, seats...everything had been removed from inside. I reached down under the dash to release the hood lever and went to the front of the car, open the hood and someone had taken the motor out as well. Funnest thing is that the car looked as if it had been sitting for ages; dust, leaves, just as if I had left it here years ago. Once again, I pulled out my phone from my back pocket and attempted my 911 call again. I still could not complete the call. I was starting to feel like I was losing it. Nothing made any since. I tried to place a call to my boss but it just rang and rang. I shoved the phone back into my pocket and walked back to the main road toward town.

As I reached the crest of the hill, just where the town starts to become visible, I just about fainted. No town! What the hell; I was starting to panic. I couldn't place a call, no car, and now no town! I must still be dreaming; I pinch myself, there was pain, I am not dreaming after all. Where is everyone?

I didn't know what to do now; could not reach anyone. I started running back to the house. I started to pass the dirt road where the shell of my car was located - but the car was gone. I must be losing my mind. I started running faster and faster. I finally got to the spot where my house would be visible to me but it wasn't in my site. I dropped to my knees, perspiration was dripping from my face; my heart pounding. I start to panic again, heart pounding and pounding and I....

(time going by)

Poor Jerry Anderson. Vacationing in the woods where he had many times before stayed. Or that is what he thought! What Jerry doesn't know is he is stuck in a dream state. Thanks right. Jerry laid down to take a nap, but never woke up. Yes, it is a nightmare but will not continue for long because Jerry can't wake up, you see, Jerry is dead.

Moral of the story? Be careful, especially if you like to vacation in the woods.

Word Count: 1004
Oct. 17, 2018
Rev. Nov. 28, 2018
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