Chapter 3

Chapter 3

As the sun was starting to set we all sat inside drinking beer. I was watching some show on TV about elephants. Josh was in his room doing something while Jes & I were sitting here drinking beer. Jessica was one of the few girls I knew that actually likes beer. She doesn't drink it just to get drunk, she actually enjoys the taste. As long as we have known her she has always been up for trying different types of beer. Josh came out of his room with like a s**t load of joints already rolled. He hands us of each a joint. I got up to get another beer & lit my joint. I was already pretty fucked up, but we are in a safe location & I don’t have to go anywhere, so I was all about getting fucked up tonight. Josh went & got our acoustics too. As we sat there & played music, Jessica actually started singing the lyrics to some of our songs. It feel good to know that someone actually knows the lyrics to your music. It's a very good feeling.

Jes then recommended that we go out & sit by a fire. I couldn't agree with that idea more, I love going outside to sit by a fire, drinking beer & enjoying life. As we walked outside, I noticed that it was a nice summer night. The sky was full of stars, I could see the little dipper actually. It looked epic, & if something is epic it is never bad, it is always good. We all set up our chairs in a line next to the fire pit. Josh got some wood, newspaper, gas can, water & beer. He worked on the fire while Jes & I walked around the woods for light branches & twigs. Like everyone knows you need small twigs & s**t to start a fire good.

"So how you feeling there, Ian?" Jes said to me as she walked around looking for twigs.

"I’m feeling good as s**t, how about yourself?"

"I feel great, it’s been awhile since I've drank."

"Yeah, walking around is getting hard for me." I said as I almost trip over a root.

"Yeah, same here man." Right after she says that she almost falls as well. "Lets head back, I’m sure Josh is ready for us anyway."

"Good idea." I said as I looked up & I didn't realize that we had walked so far out into the woods. The woods was kind of creepy at night. I was actually far enough away where I could see where we were setting up the fire. I looked back into the woods. The woods actually wasn't that thick. That was the creepy thing about it though. The ground wasn't covered in bushes, it was all just dirt & a few grassy spots where the sun would get through occasionally. The trees were randomly placed about five or six feet apart. With all that openness you could see pretty far. It's more the night itself that limits your vision, rather than the woods. I don't like the way it feels. I'm getting back to Joshes as quick as possible.

As I got there Josh already had the fire going. Jes was already smoking some more weed. I looked back into the woods & right away I got an uneasy feeling. I'm trying to keep my mind of from it, but it is really hard. I think I go sit down, maybe have another drink. As Josh got the fire good & at a size where it would keep all of us warm. We all relaxed for a minute in complete silence. Listening to the crackle of fire as it burn up the wood & paper. I couldn't help but notice the smoke of the fire, the way the sparks & the ash rise up in the air to cool down. Then float through the air turn into a fertilizer for the soil wherever it lands.

"Man this is a great night man." Josh says as he relaxes & puts his right foot on top of the cooler.

"Hell yeah man." I replied, as I came back to reality.

"You guys want to hear a scary story?" Jessica says.

"Sure." I quickly replied.

"I mean I don't know any, but I just wanted to see if you guys liked the idea." Jes says as she laughs. You could clearly tell that Jessica was drunk, well I'm pretty sure we all were & that's what made this night so nice & relaxing. It's because we all have the same feeling.

"I got a true one.' Josh says he removes his leg from the cooler & sits farther upright so the fire made his face grow bright orange.

"You aren't just saying that to make the story seem more scary are you?' Jes says what I was thinking.

"Nah, this isn't a normal horror story but it's fucked up & really true.

"Go for it man."

"Alright...you'll like this story." Josh sets another piece of wood in the fire & he waits for all the crackling & popping to stop, then resumes...

There was an older guy named Hank. Hank wasn't too old, he was like around thirty or so. He was a very nice, well liked guy. Hank worked at the old plywood mill right outside downtown. Nobody knew much about him, except that he was nice guy, a little bit on the quiet side though. Hank had one really good friend named Rico. Hank was kind of a lonely man as well, he didn't have a girlfriend & hadn't had one for a very long time. Hank did have a dog though. His dog was named Bo. Bo was a golden brown Cocker Spaniel. One day while Hank was at work a gas leak on his stove sparked a fire in his old trailer. There was no way for Bo to get out. Hank was working his normal piece of machinery when he boss called him up to his office. Hank covered in sweat, for the factory was around one hundred degrees all the time. When he got to his bosses office he was surprised to see two police officers standing there, they had more of a sympathetic look than a look of sternness. He immediately knew something was wrong. Once his boss told him about the fire the first thing that came up in his head was Bo. He could feel tears coming up & he didn't know what to do. The police asked him to ride with them downtown.

Hank was trying hard not to cry, but when he asked the police if Bo was okay they sadly looked at each other & shook their heads no. The ride was long, & it seemed like it took hours. when they got downtown, the police brought him inside & explained that a gas leak in the house caused the fire. They asked Hank if he had anywhere to go. Like any family members or friends he could stay with. Hank called Rico & explained what happened. Luckily Rico had the day off from work that day, otherwise he wouldn't of been able to get a hold of anyone. Hank didn't really have anyone...except Bo, who was gone. Rico offered a ride, but Hank said he would walk because he needed some time to himself. It was only like a thirty minute walk, so Rice just said goodbye & hung up.

As Hank walked down the city streets he looked around at all the different people & their pets. He noticed, now more than ever, all the people walking their dogs on this nice summer day. He was still in his dirty work clothes which consisted of an old pair jeans & with a white shirt. The sky looked as if it was going to rain...the gloominess was almost too much for poor old Hank. As he walked he thought a lot about Bo, how they used to play & watch movies together. They would get high together & Bo would end up sleeping off the high right in front on his food bowl. As Hank reached the outskirts of the city he couldn't hold it in anymore. He cried long & hard. He came upon a bridge that stretched high over a four lane freeway. He stops at the peak realizing that he had lost everything he worked for his whole life. His legs hurt from working all day, then the walking on top of that didn't help at all.

Hank stood at the bottom stair of Rico's staircase that lead up to Rico's old light blue front door. Rico lived in an old house, it was probably around one-hundred years old. Hank had an odd feeling in his stomach...It was a mixture of self-pity, apathy, & straight depression. There was idea brewing in his head to just turn around & walk as far away as he possibly could. He wanted to just leave & see what would await him on the road to come. He knew that wasn't such a good idea though. At least he had his good friend, Rico. Just as he was about to walk up the steps, the door opened & Rico stood in the doorway. Rico had red-bloodshot eyes, it looked as if he had just been crying his eyes out for days on end. They looked at each other with sad, sympathy filled eyes for a moment. It turns out that Rico's father who he loved very much & was extremely close to, had passed away from lung cancer. Neither, Rico or Hank smoked cigarettes, but they both sat on the front porch & smoked like they had been doing it since day one of their lives. Not many words were said, but I'm sure that their heads were filled with thoughts of what had happened to the both of them & what they should do now. Hank got that gut feeling again of just wanting to do something crazy. There was really no reason to live anymore. Hank had lost everything that had mattered to him & Rico had lost what mattered to him most.

"Lets walk." Hank said. They both got up & started walking, no one cared where they were going or for how long. Rico didn't lock his door & even grab a jacket...just walked. They tried to stay on the country roads. Not much was said, every once in awhile they would look at each other & they would give a little grin, they didn't know why they would smile, but it seemed to be that it meant that they were there for each other. They walked so far away from the city that road was lined with thick woods. After about five or so hours of walking they sat down on a rock they saw right off the side of the road. They sat & talked for the first time in awhile. They didn't talk about what was on their minds though, just about how the woods looked & different things they noticed along the way. As nightfall began to come upon them & a man with a large backpack, & about the same age came walking up the road in their direction. The man had hair just past his shoulders & a beard that made him seem like he had "Been there & done that". He got closer & you could see a smile come across his face. The man stopped right in front of Hank & Rico, his eyes were kind, laid back, & honest eyes. The man sat down with them & offered them food & some cigarettes. Hank & Rico didn't go into detail, but they felt comfortable enough with him to say what had happened to the both of them, & how they were just walking to walk with no real reason at all. The bearded man completely understood & nodded. The man talked to them for awhile, just telling them about life & how s**t happens & you just have to follow your instincts & your heart. The man finishes by saying: "If your heart tells you to walk then I think you should walk as long & far as you can....just don't look back boys." The man nods his head & stands up to put his backpack on & starts walking on down the road. He waves his hand air without looking back, Hank & Rico wave back even though they knew he couldn't see them. They looked at each other & smiled. It was completely nighttime now & the nice man had given them a flashlight, so they figured they might as well keep walking, they had nothing better to do. Rico reached down to pick-up the flashlight & noticed a little plastic bag about the size of a playing card. It had two little pieces of paper in it. Hank stopped to looked up to see if he could still see the bearded man, but it was dark & he was nowhere in sight.

Rico looked at the papers closer, they both had little pictures on them. Each had a small picture of the world & it was one fire. Hank was kind of sheltered throughout his life, he didn't do many drugs or anything, but Rico realized what they were....it was LSD. Hank just looked at Rico puzzled. He explained to Hank that LSD was often called "Acid", & it was a very strong hallucinogen made by scientist. Hank thought for a minute, at first he just wanted to leave them & continue walking. Rico thought of the idea of selling them, they could easily get at least twenty bucks for each. They got up to continue walking when Hank said that they should just take them. Neither of the men had ever done acid before, but they didn't care. Drugs actually sounded like a good idea right now, maybe it would keep their mind of from everything else. At first Rico was hesitant, then he remembered why they were walking...They were walking to escape, with the hope of finding something worth living for. "Let's do it." They both said at the same time.

Rico & Hank both put the pieces of paper on their tongues, picture side down. They continued on walking into the night, having no idea of where they were going, or why they were doing anything. Rico took the paper out of his mouth & looked at it, the picture was gone. So Hank did the same. About five minutes later Hank sees Rico pointing at the moon. He asks him what he was pointing at but Rico didn't respond. Rico starts exclaiming the moon is motioning for them to follow it. Hank & Rico start running down the road yelling at the moon to wait for them. Hank trips & falls flat on the cold pavement. When hank looked up he noticed that Rico was gone, he must of kept on running. Hank climbed to his feet & looked down the road, everything started spinning & changing colors. He drops to his knees & realizes that he shouldn't of done this. All of a sudden he noticed a black figure in the mist. Hank yelled for help, but the figure didn't move or say anything. He closed his eyes just for a second & when he opened them the figure was right in front of Hank, reaching out for him. The figures hand was really large & the nails were long & sharp. Hank jumped to his feet & ran into the woods screaming. Yelling & yelling for Rico to come back, he knew it was pointless. As Hank stops to catch his breath the area around him was no longer dark, it was bright & hot. The woods was on fire! Hank couldn't believe what he was seeing, looking around for a place to escape the black figure appeared behind him. Hank runs for his life deeper & deeper into the woods, then all of a sudden he runs straight into a tree & gets knocked out cold.

Now you’re probably wondering what happened to Rico, but nobody really knows. Rico has never been seen again. Hank slowly opens his eyes & looks around. He doesn't know what to think for everything is misshaped & moving around. The colors are just too much for Hank, he stands up & as he is doing that the rain starts pouring down on him. The rain was ice cold, everything was quickly drenched. Hank slowly drifted away into a deep sleep. The whole time he was sleeping he would start yelling randomly. He would yell about fires, death, & the end of the world. No one knows what went through his head when he was sleeping, but his body was found exactly where he fell asleep. Doctors say that Hank died of a heart attack from being scared to death.

When Josh was finished he lit him a cigarette & finished his beer. The story really creeped me out, I'm not going lie. I looked over at Jessica & it seemed like it really hit hard with her. Her facial expression was blank, but it seemed like her mind was full of thoughts.

"Well you guys, I think I'm about to hit the sack. Feel free to help yourself to s**t & sleep wherever is comfortable." Josh said as he got up & stretched.

"Alright man, sleep good bro." I said. I looked over at Jes & she looked at me & smiled. The glow of the fire made her face look really peaceful & beautiful. I decided I would light up the last joint we had rolled. I had it on my ear for awhile, I was so lost in the story I completely forgot all about it. I looked out into the woods, but I couldn't see very far. I was definitely drunk as s**t. I handed the joint to Jessica & she looked at me with that beautiful face.

"What do you think of Josh's story?" She asked as she stared into the fire.

"I believe it, I've never done acid but I've heard there are some crazy trips out there."

"Me too, I wonder if you can still get that type of acid around here." She laid her head on my shoulder & passed the joint to me.

"I know some people that do it, maybe they could answer that question." I hit the joint long & hard, I couldn't see because of the alcohol but for some reason it seemed like my mind was expanded beyond what it had ever been. "Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did." Jes giggled & looked at me with a caring smile, then laid her head back down on my shoulder. "Go ahead Ian."

"Would you like to get some coffee in the morning...like just the two of us?" I could feel her breath on my chest. It made me feel kind of like I was protecting her.

"Are you asking me on a date hun?"

"I guess I am." I wasn't sure if I should of said that, but it just came out without much thought.

"Of course I would...that would be great."

"Cool." I handed the joint to Jes. I couldn't of been happier with the way that went. I've never told Jessica how I felt about her. I mean I'm not ignorant, I'm pretty sure that she had an idea especially after tonight. She didn't seem to dislike the fact though.

We continue to pass the pot back & forth & we talked a little bit about different things. We discussed the planets & space, we covered how our lives were completely different since we finished school & a few other subjects. I couldn't help but notice that there was a little more compassion in the way Jes touched, talked, & acted towards me. Believe me, I'm not complaining. After we finished smoking she stood up & stretched. Her beautiful glowing eyes looked at me, it seemed like she had all her trust in me now. she picked up a bucket of water & poured it on the fire. Then Jes grabbed my hand & slowly led us inside. We found our way into the parents room. There wasn't much conversation anymore, but it still wasn't awkward in the slightest bit. As we walked into the dark room we didn't turn the light on. There was already a small amount of light from the moon as it poured it's light through the big bay window on the sky blue wall. Jes took off her shorts & her t-shirt, it left her in a cute white set of underwear & light blue tank-top. The tank top was exactly the same color of the walls, her underwear had some type of little design on them, unfortunately there wasn't enough light to make out what it was. I took my shirt & shoes off, so I was sleeping in my nice comfortable pair of gym shorts. Jes & I got into bed slowly but surely. She laid down on her right side with her back against me. I laid on my right side as well & when I got close enough to her she took my hand with an ever-so gentle pull that pulled my body up close to hers & the next thing I know she rest my hand on her stomach. I was really hoping this wasn't about both of us just being drunk & horny. I do believe this is the best night of my life.

"Goodnight Jessica." I said cuddled up close with her.

"Goodnight Ian." She then turned her head towards mine & gave me a sweet, solid kiss on the lips. Her lips felt like the softest skin I have ever felt. I couldn't believe this was happening. I brought my hand up & brushed it through her hair. When our lips disconnected she looked into my eyes & smiled. I smiled back, the moonlight outlining her gorgeous face made this view almost to good to be true. I moved my hand back down to her stomach as she turned around. I was warm & comfortable so I fell right asleep that night with one thought in my head...Now this is the best night of my life.

Reviews

[africa]

I hope this is going into s book. It's excellent.