The Dead Forest--chapter five

Hello All:

"This is a very, special week at The Literary World of Tom Raimbault; for this is Halloween week! And like we do every year, new stories written just for the holiday are featured throughout the week. This year we roll out a new novella titled The Dead Forest. Be sure to visit Monday through Friday of this week as well as next Monday (Halloween) for each new installment.

As a side-note: the novella has yet to be properly divided into chapters. I simply counted the amount of pages in the manuscript and then divided by six to feature throughout this week and next Monday (Halloween). Being the case, I will sometimes leave the reader with unfinished sentences to be completed the following day. Sorry for any inconvenience.”

The Dead Forest--chapter five

"Why not?" nearly demanded Stan.

"I feel like you're mad at me." answered Donna.

"Well why would I be mad at you?"

Donna sighed, "I don't know..." Then she opened the passenger door and stepped out.

Before exiting the vehicle, Stan reached into the glove compartment for a flashlight because he knew it would be dark in the woods. He switched it on and shined it at the ground. "We'll need this."

Donna said nothing; just stood there as-if she really didn't want to be there while waiting for Stan.

It was about 40 degrees that night. Throughout much of the week, the temperature had reached considerably above freezing along with a couple of days of sunshine. These conditions resulted in just about all of the snow being melted from the trail and the woods. There were a couple of patches of slush and even some late-night ice. But the trail was mostly walkable that dark night in March.

Unlike the first visit to the forest back in October, Stan didn't put his arm around Donna to keep her warm. And really she didn't want him to at that moment. Donna partly had some negative feelings towards Stan at that moment along with feelings of guilt for being unfaithful to Fredrick.

About halfway into the hike which was guided by the illumination of the flashlight, Stan finally called out, "Donna?"

"What?" She responded with subtle bitterness in her voice.

"Are you mad me?"

"No!" answered Donna.

"Well I'm sorry, but you've never spoken to me like this before. What's wrong?"

"Nothing!" nearly snapped Donna.

Stan finally ordered, "Stop! We are not going anywhere until we solve this."

Reluctantly, Donna stopped walking as ordered.

Stan put both his hands on Donna's shoulders and looked into her eyes—at least as well as he could in the dark. "Now what is wrong? We agreed to come out here once the snow melted, and we both agreed that this the valley is our special place. Do you really want to go down there in this frame of mind?"

Stan couldn't see it in the dark, but tears began to well in Donna's eyes. "I'm sorry, it's just that I have some things to think about—some things to sort out in my mind." she answered.

"Like what?" demanded Stan.

"Well there's Fredrick; remember, my boyfriend who promised to marry me once he came home from the war? I was supposed to be faithful to him?"

"But, Donna, what about us?" argued Stan. "What are we? And don't I deserve some loyalty?"

"Well yes..." answered Donna. "It's just that... well..."

"Go on!" encouraged Stan with a note of anger in his voice.

"I guess, originally, this was like an affair. I was cheating on Fredrick, and I still am."

"Oh, so I'm the bad guy!" concluded Stan. "I'm the guy who you're cheating with or—as you word it—having an affair with. Never mind all the time we've spent together and the feelings we've shared. None of those things matter. You get a letter from Fredrick, and you suddenly forget about us?"

"I'm sorry, Stan..." apologized Donna while starting to crying.

"Well are you sure you still want to go visit the valley?" questioned Stan. "Or would that be cheating on Fredrick?"

Donna was unsure as to why; but despite how controlling and overly-emotional Stan had gotten, she still wanted to visit the valley. It was as-if some unseen force were coaxing her to press onwards to reach the valley. "Yes, I still want to go." she affirmed. "I hope that means something to you."

Without saying a word, Stan resumed walking towards the direction of the valley.

Donna followed his lead and walked beside him. She sniffled and wiped tears from her eyes. Donna wanted so bad to turn around and head back to the car; order that Stan take her home and never come back to see her again. But there was the mysterious force that seemed to have control over her decisions and her persistence to continue walking with Stan to the valley where the old tree stood.

Soon Stan and Donna reached the spot where they could deviate off the main trail and do some unpleasant bushwhacking before hiking down the somewhat steep ravine to the valley below. All the while doing this, Donna resented every second. The bushes and thicket were wet and surely made her coat dirty. Although partly frozen from the late-night temperature, the ground was muddy. And the illumination of Stan's flashlight made it possible to see only three feet in front of them. Still, Donna obeyed the mysterious force which seemed to consume her while following Stan's lead.

Once reaching the valley, the babbling sound of a nearby stream could be heard.

"You hear that?" asked Stan. "You hear that water flowing?"

"Yes..." acknowledged Donna.

"It's coming from over there." he shined the flashlight in the direction of the sound. "Let's find it."

Nearly crazy, Stan briskly walked towards the direction of the stream until he could see it.

Donna stayed behind and watched Stan in disbelief.

 "I found it!" he exclaimed. "I found the stream!" Then he ordered, "Come over here and look!"

Reluctantly and very nervously, Donna walked towards the direction of where Stan stood with the flashlight. She stopped a few feet away from him.

"Well come on!" continued to order Stan. "Take a look!" He just about manhandled Donna and guided her in the direction of the bank of the small stream where she shined the flashlight in. "See that?" he asked. "See all that running water?"

"Yes..." answered Donna.

That's from all the melting snow in this forest preserve. That snow had accumulated since November of last year, right around the time when you and I were falling in love."

Donna could hardly believe that Stan used the word love to describe their relationship. She really liked him, but never considered that perhaps she loved Stan. Love was to be reserved for Fredrick.

"Now I know what you're thinking." continued Stan. "Our relationship started as—your choice words—an affair. But it's a new year, and the birth of spring is in the air. Those old feelings of guilt are melting and washing away." He violently shook Donna, "You're going to let go of it all, aren't you? You're going to start your new life!"

Terribly frightened, Donna began to sob. What happened to Stan? Why was he so nearly-psychotic?

"Yes! Good!" Stan congratulated. "Make tears! Let them fall into the stream to wash away with last year's snow." Stan used the back of his hand, and wiped a large amount of tears from Donna's cheek, and then flicked them into the water. "All those feelings for Fredrick from last year; they flow out and wash away into the stream... our stream... the stream belonging to the valley of Donna's spirit mother!" Stan shook Donna all the more to make her sob and run more tears into the stream.

Satisfied that the initial stage of the ritual had been completed, Stan next manhandled Donna towards the direction of the old tree. "Come! Let us visit your spirit mother! May she help you remember!" Stan shined the flashlight at the old tree. As they approached, the bark appeared wet and cold.

"Touch her!" ordered Stan. "Reach out with your hand and touch the spirit mother."

Donna hadn't the slightest idea as to why Stan continued to refer to the tree as her spirit mother. But she did as ordered and touched it. The tree felt exactly how it looked, wet and cold.

Stan once again manhandled Donna and spun her around. Then he pushed her against the tree before shouting in Donna's face, "Wake up! Wake up spirit mother! Reveal yourself to me!"

Held against the tree by Stan's strong hands and nowhere to go, Donna began to cry, "Stan, why are you doing this? Why have you turned so crazy?"

Stan paused for a few seconds and stared at Donna. Then he seemed to turn sympathetic. "I'm so sorry..." He hugged Donna and kissed her cheek. "I'm so sorry. I just realized that in the winter you go to sleep with the forest. He pulled back and looked into Donna's face. "Forgive me, oh Donna's spirit mother. Forgive me for my lack of consideration. I didn't mean to wake you before the birth of spring."

Donna was baffled and equally frightened. Had Stan completely lost touch with reality?

"Let me put you back to sleep oh wise and ancient woman." Stan's face moved close to Donna and then kissed her lips. But it was more than a kiss. It was one... two... three... followed by prolonged locking of lips.

Donna turned her face away, "No!" Unlike the first time in the valley, Donna wouldn't grace Stan with the privilege of kissing her.

But Stan was crazy and terribly forceful on that night. He wouldn't take no for an answer. He simply grabbed a fistful from the back of Donna's long and beautiful, raven-black hair so that her face remained where it needed to be. He continued to kiss her so crazy and so passionately.

Donna cried, and the tears ran down her face. But as far as Stan was concerned, the tears now belonged to him. Donna's emotions from last year had flown out and run into the stream to be washed away in Stan's ritual of purification.

Emotionally drained and nearing exhaustion, a new frame of mind overcame Donna. She suddenly felt like the goddess who had once again manifested herself into the physical world. The human mortal who she once graced with the privilege of kissing her was now insane with his devotion. So consumed with jealousy, he fought others who might try to charm and win her favor.

"I love you!" declared Stan every few seconds when pausing between the kissing. "Don't you understand? I love you! And you love me too!" He kissed Donna on the lips to see if the feelings had returned. If Stan didn't know any better, there definitely was something. "Say it!" he demanded. "Say that you love me!"

"I love you Stan!" finally cried out Donna. "It's true; I love you!"

Stan celebrated with more kissing before pulling back and declaring, "In one week it will be the first day of spring. We will return and unify our love! Say you will be here with me! Say it!"

"I will join you Stan!" cried out Donna.

Stan continued to hold Donna against the tree and kissed her all the more. By then a freezing rain began to fall from the sky and through the bare trees. They remained there, kissing for a long time until the freezing rain stopped.

By the time Donna returned that Sunday morning at 4:00, she looked into the mirror. She was wet, dirty, exhausted and emotionally drained.

***

The Moon was full on the Tuesday that followed that very strange and fateful Saturday night in the woods. In the days that followed, Stan remained in his semi-psychotic state. He was relentless in his quest to finally make Donna all his. He already forced Donna to profess her love for him in the woods that Saturday night, but it wasn't enough. Stan needed more. Even if he were able to call Donna on the telephone, or go to her house to hear her say those words again; it wouldn't satisfy what Stan required as true love and loyalty to him. And the fact that Stan couldn't call Donna on the phone or go to her house didn't help matters. It fueled Stan’s desperation, jealousy and anger. How dare Donna's mother and father deem Stan unworthy to be in love with their daughter?

And all day Tuesday, Stan remained entranced while at work in a plan as to how he would finally seal the love and devotion between him and Donna.

"Hey, are you okay today???" griped the owner of the Texaco gas station to Stan who noticed that his employee just wasn't "with it".

"Yeah, I'm alright."

"Well then what is taking so long with these oil changes?" asked the owner.

"Sorry, I just didn't sleep very well last night." explained Stan.

"Well make sure you get some sleep before coming into work!" scolded the owner while walking away.

Stan had only a couple of more hours to go before quitting time. From there he could stop at Mr. Green's dime store on the ride home for what he needed. From what Stan remembered there were a couple of them behind the counter for sale when he used to work there. Surely they hadn't been sold.

And what was this item that Stan needed?

At quarter after five that Tuesday afternoon, Stan walked through the front door of Mr. Green's dime store. It was Mr. Green who worked behind the cash register.

"Well hi, Stan!" greeted Mr. Green. "Nice to see you. What brings you here? You're not looking for your old job back, are you?"

"No sir." answered Stan. "I just wanted to buy something that I hope you still have. I remember you used to have them."

"And what might that be?" asked Mr. Green.

By now, Stan was at the front counter and studied the merchandise wall behind Mr. Green. "There it is." he excitedly announced. "It looks like you still have one left, the double-edged dagger with sheath."

Mr. Green turned around and reached for the dagger off the merchandise wall which was stored in a soft leather sheath. He removed the blade--five inches in length--from the sheath and set both objects on the counter before Stan. "This? You want to buy this?"

Stan nervously picked up the dagger and gently tested the blade with his finger. As expected, it was razor sharp. "Oh, yes, I definitely want to buy this."

For some reason, Mr. Green did not have a good feeling about selling the double edged dagger to Stan. He remembered Stan, and recalled that he was a bit odd. What in the world did he have in mind to do with a razor sharp dagger? "You don't mind if I ask what you need that for, do you?"

Stan nervously swallowed before answering. "I just want to use it at work... you know, for cutting fan belts and stuff."

"Well you could use a regular pocket knife for something like that." suggested Mr. Green. "A dagger like this is often used for hunting and fishing."

"It's funny you mention that." began Stan. "I made some friends at the gas station who want to go on a hunting and fishing trip. I'd like to take this dagger with me."

"A hunting and fishing trip?" repeated Mr. Green. "Where will this be?"

"We haven't really decided yet." answered Stan.

At that point there wasn't anything that Mr. Green could do. Stan was a customer at the dime store to make a legitimate purchase for an item that was clearly for sale. Reluctantly, Mr. Green entered the sales price and tax into the cash register as Stan reached into his wallet for money. Mr. Green wished he could have denied Stan the purchase of that dagger, for he knew it would be used for a not-so-good purpose.

And what did he do with the razor-sharp, double-edged dagger? What could it have possibly been used for when it came to winning the true love and loyalty from Donna?

Late Saturday night of that week, which just so happened to be Spring Equinox, with the Moon in a waning gibbous stage--its light shining from the sky to provide plenty of illumination to the ground below; Stan drove through Donna's subdivision and parked four houses down to observe the usual protocol when picking Donna up.

As for Donna, she was in a most unusual frame of mind. You see, she really didn't want to be with Stan out of fear of what had happened the previous Saturday. But in Stan's moment of apparent psychosis, he declared that they would return the following week which would be the first day of spring. There, the two would continue whatever had been started on that dark night in the forest to "unify their love". Donna was forced to promise that she would return. And to avoid any disturbance at home which would surely alarm Mother and Father to what had been happening in recent months, Donna had no choice but to bundle up, climb out her bedroom window and wait for Stan on the side of the house.

But there was even more to Donna's peculiar frame of mind. Since the episode of the previous Saturday night, Donna had been unable to pick up the recent letter from her beloved Fredrick and read it. She felt an overwhelming amount of shame and guilt for doing so. She nearly wished to tear the letter into shreds and throw it into the wastepaper basket. And whenever attempting to write a letter in return--a letter that would reassure Fredrick that the rumor of her and Stan to be untrue--Donna could not bring herself to do it. As the days passed, she realized that the more she waited, the more it would have appeared that there truly was something going on between Donna and Stan.

She stood there on the side of the house and under a moonlit sky. Soon Stan appeared and waved her on.

Reluctantly she followed Stan back to his car and rode off with him. It was the first the two had spoken to each other since the strange experience in the forest.

"So how was your week?" asked Stan.

"It was fine." answered Donna. "And you?"

"I've been thinking about you all week." answered Stan.

This caused Donna's stomach to nearly turn. "So are we still returning to the valley in the woods by the old tree?" she asked.

"Of course!" affirmed Stan. "It's the perfect night to bring closure and finally unify our love."

"And just what did you have in mind?" nervously asked Donna.

"Trust me..." reassured Stan. "Everything is going to be alright. I love you, and what I have planned is special."

Donna said nothing in return.

"What about you?" asked Stan. "Don't you love me?"

"Yes, I love you." affirmed Donna.

"What about Fredrick?" probed Stan. "Have you received any more letters from Fredrick? Is he still asking about us?"

"No, I haven't received anything from him." answered Donna.

"Well did you write him back?" further probed Stan.

Donna sighed, "Stan, I actually tore up his letter and threw it into the wastepaper basket. [She lied--very beside Donna's nature.] You are right, it's time to let go of him and accept what you and I have become."

"And what's that?" encouraged Stan.

"Lovers..." simply answered Donna. She hated saying this, but there wasn't much Donna could do or argue when in the presence of Stan.

Soon, Stan and Donna reached the lot of Berry Bush Forest Preserve. Stan parked his car, turned off the engine and exited. While Donna stepped out of the vehicle and had her back turned, Stan reached under the driver seat for the unsheathed double-edged dagger, and tucked it under the sleeve of his coat. Then he walked towards the direction of the trail

Donna followed Stan's lead. Not a word was spoken as the two pressed onwards.

The entire forest that night was illuminated by the Moon which shined through the skeletal trees that were still bare of any leaves. Eventually Stan and Donna made it to the point where they could deviate off the trail and work their way to the valley below.

Once touching the bottom, Stan immediately head towards the small stream and encouraged Donna to follow. "Come, let us see the flowing stream which continues to wash away the life and memories of last year."

But what was this? It had to be a hallucination, or an illusion brought on by--perhaps--the moonlight. What flowed in that stream was no longer the rain and melted snow from winter, but blood. Yes, the stream was now blood red!

"Well would you look at that." commented Stan.

Donna gasped. "Blood?"

"Yes! Blood!" answered Stan. "It's your blood that now flows through this stream. Just like your thoughts and feelings from last October--your tears--that were carried away the last time we were here, the life you lived before the birth of spring is also being washed away. Very interesting!"

Donna suddenly felt squeamish. She imagined her blood flowing out of a gaping wound and being sucked out via the running stream. The squeamishness was soon accompanied by a feeling of needing to pass out.

But Stan wasn't the least bit concerned for Donna. He simply announced, "And now let's pay your spirit mother a visit. Let's see if she's awoken in this birth of spring..." He continued by shouting, "AWOKEN to observe her Earthly daughter join with me in our unification of love!" Stan manhandled weak and squeamish Donna over to the old tree and then pushed her back against the trunk. There hadn't been any rain in the past couple of days, so the trunk for the most part was dry. It was, however, cold being that the outside temperature was about fifty degrees.

About a foot from her face, Stan looked into Donna's eyes.

Donna looked away and observed the surrounding forest. Skeletal trees bathed by the moonlight; the valley yet to have turned green; a nearby stream of flowing blood; it was all nothing short of a hellish realm that would exist in an evening's series of nightmares that the subconscious mind would choose to forget before awakening.

With his right hand Stan raised Donna's left above her head and then held it against the tree trunk. It wasn't much of a fight because Donna was very weak in that moment. With his other hand, Stan grasped a fistful of hair from the back of Donna's head and guided her lips back to his. Stan lay three kisses to her lips and then announced, "And now, oh Earthly daughter of her spirit mother--the spirit mother who resides in this magickal valley--we open our flesh and draw the blood of exchange, the exchange that will forever unite us as one.”

Donna felt a sharp sting on the palm of her left hand. Stan was using something--a blade of some sort--to cut her hand open. Unbeknown to Donna, it was the double-edged dagger wedged between Stan and Donna's palm. She screamed out of fright and then pleaded, "What are you doing??? Please stop!!!"

But Stan wouldn't hear the pleas. Satisfied that he had sliced open both his and her palms with the dagger, he removed his right hand from the handle and left the blade in place of both wounds so that by simply squeezing Donna's hand it would slice open more tissue to draw more blood. Stan's other hand resumed grasping a fistful of Donna's hair, and guided her lips back to his. He kissed her lovingly with all of the desire in his heart.

So weak, all that Donna could do was close her eyes and not resist Stan's kisses. And then the feeling of being consumed by an external spirit returned. Donna was no longer Donna. She was the goddess who returned to Earth to be with her most devotee who drew the blood of exchange to be eternally unified in love. The sweet and warm blood ran down her arm and under her Earthly garments. And then the Earthly mortal who had been graced not once, twice, but three times to kiss her; had finally lowered her bleeding palm. The double-edged dagger remained wedged into both wounds.

Our unified blood spills onto the ground of this sacred valley. May it bring life and renewal to the spirit mother... Donna's spirit mother... And now my spirit mother, too, as it is my blood unified with your Earthly daughter which runs into the ground at the birth of spring.

Stan looked up at the sky and could see the Moon and visible stars shining through the skeletal trees. It was confirmation and acceptance from the spirit world of Stan and Donna's unification. He looked over to Donna and announced, "And now my sister, let us depart from this place as united in love.”

***

Although Donna received a nasty cut to the palm of her hand, she actually managed to hide it so that it was never seen by Mother and Father. They never saw the wide, gaping, open wound that Donna feared would become badly infected. Through time it managed to heal so that by the middle of spring it was simply a line on her hand that really wasn't that recognizable.

As for Donna and Stan, the relationship between them was a bit turbulent for a while. I mean let's face it, Stan had been abusive of Donna; took her out into the woods, forced her to proclaim that she loved him, and then gave her a serious cut to her hand with a dagger. Feeling she had no choice in the matter--forced into this so-called loving relationship with Stan--there was some lingering bitterness and resentment in the air throughout the spring months. Then, as the cut on her hand healed into a barely recognizable scar, the loving relationship resumed between the two of them. Donna actually strongly desired to be with Stan and sought of ways to be with him on other nights of the week in addition to Friday and Saturday.

In that renewed phase of their relationship, Donna would sneak out the window on--say-- a Wednesday night so that she and Stan could venture to the Berry Bush Forest Preserve to simply be with the tree that was responsible for causing the two to fall in love. Stan would bring a blanket and some food in a picnic basket for a romantic late night dinner. By then there were plenty of leaves on the trees throughout Berry Bush Forest Preserve. On moonlit nights, the magickal valley of Donna's spirit mother was absolutely beautiful. And the spirit in the tree was definitely present as her two children were very much in love with each other. Donna and Stan would just sit there while talking, cuddling and making out. In fact, these days were probably the happiest days of Stan and Donna's life.

But then came a fateful day in late July when Donna's beloved Frederick had received an injury in battle to his right leg. It had been blown off by a land mine. Fredrick had written to Donna, informing her of the injury and that he would soon be coming home.

BE SURE TO RETURN MONDAY (HALLOWEEN) FOR THE CONCLUSION OF OUR NEW NOVELLA, THE DEAD FOREST!

The Dead Forest--chapter four

Hello All:

"This is a very, special week at The Literary World of Tom Raimbault; for this is Halloween week! And like we do every year, new stories written just for the holiday are featured throughout the week. This year we roll out a new novella titled The Dead Forest. Be sure to visit Monday through Friday of this week as well as next Monday (Halloween) for each new installment.

As a side-note: the novella has yet to be properly divided into chapters. I simply counted the amount of pages in the manuscript and then divided by six to feature throughout this week and next Monday (Halloween). Being the case, I will sometimes leave the reader with unfinished sentences to be completed the following day. Sorry for any inconvenience.”

The Dead Forest--chapter four

By Friday night of that week, the Moon had reached the waning gibbous stage meaning that it was beginning to reduce back to a crescent before disappearing from the sky. And there is something else about the Moon in this stage; it rises late in the evening so that by morning it can be seen in western sky. This provides illumination to the ground in the midnight hours and throughout predawn.

By the time Stan drove into Donna's subdivision, the Moon was well into the sky which, again, caused him concern that maybe he would be detected by neighbors or Donna's parents. Stan parked four houses away and softly pushed the driver side door shut before walking across the grass in the parkways. When reaching Donna's house, he was about to walk around the side and into the backyard.

But what was this?

Donna stood at the side of the house in a coat. She smiled when initially seeing Stan and then raised her index finger to her lips.

Stan knew what she was doing. Without saying a word, he led her out onto the sidewalk where they quickly crossed the parkways of the four houses until reaching the car. When finally inside Stan asked, "What are you doing? Where are we going?" He started the car and then idled some distance past Donna's house before driving off.

"My Mother heard us last week." explained Donna. "She doesn't want you coming back."

"Really...? Wow!" exclaimed Stan. He never would have expected Donna to resort to this. "So where do you want to go?" he asked.

"Where do you think?" answered Donna. "I want to see the tree."

And so Stan drove through town that Friday night which was mostly void of motorists and pedestrians. You see, it was after midnight which meant that most of the world had gone to sleep. And by the time they reached the Berry Bush Forest Preserve, there were no cars parked in spots with kids necking. It was probably best that no one was around to take notice of Stan and Donna (who was supposed to be faithful to her Fredrick while he was away at war) enter the woods late at night. Such a thing would surely appear suspicious.

Donna shivered while walking the trail next to Stan. "It's so cold..."

"Well you have a long coat on." pointed Stan.

"I know... but still..."

Stan seized the much-wished-for opportunity to put his arm around Donna's shoulders and pull her close. "There, there... I'll keep you warm." Her long, raven-black hair smelled so good. And funny thing; Donna really didn't mind being close to Stan. She didn't mind the subtle move made on her. It felt good.

Stan rubbed the side of Donna's shoulder in an attempt to provide heat. "We just walk a ways down the path, and we'll be able to see the actual tree." he explained.

"I can't wait." answered Donna.

About seven minutes later, Stan and Donna finally reached the location where it was possible to deviate off the main path. It would only be necessary to do some bushwhacking and climb down the somewhat steep ravine until reaching the valley. For now, from a distance, the old tree could be seen bathing in the moonlight.

"There it is." announced Stan.

"Oh, it's beautiful." exclaimed Donna. "I've never been to the woods at night, and I have to admit that at first I thought you were a little crazy for doing this. But I can see everything down below. You are right. It looks so magickal." There was silence for the next ten seconds before Donna asked, “But how does the tree remind you of me?"

"We would have to get closer to the tree." answered Stan. "You probably don't want to go down there because..."

Donna cut him off. "Oh yes I do! Stan, I want to go down there!" It was almost as-if Donna were suddenly possessed by some unseen force.

"Are you sure?" checked Stan. "Are you serious?"

"Absolutely!" affirmed Donna.

And so the two deviated off the main trail and followed a bit of unpleasant bushwhacking, and then somewhat of a steep descent down the ravine. A couple of time Donna almost lost her balance. But that was okay. She was bound and determined to reach the valley which—unbeknown to her—was the magickal valley of her spirit mother. When finally there, she nearly pulled Stan over to the tree.

"Oh, it's so beautiful." declared Donna. They were some twenty feet away and marveled as the branches and the colored leaves of autumn softly glowed in the moonlight. "This tree must be many years old."

"Hundreds." added Stan.

Donna approached the tree until she was close enough to touch it.

"Can you finally see why the tree reminds me of you?" asked Stan.

Donna turned to face Stan. In doing so, she rested her back against the large trunk. She smiled, somewhat mischievously and answered, "You'll have to explain that to me."

"Well..." began Stan while carefully approaching. "It really reminded me of you because it’s so beautiful… like you."

Donna could feel herself blushing and hoped that the partial darkness would cover it.

Stan continued, "But now that you are here with it, the tree looks all the more beautiful." Stan was now a foot away from Donna's face. He took a chance, and leaned in for a kiss.

Donna softly moaned a cry. This was not supposed to happen. She never intended to allow Stan to take their friendship to this sort of level. Perhaps this is what Mother meant by insisting that a friendship with a boy could lead to anything. Too bad Donna didn't heed the warning, for Stan continued to kiss her with her back up against the tree. It was un-ladylike in those days for a woman to fight, squirm and resist. Aside from that, Donna was all alone in the forest with him. All she could do was allow Stan to have his way and kiss her more and more. He really liked her; Donna could feel this. It was as-if Stan were in love with Donna.

And then the magick happened. Donna felt deeply rooted in that place with the tree where Stan nearly worshipped and adored her. Donna suddenly felt like a goddess who graced an Earthly mortal with the ability to kiss her lips. On this magickal autumn night of her valley engulfed by the moonlight, she opened herself up and allowed Stan the simple and long-awaited pleasure of kissing her.

The two stayed for nearly three hours just making out against the old tree. As Donna's spirit mother promised, Donna would completely surrender to Stan and belong to him. On that fateful night it finally happened.

"I really need to get home." Donna finally said. "Remember I sneaked out of the window to be with you? I don't want to get in trouble."

"Oh, that's right." acknowledged Stan. "Yes, we better get you home."

Now so much in love with one another, Stan and Donna hiked arm-in-arm back to the car. Not much was said on the ride home. But unlike the last time Stan drove Donna home, the two kissed before Donna exited the vehicle.

"Next week?—Friday?" suggested Stan.

Donna turned and smiled, "I'll be waiting in the same place for you."

"Just after midnight." instructed Stan.

You see, plans needed to be made right then and there. Stan would have never been able to call Donna's house and ask for her. Surely it would have been Mother or Father who answered. And in those days if a boy called for a girl, he had to identify himself and state his intentions. Stan didn't want to alarm Donna's parents of their new relationship.

***

After that fateful night in the valley of Donna's spirit mother, the weather had turned so that it was too cold to go walking in the woods at night. The weekend that followed would have been Halloween—a Saturday. The night before Halloween—which was a Friday—there was a strong wind that brought with it a wintery chill. Would Donna really be waiting for Stan on the side of her house as promised?

"I don't know..." cried out Stan with a sigh. "She's not going to be there. It's too cold." The windows of Stan's car were rolled up and the heat was on. He wore a winter coat and drove through Donna's subdivision. Like the previous times, Stan parked four houses down and observed the usual procedure of softly closing the door and walking on the grass of the parkways to avoid the sound of shoes against the sidewalk. But with the howling wind, who would have heard?

Stan could hardly believe it as he made his way around the side of Donna's house. There, bundled up in a heavy coat, scarf and woman's hat; Donna huddled near the brick to avoid as much wind as possible.

Stan waved Donna over. "Come-on, let's get back to the car. I have heat." he urged. The two ran down the street until reaching the car. And even though Stan was anxious to get in himself, he was sure to be a gentleman and open the door for Donna. Moments later, the two drove through town with the heat on while listening to late night music.

"I don't think you want to go back to the tree." cited Stan.

"It's too cold." confirmed Donna.

"There's not much to do in this town." said Stan. "Everything closes after eleven o'clock. I guess we could park at the Berry Bush Forest Preserve and just hang out. All the kids should be home because it's past curfew."

Just to make sure that his Donna wouldn't start to think that he only went out with her on Friday nights to neck, he instructed Donna, "Hey, go in the glove compartment. I've got something for you."

Donna did as instructed. Inside was a bag from Dog-n-Suds. "Is this for me?" she asked.

"Yes it is." affirmed Stan. "I got us a couple of hot dogs and some fries. I figured it would be nice to have some sort of dinner together. I would have gotten a root beer in a frosty mug, but that would have been hard to drive around with. Instead, I have a couple of bottles of soda in the backseat."

"Oh Stan, that's so nice of you." exclaimed Donna. As the car pulled into the parking lot of Berry Bush Forest Preserve, Donna opened the bag and reached for a couple of French fries. "No wonder the car smelled like food." she commented.

Stan put the transmission in park and turned off the lights. "I suppose we should leave the engine running for heat. I filled the tank before the gas station closed, so we should have plenty of gas. I'll keep an eye on the needle."

Donna and Stan unwrapped their hot dogs. Stan reached in the backseat for the two glass bottles of root beer. "I've got a church key." he announced. Back in those days, a church key was a bottle opener that one conveniently kept on the key ring if ever needing to open a beer or soda. He used this to remove the tops from both bottles.

While the two enjoyed their late night dinner, Stan used the opportunity to bring out into the open a couple of issues with his new relationship with Donna. "So I was thinking." began Stan. "I know we have to keep everything a secret from everyone. I know your parents wouldn't be happy knowing that I'm taking you out late at night. I know that we can't let too many people out here see me with you because anyone might tell Fredrick. I guess we just have to think of clever ways to do things together... you know... like go out on dates and enjoy our time together without anyone seeing? You like being with me, don't you?"

"Of course I do." reassured Donna. "You're a very nice guy, and very interesting. I don't know anyone who would have ever taken me to the middle of the woods late at night and make it seem so beautiful. And it shouldn't be too difficult to go out. We could always plan dates where you meet Barbara and me at the movie theater and stuff. Just make it look like an accident. I trust Barbara. And besides, I think she's onto us. But don’t worry. She won't tell Fredrick or anyone."

***

So throughout the late autumn and winter months, Stan and Donna improvised ways of being together to enjoy one another's company. Many Friday and Saturday nights they simply parked at the Berry Bush Forest Preserve (when it wasn't snowing) and sat in the car with the heat running; enjoying a meal of hamburgers, pizza, or hotdogs that had been packed up in the glove compartment. Afterwards, the two would just talk—sometimes for a few hours—followed by some necking that often ended up in the backseat. Of course some nights the two didn't feel like overdoing it with the making out. They simply laid in the backseat, Donna resting against Stan, while listening to late night radio and sometimes dozing off. A couple of times a patrolling officer who spotted the car in the parking lot tapped on the back window and ordered Stan to roll down the window. The officer was only concerned that maybe Stan and Donna were a couple of kids who were out past curfew. When realizing that they were young adults and over the age of eighteen, he was confused as to why they would prefer to sit in a car late at night in the forest preserve.

"Listen, I really wish you wouldn't sit here late at night." urged the officer. "You're not breaking any laws, and I can't make you leave. But it might not be too safe out here late at night."

"We were just getting ready to leave, officer." reassured Stan. And that was the end of the date for that particular night. But then Stan and Donna would return some nights later for some more time together.

As suggested by Donna, there were a few occasions in which Stan "accidentally" encountered her and Barbara at the movie theater on a Friday night. Since Stan knew Donna and Barbara, it wasn't too unreasonable for him to sit with the young women in the movie theater. Stan was a nice guy and he would treat them both to popcorn and soda. And what was so wrong with enjoying a late night meal at the local Dog-n-Suds before everyone went home for the night?

There were a couple of other occasions when Stan "accidentally" encountered Donna and Barbara at a late night coffee house where local jazz musicians performed and beatniks were known to recite poetry in front of the audience. By then, Barbara had received her driver's license and would pick Donna up at her house on Friday and Saturday nights. How long would this arrangement last before Barbara would find a young man who courted her and no longer had time to hang out with Donna and her secret boyfriend?

And speaking of secrets; despite how Stan and Donna tried to keep their relationship a secret, people who knew them eventually figured out that the "accidental" encounters in public weren't so accidental. There was definitely something funny going on between Stan and Donna. And of course, the rumors began to fly throughout town.

***

One Saturday night, in February—Ground Hog's Day—parked at the Berry Bush Forest Preserve, as Donna lay her head on Stan's shoulder in the backseat of the car; the two engaged in a most interesting conversation. Stan and Donna learned that night that they shared a mutual fascination with the dead, and with life beyond the grave—although the two of them might have had slightly different perceptions. Death wasn't so morbid as the rest of the population might have believed. Stan and Donna both believed that death and the world beyond the grave was a new beginning. It was birthing into a new existence, a higher level of existence that transcends the physical world. And maybe it was possible for those who move on to return in a physical sense.

It was Donna who triggered the conversation by initially talking about church. She originally intended on gauging whether or not Stan believed in God, and was serious about his faith. She did, after all, see Stan and his family on many occasions at mass. "...I mean sometimes when I'm praying to Mary or the saints, I can feel their presence. I feel like I can reach out and touch them; reach for their hands. Many times I feel like there is some sort of invisible wall that can easily be penetrated. If you can get past this wall, you can visit Heaven for a short time."

"I think I know what you mean." acknowledged Stan. "Did you ever look at a dead person in a coffin? Did you ever wonder if it is truly the end for that person? What if there were a way to simply touch that dead person and wake them up?"

"Nobody can do that." rejected Donna. "The only person who was ever able to do that was Christ. And it isn't the end for that dead person, either. They simply go to Heaven, provided they lived a good life."

"Well what about doctors in the emergency room who bring a dead patient back to life?" argued Stan. "They've done it plenty of times. And some of those patients swear that they spent a brief moment in Heaven. How do you explain that?"

"I've read about that before." answered Donna. "That's always fascinated me."

Stan continued, "I guess my point is: can a person be called back to their body after being dead for some time?"

"That's a very difficult question." pointed Donna. "As for that person who is brought back to life, maybe their purpose wasn't fulfilled yet."

Stan introduced a new subject to their conversation, “Hey, do you remember that girl in town who was killed in a car crash? I still remember her name, Lisa. This would have been in '59."

"Oh yes, I remember her." answered Donna. "We actually went to her funeral.—friend of the family. It was so sad."

"Well the cemetery where she's buried is actually right in my backyard." continued Stan. "Her grave is right near the fence. I actually watched them lower her into the ground. And then a day or so later I saw her picture in the newspaper. I'm sort of embarrassed to admit, but I guess as a boy that age, I actually thought she was pretty. I felt bad that a girl so pretty had to die. And that's when I got the strange idea of visiting her grave at night. I simply hopped the fence over and sat down near her gravestone to be with her. [Stan wouldn't dare confess to his defilement of Lisa's grave.] I don't know what possessed me to do it. But I remember wondering if it were possible to bring her back to life—you know, call her back to this world so she could be alive again." At that point, Stan was conveniently re-inventing the course of events from that night in 1959 at the cemetery. Interesting thing: although Stan's intention as a young boy was simply to defile the grave a fresh, young woman; his re-invention of the course of events from that night reflected a subconscious purpose, one that Stan certainly wouldn't have been able to understand as a young boy. So for all practical purposes, Stan wasn't exactly lying to Donna in that moment. Rather, he was reaching a moment of epiphany.

There were several seconds of silence before Donna answered. "I don't think I've ever met someone who did that. So you were so affected by the death of Lisa that you visited her grave at night as a boy?"

"Yes..." admitted Stan.

"That was so nice of you." cited Donna. "I guess that's what makes you a nice guy. And you wanted to bring her back to life?"

"Yes..." further admitted Stan.

"Well maybe you can't bring the dead back to life, but you can talk to the dead." pointed Donna.

"You can?" asked Stan.

"Yes; they listen to you just like the saints, angels and Mary. And in a way, that's what you were doing as a boy. You visited Lisa's grave and told her how sad you felt that she was gone. It probably meant a lot to her that you thought she was pretty."

"I hope so..." commented Stan while remembering the night of Lisa's defilement. As he recalled, he saw in his imagination the young woman screaming out for help, but was unable to make a sound because she was dead. There was someone definitely there with Stan on that night in 1959, and he believed it was the tormented soul of Lisa who had to endure the fantasy rape of her dead body.

Stan confessed some more, "I used to come to these woods, a lot, and think about the dead." With this statement he remembered the morbid game that he played with the doll—unburying it from the ground where it was kept sealed in a metal toolbox. "I guess in a way, these woods are somewhat special to me."

Donna smiled for she knew that she was a part of Stan's "special" woods."

Stan continued "And then I saw the tree out there in the valley that reminded me of you. That valley in the forest is all the more special. It's alive. There's some sort of spirit in that valley.

"Yes, I know what you mean." agreed Donna. "I felt it there on the night that I was there with you."

"I think it wants us to be together." suggested Stan. "I think the spirit is trying to tell us that you and I are meant to be."

Donna momentarily recalled the night that she stood with her back against the tree while feeling like a goddess who had materialized on Earth to grace a mortal the privilege of kissing her. She wondered if this spirit had consumed her in those moments. It was frightening to consider because such an occurrence could very well hint to possession. But it was equally fascinating; so fascinating that she announced, "I want to go back there, Stan.”

"I don't think we can." answered Stan. "At least for tonight... at least until spring when the snow melts. They plow the parking lot whenever it snows, but I doubt they plow the trail."

"In the spring can we go back?" nearly begged Donna.

"Yes, of course." reassured Stan. "And when we get there, we should probably do something special; some sort of tradition that would make it officially ours. Whenever we go there, it would forever be considered our place."

Donna cuddled closer to Stan. She couldn't wait to return to the valley.

***

Stan had a very cyclical nature to him. In late summer and throughout autumn he would experience those morbid fetishes which wouldn't subside until around late November. Then, come early spring, he suffered from what modern day psychologists would identify as neurosis. This is simply an unusual frequency of heavy emotions. For Stan these emotions ranged anywhere from sadness to anger to jealousy to an unfounded mistrust of people. In that particular spring of 1965, Stan was in his relationship with Donna. It was his first love, and he wasn't exactly prepared for challenges.

"We've had a lot of melting of snow this past week." said Stan to Donna on a late Saturday night after picking her up under the usual protocol. "And I know you want to visit the valley in the woods."

Donna shrugged her shoulders. "Sure..."

Stan could sense that there was something wrong, something troubling Donna.

"What's wrong?" probed Stan.

"Oh nothing..." answered Donna. Then she sighed.

Stan insisted, "Oh, come-on. I know there is something bothering you."

"I got a letter from Fredrick." finally answered Donna.

"Yeah? What did he say?"

"Well, someone out there must have noticed us together and put two and two together. I don't know who did it, but someone wrote Fredrick a letter and told him that I might be cheating on him with you."

"What???" exclaimed Stan. "Do you have the letter? Can I see it?"

"No, I don't want to show you." answered Donna. "He wrote some personal things in there. But when talking about you and me, he said that he heard a crazy rumor that we were together. He reassured me that he doesn't believe the rumor, but was a bit bothered by it."

It was like glass shattering for Stan. That's the only way to describe what he felt in that moment. Since October—actually September—of last year he had fallen in love with Donna and felt like they were meant to be. Stan truly believed that the feeling was mutual between him and Donna, and that it would only be a matter of time before she forgot about Fredrick. But now she was showing rekindled feelings for Fredrick along with guilt for being unfaithful to him. Aside from that, Donna clearly had more loyalty to Fredrick with her refusal to show Stan the letter. Stan's voice turned low and almost lifeless at that moment. "Gee... I don't know what to say..." He continued driving and made his way to the Berry Bush Forest Preserve.

Now this particular night in 1965 was March 13th. The Moon was a waxing gibbous, and had set below the western horizon by the time Stan and Donna reached the forest preserve. Additionally, the sky was cloudy so that not even starlight could be seen. The woods, obviously, were very dark that night. But that wasn't what caused Donna to be initially resistant to exiting Stan's car. She sat there motionless in the passenger seat after Stan had turned the engine off.

Stan stared at her for a few seconds before asking, "Are we going?"

Donna hesitated. "I don't know if I should."

 BE SURE TO RETURN TOMORROW FOR MORE OF THIS WEEK’S NEW NOVELLA, THE DEAD FOREST!

The Dead Forest--chapter three

Hello All:

"This is a very, special week at The Literary World of Tom Raimbault; for this is Halloween week! And like we do every year, new stories written just for the holiday are featured throughout the week. This year we roll out a new novella titled The Dead Forest. Be sure to visit Monday through Friday of this week as well as next Monday (Halloween) for each new installment.

As a side-note: the novella has yet to be properly divided into chapters. I simply counted the amount of pages in the manuscript and then divided by six to feature throughout this week and next Monday (Halloween). Being the case, I will sometimes leave the reader with unfinished sentences to be completed the following day. Sorry for any inconvenience.”

The Dead Forest--chapter three

..life whatever ghost or spirit was in that tree. After all, Stan had been fascinated for some years of the notion of raising the dead.

It was almost as-if Stan were having a conversation with the tree which was now the clear manifestation of something that resembled Donna.

"What's wrong? What's troubling you?" she asked.

"I don't know..." answered Stan.

"Of course you do." she insisted. "You just haven't taken the time to look deeper into what is happening. Now what happened? What brought your here?"

With hands still on the hips of the curvaceous woman before him, Stan danced with the spirit in the forest. "I guess I saw Donna… I saw you…" began Stan. "I saw you sitting in Fredrick's car, and could have sworn that there was some chemistry between us. It's almost like you are supposed to be mine and not with Fredrick."

"Well Donna is yours." reassured the spirit. "And she's mine as well. That’s why she resembles me. You see, I am the spirit mother of Donna, the young woman who you are in love with. And to be in love with Donna means that you are in love with me as well. Together we form a nice trio. You should bring Donna here to see me, and we can finally be one."

"How am I going to do that?" challenged Stan. "She thinks she belongs to Fredrick."

"Fredrick?" scoffed the spirit. "He's going off to war pretty soon. Donna will be all alone, and a lot can happen in a few years. You will have plenty of time to change her mind for us."

"Yeah? You think?" questioned Stan.

"Oh, come-on!" insisted the spirit. “I'm her spirit mother. I know Donna, and I know how things will unfold for her. Just wait until Fredrick goes off to war. Then start working on making her yours."

***

Two Friday’s later, Stan had the evening off from the gas station with nothing to do. He decided to treat himself to a movie.—Mary Poppins of all things! While waiting in line at the concession stand for popcorn, Stan was surprised to see Donna walk over with her friend, Barbara.

"Hi Donna!" excitedly greeted Stan. "What are you doing here?"

"Probably the same thing you are doing." teased Donna. "Waiting in line for popcorn and then going to see the movie."

Barbara stood nearby and shook her head in disbelief while smiling.

Stan blushed, "Oh, yeah... I guess that was a silly question." Then he asked, "Where's Fredrick?"

"You didn't hear?" asked Donna. "They shipped him off to duty. He'll be gone for at least a couple of years."

Stan wasn't sure how to react or what to say. "Oh, I bet you're really worried, aren't you?"

"I try not to think about anything." carefully answered Donna. "I just look forward to him coming home. He said he'd write me whenever he can."

"I'm sure everything will be fine." reassured Stan. Feeling it was best to quickly change the direction of the conversation, he turned his attention to Donna’s friend. “I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."

"Barbara..." she answered.

“Nice to meet you, Barbara.” added Stan. Then he asked both Donna and Barbara,  "And what movie are you girls going to see tonight?"

"Mary Poppins..." answered Donna.

"You don't say!" exclaimed Stan. "So am I!"

Donna laughed, "Really? You don't seem like the sort of guy who would be into Mary Poppins!"

"I heard it was a good movie." explained Stan.

"It's a musical." added Barbara. "Guys aren't really into those."

The three continued to inch there way forward in line and were now close to the concession stand. Stan suddenly felt like this was his only opportunity to make a move on Donna. "Hey..." he began. "You girls don't mind if I sit with you, do you?"

Donna and Barbara shrugged their shoulders.

Donna answered, "Sure, why not?" Oh, but of course she wouldn't even think of allowing another man to court her. As far as Donna was concerned, Fredrick would marry her once returning from war. Sitting next to Stan at the movie theater was simply that and nothing more.

Stan was next in line. "Yeah, I'll have a large popcorn with extra butter and a Coke. And give me two more of the same for both of these girls, here."

"Wow!" exclaimed Barbara.

"Wow!" that was really nice of you, Stan." further exclaimed Donna. "You are a really nice guy.”

In the movie theater, Stan sat right next to Donna. In that two-and-a-half hours, Stan couldn’t help but savor every moment of smelling Donna’s nearby hair. You see, Donna had long hair which draped over the seat and even brushed across Stan’s shoulder on occasion. Of course he didn’t mind. And if Stan didn’t know any better, Donna seemed to really enjoy sitting next to him. And she was really impressed when Stan shared the rest of his popcorn with her after she had eaten her own. It almost felt like Stan and Donna were out on a date that night.

It felt so much like a date, in fact, that Stan actually visited Donna later that night, long after the world had gone to bed. He learned of Donna's address some hours before while giving Donna and her friend, Barbara, a ride home from the movie theater. The two had walked to the theater that Friday. You see, Donna and Barbara had yet to start driving. I suppose both women belonged to old fashioned families in which it wasn't necessary for women to drive. This was common in olden times. But this seemingly unfair custom helped Stan feel all the more like he were on a date with beautiful Donna. In the parking lot of the theater she seemed to naturally sit in the passenger seat, as-if she were Stan's girlfriend. Barbara sat in the backseat—three wheeling... poor Barbara.

Stan didn't immediately drop Donna and Barbara off. He first stopped at the drive-in Dog-n-Suds to treat both girls—especially Donna—to a late-night snack of hotdogs, fries and root beer in frosted mugs. This helped Stan feel all the more like he were on a date with beautiful Donna. And Donna was very impressed with how friendly and generous Stan could be.  She never knew that he was like this. Why hadn't she paid more attention to Stan in high school?

It was Barbara who was first dropped off that night. Interesting thing: halfway to her house, Barbara realized that there was some chemistry taking place between Donna and Stan. She was very surprised with how free-spirited Donna had suddenly become with Fredrick away at war. Would Stan take Donna away? She wondered this more and more.

"I'll call you tomorrow." said Barbara while exiting the vehicle. There was something in her tone of voice which suggested that she was onto Donna.

"Good night Barbara." called out Donna in return. As far as she was concerned, Barbara had no need to worry. She was only getting a ride home from Stan who had spent the evening with the two young women. Donna's heart, after all, belonged one hundred percent to Fredrick.

Oh, but things turned a bit awkward at the curb of Donna's house. In the passenger seat, she turned and thanked Stan for a nice time that evening. If Donna hadn't known any better, she and Stan enjoyed a nice evening together like an actual date. And then there was the peculiar sense of expecting a kiss from Stan. It almost felt unnatural leaving his car and walking up to the house.

Stan watched as beautiful Donna nearly floated up the sidewalk to the front door of the home with her long, raven-black hair draped behind her back and shoulders. Like a real gentleman, he made sure that she made it safely through the front door. Inside the car, the scent of Donna lingered. It was a smell that Stan savored as he drove out of Donna's subdivision and onto the main road of town.

"I can't go home right now!" declared Stan. "My brain is going crazy!" And right he was. So much in love and terribly frustrated with how Donna was not his, Stan would be unable to go home and relax for the evening before falling asleep. He pulled into the Texaco gas station where he worked which was closed for the evening. But Stan wasn't there for gas. He reached into his pocket for some spare change and counted out enough for a pack of cigarettes at the vending machine which was located at the front of the building. Stan occasionally smoked, but tried not to make it a habit. He had actually gone several months without a cigarette. But with how he was feeling now, Stan really needed one.

Back in the driver seat, Stan pushed in the electric cigarette lighter located near the dashboard. To younger readers: You know those sockets in modern-day cars where we plug in accessories such as cell phones to charge them up? Well in olden times these were simply a heating element that when pressed in would make electrical contact with the battery. When ready, the element was glowing red and capable of lighting a cigarette.

While waiting for the cigarette lighter to warm up, Stan opened his pack of cigarettes and immediately flipped one upside down and inserted it back into the package. "Lucky cigarette!" declared Stan. "I'll need it for if and when that lucky moment comes with Donna." This "lucky cigarette" ritual is sometimes followed by cigarette smokers; open a new pack and designate one to be your "lucky smoke".

The lighter clicked and popped out—indicator that it was ready. Stan touched the glowing red to his cigarette and lit up. He took a deep drag, and then pulled onto the main road. "It just felt like there was supposed to be more." Stan said out loud while driving. "She was expecting more from me." He glanced at the clock on the dashboard. It was quarter to midnight. "Maybe some driving and a couple more smokes..." Stan said to himself. He suddenly had a bold idea.

And what was this bold idea?

At five minutes to one, as most of the world—and hopefully Donna's parents—slept, Stan drove through Donna's subdivision and turned onto her street. Four houses down from Donna's, he parked on the curbside and turned the engine off. Stan quietly exited his vehicle by carefully pushing the driver side door shut. While taking a final drag of his cigarette—no, not the lucky cigarette—and tossing it into the street, Stan walked across the grass parkways of each home to avoid the sound of shoes on the sidewalk. When finally at Donna's home, he walked around the side and into the backyard.

Donna's home was small ranch, so all the rooms were on ground level. Stan had no idea which bedroom was Donna's. This next feat was pure chance, a chance that could have cost him blowing everything. He took his best guess, and carefully walked over to what he believed to be Donna's bedroom window. Then he softly knocked. In the frame of mind that Stan was in, he believed that Donna was lying awake and thinking about him. If this were true, a knock on the window would be most welcome—surely Stan.

A light turned on in the bedroom, probably a small light on a nightstand.

"What am I doing?" Stan softly cried to himself.

Fingers carefully pulled the curtains back just enough to allow looking outside. From behind, it was definitely the face Donna.

Stand nervously waved and smiled.

Donna slowly opened her bedroom window to avoid making noise, and then whispered, "Stan, what are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry." whispered Stan in return. "If you want, I'll leave. I just wasn't ready to go home, and I was wondering if you were still awake."

"Actually, I was lying awake in bed." confessed Donna. "I was having trouble falling asleep."

"Something on your mind?" probed Stan.

"Not that I know of..."

Stan sighed, "You know... I couldn't go home because I kept thinking about tonight. I really enjoyed my time with you and... Your friend..."

"Barbara." finished Donna with a smile.

"Yes, Barbara. Anyway, I really wish I would have gotten to know you better in high school. But it's probably too late."

There were several seconds of awkward silence before Stan continued, "I know Fredrick is away at war, and that you'll probably get married when he comes home. But maybe while he's gone you and I can just... you know... hang out and be friends."

Donna was taken aback. "Stan, I don't know if Fredrick would appreciate that. I promised him that I would remain faithful while he's gone. Hanging out could lead to any number of things. And besides, my parents—my father, especially—is very strict with me when it comes to boys. I'm not like other girls who just leave the house when someone honks the horn from the street. A boy has to come inside and meet my parents. And my father really gives the third degree. You don't even want to know what Fredrick had to go through just to take me out on our first date."

"Yeah?" challenged Stan.

"Yes..." insisted Donna. "You would have to come in and meet my father. And I don't know how that would go." Donna knew that her father would not like Stan. He just didn't look like the sort of boy Father felt should be with Donna. And there was no way to explain this to Stan.

Stan was at a loss of words. He felt defeated. "Well is it bad that I'm here?"

"I don't mind that you're here." reassured Donna. She even offered encouragement, "I actually like that you came here tonight to see me. Really I like you. You're a nice guy."

"Well you wouldn't mind if I sometimes come over to see you like this late at night, would you?" asked Stan.

"You would have to be extra cautious and very quiet." urged Donna. "But I wouldn't mind.”

***

On Sunday afternoons the Texaco gas station where Stan worked always closed at around two o'clock. And on that particular Sunday, Stan used the free time as an opportunity to make a trip to the Berry Bush Forest Preserve, and pay a visit to the newfound tree that looked so much like Donna. There had been much on his mind since Friday night, all of it pertaining to Donna. Donna was so beautiful, and there was definitely chemistry between her and Stan. And the last time Stan visited the tree, it seemed to have a way of providing him with a sense of hope.

And so, after walking some distance on the trail that beautiful autumn Sunday afternoon, Stan reached the location where he knew he could deviate off the main path and hike over to the tree. And just like before, it was no easy task with bushwhacking and climbing down the somewhat steep ravine. Surely it would be very challenging to visit the remote location at night.

When finally at the bottom, Stan approached the old tree which now looked, exactly, like Donna. Just like before, he reached out and touched the sides of the old, curvy trunk as-if he were gently caressing Donna's hips. He knew from the last visit that there was something living in the tree—a spirit or some sort of ghost. And by using the power of his morbid fetishes and fantasies, Stan was able to call to life whatever ghost or spirit was in that tree.

"She's faithful to Fredrick." Stan now said to the tree. It was then he recalled that the tree had identified itself as Donna's spirit mother. But how could that be? And just what is a spirit mother?

"So many questions..." commented the tree who no longer resembled anything like a tree. It was a woman; an older woman; a wiser—almost ancient—woman who beared a striking resemblance to Donna. She now embraced Stan as the two slowly danced about the forest. "I don't reside in this place." she explained. "This forest... this tree... These things are not here where I exist. But you can thank the sprites—the spirits of nature—who cooperate with me and open a magick door so that I may visit. And a spirit mother is one and the same with its Earthly descendant. I am Donna and Donna is me. Again, it's because I am her spirit mother."

"I see..." answered Stan, still a bit confused as to what he was experiencing.

"Why do you have so much anxiety with Donna?" challenged Donna's spirit mother. "I told you last time that since you are in love with Donna, you are also in love with me. I also told you that, together, we form a nice trio. And you were instructed to bring Donna here to see me. Don't worry about what she does now. I know how things will unfold for her, and she soon will be yours. Then you can bring her here to me."

"But how?" asked Stan.

"Just keep doing what you are doing." clarified Donna's spirit mother. Everything will work out according to fate."

***

And so Stan waited until Friday of that week before seeing beautiful Donna again. This would have been Friday, October 9th to be precise which is important because the Moon was in the waxing gibbous phase—about three quarters full for those not so astronomy savvy. You'll understand later why the Moon was so important in these next couple of weeks for Stan and Donna.

Stan drove around town much of the early part of the evening. Although October, the weather was unusually warm. Stan had his windows rolled down, and he smoked a cigarette (the same pack that he had purchased the previous Friday) while listening to the radio.

"What am I going to say...? What am I going to say...?" Stan nervously repeated out loud while approaching a red light. He was at the main intersection in town, and stopped next to a 1958 Chevy. Inside were a couple of boys that Stan recognized who were still in high school. By now they would have been seniors. And they definitely recognized Stan.

"Hey Stan!" called out the driver.

"Hey, how's it going?" acknowledged Stan. "How are things back at the old school?"

"Everything's still the same." the kid answered. "Won't let you do nothing..."

By then the light turned green. The kid in the '58 Chevy apparently felt he should show off by peeling away as if drag racing.

Stan chuckled, "No, I've got enough excitement ahead for the evening. I need to stay as calm as possible." Through the windshield, Stan glanced up at the sky while taking another drag from his cigarette. "Oh, I bet that Moon is going to make it hard to sneak around the backyard of Donna's house. Damnit! Maybe I picked the wrong night."

He glanced at the clock on the dashboard.

9:50pm.

"It's still too early." said Stan. "Maybe I'll head over to the woods and hang out there for a while."

And so Stan drove to the end of town and entered the parking lot of Berry Bush Forest Preserve. Back in those days—at least in the area where Stan lived—forest preserves did not close after dark. Again, people knew how to behave in olden times and didn't necessarily head off to the forest preserve to commit crimes. The worst thing one might have seen would have been a car or two with a boy and girl, inside, necking. And sure enough, as Stan pulled into parking lot, there were a few cars in spots where kids were too busy necking to take notice.

Stan felt awkward just sitting there by himself. And by now he knew the forest very well. The moonlight made it possible to see fairly well in the woods; so he exited the vehicle, and followed the trail some distance. He hiked so far that he actually reached the area where he could deviate off the path and follow it to the old tree.

Now this was the first time that Stan had ever visited the forest at night. Being the case, he soon noticed that the moonlight actually illuminated the entire ravine and valley below which led to the old tree. With just a bit of the usual bushwhacking and some hiking down the steep ravine, Stan found himself in a beautiful moonlit realm where the old tree stood at the center. It was amazing, breathtaking, and nothing short of magickal.

Stan spoke to the tree which stood some fifty feet away. “I should bring her here on a night like this, shouldn't I? Maybe tonight?"

The tree said nothing in return. It didn't transform itself into Donna's spirit mother. Perhaps the sprites were too busy doing their late night activities to open a magickal doorway and bring the spirit mother through. But she was still there with Stan. She was there in spirit, and had a way of communicating through the vast distance of interdimensional veils.

Stan hung out in the valley for a couple of hours and smoked some cigarettes. Although turning a bit chilly as the night unfolded, it didn't particularly bother Stan so much.

By five minutes after midnight, Stan left the magickal, moonlit valley of Donna's spirit mother and hiked back to his car. By the time he reached the parking lot, there were no more kids there necking. It must have been past curfew for the kids in town.

Stan head back into town, en route to Donna's subdivision. He looked up at the sky and noticed that the Moon was beginning to make its descent into the western horizon. Maybe it was low enough to no longer illuminate Donna's backyard which would surely call attention of Stan's presence to neighbors and... DONNA'S PARENTS!

Just like the previous week, Stan parked at the curbside four doors down from Donna's house, and quietly exited his vehicle by carefully pushing the driver side door shut. He walked across the grass parkways of each home to avoid the sound of shoes on the sidewalk. Although setting, the Moon still provided enough illumination to possibly be seen. When reaching Donna's house, Stan nervously walked around the side and into the backyard. From there he followed his way over to Donna's bedroom window.

Stan took a deep breath, and then lightly tapped at the window. He waited about ten seconds, but Donna didn't come over to the window. Stan knocked a second time, a bit louder, and quickly regretted doing this for fear of waking up Donna's family. He waited a few more seconds, and was about to quickly leave.

But then a small light turned on in Donna's bedroom, her face soon to appear from behind the curtains.

Stan nervously waved and smiled.

Donna slowly and carefully opened her bedroom window as-if not to wake up anyone in the house. When opened enough, she whispered, "Stan, what are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry, Donna." Stan whispered in return. "I didn't know you were sleeping.

"Well it's after 12:30." cited Donna.

"Should I leave?" asked Stan.

"No, that's okay." reassured Donna. "How have you been? Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine." answered Stan. "I just came here to see you. I miss you... you know?"

"That's very nice of you Stan." cited Donna. "Isn't it cold out there for you?"

"It's not so bad." answered Stan. "If you're out here long enough you get used to it." He was almost going to say, "Too bad you weren't out here with me instead of staying at home on a Friday night." But Stan knew better.

"I got a letter from Fredrick." informed Donna. "He says he's surviving, and there's not too much excitement for now. He says that he really misses me."

"Well of course he misses you." emphasized Stan. "You're probably the only thing that keeps him going right now. He probably keeps reminding himself that when he gets home, he'll finally see you and then marry you."

Donna nodded in agreement as Stan said this.

Stan wasn't exactly sure what to say next to keep the conversation flowing. It was then that he began to speak of the magickal valley of Donna's spirit mother. "You know, I came here after seeing something absolutely remarkable. It was in the woods. Do you ever go to the woods?"

"I've been there a couple of times." answered Donna. "My parents took us there on a couple of nice days for a picnic." Donna then made a queer look. "Stan, don't tell me that you were in the woods late at night."

"Oh, but I was." insisted Stan. "You see, there's this... well I'm almost embarrassed to admit to you... There's an old tree in the forest that I seem to have taken a liking towards. The reason I think I like it is because it sort of resembles you."

The look on Donna's face turned queerer by the second. She never had someone tell her that she beared a resemblance to an old tree out in the forest before.

"Now I know what you're thinking." continued Stan. "You think I'm crazy for noticing something like that. And you probably think I'm some kind of kook for going into the woods at night. But get this: Any time I go there, I feel like I've been transported to some other place. It's like I've died except my body is still alive, and I make a quick visit to another place."

Donna's queer expression suddenly changed to fascination. You see, due to her religious devotion, Donna was fascinated with the afterlife, and assumed that this is what Stan was referring to.

Stan continued, "Tonight when I was there, the entire valley where this tree is at was lit up by the moonlight. It was like magick. And really felt like I was supposed to take you there."

"Stan, I don't know if..."

Suddenly, a noise could be heard from one of the other rooms in the house.

"You better go!" urged Donna. "She quickly closed the window and turned out the light.

Stan darted out of the backyard and down the street to his car. He started the engine and then idled some distance past Donna's house before using the accelerator to drive off. Cars were noisy in those days, and one had to do this if wishing to avoid detection.

***

On Saturday mornings, Donna's father would leave early for the golf course. After working hard all week, he felt he deserved the reward of a nice weekly game of golf with his brothers, friends, colleagues—whoever. Sunday, of course, was reserved for mass.

This Saturday ritual of Father playing golf provided Mother a chance to enter Donna's bedroom the morning following Stan’s visit, and wake her up for a little talk before making breakfast for the family. She sat down at the foot of her daughter's bed, and marveled at what a beautiful, young lady Donna had become. But it was still Mother's duty to protect Donna and see to it that she make the right choices. "Donna, wake up." she called out.

Donna stirred awake and was startled to see her mother sitting at the foot of the bed. She immediately knew the nature of Mother's visit, and remained silent.

"You know why I'm here, don't you?" began Mother. "Was there someone with you last night in your bedroom?"

"No." quickly responded Donna. "It's just that..." she hesitated. Donna knew that it was best to be honest with Mother. Aside from that, it was against Donna's nature to lie. But how could she explain.

"Go on..." demanded Mother.

"Well, there's a boy from high school who was visiting me at my window last night. I tried to be quiet, but it looks like we woke you. I’m sorry."

Mother was flabbergasted. "A boy from high school, here to see you? Why so sneaky? Couldn't he come to the front door and meet your father as is expected?"

Donna shrugged her shoulders, "It wasn't like that. It's nothing serious..."

Mother sharply interjected, "He's no good." She paused to weight the effect on Donna. "Isn't that right? The reason he has to be so sneaky and come to your bedroom window at night is because he's no good. He knows that father will not accept him."

Donna tried to explain, "Mom, he's just someone I knew in high school who is a friend, that's all."

But Mother wouldn't hear it. "And what would Fredrick say of this boy from high school coming to meet you at your window late at night? Would he be happy knowing this while he is away at war? People have ways of finding out. All it takes is for someone to write him a letter. He could have easily asked someone to keep an eye on you while he's gone."

Donna said nothing.

"He wouldn't be happy." insisted Mother. "And that's how you have to be thinking. You have to think about your future husband. You have to ask if it's really worth losing the man you love. Your father would be outraged if I were meeting some man at the window late at night just to be friends. Donna, you are a young woman. You're not a child anymore that would believe that a friendship with a boy is harmless and innocent. Now I don't know how you attracted him, but I no longer want him coming here. And if you know what's best, you definitely don't want your father finding out about him.

***

Of course Stan needed all the confidence and reassurance he could get regarding what was currently a sketchy relationship with Donna. And he knew where to get this. The nights that followed his second "Friday night date" with Donna at the window were graced by continuing waxing gibbous phases of the Moon. By Tuesday, the Moon was full. So on each of these nights with the Moon's heavenly glory shining its light on the Earth, below; Stan visited the Berry Bush Forest Preserve to pay nightly pilgrimages to the magickal valley of Donna's spirit mother. On each night, he found himself in the same magickal realm with the moonlight flooding the valley and illuminating the old tree. But the tree never came to life, no matter how much Stan touched or spoke to it. Perhaps the sprites were too busy during this sacred time of the full Moon to open a doorway and let Donna's spirit mother through. But just like before, she was there in spirit. And she seemed to urge Stan to continue visiting Donna; continue making her existence known to Donna which would eventually lead her to the valley.

BE SURE TO RETURN TOMORROW FOR MORE OF THIS WEEK’S NEW NOVELLA, THE DEAD FOREST!