Instinctively, I peeked through the slits of my squinting eyelids, not wanting to completely commit to what I may see. I barely made out the passing, blurry images of a coyote fighting, but it wasn’t fighting or attacking me.
Shockingly, the coyote was fighting with another animal. A larger, more muscular golden-colored animal that looked like --- a mountain lion? Where had this other animal come from? Why would it put itself in harms way to protect me? Is that even what it was doing, protecting me? Mountain lions were not at all common in this area, so why was it here? Now?
I crawled on all fours, backing away from the fight. The mountain lion, which must have jumped in front of the coyote just in the knick of time to prevent it from attacking me, had just bitten down ferociously onto the neck of the relentlessly attacking coyote.
With a flick of its head, my savior had flung the coyote --- that had just lunged toward me with incredible determination and anger --- into the giant, stationary boulder situated only couple yards between me and the brawling animals. The coyote hit the boulder with so much force that it propelled itself off with a hissing growl while it twisted in the air, fighting to make contact with the ground in order to finish its attack on me.
The flung coyote was sailing directly toward me, and I immediately tried climbing to my feet to get out of its path, as it came crashing inward. I was still scrambling when the air-bound coyote came within only inches of my arm, and it became perfectly clear that I wasn’t going to be able to get out of this vicious animal’s pathway. I braced myself for the hit again, but this time I kept my eyes open for some insane unknown reason, and I watched in horror as the coyote hit me.
The animal was jolted as a shock wave flowed through its entire body. It writhed and kicked, falling and rolling, then limply crumbled to the dirt floor of the forest. Even though I’d been hit, I remained unharmed while I looked down at the now helpless, dying creature.
I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what I did. I double checked myself, unbelieving that I had escaped this charging animal. My eyes raised and locked with the other animal, evaluating the situation to see if I’d remain safe from it as well.
The mountain lion simply stood there, staring at me with what appeared to be consoling eyes, and after an intense moment of reading each other's body language --- almost as if it were making sure that I was unharmed --- it took off running in the opposite direction, easily bounding over rocks and fallen tree trunks. I heard the unmistakable growl from the mountain lion as it faded into the woods, soon too far away for me to make out its figure. It eventually disappeared altogether in the deep and ever darkening forest.
I didn’t waste any time. I ran for home, glancing behind me every couple of seconds to make certain the dying coyote didn’t find its second wind and chase after me. I ran like I’d never run before, tripping over sticks and vines, stepping onto soft spots in the ground that would slow me down momentarily before I’d regain my speed and pace. I finally broke through the row of trees standing at the edge of the woods, the dividing border between forest and field.
I still didn’t slow down. I kept running full speed across the cornfield, gasping for air and continuously glancing back at the path I had just blazed through the woods. I was still alone. I reached the middle of the field in only a matter of seconds, when I heard someone call my name from the other side of the cornfield.
“Becca! What’s wrong? What happened?” Leo yelled frantically. I couldn’t speak. I just ran full force toward him, totally absorbed in the thought of reaching him. I was so relieved that Leo was now here to protect me, I practically sobbed as I dashed through the sawed-off cornstalks, thankful this whole ordeal would soon be over.
Leo and I ran toward each other, him not knowing what was wrong with me, and me wanting nothing more that to be safe in his arms.
I hurled myself into his chest as soon as I was within arm’s reach, and I wrapped my trembling arms around his neck more tightly than ever. He pulled me to him, hugging me back and lifting me off the ground, as warm tears streamed down my frigid cheeks from the crispy, fall air that smacked against them as I ran.
I didn’t even attempt to speak. I just kept my head buried in Leo’s chest as he carried me across the field toward my home. He put me down when we reached the back door, then placed each of his warm, consoling hands on the sides of my still frozen, tear-stained cheeks. He lowered himself to bring his face down to mine, and looked me dead in the eyes.
“You okay, Becca? Did you get hurt?” he asked, as his eyes scanned my body for any sign of harm or injury.
“I think I’m all right,” I responded with a quivering voice, obviously shaken.
“Are you sure? What happened?”
“There was a, a coyote. I, I think it’s dead now,” was all I could muster.
“Dead? How did it…?” Leo hesitated. “Becca? What happened?” Leo was frantic but beginning to calm down now that he had fully inspected me and had seen for himself that I was only frightened.
“Can we go inside, please?” I asked. I had begun to feel the adrenaline clear from my body and exhaustion took its place.
Leo opened the back door for me, followed me through the kitchen and into the living room where I plopped down on the couch. Leo followed suit.
“Do you need a glass of water?” Leo asked attentively.
“No, I’m fine. I’m just tired now,” I responded weakly.
“Becca please! Don’t torment me anymore by making me wait for an answer. Now what happened?” Leo asked, as he grew understandably impatient.
I sat up a little straighter, contemplating what really did happen. “There was a coyote, in the woods, behind me. It tried to attack me,” I explained in choppy bits and pieces.
“It didn’t actually attack you, did it? You said you thought it was dead? How’d that happen?”
“It didn’t attack me.” I shook my head. “It started to, but then…I don’t know. I didn’t kill it, and the other animal didn’t kill it. It just…well, I don’t think that killed it.” I had begun to calm down and process my thoughts more clearly now even though I was still speaking in choppy sentences.
“What do you mean, you don’t think you killed it? How did you get out of there without getting hurt?” Leo asked, as he lowered his brows, casting me a knowing look with his eyes.
I sat up all the way, fully taking in the sight of Leo for the first time this evening. “What is this?” I asked, as I plucked a tuft of fur off his gray hoodie.
“Nothing,” he answered quickly, pulling the fur from my hand and pocketing it. “I just came from the barn. I was brushing the horses before I headed out to the woods.” Leo paused momentarily. “Can you give me any details about what happened?”
I explained the entire story to him of how the coyote appeared behind me in the woods, then I described the little I knew about how the mountain lion stepped in front of me just in the knick of time to save me from my attacker. I related how the coyote came barreling toward me after being thrown into the rock by its opponent, and how it was either zapped or shocked by some unknown force as it rolled off me, crumpling to the ground either unconscious, dying, or maybe even dead.
I tried to study Leo’s eyes and his expression as I told my story. I thought that since he had been so close to the woods when I had come running out of them, then maybe he'd known more than he'd been letting on. I needed to figure out if maybe he had seen some or any of it happen. His behavior was turning a bit strange, and I couldn’t figure out his sudden uneasiness. I couldn’t tell if he was even paying attention to me at all now, as he stared from the living room window almost as if he already knew the story and wasn’t interested in hearing a recap. He had found that I was not injured and apparently didn’t need to hear anything else. He was hiding something from me, I was sure.
“Leo?” I asked, and the sound of my voice must have broken his stare.
“Yeah?” He jumped when I said his name.
“Did y
ou see anything tonight? You know, either the coyote or the mountain lion? Before I ran out of the woods, I mean.” Leo’s distant expression had already given me the answer I was searching for, and he knew it.
“Becca, this isn’t really the time. I just wanted to make sure that you were going to be okay. You should go upstairs and get some rest now, and I should probably go home.”
“What are you talking about? What does that mean, “this isn’t the time”?” This isn’t the time for what?” I asked, as I stood from the couch.
“Never mind, Becca,” Leo said, and he stood and headed out of the living room toward the kitchen and back door. “I really should get home. You sure that you’re going to be okay?” he asked one last time.
“Forget that, I’m fine. I want to know what you’re talking about,” I demanded and followed him to the back door.
He was about to open the door and escape into the cold night air when I stopped him.
“Leo, you can’t just say something like that, then leave me hanging. What did you mean by “this isn’t the time”. What were you going to say? I know you’re hiding something.”
Leo let out a sigh. “Bec, you’re not going to just let this go, are you?” he asked in a huff, slightly agitated, but clearly closer to giving in than he was before.
“Not a chance,” I answered quickly and stubbornly.
“You’re not ready, Becca. I’m sorry. I can’t no matter how badly I want to. Your parents, my parents, it’s just not the right time, and it’s not my place.” He was frantically running his hands through his hair at this point, letting me know that I had him thoroughly frustrated. He wasn’t angry. He actually looked sad that he couldn’t explain it all to me.
“After all that has happened tonight, and then the things you just said…I can’t wait till another time that you think is “the right time” for an honest answer or explanation, Leo. It’s gonna drive me crazy. You know how I am. Please,” I begged. “Just tell me.” I paused, considering his words. “What do our parents have anything to do with this?” I asked, completely and wholly confused.
At that very moment --- speak of the devils --- I unfortunately heard my parents minivan pull into the driveway, and I knew that their arrival would put an end to our conversation. There was no way that Leo would ever answer my questions now that my parents had returned home from their evening out.
I also didn’t believe that I could confront my parents with the story of tonight’s events, for fear of their reaction and possible over-protection. News of an attacking coyote and mountain lion on the loose would definitely hinder my freedom, and I didn’t want to take that chance. I was obviously fine, and the probability of a second round with the dying coyote was highly unlikely.
I tried to convince myself of all these things, but knew that I would inevitably have to tell my parents --- especially my father --- about my sightings and attempted attack. I still wasn’t certain if the coyote had died, and my dad really did need to know about the animal in order to remove its body before the rotting flesh attracted every other animal from miles around, making the area even more dangerous for all of us. That was, as long as the coyote really was dead.
“We’ll continue this when the time is right,” Leo whispered in my ear, as he placed a comforting hand along my waist, then kissed me lightly on my flushed cheek.
My parents approached the back door, and Leo said goodnight to all of us. He took off into the unknown darkness, disappearing only halfway across the field due to the degree of blackness caused by the cloudy, moonless night.
My parents and I chatted for a while that night about my day out with Emmy. We sat together in the living room, snacking on a shared bowl of kettle corn and watching our rented, family-night movie. I didn’t watch much of the show, even though my eyes remained locked on the television screen.
My head flooded with replays of the attack, and the pressing issue of whatever Leo wasn’t telling me. I wondered how long it would take before he let me in on whatever it was that he felt so necessary to keep to himself.
I also knew that at some point tonight, I would have to tell my parents about the attack in the woods. I took a deep breath and figured there was no time like the present.
“Hey, Mom and Dad. Um, something happened today that I think I should tell you about. It’s not that big of a deal and I’m perfectly fine, but…”
As soon as my mom heard those words, she immediately sat up in her chair and anxiously asked, “Oh my goodness, what happened?” I could tell she was trying to calm herself down by taking deep breaths while awaiting my answer. This seemed like an over-reaction on her part considering it wasn’t her normal style or personality.
My dad listened attentively as I continued, “I’m okay. See, I was supposed to meet Leo out by the woods earlier to go for a walk, and while I was out there waiting for him I saw…a coyote.” I squinted, waiting for my mom to freak out again.
“Okay?” My mom sounded a little confused as to why the big confession over seeing something that was a semi-common occurrence around here.
“Out with it, Bec. There must be more to it than that,” my dad stated the obvious.
“Yeah, okay. Well, the coyote kinda came after me.”
“Oh my,” my mom gasped.
“And,” I stretched out the word. “Then a mountain lion sorta jumped in and fought it off. It actually saved me,” I explained hesitantly, still astonished at the words actually coming out of my mouth.
“A mountain lion?” my dad asked. “Are you sure? We usually don’t see those around here, you know?”
“Yeah, I know, but I’m sure. It was definitely a mountain lion,” I restated.
“Well, I’m glad that you’re alright. But no more being alone in the woods for you, all right? Not for a little while at least,” my dad said, as he walked toward me and planted a kiss on my forehead. “Tomorrow morning, when we have better light, I’ll need you to show me exactly where the coyote was killed. I’ll take care of the rest,” he said matter-of-factly. Then he went to my mom to console her from her obvious state of shock. Why was she so upset? I understood her worry, but this?
“Okay, but I’m not sure it’s actually dead. I mean, I ran out of the woods so fast that I think it was dying when I got out, but I don’t really know for sure. That was when Leo found me…when I was running back to the house, and he helped me inside,” I explained further.
“That’s all right. I’m sure that a coyote didn’t have much of a chance going up against a mountain lion. So, you’ll just show me the spot in the morning and I’ll take care of it. Now, I think we’ve all had enough for one evening, and you should probably head up to bed now,” my dad motioned toward me to head on upstairs.
I knew that my parents just wanted to talk in private, so I told both of them goodnight. As I climbed the stairs to my room, I could hear them whispering from downstairs in the living room. Apparently, from what I could make out of my dad’s whispers, he was more concerned --- or even disturbed --- by my news than he had expressed.
As I laid in bed that night, not able to fall asleep, I grasped the antique key in both of my hands and held it close to my chest in hopes that it would protect me from the nightmares sure to come. Certainly bad dreams would be brought on by my close encounter just hours earlier. I shoved the thought into the back of my mind when it had come to me earlier this evening, but now I was considering whether it could possibly be true. Had the necklace really protected and saved me from my attacker, as Leo claimed it would? I protected it at all costs, so had it protected me in return? I eventually fell asleep with unexplainable thoughts floating around inside my cluttered mind.
Chapter 6.
Well Laid Path
path
/paTH/
Noun
1. A way or track laid down for walking or made
by continual treading.
2. Such a way or track designed for a particular
purpose.
That
night as I slept, it started with a dream. My sleep was restless, yet I never fully awakened to be able to distinct between fantasy and reality. It was intermittent with small periods of semi-consciousness, but for at least part was filled with somewhat deep slumber.
I rolled periodically, tossing my pillow from side to side, as the dream progressed. The images I saw in my head started to gain purpose with the appearance of a well laid path that stretched out before me. It was a path, I soon recognized, that I was completely familiar and comfortable with. A path that I had traveled many times. I heard the whispers of the wind slowly transform in to a softly spoken voice that beckoned, “Follow me.”
I listened again as it pleaded, “Come with me, and I will show you the way.”
I stepped forward, allowing the voice to lead me along the familiar and worn, dirt pathway; the very same one that existed alongside the edge of the woods which I had walked so many times before. The same path that would take me to the one person, besides my parents, that I knew now more that ever would always be there for me. Leo.
I followed the soft, calm, enticing voice as it continued to guide me farther, where I soon found Leo standing at the end waiting for me. He was there, with his pleasing smile that completely melted any feelings of control or strength I may have once had, as the voice began to speak again. That’s when I realized that the voice and Leo were not one and the same.
Leo remained smiling, but I turned my head in search of an image or figure to accompany the voice. I stirred in my sleep while I simultaneously searched my dream for the person behind the words. “I said, follow me,” the voice now demanded, more firmly and loudly than before.
Still searching for a figure, I held my hand toward Leo’s outstretched arms, hoping for the sanctity of warmth and comfort that I felt whenever he held me. Something --- an opposing force, maybe --- was luring me in the other direction, even though all I thought I wanted was to feel Leo’s comforting touch.
Beautiful Souls Page 9
