You hesitate only a moment longer before stepping out from behind the slender red maple and directly onto the path. The approaching young man lets out a startled shout.
"Holy..." he mutters crossly, "You should be more careful. I might've brained you." He hefts his heavy flashlight as if it were a weapon. "I'm Dan Mangan. I take it you're this researcher Mr. Wheeler told me about? He said to expect you today, though it never occurred to me that you might be roaming around at night. You aren't lost, are you?" It takes a second for you to fully remember the story you'd given Matthew Wheeler when you'd approached him for permission to explore his vast preserve. "Uh, yes," you reply, conscious that you've let the silence stretch unnaturally long. "I mean, no. I'm not lost, but yes, I am the researcher. I'm writing a paper about Douglas Bell. For my, uh, Master's degree. In history." Though the darkness prevents you from seeing him clearly, you get the distinct impression the young man is now amused. "And you thought, hey, what better way to learn more about Douglas Bell than an attempt to walk in his footsteps and recreate his last night on Earth? I mean, okay, I'll give it to you on the dedication part. You even have the right night." |
Right night? You want to ask him what he means by that, but you don't want to make it too obvious how little you, a supposed researcher of the infamous Douglas Bell, actually know. Your family never discusses Douglas, for obvious reasons, and the few times you ever asked your mother about him, she always frowned and said she preferred to forget her father altogether.
"Yeah," the young man continues, cutting into your thoughts, "I mean, it didn't end well for the guy, but I always did think it was a stroke of genius to rob the bank on Halloween. Walked right in to town dressed like a bandit and everybody thought it was just a costume he was wearing to a party. Clever!" He pauses to fix you with an intense gaze. "Listen, these woods aren't completely safe at night. They aren't even totally safe during the day. You should head home. Seriously."
"Yeah," the young man continues, cutting into your thoughts, "I mean, it didn't end well for the guy, but I always did think it was a stroke of genius to rob the bank on Halloween. Walked right in to town dressed like a bandit and everybody thought it was just a costume he was wearing to a party. Clever!" He pauses to fix you with an intense gaze. "Listen, these woods aren't completely safe at night. They aren't even totally safe during the day. You should head home. Seriously."
You appreciate Dan's concern, but you don't want to give up just yet. Continue down the path.
Or...
Dan is right. This is crazy. You're wandering around a strange forest at night and anything could happen. It's time to go home.
Or...
Dan is right. This is crazy. You're wandering around a strange forest at night and anything could happen. It's time to go home.