bank, I pulled out the map Jaime had given me on my first day in Shadow Pines. I circled the bank, church, clinic, and Jaime’s house to get my bearings. Since I was finally on my own today, I wanted to explore Shadow Pines. At the top of my list—the gated entrance. I wanted to see for myself if it was as guarded and protected as Jaime claimed it to be.
Not wanting to distract my focus to reach the gate, I didn’t pay any attention to the few stores I walked past. However, it was hard to miss the red fire engine parked in the fire station’s driveway. A Dalmatian darted around the corner, almost running into me. Upon sighting me, the dog dropped his Frisbee at my feet, then started running across the fire station’s front lawn. I quickly picked up the Frisbee and threw it toward the dog, which to my amazement he caught.
“Sorry,” said a man standing by the front of the fire engine. I waved and continued my journey.
The gravel road led me through a grove of trees. The tree limbs formed a canopy overhead, only letting in small pockets of sunshine. The setting was somewhat eerie, yet somewhat relaxing at the same time. Two deer stood on the edge of the tree line, but scampered away as I came closer.
Now walking through an open field, I wondered what I’d do if I met someone on the gravel road. There was nowhere to hide. I decided I’d have to tell the truth—that I wanted to see the gate. The farther I walked, the more trees appeared along the road, until I was inside a grove of trees again. My calves were telling me the road had a steady incline. At least I was finally getting a good workout.
A mile, maybe a-mile-and-a-half along the gravel road, the grove of trees ended and I was again in an open field. Up ahead, I spotted the gate. The closer I got to the gate, the more my heart rate increased—part excitement, part exercise. The wrought-iron gate was nothing fancy, not the spectacular creation I’d envisioned in my mind. However, the stone wall made up for the disappointment of the gate.
I was within 50 feet of the gate, when it started to open slowly. I stopped in the middle of the road, unsure what to do next. A man, dressed in military camouflage, walked through the gate opening and toward me. A second man, dressed the same as the first, stopped in front of the gate holding his rifle before him. These must be two of the four guards that Jaime told me about to keep trespassers away, and keep residents from leaving without proper authorization.
The guard stopped three feet in front of me, his right hand positioned over the gun in his holster. “Please stop and turn around. You have no authority to pass.”
“I was curious. I wanted to see the gate,” I said with laughter in my voice even though I was terrified.
The guard looked directly in my eyes, and without blinking, said, “You’ve seen it. Now, please, turn around and go back to town.”
“Oh, sure. I didn’t mean to cause a fuss. My apologies.” I glanced once more at the gate then turned and started retracing my steps.
From this vantage point I could see part of the town below. Not once on my way to the gate had I ever even thought to turn around and look behind me. Now I wished I had a camera or cell phone to take a picture.
Beyond the grove of trees I could make out the tall church steeple. The few buildings I could see made me think of miniature doll houses. I wanted to stop and enjoy the view, but feared I might be shot in the back by one of the guards if I did. I finally took a breath when I reached the trees and was out of their sight. I wondered if they would report me.
Instead of following the gravel road back to town, I walked through the grove of trees. Even though I’d gotten a quick glance at the stone wall, I wanted to see it up close. The watch Hudson had given me this morning had a compass. If I continued due south, I should run into the wall eventually.
I walked twenty minutes before the grove ended. Another twenty
Not wanting to distract my focus to reach the gate, I didn’t pay any attention to the few stores I walked past. However, it was hard to miss the red fire engine parked in the fire station’s driveway. A Dalmatian darted around the corner, almost running into me. Upon sighting me, the dog dropped his Frisbee at my feet, then started running across the fire station’s front lawn. I quickly picked up the Frisbee and threw it toward the dog, which to my amazement he caught.
“Sorry,” said a man standing by the front of the fire engine. I waved and continued my journey.
The gravel road led me through a grove of trees. The tree limbs formed a canopy overhead, only letting in small pockets of sunshine. The setting was somewhat eerie, yet somewhat relaxing at the same time. Two deer stood on the edge of the tree line, but scampered away as I came closer.
Now walking through an open field, I wondered what I’d do if I met someone on the gravel road. There was nowhere to hide. I decided I’d have to tell the truth—that I wanted to see the gate. The farther I walked, the more trees appeared along the road, until I was inside a grove of trees again. My calves were telling me the road had a steady incline. At least I was finally getting a good workout.
A mile, maybe a-mile-and-a-half along the gravel road, the grove of trees ended and I was again in an open field. Up ahead, I spotted the gate. The closer I got to the gate, the more my heart rate increased—part excitement, part exercise. The wrought-iron gate was nothing fancy, not the spectacular creation I’d envisioned in my mind. However, the stone wall made up for the disappointment of the gate.
I was within 50 feet of the gate, when it started to open slowly. I stopped in the middle of the road, unsure what to do next. A man, dressed in military camouflage, walked through the gate opening and toward me. A second man, dressed the same as the first, stopped in front of the gate holding his rifle before him. These must be two of the four guards that Jaime told me about to keep trespassers away, and keep residents from leaving without proper authorization.
The guard stopped three feet in front of me, his right hand positioned over the gun in his holster. “Please stop and turn around. You have no authority to pass.”
“I was curious. I wanted to see the gate,” I said with laughter in my voice even though I was terrified.
The guard looked directly in my eyes, and without blinking, said, “You’ve seen it. Now, please, turn around and go back to town.”
“Oh, sure. I didn’t mean to cause a fuss. My apologies.” I glanced once more at the gate then turned and started retracing my steps.
From this vantage point I could see part of the town below. Not once on my way to the gate had I ever even thought to turn around and look behind me. Now I wished I had a camera or cell phone to take a picture.
Beyond the grove of trees I could make out the tall church steeple. The few buildings I could see made me think of miniature doll houses. I wanted to stop and enjoy the view, but feared I might be shot in the back by one of the guards if I did. I finally took a breath when I reached the trees and was out of their sight. I wondered if they would report me.
Instead of following the gravel road back to town, I walked through the grove of trees. Even though I’d gotten a quick glance at the stone wall, I wanted to see it up close. The watch Hudson had given me this morning had a compass. If I continued due south, I should run into the wall eventually.
I walked twenty minutes before the grove ended. Another twenty
Similar Books
