by Deb Stratton
Upon arrival to his parent’s common area many came to greet us. We were smothered with love and a welcome feeling. It was very much needed for me to feel ok again. Stem told me that we would all be leaving together. This area was a temporary stay for his family as well as a sacrifice for his new life. His new life was finding me. They all gathered belongings and he set me down gently on my feet to help collect sacks and items to carry off.
We all grouped together and started walking to the right. A new path I had never traveled. It would lead us
135
far away from my old home and all that was familiar to me.
We traveled for more than two hours until we came upon a small opening. As we traveled I pretended to hear background music. It was traveling music with a light guitar sound.
The opening looked just like one of the other very small dirt rooms and there was a room that looked like a crate area. We went in and there was a doorway that was hidden to another path. It was a maze of paths and as we went further down the mulched walkway we approached what was the most beautiful home I had ever seen. It was a doorway that was castle like. It must have been more than thirty feet tall. It was surrounded by broken and staggered twisted trees and rock walls. It was an underground cave with a warm feeling to it. Just outside of the doorway stood two Bigfoot types as guards.
They welcomed us home and as we entered I was speechless. I had my mouth open and eyes large at what was before me. It was almost a real home. It had a real fireplace and a real living area. There was a large fire stove and dishes. There were blankets and lanterns and wooden furniture pieces. It was beautiful. Off to the side on the left were many large rooms for sleeping and he took my hand and led me to ours.
The room had a large cot for me and many human made items. There were lanterns and matches. There were camping supplies and garden tools.
I also seen many items displayed and it must have taken many hunting trips to collect this many over the years. I was in awe. Stem set my duffel bag down by the cot and pointed to the crate room that was just
ours. He had a large slab in the corner to sleep on.
I felt like I had always said thank you so much that it was losing value. I walked over to him and put my head on his chest. He ran his hand on the back of my head and asked if I would like to go to the water to clean up and talk. I was happy to hear that. I wanted to talk to him about what had happened. I also wanted to use my new soap and get some clean clothes.
He asked me to get what I needed. He grabbed an empty sack and led me out by my hand. We walked to the back of the cave and behind the stone was an underground pool of beautiful steaming water. It was larger than any swimming pool I had ever seen. There were more seats here and towels! This really was an amazing place and although it was primitive it was very nice. Very modern compared to what I have seen since I have been here.
137
I sat on the edge of the water and scratched my ankles and legs. He looked at the bites and then with the touch of his thumbnail pulled a tick off my neck. I had so many open areas and scratches. His nails were very similar to mine. They were more round and very thick.
I walked into the water and rubbed my bar of soap on my arms and face. It smelled so good. It was taking me back to the days when I was very young and we had a bath at grandmas. The soap smell was familiar. I had never really used bar soap at my home. Everything was bottled. I scrubbed and washed.
I swam for a few minutes and waded up to him on the ledge. I took his hand and rubbed some soap on it. He had that funny look that always caused his eyebrows to rise up. He smelled his hands and I washed him some more. We started wading and washing and the company was good. We had similar souls and we had bonded.
It was so amazing that I could have just stayed all evening. I knew we had to eat and rest. I really needed to do that after what had happened. I asked him about that and he said we would talk more about this but those men were bad and they spend most of their time hurting others and also collect breeders. He said that I was lucky to ever see him again. He was happy it worked
out the way that it did and it will never be that way again. He promised.
I grabbed a towel and rubbed my hair. I wrapped it around me. I had left my clothes on just mostly due to modesty and also to clean them. I wanted to wash them with the shampoo. Another day. For right now meat and bed sounds good. A blanket sounds really good. I remembered that there was alcohol wipes in that bag and it was the perfect solution to my itching areas. I was miserable and tired.
I peeled off my wet clothes and placed them in the empty sack he had brought along. I stood there for a moment just looking at the water. I looked at Stem as he dried off and looked at me.
Wearing only my towel and underclothes he walked up behind me and touched my back. His hand moved up and down it like a paintbrush making art. Suddenly his hand went up under my wet hair and once again he took it into his fist. He held it tight and smelled the back of my neck.
I was pressed forward on the ledge and the force of him was so great that I broke my fingernail grabbing the stone around me.
139
He took me again to his world without notice and I lay on the towel covered rock shivering. Not from the cold but from his passion. It was real and I felt it.
Taking my hand as usual, I was helped to my feet and I felt weak. We walked to the kitchen area and ate together before going to our room. The amount that he eats compared to mine is incredible. I had never really noticed the amount of calories he must require for his size. Laughing and talking. It was a night I would never forget. Again.
ChapterTwelve
The morning came quickly and I slept very well with my new found comfort. I loved the feeling of being warm. It was not cold here but just lacking in warmth. I decided to find a way to make that coffee today. Even though there was no milk I just wanted to smell it. It was a smell that I used to love so much in the mornings.
“My parents are leaving for a long trip to see others and I do not want you to be afraid. I will be leaving tonight to hunt and you will be well guarded.” He says to me as soon as he sees my eyes open.
I said, “That is a lot of news for one girl that just woke up.” He knew I was joking somehow and smiled.
I was ok with being alone for a while if it was safe. I could make my coffee and swim. I could just be me for a while and dream of the days behind me that were normal and sunny.
“They are leaving now, so please do what you would like. I will be preparing for my trip and will tell you when it is time for me to go.” And just like that he grabbed a handful of sacks and touched my face as he walked towards the door.
141
I thought about what it was like for him up above. I wondered if he became frightened. I feel worried about him now and would be devastated if anything ever happened to him.
I spent most of the day puttering around looking at things. I peeked in the other rooms and at the items that were stacked in corners and placed on ledges. I could tell that almost everything they had was either from old farms or campgrounds. No evidence anywhere that they had been to a big city or large store.
And then, my eyes feel huge. I am in awe of what I see while looking in a large sack. Cans of soda! Well who knows how old they could be but they look fairly new. The types of brand labels are all modern so they must not be too old. Glaring at the numbers was not as easy as the light is very dim. The light here never seems bright enough for my taste. I would really love to have big bright lights. The glow here is similar to a candle. I go for my duffel to dig for that little flashlight I had seen. The numbers are all in red and even though I cannot make out the month it is definitely this year so I crack one open.
It is warm but the can is cool on the outside from the air down here. It is bubbly and tasty. This is going to be a great day I can feel it. I found an old blanket and laid it out on the floor by the fire to dump out my bag.
I wanted to lay out everything that was in the
re and really go through it now that I had some time alone. Right after I have some crate time and some granola from the bag. Oh my taste buds are in heaven right now.
I carefully laid out all of the socks and shirts. Granola bars. Popcorn!
Markers, notebook, baby wipes. Alcohol wipes. Bandages. Insect spray. Hair ties.
A bracelet. Tweezers. Roll on Deodorant. Lotion. Another bar soap. Nail Clippers.
Now for the exciting stash, the little zipper pockets. A map of Arkansas? Odd.
Headache medicine, a dollar bill! Toothpaste, toothbrush. Used. I am still happy with that.
Another pocket. Nothing. Last pocket. Chocolate! And a peppermint.
I am happy to have every single item I have found. I am also grateful for the female products I found.
I really have no use for the dollar bill but everything else is wonderful! I spent some time placing it all back in neatly and wonder around for a place to brush my teeth. I am doing it. I do not mind that it belonged to
143
someone else. I could boil some water in something over the fire and it would be good as new. I am tired of being afraid. Tired of looking to the days in the past when I was paranoid of germs and being so perfect.
This new life has really changed my perspective so much. I always felt disappointed in myself and unaccomplished. Here I feel like I am proud to be me. I was the survivor and the woman who never really got to be who she wanted to be. So then I fell in a hole and changed the world. Ok that may be a little over the top. I did feel proud though to be able to get through this day to day.
I sat back on my cot and put my sweatshirt over my head. I wanted to throw the blanket over but it seemed dusty to me. I will take it with me to the water today and wash it. For now I will just lay here. I just want to sleep the morning away with my belly full of soda and granola. I will just rest.
Stretching and falling back asleep a few times does feel nice sometimes. If I compare it to my old life of alarm clocks and schedules it is certainly more relaxing and stress free. I am less stressed since I stopped needing answers to the hundreds of questions I created after arriving. Now that it has been a month or more it is hard to remember what it was really like at home
anymore. I remember it but it does not feel real. This feels real.
I rubbed my eyes and went through my hair with my fingers still checking for old bugs. I grabbed my things and that big dirty blanket and headed for the swimming hole. It was lit so beautifully with the lanterns and I grabbed a couple of towels to lie on the rock ledge. I wanted to wash everything with my new shampoo and was certain that I would regret it later. I knew I needed it to last for say, the next twenty years.
I sure hope not. I hope that I only need this shampoo for another day or week. Not for a year or two or ten. I washed out the blanket first and hung it over a big rock.
I was hoping it would dry before nightfall. I washed out a few more clothing items and laid them out and swam away. I floated and washed. I really enjoyed the moment of swimming undressed and not watched. It was just me and my soap. It was just me and my steaming water.
I am at the end of my internship here. I am not new anymore and have learned so much more about the Bigfoot ways. I am sure that how it is today is how most
145
of my days are just going to be. I was sleeping, swimming, discovering, and waiting for Stem while he hunts. I wonder since it was still morning when he left if he was meeting others and preparing to go out or if he was going to be going alone.
I see him going up and walking through the trails. I see him searching for his kill while he marks his areas by ripping branches down as he goes. As he kills one deer with his bare hands and delivers it to a well to be taken in by workers, he continues to look for more food. He walks for miles to areas familiar to him and some new. He was looking for trinkets and goodies. Exploring and stalking the woods while avoiding and hiding from hunters or people nearby.
Stem was making swift and smooth strides through the trees. He was checking traps and areas for other prey. I admire the determination and strength to keep going for so many hours without sleep. .
I checked the kitchen for a meat sack and could not believe that I was actually hungry for it. I could see out towards the big entry way that the guards were still there.
They were drinking water and talking in calm voices. I could not tell if they were the same ones that were there when we arrived. I see some differences in the ones
that I have met and talked to and if I have not had that chance they all kind of blend in. A lot of similar features and the biggest difference is facial hair, hair colors and hair length. Mostly all that I have seen have big brown eyes. He had caring and non-judging eyes. Sad and devoted eyes.
After hours of exploring the area, swimming and eating I had finally decided to rest.
It was quiet but the noise of the water area was soothing. Like a stream with a little noise to drown out the eerie silence. It was also the kind of noise that makes you need to go to the crate often if you listen to the water too much. You win some you lose some.
Eyes closing and a comfortable sleep is here.
147
Chapter Thirteen
I woke up in the middle of the night missing my life. I am lying in this place I now call my home. This is where I live and I am lonely and sad. Lying with my sweatshirt snuggled up I think about all of the times I had walked out in the woods. I often wonder if Stem had seen me before or I had walked by him while he hid behind a tree.
I feel a cold coming on. Sneezing and clearing my throat I decided to get up and find what I need to make my coffee. I decided to use a clean shirt for the filter and a camping pot I found in the stack of items in the other room. I headed out to the fire and put the water on to warm it up. Getting it to boil may be difficult unless I can get the flame going more.
I have found a tin cup, an extra pan and used a hair tie to bundle up the coffee in the fabric. This was very satisfying and a clearing for my mind. As I poured the hot water over the bundle over and over the coffee started to brew and the smell was amazing. I had nothing to add except a sugar packet that I had found in the duffel. There was a baggie of them and I intended on making them last as long as I could.
149
I took my new brew back to my cot and sipped at it for a few minutes. My watch was showing 4am and I decided to stay on my cot for a few minutes. I was dreaming on and off of finding a way to leave. Or finding a way to just accept my new life.
And just as I had fallen asleep again for the third time I heard a noise. I heard voices and just stayed in place. I look up and see Stem in the doorway. He seems to be looking at me to see if I am awake.
I say to him quietly, “I am awake, how was your trip?”
He grins with a sneaky looking smile and walks away. That is odd. Maybe he wants me to follow him to see how it went. I sit up too quickly and feel the dizziness come over me. I was sweating and not well. Maybe the coffee was too much. After steadying myself for a moment I went to the crate to get my bearings. I felt sick. After losing my coffee in an upheaval I felt better. It must not be meant to be consumed without a hotter brew.
I found Stem out in the large living area. He was walking towards the water areas maybe so he could clean up. He has a lot of mud and leaves stuck in his hair near his feet. Most of his body hair is very short and seems longer on his lower legs.
I followed him to the water and my voice echoed across the large room.
“How was your trip, are you ok?”
He said, “My trip was good. I brought a gift for you. I wanted to find something to bring happiness to you.”
He must think I am crazy. He steps into the water and runs his fingers through his hair. I smile and hand him my soap that I left on the rocks. His smile and his voice are rugged and sweet.
“I will take you to your gift when I finish here.” he says. Despite my anxiety and fear of what it could be I smiled back and sat down t
o wait. My stomach was still a tad bit upset and I was guessing because it was close to time for my monthly. I wonder how he knows me so well so soon. He figured out quickly that I love surprises. Maybe it was because of my last reaction.
I watch him wash and swim. I do care for him and am happy that he has returned safely. With his family away our time will be like the first days I spent with him. Just us. Alone. I liked that idea. He looked at me while he was splashing around and could not take his eyes off of me. He swims to the end and motions me to stand. I walk towards him with the fear of getting his wet hair on me and as usual I go with it.