by P. Z. Walker
The rest of the day went about normally, and also the Sunday that followed was just a Sunday. All the spooky things of the Saturday afternoon in the forest faded away, as did the lump on her head.
The first sign that not all things were back to normal came on Monday, when she pulled her car up to where Josy always waited for her. Josy wasn't there. That wasn't anything like Josy, so Sheila called her cell phone and was switched to voice mail. "Hey Josy. I'm waiting here for you. You have five minutes or you're taxi-bound."
Five minutes later there was no Josy. Sheila called again, and again she heard the voice mail message. Weird, she thought, if Josy was sick she'd have called. Well, she'd given fair warning, so she drove off to work. No one there had heard from Josy either, and Sheila now seriously worried about her friend, together with the others at the dental practice. During the lunch-break Sheila offered to drive to Josy's again. Her co-workers thought that a good idea, but as she arrived there she found no one, despite lots of ringing the door-bell.
"That's not like Josy at all," said Gary, one of the dentists, after Sheila had returned to work. "She's what people set clocks to. Well, most of the time."
Sheila agreed, Josy's punctuality was the stuff proverbs were made of, so she called the police.
"Miss Josy Barnes you say? Please hold." The voice at the other end of the line gave Sheila a bad feeling. He didn't ask anything, as if he recognised Josy's name. "Miss Williams?" the voice came back.
"Yes?"
"Can you come down to the station? We'd like to ask you a few questions regarding Miss Barnes."
"Shouldn't you talk to her family?" Sheila then recalled that Josy had never mentioned her parents or siblings.
"We've tried to find next of kin but found that her parents died, and she's an only child."
"But why should I come over? What happened? Is she hurt?" Sheila's heart was gripped by fear.
"It would be best if you come over, Miss Williams." The man gave her the address.
Gary almost chased Sheila off, waving any word about taking leave away. "Go there and let us know what you've learnt. This is very uncommon. Go, go."
Sheila drove to the police station, far too fast. The officer she'd spoken to, his name was Morrisey, took her into a room and offered her coffee. "Miss Barnes has disappeared last Sunday afternoon," he then said. "She was at the, uhm, resort with some friends."
Sheila blushed. He referred to the nudist resort. "What happened?" Tears welled up from her eyes. This didn't sound good. She looked for a handkerchief as the police officer started talking.
"They were a group of five. They went into a forest area of the, uhm, park, to hike around, so we were told. Somehow Miss Barness discovered she'd lost something and ran back into the forest. Her friends waited for a while, but she didn't return. The police have gone through every brush and fern, but we've not found anything except the bag she had with her."
Sheila looked at the man in fright. Not only his words shocked her, also the colours were back. He was enveloped in blue, black and red, and the colours swirled as if he was very ill at ease. "We hope you would be able to identify the bag as being the property of Miss Barnes."
"Where is Josy?" was the first and most illogical thing Sheila could ask. "Where's my friend?" Fright charged at her and her reason switched off for a moment.
"Please, Miss Williams," said officer Morrisey, "if you could just have a look." From a box that Sheila hadn't noticed before he took a bag that came straight from the hippie era, orange with flowers in insane colours. It was Josy's favourite bag.
"Yes, that's hers, but where is she?" The colours around the man opposite her became even more frantic in their dance, while dark brown mixed in. The effect disturbed her more than that it distracted her.
"We're still trying to find out. When was the last time you saw her?"
Sheila replied almost unwillingly, but half an hour later she had given a complete statement about the last time she'd seen her friend, and how Josy's mental state was, and more things like that. Officer Morrisey thanked her and promised he'd inform her as soon as they knew something more. By the time Sheila was in her car, tears flowed over her cheeks and she couldn't stop them for quite a while. Only after she'd calmed herself down, she called her work and explained what had happened. Gary told her to take the rest of the day off; he obviously sensed that Sheila wasn't able to work any more that day.
Slowly she drove home, focussing hard on the traffic. The colours were still everywhere and did their best to distract her, but she made it to her apartment safely. There she had another good cry about Josy. Even when nothing was clear, it wasn't like her friend to just disappear, and certainly not in a park where she was having fun with friends.
Only after that she thought of the colours again. Sheila checked her hand. Yes, colours. More red now. Weird that she'd not noticed them until now, and they hadn't gone away, she was certain of that. It was almost like the colours of the aura, something in her head reminded her about an article she'd once read.
"Get out of here," she told herself. "I bumped my head. That can't make you see auras. Or can it?" She wasn't certain though, and she couldn't remember where she read about it so she made a few calls to friends. Everyone was shocked at the new of Josy's disappearing, even when they didn't know her. Most were amazed at her revelation about the colours, but had no idea if a bump on the head could trigger something like that. A few others said it would probably go away in a few days and told her not to worry. Each answer had a good side, but neither helped her further. During the call, she also noticed, the ability faded again, and as it hadn't shown all Sunday it probably was something that would fade over time.
She looked for something to read and distract her from Josy's disappearing when the phone started ringing. Sheila didn't recognise the number. Against her habits she answered. "Hello?" she said while she didn't understand herself.
"Hi. Is this Sheila Williams? I'm Mike. Mike Michaels. I'm a friend of Josy's."
"Yes. I'm Sheila. How did you get my number?" Mike Michaels. The name almost sounded like a joke.
There was a chuckle on the other end. "Josems said you'd react that way." Josems. Only the very best of friends called her Josems. Josy would fly off like a rocket at people she hadn't allowed to use that name, so this Mike had to be safe.
"And why do you call me?" Sheila asked.
"Yeah, I should tell you, huh?" Mike's voice sounded a bit slow, like he was on some kind of dope, but he didn't sound sullen. "The cops have been sweating their butts off here in the park and they came up with nothing. You know, I was there when Josy disappeared." The man on the other end now sounded very serious, even worried. "I don't think they know what they're up against here, and Josems told us about your stuff."
"My... stuff?" Sheila felt her cheeks flush.
"Yeah, you know, you being a witchy person and stuff. I think you and I could click quite well, like in spiritual matters and such."
Sheila frowned. She wasn't certain what he'd consider spiritual matters. He sounded a bit too distant from the real world at times. "What do you mean exactly by that?"
"Yeah, see, there's a lot of talk going into that, perhaps we should meet up somewhere and chat about that without electronics messing up the vibes, Sheila. I can pick up some heavy duty uncertainty from your end. Also something Josems mentioned. You do better in person."
Damn you, Josy, was the first thing Sheila thought, for telling people so much about me. On the other hand, she corrected her thought, it was nice to know Josy knew her friends so well. "Right. Where do you suggest we can meet?"
"Well, I'm at the park right now. If you have some wheels to take you here, I can show you where it happened. I mean, you're a witch but you don't fly around on brooms, right? 'Cause if you do I want you to teach me that trick." Mike laughed at his own joke. It actually made Sheila grin as well.
"Okay, where is-" Her mouth snapped shut. For crying out loud, the park was the nudist pl
ace! And she'd already said okay! "I mean, is there no better place?"
"You tell me, sister. If there is a better place than where it actually happened, you're free to enlighten me." He had her, and she knew it. And even worse: she had the rest of the day off. Tomorrow she'd be at work again.
"You mean at the nude people place, right?" she asked to stall for a decision.
Mike laughed. "Yes, at the nude people place, although we call it a naturist retreat. Or simply the Mighty Oaks Resort if that makes it sound any better. Josy said you're not into this but that's cool. We'll get it sorted."
"Do I.. uhm... have to..." It was near impossible for her to ask her question.
"Take it all off? No one here wants to make you feel uncomfortable, so come and be how you are. I'll be waiting at the gate." He gave her the address and with that the call ended.
Chapter 3.
Sheila stared at the telephone in her hand. How had that happened? Someone had talked her into going to that place, something that even one of her best friends had not succeeded in. "You are so going to regret this," she said, not deciding whether she meant herself, Mike or Josy, or someone so far unknown. "But if it's something that brings Josy back, then I'm going to do this."
As she got up from the couch she noticed she still wore her work clothes. She changed into something easier and lighter, as it was quite warm again that day. Shorts, sandals and a tank top would have to do. Those, and a few of her trusted divination tools in her bag, among which her Tarot deck, two coloured feathers and a large crystal on a chain that she loved.
The drive to the resort took a while, and the closer she got, the more she steeled herself for the sight of hundreds of naked people. At one point her fright of that almost seized control and only the thought of doing something for Josy made her go on. For a moment she also thought that this was all set up by her friend to get her to the park, but she had to dismiss that one; the police were really looking for her. No way Josy or anyone else would be able to stage something all the way into a police station.
The sign Mighty Oaks shocked her brain back into the present. She was there and she'd have to go in. Sweat appeared on her brow, despite the air-conditioning in the car.
The drive up to the gate of the resort passed through a small stretch of forest that consisted mainly of oaks, she noticed. Of course, why else would the place be called Mighty Oaks? The gate came closer and opened as her car approached. A man walked out and waved. He wore shorts, she saw to her relief. The rest of him looked like a cave man, with his long, black hair and his beard. He walked barefoot. As her car was halfway through the gate, the man beckoned her to stop.
"Heya, I'm Mike. Sheila, right?" Before she could answer, he continued. "Yeah, that's you. That's the vibe I caught on the phone. Pull your car into the gate, I'll close up and show you where to go."
She drove the car past the gate. Mike slipped into the seat next to her and directed her to a parking next to a low building. As they left the car, Sheila said: "Thank you, Mike."
He smiled and patted his shorts. "Sure, no sweat, little sister." He looked and sounded more like a hippie than a dope head, she thought. "I'll try to keep them on a bit longer for you." At her frown he explained that he usually wore nothing as he lived on the resort. "This feels wrong to my skin, but I'll do this for you. You're her friend as I am."
Mike took her into the low building where she saw a few more people, a few dressed in shorts, others dressed in nothing. A lady, who sat talking on the phone, also only wore shorts! Mike didn't give Sheila time to wonder and gape, he guided her to a map that hung from the far wall. "See, this is where we are," he pointed. "And that is where the Five Oaks are, where it happened." Then he put his hands on Sheila's shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. She noticed how strong he was, despite his thin arms. "Let me get you something to drink. And then you'll talk to me, okay?" He ushered her to a long table with lots of chairs, sat her down and left, to return with two mugs of iced tea. Mike sat down and looked at Sheila, waiting for her to begin.
Before she could start to speak, the door opened and a group of four nude people barged in, laughing and yelling at each other. Sheila saw them and dragged her eyes back to her mug, not wanting to see any more. Stealthily she looked at Mike who just smiled and gave her a wink. "All cool, little sister. They don't mind. They have nothing to hide." Now there was a truth.
"How long have you known Josy?" Sheila then asked, buying time.
"Bunch of years. She's been here for that long too," Mike shrugged. "Big spirit in her, bursting with life, always helping and way cool. And you?"
Sheila told him about meeting Josy at the dentist's and how they became friends. "She talked about this place a lot, but never was pushy about it."
"'Course not. Won't work that way. You dig it, you get curious and you try it, or you miss out on something great," Mike nodded. "Josy digs it."
The four people at the counter, three men and a woman, laughed at something and left. Sheila watched them go and then quickly focussed on Mike's face again, almost embarrassed about her curiosity. If he noticed, he didn't show it. "So how's that witchy stuff of you work?" he asked instead, giving Sheila more time to talk about safe things, things she knew and was convinced of.
She told him about divining, the Tarot cards, and also about the native chants and the energy work that she tried to do for others. As she talked, she noticed how the hippie man somehow became uncomfortable. "Am I boring you? I know it's not for everyone-"
"No, it's cool, it's just this... thing." He pulled at the shorts as if it was some alien matter that clung to him.
"Oh. I see." She thought for a moment. "You can, uhm, take it off if you want." He didn't wait a second. At least as long as they sat here she only saw his torso. Anything she didn't want to see was hidden beneath the table for now. "I'll just look the other way."
"That's cool, Sheils."
She frowned at the odd twist he gave to her name but didn't bother to ask yet. "So you were with her when she vanished?"
"Yeah." Mike got up and walked to the map, pointing at the spot he'd shown her before. Instead of seeing his finger, Sheila stared at his naked behind. He really didn't seem to care if anyone saw him like that! Sheila got up and joined him at the map so she could only see that. "We were going along here," Mike said as if nothing was the matter, "and at that spot, right past the Five Oaks, Josems ran back for her bag. We'd camped for a bite here" -he pointed at a spot just before the Five Oaks mark- "and we went looking for her as she took so long. We found her bag there, next to one of the Five."
Sheila kept her eyes on the map. There was nothing to it that she was standing here next to a naked man, she told herself, hundreds of people stand next to naked men every day. The only thing was that she had never counted herself among those hundreds. Until now.
"Care to go up to the Five and see? The cops trampled all over, messing up the vibes, little sister, but maybe you can find something anyway."
There was something about this man. Sheila had to admit that to herself. He treated her like a normal person, even though he was naked. And he didn't ridicule her craft. Not yet anyway. "Yes, let's go there." As they walked out of the building, Mike waving at the people behind the counter, Sheila asked him how he had gotten interested in the vibes he mentioned so often. She held her purse clutched to her chest and kept her eyes on the ground in front of her as she asked Mother Nature to keep her eyes off the nude people.
"I studied with a guru, you know," Mike said as they walked. "Hey Nancy." His greeting someone made Sheila automatically look up. Nancy was a lady in her early fifties, strolling along. In the nude.
"Hello Mike. Who is your friend?" Nancy asked as she approached him and Sheila, who almost had a fright.
Mike introduced Sheila. "Friend of Josy's," he said then. "We're going up the Five, see if we can channel her."
"You only channel someone who's dead," Sheila immediately reacted, "and Josy's not dead."
/> "See, Sheils knows her things," Mike said, patting her on the shoulder. She tried not to shy away.
"I see. Well, good luck there, Sheila. And do take off that cumbersome cloth when you feel like it," Nancy said as a goodbye.
"No thanks, I'm fine this way," Sheila said, wondering if Nancy heard.
"Nancy's cool, one of the first members," Mike said. "Come, up that way."
Sheila looked where he pointed. They'd go along a nice trail, crossing an open area with grass - and many naked people on that grass. Not hundreds as she'd feared, but several dozens at least. They lounged in the sun, read books, some were playing badminton.
"You don't have to watch them if you don't want to," Mike said, "but they don't mind. Just don't stare, that's rude."
"Uhhuh," Sheila said as they set off. None of the nude people seemed to care about her walking past them. Some waved at Mike, some interested ones were quickly told who Sheila was, and then they were beneath the trees already.
"All cool people," Mike commented without being asked.
"They seem to be," Sheila agreed, grabbing her purse a bit firmer. It had been warm in the sun, but below the foliage it felt oppressively warm. "It's so strange, you know."
"What's strange, little sister?" Mike asked.
"They all seem so normal, even though they're not wearing clothes." There. She'd said it.
Mike chuckled. It sounded disarming. "You can say that, yes. Naturists are just like other people, aren't they?"
"Naturists? I thought they're nudists?" Sheila asked. Somehow it was easy to talk to this man, as long as she didn't look at him.
"Naturist, nudist, undressed. All labels, and labels go into the clothes we don't like to wear. Who cares," Mike shrugged. It almost sounded like something deep. "Okay, turn right and up the hill here."