Chapter One
After being on the road for fifteen
hours, I never expected to find myself stranded on the side of the
road in a backwoods, Cajun community. Getting to the Gulf of Mexico
was my only goal. Sipping fruity, high in alcohol drinks while I
sunbathed on the beach would now have to wait. All thoughts of
getting banged by some random life guard disappeared as I watched
the smoke billow out from under the hood of my rental
car.
“Fuck! Not even one bar on my cell
phone. Where the hell am I?”
The past hour of driving had gone by in
a blur. I didn’t recall passing a road or town sign and strangely,
I felt as though I’d been driving in circles. The occasional shanty
and crocodile were all I’d seen. Now, as I stood on the side of the
dirt road, surrounded by giant Cypress trees, I watched the
daylight fade quickly.
“I had to be a big shot. I just had to
come down here alone!” I was quite apt at using snark, even when I
spoke to myself. Always independent, this time I’d truly screwed
myself.
“Someone please help me.” I prayed,
though I knew no one would answer. No, I was definitely on my
own.
I grabbed my purse and locked the doors
of the car before venturing out to find someone, anyone who might
have a phone. I knew the chances were slim, but I couldn’t sit by
the side of the road waiting for a crazed serial killer to find me.
Better to be a moving target than a sitting duck.
“Why don’t I ever wear sensible shoes?”
The expensive sandals I’d chosen for the trip were far from
comfortable, but the straps were studded with rhinestones and
perfectly accentuated my calves. I realized my one ‘must have’
accessory was now cutting into my legs, so I sat down and removed
them. Slinging the ridiculous shoes over my shoulder, I trekked
onward, deeper into the forest.
“Of all places!” I was now engulfed in
complete darkness, save for the myriad of creepy eyes glaring at me
from the trees and bushes. Goosebumps appeared on my tan skin and I
shivered, though it had to be well over ninety degrees. Something
didn’t feel right. I could turn back, but I knew there wasn’t a
soul living where my car had died. I had only one choice. Keep
going.
Luckily, I’d worn thin clothing. Even
in the woods, the humidity was almost unbearable. I came upon a
lake and sat down for a moment. My tube top, now soaked with sweat
had to be removed. I dipped it into the cool water and fashioned it
upon my forehead, sliding it back and twisting the excess. I now
had a headband which helped to keep me cool. My long, chestnut-
brown hair was still matted with dirt and sweat, but at least, the
fabric kept it from running down my face.
I stumbled on and on for what felt like
miles. I knew better than to be in out in the swamps alone at
night, but what else could I do? By now, I knew I had traveled deep
into the bayou and I had no idea if I could find my way back out.
There hadn’t been one shanty with a light on and I knew I was
screwed…so screwed.
Chapter Two
By then, I knew the entire endeavor was
an effort in futility. I couldn’t keep going. I was tired, hungry
and dehydrated.
“I can see the headlines now. ‘Missing
Woman From Ohio Found Dead In Louisiana Swamp: Manner of Death:
Stupidity’.”
Literally, plopping myself down, I
landed with a muffled ‘Thud!’ on the sandy path.
“I cannot believe this is how I’m going
to die. Dirty, sweaty, shoeless with dried blood running down my
legs. Unfucking real.”
I propped myself up against a huge, old
Cypress tree. Small slivers of moonlight peeked through and
reflected a glimmery surface sheltered deeper in the swamp.
“Another pond full of muddy water. Fabulous.”
As I said, I was beyond thirsty, so any
water, even muddy water would have to do. I can’t tell you how many
nocturnal critters ran and slithered from me that night. I lost
count. All I know is that there are way too many crocodiles,
raccoons and snakes in the bayou.
Finally, the
After being on the road for fifteen
hours, I never expected to find myself stranded on the side of the
road in a backwoods, Cajun community. Getting to the Gulf of Mexico
was my only goal. Sipping fruity, high in alcohol drinks while I
sunbathed on the beach would now have to wait. All thoughts of
getting banged by some random life guard disappeared as I watched
the smoke billow out from under the hood of my rental
car.
“Fuck! Not even one bar on my cell
phone. Where the hell am I?”
The past hour of driving had gone by in
a blur. I didn’t recall passing a road or town sign and strangely,
I felt as though I’d been driving in circles. The occasional shanty
and crocodile were all I’d seen. Now, as I stood on the side of the
dirt road, surrounded by giant Cypress trees, I watched the
daylight fade quickly.
“I had to be a big shot. I just had to
come down here alone!” I was quite apt at using snark, even when I
spoke to myself. Always independent, this time I’d truly screwed
myself.
“Someone please help me.” I prayed,
though I knew no one would answer. No, I was definitely on my
own.
I grabbed my purse and locked the doors
of the car before venturing out to find someone, anyone who might
have a phone. I knew the chances were slim, but I couldn’t sit by
the side of the road waiting for a crazed serial killer to find me.
Better to be a moving target than a sitting duck.
“Why don’t I ever wear sensible shoes?”
The expensive sandals I’d chosen for the trip were far from
comfortable, but the straps were studded with rhinestones and
perfectly accentuated my calves. I realized my one ‘must have’
accessory was now cutting into my legs, so I sat down and removed
them. Slinging the ridiculous shoes over my shoulder, I trekked
onward, deeper into the forest.
“Of all places!” I was now engulfed in
complete darkness, save for the myriad of creepy eyes glaring at me
from the trees and bushes. Goosebumps appeared on my tan skin and I
shivered, though it had to be well over ninety degrees. Something
didn’t feel right. I could turn back, but I knew there wasn’t a
soul living where my car had died. I had only one choice. Keep
going.
Luckily, I’d worn thin clothing. Even
in the woods, the humidity was almost unbearable. I came upon a
lake and sat down for a moment. My tube top, now soaked with sweat
had to be removed. I dipped it into the cool water and fashioned it
upon my forehead, sliding it back and twisting the excess. I now
had a headband which helped to keep me cool. My long, chestnut-
brown hair was still matted with dirt and sweat, but at least, the
fabric kept it from running down my face.
I stumbled on and on for what felt like
miles. I knew better than to be in out in the swamps alone at
night, but what else could I do? By now, I knew I had traveled deep
into the bayou and I had no idea if I could find my way back out.
There hadn’t been one shanty with a light on and I knew I was
screwed…so screwed.
Chapter Two
By then, I knew the entire endeavor was
an effort in futility. I couldn’t keep going. I was tired, hungry
and dehydrated.
“I can see the headlines now. ‘Missing
Woman From Ohio Found Dead In Louisiana Swamp: Manner of Death:
Stupidity’.”
Literally, plopping myself down, I
landed with a muffled ‘Thud!’ on the sandy path.
“I cannot believe this is how I’m going
to die. Dirty, sweaty, shoeless with dried blood running down my
legs. Unfucking real.”
I propped myself up against a huge, old
Cypress tree. Small slivers of moonlight peeked through and
reflected a glimmery surface sheltered deeper in the swamp.
“Another pond full of muddy water. Fabulous.”
As I said, I was beyond thirsty, so any
water, even muddy water would have to do. I can’t tell you how many
nocturnal critters ran and slithered from me that night. I lost
count. All I know is that there are way too many crocodiles,
raccoons and snakes in the bayou.
Finally, the
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