I stood there in the darkness of the woods letting my eyes adjust to the light. It was not long after the sun went down, and the shadows were just starting to conjoin creating the darkness around me. I was never known for my fear of the dark and, in fact, loved the night. The coolness of the air, the light from the moon, the quiet around me, like god was giving me my very own time and I took in every moment of it. I had no idea of where I was going but I knew I wasn’t going home. The woods nearby was my first choice. So here I was trudging through the woods with nothing to help me but a jacket and an almost-dead cell phone in my pocket. I walked on and on till I came on what I was looking for. The tree that was as dear to me as a close friend would be. I leapt into the tree cat-like, quietly and looked out into the empty field before me, watching the few deer I didn’t scare.
The moon hung low in the sky and was barely a sliver of light casting shadows below the trees and creatures. I stared at it with my gaze transfixed on its beauty. Then, as if on pure impulse, I made a wolf-like howl toward the moon for absolute no reason. The two deer nearby scampered back into the woods and I sneered to myself. Deer, they ran and ran. Truly pathetic animals, prey, always running from their fear. Not like the predators of the night. Fearless. The howl of a wolf was powerful and would frighten any creature for miles. The screech of an owl sent shivers down ones spine. A bears own appearance would send any human running with terror.
…
Later I woke with the sun shining on my face. I stirred slowly and kept my eyes shut. Barely moving, I slid my arms around me and felt pine needles prick at my fingers. I sat up drowsily and then opened my eyes. I was lying on a patch of grass sprinkled with the sharp needles. I lay back down under the tree from last night and peered up at the brown, orange, leaves of early fall. If ever a moment of peace existed in humanity, simple as it was, that moment was mine.