A “CLOSED for the season” sign hung dejectedly in the window of the national park tollbooth as Dany and Brad made their way out of the woods. Brad slowed to a stop as he noticed the front page of a local newspaper taped face out on the glass.

SEARCH FINALLY OVER

The body of Adam White was found and identified by authorities yesterday morning in a pool of still water in Campbell River. The local Search and Rescue volunteer team had been methodically making their way through the National Forest area since White was officially announced as a missing person two weeks ago. The young man is understood to have been on a kind of personal eco challenge and presumably became turned around in the woods. No apparent foul play was involved, although an autopsy has not yet been performed.

Two photos of Adam White stared out at the boys from the newspaper.

“Found yesterday? But.…” Brad began and then abruptly stopped.

“I know,” was all Dany could think of to say.

The guys turned in a state of shock and walked to their truck. They tossed the backpacks in the back, unlocked the cab, and jumped in. In a trance, Dany revved the engine and started to pull out of the parking lot. Suddenly the brake lights flashed, and the wheels skidded to a stop. Dany’s and Brad’s eyes locked on a medallion glinting in the sunlight and swinging on its chain from the rearview mirror. Without a word Dany stepped on the gas and raced out of the woods.

A SMILE played across Adam’s face as he made his way from the river toward the cliff. Another peaceful day stretched out before him to watch, to listen, and to observe his forest, but never to interrupt.

The Transmitter

The setting was a dinner party. At least that’s how it started, but nothing is ever completely as it seems when you live between dimensions of dream and wakefulness. Somewhere between the two, I received the warning: it was all starting again.

ALL QUITE run of the mill when she reached across the table and grabbed my hand. It wasn’t so out of place but for the fact that we’d only been introduced earlier that night.

“I’m scared,” she confessed and looked intently into my eyes.

“Don’t worry. I’ll go with you.” I heard myself comfort her as if this was the most common thing in the world. “I want to go with you.”