Miraculous: Tales of the Unknown Read online

Soulless

  By: Amber Streed

  ©2013 by Amber Streed

  I am a regular high school girl. Nothing ever happens to me that's out of the ordinary. I make good grades, I do my chores and I go to work. Life is boring. I envied Jessica. She was my best friend but somehow our social lives were never in sync. She played soccer, cheered and was the most beautiful girl in our senior class. Blonde hair, greened eyed and legs for days. I was unfortunately short and seemed to always be in a fight with my ever so boring brown hair. I wore glasses that always seemed to slide down my nose and make up never seemed to help bring out the hazy brown color of my eyes. I accepted it, I dealt with it. Sometimes it would get me down but for the most part I tried not to think about it. Until he showed up in my Bio class. A new student from Seattle, Washington. He took my breath away. Unfortunately he also took away my grace. Every time I saw him I did something totally clumsy; I dropped my books, spilled my drink, and stumbled over my own feet. I was hopeless. Love would never find me. I attempted to converse with people in class or at lunch, but normal the response was eye rolling or one word answers. The only guy who ever talked to me was Charlie, who probably only talked to me because we sat together in art class.

  Dustin was in my math class. He was smart; which surprised me. Most guys in this school could care less about their education. All they cared about was parties, girls, and parties. He had it all I thought; looks, brains and mystery. If only I could stop being so awkward around him, maybe he wouldn’t totally dismiss me. I told Jessica about my crush and she just laughed. Maybe it was because she was trying to make me feel like I should just go for it but maybe down deep she knew I never had a chance. After school I headed straight home. My dad was always at work and my mom left us when I was 3. I ran upstairs, threw my backpack in the corner and plopped on my bed. I laid there, thinking about my life. I just wanted to be happy and fall in love…was that too much to ask? Just before I was ready to cry out of desperation, I heard the doorbell ring. I slowly walked down the stairs, not even caring who was there on the other side. I looked through the peephole only to see Jessica putting on her shiny pink lip gloss. Reluctantly I opened the door and felt her strawberry smelling hair brush my face as she ran to the kitchen to find something to eat.

  “So, dad gone again Rhy?” She asked in her bubbly voice.

  “Yes, as always. He left me here all by my lonesome.” I groaned.

  “Get your ass upstairs. We are going to Matt’s party tonight. Everyone will be there.”

  “Um in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not the most popular person in the school and I’m pretty sure no one wants me there.” I hissed.

  “Don’t be dramatic, you will be there with me. I promise I won’t leave you by yourself tonight. It will be fun. You need to get out and socialize Wednesday Adams.” She joked.

  “Haha. You are so hilarious. Fine. I will go. I can be the dorky girl who follows you around.” I mumbled.

  We ran up the stairs to get me changed. She was going to do my hair and my makeup so I had to admit I was a little excited. Maybe this would be the night things would change for me.

  She dressed me up in cute clothes and did my makeup and hair. When I looked in the mirror it was almost like there was a different person looking back at me. I kind of liked it. When she was done dolling me up, we jumped in her car and headed off to Matt’s house. I had butterflies in my stomach the whole way there and I pleaded with her to take me back home. Of course she refused and kept on driving. She was determined to make me have a great time even if it was against my will.

  Matt had a huge house on the west side of town. He was quarterback for the school’s football team, and homecoming king all three years of his high school life. We walked up to his door, and right away I had a feeling this was going to be one hell of a night…

  Music was blaring and there were crowds of people everywhere. Matt came down the stairs, beer in hand and open arms to meet Jessica. He looked at me up and down, turned to Jess, and right in front of me said “Wow is this the same dog that always follows you around?” All of his buddies heard him and everyone turned to look at me. Of course they all thought this was hilarious and stroked his ego more by laughing with him. She punched him in the arm and gave him the look to shut up. I sighed and turned away, heading for the door. Jessica tried to pull my arm to make me stay, but I pulled it as hard as I could and kept walking. I was so done with this bullshit. As I opened the door a cool breeze hit my face and Dustin was standing right in front of me. Normally I would swoon and freeze right where I was standing. This time I was so overwhelmed with what happened, I pushed him out of the way and tears started flowing from my eyes. I ran outside and down the steps, out into the dark starry night. Matt’s house was isolated with acres of land in every direction. I ran into a patch of trees nearby and sank to my knees. I was tired of this life. I was tired of everyone who pretended to be in mine.

  I hated school, I hated my dad, and I hated this life. I looked at my phone to see what time it was and I had a missed text message from Jessica. She pleaded with me to come back to the party, she promised Matt and his friends would behave. We had been friends since Kindergarten but I just didn’t see the point anymore. We were too different. I didn’t belong in her world. I texted her back exactly what I felt in my heart at that moment...Sorry Jess I can’t. I don’t think we should talk for a while. I don’t fit into your life. We live in two different worlds.

  With that, I deleted her number, and everything else I kept on my phone that had anything to do with her. I was determined to leave everyone in this town behind and to start over somewhere else where I had a chance. I started walking down the tree lined road. It was quiet out but it was still close enough for me to hear the base from the music at the party. I knew this town and the people in it weren’t right for me. As I continued in the dark I started to hear things behind me. Every time I turned around to see if someone there, there was no one. I was alone…or so I thought. I heard a loud rustling this time and turned around as fast as I could, ready to completely lash out at someone. With all the anger boiling up inside me right now, I was sure I could do some damage. When I turned I saw Dustin walking behind me. I stopped in my tracks and asked “What the hell are you doing? You scared the shit out of me.”

  “Sorry I saw you left the party crying so I came after you to see if you were alright.” He said sincerely.

  “Of course you did. So you and your friends could have a laugh about it later? Fuck off dude.” I demanded.

  He gave me a look that made me feel guilty for saying what I had said. But before I could speak he snapped back at me “Those aren’t my “friends” up here ok? I went to the stupid party hoping I would see you.” I was taken aback by this and didn’t really know how to respond.

  “Why me? No one at that school even pretends to like me.” I replied.

  He looked at me with confusion in his eyes and muttered “Well I’m not anything like the people at that school. I just, like your art and you seem cool in math class. I could use a friend. I really don’t know anyone out here.”

  I was speechless. Here I was being a complete bitch to this guy who actually wanted to get to know me.

  “I’m sorry.” I stuttered. “It’s just that I never know who to trust around here you know? Everyone is so fake.”

  “Yeah I’m catching on to that.” He added. “By the way where are you going? There’s nothing out here but dirt roads and trees. Let me take you back to the party and I will drive you home.” He requested.

  I studied him for a few minutes and decided to give him a chance. After all what’s the worst that could happen? He could end up being just as idiotic and mean as everyone else but that was ok-I was already used to that. “Sure.” I said reluctantly. We turned around toward the mansion which looked so ominous now in the dim light of the moon and the stars. We walked in silence for a while. I could tell he wanted to ask me something, he kept looking over at me and ope
ning his lips but closed them quickly and turned away. Finally I broke the awkward silence by saying “So, what made you come to this place? I mean I’m sure Seattle is a hell of a lot cooler than Silver Springs.”

  “Actually I move a round quite a bit, my dad seems to never want to stay in one place. Why are you still here if you hate it so much?”

  “Good question. I guess I don’t have the means to leave. I literally have no one.” I grumbled.

  “Well maybe it’s not the place that’s so bad, maybe it’s the way you approach things. Maybe these people aren’t so bad.” He stated so gingerly.

  “Oh yeah they are lovely here. Getting called a dog on a daily basis is super fun. Being tripped in the lunch room and having your food fall down your clothes in front of the whole cafeteria is awesome. Matt and his friends have treated me like shit ever since we were young. It’s never going to change.” I hissed.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was that bad. I guess when you are on the outside you just don’t see things how they really are.” He said. I could tell he felt bad which in turn made me feel bad for being so rude to him. Maybe I was just too dramatic. Maybe I should just give him a chance. Maybe he’s not like them.

  “It’s ok look, let’s not talk about them okay? I’m done with them always ruining things.” I said defiantly.

  The night was getting darker, and colder. No wind, no birds chirping, no dogs barking. It was an eerie feeling; like everything in the world was shut off and our shoes were the only things making noise. He looked over at me with this look, this sexy almost sinister look. I never noticed how dark his eyes were. They were beautiful, but dark. Not just in a color way, there was something behind them. Something…disturbed. But they were surprisingly inviting and tempting.

  It was a long way back to the house, and I knew I was being awkward and whiny. I wanted him to see me for who I really was; a kind, artistic, funny girl who wanted nothing more than for people to see the girl behind the glasses.

  “So do you like it here? Where are you from?” I asked.

  “Oh here and there, my family moves around a lot. You could say it’s part of our….religion.” He smirked.

  “So where are your parents?” He continued quickly, I could tell he wanted to change the subject.

  “Oh my mom died when I was young, and my dad, you could say he died when she did-not physically but he was never the same.” I said solemnly.

  “That sucks.” He answered. I could tell he saw the sadness behind my eyes, the sound of my loneliness in my shaky voice. Then he stopped and turned to me. His eyes, dark and ominous-swirling with wrong and right all at the same time. They began to glow with a low light, like when a candle is down to its last centimeter of flame; dying to live. Suddenly the silence around me filled my ears, and everything around me turned black. He took my hand. His hands were so soft and warm to the touch. It was awkward, since I didn’t think anyone liked me enough to hold my hand.

  “I wasn’t sure if I could help you before, but now I know I can. Hear me out, listen to everything I have to say-it’s very important you keep your mind open.” He demanded. He was so serious I dared not disobey him. I couldn’t look away. His eyes were drowning me in a pool of darkness and I could feel a slight breeze brush my cheek that seemed to come up from the ground below us. It was so quiet, not even the sound of the leaves rustling could be heard.

  “Rhylan, what would you say if I told you I could take all your pain away. All of your sadness, your loneliness. What if I said I could make you happy? What if I said you would find your true love within the next two days?” His eyes were staring deep into mine, searching for some part of me that I didn’t understand. He knew my deepest desires-to be loved, to be happy. How could this even be true I thought?

  “I would say you are a crazy bastard.” I answered sarcastically. The look in his eyes made me feel like he was telling the truth, but my mind was telling me it couldn’t be true. Paranormal stuff isn’t real, and if it was real I sure as hell wasn’t lucky enough to have it happen to me.  

  There was silence between us. The kind of silence where we studied each other closely. I wanted to believe him. I wanted so bad to trust him.

  “Ok why are you looking at me like that?” I asked quizzically.

  “Look Rhylan I’m offering you something that you can’t resist. Don’t you want to be happy? Don’t you want to find your true love?” He asked with his dark eyes still glowing with curiosity.

  “Yes of course I want to, who wouldn’t? I just don’t know why you are asking me?” I said, giving him a questionable look.

  “I’ve seen you around school. I see what you go through. I understand your pain. I can see your sadness peering through your beautiful brown eyes.” He reached up with his warm hand and touched my cheek.

  “All it takes is a kiss…technically. There is the part where you swear to give up your soul to me. But that’s just the wording on the contract. If you look at it this way-who knows what it’s like in heaven? I sure as hell don’t. Wouldn’t it be better just to give yourself to me and know where you are going? Hell is so much more fun.” He gave me a devilishly sexy grin and pulled back my hair behind my ear. It was impossible to resist him. He made it seem so easy. What was my soul worth anyway? If I was happy and found my true love what harm could it do? I would be dead anyway. I took a deep breath in and stared him back in the eyes.

  “What exactly does it entail? I just swear to give my soul to you and when I die it’s yours?” I anxiously exhaled.

  “Seems so simple doesn’t it?” He said so casually cruel.

  “Well um yeah. I don’t mean to be rude but what the hell are you?” I asked with a cool tone, trying to shake off my nervousness.

  “Some say I’m just a handsome devil in a meat suit, but Rhylan I’m so much more.”

  He pulled me closer and put his hands over my eyes. We were traveling through some sort of wormhole. I could still feel him holding me tight. He was so warm and he smelled so good. The atmosphere around me was swirling by, colorful and picturesque. I could see him, always the same age, always handsome and dark and mysterious. I saw him through different centuries making deals with the sad, the sick and the poor.  All I saw was the happiness that exuded from the unfortunate people who came across him. In a way he was like an angel, coming to the aid of those desperate souls. He brought them love and fame and popularity, happiness and health. All it took in return was a simple agreement. A small gesture for his generous gift.

  Finally everything started to fade. The scenes I saw were leaving us behind, rushing back to live forever in the grace of their memory. He still had me held close. Close enough to where I could see the small light glowing in his eyes. I never noticed how beautiful his eyelashes were, or how soft his lips looked. Maybe that was all part of the scheme and really he was some scary, ugly demon with horns. I just couldn’t think of him that way. He was too beautiful. And he understood me. What else could I be asking for and actually be receiving at this very moment?

  “Ok Dustin. If that’s even your real name. What do I need to do to make this happen? I’m tired of this life, I’m tired of the people in it who don’t give a shit about me. I want to make the deal.” I said firmly, with a small tear starting to fall down my cheek. Yes, I was desperate. Yes I wanted happiness and love. Who didn’t? It was my turn now. He did what he did best. He gently wiped my tear from my face and looked at me lovingly in the eyes.

  “Kiss me Rhylan. Kiss me and I promise you won’t regret a thing.” He said casually romantic with a mischievous yet utterly breathtaking smile on his face.

  It was happening. He pulled me closer. His breath was hot but sweet on my face. His hand was resting on the small of my back, pulling me closer every second. Then it happened, he pulled me in for the kiss. I didn’t resist-I couldn’t. I couldn’t risk this not being real, it was literally the chance of a lifetime. Kissing him felt so right; not just for the deal but because I kind of liked this
“guy”. Truly he was something out of this world. He was like me in a way-an outsider.

  His lips pressed against mine. They were softer than I thought they would be. His gritty exterior and casual coolness left me believing his lips would be cracked and cold. They were far from that. His kiss enveloped me into this dark place inside my mind. I found myself craving this happiness he spoke of. I wanted to find my true love and I would do ANYTHING to have it be mine. I knew he was still kissing me in reality but what happened in my mind was like a dream. We were standing in the middle of a dark and cold desert. The sky was not filled with stars, but with words. I had no idea of the language of origin but it looked old, unspoken or forgotten. I could hear the contract being whispered to me, through thousands of voices surrounding us. Each dialect was different, but one started to get louder than all the others. It was Dustin. He stood in front of me looking like the demon he was. His eyes were pure white, no color, no pupil. He slowly recited to me the contract of which I was so anxious to seal.

  “Rhylan. From this day forward you pledge your soul to the one they call Alazander. You will be given 10 years to live, free of pain and sorrow and toil. After 10 years your demon will call upon you to return your soul to him and him alone. Do you agree to these terms set forth by Moloch?” He dictated in a slow, monotone voice.

  I’m going to die anyway, I thought to myself. 10 years happy is better than 70 unhappy.

  “Yes. I agree.” I said without hesitation.

  That was it. We were back on the same simple street in this fancy neighborhood, kissing under the dim light of the moon. We pulled away from each other in an awkward silence. Our hands fell to our sides and we started walking back to the house.

  “So are you still driving me home?” I asked quietly.

  “Yes of course.” He replied.

  “So how does this work? I just go about doing my own thing and everything will just happen on its own?” I asked, puzzled about my next step.

  “Yes, everything will come to you. You don’t have to do a thing I promise.” He smirked.

  I laid in bed that night, wondering of all the things that would come. Without even realizing, I drifted off to the most restful sleep I’ve ever had.

  The light of the sun shone through my window on to my face, waking me up for the brand new day I was about to have. I ran downstairs to get my breakfast and there my dad was in the middle of the kitchen…breakfast already made. He kissed me on the head and gave me this look. I’d never seen it before, but I could tell he was sorry. Maybe it was just part of the deal, but it was enough for me. I grabbed my backpack and hurried to school, anxious of the beginning of this brand new life. I arrived at school minutes later. The energy about this day was magical and I knew something epic was about to happen. I walked into math class to a class full of curious seniors. It was like they were seeing me for the first time. I felt…sexy today, I felt a confidence that was new and radiating. Matt didn’t see me walk in. With all the heads turning towards me as I walked in he was forced to look my way. His jaw dropped when he saw me. I looked the same as I always did but there was something about my energy that erased everything he ever knew. I sat in my usual seat and survived the boring formulas and unforgiving word problems. The glares from every angle were unrelenting and I was glad when the clock turned 1. At my locker Jessica approached me, and feeling sorry for the way I acted I apologized for what I said. We hugged it out and I left to art class. Dustin was sitting in his normal seat seemingly waiting for me. He grinned his sexy grin and I took my seat. Charlie was late to class and he tried to make unobvious by slipping into his seat while everyone was up getting their supplies. While I was sorting through used canvas to paint over, Dustin came up next to me. He made sure the area was cleared and he grabbed my arm gently.

  “You know Charlie right?” he asked with his smoldering eyes.

  “The guy that sits next to me? Yeah I guess. We’ve gone to school together since Kindergarten. Why do you ask?” I whispered.

  “He’s the one.” He declared, keeping intense eye contact with me.

   “What?” I accidently said extremely loud. Of course everyone looked over at me to stick their nose in my business. Dustin thought this was funny, so he gave a small chuckle and gave everyone a look that they dared not disregard.

  “Just talk to him, you have to trust me Rhylan.” He pleaded. He took his hand off my arm and casually slid back into his seat. I returned to mine, only to find that Charlie talked to me first. The only thing was, I could not get my mind off Dustin. Something about him made my skin all warm and tingly. The kiss was shared was so electric. I felt like it was so much more than a deal.

  Charlie and I made plans to hang out. He seemed like a nice guy. He was cute and artistic and funny…everything I liked in a guy. I could see Dustin out of the corner of my eye watching us as we shared smiles. Then I saw him look down for a second and shake his head, like there was something lingering in his mind that he could not let go of. He got up quickly and left the room before I could even say goodbye. I guessed that was the end of it, until of course it was time to pay him.

  Months went by and I didn’t see Dustin. He just disappeared. Everything in my life was going so perfectly. Charlie and I had been dating, my dad and I actually had a relationship and no one was bullying me at school. On paper everything was wonderful. It was my heart that told the truth. I didn’t feel for Charlie the same way I felt about Dustin. I just always wanted to see his smile and throw myself into his gorgeous demonic eyes. Why couldn’t there just be a way for us to be together?

  I stayed late that day after school. I had so much built up tension and anxiety I just wanted to paint. The classroom was empty. I knew from experience the janitors didn’t get to this classroom until about 7, so I had plenty of time to relax and let it all get poured out onto my canvas. I chose the largest one still left in stock and poured as many color as I could onto my palette. I tied on my old smock and sat down in an old rusty folding chair. I messily threw in my ear buds and cranked up my Ipod. I closed my eyes and took a breath. This was the time to let everything go. I started to paint furiously. Gray and white filled the background as I carelessly scribbled words across the canvas. He was the only thing on my mind. I had to paint him just to see him one last time. I started to outline the shape of us. I wanted to forever capture the moment he kissed me. I felt like all my sadness and my happiness were pouring out at the same time. Happy that I was finally, well, happy… and sad because I had to let Dustin go. I finished my face and started to work on his. I carefully thought of every inch of his beautiful face, his strong jawline, his full lips-the intense look in his eyes that I could not escape. Not 20 minutes into my session two warm hands felt their way over my glasses.

  “Guess who?” the voice of a guy behind me.

  “Oh shit! I screamed. I turned around ready to punch someone square in the nose. I pulled my earplugs out and turned around.

  “It’s just me, Charlie.” He grumbled.

  “Oh Charlie. Geezus you scared the shit out of me.” What are you doing here? I hissed.

  “I just wanted to see if you wanted to go have dinner. But I can see from your painting you aren’t thinking about me at all.” He snarled.

  ‘”No Charlie it’s just a memory, it’s just a painting of a memory.” I assured.

  Then there was another voice coming from behind Charlie.

  I moved my head around Charlie and my jaw dropped. Dustin was standing there, ironically looking like an angel. He literally made my heart skip a beat. Before I even had time to react he leaped toward Charlie. He grabbed him by the throat and threw him up against the wall.

  “Charlie I will tell you this once and only once. Leave here now and forget you ever met Rhylan. This is your only warning.” He hissed a low hiss that would normally only come out of a wolf hunting his prey.

  He let go of his grip and Charlie fell to the floor. As soon as he could get to his feet he took off running at
full speed, tripping over chairs and almost falling to the ground.

  “Well that was fun.” He said snickered.

  “What are you doing here Dustin? I thought you left. I didn’t think I would ever see you again.” I mumbled.

  “I didn’t want to ever come back Rhylan, and risk seeing you with him. From the moment I made that deal I regretted it. There is something that pulls me to you. I don’t understand it. I have never felt this. I had to come back to see you one last time. When I walked in and saw your painting I knew. I knew I had to be with you. The kiss we shared was more than just a deal. It made me…feel something, and I’m not used to that. I don’t know what is and I don’t know what to do about it. Can I just try one thing?” He asked not only with his alluring voice but with his expressive yet somber eyes.

  “Yeah sure I mean, you already have my soul.” I said quietly. I was unsure of what was about to happen but it was happening none the less. Everything started to become hazy. He slowly moved closer and wrapped his arm around my waist and laid his hand on my lower back. He pulled me in toward him all the while keeping my gaze. I closed my eyes and waited for it to happen. I dreamt about this for months. I saw him in my dreams. I saw his face in crowds of people on the street. This was finally it.

  He put his lips on mine and a pulse ran through my body. Just like before we vanished into a desert. This time it was filled with light. He looked beautiful. His eyes were light green with a yellow tint. He didn’t look so, devilish you could say. He looked at me and laughed. He looked around us as if any second he was expecting the world to fall out from underneath us. And then he appeared. A tall, dark man with black hair and white eyes. He was terrifying yet I had no fear, I knew Dustin would protect us.

  “Alazander, never in my existence have I seen this. For centuries I have had my demons make deals for love and happiness. I have watched souls be taken into hell to wander forever in the darkness. You have been my most loyal servant. Surely you must know what releases a demon from his lord. You have lived a long time Alazander and you have served me well.” He lamented.

  “Moloch my lord. Never did I think this would happen. I knew as soon as the deal was made that this was the end. I could do nothing else but think of her safety and her happiness. I wanted to be the only one in her life-even if that meant killing a man. But I knew I couldn’t, because then we couldn’t be together. I have never given second thought to human life. You know my nature Moloch. But this is the end. You have to release me of my duty. I have served you for longer than anyone else. It is written in the stars that if a demon finds true love, he contract is broken and he is allowed to live as a mortal, and die as a mortal.” He asserted.

  I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. They stared at each other for a long time before Moloch took his arm and wrapped it around Dustin’s. A light came from the sky and twisted around their arms like barbed wire. The ground shook and light began to fall from the sky. Our bodies were vibrating, it felt like we were going to explode. Then their grasp loosened and Moloch was sucked into the sandy earth. Dustin turned back to my gaze and locked his lips to mine. We were back in the classroom next to the painting. No words needed to be spoken. I no longer needed a contract to find true love. My soul was his the day he kissed me.

  NIGHT CACHE

  By: Cheryl Casey

  © Copyright 2013 by Cheryl Casey

  No part of this story may be

  Reproduced without permissions.

  All rights reserved.

  She found the green metal box hidden behind a bush, next to a wall of the crumbling cemetery. She tugged on the latch and it released with a bang, making her jump. She looked around though she knew there was no one who would see or hear in these desolate woods. The nearest building was a shell of an old farm house, burnt and leaning.

  She lifted the lid and found an assortment of things, a compass, a small sewing kit, a small plastic zombie with a dog-tag tracking code attached to it. She sorted through the other things and found what she had been looking for, a small notebook and a pencil. She had brought her own pencil in case this one had been missing.

  She opened the notebook and hurriedly printed her handle and the date, Aayla - February 11, 2013, under the name and date of the previous hunter. With a last, quick glance around, she placed the metal box behind the bush and returned to her jeep. Aayla was tired from driving most of the day and she was ready to return to the safety of her home where her cat, Oscar, waited for his evening meal.

  The sky was darkening but there was one more geocache in the area that she wanted to find before making her way out of this murky back-country - and another one that she planned to avoid.

  Locking the doors and starting the jeep, Aayla checked her handheld GPS device for the location of the next geocache. She knew it would be complete dark by the time she got there but it was the last one on her list, besides the one she would skip. She flicked the flashlight on and off, checking the batteries.

  She left the moldering cemetery and let the GPS device guide her. She drove for miles along the deserted gravel road until it deteriorated to a trail and she thought she had accidentally strayed onto someone's pasture road. There were just two tire grooves in the sand with grass growing between them, a fence to the left, and lanky trees stretching over the passage to form a dark tunnel. Her GPS device still showed that she was on a marked road. She kept driving but had her doubts.

  The dark tunnel finally gave way to the gravel road again. She took a deep breath and shrugged her shoulders, trying to loosen the tension a bit. The sky was completely dark now with a thumbnail moon low in the West. She felt like she had made a mistake in not finding her way back to a populated area after the cemetery. She didn't like to be alone in the dark, though common sense told her there was nothing to fear if she was the only person out here.

  Aayla rounded a corner of the narrow road and, as her jeep lights panned across the darkness, she was stunned to realize she had been guided to the geocache she had intended to avoid. She checked her GPS but the tiny gray map seemed confusing.

  With dread, she lifted her gaze to the road. The strange things there seemed to creep up from the gravel in black and white, illuminated by the stark headlights, shadows thrown deep into the darkness beyond. Several stones outlined a tiny grave next to the road, though there was no cemetery for miles. Standing guard were several Virgin Mary statues, tilted or fallen completely, weathered and dark, old dolls in various stages of decay, and a small, chipped, cherub statue. Draped over everything were rosaries and silk flowers, faded and torn. Tokens left by disquieted visitors at the century-old grave.

  The nearby geocache was called "Pains of the Wagon Train". It drew geocachers to the 1870 grave where a wagon train had passed through and a three year old girl had died on the journey. The family and other members of the wagon train had buried the little girl and soon had to move on.

  Aayla checked the locks on the jeep again and imagined what it must have been like for the family to leave their little girl behind. To drive off in the wagon toward their destination and leave her body buried alone in the woods. She could picture the mother staring at nothing with empty eyes from the wagon seat.

  There was no cemetery and Aayla had supposed there would be just an old grave marker near the road like the one she had seen on the way to Moran. Neither grave had ever been moved. They both remained in their original locations as part of history.

  This would have been an interesting stop in the daytime with other geocachers. They would have looked over all the things that had been left. Taken the time to make out the dates on the lichen-covered stone. But alone at night in the back-country, gooseflesh slipped down her spine.