Standing up, Bob slowly surveyed his surroundings. It was hard to tell in the dark, but he seemed to be in a small glen surrounded by trees. To his right, a path led up a slight hill. Listening to the night air, he heard nothing. Following the trail to the top of the hill, he stopped to inspect the environment.
The path before him widened into a broad grass-covered plain. In the distance, starlight reflected from the surface of a still body of water. Reaching out to Ally again, he failed to establish contact. Bob wondered where he was and where he could find shelter.
Feeling a gentle breeze, he thought back to a similar night on Earth. Fond memories of summer weekends in the Wind River Range filled his mind. He had spent the days fishing and passed the nights in a snug little cabin. It had been a nice place.
Looking out across the plain, Bob detected something he hadn't seen previously. Off to the right, a yellow light beckoned. He started toward it, thinking it might be someone's house. As he drew closer, the light resolved into a cabin, situated on the shore of a lake. Skirting the water, he approached the shelter, hoping the owner was friendly. He half expected to hear a dog barking as he made his way into the yard, but the place was draped in silence.
Stepping onto the covered porch, Bob knocked and was surprised as the door swung open.
"Hello?" he queried. "Is anybody home?"
He waited, listening to the lap of the water on the shore of the lake. Pushing the door open a little farther, he peeked into the cabin. It was just one room with a kitchen and table to the left, storage to the right and a bed and sitting area in the back. Two bulbs mounted on the rafters provided light. Other than the furniture, the place appeared empty.
Closing the door, Bob noticed a rocking chair on the porch and sat down, thinking the owner of the cabin would soon return. As the minutes ticked by, his apprehension contrasted sharply with the peaceful surroundings. Getting up, he paced back and forth, planning what he would say when the cabin's occupant arrived.
After some time, he returned to the chair. Rocking gently back and forth, he watched the moon's reflection in the lake move slowly across the water as the yellow orb climbed into the sky.
He awoke shivering with cold. Standing up, Bob looked in the cabin window. Nothing had changed. He knocked on the door, feeling foolish, because he could see there was no one home. Opening the door, he hesitated and then slipped inside. Peering around, he took note of the empty shelves. The place was completely bare, except for a folded blanket on the bed. Picking it up, he returned to the chair on the porch. He wrapped himself in the blanket and sat down again. At least he wouldn't be in the cabin if the owner returned. Closing his eyes, he went back to sleep.
Waking with the rising sun in his eyes, Bob glanced around. The yard seemed the same. Knocking on the cabin door elicited no response. Quietly opening the door, he peeked into the room. Nothing had changed. He walked out into the yard and regarded the landscape. The lake and grassy plain unfolded in front of him, ringed by rugged mountains.
Behind the cabin, the mountains were closer, not more than a half mile away. On his left, a small stream flowed from the heights, past the cabin and down into the lake. He had missed seeing it the night before. Feeling thirsty, he walked over and sampled the water. It was cold and refreshing.
Setting out on foot, he followed the brook into the foothills. Reaching the base of a dome-shaped hillock, Bob scrabbled up the steep embankment. From the top, he could survey the entire valley. The panorama was stunning. Apart from the cabin below, empty wilderness stretched out on every side.
Contemplating the lake, he wished he had some fishing gear. His stomach growled at the thought of freshly caught trout. He remained on the hilltop for some time, enjoying the view. Eventually, he made his way carefully back down the hill to the cabin.
Knocking on the door again, he didn't really expect an answer. When none was forthcoming, Bob stepped inside. Searching through the kitchen cupboards, he found nothing. Turning to the sitting area, he was startled to see a fishing rod and tackle box propped in the corner of the room. Positive it had not been there the night before, he inspected the gear. Everything seemed in order. Taking the rod in one hand, and the tackle box in the other, he went out to try his luck.
Copyright (C) 2017 Winslow Williams. All rights reserved.
