From the Woods (restarted)

[DrStein]

Shane Carver wiped the sweat from his brow as he finished cleaning up his tent. He didn't spend a whole lot of time in it, but it helped to have it pitched. At least it was a pleasant early summer day and the night would be similarly warm. These monthly camping trips of his could be a real bear in the winter, especially when things got really bitter and it was too cold even for snow.

Shane set about getting a fire going. He never used a camp stove. He preferred to cook everything over an open flame and enjoy the rustic feeling of it all. These trips were more for the benefit of everyone else rather than himself, but it certainly didn't mean they had to be unpleasant. He had checked the lunar calendars. The moon would be at its peak just after midnight tonight. The next morning, he'd be safe to go home again.

A soft breeze kicked up and for a second Shane thought he scented something. He stood up and sniffed again. It had smelled like... exhaust. He turned to the direction the breeze had come from and tried to catch the scent again. Nothing. He shrugged it off. Probably just his imagination. Few people came anywhere near this particular spot in the woods. He chose the location for a reason.

Regardless, dinner wasn't going to cook itself. Shane opened the trunk and got out the stew pot and tripod. The night would be a lot easier to deal with on a full stomach as he'd learned from experience.

 

[Sexual_Muse]

Nieves Rosier knew that she could push her new shiny blue Audi Q5 diesel further into the forest but she pulled the SUV into park. It was new after all and she didn't want to scratch the paint. It sounded really snobbish and it kind of was but she had worked long and hard to get what she wanted and she was going to treasure it as much as she cold while taking it off road. At twenty-three this was her first new car and she was trilled with it and loved how well it drove and handled the dirt packed hills, curves and ditches.

Still what she was more excited about was the weekend camping trip. Tomorrow at 5:55am she would be turning twenty-four and for the first time in three years she was getting to spend it alone out in the woods. For as long as Eves could remember she had spent her birthday camping. Be it in her backyard as a kid or lost with a map on some back road as a teenager. But the last few years it was as if something was keeping her busy and she had to skip her outing. But not this year. This year she had moved back to her old family home. It was the same house that her family had bought when they first moved to America from Ireland and it was filled with happy family memories. Eves had spent half of her summers here running through the woods and liked to think that she knew the area pretty well. So well in fact that she knew of one hidden jewel up in the hills that people didn't even know about.

Her Grandfather's father was said to have found the hot spring and that it was him and his family that deepened the small pool that was there, stacked the rocks to keep the water and made it into the secret pond that it was now. And as far as the family in this day and age knew of they were the only ones who knew it was there. Maybe it was the hard trek to the spring, which included a vertical climb of about twenty feet and sharp drop off or how far away it was from the trails and camp grounds established nearest the roads.

It was there that Nieves was heading. Once parked she got out of the driver's seat and opened the rear door. At home she had prepacked her Kelty PK50 pack but she had left out her sleeping bag unsure of which one she wanted to take. As warm as the day left and with as warm as she knew she got at night she decided to pack the lighter of her two, favoring her Shenandoah Quilt by Jacks'R'Better. It was more then she felt she needed but on the off chance it got cooler she would be covered. Instead of a tent Eves opted for the Hennessy Hyperlight Zip Hammock with an extra large rainfly and extra straps. There was just something soothing being able to sway in the wind if she wanted to. It was also lighter and packed down smaller then a tent and could be set up pretty much anywhere. More importantly everything she packed was lightweight.

Eves rechecked her pack once more before shouldering it. She had everything that she would need and if she needed she could live near to a five days on what she packed while still keeping the weight down and manageable. Plus it helped that she didn't have to carry much in clothes. While out in the wild Nieves didn't see a reason for clothes, preferring to spend her time camping naked. Some people might think that weird but it was Eves' favorite part. It was freeing and she loved the feeling of the wind caressing her skin, the tickling brushed of the leaves as she danced around the mighty trees. A glance at her watch told her she was already a little behind and she had a far way to go.

 

[DrStein]

The sun was starting to sink below the horizon as Shane finished the last measures to keep the camp clean. He was planning to head back home tomorrow and waking up from a full moon always felt like a mild hangover. Better to have the bulk of the work done now rather than later. He packed a few more things into the truck and doused his fire.

The ashes hissed as he stirred them with a stick and splashed more water on them. He always had good vision so his eyes adjusted to the low light quickly. Wouldn't be much longer now. Just a few more hours. He spent most of it reading by the light of a lantern before he finally stripped down and packed the clothes up into a sack. A fresh change was in the tent for him in the morning. There was about a 50/50 shot he'd actually make it back to the tent before dawn, but somehow he always at least found his way back to camp by then.

The full moon was now high in the sky. Shane breathed deeply and could practically taste the smells of the woods around him. It wasn't so bad really. More like dreaming than anything else. His skin itched. He could feel the hairs growing across his body. His bones began to ache, the only truly unpleasant part of the whole experience. He could feel part of him drifting to sleep and the other slowly waking up. The best way Shane could think to explain it was a long version of the feeling of the first few seconds of waking when the mind wasn't sure what was a dream and what was real.

The moon seemed to become brighter in his eyes. The shadows of the woods receded. His already keen sense of smell became more powerful. And with it, he picked up another scent. Another person. There was a part of him that felt panic setting in. Horror. A desperate plea with himself to run away from the scent. But the part of his mind that was waking had no inclination to listen. It smelled a female. Young and fertile. As the change neared its completion, Shane threw his head back and let out a chilling howl that carried over the trees. He looked in the direction where he believed the scent was coming from and raced through the woods intent on finding it.

 

[Sexual_Muse]

Maybe it was the beauty of the day or the excitement Nieves felt being surrounded by nature but whatever the reason she made it to the hot spring over an hour early. Knowing the area like she did, Eves followed a narrow game trail to where the trees thinned and the ground leveled out. It was a close to a meadow as she would get which worked for her because she needed trees to hook her hammock up to. It was the place she always made camp and she had even gone to the measures of carving her name in one of the trees to prove it.

From the base of the hill trail that she took to the top there was a thick covering of pine needles and small shade brush but here where the trees gave way to sunlight, blueish purple wildflowers carpeted the flat ground. It was absolutely gorgeous and it left Nieves standing there at the thick tree line just staring. She had never been to the springs when the flowers were out and about like this. Sure maybe a handful here and there but the entire space, never. It perfumed the air with a sweet smell and Eves almost regretted ruining the flawless picture by walking though it and bending the frail stems of the flowers.

Nieves unpacked her bag in three parts; her hammock, sleeping bag, pillow and a lantern set off to one side, her breakdown bow, arrows, skinning knife with some snare wire off to another and what remained in the last. It took minutes to set up her hammock and bed hang the mini lantern inside the tent like cocoon. She pegged both sides down of the hammock and stowed away her pack and everything from the first and third pile. While she slept Eves would unhook the pegs and allow herself to sway but while she would be in and out of camp she wanted the hammock secure. Once everything she didn't want at the moment was zipped away she quickly dug out a fire pit with her collapsible shovel. Eves would go and collect wood after she came back from hunting.

As hungry as Eves was gathering food was a chore she wanted to rush thought as fast a possible and as luck would have it a rabbit crossed her path and became dinner. Wild fruits and vegetables were gathered as she passed them as was dry wood when she found some and by the time she made it back to camp her arms were filled. With a fire built and a spit made for the rabbit Eves finally allowed herself to relax and undress.

Because she was in a hurry the rabbit was a bit burnt on the edges but it ate fine as she picked at it until she was full, cleaning camp when she was done so she wouldn't attract predators. It was the last thing she had to do before she could leave camp and go play. There wasn't much light out, the sun had dipped below the trees while she had been cooking the rabbit but there was still enough light to play by.

The pine trees were silent sentries and each one Nieves passed by she ran her hand across, the rough bark scraping against her skin and the young lower branches tickling her were they touched her. At one point Nieves stopped and looked up through all the many branched of the pine tree and smiled at the effect it had on the weak wetting sunlight that cut through it's needles. Under her feet was moist dirt and slowly decomposing leaves. Eves wiggled her toes deeper into the rich soil and turned her head away from the tree.

Birds sang in the trees and a couple of squirrels chirped and bounce from tree to tree playing a never ending game of tag. She smiled at the animals and skipped away from the tree, kicking up dirt as she did so. There was something about behind out here that made her feel like a kid again, that carefree abandonment of the entire world and all it's problems for all the little things that you might miss in the bustle of life. A butterfly fluttered waist high and Eves raced after it twirling and dancing as the little bug sped away.

Nieves danced in what was left of the sunlight until her was sweaty and out of breath. Somewhere while dancing and exploring she had lost her hair tie and her hair was wild as free, catching on every breeze and further tangling. Not that she cared. This wasn't about being pretty, this was the one place she could be herself, skinned knees and dirt smudges all. But that was part of what she loved about being here.

Breaking the tree line Nieves spotted the hot spring with it's gentle wisps of steam. Her body ached for the crystal clear heated waters. The waters was like a warm bath but no bath she ever drew herself felt as good. She didn't know what it was but the moment her feet touched the spring water she sighed. Six adults could sit around the circle of the pool and be comfortable and the deepest part towards the back was six feet deep but it was the little nook on the left side that was just perfect for lounging. All the rocks were worn smooth and Eves knew that she would soak in the spring until her skin was pruney and the moon was up.

An hour later or so later every muscle in Eves' body was relaxed. The sun had long set, the sky painted every color that it could be painted before it darkened to the dusky black that it was now. The stars came out before the moon did and looking at her hands she knew she should get out but she didn't want to. The water was so pleasant and she had yet to see her first shooting star.

A howl off in the far distance reached Eves and a chill ran down her spine. She had only ever seen wolves at Yellowstone and this was far from Yellowstone. In fact she had never heard of wolves in this area before and for the first time in her life she felt fear being out in the woods alone.

 

[DrStein]

The wolf raced through the forest, breathing deeply to catch the scent of the nubile female he knew was out here somewhere. The beast was of immense stature, at least 8' tall and built for stalking and running down prey. It's eyes seemed to glow an eerie yellow in the full moon light as it followed the trail.

Eventually, the wolf came close to a clearing. The bitch was close. The smell of water and steam. The wolf had come by these springs before but never paid them mind until now. They were a curiosity, a landmark, nothing more. He lowered himself to all fours and silently crept around the perimeter of the clearing. It was a moment before he finally saw the girl, bathing in the springs. She was beautiful. And afraid. Not that the latter mattered. She had no choice in the matter.

The wolf stalked back and forth, keeping as quiet as possible and getting closer and closer to the edge of the trees with each step. Very soon, now. Very soon. His eyes glowed faintly in the light enough for her to see him, though he didn't know it. Would it matter if she did see? It wasn't as if she had even a hope of outrunning him anyway.

 

[Sexual_Muse]

There was little light to go by, just enough to see a few feet in front of her the perfect amount to give her enough to see by but not enough to stop her mind from making up scenarios that involved killer wolves or cannibalistic hillbillies. Either one had Nieves jumping at every little sound. She hated being afraid and felt outraged that there was something out there that had turned her favorite sanctuary into a horror movie. Every shadow was a monster from fairy tails and as slowly as Eves could she stood, the water beading on her skin and rolling down her naked curves.

The water sounded unbelievably loud as the droplets from her body hit the surface of the pool, her steps through the spring mimicking the churning of a tidal pool as she exited her once relaxing spa. Her eyes scanned the trees searching for anything and everything. She didn't know why but she felt like she was being watched, that she was somehow in danger and every sense that she had itched with nerves. For half a minute the word stilled and everything went silent, it was an eerie feeling and sparked a memory from her childhood.

She was four and her mother was out in the garden planting herbs and flowers from seeds. Nieves as a child was always dirty and a mess and this memory was the same. She was covered in mud with sticks and green leaves in her golden hair. Her child self was on the verge of tears as she fought off the thorny vines of the wild rose bush all in a effort to get to her ball. When a snagged vine caught in Eves' jumper pulled free and sprang back it raked across the girl's face drawing blood. Crimson beads seeped from the slash across her cheekbone and ran down her like a bloody tear. In the breath that it took the child to gather the world froze, coming to life in the same instance that Nieves screamed and like magic, which it was, the newly planted seeds shot up and grew, the smell of herbs thick in the air and the colors of flowers decorating the yard. The rose bush that tangled the child blossomed with vibrant blossoms once white now red with a reverse white petals.

Nieves blinked slowly time returning to her in a rush of sounds and feelings. Her whole body shivered with energy and her head swam with noise. Out of the treeline two glowing yellow orbs stared at her. At first her mind couldn't wrap around what those floating lights were, her first thought was eyes but they were too far off the ground to be any animal that she could name that would live in this area. Her fingers tingled and her mind raced to unravel the puzzle of the lights. The only conclusion she could come to was that the lights belonged to a bear standing on it's hind feet but even then the eyes looked too far spaced.

Whatever those eyes were Nieves wanted to get away from them as soon as possible and surveyed the surrounding area for a safe place. There was nothing but trees and she knew that she could never outrun whatever creature that was staring at her.

Fear had her heart racing, her breathing was quick and quivered but the most troubling was the way her body trembled. The only thing she could think of that could possibly work was the trees. They were strong and more importantly tall and that height could possible help her, save her if she could make it up one before she was rundown by that monster in the shadows.

Taking a deep breath Nieves made a break for it and sprinted towards the nearest tree praying that she would make it time. The last things she wanted was to have intimate knowledge of the owner of those yellow eyes. First it was the howl of a lone wolf and now it was eyes that maybe belonged to a standing bear and her mind was having a field day with every possibility playing out in her mind and most of them ending in her death.

 

[DrStein]

She ran. She had seen him. The wolf bounded out from the tree line and in just a few long, quick strides had caught up with her. His powerful hands grabbed her by the shoulders and in a swift motion took her down to the ground and pinned her. He now had a chance to examine his prize up close.

She was undoubtedly fair. Almost delicate. Her large eyes were gaping in horror at the sight before her and the knowledge that the monster over her had so easily overpowered her that escape was impossible. She trembled as his head lowered closer to her and sniffed twice. Those large yellow eyes trailed down her body and soon found exactly what it was after.

One of the large clawed hands took her leg just below the knee and spread her open. He lowered his head down her body, sniffing her exposed flesh as he went. When he finally reached her pussy his broad, flat tongue slipped out and lapped at those soft lips.