Mystery in the Mist novel (Chap. 5)

CHAPTER FIVE

 

Troy became more like a shadow, silent as his imaginary friend. He tried to copy the way JC moved around. Here for a moment, then ‘poof, disappear just like that.

Barely a sound came from Troy’s slow footsteps. He made his way slowly towards the glow in the sky. From here on the ground he could barely see its colorful outline above the trees.

            He lowered his head as the full force of wind struck him. Stinging sleet rushed at his face. It was difficult to breathe, without cupping his face. The weather continued to splatter him with sheets of sloppy snow.

            Troy squinted, eyes barely seeing ahead. His curiosity kept chilled legs heading nervously towards the river.

            What happened to the man and boy? Surely they weren't fishing in this weather? They must have gone home by now.

            He may find out soon. A thought struck him. Did they have anything to do with the glow in the distance? Maybe they didn’t take the time to put out their campfire. And the wind whipped up some lingering embers. 

            Troy pretended he was sneaking up on some kind of foreign enemy. Perhaps the man and boy were aliens.

One of his favorite video movie heroes was Matt Damon. Troy’s imagination kept building as he crept from shrub to shrub. It was slow going. But each bush helped protect his face from the full onslaught of weather.

            He could barely wiggle his cold fingers. These were supposed to be warm gloves, thank you very much. Troy took them off and squeezed bare hands together. Then he placed tingling fingers against frosty cheeks.

The same thing happened last year on a winter hike with his parents. Dad said, “Rubbing bare hands together is not good for proper warming.” Troy remembered this handy information. 

So he simply applied pressure to his face, over and over. Warmth slowly returned. 

            He carefully checked his nose, ears and chin. Troy didn't dare think about what it would be like spending the night outdoors in this kind of weather. Better to chase those thoughts from his mind.

            If he was afraid or lonely he could always talk to JC. All he had to do was think of him, and he would be along. Troy felt bad for having sent him away.

            "Need someone to talk to?"

            “Sure. What took you so long?” Troy tried to hide his surprise. That's the way JC was. He knew automatically when it was time to come around. “You’re like a ghost,” Troy said. It wasn’t meant to be a mean thought.

             Now, Troy tucked bare hands under his armpits. His fingers were freezing cold. He should have brought mitts, instead of these ratty gloves.   

            "I'm always here, if you need me," JC said like an arrow from the stillness in the woods. "You scared?"

            “No, I'm not! Just butt out will you.” Troy shouted into the darkness. Right now, he had only one thought. Find out what was making that glow. “Sorry JC,” he said.

            "You sure you don’t wish me to go again?"

            “No. I mean...you're here now. Stay with me. Okay?” Troy didn’t want to admit he was a little afraid. In fact, he thought about turning around. The warmth and shelter of the house called to him. The aliens could conquer earth, for all he cared.

Then Troy’s head cleared and he decided to plunge forward. “It would be neat to see what’s going on,” he said. “You can come along, JC, but remember, I'm leading this expedition.” Troy didn't want to sound bossy or anything. “That’s if you really want to”

            "Yup. First...keep windmilling your arms, and do a dance. This will get your blood circulation moving. And please keep the snow out of your gloves."

            Troy knew JC was able to get him thinking properly. This was not the best of days to simply go for a hike. Being outdoors on a wintry day could be very dangerous. Hypothermia did kill people.    

"Zip up your jacket, you're losing valuable body heat."

            Troy did just as JC mentioned. It was almost as if Dad was reminding him of outdoor survival lessons. “Okay, I'm glad you're coming. But you have to be very quiet. No more talking, or you'll scare everyone.”          

            He didn't know who 'everyone' was, but it sounded right. Now he had some company for the journey.

            If only he could see properly through the falling snow. The faint outline of cabins showed up on his right. They were more like ships appearing from out of an ocean fog.

            He had to concentrate on what was really happening beyond the thicker stand of trees up ahead. He lowered his head and stubbornly pushed his way directly into the wind. There must be shelter ahead where he could get cover from the wet snow. 

            Troy headed further into the woods. It would be super to really find a treasure at the end of the rainbow. And he wasn't going to share any of his find either. No way. “Finders keepers, losers weepers” was his motto.

            It was difficult squinting through the driving wet snow. The closer he got to the stand of pine, the more difficult it became. Troy walked backwards against the wind for a while. It was like sitting in the back of Dad's station wagon watching the world fall behind.

He always enjoyed waving at cars following them. As if he was in a race and winning. Except, it seemed as if he was losing this one.

            By now both feet were getting damper with each plodding step. One slow lifting at a time, forward, always moving forward. JC was sure lucky he didn’t have to charge through this weather. Troy became anxious as he noticed his footprints disappearing behind him.

            He wondered if Dad was scrounging around for another bottle of beer.

            Thoughts of Mom flooded his mind. Would she have come with him on this adventure? “That’s what this is!” he suddenly shouted. “An adventure.” Cold toes and fingers thought otherwise.

            Time moved slowly. He was sure he never had to walk this far to the river. Did he get turned around or something?

Then Troy realized something peculiar. The ground wasn’t feeling squishy with slushy snow anymore. He was so determined to protect himself from the storm he didn't notice any changes.

            No longer was it snowing. Nor any further splashing against the back of his neck.

            Troy felt  hairs on his head tingle. He looked around and stared in amazement. The sun’s brightness startled him. It seemed so much like a perfect summer day. He blinked, thinking this was a dream.

Just a short while ago, his eyes were barely open as he strained against pelting snow as he leaned into the wind. The last thing he remembered was the steamy veil acting as a wall ahead of him.

Suddenly, it was as if a giant light bulb shone upon him as he plunged through.

            He had been ducking and twisting in the darkness between the trees for what seemed like a very long time. Now it was almost as if that part of the trip had been a figment of his imagination.

            His eyes enlarged as he focused on the sights around him. It was like being in the presence of a smorgasbord, where delicious looking food was placed over a huge table.

            Flowers were in full bloom. Not scattered in random bunches, but thick and plentiful, spreading in all directions. Every shade of color peeked between shrubs, behind rocks and along the riverbank.

            Tree buds matured before his blinking eyes.

            And are those blueberries growing in April? Drooping berry bushes shivered with weight as a warm breeze settled over them. Troy's eyes almost popped from their sockets.

“Look JC!” he shouted. “Those berries are growing larger right in front of our eyes!”

            “Yup,” JC answered, as if these sights were normal this time of year.

Scents from a variety of blossoms and flowers teased Troy’s nostrils. He closed his eyes and absorbed their freshness.

            Thoughts and feelings buzzed around Troy’s head. Where am I really? he wondered.  He pinched his arm letting out a loud "Ouch!" The sound of his pain penetrated the stillness this moment. 

            Troy was trying to adjust to this new experience. There was no snow on the ground. Not even wet rain, only sunshine.

            The grass was velvet green, all the way to the river. So many wonderful sights and…

”Even more to see,” JC whispered.

            It was warm and peaceful here. Troy wasn't fearful at all. That itself was unusual. He thought about Dad and what he was missing. If only he could see this wonderful place. Maybe take away some of his problems. It was certainly helpful to Troy right now.

Then Dad would see there is still something special in the world without his wife. Just thinking about Mom brought tears to Troy’s eyes.

            He was so overwhelmed he could barely whisper a word. Even JC was subdued. This was a time to halt any conversation and simply enjoy the sights.

            The feeling for Troy was like lying on a sandy beach. And letting the sun warm his face, toes stretching in the tingly sand.

            As Troy approached the riverbank, he stopped suddenly. Up ahead was a man and boy. “They must be the same ones we saw this morning,” he said.

He noticed the man was wearing a wide-brimmed hat and jeans. The boy was in a white T-shirt and shorts. He sure didn’t need his scarf and raincoat here.

            “It’s them!” he shouted. “It's got to be.” Troy looked more carefully, trying to see exactly what they were doing. He wondered if they had already caught a bucketful of fish.

“It’s them, isn’t it JC?”

            "You mean I can speak now?"

            “Of course.” Troy felt like screaming. This was a time to celebrate, not argue or play any word games.

            "Yup,” was all JC answered.

            Yes, it was the same boy who asked permission to fish here. Both of them sat on the riverbank looking towards the other side.

            They were watching something.

            Troy peered in the same direction and was totally amazed. At first he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him.

            Birds circled and swooped towards the shore, as if the man and boy were feeding them. Seagulls and crows followed, then ducks and geese. They were an army of feathers, a variety of species in different shapes and sizes.

            It was as if birds in the whole countryside gathered here.

            Each group of fowl performed different acrobats. They were trying to outdo each other, as if in a contest.

Troy watched, fascinated. “OOOH’S” and “AAAAH’S" dropped like raindrops from his lips. They replaced feelings of anger and frustration experienced not so long ago. Thoughts mingled with swirling wings in this strange place.

            All manners of fish erupted from the surface of the water. They fired up like darts piercing the air before falling back into the river.

They were graceful as divers leaping from the highest diving boards.

            Speckled trout, smelt, bass and others, followed in a parade of fins. They twisted and twirled like corkscrews creating a foamy surface in the water, and returning smoothly as knives entering hot butter. 

            The sun highlighted a rainbow that stretched across thrashing forms. Troy's mouth opened and closed in wonder. “Cool. Awesome. Oh, man.” The words were jumbled, thoughts building one upon another. His head twisted back and forth, as if watching a tennis match.

Trying to keep track of the spectacular movements was just too much.

            Everything was beautiful and tears of joy fell down his face. He licked salt from his cheeks.

            He sensed he belonged here. Angry thoughts directed towards Dad seemed insignificant in this special place. Watching the spectacle in front of him, Troy no longer felt sorry for himself.

In his heart Troy knew Mom was watching over him. In fact, wasn't that her smile peeking from within those white clouds?

            Even his torn jeans and cheap running shoes weren't so important right now. Never mind how his chums teased at school. If only they could be here and see this.

            If only...

            He could see the man and boy busy chatting, their conversation not loud enough to be heard. Strange they didn't seem to notice Troy. Perhaps they didn’t mind sharing what had been discovered.

            He didn't feel right to disturb anything or even speak. He crossed his fingers hoping JC wouldn't either.

            There was definitely magic in the air. Here, on their camp property by Debert River. The boy had to get back swiftly as possible. Dad had to know about everything he saw. And felt.

        Would he even believe his son’s story?