The Tree Goddess Read online

  Spooked over the discovery and realization that her attacker had intentions of stalking, Kelly kept watchful eye on the rearview mirror. The timing was so unwelcome, being that she now lived alone. Kelly would soon find out that tonight's trial called forth a witness who had sat in the back row, ignored, during her nightly reflections of summer mistakes. The same, red pick-up truck that trailed her night after night was parked some distance down the lonely stretch of road. As Kelly passed, its lights turned on and soon pulled out behind her. Was this the explanation as to why Kelly was trailed by the vehicle each night? To further prove this possible theory, she referenced a mental note that was made the previous evening of where the pick-up truck turned. Last night, it made a right on Lint Road, and Kelly assumed that was the direction of nightly commute for the driver. But tonight, it did not turn right on Lint Road. It continued, almost suggesting that a stalker was gradually tracking her route home each night. Much to her unwise relief, the pick-up truck turned left on Vine Road, which left Kelly alone for the remainder of her ride home.

  As a 22-year-old Hotlicks girl, and previous exotic dancer at a gentlemen's club, Kelly had pretty much seen it all. She knew men, knew their stupidities and realized that there are two kinds of men in this world. The first type of man is the common sort that Kelly was exposed to night after night: stupid, jerky, immature and in pursuit of only one thing. The second sort of man is stupid and immature, but in a different sort of way. He appears quiet, creepy and somewhat dangerous. He actually plots of ways to get what he wants—sitting in the parking lot of Hotlicks after hours in hopes to stalk the girl he is obsessed with. He might get the nerve to touch her in personal places while in the bar, and dreams of discovering where she lives so his staking fantasies can become a reality. Fortunately, security is aware of this type of man and they have protocols in place to protect the girls who work there.

  However dangerous, this second sort of man is just as stupid as the first. No man would be that clever to engage in such a diabolical scheme that would take nights to track a girl's route home, no matter how desperate. And the only way such a scheme could begin is if an obsessed man hid in the woods behind the parking lot of Hotlicks to note what car Kelly entered and what direction she drove once leaving. And really, the only reason she was alarmed at the sight of the pick-up truck was because of the incident Carl had advised her of.

  The following night was a cold one, in the mid 50's with a light drizzle in the air. Kelly, once again, left the bar and grill under the same protocol: with coworkers escorted by bouncers. But the predictable presence of the pick-up truck was causing her to be concerned. And as she pulled out of the parking lot, the light drizzle turned into a shower which forced Kelly to engage the windshield wipers. Rain trickled on the glass, and vents were turned on high to reduce condensation. This extra noise and energy only agitated Kelly into a deeper anxiety as she anticipated another encounter with the pick-up truck.

  This was crazy! Kelly needed to gain control of her conscience that synergized the guilt of the affair, and the guilt of playing with men at the bar to get tips. Most women would love to have the body that Kelly had along with the power to excite men at her presence. It was this gift of beauty that enabled her to have the title of Hotlicks girl and show some leg for tips. She only needed to be friendly and flirtatious with her customers. If a group of guys started the night off with a pitcher of beer, she would immediately acknowledge that this was a cool thing and then smile at the guy who seemed to be the “group leader”. Men are so easy! Show a little leg, show a little interest and flash a smile; they'll be eating out of your hand in no time. Patrons of these sports bars and grills that feature young girls in tight shorts and halter tops might argue that checking out the waitress is not what it's all about. These men might argue that they go there to be with friends, have beer & hot wings, and watch the game. So why don't they have old grandmas working at these places? Would such sport bars be as popular then?

  Although a very exciting lifestyle at Hotlicks, Kelly drove alone that rainy night, realizing that she wasn't always in to her job. Now don't think for one second that Kelly didn't enjoy the life of men worshipping her and giving her tips simply for the beauty she possessed. But there were nights that Kelly wished it wasn't necessary to prance about partially naked while flirting with horny men, especially the downright creepy ones. And when they were tanked up on beer, they could become worse. That's probably what happened to the customer who attacked her in the bar on an early-summer evening…

  …and may have possibly sat in the pick-up truck parked on the side of the road where she passed! If you've ever come close to getting into an accident or saw the flash of police headlights in your rearview mirror, then you would recognize the intense adrenaline that overcame Kelly as the headlights turned on and the pick-up truck quickly pulled out to follow her. Although unreal to Kelly, it added to her belief that someone was, in fact, slowly stalking and tracking her route home each night. She passed Lint Road and Vine Road; all the while the big, red pick-up truck closely following behind with the heat of the headlights reflecting off the rearview mirror.

  Then it made it right-turn onto an unknown road that, as far as Kelly knew, led to an old church. She was, once again, alone. It just had to be coincidence!

  Chapter 9

  There are many strange qualities pertaining to the seemingly quiet and peaceful town of Mapleview. As an onlooker or a passerby on vacation, the area is beautiful, serene and a place one only dreams of living. But the residents know of the urban legends, the most famous being connected to the Trivelli house. And there's more, a lot more, as residents can feel a certain energy that blankets the town of unexplained happenings. Something occurred in that area hundreds of years ago, long before Mapleview was established and the great Trivelli house had been built.

  Exactly one week after Kelly's manager and bouncer informed her of the stalker who waited in the parking lot, Mary watched the early-morning news that reported a horrific story. Live helicopter footage revealed images of a tragic mishap, overnight. Fortunately, it didn't involve Kelly, who had yet to visit Mary since moving out. But the event was associated with the mysterious Route 4 that Detective Tom Morehausen had spoken of.

  Route 4: a 10.6 mile stretch of highway between the towns of Sillmac and Mapleview. Although not entirely true, the highway has the reputation of being a region with poor, if any, cell phone reception. It's not until a motorist is near Mapleview or Sillmac that cellular service is restored. The road is lonely late at night with deep wilderness on both sides. And if it weren't for the occasional highway lights that were recently installed for safety, the partially illuminated stretch of road would be pitch black. It's the perfect setting for any woman who is concerned of her safety during a late night drive. Should headlights that suddenly appear in the rearview mirror and crazed drivers who glare into the window be reason for alarm?

  It was a Friday night and two young men sat in an apartment in search of the ultimate night out. Surrounded by a bombardment of adult entertainment, it could quickly be concluded that Mark and Dave were frustrated individuals. Neither was capable of maintaining a long-term relationship with the opposite sex. And to make matters worse, both had started the weekend broke with nothing to do on a Friday night.

  Dave sighed, “Dude, I'm sick of looking at this stuff. You know, it's the weekend and we're sitting here wishing we had some action.”

  Mark came up with a great plan for the evening. It was based on information he heard earlier in the week of a game played on Route 4. Most of the participants who engaged in this activity believed that female motorists drove the highway late at night with the sole intention of being stalked and pursued on the road. These women were believed to be lonely housewives or unsatisfied in their relationships. The 10.6 miles of lonely, dark highway was an abandon of a woman's inhibitions. She could be chased, symbolically assaulted and then make it to safety by either of the towns separated by the 10.6 mile stre
tch of highway.

  There's no denying that young men are highly motivated to participate in any activities that remotely resemble the seduction, attack or assault of a woman. And to come to the defense of men who may play such a game, many (not all) women do have fantasies of coercion. The chase game on Route 4 appeared to be a harmless outlet of frustration and need for coercion alike.

  Dave wasn't sure about this game. “Dude, it's a total bust! All some woman needs to do is get your license plate number and call the police once her cell starts working. Besides, a cell phone might not work, but On Star will!”

  Mark's argument was that not everyone had On Star. And he insisted it was no crime for simply looking at a motorist on the highway. In his words, “So we were driving down Route 4 and like the way some chick looked. So what? We can't go to jail for that!”

  In their friendship, one might have noticed that Dave was the more sensible person. A sensible person might ask, “What if a woman was simply driving the stretch of dark highway for the sake of commuting home or traveling on vacation?” To Dave, it sounded like this game was a fantasy, and may very well have taken place in the minds of those pursuing the women on Route 4.

  But Mark was persistent. “Come on, man! Aren't you sick of merely looking at stuff online or going to strip clubs? Don't you want excitement? Don't you want to play a wild game with an un-expecting woman out there? Besides, they like that stuff! Women get off on being stalked and chased by guys out on the road. The worst thing that could happen is a neglected housewife will be out and in search of a thrill, and we give her a run for her money. Don't you get it? Why else would she be driving that road late at night?”

  Dave remained motionless with a blank look, unsure if the suggested activity was really a safe form of entertainment. It seemed harmless, and Mark's argument was a reasonable one. After several more seconds of deliberation, he agreed to try the game out.

  The two drove down the lonely stretch of highway with Mark driving. He was nearly psychotic with a crazed look, heavily breathing and red face that indicated a surge in blood pressure. Needless to say, he was most eager to encounter a vehicle containing a lonely, female driver.

  Dave's mind was racing, too, but in different way. Was this really a good idea? Was there any possible chance to convince his friend to back out? He suggested that the road was so desolate that they might not encounter anyone.

  But Mark remained positive and tried to reassure his friend that the patience would pay off. “I'm telling you man, women come out here because they know about the game that's played. Why else would some chick come out on a lonely, dark road at night? We'll find one!”

  Shortly after Mark provided the reassuring words, the two spotted a set of tail lights some distance down the dark road. Mark sped up with the roaring engine that growled like an animal on the prowl. In less than a minute, their rapid approach of the vehicle revealed a mini van.

  Mark was excited, “Ooooo! A minivan! It's probably some soccer mom. Let's check who is driving.” Although Route 4 was a lonely stretch of road, it was a two-lane highway (in both directions) with shoulders wide enough for passing. The potential vehicle to assault was traveling in the right lane, so Mark moved into the left lane and slightly increased speed in hopes to catch a glimpse of the driver. He was delighted to see it was a woman. “Oooooo, a blond! She looks cute.” He pointed out that the woman was alone and immediately theorized she was eager to play the chase game on Route 4.

  Apparently aware of the car next to her, and the sensation of someone watching, she faced left to see who was there. That's when the excitement began with Mark giving obscene, tasteless gestures. The woman immediately faced forward.

  “Ha-ha! She likes it! I can see it in her eyes!”

  Mark slowed down to pull behind the mini van; then he moved to the right shoulder and sped up. He wanted to get another view of his victim through the passenger side of her vehicle. Once in sight, Mark continuously glared as if his eyes could penetrate the glass and into the passenger seat of the mini van.

  Her face remained forward as she appeared to increase speed. Dave concluded that she didn't enjoy the circumstance, and he imagined the woman was desperate to get past the lonely stretch of dark highway to a safer area. “Alright man, that's enough. I don't think she likes this! She looks scared.”

  But Mark was persistent and wanted to continue this game of his. “What do you mean enough? This hasn't gone nearly far enough! And even if she doesn't like it here, I guarantee she's gonna think about it and wish for more while she's at home! Let's give her more!”

  Seeing that the minivan increased velocity, Mark moved back into the lane and turned on his brights. “Turn those babies on and let that sweet thing know we're on her!” He was becoming increasingly excited. And just as Dave suspected, this chase game appeared to take place in Mark's mind. But maybe it really was fun. Dave was someone willing to try anything once, and he felt he should make the most of this bizarre experience as he abandoned inhibitions and joined the pleasure of frantic pursuit.

  Dave joined in the madness, “She probably adjusted her rearview mirror so the light is on her thighs!”

  Mark laughed, “Totally man! I'm telling you, women love this stuff!”

  In crazed spontaneity, Mark tore off his shirt and ordered Dave to do the same.

  “What? What are you doing?” Dave didn't think the game would involve removing his clothes.

  “Come on man! Just take it off! Let her see what we really want!”

  And so the vehicle pulled into the left lane with an opened throttle of the roaring engine. Their flabby man-boobs and beer bellies jiggled down the highway. All the while, Mark and Dave were excited and hoped to get the woman in the minivan aroused.

  Mark honked and the woman driver turned to look. They signaled the woman to pull over while making more obscene gestures. But there was no display of arousal on the woman's part as she simply looked forward and continued to travel.

  “Ha ha ha! Yeah, you know you want it, Baby!” Mark reached under his seat and gave Dave a rope. “Here, hang this out the window and start whipping her van with it! Just do it!”

  Dave laughed and rolled down the window, all the while under the new perception that this was a good time. He whipped the hood of the minivan, yielding a look of concern and disbelief from the female driver. “Yeah, you like that don't you? I bet you want me to tie you up with this and spank that sweet, little ass of yours!”

  Mark slowed down and switched lanes so that the car was, once again, traveling on the right shoulder. It was now his turn to have fun with the object of pursued entertainment “We're almost at the end of Route 4! I want to make this a good one! Here, hold the wheel and keep your foot on the accelerator.”

  “What the…? What are you nuts?” Dave held the wheel and maintained the speed as Mark extended half of his body out the window. Mark pulled down his pants which followed all sorts of obscene activities that could be considered a visual assault.

  Suddenly, the two vehicles side-swiped. Dave wasn't sure if it was careless steering on his part or if the woman had enough and decided to issue a warning. But the vehicles swiped which rammed Mark and Dave off the road, causing the car to roll over several times before hitting a tree. Since they were clowning around, sticking a rope out the window and doing obscene gestures of visual assault, neither was wearing a seatbelt. And in a blink of an eye, the two had been ejected from the vehicle where vertigo had catapulted them into the temporary realm of “life-before-your-eyes”.

  Dave was seriously injured, possibly paralyzed, as he struggled to evaluate the surroundings. At the moment, the only thing he could move was his neck and head. From what he could see, Mark appeared to be either dead or unconscious. And in the distance, the woman in the minivan could be seen backing up on Route 4, where she soon exited the vehicle to hike down where her two assaulters lay. Just moments ago Dave was tormenting the woman out on the road, and now she was coming down to help. Her
good nature and heroism was remarkable!

  The woman knelt down besides Mark, and laid a monster-like hand with sharp claws on his neck. If Mark was unconscious, he definitely pulled out while he quivered and squealed in pain from the flesh being torn off as if one pulled the meat from a turkey carcass. The woman had huge, sharp, monster-like teeth as she took a bite out of the flesh and began to chew with Mark's blood dripping down her chin.

  She took another bite and seemed to marvel at how good Mark tasted. Then she pulled the cell phone out of her pocket and began to dial. So much for cell phones not working on Route 4! “Hi honey; sorry I'm late. I was held up at work, but I got us dinner. Bring the kids and meet me at the end of Route 4… mmm-hmmm… yep, two of them. And hurry before the other one gets cold… okay, love ya…”

  Dave watched in horror as she put the phone back in her pocket and proceeded to rip off more flesh as Mark screamed and convulsed in agonizing pain.

  * * *

  Mary watched the news anchor report the tragic discovery on the road. “Mapleview police made a very gruesome discovery early this morning. The remains of two motorists that appeared to be ejected near the end of Route 4 in an overnight accident were found lying on the side of the road. The unidentified motorists were apparently devoured by a pack of wolves before being discovered by authorities. It's unclear if the driver simply fell asleep or if there was another vehicle involved.”