I find myself walking along a deserted road. On either side of me there are rolling hills and woods. It's cloudy and dark, threatening to rain, with a cold wind blowing steadily. I am wrapped in a piece of fur over my clothing and sometimes struggle when the wind blows directly at me. Soon I see some cars, and am relieved to see signs of civilization, and as I walk further, suddenly it's filled with people, cameras, light and sound equipment. It's a movie shoot. The location is beautiful, very wild, with a river rushing through the craggy hills. The woods on the other side is dark with close-growing pine trees.
For some reason, I feel as though I'm intruding, and make my way around the edges, hoping that noone would see me. I pass behind the director, who is seated on an elevated platform, and duck into a covered bridge. It's obviious that it's part of the set, but it does provide me with the cover I need. I quickly walk through it, grateful for the momentary shielding from the winds, and when I step out, I am amazed to see piles and piles of beaver skins stacked up. At the same time, the winds have now brought the hard, cold driving rains. Behind me I hear someone joke about how appropriate it is that they should be working with "pelts" in the "pelting" rain!!
I know that I could have stayed in the shelter, but something is driving me on. Since I'm already wrapped up in one skin, I help myself to another one to adquately cover myself. As I do so, I recall having read that a movie was being made about the early explorers and the Hudson Bay fur trade.
I continue walking in this rain, and eventually reach a large house. This is my destination. Memories come back of how I used to live here and that I've been away too long. I walk in through the gate and suddenly the rain stops and the air becomes calm and warm. I see palm trees and other tropical plants growing in a rather overgrown garden and promise myself that this will be taken care of soon. The garden has all sorts of trails made of flagstone, and although I cannot see it all, I know it's huge, and I relish the thought of exploring it all again.
Inside, I go inside to the lower level and step into a room full of aquariums, and here, I'm overcome by guilt. Not only have neglected the gardens, I have also neglected all these fish! How long were they without food!? I examine the tanks, and am relieved to see the small tropical fish darting merrily around but am also distressed to see a few larger goldfish floating dead in a couple of tanks. I wonder if I have to decontaminate all the tanks now, and where is the fish food anyways? I go around and check everything and simply cannot find the fish food, but I do find one tank that holds a large allegator. This startles and frightens me, and I dash up the stairs again to one of the adjoining trails.
I know that I could have stayed in the shelter, but something is driving me on. Since I'm already wrapped up in one skin, I help myself to another one to adquately cover myself. As I do so, I recall having read that a movie was being made about the early explorers and the Hudson Bay fur trade.
I continue walking in this rain, and eventually reach a large house. This is my destination. Memories come back of how I used to live here and that I've been away too long. I walk in through the gate and suddenly the rain stops and the air becomes calm and warm. I see palm trees and other tropical plants growing in a rather overgrown garden and promise myself that this will be taken care of soon. The garden has all sorts of trails made of flagstone, and although I cannot see it all, I know it's huge, and I relish the thought of exploring it all again.
Inside, I go inside to the lower level and step into a room full of aquariums, and here, I'm overcome by guilt. Not only have neglected the gardens, I have also neglected all these fish! How long were they without food!? I examine the tanks, and am relieved to see the small tropical fish darting merrily around but am also distressed to see a few larger goldfish floating dead in a couple of tanks. I wonder if I have to decontaminate all the tanks now, and where is the fish food anyways? I go around and check everything and simply cannot find the fish food, but I do find one tank that holds a large allegator. This startles and frightens me, and I dash up the stairs again to one of the adjoining trails.
A short distance away, I hear something thrashing through the underbush, and catch a glimps of a huge serpentine animal. It's not anything like I've seen before. It heads straight for a deep river that runs through the property. It was about 15 feet long and it disappears quickly under the water.
While I am frightened, I am also thrilled to know that this is my world, my personal domain. I have returned to this place after a long absence and yes, there are some changes. I make plans to systematically go through the grounds and the house, get help where I need it, and care for it, monsters and all, as I'm meant to.
While I am frightened, I am also thrilled to know that this is my world, my personal domain. I have returned to this place after a long absence and yes, there are some changes. I make plans to systematically go through the grounds and the house, get help where I need it, and care for it, monsters and all, as I'm meant to.
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