Glen had been saving all of his emotions for this day, as he stepped out of his wagon after the long drive from town. It was a beautiful day, with a warm sun and the air filled with birds and bugs. He donned his pre-packed backpack, secured his car, and headed for the trail into the mountains. The forest urged him on, until he was almost running from the joy of freedom he felt. Critters scurried from the trail as he headed upwards to Lost Lake; his objective still five miles distant. The fishing was great there, the privacy was unparalleled, and the peace was heaven sent. Since his first trip last year, all he could think about was his next adventure; but work priorities had always forced him to cancel at the last moment. One day, ready to burst from the stress and the city, he dropped his work, stormed into the foremans' office, and begged for a week off. His boss gave him two, and a bonus for his devotion. Glen used this bonus to buy his equipment, and get his car in top shape. With nary a thought of the world he was leaving behind, he continued his ascent to the crystal clear lake near the summit of Lost Mountain.
Lost Mountain had received its rather distinctive name from the number of hikers and climbers that had been lost there. Although it rose majestically between two other like peaks, the series of valleys and overhangs made it difficult to survey and search. Many of the forests inhabitants made their homes there, unafraid of human invasion. They would openly frolick in the peaceful pastures and sleep undisturbed by the myriad of creeks that descended from the glaciated peak. Beneath the lush coating of moss and ferns, the forest floor revealed another secret of minerals, known only to two inhabitants; one recently deceased. The survivor lived in seclusion in a primative cabin not far from Lost Lake. She was stunningly beautiful, and with the death of her Father, she, alone, would be responsible for her survival. She felt the initial pangs of hunger, and knew she would need to eat soon. Her instincts became keen now, and she sensed movements from below. Clad only in animals skins, she strolled down to the waters edge, where she paused to sniff the scents in the wind. With unhurried motions, she shed her moccasins and furs, and waded into the waters calm radiance. She could feel the cool waters bathe every pore, and could feel an occasional trout brush past her in an embrace of welcome. One of the cubs from the bear family that shared the lake with her sat and watched her bathe while nonchalantly knawing on a huckleberry branch. It was a naturists dream.
Glen continued his journey, still excited about setting up his site amoung the towering firs. He knew there would be enough time for dreams and philosophies by the campfire; as for now, he purely enjoyed the winds' rustle, and the peaceful trickle of the creek that ran adjacent to his path. Occasionally, he would see a squirrel, or catch a glimpse of a fawn in the brush, undisturbed by his presence. The smell of fresh pine was almost overwhelming. Several times he stopped just to revel in the natural beauty around him. It took him over three hours to ascend to the basin of the glaciated Lost Lake as some of the trail had been lost during a recent storm triggered avalanche. Glen didn't care if it took him all day, as the fulfillment of the hike was more than he could ask for; he only hoped he could set-up camp before darkness as the equipment was new, and he was somewhat unsure of its' use. Once at the basin, the trail abruptly stopped, and he was forced to make his own trail through the underbrush. It was tiring work, but he hardly felt the exhaustion through the exhilaration of "conquering the wild." Within 15-minutes he found the clearing where he had camped before, unchanged from the way he left it. He was back in paradise.
She continued to bathe peacefully, smoothing the crystal clear elixer of the lake over her weathered skin. She was a little over five foot tall without an ounce of fat. Her skin was a golden brown except for a brief patch of white near her nippled and around her pubis. She had tiny feet, small breasts, long legs, and a perfect curve in her hips. She carried herself with the grace of a doe, her dark brown eyes rivaled a hawks' in their effectiveness. She had the agility of a mountain goat and the tenacity of a burro. She sensed his presence, and with the dexterity of a trout, swam submerged towards his campsite. She saw his hook dangling in the water void of bait, and watched him intently as he washed his socks and lay them carefully on the rocks to dry. She would wait until it was dark. . .
Darkness comes quickly to the forests; the trees act as natural blinds, and as Glen reeled in his line for the last time, he was glad he had brought some freeze-dried rations just in case his fishing attempts failed. From the darkness just beyonds the campfires' glow, she continued to watch him, with all of her senses alive to the forest about her. As Glen reclined with his head on a log by the fire, he began to doze amidst the tranquil sounds of the lake lapping at his feet. She crept out from her hiding place with the stealth of a cat and over to the remaining items in his pack. Sniffing them cautiously, she found some freeze-dried spaghetti and some instant orange juice. Fleeing back into the safety of the woods she ripped open the packets with her teeth. It was so dry she gagged, and in disgust threw both opened packets into the water. As she turned to search for some other food source, she confronted Glen. In terror she tried to flee, but he grabbed her by the waist and lifted her feet off the ground. She shrieked, and bit down on his arm drawing blood. He released his grip in agony, and she fled in the forest to hide in a small cavern for the remainder of the night. Glen returned to camp full of questions, a slightly wounded ego, and a more severely wounded arm. He washed his wound in the lake and with a field dressing from his first-aid kit, he was able to return to his former activities. Soon the camp was secured, and he fell asleep, dreaming of the wild woman with dark flowing hair.
In the morning, Glen explored part of the area surrounding his camp. There was nary a trace of the girl he'd encountered the night before, and with the exception of his wound, no evidence she even existed. He returned to camp and washed up, then baited his line in hopes of some early morning action. Hardly had the line hit the water, when he felt the tug of breakfast. With glee, he laughed aloud and reeled in his prize. Before long, the surrounding woods were awash with the scent of pan fried trout and freeze-dried eggs.
She appeared before him as he was about to savor his first bite. Sensing her fear, he stepped away from the fire where the remainder of the fish lay. Slowly, ever so slowly, with one tentative step, then another, she crept towards fire, eyeing him continually. He watched her, and even though he was quite curious, he was more interested in enjoying his feast on the plate. As she reached the remaining food he had prepared, she lept on the frying pan grabbing it with both hands and buried her face into the fish carcass. A second later, she screamed as the heat reached her hands and face. Glen struggled to hide his laughter, and quickly turned in a different direction when she glared at him.