Chapter One
He weaved his way through the overgrown foliage almost by second nature. It was a path he'd trekked many times, although it had been almost six months since he'd last hiked it. With a mild winter, things still grew readily, and as a result, there were a lot of limbs that would need to be cut back on his next trip. But that was for another day. Today was the first really perfect day of the short spring season central Texas usually experienced... low humidity, clear blue skies, and wildflowers in full bloom. He wasn't about to miss a minute of it doing trail maintenance - if you could call it a trail.
Once a campground, the acreage behind his home had long since gone the way of re-naturalization, which despite the deteriorating conditions, was actually to his benefit. Very few neighbors even had access to this wild area, and from the condition of the trail, it seemed those that did weren't utilizing it. Which was perfect... it meant he'd be alone. He always enjoyed his time alone outdoors, and he was excited today. Already, he could feel himself growing thick with anticipation, shifting heavily in his shorts with each step.
Not far away, she was relishing the day as well. Part of group of classmates who'd decided on a whim to go to Texas for spring break, she loved the outdoors and spending the day at the lake on a rental boat was the perfect way to start a week of much needed relaxation. It was great to get away from the stresses of school and her part of the world. Her only real concern now that they were there was how to get a little time to herself.
As her friends goofed around diving in and out of the boat, she eyed the shoreline and it's dense tree growth. Rocky cliffs rose in either direction from the outcropping of land near which they had anchored for the day. Far off to her left, at the peak of the gradual incline of limestone, she could see people peering down at the lake, golf course and boaters. They were close enough to tell apart boy from girl by what they were wearing, but not close enough to make out any details of their faces- in other words, a good hike. Just the ticket, she thought, as she turned back to watch her friends at play. Already well into the stash of beer, their faces were rosy from the unimpeded sunlight mixed with the dilating effects of the alcohol.
"Any of you guys wanna go on a hike with me?" she asked.
Her girlfriend, who was lying beside her, glanced back over her shoulder. "What'd you have in mind?" she asked, as she adjusted the small bit of material covering her butt so as not to get such a definite tan line. Earlier, she'd already removed her top.
"I want to go up there... where those people are," she said, pointing high up to the overlooking cliff's edge, dotted with figures.
"Looks like a lot of work to me. I thought we were here to relax, have fun... maybe meet a few cute guys," her friend replied as she watched a ski boat zoom by, loaded with frat guys hooting and hollering back at the scantily clad ladies. "But if that's what you want to do, don't let me stop you."
"Fine... I think I will."
She sat up, put on her sandals and cap, pulling her ponytail through the hole in back. Grabbing a small backpack, she eased into the water, holding the pack overhead. Her toes touched bottom just as the water reached her neck, but as she neared the shoreline, boulders provided footing for her to climb out. As she stood on one and slung her pack over her shoulder, she was both excited and nervous about setting out alone. She called back to her friend, who was turning over to lie on her back, pert young breasts glistening with tanning lotion, "If I'm not back in a couple hours, come look for me... I'll be somewhere between here and up there!" Her girlfriend nodded passively, clearly more intent on getting herself into a more seductive position before that ski boat turned and made another pass. She smiled as she turned back to the shoreline and made her way through the first row of bushes and trees.
The deeper into the woods he hiked, the warmer he became under the noonday sun, and soon he was sweating. Stopping briefly to remove his shirt, he peered through the trees along the cliff down to the river's edge. Several boats had already dropped anchor at the mouth of the creek as many more motored up and down the wide river into which it emptied. A few even had skiers in tow, though the water was still cool enough to require the use of at least a minimal wetsuit. He glanced down at the boat nearest the shore. There were half a dozen college-aged kids on or around it already having fun. One nicely figured girl was lying at the bow of the boat, sunning as she spoke to another. He packed his shirt and took a drink of water. Just as he was about to replace his pack, he glanced out again, and the girl had turned over... topless! A grin spread across his face as he realized it must be spring break. 'There'll be a lot of that going on this week' he thought to himself. 'Maybe I'll head downtown tonight and see what kind of trouble I can get into' his smile widening as he stole one last glance, then resumed his descent to the lush clearing at the base of this wild peninsula.