Dangerous Moonlight

I tapped my fingers on the wheel of my old Dodge Dakota, as the tires bump and lurch over the rocky road. Twin lines of tall trees fenced the path to Hell’s Gate, two mountain peaks that curve toward each other, reminiscent of devil’s horns.

A rabbit darted onto the road. I slammed on the brakes so hard that they squealed. My chest slammed against the wheel, and my grip slipped as I shrieked. The truck fishtailed, sending up a cloud of dust to float through the sunbeams flashing in my eyes.

As the truck lurched to a stop, I wondered if my stomach would follow on its heels, or if I’d throw up the organ along with the contents of the yogurt I’d had for breakfast, now sour in my throat.

“Kat!” Lola screamed from the passenger seat as something big, sleek and black exploded from the bushes. The form sailed in front of my windshield, clearing two car lengths before disappearing into the settling dust whipping around the opposite trees where the rabbit had gone.

I trembled as I pushed my bangs from my face. I glanced at Lola, who stared in the direction the black animal had gone.

“What was that?” She cowered against her window.

I cleared my throat. “A bear?”

“Bears aren’t shaped like that.”

The dust settled on the windshield, as my heart pounded. The forest returned to the regular ebb and flow of nature. I commanded myself to take a deep breath and shake it off.

Lola laughed, a shaky sound that vibrated in her throat. “Well then. Shall we continue?”

I nodded, releasing the break. My leg ached from the steady pressure. I righted the truck, picking up speed as I scanned the road ahead.

The silence began to grate on my nerves. “Are you excited?”

Lola flipped her honey blonde locks behind her shoulder. “Of course! A week by the lake, just us girls. Perfect.” The rolled off of her tongue. She leaned against the window and studied me. “Think I packed enough beer to last a week?”

“We tapped two liquor stores on the way here.”

She wiggled her frosted peach polished toes through her sandals “So true, girl. So true. I plan to spend the entire week thoroughly pickled.”

I smirked. “That’s something you do well.”

She pushed her wide sunglasses down her nose, brow hidden under the soft curve of side swept bangs. “There better be an absolute ton of hot guys at the lake. I mean packed to bursting with succulent, bared muscles. For how much we paid to reserve at last minute.”

“I have no doubt you’ll get to show off all four of the bikinis you brought. You’ll have them eating out of the palm of your hand.”

“I’d have it no other way.”

The truck sputtered as it climbed higher and higher, bumping over the rocks. My breath caught at the crest. Glittering blue water cut a path between the cliffs of Hell’s Gate. The peaks had always reminded me of the symbolic horns of Mother Nature’s at her greatest, most deadly. Only the idiotic tried to climb these gems buried in the Rocky Mountains. Inactive volcanoes some said, a feat for the unwary to tackle. Death came easily to Hell’s Gate. For the idiotic anyway.

The tiny booth at the entrance to Summit Lake’s campground was all but deserted, save a bored teenager filing her nails. Her cherry red hair covered one eye. The other she’d lined in Cleopatra worthy liner.

“Reservation?”

I fumbled for my purse, tucked between Lola and me. “Under Campbell, for one week.”

She collected her clipboard and ran her finger down the list. “Crap, you’re the one.”

Lola jerked and whipped off her sunglasses. “Hold up, if you say you gave away our spot to some loser, I’ll create a new definition of the word pissed off bitch.”

“That’s three words.” I shot her a droll look. “Chill, would you? Give the girl a chance.”

“No, no,” the teenager said nervously. “A mix up with placement, that’s all. We switched you with one closer to the cliffs overlooking the lake. The size is pretty good, more than you’ll need. But it’s the only spot left on this side of the lake, unless you want one of the hunting cabins on the Westside. All of those, except two are open.”

Lola settled back into her sear. “Alright then.” She waved her hand dismissively. “Proceed.”

The teenager and I shared a long look, filled with relief. “Aren’t the sites by the cliffs twice the money?”

“Yeah, but my boss says to charge you the one twenty it would’ve cost for the other. Isn’t your fault they messed up.” She leaned out her window and wiggled her brow. “Trust me, you’ll love…"

“Why is that?” I asked, pulling an extra ten from my wallet. I handed her the tip.

“Just trust me.” The teenager handed me a packet, including a map that highlighted the location of our site.

The attendant plopped back into her beat up wooden chair that might’ve been used in a one room schoolhouse fifty years ago. She kicked her legs up on the counter, collected her nail file, as if we’d never come.

“Right.” I tossed the packet into Lola’s lap. I threw the truck into drive then rolled away from the booth. “Find where we’re at.”

“The only empty spot, duh.”

“You’re so helpful.”

“I know. I’m wonderful.”

We passed countless happy families gathered around smoking fires, laughing and talking. These people came from different planets than I did. My heart clenched, but I plastered a bright smile on my face nonetheless. This was a time for happiness, not to wallow in a past I couldn’t change.

With every turn, families gave way to a younger crowd. Space between the sites became denser, wilder than their predecessors.

“Turn left,” Lola muttered. “At the wood and water station.”

“Right.”

“No, I said left.”

“I meant ‘all right.’”

Lola snickered. “Yeah, whatever. Woah.” Her head swiveled on her shoulder quick enough to snap her neck.

Two gorgeous men and a beautiful barely clad woman emerged from the woods, and onto the dirt road. I struggled not to stare. Their tanned flesh shone in the sunlight. Their hair and eyes seemed to shimmer with healthy radiance. I hadn’t known that ethereal models camped with the rest of us plebeians.

“Hot damn!” Lola twisted in her seat. “Please tell me they are staying around here.”

As if in answer, they turned into the site across from the one I pulled into. Lola tumbled out of the cab before I’d stopped.

“Thank the Lord above. Eye candy, baby! Will be the best week ever.”

I rolled my eyes, as I slipped out of the truck. A spicy scent teased the air around me, and I pivoted. My nostrils flared, and I glanced around. When my abdomen clenched hard, I was left weak with…lust? My hands shook, palms slick with sweat as I pushed my bangs from my face. Quickly as it had come, the sensation vanished. Had I imagined it?