"So, this is Moonwood Mill," Demarco grinned, surveying the sign board.
She'd driven up from the Harbor, following the map app's directions along the twisting roads into the mountains to find the place. The road into the town itself was gated off, and she'd parked in a lot that wasn't much more than a field except for the collection of beat-up old cars and pick-ups (many of which probably qualified as 'vintage' if they actually still ran).
At least the walk along the rutted dirt road into town had been nice.
The among the tattered and faded notes on the sign board were several posters proclaiming the local opportunities for hiking and fishing. She also spotted a sign warning visitors about the dangers of local wildlife and admonishing them to obey all posted signs. Someone with added a note in marker - Beware of Greg!!!
Demarco figured Greg was either the pet-name of some notorious local bear or someone's ex-boyfriend.
When Knox had suggested she take a trip to the mountains, Moonwood Mill hadn't been Demarco's first thought. Everyone went to Granite Falls, after all. It had been one those chance run-ins that had put the idea in her head. She knew Celene casually from around and, running into her on the street, had found herself talking about her vacation plans. Celene had suggested Moonwood Mill as a good place for hiking and fishing.
Funny, come to think of it, Demarco remembered Celene has said something about the local wildlife and paying attention to signs, too.
"Hello, dear." The old woman's greeting brought Demarco back to the present. "Visiting, are you?"
"Oh, hi," Demarco smiled. "Yeah, I'm on vacation and I heard there was some good hiking and fishing around here."
"Oh, isn't that lovely," the old woman smiled warmly. "We don't get many visitors since the old mill shut down... but yes, there are some lovely spots around this old town... but I'm being rude and not introducing myself. I'm Lily."
"No, you're fine. I'm Demarco. Lux, Lux Demarco," she added in response to Lily's quizzical look. "Everyone back in the Harbor... Evergreen Harbor I mean... just calls me Demarco."
"Welcome to our little corner of the world, Ms. Demarco," Lily smiled.
"Just Demarco 's fine," she said. "So, Lily, any tips about where the good fishing is."
"If you're looking for a good hike and a pretty place," Lily smiled, "I suggest Lake Lunvik. Just follow the path here, across the bridge and bear a bit left. You'll see it. The lake's on public land, so no need to worry about that."
"Thanks," Demarco smiled. "I appreciate it."
"One thing, Ms. Demarco," Lily added. "Mind you stay on the path and watch for posted signs. Folks around these parts can be touchy about their privacy and there's some wild animals in the woods. Don't stay out after dark, stay on the path and mind the signs."
"Yes ma'am," Demarco answered with an indulgent smile. 
It was a beautiful fall day, warm but pleasantly so after the oppressive summer's heat. The leaves, just starting to turn, fluttered in a gentle breeze. Demarco broke into a light jog as she followed Lily's directions - across the bridge and down the path toward the spot where the sunlight glittered off the waters of Lake Lunvik.
Looking around at the cool waters of the lake, the green of the trees and the sturdy strength of the mountain peak rising over them, Demarco smiled. Knox had been right; this was exactly what she needed. She felt relaxed and at home here in a way she never had back in the Harbor.
The land was lush and green. Everything was quiet, except for the sounds of the birds and the lapping of the water. She was as completely alone as she could be.
A sneaky thought dawned in Demarco's mind. There wasn't anyone around and the water look so nice and cool after her jog. To hell with it, she decided on impulse. Time for a swim.
Quickly, before she lost her nerve, she stripped off her clothes and waded into the water. She gasped as she dove into the cold, mountain-fed waters of the lake and swam with powerful strokes, through the cool, bright waters.
Pleasantly worn out, she treaded water for a bit and laughed at the pure joy and freedom of skinny dipping, before finally wading back the shore.
She waited a bit, to dry off. Surprised she didn't feel more self-conscious about it, Demarco still decided it was time to put her clothes back on and actually do some fishing.
She didn't actually catch anything, but that wasn't really the point. Just being out in nature, breathing the fresh air and enjoying the warm fall afternoon was enough.
Still, Demarco could only not-catch-fish for so long before she felt the urge to move. Standing still just wasn't a comfortable state for her... to much like working register back at S-Mart.
Who could stand still, waiting for fish, all afternoon when there was a mountain behind her begging to be climbed.
Exploring a little around the base, she found an old tunnel which led inside. Feeling daring, she followed the dark passage into the peak and upward until finally she emerged.
Standing there, at the top of the mountain, Demarco looked out over the mountains and the trees. Some people, Demarco imagined, would say they felt peace at a moment like this. As she stood there, watching the sun set, Demarco felt energized, in way she had never felt before.
As the sun set, she felt alive. Really and truly alive.
"I could stay here forever," Demarco said softly to the rising moon.
Unfortunately, she knew she couldn't. She was on shift tomorrow and she had to pay rent and buy groceries. Running around the grass, swimming naked in the lake and watching the moon rise from the mountaintop was a wonderful vacation... one she knew she'd desperately needed.
Now it was time to head back down to the world, she thought as she started back down the mountain tunnel.
Behind her, the Moon rose over a world greater and stranger than Lux Demarco imagined.
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