Was someone out there?
I kept watching. The wind died, there was no more lightning. The air smelled of ozone and wet earth.
Whatever it was, it was not moving. I watched for a bit longer, and then, contrary to my assertion to Cooper moments before, I shoved my feet into a pair of rainboots, opened the screen door, and went ‘out in it’ to see.
3
LEXI
2004 - MY LAWN
As I crossed the grass, my shoulders huddled against the night chill, I kept my eyes on the form ahead of me —what was it?
But then, as I drew closer, I knew… a person. Someone was on the ground under the tree.
I began to run.
But then I slid to a stop about six feet away — a man, big, bearded, unconscious, dressed in… really odd clothes, like a historic costume.
It flashed in my mind,like in my dream,but I shoved that thought aside.
“Hey, hey, you’re sleeping? Get up. You’re on my land.”
He didn’t move.
I crept forward, crouched, and shook his shoulder. Nothing.
I pressed my fingers to his throat. Pulse, yes.
I shook his shoulder again.
Behind me I heard Cooper, “What’s happening, Lexi?”
“Some guy, unconscious! Bring your phone!” I leaned over the guy’s mouth and listened, he was breathing.
I was shivering, “Bring my sweater!”
Cooper tossed a flashlight towards me and raced back to the house. I should have gotten the phone first. It would take a moment for an ambulance to get here.
I picked up the flashlight and looked all around. The guy had a handsome, chiseled face, light brown hair, and a beard. I looked over his clothing — he was wearing a pale linen shirt, with embroidery at the cuffs, a plaid kilt, and a cloak. I shone the light on the edge and it looked like a real fur trim. His boots were almost more like elf shoes, form fitting and without heavy soles, fur sticking out of the top. He had a long knife sheathed on his hip. It looked like there was a long sword under his body.
I noticed the guy’s shirt was torn at his stomach, a pine twig embedded in it. I peeked in the hole to see he was bleeding. I looked all around and then up at the tree. Branches were broken.
Must have been the wind from that storm.
Cooper raced up. A sweater was deposited in my arms. “What the hell — where’d this guy come from?”
“I have no idea. None at all. Can you call 911?” I stuffed my arms in the sweater sleeves and then adjusted the guy’s cloak over his shoulders while Cooper called in the emergency.
He put his hand over the phone. “What should I tell them happened?”
“Best guess? He was walking through the woods and got hit by a branch in the storm.”
“Why’s he in our woods—?” He held up a finger as the 911 controller came back on the line. He paced explaining where we were and what had happened.
He hung up and walked back over to me. “They’re on their way.”
“Great.” I checked the guy’s breathing again. Sort of poked and prodded his shoulder and adjusted his hands.
