The Road in the Forest

Astra asked, "Are you feeling better?"

Krissy said, "Not really. I could use some water and a shower. Where did the old man go?"

"I don't know," said Astra. "I think that he was trying to get us back to our world, but whatever is causing problems with the Starbucks is also causing him problems, I think. This does not look like any type of road that I am used to."

Krissy looked at the road.

"This could be any two-lane blacktop in the world. There are lots of hills around. I don't know what these trees are called, but they aren't the type you see in New York."

Astra added, "There is a sign yonder. It said something about 'Speed Limit 45.'"

Krissy replied, "That's a common speed for country roads. Forty five miles per hour."

Astra did not have a concept of what a mile was, and let that pass. She said, "So you are the native here. What do you recommend?"

Krissy felt around in the pocket of her jeans. She had her Smartphone! She pressed a button and nothing happened. It did not have any charge left.

Krissy had some ideas. Unless they were really deep in the back country, they could flag down a passing car within an hour or so. The driver could call the police and at least they would have a safe ride back to town. She wasn't as sure that she wanted to take her chances with a random stranger. They could also walk along the road, and maybe there would be a farm, or a ranger station, or if they were lucky, a small town. In a way, she was glad that the old man was not around. He was really weirding her out. Astra didn't seem normal, but she was the sort of normal crazy person that Krissy was used to.

Astra agreed that walking along the road made sense. Krissy warned her about the very fast and very heavy carriages that zoomed down this road, and both walked along the shoulder, facing traffic.

After a few minutes,

1. A car slowed down, and pulled over to the shoulder.
2. They had reached a gravel road that crossed the main road.
3. Krissy woke up on a futon in a dark room. Her jeans and T-shirt were soaked through with sweat.

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