Darius had been walking for hours. He could use a snack and a nap. When he started hiking across Europe he never imagined it would be so taxing. The constant change of environment wore on his nerves and he was losing his wanderlust. Ireland was his last stop before returning to school in the States. This was a summer of enlightenment. He was impressed with the emerald majesty of the country and the hospitality of Ireland's people. He trudged the one lane road whistling.
On the left sprang a lush forest. Darius veered off the path, cautiously entering the dense woodland. Sunlight trickled in splintered rays, providing just enough light. He continued walking until he faced a circled grove. The trees grew together in a twisted, wall-like fashion except for one area, open--as if meant to be a door. Darius felt prickles climb his arms. Could this be a sacred Druid grove? Stooping, he entered the enclave. Sun filled the area. This was a place of serenity.
In the center of the grove lay a beautiful woman clad in a robe cinched with Celtic pins. Her red tresses rippled over her shoulders. She stared at him as if anticipating something.
"Hello?" Darius said. What was she doing here in the middle of nowhere?
The woman stood. "You can see me?" she said in another language, the words translating into English as they hit his ears.
"Uh, yeah."
"You can really see me? Then, it's you!" The woman's serious expression burst into a smile and she ran to embrace him. "You've come! At long last, you've come!" She showered him with kisses, and grasping his hand, studied his chocolate-colored skin. "You're so dark. So different. Never have I seen such a color of a man." She touched his arm, and then caressed his cheeks.
Darius stood, observing her. She seemed harmless. Beautiful too--he wasn't in any hurry to shake her off. "Uh, I don't know what kind of hippy shit you're into, or what the hell you've been smoking, but I don't know you. I've never seen you before."
She laughed--musically--happily. "No, you haven't seen me before in THIS life."
"What the hell do you mean, in THIS life?"
"Father told me to remain in this place until you returned, so that I could take you back and you could fulfill your destiny."
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