The entire way up the steep eight plus grade hills, the dogs were in my mind. I even saw a yellow tennis ball looking very much like the one my older dog dropped many months before. A sign maybe. Yes, I was meant to see it.
A little out of breath, more from the lack of uphill walking than the temperature, I was happy to reach the summit. It was a good half mile or so down the dirt ridge road before I saw it. There is a log home at the end but it was curious to see this white van with opened doors and no one around. The owners of the house had been in Florida for the winter.
My eyes were drawn to the open doors inside the truck. I Immediately noticed the six mil plastic laid smooth on the left side of the floor, with the right side more than crumbled. Like it had been opened several times. Just then a woman appeared from the wooded area. I know the area fairly well having walked it. There is a path down the woods which neighbors traverse from time to time. Only the hardy ones for it is a steep climb.
The woman seemed on a mission as she walked toward the back of the van where the opened doors were.
"I don't think you want to see this," I called.
She didn't stop walking or even hesitate. She continued on reaching the back of the van. At that point, I had found a stick and was gently lifted the plastic moving the stick inside as I touched the two protrusions on the left side of the van.
I proceeded to move the stick to the right and the woman moved in. She tore back the heavy plastic and touched what appeared to be two legs. Slowly, a woman turned around mumbling as though in pain. As the plastic moved aside, I could see another set of legs on the left side of the floor of the truck. Man's legs.
Suddenly the woman stood up erect and climbed outside of the van. Then it occurred to me. She had been hiding in the van as though playing dead. Or injured. Or.
At this point, 911 had been called. Careful not to let the women hear I spoke in almost a whisper.
"There is something odd going on. I just found a white van with opened back doors. A woman was walking from the woods and proceeded to the car. It was like her friend had just climbed in but was pretending to be unconscious or something. I think you better come now."