In the uppermost part state of Washington is a town called Republic. The town used to be an old mining town. Population is just barely 2k people. I’ve lived here for the last four years. I wonder why sometimes I even moved out here then I will go to my back porch and see the beautiful tree line. The tree line shows the ruggedness of the forest and the tranquility of its stillness. The shades change with the sun. Golden and amber in the morning and blue and emerald in the evening. The seasons change the mood of the forest to me. In the dead of summer it reminds me of the legend the townsfolk tell children so that they will stay clear. My favorite is in the wintertime with its snow and ice. The colors play a Christmas like theme all throughout. Although, I always have the same dream in the winter. Of a woman in this certain spot I’m fond of. She is standing there in a dress and what looks like a cloth covering her hair and face, so I can’t make out who it is. I just get this chill in my spine when I see her. Wakes me up the second her faceless body turns towards me. Making it seem like she needs my attention, but I wake up and roll out of bed with a smile on my face and Have my morning cup of coffee and just go out back and watch the tree line.

I moved here after my divorce of 25 years with my wife Fiona. I came home early one day because of a back ache and found her on the couch being serviced by a mutual friend of ours in the neighborhood. I confronted them and found out this had been going on for a year and some change. Obviously I was devastated. I still break out in a sweat sometimes when the anger of the situation washes over me. The tremors on my hands are uncontrollable. The headaches from the stress make me go cross eyed. My company forcibly retired me based on medical reasons. That’s all in the past now. I simply enjoy a nice quiet life in Washington living off my retirement and the sale of the house. My ex was very accommodating with the divorce. She gave over the house and most of the bank account. We never did have children. Her decision not mine, but I never held that against her.

The forest makes me quiet. The forest makes everything seem tranquil. I venture in once a year. The twins folk tend to stay away for odd reasons. Whispers mostly about how the forest is haunted by native tribesmen of past. I simply enjoy getting lost. Yep, the forest really is my holder of secrets. My escape from the world and it’s demons. My ex no longer bothers me about stuff after the divorce. She used to come up her with a friend or lawyer to ask questions about my well being, but that’s all different now. I’m a better man than I was. I have learned to quiet down thanks to the forest.

Towns folk used to say once you walk into the forest there is no getting out, but I find that peaceful. I told my ex the same thing when I walked in there with her two years ago. There was a spot I wanted to show her next to a small stream. Lovely spot. Deer and other critters frequent the area looking for something to nibble on and get cool drink of water.

Peace and tranquility in the forest. The colors and the sounds it gives as a gift. I enjoy that most. No one can really hear you once you walk in. The acoustics hold in sound for everything inside. I mean you could almost do something crazy and commit a heinous crime and the townsfolk would never know a thing. The sheriffs of the town are small time and they do their best. Nothing much happens around here other than the usual drunk or bear destroying property. Sometimes people go missing in the woods, but they mark up to hikers getting lost or animal involvement. The people blame the legends and of my faceless lady. The sheriffs really do try God bless them.

The forest is my safe haven. My friend. My holder of secrets. The lady however keeps me ever so aware of the grip of the my sanctuary.

Yet ….I still feel a connection with her. Something primal. Something……. More!