The Lady

I stood and cursed myself: How damn stupid I was not to fill the tank?  I thought I had enough to pick her up, go out to the movies, drive her back home, and make it back to my apartment.  I made it only a few miles from her parents’ home before the engine sputtered then quit. 

It was a nice, rather cool summer night and being an athlete – letters for soccer and track – I decided to head out and walk to one of the farmhouses I saw a few miles back.  I put the hazard lights on and locked the car.

I wasn’t sure how long I had been on foot before a mist started to develop.  I remember Annabeth telling me that some of the farms had small ponds or swamps.  From what my dad had told me, farm ponds hold heat and will cause a low fog and mist once the temperature falls.  This didn’t bother me.  I continued to walk.

A few moments later, the mist enveloped me.  I lost the stars, the moon.  It was thick, as if I was back in Victorian London, walking dockside.  I felt the temperature fall causing an unsuspecting chill to go through my body.  I stopped for a moment, trying to get my bearings, try to get away from the roadside.  I believed I was a few yards away from the road when I noticed the fog separate.

I thought it strange, since I couldn’t see the night sky.  Curious, I made way into the void, as it were.  The coldness which already had a hold of me deepened.  Something inside my mind screamed, told me to get out, to flee.  I spun on my heels, readied myself to run.

“Hello,” she said.  Her voice was melodious, young, welcoming.  I had a moment where I was going to answer.  That was until I looked at her face.

Her face was pale, whiter than my girlfriend’s alabaster skin.  Her cheeks were hollow, ones that belong to someone that hadn’t eaten for a month.  Her lips, though painted red, appeared to be dry, parched.  I tried to smile and got off a weak “Hello” in return.

“Can you help me?” she asked.  My heart began to beat quicker.  My mouth became dry.

“With what?”  My voice cracked nervously. 

“I’m lost and can’t find my way home.”  Her tone was sad.  I could feel her grief, her wanting to make it home.

I opened my mouth to speak, to ask her where she lived.  I closed it quickly when I noticed her dress.  It was torn, the blue was faded to an almost grayish color.  I took a step back.

“Please, sir, help me.”  She reached out with a hand.  My eyes widened when I saw it: I saw dried, leathery skin over bones.  I saw no color, no veins.  “Sir, please,” she begged as I stepped back again.

I wanted to scream, wanted for her to leave.  Her eyes pleaded with me, wanted me to help her find her home.  I retreated a few more strides when she reached out with both hands.

“No,” I screamed, anticipating being touched.  I closed my eyes.

“Hey kid,” I heard a man call.  “Hey, is that your car back up the road?”

I opened my eyes and saw a truck by the side of the road, its owner standing in front.  The mist had dissipated.

“Yes,” I answered, swallowing my fear.  “I ran out of gas.”

“Let me bring you to the gas station,” he kindly offered.  I didn’t need a second invitation.


The ride to the station was silent.  He grabbed a metal gallon can from the bed and had me fill it.  He placed it back as I paid the owner.  The ride back to my car was, too, quiet until he looked at me.

“Did you see the Lady?” was all he asked.

I didn’t know how to respond, what to say.  I wasn’t sure what I saw, or if I witnessed anything.  I inhaled deeply and just nodded.

“I thought so, kid.” 

We arrived at my car and put the gas in my car.  Before he left, he leaned out of the window and told me, “You saw the Lady.  We don’t know who she is.  All we around here know is that she appears every summer to boys around your age and asks for help.” 

As he drove off, a few questions came to my mind, ones I needed to ask Annabeth.