Chapter 5 - Searching For My Way Out
I carefully packed the diary in my knapsack and started what I hoped would be my return to society. I had travelled for a few hours but seemed to be more lost than I was the day before. I had absolutely no idea where I was. The sky was now cloudy and I couldn’t even gauge which direction was which. Thankfully it was not raining but the sun wasn’t going to help me find my way out. It didn’t matter much anyway. I didn’t know if my van was to the east of me or society to my north.
I sat on a flat rock near a stream where I refilled my water bottles. It was there that I heard some bushes rustle. I didn’t move, thinking that perhaps another deer was close by. I had no fear that a dangerous animal might be lurking about. Black bears were not common in this part of the country. I thought it might be a coyote but I figured if it was just one, I would be a match for him.
Then off to my side, I saw something move. I carefully turned my head and thought I saw something small dart between two trees. Then I heard what sounded like voices. They sounded like young children and I though that I may be saved after all. It was inconceivable to me that children would be playing in woods without an adult present. I called out to them but received no answer. I called again and still no answer. I was going to try one more time when what appeared to be an elf came out from behind a bush. He doffed his cap in salute, bowed and said “Hello” to me.
I had trouble finding my voice. An elf ? Just as Moses mentioned in his diary. No way - this was a hundred years later. Even if Moses had seen elves, they wouldn’t still be here after all these years.
It was hard to hold that thought when one was standing right in front of me! Then two more emerged. I finally found my voice and asked who they were. One said he was Pip and that they lived there.
I told them I was lost and I wanted to find my way out. I told them about my van and that I had parked it near the cliff where the puffins nested.
All three nodded and said they knew where that was. They told me I needed to go cross-country in an easterly direction until I came to a logging road. Once there, I was to turn right and the road would take me to the cliff.
I wasn’t sure which direction was east and even if I did head off in the right direction, the cloudy skies would not help me if I had strayed. Pip said they would guide me to the road but then I was to go alone the rest of the way. The elves were somewhat shy but were friendly and wanted to help me.
Along the way, I told them that some of us humans believed in them but not most. I admitted that I was in the majority. Pip said he understood and that he would prefer that it remain that way as they had little desire to interact with us. He didn’t elaborate. I didn’t think I needed to ask.
Once we arrived at the road, Pip and the other two elves removed their caps, bowed to me and wished me a safe journey. I thanked them and waved good-bye.
Forty minutes later, I saw the cliff and all its puffins. I returned to my van without further mishap. It was now four o’clock in the afternoon. I was sore. I was tired. I put my gear in the van and headed back to Sherbrooke. No more fishing for me. I was anxious to return home and start my research on the life of Moses Jenkins.