The rustling sound and movement in the bushes alarmed him. When he had lain down in the darkness
before, it seemed that there was nothing in the nearby woods that would be a problem. Suddenly,
he felt that might not be the case. As he shaded his eyes from the bright, hot light above, he began to see
the creature stepping into the clearing where he had slept. Surprisingly, it looked like him, somewhat, but
was different in unfamiliar ways.

Its movements were graceful and determined, showing no signs of hesitation or fear, as the distance
between them grew smaller. New to this area, he had no real idea as to what to expect, but this … this
was both upsetting … and frightening. When the two creatures faced each other, its height nearly
the same as his, sudden moisture blossomed on his neck and hands, a rapid pounding in the
center of his body began and breath quickened as each approaching step brought them closer.

Wary as he was, there was something most appealing about the shape of this new visitor. Unlike
his own angular and muscled body, this new shape was pleasingly rounded and supple. Bright
hair crowned its head and trailed down the back, covering the rump. The eyes, close set, were the
color of the expanse above and rested above a mouth showing even, glistening white teeth.
If this being were to cause his end, at least the end would be in a pleasing presence.

“What are you?” The sound that came from it was most agreeable and shocking. Up to that
moment, he had only heard his own voice and the noise the tree creatures made – this was both
exciting … and daunting. It looked at him curiously, as it sniffed the air and spoke again,
looking around the environs as it did.

“Where did you come from…how did you get here …when did you get here?”  Silence
filled the air and time as he remained mute in its presence.  “Are you able to speak at all, or are
you like all the other animals I saw on my way here, unable to communicate?” This
new arrival seemed to have more to say than he had spoken during his entire time in this place.
Slowly, his amazement waned and he heard sounds spilling from his own mouth.

“I don’t know how long I’ve been here … or even how I got here. In fact, I don’t even know where ‘this’
is. And you? How did you get here … when did you get here … and what, exactly, are you doing
in my space?”

Its wandering, curious eyes suddenly narrowed and the being seemed to grow in stature, rising up as
his last words floated towards where it stood.

“Your space? … Your space! … What is it that makes you think that it’s your space? How do you know it’s
not my space? What in the name of all of this, (its arms spreading out to encompass our surroundings as it
spoke), gave you that idea?” It suddenly occurred to him there could be some problems ahead.

– N.T. Chambers