Chapter 1
Hello, Two Forks Tower
Montehue's POV
Pushing aside some overgrowth branches, I saw the Two Forks lookout tower with the full moon peeking out from behind. I walked to the lookout tower and went up the weather worn, wooden stairs. I stopped at the third flight to look at Thorofare lookout tower. The moon was over Thorofare now, still glowing softly. I turned back to the last flight of stairs and made to deck of the tower. The mountains and trees were dark silhouettes. I made my way to the door, fully intent on sleeping, when my feet decided to walk around the deck. The windows were boarded up so I couldn't see inside my new home. I was led to the propane tank fueling my tower.
I walked back to the door and went inside. It was very dark except the glowing red light of the generator switch. I flipped it and it was a few seconds before the lights came on. The bed was across from the door and next to a small cupboard.
"Hello, Two Forks Tower!" A shy and shaky male voice announced. Tersly, was it?
I walked around the small room, pausing at the bookshelf to look at the book, "Two Forks Tower, this Thorofare Tower. Come in," I put the book down, "I-I know you're there. Your lights are on."
I made my way to the desk where the radio was and picked it up in the wrong hand at first then swapped to my left, "Um, hello? Whoever this is?"
"It's Montehue, right?" He asked.
"Yeah." I replied.
"I'm Tersly." He introduced himself.
"Yeah, that's what the guy said on the phone." I reminded him.
"So, why'd you come here?" He asked curiously.
"Excuse me?" I asked.
"People take this job to get away from something. So, why'd you come?" He repeated.
"Why'd you come here?" I shot back.
"That's a great idea. Go ahead." He encouraged.
"Look, I just hiked for two days so I don't really follow whatever it is you're doing right now." I told him.
"You take a stab at why I came here." He explained.
"Fine, then can I go to sleep…? Forever?" I said, exhausted.
"Sure. Now, go ahead." He laughed.
"Ok. You're probably out here because nobody back home can stand you. Which, after this brief introduction, isn't a big shock." I walked back to my bed.
"Ouch! I'll chalk that up to you being tired and grumpy." He winced.
"Well, I'd better get some sleep then." I told him.
"One sec! Now, it's my turn." He said quickly.
"Ok. Good night. Bye." I hoped he would take the hint. He means well, but good god, am I tired.
"Let's see… I don't know anything about you. Maybe you just really like trees. Maybe it's, gosh, like a borderline obsession. A tree obsession." He concluded.
"Good night." I said firmly.
"Good night. Welcome to the job." He hung up and let me go to sleep.
