(Tuesday)
Evalena was swimming in the pool at the inn the next morning. She had slept in later than usual but decided to take a swim anyway. Rocky was relaxing near the pool, watching her swim. She heard a rumble and looked around thinking Tom was mowing the lawn. However, she saw Punk riding up on a 4-wheeler. She smiled thinking with a ball cap on he looked adorable.
Punk stopped by the pool and shut off the 4-wheeler. "Hey Evalena."
"Hey Punk, where did you find a 4-wheeler?" she swam to the edge and pulled herself out of the water.
"I rented one. I thought it would be a good way to go through the woods, around the lake, look around a bit." Punk shrugged. "I just got back and got it unloaded."
Evalena grabbed her towel off a chair and wrapped it around herself. Even though she was wearing a one-piece she wanted to be modest.
"Sounds like fun. And no knee brace today?" she noticed Punk wasn't wearing his brace.
"Thought I would try today without it and see how I feel. It has been driving me crazy." Punk smiled.
"Looks like you have your day all planned." Evalena smiled.
"You wanna join me? 4-wheeler rides two." Punk said.
"I wouldn't wanna intrude on your plans." Evalena said.
"No intrusion, I am inviting you." Punk said. "That is if the twice dead guy can do without you for a day."
Evalena chuckled. "I would love to go, sounds like a lot of fun."
"Well go get dressed. I gotta go grab the bug spray." Punk chuckled.
"Meet you in about twenty minutes." Evalena said and hurried into the inn, Rocky close behind her.
She hurried into her room and got dressed, pulling on loose pants and a tank top. She brushed out her wet hair, putting it in a ponytail. She hurried and put on deodorant, skipping perfume because it would attract bugs. She pulled on her sneakers and hurried out of her room, locking Rocky inside.
Outside she saw Punk had pulled the 4-wheeler in front of the inn and was strapping his backpack onto the rack on the back. He smiled as she walked down the porch steps.
"Where is Rocky?" Punk asked. "He is welcome to go. He is a born tracker and all."
"I don't want him by the lake. He likes swimming and too many snapping turtles around here. Some of them are big enough that they have injured cattle." Evalena said. "Besides, if he tangled with a wild boar who knows how badly he might get hurt."
"Guess we're all ready. You want some bug spray?" Punk asked as he began spraying his own arms and legs.
"Better than being lunch for mosquitos." Evalena chuckled.
"Arms out." Punk smirked. Evalena chuckled and held her arms out. Punk sprayed her arms before tossing the can in his bag and zipping it. "You ever been 4-wheeling before?"
"Are the Cubs long overdue for a World Series Championship?" Evalena asked making Punk laugh.
"Fair enough, climb on." Punk said.
Evalena climbed on the 4-wheeler, sitting back so Punk could drive. Punk climbed in front of her and settled in.
"All set?" he asked.
"Yeah."
"You can hold on to the rack or me, just be careful of my knee." Punk said. She nodded and Punk started the 4-wheeler, driving them slowly across the yard towards the trails leading to Lake Pontchartrain.
Punk picked a trail and began driving them towards the lake. Evalena held onto the rack behind her, enjoying the ride and the scenery going by. When Punk reached the lake he began driving along the edge, avoiding swampy areas as best he could.
"Look at the cranes." Evalena pointed to a pair of cranes in the lake.
"I hear there are Bald Eagles around here too." Punk answered.
"It's so pretty around here. The water, the wildlife." She said.
"You're an outdoorsy girl." Punk smiled over his shoulder.
"Yeah, no hiding that." She chuckled.
"You ever take Rocky hunting?" Punk asked.
"I don't but my dad does. He trained him to track and says he is very good at it. Not surprised, Rocky is very smart…Blue tick hounds usually are." She said.
"If you don't hunt, why get a hunting dog?" Punk asked.
"I wanted a big dog. I am not the type girl to have a lap dog or some puffy thing you carry in a purse. I wanted a dog, not some dressed up rat!" Evalena said, making Punk laugh out loud. "And Smokey the mascot for the Volunteers is a blue tick!"
"You got a lot of spirit." Punk chuckled.
Punk drove them a bit further along the lake; he had never been this far from the inn before.
"Your knee okay?" Evalena asked.
"It is fine." He smiled at her.
"Do you know where we're going?" she chuckled.
"Not really. I figure I'll turn around when I hear banjos." Punk joked.
"Easy for you to say, who knows what those inbred cousins would've done to a female in that movie." She said.
After a few more miles, Punk stopped the 4-wheeler on the shore of the lake. He hopped off the bike and went to get his backpack.
"Come on, I brought us some snacks." Punk said.
"Where we going?" she asked.
"To find a place to sit." Punk said pulling his backpack off the rack and started along the beach area.
Evalena followed him a few yards along the beach where they found a few rocks, large enough to sit on by the shore. Punk kicked at them a few times to be sure no snakes would surprise them under the rocks, and then sat down on one.
"What did you bring?" Evalena sat down on the other rock.
"A few sodas, some pretzels, I think I grabbed a few protein bars." Punk opened his backpack.
"I can't believe you brought us snacks." Evalena chuckled.
"Guess it is a mini picnic." Punk shrugged.
Punk handed her a soda and a bag of pretzels.
"So what made you want to be a criminal psychologist?" Punk asked.
"I have a lot of curiosity. I hate a mystery and always want answers." Evalena said. "I always wanted to be able to get inside a criminals mind and see what made them do what they did….what made them tick, that kind of thing."
"That explains why you are now investigating unsolved crimes for your books." He chuckled. "I guess it's time I tell you what I do for a living."
"You mean that you're CM Punk, the best in the world. WWE athlete that is known for a straight edge lifestyle and being the voice of the voiceless." Evalena smiled.
"You knew? All this time you knew?" Punk stared at her.
"Yeah, I knew you and John Cena the moment I saw you two. My dad has been watching wrestling since before he ever married my mom." She chuckled.
"Why didn't you say something?" Punk asked.
"You and John didn't mention it so I didn't want to invade your privacy or anything. Besides, I am sure you get tired of fans everywhere you go. I thought you might like to just be yourself for a while." Evalena said.
"Thanks. As much as I love the fans and I do….it can get crazy sometimes." Punk said.
"Does this mean I can go crazy fan girl now?" Evalena giggled with mischief in her eyes.
"Like what?"
"OHHHH, its CM Punk!" she fake shrieked and jumped up, imitating over excited fans. "You're CM Punk! Do you know who you are? I watch you every week and sleep with your picture on my pillow!"
"Would you believe I have heard that before?" Punk chuckled at her antics.
"I just love you so much! I took the day off work when you lost your championship! I want you to be the father of my children!" Evalena dramatically giggled and batted her eyes, playing it up.
"I did hear someone say that to Cena once." Punk laughed.
"It is CM Punk….I am feeling the vapors…I think I am gonna faint!" Evalena dramatically fell to the ground.
Punk cracked up laughing. "Girl you are crazy."
Evalena sat up. "You know, you are adorable when you smile. You should do it more often on…" she trailed off staring at the water.
"Evalena?" Punk saw she looked scared. "What is it?"
She pointed out at the water as she jumped to her feet. Punk looked out at the lake and an alligator swimming towards the shore.
"Fuck!" he jumped up, grabbing his pack. "Don't those fucking things attack?"
"Not as often as made out but let's not test the statistics." Evalena looked pale.
Punk wrapped his hand gently around her wrist. "We're going to walk quietly but quickly back to the 4-wheeler. You lead the way while I watch him to see what he does."
Evalena nodded. She turned quietly and started walking towards the 4-wheeler while Punk followed, watching the gator as he climbed up on the shore and stood still. He made sure to keep himself between the gator and Evalena going where she led him. The gator didn't seem to be following them. They reached the 4-wheeler and Evalena quickly climbed on. Punk handed her his bag before jumping on and starting it up. He quickly pulled out, driving in the direction opposite of where the gator was. He could feel Evalena holding to his waist.
"Is he following us?" Punk asked.
Evalena looked behind them. "No…for all our fear, I don't think he was interested in us." She let out a nervous laugh.
Punk drove about a mile before he slowed down and parked the 4-wheeler. "You okay?"
"Yeah, just still feeling adrenaline. First time I ever saw an alligator in the wild. Gives me a whole new respect for those guys on the show 'Gator Boys'." She laughed.
"Yeah. Here, let me strap my bag down so you don't have to hold it." Punk hopped off the bike and walked around to the rack to strap his bag down again.
"How is your knee? Did you hurt it?" Evalena asked.
"No it feels fine." Punk said.
"That is good." She nodded.
Punk strapped down his bag and looked up. "By the way, thank you for keeping it quiet about who I am. A lot of fans would see me here and call everyone they know."
"It's no problem, Punk." She smiled.
"You can call me Phil if you want." He said.
"Got a middle name, I have a block against Phil." She said.
"Jack…but that was my dad's name and we have a….colorful past." Punk said.
"Well you don't look like a PJ…..maybe I will just stick with Punk." She smiled.
"Okay, let's head back. Let's see if I can find the right trail." He smiled and climbed back on the bike in front of her.
Punk started the 4-wheeler again and began driving back towards the inn. He knew he was on a different path than the one that he had taken earlier, but didn't mind figuring they all led back towards the inn.
"Were you out this way with John?" she asked.
"No, but I figure all the trails lead back to the inn. And I don't hear banjo music." Punk chuckled.
"Just go slow, trees are getting heavier. Sometimes jackasses hang wire across 4-wheeler paths so riders who don't see it in time get thrown off. I had a cousin nearly decapitated that way." Evalena said.
"What goes on in Tennessee?" Punk chuckled.
"Okay to be fair he was drunk as hell and got caught on the run line for an outdoor dog. But I have still heard some crazy stories about 4-wheeler motorists being injured by prank lines." Evalena said.
"I will be careful. I didn't save us from a gator just to be injured by a wire line." Punk laughed.
They rode another few miles when Evalena noticed something off to the side.
"Punk…over there. Look." Evalena pointed.
"What is it?" he looked not seeing much.
"Stop, I wanna take a look. Looks weird." Evalena said.
"It is a clearing with rocks." Punk said as he shut off the bike.
Evalena jumped off the bike and hurried towards the clearing. Punk shrugged and followed behind her. As they got to the clearing they could see several large rocks with a flat side arranged in some kind of circle. Most of the stones had drawings painted on them.
"What is this?" Punk asked.
"Looks like some kind of worship area for something." Evalena said.
"Not like any church I have ever seen." Punk said.
"Not church…look." Evalena pointed to a rock that had a white pentagram painted on it.
"Terrific devil worshippers. Probably just kids that are dabbling in the occult, trying to piss off their parents." Punk said.
Evalena walked around the clearing, looking at the painted rocks.
"Maybe this is voodoo, isn't that what New Orleans is known for? What's the name of the famous voodoo lady….Marie something?" Punk asked.
"Marie Leveau…and I don't think so. Voodoo involves the catholic religion. This is maybe hoodoo or black magic. I don't know much about any of it to be honest." Evalena said.
"Here's a chicken foot." Punk nudged something with his foot.
"What is this black stuff?" Evalena found something black on one of the blank rocks.
Punk walked over and looked for himself. "Looks like black candle wax."
"This all must be an altar or something for…somebody." She said.
"Always heard New Orleans had people into some voodoo stuff. Guess it is true." Punk said.
"I wonder if whoever uses this place hurts anyone…or animals." Evalena said. Punk looked at her. "Years ago there was a devil worshipping group in Mexico that was killing animals and people."
"Don't see any blood." Punk said.
"All the same, I wanna go. I don't know how kindly whoever set this place up would react to us being here." Evalena said.
"Relax; I still think it is just kids trying to act more badass than they really are." Punk said.
Evalena nodded and followed Punk away from the clearing and back to the 4-wheeler. They climbed on and Punk started the bike again. He started driving them along the path again, noticing that Evalena was closely watching around them.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, just looking to see if there is any more worship things set up around here." She said.
"Just kids, don't give it another thought." Punk said.
After a few more miles he finally came out at what looked like a grave yard.
"Where is this?" Punk asked.
"This is the Methodist church with a cemetery that is down the road from the inn. Same one I found while jogging." She said. "Inn is that way."
Punk nodded and pointed the bike in the direction Evalena pointed.
It didn't take long following the road to reach the inn. Punk pulled up beside the porch at the front of the inn and shut off the bike.
"What an adventure, alligators, weird worship sites, getting lost." Punk chuckled.
"I had a lot of fun though. Thanks for inviting me." Evalena smiled and climbed off the bike.
"Oh anytime. We'll hang out again soon." Punk smiled.
(Evening)
Punk was relaxing in his room, reading one of his new books. He was debating if he wanted to try going into New Orleans for the evening and finding something to do in town. His cell phone started ringing. He looked on the screen and saw John's number.
"Hello John." Punk answered his phone.
"How are things in the Big Easy?" John asked.
"Just fine. I am getting caught up on a few books I wanted to read and my knee is feeling pretty good." Punk said. "The show looked great last night."
"Yeah, although I think Brian stole the show when he started dancing with Jerry Lawler." John laughed.
"It's good to see Jerry no matter what he is doing after we almost lost him." Punk said.
"Have you seen Evalena lately? When you see her again tell her that while I was bored waiting on my connection flight today, I looked up the Moate case she was talking about for her next book. I personally think that man that lived near the railroad tracks killed them both." John said.
"I will be sure to tell her that." Punk chuckled. "Would you believe she has known who we are all along and didn't mention it because we didn't mention it? She said she wanted to give us privacy and time to be ourselves."
"Damn…we need more fans like her…..wait how did you find this out?" John asked.
"We were talking today when I took her 4-wheeling and she…."
"You took her 4-wheeling? Do I detect a crush Punkins?" John snickered.
"Don't make me murder you through the phone, you know I hate when obnoxious fans call me that." Punk said. "Yes, I invited her to go 4-wheeling with me. She is a very nice person, and funny. You should've seen this crazy fan girl routine she did."
"She is smart and cute too. Big smile, long hair and likes the Volunteers!" John said.
"What is your point? You want me to give her your number or something?" Punk sighed.
"No, I was just pointing out that you are spending time with a cute girl." Punk could hear the hint in John's voice.
"It was just casual hanging out. Besides escaping from an alligator is hardly romantic." Punk rolled his eyes.
"Alligator?"
"Yeah, while we were stopped by the lake an alligator came out of the water. We hightailed it out of there." Punk said.
"Ahhh, see there. Her knight in shining armor saved her from the dragon." John snickered.
"John…"
"Okay fine, her knight in shining….tattoos saved her from the alligator…still in the reptile family." John laughed.
"Fuck you are so corny. Do you talk like this on dates?" Punk groaned.
"You should ask her out." John said.
"Goodbye Cena." Punk said and shut his phone off, chuckling at John's antics.
Author's Note- Loving the reviews. It is interesting seeing reactions to this story. Keep them coming. Hope you enjoy.