The Woman of White Pine Lake
By Marlon G. Silversteel



silversteel2002@yahoo.com

By now, I'm sure that many of you have read some of my stories about
Fairdells, California, and the remarkable young women who live there, and who
have earned so much of my attention and respect. This is a slight detour from
those tales, in that it deals with an interesting event that happened one
summer, one that changed my life forever!

I was up camping with some buddies near White Pine Lake. The lake is one of
many in northern California, but has the distinction of being one of the very
few areas that has the Sierra Blanca Pine tree, a rare pine that has the most
unusual white bark, pale leaves, and even white-colored acorns! It's been said
that it's caused by a strange inability to produce chlorophyll adequately, but
botanists really don't know the exact reason for its color. In any case, it's
a beautiful tree, especially when found in thick groves, like around White
Pine Lake. It's also the strongest pine in existence, and if you know anything
about the endurance of pines ... well, that's saying quite a bit! There have
been cases of forest fires where a group of white pines have remained
standing, only the outer layer blackened by the flames, but the trunks still
sturdy and intact! It's a protected tree (for obvious reason), but even if it
wasn't it's own natural fortitude would keep it pretty safe from loggers (it's
just simply a pain in the ass to fell one of those suckers ... it could take a
crew all day to get a handful of logs!).

Anyway, as I was saying, a couple of friends and I were taking a week for
camping up near the lake. There was John Madison (an old friend from school
who I had grown up with), Scott Walker (a co-worker who lived in the nearby
town of Centerwood), and myself. We had driven up in John's truck. The lake
was pretty far up in the mountains, a few hours drive. We arrived at our
campsite in the evening, pitched our tents, and got a fire started for our
first dinner out in the woods that week.

"Hey guys?" I said as we were finishing. "I'm gonna go fetch some more wood,
okay?" The fire was starting to die down a bit and our pile was dwindling to
just a couple of logs.

"Sounds good," Scott replied. "John and I'll clean up the grub."

I started walking away from the site. The light from the fire began to fade as
I walked further into the woods away from camp. As I went further, I could
tell just how dark the night was, and how the stars shone so brilliantly in
the clear sky above, a spectacle not easily observed closer to civilization! I
had to walk a ways. The only trees close to camp were those damn white pines!
I needed something that I could salvage and burn easily for the fire.

I was getting closer to the edge of the lake. I knew there were some other
types of foliage around the shore. I had almost cleared the brush when I
suddenly heard a noise. I stopped dead in my tracks, and listened. Silence,
except for my deliberately quieted breath and heartbeat. There it was again! A
rustle, a subtle step across some leaves on the woodland floor. Probably just
an animal ... except ...

No, the footing was wrong. I heard it again, more slight this time. It was
coming from somewhere off to my side and behind a bit. I turned slowly, trying
to see in that direction, but it was futile. It was so dark, and the campfire
was barely a dim glow in the distance. The night was so still, so alarmingly
quiet. I remained completely still.

"Chuck!" John's voice called out from way back at camp, distant but clear. The
sound echoed among the pines.

I winced, as what I expected to happen did. There was a start in the brush
from where the sound came. A quick boost of motion, and sudden rapid steps
retreating, as if startled. I could barely make out a rustle of movement in
the direction it was coming from, a sort of flourish of leaves and branches,
just for a moment, difficult to see mind you. I sighed, partly in relief for
the sudden break of suspense, but also in disappointment. Had it been a deer?
The way it seemed to move ... it wasn't likely. The motion, the pattern, it
was too ... human, if I didn't know any better!

"The fire's almost gone!" John called out again.

"Yeah, I hear ya!' I called back, scanning the woods one last time before I
set out to do what I walked out here for initially. "I'm coming in a sec!"

I gathered some wood and started heading back. I listened along the way,
hoping to catch a sound of whatever (or whoever) it was who had made that
noise!

"Hey, are we the only ones using the grounds tonight?" I asked as I laid some
logs on the fire back at camp.

"I think so," Scott replied, putting the rest of the gear back for morning's
breakfast. "I didn't see anyone else as we were setting up camp. No other cars
or anything."

"Why?" John asked.

"Ah, it's probably nothing," I said. "I heard something back there near the
shore. I thought it might've been another camper, but it was probably just an
animal or something." I was trying to dismiss the possibility of the
alternatives, realizing that we were alone out here, and Scott only had a
hunting rifle.

We got in our tents and went to sleep after a while, but I tried to keep my
ears open for anything else I might hear.

I awoke suddenly at some point, not sure why exactly. I refrained from sitting
up in my bag, just in case. I listened carefully. I couldn't hear anything out
of the ordinary. Scott was snoring in his tent a few feet away. The fire was
almost completely out, just a soft glow from some embers outside the entrance
to my tent. I was about to close my eyes again and go back to sleep when I saw
it.

It was a shadow, sort of. It passed quickly somewhere in front of our tents,
within the sphere of the fire's illumination. I couldn't make out the shape
well, but it sure didn't seem like an animal! It was fleeting, just for a
moment, but I saw it nonetheless. I froze, waiting. The others apparently had
not seen anything.

Very carefully and quietly I started to sit up, removing the top layer of my
bedroll. It was close quarters inside my tent, but I managed to sort of crawl
to the opening and slowly peek my head out.

The firelight was barely casting any illumination. It seemed all clear and
quiet. Whatever had moved past so subtly had obviously disappeared into the
darkness. I was about to go back in when I caught a slight movement out of the
corner of my eye.

Without thinking (looking back on it, it was probably stupid!), I leaped out
of the tent, shirtless, with just my jeans on. I stumbled past the dying
embers towards the direction where I thought I saw a brief rustle in the
trees.

I got to the edge of the campsite and stopped suddenly, realizing how totally
stupid that actually was. I looked intensely towards the woods ... watching
... waiting.

There! I saw it, just for an instant. A pair of eyes. Maybe it was a deer
after all ... But then ...

It moved. As if in retreat, from somewhere out there in the dark foliage, it
took off, but I saw it ... just barely. A form, kind of tall. It couldn't be a
deer, or any other type of animal for that matter. It looked to be a person!

Thinking that we might have a stalker or something like that out here, I
started running after it ... again, quite stupid! But I was barefoot, and
could only make it a little ways on the rough ground. I stopped after a few
yards. A chase would not be possible. Whoever he was ... he was just too damn
quick!

I returned to my tent and lay there, not at all sleepy now. My heart was
racing. I was tempted to wake John and Scott, but figured if I could keep
awake, it would be okay until morning. Then we could talk about it.

I must've fallen asleep after all, because I was woken up by the sound of
Scott's voice and the glint of daylight.

"Hey, Chuck! John!" he called out. "Come out here guys, quick!"

I crawled out, still in jeans only. John likewise came out of his tent,
wearing a pair of boxers and socks.

"What's up?" John asked.

"Look," Scott pointed out. It took me a second to realize it, but sure enough,
some of our provisions were gone! Disappeared overnight.

"What the fuck?!" John exclaimed.

It took me a while, but I soon explained what had happened last night, and
also how it might have tied in with the encounter while gathering wood.

"Well, fuck this!" Scott growled, as he went into his tent and brought out his
hunting rifle. "I say we go find whoever this motherfucker is!"

We got dressed, and had what little breakfast there was left. I was kind of
leery of this idea, but Scott had a point. We needed to at least find out who
this might be, so that we could report it to the Ranger Station. In either
case, it looked as if our camping trip was cut short.

We got everything packed up and loaded back into Scott's truck. Then we
started on our little exploration trip, to see if we could not only find the
stolen gear, but maybe figure out who was behind this. A rogue camper? Some
whacko hanging out in the woods?

Scott, John and I trekked a while along the shore, then started moving up into
some hills pushed back on our side of the lake but further south. It was
approaching noon, and there was no sign of anyone besides us. No campers, no
hikers, no one. It was getting hot too!

"Guys, I'm gonna go down to the shore for a little bit, okay?" I said, taking
off my shirt. "It's too damn hot! I'm gonna take a swim."

"Go ahead, man," Scott replied. "John and I are gonna scout around some more."
Scott was really intense, like a man on a mission. He wasn't going to take
time out for anyone or anything it seemed!

I nodded and started walking back down the hill. I knew I couldn't stay down
there long. We would have to give up the search in a bit so we could make it
back to the truck by nightfall. But a nice swim in the lake sure sounded good
right now!

I reached the shore and stripped down all the way, jumping in, and enjoying
the coolness. For a while, I tried to listen for my buddies, to keep track of
where they might be in the hills above, but it was useless. Besides, they knew
where I was.

I was just kind of paddling around on my back when I suddenly noticed
something on the shore, not too far from where I had hopped in. Was that a
canteen? There was something metallic lying next to a group of rocks. Had I
just discovered some of our missing stuff?

Laughing to myself I swam over. This would be great, I thought! Scott and his
manhunt while I just go for a swim and solve the mystery! I reached the shore.
It was a very rocky area, with large rocks jutting out into the water. I could
see it now. It WAS a canteen! It looked like John's in fact. I started to get
out of the water next to a rock ...

I'm not sure how it happened, but it did. I lost my footing. It wasn't a major
slip, but the area where I had stepped was a smooth underwater rock surface. I
could feel myself falling back, into the water ... where a very large rock lay
just a few feet behind. I hit my head ... hard ... and blacked out.

I woke up, not really sure that I had in fact awaken. You know, like in a
half-awake, half-asleep state? It was dark around me, but I could see
starlight. How long had I been out? Was it already night-time? I started to
remember what had happened. The canteen, the rocks, the fall. I tried to sit
up, but I was kind of dizzy. Wait a second ... I was in my own sleeping bag,
and completely naked! What the hell ... ?

I felt a hand steady me from somewhere in the darkness. Thank God, Scott and
John had found me! But it didn't feel like a man's touch at all, in fact ...
it felt quite feminine. I looked to my side, where the touch had come from. I
then noticed that in addition to being out under the open stars, that I was in
fact up in a tree! I was laying in my bag on what appeared to be a ... mat of
some sort ... like a treehouse? The branches and leaves of the white pine were
easily in reach from this seeming loft. And the touch ...

Although it was dark and starlit, and as my eyes adjusted to the level of dim
illumination of the night, I could see her. She was kneeling beside me, as if
waiting for me to wake up. She was the most beautiful creature I had ever
seen! Her hair was long, tangled, wavy, brunette. Her eyes were a shiny
hazel-green. She was rugged, untamed, almost wild-looking, like Raquel Welch
from that Neanderthal movie back in the 60's. She was completely naked (as was
I), and she had the most perfect body imaginable. So incredibly muscular and
athletic, but so feminine at the same time.

"Uhh ... I ... " I was quite speechless. I had no idea what to say! Had THIS
lovely tree goddess found me and brought me here to safety? How the hell had
she carried me up so high? And how did she get my sleeping bag from Scott's
locked up truck? Plus, who was she?! So many questions ... I didn't know where
to start.

She made my decision somewhat easier by smiling, and sitting down more
squarely next to me. She ran her hand along my brow, touching the area that
was still bruised and swollen from my fall. Her touch was so soft, gentle ...
I could scarcely believe that something that looked so barbaric and rough
could have a touch that felt so good.

"Who ... who are you?" I finally managed to get out.

She didn't answer for some reason. I had assumed that she could speak English.
Was it a bad assumption on my part? What in the world was she doing out here?
I mean, I had heard stories about kids abandoned in the woods and shit like
that, discovered years later and found to be totally uncivilized. Hey, I had
seen Blue Lagoon! But come on ... that kind of thing was pure fantasy!

"Can you ... can you speak English?" I asked again, figuring it to be the next
logical question.

Again, no response, but she moved her hand from my brow and placed her fingers
on my lips. Although she hadn't said a word, her communication was quite
clear. I stopped talking.

She turned away for a moment and handed me some fruit. It wasn't anything that
we had brought with us. I was starting to get the picture that this faerie
vixen was in fact the one I had seen and heard, and probably the one who had
raided our campsite!

She held the fruit up to my mouth. I took a bite. It was delicious! I was
hungry too, having not eaten since breakfast, and only a small one at that.
She probably knew that. How long had she been watching us, and why?

I finished the fruit, and she handed me a couple more to finish. It was very
satisfying. I wiped my hands and mouth on the lining of the bag, and looked
back at her.

It was hard to read her expressions. I was beginning to think that she might
not be able to speak at all. A mute perhaps? Had she been fluent in some other
language, surely she would've tried to communicate with me using it by now.
But for time being, body language seemed to be working ... especially her
body.

Quite to my surprise, she didn't move away to do something else or get
something else. I was getting cold. The sleeping bag was okay, but being naked
underneath was a little too much for me. I shivered. She must've picked up on
this, because much to my astonishment, she opened the bag a little, just
enough for her to climb in next to me and share the bedroll!

Now, I'll admit that as shocking as this was, I didn't try to resist. She
slipped down next to me and moved close. I could feel the warmth of her flesh,
the softness of her skin, and yet at the same time, such strength, such power
in her limbs, her stomach, her entire body. She drew me in alongside of her,
putting her muscular arms around me and holding me close. My lips brushed
against her cheek, and I could smell the fragrance of her hair, like the scent
of fresh pine. My arms instinctively wrapped around her frame. She smiled as I
did so, my embrace obviously pleasing her. And then our lips touched. As I
kissed her, I knew for certain that I had found heaven.

Morning came, and I found myself quite refreshed! My hostess and new-found
"friend" was getting some more fruit for me for breakfast. I wanted to get out
of the sleeping bad, but I was a bit ashamed. I mean, next to her divine
physique ...

She made it easier by bringing me my clothes from the day before. I dressed,
and ate with her. I was thinking about how would I explain all this to my
friends!

I began to look for a way down from this lofty place, thinking that we
wouldn't be staying up here forever. But I couldn't see any kind of branches
or finger-holds that would allow me access down. Again, how had she brought me
up here? She seemed to answer my question by taking my hands and placing them
around her waist, with her back facing me. I think I understood. Was I to hold
onto her from behind while she descended, carrying both our weights?

I was laughing to myself inside, but mentally sobered up quickly as she then
began to climb down the trunk of the massive pine from our position a good 50
feet up! I held on, amazed. She was so incredibly strong! I couldn't believe
it. I could feel the muscles in her powerful body move as she climbed. I
closed my eyes a couple of times, but I knew that I was safe with her. For
some reason, I trusted her completely.

We reached the ground. I stood there now, looking at her in the daylight.
Although I could feel it in the darkness last night, I could now see it
perfectly. She was a goddess, simply put. Almost six feet in height. Her
complexion was tan, beautifully so. As was to be expected (given where and how
she lived), she was completely unshaven. Her pubic region, legs, and armpits,
quite hairy and natural. I was just stunned. She was so totally gorgeous, I
could barely turn away.

She seemed to notice my awe, and it seemed to please her. She took my hand and
together we walked along in the woods.

I didn't know where she was taking me, nor did I really care at that moment. I
was simply intoxicated just by being in her company. After a while we reached
what I assumed was our destination, a hot spring.

The area had a few of these. They were natural mineral spring. This one was a
small deep pond with rocks around it, up against a rise in the landscape, with
a large boulder against the side of the small hill.

She let go of my hand and got into the water. I understood quite well. I took
my clothes off again and joined her. The water felt wonderful. It was warm,
soothing. We held each other there in the spring, kissing each other,
touching. I had never felt something so good in my life than to be close to
this lovely creature!

We got out after a while, and I then realized the dual-purpose of our visit to
the spring. Not only did it soothe and feel very good, but it was also quite
cleansing! A natural bath of sorts. We stood on the side for a moment, as I
wondered how I was going to dry off ... not to mention my companion.

I reached for my clothes. I supposed they would have to suffice. She stopped
me, touching my hand and setting the clothes back down. What did she have in
mind?

My question was soon answered as she walked over to the large boulder off to
the side, adjacent to the pool. Curious, I watched.

She placed her hands on the massive rock. The thing was about twice as high as
she was, and had nearly equal width. I could only assume that the depth was
likewise comparable. I watched in amazement as this gentle seductive Amazon of
such beauty took hold of the behemoth mass and LIFTED IT UP, moving it with
her bare hands aside a few yards, revealing a hidden, very-well concealed
cavern behind.

My mouth was probably just hanging open as she walked back over to me,
offering me her hand again as to lead me inside. It was a reflex no doubt, but
I took a step back, as one might from an animal that one wasn't sure of. She
stopped, looking confused, and perhaps hurt. It was hard to tell. I wasn't
really aware of my movement. But a hand that could exert that much tremendous
force ...

She stopped short herself, and I could see a very sad expression come to her
face and a tear form in her eye. I had hurt her, I could tell. I cussed myself
out inside. Why was I acting this way? She was so gentle with me, so loving.
What had I to fear?

I smiled weakly, as if in apology, and approached her again.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, even though I doubted she could understand.

But she seemed to respond in kind, as she put her arms around my shoulders and
kissed me tenderly, as if assuring me that her awesome power would in no way
cause me harm or injury. I knew this to be true, I could feel it.

She led me inside the small cavern. Inside, there was all sorts of gear!
Blankets, towels, containers, bedrolls, and other stuff. I marveled. Had she
taken all these things from unsuspecting campers over the years, and placed it
in here for privacy? Who else could gain access to this chamber of secrets but
her and her alone?

She handed me a towel, and used one herself to dry off. I was so intrigued by
all that had happened and was happening still. I put my clothes back on,
watching her finish drying her captivating figure off ...

She suddenly stopped, perking her ears up like a rabbit hearing a noise. I
stopped and listened. Sure enough, I could hear voices! Oh my God ... Scott
and John? Shit, they were probably searching for me!

I looked over at the girl. She was startled, and it looked as if she was in a
moment of indecision, possibly the first she had had in years. She took me by
the hand, acting as if she wanted to lead me away ... quickly. Her grasp was
very gentle, but it was clear that she wanted to get out of sight!

"Wait ... wait ... " I said, trying to reassure her as she had me earlier.
"It's okay ... these are my friends. They'll understand ... they're just
looking for me, that's all."

But I could see in her eyes the fear, the flight. A look of panic came over
her, as I resisted going with her. She took my shoulders, and stepped behind
me, as if she wouldn't force me to leave with her, but wouldn't leave me
behind either.

Scott and John came into view. I waved and called out.

"Hey fellas!"

I could see the two of them start, then run over. They laughed as they saw me.

"Chuck ... Holy shit, where have you ... ?" John began but stopped short as he
saw the form standing behind me, as if trying to remain out of sight.

Scott readied his rifle as he too saw, and pointed it at her behind me.
"Chuck, what's going on here?" he demanded.

"Listen, guys, I can explain," I said. "I'm okay, really. Look, I need to tell
you about ... "

"Is that the thief from earlier?" John exclaimed. "What the fuck? Who is this
chick?" It was obvious that they were both amazed at her nudity and
appearance, but they were also on guard.

"John, it's okay," I tried to explain. "Scott, come on, put the gun down,
she's not dangerous!"

But Scott kept his rifle leveled.

"Chuck, if this is the one who's responsible for all this shit, I got a score
to settle with her!" he stated angrily. "Despite how sexy she is!"

"Scott, don't come any closer, and don't you DARE try to hurt her!" I warned.

"Chuck, what's gotten into you?" John exclaimed.

"Nothing," I replied. "But the two of you need to listen and understand what I
have to say. And put that Goddamn gun down before someone gets hurt!"

"Step aside, Chuck," Scott ordered. "I want a good look at this philly before
I take her in and report her to the Ranger!"

"Scott, I'm warning you ... " I started to say.

"Hey Scott, maybe we should just ... " John said.

"Shut up!" Scott barked. "Now I want my stuff back. And I want this broad to
tell me what the fuck's going on ... and explain why my truck is all fucked
up!"

"All right Scott, give me the gun," I demanded, taking a step closer. I could
feel her hands tense up as she remained close behind.

"Not a chance," Scott said grimly. "Now move aside!"

"Scott, don't be a fucking idiot!" I yelled. "Give me the damn rifle!"

I moved closer to try to close the gap, hoping that would dissuade him from
firing at such point blank range. Scott responded by taking the rifle and
swinging it at my head, barrel first!

"No!" John cried out, but it was too late. The gun discharged, firing off to
the side. The shot struck her squarely in the chest ...

As it BOUNCED OFF of her like a pebble!

Both John and Scott were dumbfounded, as I tried to grab the gun from him. He
wouldn't hand it over despite his shock as I got jabbed in the gut and doubled
over in pain.

I then heard a scream. It was unearthly, haunting. It didn't come from me or
the other two fellows. The girl sprung into action, forcefully taking the gun
from Scott's hands like a grown-up snatches a toy from a child.

She then took the rifle with both hands, and with a glaring, hateful look on
her pretty face, she bent the barrel, looping it around like a horseshoe, as
easy as if she was twisting a coat-hanger!

Scott staggered backwards in disbelief. My companion strode up to him, taking
him by the neck and lifted him up, and tossing him back on the ground like a
soccer ball.

"Oh shit!" John exclaimed, scrambling to get away. She turned to face him as
he backed up and started running, forgetting about his partner.

Scott slowly got to his feet, shaking, terrified. I could see in her eyes that
she was angry, and definitely protective ... of me!

"Please ... no!" I gasped, fearing what she would do to Scott.

She heard me, and turned to me. Her look softened as she came to my side,
helping me up, supporting me, holding me. Scott saw it, as he began to
retreat.

"Leave ... now," I whispered, hoping he would understand and not try to fight
it.

Scott nodded as if he understood, and turned, walking away. I don't know what
he would tell others, but at that moment I didn't care.

I straightened up, my gut still in pain. She put her arms around me, hugging
me gently, sobbing very softly. I embraced her, holding her tight. I looked
over at the mangled rifle on the ground, thinking what she could've done to
Scott had I not said anything. She wasn't cruel, or malicious. She was just
trying to protect me. I had never known someone like her before, and I knew
that I never would ever again.

I placed my hand on her cheek, wiping the tears from her eyes. I looked at her
lovingly, seeing inside her the compassion, the devotion ... and the
loneliness. It was a feeling that I knew well, and I knew at that moment what
I would do, what I had to do, and what I wanted to do more than anything else.

"I'm not going to leave you," I whispered to her. "I promise."

I could tell that she understood. We kissed, so tenderly, as we had before,
and I realized that I loved her, more than I had loved or could love anyone
else. And I knew, without a word being spoken, by either one of us, the love
that the woman of White Pine lake had for me ... and always would.

THE END