A Stroll through the Grove
The noon day sun beats down and that grove of trees beckons. (funny, it wasn't there a minute ago)
The path is thick with fallen leaves, but your steps barely make a sound. There's a clearing, a pond that's almost dry. You spot a movement on the far bank. You watch as the bird disappears into the woods. Farther along the path is a small pool, but it's dark surface does not reflect the trees. Oops!, you blinked and the scene is gone.
Follow the sound of running water to a clearing with a tiny waterfall What's this? There's tracks layed down around a little hill. You take a step closer, but the scene melts away and you are back in the woods. Watch where you step! You don't want to trample an endangered species.
Are those voices you hear? Follow the sound to a group of birders. You join them to see what they're looking at Follow them to a circle of people. By standing on tiptoe, you can see what is so interesting. In another minute, the bird is airborne Look back from the sky, you are again alone.
A chill wind whistles thru the trees, you shiver as you realize snow covers the ground. Sudenly a line of hikers tramps past. You call out, but they don't hear. Soon you are hurrying down the path trying to catch up to them. Perhaps they can tell you where you are. You loose sight of them around a bend in the path. Round the corner but the hikersare gone, and their footprints are all but covered by the blowing snow. You spot a railway station with a train stopped in front. Maybe they went in there... well, at least it may be warmer inside, you're not dressed for this weather! There's a man standing on the platform, so you stop to ask some questions... no answer ...you shout in his ear, wave your hand in front of his face, to no avail. Just what's going on here? you don't feel like a ghost. Was that a movement on the train? You climb aboard to see. What's this? The train is moving! You watch helplessly as the parking lot fades into the night. "we're sorry, but this world has been leveled to make way for the hyper-galactic bypass. Surely you knew we were coming through here, the plans have been on file at your local zoning office on Alpa Centuri for years"
