Knight of Wands

In The Mountains—NIGHT

The Sailor and I are flying down a winding wooded road in a driving snow; the Sailor is at the wheel of my old black Impala. The power is out everywhere but the Sailor drives down the darkest back road because he feels familiar enough with it. That’s what he tells me anyway and I guess I must have relinquished the keys because here we are.

I feel the tingle of danger, hair standing on end. He is going way too fast for the weather but I say nothing. I figure, he’s a tough old guy and tough old guys no how to handle a car.   

A deer darts out into the road, there is no chance to brake, safely or otherwise on the icy surface. But by some Supernatural Aid, the doe trots a few more steps which takes it to the side of the road as car whizzes past.

Before I can offer a sigh of relief, there is a second one ahead. A brazen deer with glowing red eyes.  More line either side of the road now.

I yelp. The Sailor has taken his foot off the gas by this time and can now coast to a gentle stop no more than three feet from the deer. But the deer doesn’t move, he just lowers his head and makes as if he’s threatening a standoff.