The road

Waking up early one morning I decided to go for a drive and view the colorful fall foliage.  It was about 55 

degrees out and the morning fog was thick in spots.  The fresh smell of the leaves and the glistening of the 

dew were like a perfect recipe for the senses.  About ten minutes outside of town there is a long and windy 

road that leads up to one of my favorite spots to target practice.  I turned off of the main road onto the dirt 

and gravel covered road that will lead me to my destination...or so I had thought.  Just out of the site of the 

last barn there is a sharp corner that leads to the final stretch.  All of the sudden there was a huge explosion 

and a blinding flash.  My ears were ringing and in the confusion I had driven off from the road and directly 

into a patch of thorn trees.  I opened the door with all the strength that I could muster and fell hard to the 

damp forest floor.  Thinking to myself what had just happened, I was confused and still could not hear 

anything except for the loud ringing in my ears.  I leaned against the car so I could gain my composure.  

The only thing I could hear was yelling and screams of pain.  The voices were muffled and it was 

impossible to understand what was being said.  All that I could tell was that something was seriously wrong 

and I had to figure out what the hell was happening.  Suddenly another loud bang and a flash, I went to turn 

and see where the sound had came from but I could only see smoke and clouds of dust lingering in the 

humid fall air.  As I turned back I noticed my car was gone, it had just vanished into thin air.  I had no 

explanation at this point and the only thing that I could think to do is get up and run as fast as I could and try 

to find my way back to the road.  After about twenty seconds I came to a dead stop.  I could not believe 

what I was seeing.  In front of me was an entire regiment of Union soldiers.  Not sure if they could see me I 

started toward them with a sense of not knowing what would happen once they seen me.  I was scared and 

could not stop myself from drawing closer and closer to the soldiers.  Suddenly all at once as if an order was 

given, all of the soldiers aimed their weapons at me and without any apprehension at all, they opened fire.  

Once again there was an amazingly loud explosion and a blinding white light.  Was I dead?  I could feel a 

hand on my shoulder and suddenly the ringing in my ears was gone, like it had never been there.  Then I 

heard a sweet and familiar voice, " daddy, it's time to get up.  Breakfast is ready."