The Frog at the Top of Frosty Mountain

The Dangers Of Hitchhiking

The Author charged forward through the darkness. The terrible roar behind him sounded closer with each passing second. He was almost out of breath and he was sure that if he stopped to rest for even a second, the beast coming after him would surely catch him. He was just about to give up when there were suddenly no more branches in front of him. He was standing on pavement, with the road stretching out on both sides of him.

For a moment, The Author thought the beast chasing him would leave the forest to catch him, but the growling stopped as soon as he was clear.

"Ha! Made it! Take that, you stupid pigeon!"

The Author's joy was interrupted by the light of two bright headlights approaching him fast. He looked towards the light and screamed in horror at the thought of such a violent end. He heard tire screaches, and when he opened his eyes, he saw that the car had stopped a mere inches away from him. The car was a sports coupe with a bright red coat of paint. It's drive side door opened vertically, and The Author heard the sound of a single high heel hitting the pavement.

"Oh my Goodness, are you okay?" Asked a worried voice behind the light. 

"I'm okay." The Author said, putting a hand over his eyes and trying to see who had just stepped out of the car. He heard the click clack of high heels approaching, and when he was able to see who it was, his jaw dropped. 

A bombshell redhead wearing a tight red dress approached. The Author could see every curve of her impressive body, and when he saw the face that was behind the massive lock of red hair, he was even more impressed. The redhead had the face of a supermodel, with lips so pouty she looked like she could kiss him without taking another step forward.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. How could I have done something like this. Can you forgive me?" 

"That's okay." The Author said in that dumb tone.

"Are you sure? It must have been quite a scare."

"Trust me, I think you might have actually saved my life. There was something chasing me in the forest, some big animal. You must have scared it off."

"If you say so. Say, could a handsome stranger like you tell me what road I'm on?"

The Author's heart jumped a hundred feet at being called handsome. It almost made him forget about the mysterious voice and her lost sister.

"This is the road connecting the city and the highway system. I was lost in this forest trying to find it, then some guy pointed me in the right direction. He asked me to point his sister in the right direction if I saw her."

"That must be my brother." The redhead said. "You got here in just in time. My name's Sharon."

"Pleasure to meet you." The Author said, shaking Sharon's hand. He nearly jumped with joy just at the mere satisfaction of touching her hand.

"Where are you heading?"

"I'm going to Frosty Mountain."

"Frosty Mountain!? It's been a while since I've known of somebody going up there. Well now, I can't promise you a ride all the way there, but I can at least take you further up the road. What do you say?"

"That would be great!"

"Hop in then!"

The Author got into the passenger seat, and as soon as he put his seatbelt on, they were off. Despite the car's sporty nature, the engine was a whisper. All he could hear was the cool sound of the AC blowing in refreashing air.

"Mind if I put on some music?" Sharon asked. 

"Not at all."

Sharon turned on the radio and the sweat sound of Bossa Nova poured out of the speakers. It was at a volume just high enough to be cover up the sound of the AC, and low enough so The Author could still speak in his normal tone and not shout.

"This is nice." The Author commented.

"It is, isn't it? I like to listen to Bossa Nova when I want to relax."

"Yeah, it is relaxing..."

They were driving for twenty minutes when Sharon slowed down. She pulled over in front of a gate that guarded a path heading into the forest.

"This is where I'm supposed to meet my brother." Sharon said. "Why don't you stay for a while? We'd love to have you."

"I can't. I have to reach Frosty Mountain as soon as I can."

"I don't see the rush. It's not like the Mountain is going anywhere, is it?"

"You don't understand. There's a giant crocodile looking for me, and if he finds me..."

"Nonesense! I insist that you stay."

Sharon drove the car though the gate. The Author was very worried, but he couldn 't bring himself to do anything. The music was so smooth that it left him in a very relaxed state.

Too relaxed.