"Man was born free, but everywhere he is in chains."
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The Social Contract
Sometime during the night Noralee thought she heard noises outside the camper. Jumping up and waking Bear she was afraid it was Duncan coming in for a pre-dawn snuggle and was ready to go Ginzu knife crazy if he opened the door. However, Bear made her put the knife away.
"There are too many lights and people out there. Something is wrong. Get dressed quickly." He looked worried but tried to smile and keep her calm.
"Who is it?" Noralee was afraid it was a band of wanderers or marauders. Who knew what could happen in the deep, dark breast of an Alaskan night in the wilderness. Anything could happen. None of society's rules and structure mattered here. Who would witness the unspeakable and live to report it? She began to wonder if this was a safe place for a woman at all?
"I fear it is the Park Rangers. Duncan is squatting. He has been doing this for decades. They will tear it down or burn it, and he goes to another one." Bear pulled his shirt on and tucked it in while looking for his boots.
"What will they do with us?" She started to worry about being forced to go back home. Why were the Park Rangers scouring the area, unless her Mother and Father had possibly reported her missing? She hoped not. All her plans would come to a standstill if her parents got even a whiff of news about her getting married.
There was a loud rapping on the trailer door, but they were ready and met the Park Rangers and local law officials from the nearest town. They shined their flashlights blindingly in their faces, as if that would be helpful to them departing the camper.
"Can we see your identification?" The police man was particularly militant and demanded Noralee's identification. She produced it without arguing as she was used to if she was ever pulled over and had to cry her way out of a speeding ticket.
"I am on vacation, Sir." She tried her best to be pleasant and polite with a blaring light shining in her face. Just the sight of their looming, broad, shadowy figures behind the blaring light made her tremble.
"Alabama?" The Park Ranger looked over the shoulder of the Officer at her Alabama Driver's License. "Is this the one they have been looking for this week?"
"Yep. Noralee Amelia Hale." The Park Ranger looked suspiciously at Bear and Duncan. "What is she doing here with you two?" It was his tone that almost made them seem guilty, and yet they had not done a thing wrong, except sleep in a squatter's quarters.
"I came with him." Noralee felt like she needed to speak up or something could be construed to hurt Bear. "I got lost and he helped me find my way back. We were just spending the night." She honestly couldn't believe they were so militant about them being in the park. Wasn't that what public land was for...the public? Some stay longer than others, so what? Who were they hurting? No one else was around from what she could see.
The Officer demanded Bear's ID and he said he didn't have any. The Park Ranger and the Officer looked at each other.
"You don't have anything on you saying who you are and where you live? What is your name and address? Are you even from this State, boy?" Their tone was getting more aggravated as Duncan began to raise almighty Cain as they demanded his ID as well.
Bear smiled coolly as Snoopy, "What state am I from? I am currently in a free state of mind, Sir."
Noralee thought morosely, although his comment was humorous, "Oh, God help us! We are going to jail."
YOU ARE READING
Chasing Fire
RomanceNoralee Hale needed time alone after finishing college. Her longtime boyfriend since high school decided it was time for them to date other people after they finished college. It was not what she was expecting. She decided to take a dream trip to...
