I was driving down I-75 singing along with my favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd tune. The snow was gently falling and the roads were starting to ice over. The cars were bumper to bumper for miles. I looked in my rearview mirror and noticed an eighteen wheeler behind me so close that the bumper was nearly touching mine. I thought it seemed a little strange, but I kept singing.

And be a simple kind of man.
Be something you love and understand.
Be a simple kind of man.
Wont you do this for me son,
If you can?....

After what seemed like an eternity, traffic started moving again. I reached my exit and as I turned off I noticed the truck following me. Since there was a TA Travel Center down the road I wasn't worried about it. It was normal to be surrounded by semis while driving through town. I stopped at the BP station to fill up with gas and get some coffee, then I headed home. At a stop light I noticed I was still being followed. Maybe, he has to drop something off at one of the businesses around here, I thought to myself. The truck crept closer and closer. Hurry up, stupid light, I muttered under my breath. Relief rushed through my body when I saw the truck turn into a business about a mile from my house.

I picked up my cell phone to call my husband and let him know I was almost home so he could help me unload the groceries, but it was dead. That's weird; I know I charged it this morning. The stupid battery must be going out. Oh well, I need a new phone anyway. This is a good excuse to get my cheapskate husband to let me get one.

I pulled into the driveway and the house was dark. My husband's car was in the driveway so I knew he had to be home. How could he be in bed already? He knew I was coming home with a car full of groceries. This is ridiculous! With a sigh, I got out of the car and opened the trunk. The groceries were gone and in their place was a note. I picked it up and read the words, "Your blood is mine." written in bloodlike ink. As I stood there in shock the sound of footsteps brought me back to my senses. I shoved the note in my pocket, closed the trunk, grabbed my keys, and started walking towards the house.

"So, we meet again."

"Wh...o's there?"

"No need to be afraid, ma'am. You might remember my truck more than me. Afterall, we've never officially met."

"What do you want? I don't have any money on me."

"I don't want your money...I want...you."

"Wh...at do you want with me."

"Just follow me and everything will be okay."

In hesitant submission, I followed him. Everything was silent except for four feet shuffling through the snow. A block later we reached our destination, his truck. He pushed me up into the passenger side and slammed the door; then climbed into the driver's seat in silence. We rode that way for awhile until I decided to speak.

"So....where are we headed?"

"Just shut up. You'll find out soon enough."

After an hour or so had passed the trucker pulled onto and old dirt road that looked familiar. I kept silent, but I knew I had been down this road before. The houses were few and far between. They were all pretty much worn down shacks that looked abandoned.

About a mile down the road we turned onto a driveway. It was long and made of gravel. You couldn't see the house from the road. It was nestled back behind a forest of trees. I could feel my heart pounding out of my chest.

"We're here. Let's go, the missus will want to see you."

"The missus? Someone actually married you? Shocking."

"Yes, someone did. Watch that smart mouth of yours before it gets ya into trouble."

"Yes, sir..."

"Hey, Evangeline, we got us some company."

"Evangeline? Why does that name sound so familiar?"

We walked into the house and as I caught a glimpse of Evangeline I knew exactly who she was. She was my birth mother. I'd seen many pictures of her over the years so I was sure it was her.

"Hey there, sweetie, Evangeline said with a half-hearted smile."

"Uhh...hi...may I ask why you brought me here, mo...I mean, Evangeline?"

"So, the idiot told you I'm your mother, huh? Everett, why'd ya go and ruin everything like ya always do?"

"I didn't tell her a dang thing. So get off my case and get me a beer."

"No, he didn't tell me anything...I...I've seen your pictures before. My mom had some in a box she gave me a few years ago."

"Oh...well...I guess you're wondering why you're here then. I can't tell you that right now. You'll find out soon enough though. Just sit there on the sofa and try to make yourself at home."

I sat and stared at the wall. It was filled with pictures and nic nacs. There was enough stuff on the walls to keep me occupied for hours. Evangeline stayed in the kitchen and Everett sat in his chair drinking beer, smoking cigars, and reading the newspaper.

When the clock struck midnight Evangeline walked into the living room and told me to follow her. We walked outside and headed towards the woods. Once again my heart started pounding out of my chest. I was afraid to speak, but Evangeline broke the silence.

"When I got pregnant with you I couldn't afford to keep you so I decided to give you up for adoption. Your father took off the day after he found out I was pregnant and I couldn't keep a job. After you were born I made a deal with a nurse. She said if I gave her a vial of your blood she would pay me more than enough to get me back on my feet. So I did, but what I didn't know until last year that there was more to it than the vial. Apparently, when I sold your blood I also sold your soul and when you turned twenty-five the lady was to obtain the rest of your blood. I swear I didn't know. I thought she needed it for some kind of study. I guess I should have read the fine print before I signed the papers, but I didn't and I can't change that now. If I don't give you to her she'll have me and my family killed. I...I'm sorry, Emma."

I couldn't speak. I just followed. I had to. As we walked deeper and deeper into the woods I heard the sound of someone chanting. I felt like I was going to pass out. This has to be a horrible nightmare. Please God, don't let this be real. We grew closer and closer to the sound. I could see someone standing above a fire with their arms raised to the Heavens. The black robe hung loosely and the hood hid their face. As we approached her she turned around and stared a right through me.

"It's you...Thanks, Evangeline, you may leave. Emma, come this way."

I nodded and followed in obedience. She led me to an alter made of stone. My hands and feet were bound. My life flashed before my eyes. The woman muttered some words as she took her sword and raised it in the air. She was about to bring it down when a flash of light swept across the sky causing her to stop. She shrieked like she had been struck by lightning. Then she untied me and ran deeper into the woods. At first I was afraid to move, but after a few minutes I gained composure and rose to my feet. I looked around and didn't see or hear anyone so I carefully walked back the way we came. As I emerged from the woods I saw the house. It still looked lit up so I headed towards the back door.

After several knocks Everett finally answered the door. My whole body was shaking as I told them what happened. After the shock wore off Everett offered to drive me back home, but I had to swear to leave them out of it if I told my story to the police.

I got home and woke my husband up and shared everything with him. He didn't believe me and that is why I've spent the past month locked in this room. He thinks I had some sort of breakdown. The doctors say I'm crazy, but I'm saner than they'll ever know. I changed that night. I will forevermore believe that God is real and there is such a thing as divine intervention.

10-31-06