Father hung the hog from the rafters head down in the barn and set about quartering the carcass. His shirt off so as not to get it bloodied as he worked.

His back covered in sweat from the log splitting he was doing prior to my return. As he worked you could see the muscles in his back and arms flexing.

Along with muscles there was an assortment of scars some from fighting in the French and Iroquois war in 1689 some called it the “Beaver Wars”. His body movements were sure and swift. He wasted no time or motion in his task. His hands were deft as he wielded the knife, making quick work of the carcass.

As he worked he portioned off bits, some to be smoked and some to be eaten right away. When he was done about ninety percent was destined to end up in the smoker. “May, head over to the smoker, load up the wood and get the fire started, if you please.

Mary, go and find your mother and let her know that we are having fresh meat for supper.” Father said. Entering the house mother was cutting up carrots and onions into the pot. “Mother, we have meat for dinner, I got us a bag full of squirrels and a nice hog. Father is in the barn readying it for smoking.” I told her.

A bit later we were assembled at the table for our repast. “Mary, why don't you say grace, after all this meal is your gift to our family.” Said father. “Thank you father. Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of this food that graces our table today. May we always be faithful to you O'Lord. Amen.”

The stew that Mother made was gut filling and delicious. Everybody wanted to hear the story about my hunt and what the new area I scouted was like. Truth be told there is often very little truth when hunting stories are told. So it was that I spun a most wonderful tale of adventure and perils.

Culminating in telling the story of the epic battle that pitted me against the monstrous snarling beast of a hog that attacked me while out in the woods. How I fought tooth and nail as the beast pinned me to the ground and almost tore out my throat.

It was only by the luck of the gods that the beast made a misstep and fell to it's side, giving me the moment I needed to dispatch the beast. Thereby allowing it to grace our table this evening.

As my tale ended everyone around the table broke into laughter and endless teasing. I felt it best to not speak of my encounter with the bear. This would only upset Mother and thereby cause Father to forbid me from going afar in search of game.

Later when all were asleep I dragged Beth to my room and told her the whole story of my day. When she heard how “It” saved me from the bear she refused to believe that this thing was not still a danger to the family.

I on the other hand have begun to believe that there is something more to “It” than Beth would have me believe. Nothing I could say would change her mind.

The next day found myself back on my log waiting for “It” to return. As was usual “It” showed up the moment I was looking the other way.

As I sat upon the log “It” sat down across from me on the stump that has become its preferred seat. “Fiss, thank you for saving me from that bear yesterday.

While I was prepared to defend myself I think even if I had prevailed it would have cost me some amount of blood, of which I seem to be quite fond of keeping within my body.” Fiss seemed to nod its head in response.

“Fiss, I need to ask you a question, why are you watching us. I don't think you are meaning us any harm but your watching has made my sister Beth fearful.” “Alone, lonely.” Was the answer that Fiss gave. Other then saying his name earlier this was the first time Fiss has said anything.

As Fiss spoke I was intrigued, his (At least this is how I felt, that if Fiss had a sex it was masculine.) voice felt and sounded as if the words were coming from some great distance. There was also a whisper like quality to his voice.

“Fiss what do you mean “alone, lonely”, don't you have others like you to turn to?” Fiss just gave a head shake that I took to be a no. “Fiss, are there others like you? Come to think of it just exactly what are you?” I asked him.

“No others, all gone long time now. I am Fiss, we were Fiss, that is what I am.” “I thought Fiss was your name, don't you have a name?” Fiss just shook his head no. “Well I don't think that's right, everyone needs a name. How else does one know who is talking to who?

I know, I'll give you a name! Let's see what would be a good name for you?” I asked. “Fiss needs no name, Fiss is Fiss.” He said. “Nonsense, every gets a name, your problem is that no one ever thought to give you one. So it's up to me to find a good name for you.”

I leaned down to gather up my satchel for some paper to write upon. Turning back to Fiss I found that he had left. Shouting to the wind I yelled, “Fiss that disappearing act is getting old!” From the distant wind I swear I heard a quiet laughter.

The next two days the need to hunt kept me away from the clearing. While cutting and blazing a new set of trails I felt Fiss's presence every once in a while. He never showed himself yet I in my bones I knew he was nearby. Scouring the ground for tracks this new area was proving to be a boon.

The ground was filled with the tracks of deer, hogs and various other animals as well as one set that had me concerned, those of a pack of wolfs. Those track appeared to days old and headed away from where I was headed. I would be fine meeting up with a single wolf, alone they were less likely to attack an individual unless the wolf was especially hungry.

A pack on the other hand was a real danger to a lone hiker in the woods. You couldn't run, they would out pace you and keep nipping at your heals until they had you hamstrung and fell. At that point you were done for and will be nothing but wolf poop a day later. Today's hunt was a rich haul, in my bag were three quails four squirrels and a pair of river otters.

The day had grown hotter and I was feeling the heat and humidity. I decided to cool off in the stream that ran through this area. Doffing my clothes I waded into the cool water. What a grand feeling, the water washing away not only the grime and sweat but the fatigue as well.

Crawling onto the bank I lay back letting the sun dry and warm my body. All in all this was a wonderful way to spend my days, breaking new territory a successful hunt and a swim followed by laying naked in the warm sun.

I had dozed off while basking in the sun. what woke me was the presence of Fiss. By this time I didn't have to see him to know he was near. I just felt it in my bones. Leaning up on my elbows, I looked to my right and there he was. Sitting on the bank a few feet away.

“Good afternoon Fiss, I'm happy to see you today.” “Hello Mary, is proper greeting for Mary?” “Yes Fiss, that is a proper greeting.” “Fiss how long have you been here?” “The Fiss have been here very long time.” “No Fiss, I mean how long have you been here at this spot?”

“Fiss was wandering and felt Mary was near, Fiss came to visit Mary.” “Fiss that raises a question. How long have the Fiss been watching, how long have they been around?” I asked. “The Fiss have always been here. Fiss here when this planet only ball of molten rock. No land, no water, no life.

We watch and wait as first life crawl out of water and learn to walk. Fiss watch as people grow wide, make ships go to other lands to live and make homes.” “Fiss are everywhere there is life.” He said. “What are the Fiss watching and waiting for?”

“We watch life .” “Why, are the Fiss watching life?” “Fiss don't know.” “Jeb, how many Fiss are there on earth?” “None, I am the last. All other Fiss go away, they see no promise in life here so they go.”

“What do you mean, “No promise ”. “That's the first time I ever heard you use the word “I”. That reminds me, last time we talked I said you should have a name. Well I thought of a good name for you. I'm going to name you “Jeb.” “What does Jeb mean?” Fiss asked. “I don't know, I just like the name.” “OK Mary, I am Jeb.”

“Jeb, how old are you?” “Jeb is very old, Jeb remembered universe when universe very small, smaller then stone at Mary's feet.” “At this I looked down and saw the pebble that Jeb was pointing at, smaller then a kernel of corn.

Jeb, I am not very smart, you talk about very big things like the earth and maybe even bigger places. I know little things, the trees, the birds and animals here in the woods. I have never been more than half a days ride away from my home.

Yet from your words I begin to understand that there are places so far away that I can't even imagine such distances. I never knew there were beings like you. Last year I never would have had big thoughts, now because of you I am forced to think big thoughts.”

“Mary, to think bigger is the greater thing. It means you ask questions, you seek answers to questions Mary has never thought before. This is good, most important to ask questions to seek what is not known. When Mary stop asking, Mary stop growing smart.”

As we sat and talked I began to notice the world around me. The trees are just the same as always, the birds and all the other animals that live in these woods haven't changed. Yet as of late things have taken on a new dimension, one that has required me to look past the enclosure that has limited me and kept my thinking in the past.

“Jeb, how big is this universe you have spoken about. Is it possible to go to out there? Sometimes at night I lay out in the yard looking up at the stars and wonder what they are and how far away they could be?

Are there other places with other people out there, with lives like mine?” with this Jeb stood and began to move around our little clearing. As he did so a chipmunk came scurrying out of it's borrow and came to a halt at the bottom of Jeb's shape.

Reaching down Jeb placed his hand upon the ground and the chipmunk took a moment to sniff at the mist that was Jeb's hand. Finally satisfied the chipmunk strode right up to and hopped onto Jeb's open hand.

Ever so slowly and ever so carefully Jeb raised his hand while looking his new little friend face to face. Reaching out he began to stroke the back of the chipmunk. In response the little fellow rolled over presenting it soft belly to Jeb for further petting.

I had a momentary flash of insight and a question formed. “Jeb when I see you, I see what looks to be a swirling mass of smoke or vapor. The other day I saw a squirrel run right through you and nether you or it seemed to care in the least.

Yet here you are not only touching but lifting something without it dropping through your mist like fingers. How is that possible?”
“Mary, I can be as you say mist like or solid as I chose. It is only my mind causing the matter to become firm thereby permitting Jeb to pick up things or allowing things to interact with a solid Jeb.”

“Jeb, could I touch you? I would like to know what you feel like, what it's like to touch the mist that your made of.” Jeb nodded his head, an action that I took to be his assent to my request. With that I stood and walked over to Jeb. Tentatively reaching out I placed my hand upon Jeb's forearm, or at least that was my intent.

What happened was what I had expected. My hand went right through his arm. As it passed through I felt a certain tingle in my hand as it passed through. “Jeb, could I try that again only this time could you make yourself solid please.” once again I reached out and this time my hand encountered an arm that was as solid as my own.

There was a texture to Jeb's arm that reminded me of the fur on our cat. It was soft with a warmth that spread outward to my hand and up my arm. “Jeb, could you turn into mist again please, I would like to try something.” As Jeb shimmered and changed back to his misty form I stepped up to him.

With just a moments hesitation I stepped forward and stepped into Jeb's misty shape. Suddenly I was engulfed in the mist that was Jeb. Every fiber of my being was tingling. It felt as if lightning was running through my body. While this didn't hurt it was alarming. Moments later I began to feel something else.

My body began to shudder and I started to get a wonderful feeling. This however was far more intense then I have ever felt before. In just seconds I was beyond reasonable control of myself and my body shook as I began to pass out
from the overload of pleasure I was feeling.

The next thing I knew, I was laying on the ground looking up at the trees with a very worried Jeb standing above me. “Mary, what is wrong, have I done hurt to Mary? Mary, talk, talk to Jeb, Mary what is has happened?”