The Hidden Fountain Where Desire Sits

The sound of the brisk wind crashed against my ears, freezing the tips with an aching pain. It's mid-October and Fall had no problems settling in. Dead leaves crunch under my feet as I walk carefully through the forest.

My friend, Carissa, is a prideful nature enthusiast who challenged me a few months ago to take some solo hikes for myself. Coming from a busy and bustling city to the outskirts of Washington for a year-long retreat has expanded my horizons more than necessary. Here I am, trekking through the tall trees and mysterious vegetation alone. My boots sinking slightly into the soft dirt that has been saturated from the rain last night.

Moistness in the air creates an almost suffocating, yet warm blanket that further drenches my clothes. I grab a small neon pink flag from my back pocket, bending down to stick it in the ground by a rotting log.

"This will definitely be a memorable marker" I huff, continuing on.

My shoulders have started to throb from hauling my backpack for the last hour. I shift it once more, hoping the pressure subsides.

I wasn't sure how long I had been walking, but I found myself in what looked like a man-made small clearing. I stick a flag in the ground, keeping my eyes forward. Right in front of me is a pathway that is covered by smaller trees and bushes. What caught my eye is how lush and green the leaves are; a striking contrast to the dead leaves that are falling with every gust of wind from the surrounding trees.

Vines spiral and intertwine with each other around the tree trunks, almost making a natural fence on both sides of the narrow path. I look down to see that there's old stone steps that are chipped and almost non-existent in some places that follow the path. The path is quite dim from what I can see from here, but there's just enough sunlight peeking through the trees that it doesn't look too scary.

Part of me wants to turn around and go back to my car, but another part of me is curious to see where the path leads.

I take a deep breath, looking up towards the sky, "There's a 50/50 chance I could die…or find something extraordinary."

I look around the area. My grandma always said to follow the energy of nature. If you're in danger, nature will be silent.

The wind is blowing a little softer, barely as quiet as a whisper. I hold my breath. The sounds of leaves blowing quietly as different insects call from every direction. I let out my breath, relief slowly easing my shoulders down.

I take another deep breath and move one foot in front of the other. If things start to feel weird, I can always turn around and get out of there.

I stop in my tracks at the entrance. A cool breeze that feels unlike the wind that was just blowing around me a couple minutes ago rolls from the path like a roaring tide. Shivers run through my body as goosebumps pepper my skin. I continue walking forward with caution, each step quieter than the last.

As I get further down the path, the cool air dissolves. I take a breath in and fill my lungs with the freshest air I've ever experienced. The humidity no longer restricting my breathing. The sunlight from above shines through the cracks of the leaves and vines, cascading like tiny spotlights on the ground. I use the sunlight spots as a guide, hoping I won't run into anything crazy like a bear or a bobcat.

I look back, seeing that the entrance is further behind than I thought it was. Had I really walked all this way through? A voice in my head was telling me I should turn back now, but I ignored it. My curiosity was now in full control.

The path started to open wider as the old stone fanned out into newer stone slabs. No longer were there leaves and debris filling the path floor, but it was as if someone had just swept. I looked up and gasped, clutching my chest.

My eyes land on a pearl white fountain with the clearest blue water flowing from the top down into the spillway. My nose picks up on a scent I've only encountered once before, but I can't think of what it was. It was fresh and sweet, the aroma mixing with the earthy scents around me. My brain fogs as I gaze upon the large fountain. I step closer to it, my breath hitching as I look into the basin. Koi fish swim around gracefully as if they have no cares in the world.

Their orange, white, and red colors complement the dark blue color at the bottom. As the sunlight hits their scales, they glow as if they're made of light themselves. I almost grab my phone to take a photo, but something tells me to embrace the moment without technology.

I find myself engrossed in the beauty of the fountain, walking around it in a daze. The relaxing sound of water cascading as the wind lightly brushes upon the leaves feels almost magical. I lean my head back and close my eyes, a smile growing on my face as I bask in the moment.

The sound of rustling leaves breaks me out of the comfortable silence. I jerk my head around to see a older woman with a cane standing politely a few feet away from me. I want to run, but my feet are planted firmly on the ground. My shoulders raise from the tension building as my body prepares for confrontation.

I suck in a breath, "I-I'm sorry for intruding. I was on a hike and stumbled upon this place."

The older woman crossed her hands over the top of her cane as she grinned. Her wispy white hair blew in the wind like it was dancing in the air currents. She cleared her throat.

"It happens. The fountain finds a way to bring the most beautiful hearts to witness it's grandeur. You're a lucky one," she chuckles.

My brows shot up as my jaw went slack, "What do you mean?"

She chuckled again, walking forward towards the fountain.

"What I mean is the fountain has a mind of its own. It has been in this forest for longer than I can count. When it wants to hear a certain rhythm of a heart, it pulls them closer," she shook her head with a smile as if entertained. "Have you even tried touching the water?"

I looked back at the fountain. The water did look tempting to touch, but I was so mesmerized I couldn't. The older woman urged me closer, guiding my hand into the water. The coolness felt almost orgasmic. I gasped. The older woman let go. The koi fish swam around my hand unafraid. One even swam into my grasp. A delighted laugh escaped me as the smooth scales grazed my hand.

I looked back at the older woman. She smirked with knowing eyes looking from the fish to me.

"Welcome to the fountain of desire, Ms. Harrison," she bowed. "Remember, you have the ability to go back where you came from. But you also have the option to stay and explore. I will advise you to think about that one because once you leave the forest, you will not be able to find this path again."

She turned and shuffled back towards wherever she came from.

"Wait! What is going on?! What-" I was cut off as the older woman kept going, never looking back again.

I looked back at the koi fish to see they were still swimming around my hand playfully.

"Oh, man. What do I do?" I sighed as I sat down on the edge of the basin.

The leaves on the trees rustled a little louder around the clearing. At first, my nerves started to rattle again with anxiety. I took my hand out of the water, wiping it on my pants.

As quick as my nerves started to light up with fear, it was soon replaced with a sense of belonging. My chest became warm as my head cleared. I suddenly felt hot, sweat prickling through my hairline. I dropped my backpack and took off my vest that had been drenched with sweat. I wiped my forehead.

I scooped some of the fountain water in my hands and splashed it on my face. After I wiped my face off with my sleeve, a figure walked closer and closer from another path adjacent to the one I came from.

A man with similar hiking gear walked slowly into the clearing.

"Well, this is intriguing," he said. "I wasn't expecting to see anyone else out here."

I chuckled nervously, "Sorry to disappoint, I guess…"

He dropped his backpack. "No, no! I was just saying that I've been walking for hours and somehow walked through this weird path, and now…" he trailed off.

I shrugged, "Now, what?"

He shook his head in disbelief. "Now, I've found treasure," he smiled.

I didn't notice that he had gotten closer until I felt the warmth from his body heat up my skin. He was magnificently beautiful. His strong cheekbones and thick brows captivated me first. But his hazel eyes found their way deeper into mine. The koi fish splashed in the water, breaking our connection.

Is this what the lady meant when she said the fountain would bring the most beautiful hearts together?

Maybe it was the best decision to walk down that mysterious path after all.