The brochure made the inn on the large, blue lake look very quaint. However, when they arrived, they were horrified to find a rundown wooden building with a "Vacancy" sign they were sure was never turned off. It was too late in the evening to turn around. They told the unkempt clerk at the desk that they'd be staying only one night. As they turned, keys in hand, he muttered, "Ya both need to know there are paths in these here woods. Whatever ya do, do not leave the path, no matter what you hear. There are sounds that may call to you, but like the song of the siren, they may be calling you to your doom! You’ll never be the same if ya leave the beaten path."

The inn attendant’s warning stuck with Greg all the way to their room. He was ready to leave right now. Thus far, this whole experience had been an exercise in frustration. Nine hours in a car, two of which had been spent changing a flat, while he received a citation followed by a lecture from an officer, due to his license plate light being burnt out. He didn’t even know that was a thing! Greg was over it, but he knew his partner likely wanted to explore. Her spirit was never dampened by these types of happenings, merely par for the course for an adventurer.

“What do you think is out there, that he doesn’t want us to find?” asked his companion, Grace.

“Nothing, I hope. Let’s get some sleep, so we can get an early start home in the morning,” he answered.

“That’s no fun, and the sun is still up. We’ve come all this way, let’s search the forest at least a little! Why don’t you take a bath, and I’ll get our pack ready, okay sweetie?” she soothed him with a kiss upon his cheek.

A bath sounded delightful; he had gotten dirt lodged in several crevices while changing the tire. The cop was no help, didn’t offer once, just kept droning on and on about a citizen’s personal responsibility. How had he seen the burnt-out light, during the daytime, anyhow? Yea, Greg needed to cleanse himself from the day’s stresses.

Opening the door to their room, they were greeted by a clandestine space: a full-sized bed flanked by a couple of side tables, two lamps, a dresser upon which sat an old tube TV, and complete with a mini fridge from 1960. He set down their bags and made his way to check out the bathroom. Compared to the rest of their room, it was in pristine condition, sporting an oversized tub and beckoning him in with a waterfall shower head and assortment of soaps. Thirty minutes later, after a bath with plenty of bubbles, he felt refreshed. Fifteen minutes more and he and his partner were out the door, pack upon back with flashlights in hand, ready to explore.

The trails were pleasant, weaving through dense populations of ferns, foliage, and trees. After about an hour, darkness began to pervade as the last rays of sunlight slipped away. The couple prepared to make their way back to the inn for some cozy time when a low hum emanated from deep within the trees. The noise kind of sounded like music.

“Do you hear that? It’s coming from this way,” spoke Grace, pointing in the direction she sensed as the source of the sound. Grace didn’t wait for his reply and left the path to follow the hum. Greg protested, “What about what the innkeeper said?”

“What about it? He’s not my dad.”

Greg followed Grace, and together they ventured deeper into the forest. The further they traveled, the clearer the noise became, until they were sure it was music! They sighted a small clearing ahead and thought they could see bodies moving about. They exited the forest shroud to a scene of festivity, dancing, and laughter in abundance, all surrounding a stage erected in the middle. Speakers and woofers were placed apart, so music flowed all about the arena, and even into the forest, calling out to souls not unlike their own. A man approached. He looked like the clerk from the inn.

“Welcome, do you need wristbands?” inquired the greeter. He appeared different from before. Clean and well maintained, his voice rang with happiness and a smile.

“What is this? I though you told us not to leave the path?” Greg put forward.

“You must be staying at the inn; my brother and I tend its facilities. He hasn’t slept much and is fairly protective about who joins us out here. He’s going to miss tonight, so he’s likely a bit jealous. Anyway, this is a celebration of our journey through life, all explorers are welcome. Why don’t you stick around? We’ve got fourteen artists planned, all culminating in a sunrise set. It’s gonna be lit. What do you say, two wristbands?”

Before Greg could even formulate a polite decline, Grace answered, “Absolutely, but we didn’t bring with us any money.” The inn clerk’s twin replied, “No worries, we’ll just add it to your bill. Here y’ go, have fun!” Greg looked at Grace as she fashioned the bands to their wrists. Lo-fi melodies intertwined with dubby rhythms as spectators all about celebrated. Greg and Grace prepared to join them, and for the first time today, Greg felt calm. They were in the right place.

“We’re staying the weekend,” informed Grace to her love.

“Cool,” replied Greg.

The couple danced all through the night, and well into the morning. As they returned to their room, the unkempt clerk was attending the one next door. He sighted the bands upon their wrists. “I see y’ didn’t listen to me. It’s just as well, I’m not your father. Best get some sleep, tonight’s gonna be even better.”

The couple smiled and nodded to him before entering their room to retire. It turned out, this inn wasn’t so bad after all.