I didn't lace up my shoes, I just shoved my feet into them even though it was more difficult. As I sipped my coffee I glanced out of the window. The sun barely showed through the trees in my backyard. It was 5:30 a.m., and I should have seen a sliver of light at least. Walking onto my back deck, I realized how thick the fog was this morning. It hung in the air, a cool mist. I didn't know why I always got excited to see a foggy morning. It just seemed so rare, making the day feel mystical. I was about to go for a jog through the town, but I wanted to be in the trees. Running through the forest on a morning like this was so exhilarating; I didn't want to waste it. I grabbed my water and headed out the door to my car, almost forgetting my cell phone on the way out. I would have to send my husband a message telling him my change in plans. He and our three girls would still be asleep by the time I got back anyway.

The Wild Cat Den State Park was only a short twenty-minute drive from my house. I loved the drive to the park almost as much as being there. The closer I got, the curvier the road became, and the taller the trees, the tops just beginning to turn to autumn colors. I came up over the hill, and I finally saw the sun glazing the clouds through the mist. As I turned into the entrance of the park I could hear my mother's voice in my head.

"Jane, make sure you take pepper spray when you run alone. I worry about you."

Shit. I had forgotten it. As I drove through the park I realized I hadn't seen a single person or car. The days were getting chillier now, and with the thick fog no one must want to come to the park today, besides me. Which was just fine.

"I don't think there are any psycho killers out today, Mom," I said while laughing to myself.

Being alone in the woods was, in my opinion, one of the best things a person could do for their soul. The park had a road running through it that began at the top of a hill and zigzagged down to the bottom near a stream. I parked my car at the bottom of the hill and opened my door to the scent of the woods. I couldn't help but close my eyes and slowly breathe it in. I checked to make sure I had everything I needed before heading onto one of the many trails. I started a playlist on my phone that I loved to listen to on mornings like this. The Fleet Foxes "White Winter Hymnal" began to play. I placed my car key and my phone in the pouch fit snuggly around my waist, put my wireless ear buds in my ears, and I was ready to disappear into the woods.

I went towards the path that I knew would take me down near the stream. First at a brisk walk, then as I neared the tall rock formations I picked up my pace to a jog. As the path curved down and to the left I started to hit my stride. I couldn't help but smile as the light breeze hit me in the face. The last time I'd been here alone I'd come across the most beautiful buck standing firm in the thick brush off the path. Before he spotted me and bolted for cover, our eyes had met. I hoped I would see another one. They're like the fog, magical and rare. If you don't seize the opportunity to be near one it'll be gone in an instant. I knew my chances of seeing one should be high today. All the nearby crops had been harvested. Hunting season was approaching and they would be looking for places to hide.

I began to sweat as I ran deeper into the woods. The further I got the more amazing the rock formations, the thicker the moss and the taller the trees. As I came up to the little bridge that my husband and I had carved our initials into one summer day, I saw a pile of trash. Wrappers and pop cans.

"Assholes," I thought.

Why anyone would come here and leave their junk behind, I'd never understand. I'd have to remember to bring a trash bag the next time I came. Maybe bring the girls and teach them about not littering. I continued on since I had no way to carry it all. Around the bend of the little stream that was trickling under the bridge was a set of steep, wooden steps.

"Alright legs, time for some work."

I felt my heart beating as I labored my way up the rickety old steps. Just as I reached the top, I pulled one ear bud out and listened to the quiet noises of the woods around me. I could have sworn I heard a distant voice. I stood and listened for a moment as I caught my breath. The rustling leaves and the creaking trees competed with my blood pumping in my eardrums. It must have only been the wind coming up through the small canyon I'd just climbed. I placed my music back in my ear to drown out the nature sounds that had become too eerie for me. I continued on my route for about a minute before I spotted something out of place. Tucked behind a bush I noticed what looked like a small tire. As I got closer I could see that it was an ATV. I took out both my ear buds, thinking there had to be someone nearby.

"Hello!" I shouted. I listened for a response, but received none.

As I stood, straining my ears for any new sound, I suddenly felt a presence behind me. I whipped around to see a buck standing just five feet away. I was frozen at the sight of this gorgeous creature, having never been this close to one before. My only thought was to stay still and watch him until he ran away. I waited for what seemed like an eternity, as he stood like a statue. Just as I thought that maybe I should back away, another deer walked out through the trees. I was amazed at my luck, and I wondered if they somehow knew I had no intention of harming them. I slowly began to step backward, trying my hardest not to spook them. Then, I heard the snap of a twig behind me. I turned, expecting to see another person. But through the bushes came five more bucks. It seemed odd that so many male deer would be grouped together, let alone around me. Unsure what action I should take, I stood still as this unlikely group gathered around me. My heart began to race. I tried to take a few steps forward onto the path, but they blocked me. Confused, I turned to go the other direction but was stopped again. Then, one of the large bucks began to nudge me off the trail with his snout. Without any other option, I walked in the direction they appeared to want me to go. I had never in my life heard of deer behaving in such a way. For a moment I wondered if I might need to defend myself. As I walked through the brush, I looked on the ground for a branch or a rock. Just a couple feet ahead of me I spotted a branch about the size of my arm. As I approached, I reached for it. One of the deer saw what I was doing and thwarted my attempt by stepping on it with his hoof. I watched him as he lifted his head to mine, his hot breath coming out of his nostrils like puffs of smoke. I couldn't help but feel a shiver of fright wash over me. We continued to walk, the deer encircling me, down a slight slope. The undergrowth of the woods became denser with each step. We were well off of the trail when I caught a glimpse of what could only be blood splashed on the foliage. I began to tremble partly from the chill in the air, but mostly from the fear of not knowing what was ahead of us. Then I heard it, unmistakable this time, a male voice.

"Help! Who's there? Oh please be a person," the man said hoarsely.

The deer led me to a man lying on the ground. He was dressed all in camouflage, but his outfit was stained with blood.

"Oh my God, are you okay? What happened?" I said as I knelt beside him.

"Yeah, I'm alright for now, but don't expect I will be for long. They done this to me," he said as he pointed to the deer surrounding us.

"What do you mean? They attacked you?" I said while having a revelation. "Wait. Why are you out here in camo. Were you hunting out here?"

He looked at me with contempt in his eyes. Without saying a word he admitted to me what he'd been doing.

"You know this is a state park. And besides that, hunting season hasn't started yet!" I said.

"Look, I don't give a shit what you think you know. This is a free damn country!"

"Wow ... well it looks like they put you in your place. No need for me to bother. They clearly wanted me to help you, so let's get you up and out of here," I said.

I began to help him to his feet while ignoring the grumbles under his breath. But as I did, the deer started to huff and stomp their hooves. One seemed to growl at the man, clearly wanting him to stay right where he was. I didn't understand. Why would they bring me here if not to help? I stood while the man resumed his place in the dirt. Then I realized there were more deer around us than before, gathering in the woods, both male and female now. My eyes began to water as the thought came to me that I might not be leaving this forest. I closed my eyes and pictured myself back in bed with my husband. Our daughters climbing under our covers for Sunday morning snuggles. I hesitantly opened my eyes to an unexpected sight: simultaneously the most beautiful and most terrifying thing I had ever seen. The deer in front of me began to part so that a large buck could walk through. Undoubtedly he was the largest of them all. He walked forward, his antlers tapping nearby low-hanging branches as he came. Each breath he expelled could be seen in the chilly air, and it reminded me to take my own breath. The man on the ground began to whimper and plead. I turned to him, not sure what to say.

"Please, help me!" he said.

"What should I do? I don't know what ... I ..." I trailed off and began to cry.

I turned back around to see this massive buck right beside me, towering over me. His eyes were piercing, haunting to look at. I tried somehow communicating with my stare that I would never hurt him. The buck walked to the man and seemed to puff out his chest while looking at me intently.

"GET BACK ... GET, YOU SON OF A BITCH!" the man shouted at the animal.

Then, with one last glanceat me, the buck reared up and began stomping on the hunter. I stood, shocked,as he continued to pummel the man amidst his screams. And as he did, aneruption of sound began all around me. All the other deer began to gruntand blow through their nostrils, emitting piercing whistles. I remainedmotionless as the man's blood splattered across my legs. I shut my eyes tightas his yelps became fewer and fewer. The stomping ceased, but I refused to openmy eyes to the scene in front of me. Then the buck's hot breath was in my face.Was I about to suffer the same horrible death? I stood silent and thought of myfamily. The buck blew a forceful breath at me, clearly wanting me to open myeyes. As I did so, he took one last step onto the hunter's lifeless body. Thecrowd of deer surrounding us began to back away, disappearing into the fog thatbrought me here. I hoped beyond hope that they were leaving me alone. The lastfew deer that I could see continued away through the mist. Finally, thegreatest of them all began walking away. After one more intense stare, hepranced out of sight. I was left quivering in the woods over the man's body. Itbecame clear to me, as I stood there unable to move, that they'd wanted me tosee. They needed someone to know that they had chosen to fight back.