Mount Forword

By Andrew Hunt

Corine has just finished working on her latest movie, and is feeling the effects of burnout. Noting her exhaustion, her co-star recommends a retreat in Australia, set in a forest and far away from any contact with any other human beings. She escapes to this retreat and begins to marvel at the odd beauty of the dry continent, with many different colours, smells and sounds, all of which are alien to her. Her chaperone, a simple person whom she simply names The Driver, remains nearby to service any needs that she requires, assuring her that he will grant her utmost privacy.
Now disconnected from the outside world, she begins to explore the forest, discovering little details among the trees that would suggest that she isn't completely alone in the forest. A cryptic message carved on some trees, and some odd formations in the soil pique Corine's interest, and only make her want to delve deeper into the trees to uncover the mystery surrounding the nearby mountain that is behind these anomalies.
Soon she starts to have her own view of the world challenged as she grasps at the idea that her understanding of the world is wrong, and how powerless she truly is despite all the influence and adoration she enjoys back in civilisation.
Mount Forword is the debut story from AP Hunt, exploring the atmosphere of solitude and how an individual’s status can cloud their self-perception of their importance in the world. Corine will explore the forest, and will have to confront just how little she means when faced with grand powers beyond her understanding.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andrew Hunt
• Release date: Nov 23, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370010905

Andrew Hunt

Andrew Hunt is a former public servant of two decades, having liaised and collaborated with all levels of Government. He has been instrumental in the implementation of several Government policies, including greening initiatives and working with people with disabilities. He has been an avid writer for over a decade, having had articles published in various outlets covering topics as diverse as automotive, food and travel, videogames and even martial arts. He now turns his energy and passion into being an author, ghostwriter and freelance editor, performing background work for media outlets.

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Mount Forword

Copyright 2016 AP Hunt

Published by AP Hunt at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1 – Arrival

Chapter 2 – Isolation

Chapter 3 – Morning Jog

Chapter 4 – Departure

Chapter 5 – Gifts

Chapter 6 – The Climb

Chapter 7 – The Mount

Chapter 8 – Help Somehow

Chapter 9 – Retreat

Chapter 10 – Departure II

About the Author

Other books by this author

Acknowledgments

To those who have supported me and my many indulgences and projects. They know who they are.

Arrival

Corine felt herself sink into the leather of the car's rear seat as she rode through the countryside, plantations of trees flicking past quickly. She hadn't visited this country before, so wasn't familiar with the pines and eucalypts that stood over the very dry grass underneath. Australia was hot, she'd been told, and the country spent a large portion of the year being one giant tinder box. At home in the northern hemisphere, she'd see the news every Winter – Australia's Summertime – reporting fires that raged and engulfed homes, taking peoples' belongings and their histories. Sure, there were forest fires in the US, but upon seeing the land in Australia, she could see why each Summer would loom like a demon.

So very dry.

Her driver had remained silent since the start of the trip, his only words so far being to greet her by her name incognito, and a gruff grunt as he lifted her luggage into the trunk. She didn't pack too heavily for this trip. She was only here to retreat from her life for a while, and this business had come highly recommended, even if she didn't know where she was.

She'd just finished wrapping up on her latest movie, a quirky script by a quirky writer and a Director with enough eccentricity to power an average home. It wasn't a movie that she expected to do well, but it had enough niche appeal to keep her in the Hollywood clique that liked their movies a little more erudite and oddball.

A row of taller trees whipped past the windows of the car, strobing the sunlight over her eyes. She blinked for a moment before leaning back from the window to relax. The leather groaned beneath her jeans. It wasn't the plush leather she'd known from the cars she'd ridden in back home, but the car they were riding inside wasn't a luxurious European brand, but rather a local domestic saloon.

Nice car Corine remarked to The Driver. He turned his head slightly at being addressed, his ponytail wavering as he tilted. He was clean shaven, and his hair was pulled back tightly, slicked with product. His suit was neatly pressed, and his hands were gloved. Typical chauffeur attire, she observed, although the car gave the atmosphere a little nice local flavour.

It does the job he said with a half shrug. From behind she could see his cheekbones rise in a slight smile. His accent was slightly more posh than what Corine had known of Australians.

It's different to what I'm used to she said, I usually don't have something so... she paused, letting the sound of the car's engine fill the cabin, … gruff

He nodded, Well, you wanted a nice and quiet retreat, your assistant said. That you wanted no one to know you were here. he replied, Fancy European cars are what's usually expected for richer people. If you wanna lay low, you might as well get something that don't stand out he knocked on the dash a couple times with a gloved knuckle, These things are dime-a-dozen 'round these parts. While it might have a V8 and plush interior, it's nothing people haven't seen dozens of times before.

That made sense, she thought. She had traveled to escape the Hollywood life before, but this time she'd felt as though the last few months had almost burned her out completely. Her schedule had been full with the shooting of the latest movie, naturally, but also the never-ending public relations running she had to do. Schmoozing this suit, attending this appearance, posing with this stranger whom she'd never met but a few seconds of her time would make their life.

She had outlined her exhaustion with her co-star on the latest movie, an older actor whose time had long past, and he was searching for just another part to round out his career. Upon hearing of Corine's burnout, he had recommended this retreat in Australia – which she hand waved over to her assistant to arrange.

So you're aware of my requirements? she asked The Driver.

He nodded, Yup

No one can know I'm here

Naturally

She stared out the window of the car again to be met with the similar-looking thirsty trees and dry grass, suddenly realising how much of a jerk she must sound, But if you want an autograph or something, it's fine

He shook his head, I like your movies, ma'am his Australian accent made that last word sound strange, but I figure the last thing you want is reminders about work. The moment you entered my car was the moment you stopped being Ms Movie Star

She let out a soft exhale, as though releasing some tension from her body. She checked her cell phone for a second, but reception was poor and there were no messages, Where are we headed anyway?

Is that really important? He replied, his cheeks still lifted in his smile, If you're really curious, you'd use your GPS anyway, but is our destination's name as important as what is there?

What is there?

Somewhere you can forget who you are

She chuckled, If this were some Hollywood slasher movie, that'd sound quite ominous

He laughed, a lowly, guttural noise that seemed to ricochet around his larynx, Well, I wouldn't get anyone recommending me and my business if that were the case!

Her phone chirped with a notification. The signal on the phone was coming and going intermittently like an indecisive cat at a door. She checked her email – it was just her assistant making sure that she landed okay and asking if there was anything she needed. The phone also listed the myriad notifications from social media – fans wanting to engage, demanding her attention, or offering affirmation. She slept her phone with a stab of the button – her assistant can deal with all that.

She sighed, anticipating The Driver to reignite the conversation from before, but he remained silent, staring forward at the road. They had been driving for around an hour now, the city having drained away to highway, the highway narrowing to country road, and now country road retreating in favour of a dusty unsealed track.

She reopened her phone to see if the GPS could locate them. The screen showed the locator pin drop onto a grid, but there was little signal to download the actual map. She stared at the screen, waiting for any indication of their location, but gave up after ten seconds.

Stab sleep button again.

The car began to slow down, the wheels thudding over the corrugated dirt road. The Driver steadily pulled into a secluded driveway that was flanked on either side by pine trees. They happened upon a gate, a fairly ordinary looking opening made of steel rods, which could only have been put there by someone not concerned about aesthetics. The Driver explained "The gate was put there by Government. I've kept it because it looks like something the Government would install, and not a private owner.

Assures you more privacy he added, No one goes into a plantation to look for people

She nodded in understanding, appreciating the detail.

The Driver stopped the car for a moment to get out and open the gate. It swung open easily and freely. Upon driving the car through the opening, The Driver said that he would return later to close it behind them, I'm sure you just want to get to where we're going he said. Corine nodded in appreciation.

The car rolled up and down a hill or two and across a dried creek bed, traveling at a casual pace. There was another turn as they reached a slight incline. As they traveled up the hill further, a house gradually emerged into view. Corine smiled to herself.

It was pristine. The building was modern in style with a couple storeys