<div class="floatright">(http://imageshack.com/a/img923/729/4WA4KR.jpg)</div>The drive into Dead Woods had been free of any unpleasant incidents or mishaps.  Laurel Novak's Jeep had a larger than standard fuel tank, which meant fewer stops to fill up.  The cooler in the back seat held beverages and the one on the floor in front of the passenger seat was for snacks, so fewer stops to eat; with the exception of that diner she'd stopped at for a chocolate malt and an order of really good onion rings.<br/><br/>The forest seemed to go on forever, and she could imagine some people getting nervous and concerned they'd taken a wrong turn because there wasn't anything out there but woods.  Laurel had been in similar areas before, she wasn't worried and she loved forests any way.  The lack of other vehicles gave her plenty of time to sing along with the music blasting from the stereo when she wasn't musing about the purpose of her trip.<br/><br/>She had read up a bit on Dr. Wade before leaving, curious about the possibilities.  Wade had quite the CV and several areas of expertise, all of which he managed to sort of combine.  Laurel felt his history and archaeology knowledge were mostly used to support his interest in the occult side of things, which made sense in a practical way and it could give his less mainstream theories more credibility.  Too many occultists had few if any academic qualifications - not that she felt they should be ignored, just considered with even more skepticism than usual.  Laurel would keep an open mind and she was honestly interested in what Dr. Wade would say beyond just taking notes for Professor Gilchrist.<br/><br/>Emerging at last from the thick forest, she had to smile at the sight of the sun glistening on the postcard perfect lake.  The town was larger than Laurel had pictured.  There were quite a few people out and about, so she was able to get directions to the town hall.  In spite of the number of vehicles already there she was able to find a place to park.   She grabbed her shoulder bag, locked up the Jeep, and jogged to the main doors.<br/><br/>Laurel found a place to sit, smiling at the others in the seats around her.  She didn't know if recording the lecture was allowed and didn't want to cause any trouble so she shut off her cell and replaced it with a new notebook and one of the pencils she always had with her.<br/><br/>Dr. Wade entered a few minutes later.  He was distinguished looking and seemed very much at ease in front of his audience.  Laurel had no problem maintaining her focus during the lecture and pages quickly filled with notes mixed with small, precisely drawn images when that was the best way to record the information.   There were more pictures than text on the last page, some of them reflecting the uncomfortable unformed thoughts niggling at the back of her mind.<br/><br/>The end of the lecture came as a surprise.  She sat up and checked her watch, surprised by how much time had passed.  She stood up and stretched, returned the notebook to her bag, and walked towards Dr. Wade; she wasn't sure if she had questions, yet, but she could at least be polite and thank the man.<br/><br/>Laurel stopped a ways back from the podium and waited.  She was close enough to hear the blonde woman speaking with Dr. Wade, but far enough back to be polite.<br/>