She had been warned, begged, scolded to not hike alone. She listened patiently, always smiled and thanked them for their concern. They didn't get it. It was her freedom, a reset from the stresses of work, family...something just for her. Everyone has their "something" and she thought it strange that no one could accept hers. But in the tall grass, it didn't matter. She felt good, strong, at peace. She thought nothing of it that day, later than usual, when she bundled up her pack and gear and wandered off. She did the usual safety checks: an extra map in her pocket, a text or two for a time stamp and the coordinates left on the table as to her whereabouts. Done.
She parked the car and smiled to herself feeling the usual "start out jitters" The excitement of getting lost for a little while and just melting into Terra Firma. She had picked one of her more challenging trails; across water, rock hopping and some hills. She knew she would sleep like the dead when her day ended. She anticipated it.
The sun was high meaning she only had a couple of hours before the sun would set and darkness swallowed the woods. It wasn't long before she stopped hearing the rumble of trucks on the road and the barks of weekend campers. A stillness settled as the wildlife pulled back to see this woman walking quietly, sometimes singing, or muttering softly to herself. The woods shrugged and went along with its day. Her breath slowed and her gait became more gentle; less harried.
She ignored the first crack off trail, dismissing it as a deer or some other native. The second caused her pause. She stood stock still and waited. Nothing. She tugged at her strap and flicked the lid to her repellent spray. She walked on trying to ignore the hairs standing up on her arms and the sweat prickling at the back of her neck. Then there was the third time; the charm. Solid footsteps and breaking brush caused her to step off the path, back into some thick vines where she crouched, unsheathed her knife and counted her breath: "innn two three four ouuuut two three four"~ softly~ softly. Her eyes darted back and forth across the trail as she strained her ears to listen for the slightest movement. Again, nothing. But a light breeze brought to her a gentle whiff of something....soap? bug spray? Hell, it could have been Poo-Pourri for all she cared and so she tucked in and made herself smaller. Her kidneys panicked and announced they were scared and demanded to be relieved. She rolled her eyes and pushed off the thought. Whatever it was was watching too. She knew it. Now began the waiting game. Who would juke? Her mind began to create scenarios: one looked something like a bad Sylvester Stallone movie."Were there good ones?" a tiny voice in her head asked. "Later discussion topic" Fear and Reason echoed inside her skull. The next two options were going back the way she came or moving on. She tried to remember the last trail switch she'd made which would give her what she needed ~ the shortest route. Another breeze and a stronger smell. Her back began to ache so she rocked forward onto her knees. The twig snapped like a firecracker. Her kidneys shrieked and cried a little. She held her breath and closed her eyes.
There was an angry swoosh as it bolted onto the trail. She almost expected to hear "Ahhh~HAA!" or "Olly-olly-oxen freeee" but there was confused silence. She closed her eyes tighter willing herself invisible, praying her brown jacket was enough to keep her hidden. The seconds dragged as her nightmare stood and did what she did; listened, watched...planned. A soft hum trickled to her ears a song she knew: "Sounds of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel. That tiny voice began to sing along. Fear and Reason told her to shut the fuck up. A tear slipped down her cheek. She was unsure which voice in her head gave it to her. Her kidneys pouted at her awkward angle and warned her again of their needs. She could only grind her teeth and try to focus....ahead or back ahead or back....
There was movement; a few steps toward her. She imagined herself taking root in the dirt. Her fingers gripping the knife for an outward strike, her opposite thumb sliding silently to the spray button. She lowered her spine and craned her neck to watch the shadow step closer. It was a man. He leaned in and swiped his arm through the vines above her. Leaves and twigs, berries and stale pollen plopped and drifted across her face, into her eyes and nose. The stinging was relentless. Her eyes leaked like Niagara Falls and she felt the burn of a sneeze. "Jesus wept" Fear screamed..."Stop it...STOP THE SNEEZE" She held her breath as his arms now began to beat the bushes and move down the trail. He stopped and picked up a stick and started to stab into them. She prayed he didn't double back.
"We go back" Reason announced sharply. "When he goes around the bend and we can't hear him..That will save us. Legs..LEGS are ya in there? Get ready kids. We need ya. Kidneys? Pipe down. Stomach...don't go weak on us now. Everyone get ready...." She felt herself nodding in approval. Her mouth was dry but she could feel a scream parked heartily in the back of her throat. She would save it.
Her ears concentrated and her eyes focused. The sun was dipping below the trees. She would be in the dark very soon. Was that good? She tried to remember if she packed her headlamp.Was he sitting right in front of her? Was he just out of sight? Had he gone home feeling proud of the prank he'd pulled? Had he killed someone else? Her kidneys made good on their threat. Her pants were wet and with the cool evening, she shivered and cursed them. As punishment, if she made it out, she would sell one. Bitches. Pansy bitches she scolded and shivered again.
Reason began to get restless and egg on the others. "Get ready. It's almost time. I can feel it. We are gonna run like the wind and reach safety. WE got this...."
Fear was more reserved..."I'm scared. Wait a little longer. What if..."
"Shut up you pussy or I'll give you something to whine about!" came Anger's reply.
She shook her head to quiet them all. She inhaled deeply, slowly, quietly...she smelled nothing. That was her queue. She rocked back on her heels and wiggled her toes. They were groggy and burning. Her legs began to twitch signaling their readiness. Her hands clenched around her weapons of choice. She tried to swallow but almost choked on the dust. She wondered if she would have any molars left after all the grinding. She squared her shoulders to distribute the weight of her pack. She looked like a Quasimodo prepping for the hundred yard dash.
Reason fired the gun in her head and she burst through the brush and tangled vines. They tried to hold her, keep her safe but she wouldn't listen. She kicked and pulled free, stuttering out onto the trail and began to run. At first her legs felt made of cement and they shook with uncertainty as she willed them to work. Then she heard a sharp crack and heavy thumping coming from behind. The bastard had simply waited her out. Now it was a foot race. Every voice was screeching in her skull, all systems were firing and Fear had dumped every ounce of adrenaline into her burning muscles. He thundered behind her; so close, she swore she felt his breath. She made the choice and tugged her strap, dumping her pack off her shoulders and onto the trail. right in his path. He stumbled and grunted. Fear picked up the pace with her new and improved lighter chassis . There was just enough light for her to see the trail. She took exaggerated steps to try to keep from tripping. Her ankles rolled over wobbled stones and tree roots but she kept the machine rolling. She knew she was close to her car, praising herself that she always carried her key in her pocket never her pack.
"Smart girl" Reason cheered. "Keep going...almost got it...."
"WAIT WAIT WAAIIIIIT" Fear shouted ..."Listen!"
She flicked her head left and right, glancing and listening. Silence. No footfalls. No brush.
Her chest burned. Her legs whimpered and begged to slow. She hopped off the path and ducked under an old log. She filled in the space between it and the ground. Again she waited.
Nothing. She turned her head and wretched. Spitting and swiping at her mouth she slowly crawled out of her niche. No shadows. Silence loomed. She stepped back onto the path and walked to the side of it along the pines needles and dirt to avoid the crunching gravel and twigs in the middle. Around the bend was her car. She only had a few yards to go. She could see it. Her tears fell freely. Her breath became happy and ragged. She began to stagger like a drunk coed heading for the dance floor for her favorite song
The flashlight blinded her. The scream she had tucked away for safe keeping erupted with such force, she knocked it to the ground.
"JESUS MARY AND JOSEPH!" came the shout.
Fear stopped her and forced her to hunch; one arm pulled in tightly with her knife, the other perched and ready to unload every ounce of spray in the bottle. She was still screaming; trying to tell this man she needed help, wanted help but there were no words, only gravelly sobs.
"Ranger! I'm a fucking Ranger! Miss are you alright? MISS"
She lowered her arms, taking in his words. Her screams became gasps. She felt very tired and small.
He approached her slowly and quietly spoke. He had his truck. A man had reported seeing in earlier and leaving the park, noticed it was still there. Concerned, the ranger had come to check.
She smiled and pulled her arms down, re-sheathing her knife, tucking her spray in her pocket.
"Let me get you to the shelter." he said and reached for her. She stiffened and he put up his hands. Going to the truck, he fetched a blanket and held it out.
"I'll drive myself" she hoarsely whispered.
"Let me take you. There is an EMT at the station now. We thought we'd have a bigger problem on our hands. There are people waiting to head out to find you....We can send one of them back for your car"
She nodded and got in the truck. It rumbled to life and he backed out of the trailhead onto the park road. It wasn't too far to the station. She felt her body begin to fade, let down. The ranger reached up and turned on the radio. She caught a whiff of soa...
"Hello Darkness my old frieeeeend....."
Hey everyone! Nice to see you too! Someone close to me asked if I was still writing. I am ... just not putting it out there. I thought I would share this ditty and see what happens. I was hiking today with my dog and another hiker (male) was behind me. He followed me ... even on a couple of less traveled paths. I stopped finally and let him pass. No need to be upset or nervous just let him go; but I tell you what; my imagination took off...this is where it ended up. Enjoy your day and let's not be such strangers. Deal?
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