Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Write for the ACTION and/or ADVENTURE Genre (11/13/14)
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TITLE: Famous-Almost-Last-Words | Previous Challenge Entry
By Brenda Rice
11/20/14 -
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The forest was painted in pastels and infused with heavenly aromas. Perfect weather was forecast for the week-end. It was all a burned-out medical student needed to get out and be one with nature. I had picked up maps of hiking trails in my area and settled on Rocky Branch trail because it was considered easy, it was clearly marked, it was close to town and well-traveled.
On Friday I stopped by Sports-mart where a college friend assisted me with purchasing hiking boots. I had known Zane for three years and when I told him my plan he tried his best to discourage me.
“Chapel, boots do not a hiker make. You have no experience and things do go wrong. The weather is volatile in the Smokies. Wait a couple of weeks and I’ll go with you.”
“Zane, I’ll be fine. The trail is marked. Surely I can follow the signs.”
“Well at least tell me where you are hiking. If you aren’t in class Monday, I’ll know where to start looking. And remember the sun sets in the west, moss grows on the north side of trees and bears are hungry and unpredictable. If you get lost stay on the trail and wait for help.”
“You worry like a girl! I said as I waved my phone. “I’ll have my phone and I’ll call if I need rescuing.” Famous-almost-last-words.
With map in hand, I followed the trail as it ascended the mountain. It was early Saturday morning and I was backpacking alone on Rocky Branch. Soon my surroundings absorbed me and tension melted away with each step.
I rounded a curve to find a boulder had fallen partially blocking the trail. Carefully I surveyed the steep ravine to my right before inching my way past the boulder. Without warning the ground gave way and I began sliding down the side of the mountain. Grabbing every bush or sapling as I slide, I was able to slow my descent coming to rest feet first on a trail below Rocky Branch trail.
Collecting my wits, I brushed dirt off my clothes and looked around. It was definitely a trail so I checked the sun and it was high overhead—no help there. So, I continued in the same direction as before looking for a sign. Thirty minutes later I came to a waterfall and sat down to eat my sandwich. Dangling my feet in the icy water was refreshing and distracting. Suddenly, I realized everything had gone silent—no birds, cicadas, crickets—nothing. Then I realized why.
A mother bear and her cub had come down to drink from the stream. I don’t think she saw me at first. I was seated at water’s edge about fifty feet across the stream from her. What was it Zane said? Bears are hungry! Lord help!
The bear sniffed the air while the cub played in the water. I slowly dropped the sandwich behind me without moving my eyes. Then, she sniffed more vigorously, grunted which signaled the cub to come to her side. Next she made eye contact with me. Lord please!
My mind stampeded in all directions, but I kept my eyes locked on her for what seemed like hours. Her demeanor changed as she scraped the ground with her enormous paws raising dust all around. Momma paced around the cub as if deciding what to do. It was getting late and the light was fading when she led her cub into the trees and hustled it away from the stream.
I had held my breath so long I was lightheaded. After a while I stood on jelly legs stumbling at first then running like a sprinter down the trail. Now I knew where west was and I was headed east but I didn’t know if that was the way I needed to go. I flipped out my phone and—you guessed it—no service.
Zane’s words echoed in my head—stay on the trial, but I had fallen off the trail. What now Lord?
“Chapel, Chapel! Can you hear me?”
A familiar voice drifted on the breeze and I answered. “Zane, I’m here, right here!”
“Are you alright?”
“Yes I am now. What happened to ‘if you aren’t in class Monday’?”
“Something told me you needed me today.”
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Great writing!
God bless~