A Walk to Remember | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: A Walk to Remember | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ken Grant
07/13/22
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Sweat poured off of Josh’s body and onto the hard dirt around where he lay frustrated and sore as the pain from his badly twisted ankle radiated through his body. The day had started out very differently. He had grown weary of the group hiking excursions his friends had organized for the week. He had been enticed with the opportunity to explore the wonders and challenges of nature, but all he had gotten was safe walks in lands that resembled a public park. He yearned for more, but when he brought it up to the rest of the group they had quickly shot down his request. He had simmered most of the night until he had made the decision to rise extra early and set out on his own without telling anyone else. He had known it was ill-advised, but hadn’t cared. Now, lying in the dirt, he could think of way too many things he could have done but now all he could do was sit and hope for a miracle.

“Father, I’m sorry for the mess I’ve made. I wanted to experience your creation, but instead I blundered ahead stupidly. Please send help.”

Opening his eyes, Josh half-expected to see an angel or something else supernatural, but instead all he got in return was a stillness that made him both nervous and slightly amazed. Nature was a gift, but he had been too caught up in his own drama to see it. The creation around him went about its business with purpose, but he could do nothing but sit still and wait. It was frustrating and slightly humiliating. He had always been the one to get things done. Nothing was ever too hard for him. But this was just a mess. He was hot, sweaty, sore, and damaged.

“Whose there?” Josh blurted out at a strange noise.

“Is that you, Mr. Kern?” A strong voice answered which belied the small-statured woman from which it had emerged.

“Who are you?” Josh wondered.

“I’m the local guide for this area. It looks like you took a tumble.”

“Yeah,” Josh replied as he turned his head away in shame.

“Don’t sweat it big boy. Let me take a look at that ankle.”

“Do you have a name?”

“I’m Samantha.”

“Will I live?”

Samantha studied the ankle, probing carefully, before grabbing her pack and taking out material for a wrap. As she wrapped the ankle she said, “We need to get some support for that ankle and then I’ll help you get back to your camp site.”

“You’re going to do all that?” Josh asked with a smile.

“I’m tougher than I look,” Samantha asserted as she finished the wrap and put her materials back in her pack.

“That feels better. Thank you,” Josh said.

“Can you stand?”

Josh started to get up and Samantha came alongside as he struggled until he stood leaning on Samantha for balance.

“Now what do we do?” Josh asked.

“Just let me lead and we’ll be back in no time.”

Samantha led out and pulled Josh along. He felt ridiculous, but he was truly grateful for the help. The going was slow, but finally they reached the main camp site. Samantha helped him to his cabin and got him situated before starting out.

“Samantha, thank you,” Josh said sitting up slightly as he spoke.

“Your welcome, but next time take a buddy along with you.”

“I’ll do that,” Josh responded as she left him to think.

He was tired and sore, but mostly he was disappointed. He had actually been having more fun than he had realized, but his stubbornness had led him to a day of pain and frustration. There was probably a moral here, but he was too tired to think. Still, he had a story to tell and he couldn’t wait to be with his friends. It was definitely a day he wasn’t likely to ever forget.

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