Hot, so very very hot. This was not the typical sun burning heat you enjoy at the beach or laying by the pool, this heat was debilitating, humid, thick. Hazel's body was dripping with sweat and she felt tired and so very, very thirsty.
The sun was high in the sky, she could just see glimmers of sun light through the dense forest canopy, the trees seemed to go up and up for ever. Such beauty, such heat!
Hazel found a large rock and sat down with a sigh. She knew she should keep going, but she also needed to rest. She was fairly certain she was heading in the right direction but wasn't totally sure. She didn't want to think of making a mistake, she had to be right.
Hazel hoped Dina and Natasha were keeping up their spirits. It was down to Hazel to find water and help. Hazel had always been the stronger of the trio.
They had been friends since the start of senior school, 3 expats always together, when they had finished their IGCSE they had decided to remain in Malaysia for their A levels. At the end of their A levels they had again decided to stay together and had returned to the UK to attend university there. Now after graduation it had been Hazel's idea to come back to Malaysia but to travel across to Sabah and spend some time at a nature resort by the rainforest!
Everything had been idyllic at first, the resort was fantastic, the people friendly, it was great being back in the warmth. Then Dina had found out about the trip into the heart of the rainforest. It sounded fantastic. We booked up immediately.
The morning of the trip dawned bright, sunny and warm. We were all sensibly dressed, long canvas trousers, thick socks, boots, long sleeved shirts, hat and loads of insect repellent. Not very glamorous but ready for the wild! We all had our water bottles and the staff carried our food.
We would trek out for two days, camping along the way, then down by the river bend there was a permanent camp which we would spend two further days and nights enjoying the river and outdoor life, then two days back. Perfect, and with all the guides what could possibly go wrong!
YOU ARE READING
The River
Short StoryThey had been told to stay together. The rainforest could be dangerous. But a surprise fall, badly sprained ankle and an empty water bottle left Hazel with no alternative than to walk alone towards the river and help. or did it!
