The Game

Secrets and Tall Tales

Chapter 2: Secrets and Tall Tales

The ride there was not as agonizing as I thought it would be. Instead of an awkward situation it was actually quite enjoyable. Anthony, nerdy and proud of it, lectured us on the safety of distinguishing poisonous plants from the edible ones, whilst Greg and Samuel mocked his high-pitched squeaks. Samuel was short and pleasant-looking, a smile never leaving his face. He continually asked his sister if she had enough room, and joked around with Greg like they were old friends.

"Dude, we already know to eat the plants with leaves of five and three." Greg's sarcasm, though he was several rows in front of me, could be clearly heard and was obvious to everyone but Anthony.

"Don't!" he screeched, turning his naturally red face an even darker shade of crimson. "I said don't eat them!"

"Oh, my mistake." Greg elbowed Samuel in the ribs, urging a fit of guffaw from him as he added, "No wonder I always come home with a rash."

Mikey snapped pictures of everyone's laughter quickly and deliberately, like a professional going for the best shot. He apologized a few times to Allison when she snapped at him for taking a picture of her bad side. Claire never spoke a word to me, just watched the scenery fly past the window in a blur. Jessie played games on her cell phone, and every once in a while asked me a question about how I thought to win the game. I was always right. It was actually a very enjoyable time, since most of it was spent laughing at Greg and Samuel's mockery of Anthony.

When we finally pulled over, Mr. Johansen calling, "Adventure time, gang!", we were parked in a small field of waist-high yellow grass, and I was actually disappointed to get out.

Mr. Johansen had us all grab our own bags and gear from the back of the van, then gather in a circle near the forest, which surrounded us on all sides.

"Alright, so hear it is. We are just ten miles from the border of Washington and I hope to reach it by Wednesday." began Mr. Johansen, laiden down with three over-stuffed backpacks. I suspected he had supplies for anyone who forgot their own. "Now, I have a few rules that I need to go over before we begin our journey." I had trouble listening for right behind him was the forest, dark and inviting, a faint mist hovering above the ground, sunlight streaming through the gaps in the leaves. Just above the tips of the trees were the snow-covered caps of the mountains in the distance, a striking vision against the clear blue sky.

I could not wait to step foot into the forest, to feel the peaceful silence that it was to be surrounded by nature, to hear only my footsteps and be relaxed by the world untainted from mankind. I had been hiking in Oregon for so long that the challenges, weather, food, water, and finding your way back, was just instinct for me. I knew that camping would be a breeze in these woods.

"Rule number one: Always listen to me, no matter what. I'm not going to tell you to do something just because I feel like bossing you around. If I tell you to get out of a cave, the reason is probably that there are bears in there."

"So there will be bears?' said Mikey and Allison in unison, one thrilled, the other mortified. The whole group laughed, and already I could feel a slow and hopeful bond form between all of us. Maybe the trip would not be as soul-sucking as I had thought. Meaning that any thought of complaining and grumpiness after the trip would be short-lived.

"Rule two: Keep to the trails. There are over one hundred different trails up here, all leading out of the woods. If we stay to them, which I will be if you follow me, we will find our way out. The only time that I will ever leave the trail will be to set up camp for the night. If you do perhaps get lost, or too far behind the group, stay where you are, and we will be able to find you."