Random Works

A Hectic Hike

I don't remember when I wrote this short story, but I found it on two sheets of paper when I was cleaning up. I know it was mine because of the handwriting and I wanted to post it because it is similar to my vision for "Snowstorm," which I have put on hold.

"Don't worry, Mom," Amy said, putting on her backpack. "I've been hiking for years." Amy Brook was very outdoorsy, with brown hair and green eyes. She was 15.

"Be careful," her mom said, "This is still your longest hike to-date."

"Don't worry! I'm with Andrew and Sarah!" Amy yelled as the three of them descended into the jungle. Andrew and Sarah were her friends from school. However, Andrew also lived on Amy's street.

Just as the sky began to darken it started to rain, hard. They were still a good mile away from the campsite. Unfortunately they were in a very raised area, so they slipped off the path and tumbled head-over-heels down the steep hill. Amy could see nothing in the darkness and she didn't know until it was too late. She rolled headfirst into a tree and lay unconscious on the wet ground.

The next morning, with rain still falling on their heads, Sarah was able to find Amy and shake her awake.

"Where are we?" Amy mumbled.

"Somewhere downhill from the trail," said Sarah. "We need to find Andrew." And so they went. Exploring along the brush line looking for any sign of Andrew. Eventually they found him poking in the bushes. He looked up.

"Hey guys, I'm looking for my phone. I lost it last night."

Amy quietly said, "There isn't any service down here anyway." They gathered their stuff and were pleased to find that they still had their stuff. They met up at the tree where Amy was and set down their stuff. They gazed at the hill. It was very muddy and almost unclimbable. It was also a 45° quarter mile climb.

They decided to set up a small camp at the edge of the forest, where they were sheltered from the rain but could still be seen. They rationed out their food and stayed put, hoping rescue would come. By the tenth day they had run out of food.

"What will we do?" asked Sarah.

"We'll just have to forage," said Andrew.

They went through the forest picking up all fruits and nuts they could see and brought them back to camp. Amy used all of her outdoors knowledge to figure out which ones were edible. However, one stumped them.

"It looks like a raspberry!" said Andrew.

"I'm not sure," Amy replied. "The texture is different."

"But there is a whole bush of the it at the edge of our camp!" exclaimed Sarah.

They argued and argued until Sarah decided that she would eat one to figure out. So she did. The next morning Amy and Andrew woke up to retching. The berry wasn't safe. They needed a doctor and fast.

At this point it was still raining slightly and the hill had a river of mud. Amy and Andrew quietly talked about what to do. They eventually decided that Andrew would carry Sarah and Amy would lead the way. The next morning the trio packed up the campsite and set their backpacks at the edge of the forest. Then Sarah, who had seemed to be healthier, threw up and collapsed.

Andrew picked her up and they were on their way. It was slow going, with them often sliding backwards and falling over. But after three hours they reached the top. They broke out into a run towards the parking area. Amy pulled out her phone and dialed 911. By the time they got to the road an ambulance was waiting for them. They hopped in and were whisked off to the hospital.