Red Chevrolet

The Worst Time Ever

We went hiking.

I'd like to say that it was "as simple as that" but then I'd be lying. Because it wasn't simple. It was very very difficult. And that's because I allowed Hazel to lead.

Now listen, I normally like to lead and have others follow. But after mine and Hazel's weird "argument" this morning, I decided that she could do whatever she liked. And I would follow.

Which was a good idea until she went off the trail.

I thought we were fine, nothing really happens if you go off the hiking trail. It's easy to find the trail again if you're smart but it's also easy to lose the trail if you're not-so-smart. And unfortunately, this is what Hazel did.

"Uh shouldn't we head back?" I asked after trudging through some thick brush that Hazel insisted we went through instead of around.

"No, not yet." She muttered, not even looking back.

Annoyance began to bubble in my veins. We had been hiking off the trail for more than an hour, we had eaten our granola bars and almost drunk all of our water. We had to go back soon, I needed food and water and a nice hot tub to rest in. I didn't want to be trudging about any longer, and the urge to yell and complain was hard for me to hold in.

Also, my phone was dead and I was certain I had missed the call from the hockey team! And who knows if you can even call back?

"Hazel, we're out of food and it's almost dinner. We've gotta go back. This 'trail' you're following is taking too long and it's going to be getting dark." I said, trying not to make her mad but also trying to get her to give in.

She grunted and climbed onto a fallen tree. Glancing back, she grinned mischievously, "awe are you getting scared?" Her voice was very taunting and added to the annoyance I was already feeling. Hazel didn't wait for a reply, she hopped off the other side of the log and continued on.

I scowled and trailed after her.

"If it was safe then I'd leave you to the woods and go back. You're not being very smart right now." I called after her. Hazel didn't say anything back. "Where exactly do you think you're going?!" I had given in, I yelled. And that had gotten her to stop and look back, a little confused.

"Sorry?" She called.

"Where are you going Hazel? I would really like to know! You act like you know where you're going and that you're following a trail, but you're not! I lost sight of the actual hiking trail miles back and you don't even care! Are you purposely trying to get us lost? We need to go back now, it'll take us a long time to get to the truck and I would like to get there before the sun is gone and the wolves and bears come out." My voice had raised in not only volume but also in the agitation that was coursing throughout me.

Her jaw had slightly dropped at my out burst and then she recovered. "Listen here, Pepperwhit! I know exactly where I'm going and if you don't want to keep hiking then go back! I don't care that you're hungry and tired, it doesn't matter now and it won't matter when the sun sets! I'm not going back, not now and probably not ever!"

I shook my head at her, "You're insane! You have to!"

"Don't tell me what to do."

She began walking off angrily.

I growled in frustration and ran to catch up and then grabbed her upper arm tightly. "Hazel Reddish you listen! You need to stop being ridiculous and turn around! Wherever you think you're going and whatever you're searching for probably isn't there anymore. So you need to stop. If you don't turn around willingly then I'll drag you along behind me. You know that I'm serious so, make your choice." My voice had dropped and I had become more angry. I could see anger in her own eyes but also a bit of fear, I wouldn't let that affect me though.