Chapter 2
I was running through the trail that ran through the Six Rivers National Forest, my favorite trail run. It was the evening before my sixteenth birthday. It was just before dusk, the best time to be in the forest, in my opinion. I could practically feel the forest waking beneath my feet. Tiny wolves and their mothers were starting to peak up out of their den, surprisingly unfazed by my presence. The soft HOO of an owl sounded off in the distance, and the soft tinkling of falling leaves created a sweet melody for me to run to.
The soft padding of the forest floor seemed to respond to my footsteps, springing me forward, making me run faster. Completely immersed in the forest itself, I ran on the trail without bothering to look at my feet because I had run it so much. I could run this path blindfolded, and I was suddenly so distracted by the forest life, I could be running blind for all the attention I was paying to my surroundings. Everything was coming out of their hiding spots ready to live within the night, and I was fascinated. But, suddenly everything stopped moving and making noises. It was like a flip had switched and everything went back into their hiding spots. I came to a stop, checking my surroundings to see what caused the sudden halt of wakening in the forest. Finally making a 180 I saw what caused the hold up.
A huge, at least twelve foot, grizzly bear was standing on his hind legs sniffing the air. I wasn’t sure whether or not he had seen me yet, and if he hadn’t I wanted to keep it that way. Quickly trying to remember anything about how to survive a bear attack, all I could come up with was an old movie where a group of guys stumbled upon a bear and one of them shouting, “You can’t outrun a bear!” and the other stating, “I don’t need to outrun the bear, I just need to outrun you.” So do I take the chance and try to race out to my car, I thought. Or do I play dead? Neither seemed like good ideas, but my decision was made for me when the giant beast looked down at me, sniffed, and let loose a loud, bone shaking roar. Needless to say I took off, booking it.
A long string of profanities coursed out of my mouth as I sprinted as fast as I could towards the ranger’s station. I was about half a mile away from the small building, and the bear was gaining speed. How the hell does a God-knows-how-many ton bear keep up with me? I cursed myself. I had already ran six miles at this point, which is a lot even for me, so I was pretty tired as it was. So, I was only a little shocked when I felt the ground shaking beneath my feet from the bear’s pounding steps. The grizzly was obviously catching up to me, and I was still about a quarter of a mile out from the ranger’s station. I’m so screwed. Panting, and heaving my legs and arms forward as fast as I could I knew the bear would catch me.
Well, I lived a good almost sixteen years. I hope my parents know I love them, even though they are outstandingly odd. I’m not sure who I was throwing these prayers out to, but I guess my imminent death was making me go all spiritual. If there is anyone out there, could you ah, uh, well um, keep my parents safe? Let them know I love them? Geez I sound like a total dweeb.
As I was thinking about my life and it’s purpose, I realized that I could no longer feel or hear the bear behind me. Am I already dead? No, it couldn’t have happened that fast, that painless. I would have felt something, right?
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The Lost Daughter
RomanceEverything from his leather combat boots, his dark washed jeans, to his white tank top screamed danger. His eyes were almost a whole shade darker grey than usual, and he looked absolutely wicked, lethal even. His square jaw line was set, I could t...
