Treetops

I remember it had been hours

Long, long hours since we found ourselves in the situation before us. Hours since we had gotten lost on the walk we had foolishly decided to take so close towards the end of the day. So excited and unprepared.

Originally, it had started with Cynthia and Perci, my two closest friends, deciding to plan a camping trip. Picking the perfect location and packing our belongings into the old worn down Winnebago I had borrowed from my uncle.

We had left early in the day, 9 am to be exact, and had been stuck on the road just trying to reach our destination. I remember leaving the driving to Perci while I fell asleep. Waking up only when we had finally arrived. We took care of all the necessary preparations. Unpacking and setting up everything we needed to get started.

One thing led to another and eventually we were free to do whatever we saw fit for the rest of the day. 

"How about a walk?" Cynthia had suggested and boy what a suggestion it was. When it came to the wilderness there was nothing else she enjoyed exploring more. Being a nut for adventure and roaming new areas was fun for the small female and dragging us along only added to that fun.

And of course we went, not like we could ever say no.

.

.

.

"So... Any luck with the navigation J." I stepped over the overgrown roots that sprouted up from the ground. Just to look up and watch as Cynthia nearly tripped over the few in front of her. Which, I must admit, was entertaining to watch as long as she didn't hurt herself.

"I'm working on it!"

"Riiiight." 

Cynthia regained her footing, stepping beside me with a soft smile on her face before looking over towards the lone male. "In all respect Perci, you've been saying that for the past 2 hours... you sure you got it?."

"Of course he doesn't. It's his fault we're lost to begin with..."

"Hey hey hey! No! It's not me, it's this stupid MAP!" He objected, raising one of his hands to shake the flimsy sheet of paper. "It's so confusing and it SUCKS!"

I deadpanned, eyelids lowering as I questioned many aspects of his being. Like why we had left the map in his hands. And why I had decided to put up with all the complaining it brought. Or why I was friends with him in general. "Yeah yeah. If you can't get us back to the camp then let one of us try-" I began to offer. However when I felt the strong gust of wind that blew past I stopped. Having been pushed forward and nearly losing my balance. Only to regain it when I felt the small hands of my friend grip onto my arm.

"Joezy!" Fran snickered.

"Goddamn. That wind is strong as hell."

"Wow. Can't believe you almost got blown aw- AY" I heard Perci exclaim, my attention shooting up, watching as the map that was once held in his hands now flew freely through the air. Flowing and twirling among the wind, just out of reach of the hands that desperately reached for it.

"Damnit Perci!"

"Grab it!" Cynthia shot from her spot to aid him.

Following the rouge sheet eventually led us to enter a clearing. A wide open area that bore one stream down the center. Gravel, rocks, and pebbles outlining its path down and stopping as it flowed past the trees.

My steps halted as I realized where we had ended up. Feeling the wind slowly fade and release control of the map. Cynthia and I watching as it lowered to the ground, floating down above the stream and landing within the shallow waters.