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One Sunday, Mom was busy with some of her lady friends, giving me some real time alone for the first time since I arrived. I had plenty of things I could catch up on but decided I needed a break as well.
Growing up in the mountains of Alaska was like having the best and most beautiful playground in your backyard. My dad and I would go hiking in the woods every week. Today would be a good day to do some exploring. I always felt closest to my dad when out in nature.
The weather forecast called for some storms later in the day, but it was only a thirty percent chance and not until I’d planned to be back home. I had my water bottle and my hiking boots, ready to go.
I parked the car in the same spot dad and I parked all the time when we went on hikes together. I turned off the car and paused, leaning my head on the steering wheel and fighting back tears. I almost went back home but swiped away the tears from my cheeks and got out of the car.
Dad would hate it if I wallowed in my grief. He was the one person that supported me leaving town after high school. He told me life was for living and that I could always come home if I needed to.
I took a deep breath and started on the trail I’d walked down with Dad countless times. I forgot how pretty Alaska and my hometown was, pausing sometimes to sit on a rock and enjoy the scenery.
I’d started an outdoor hike on my watch and when I’d hit two miles, I figured it was time to start heading back to the car. The sky was clouding over and it looked like those storms were going to come sooner rather than later.
I paused and looked around. I’d never been out hiking by myself. I’d always been with Dad or Nate and they both knew their way around these mountains like the back of their hand, so I guess I never paid attention.
And now I was lost.
I tried not to panic and pulled my phone out of my back pocket only to find it dead. I’d forgotten to charge it the night before but thought I had enough juice left in it to get me through my walk. Service was almost non-existent out here anyway, so I figured I’d charge it later.
Now I was freaking out. I looked up to see the clouds coming in fast and I knew I was going to get wet. I tried to find some shelter under a tree and figure out what I was going to do.
I wracked my brain, thinking about all the survival advice Dad and Nate had given me years ago. I’ll admit I never listened very well because I never thought I’d ever go out alone. They both always yelled at me for not listening, but I would roll my eyes at them. Now I wished I had.
No one knew I was out hiking either. Mom was gone when I left and I planned on being home before her, so I didn’t bother with a text or a note.
I buried my face in my hands and started crying. For the first time in my life, I felt really and truly alone. I had Mom and my friends, but Dad was my person. I had no boyfriend, no husband - no one that really got me and understood who I was.
At one time Nate did, but those days were long gone.
Rain started falling gently, but I could hear the thunder rumbling in the distance. That storm was headed right this way and I was smack dab in the middle of it.
For the second time that afternoon, I wiped away my tears and reminded myself what Dad would say in this situation. He would tell me no daughter of his would let herself be stranded in the middle of the mountains during a storm.
So I got up and started walking. I didn’t even really know where. The rain soaked my jeans and sweatshirt quickly but I kept going. I worked out regularly, running and doing yoga, so I had decent endurance. I had to find something or someone eventually. Hopefully it wouldn’t be a bear but we’d seen bears out here on numerous occasions, so I tried to keep an eye out.
The wind was starting to pick up and the thunder was getting closer. Before I knew it, the sky opened up and rain started coming down in what seemed like sheets. I couldn’t see anything. I managed to find an overhang in the rocks that provided me some shelter so I stopped there.
I was soaking wet and started shivering. I brushed aside any feelings of fear - they wouldn’t be of any help. The storm has to let up eventually and then I’ll keep walking. Eventually Mom will notice I’m gone and send help.
It’ll be fine.
I repeated that over and over again in my head as I watched the torrential rain pour, and then said it outloud.
It’ll be fine.
Right?
4
NATE
This storm is nuts.
I headed home after an early morning shift at the park. Due to the stormy weather that looked like it was going to last most of the afternoon, my boss had sent most of the staff home, staying at the station himself. I had offered as I had nothing else to do but he insisted. He said he’d call me if needed later.
I didn’t usually nap, but my plan was to go home and take a long hot shower and then a nap. This was good napping weather and I’d been getting little to no sleep since Jade was back in town. Thoughts of her filled my head twenty-four seven and I didn’t know what to do.
Seeing her again had brought back a lot of feelings I thought I’d gotten over since she left. Apparently I’d only buried them and her presence brought them back to the surface.
