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I tried to warn you. I tried to tell you it wouldn’t be a good idea to get involved with someone like that. Of course he tricked you. Men like that don’t go for women like you, remember?
I brush away the tears and take several deep breaths.
A deep ache settles in the center of my chest as I push myself off the tree and glance around. Nothing but trees for miles on end. I take out my phone and squint, but there’s no signal.
With a frown, I pat my pockets in search of the compass Savannah got me as a joke. I’d grabbed it at the last minute when I headed out the door.
After I pull it out, I hold it up to the light and squint at the sky.
In the distance, thunder booms, and a flash of yellow lighting streaks across the sky.
I place one foot in front of the other, the squelching sound the only thing I can hear other than the thumping of my own heart.
In spite of the ache settling in my bones, and the tender bruise I can feel from my earlier fall, I keep moving. I duck under branches and climb over fallen logs until I can’t anymore.
Still, my muscles ache, and there’s no sign of civilization anywhere.
By the time it begins to rain, panic is clawing its way through me. And I have no idea what I’m going to do. I’m soaked through when I duck underneath a tree.
I rifle through my pockets and fanny pack for something that could be of use.
A fresh wave of tears starts as I sink to the wet ground and draw my knees up to my chest. Then I shove a stick of gum into my mouth to give myself something to do.
“Why are you punishing me?” I throw my hands up in the air and look up at the dark skies. “I don’t deserve any of this.”
Exhausted, I push myself back up to my feet and stumble through the woods. In the distance, I hear something familiar, like tires screeching on the asphalt.
My heart misses a beat as I stagger forward and fall face-first onto the ground. I shove my wet and matted hair out of my face and keep moving until the trees give way to a street.
Squinting, I make out the vague silhouette of a truck in the distance.
Then, trembling, I jump into the middle of the street and wave my arms up and down. Finally, the tire slows to a halt, and a man sticks his head out the window. “Are you okay? Are you from the Four Elements Ranch?”
“I got separated from the group,” I reply, pausing to rub my hands up and down my arms. “Do you know how I can get back?”
“Hop in. I was headed in that direction anyway.”
I’m too tired, cold, and miserable to argue with the stranger who pushes the passenger door open. I'm too tired to even think that this could be dangerous.
Carefully, I sit down on the old newspaper he places on top of the seat. Then I rub my hands together and peer through the windshield, struggling to make out anything in the torrential downpours.
The Four Elements Ranch looms in the distance, and I sag in relief.
He rolls to a stop outside the edge of the property. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. You be careful out there, okay?”
I thank him and push the door open, making a beeline for the main cabin.
When I stumble in, several of the guests are standing around talking amongst themselves.
Maureen looks relieved to see me and immediately hands me a towel. “We were putting together a search and rescue team. Are you alright?”
I swallow. “I’m fine.”
“Thank God you’re okay.” Adrian materializes, his hair in tufts on top of his head, and a stiffness to his movements. “Are you hurt? Do you need a doctor?”
“Nothing I can’t handle,” I tell him, coldly. Is he for real. Now he sees me and wants to talk to me? I don't want to talk to him or explain anything to him.
