Page 1 of My Forever Bear

“Just my luck.” My voice echoes through the quiet forest as I limp down the dirt trail in what I hope is the right direction.

I turned around three hours ago so I could make it back to the trailhead before sunset, but my current surroundings don’t look familiar. Tall trees crowd either side of the trail, making me slightly claustrophobic.

I’m lost–great–and it’ll be dark soon.

I’ve been hiking all day, so, at this point, I’m tired and hungry. All I want is to get back to my car, head home, and soak in a steaming hot bubble bath.

Not to mention, my feet arekillingme. Nasty blisters have been developing on my heels and toes all day. I made the mistake of buying new hiking boots specifically for today, but I never took the time to break them in–a decision I’m currently paying for.

Somehow, I’d convinced myself that hiking the Cypress Valley Trail on my own was a good idea. I have zero experience hiking, camping, fishing… or any other outdoor business. I’m more of an indoor creature. Give me a good book and a fuzzy blanket any day.

I pull my long chestnut-brown waves into a ponytail and take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. Sweat drips from my forehead, down my neck, and between my breasts. My thin, long-sleeved thermal top and black leggings cling to my skin, damp with perspiration.

Gross.

The air was chilly mid-morning when I set out, but I am definitely regretting my clothing choice after hiking all day.

I take another step, pain zinging up the back of my leg from the damn blisters. Shuffling to the side of the path, I brace my back against a tree and slide to the ground.

“I just need to rest my feet for a few minutes, then I’ll get going,” I tell myself.

The sun still lingers slightly above the treetops; it will be a few hours before it gets too dark to see. I absolutely don’t want to be out here once it gets dark. If the freezing cold doesn’t kill me, then a wild animal attack certainly will.

A glance into my small backpack reveals a half empty water bottle and empty wrappers from my snacks. I am not properly equipped to spend the night out in the woods.

But,I will be fine.I’ve been telling myself that all my life, and this situation is no different. I’ll make it out of these woods to prove to myself that new things aren’t scary and I’m tougher than I look. I’ll retrace my steps, and I’ll be back to the parking lot and in my car in no time.

I pull out my cell to see if I have service. Five new text messages–all from my ex, Chris.

Chris:I miss you, babe.

Chris:Please, baby, I made a mistake. It didn’t mean anything.

Ha! The bastard cheated on me and had the gall to dump me on the same day I lost my job.

Chris:Fine! You think you’re so much better than me? I don’t need you, anyway.

Chris:I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean that. Please give me another chance.

Chris:Wren, please, I need you.

Not wanting to deal with his bullshit anymore, I delete the string of whiny text messages and block his number.

Good riddance.

As I bring up my contact list, I see my battery life is at 10%. Okay, so it’s going to have to be a short conversation. I click on my little sister Sydney’s name and wait for the video call to connect.

“Hiya, sis!” My sister’s beautiful face fills the screen. She tucks a white blonde strand of hair behind her ear, her face splitting into a wide grin. “How’s it going out there, Wren? Run into any bears yet?”

I huff a laugh. “No, smartass. Hold on–are there actually bears out here?”

“Yes, Wren. Didn’t you do any research before hiking one of the biggest trails in northern Minnesota?”

I sheepishly peek through my lashes at her, cheeks flushing with embarrassment; eyes the same blue as mine shine back at me. “I may have bitten off more than I can chew with this one. I wish you were here with me. Maybe then I wouldn’t be lost and starving. And did I mention these blisters? Help me out. How do I make it back to my car without making them worse?”

I flip my phone camera to front-facing and give her a glimpse at the gnarly blister on my heel.

She gasps as I flip the camera back to myself.

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