Page 1 of Saved By the Soldier

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EMMA

"Hey,Em, are you sure you want to go hiking? The weather is changing, and I worry about you being on your own." Jules has been my friend for over ten years, and she still worries about me when I go on a wildlife hunt.

"Babe, you know I'm good for it. I've been all over the world taking photos. Remember that one time I went to Africa and I asked to get out of the jeep on the safari and the driver got out with me? We walked to the trees and then we saw a lion stalking an antelope. It was the most amazing sight."

"Of course I remember that. That was the day you told us that the lion had changed courses and when he'd bitten the antelope, he heard you in the dry grass and he moved towards you two as if you were the prey." Jules knows I take great photos, but she just worries about the danger I put myself in.

"I know we had to run to the jeep and close the doors before he sped up. It was exhilarating." I remember that day like it was yesterday.

"It was fucking deadly. He could’ve captured you and eaten you like he did the antelope."

"Don't be so overdramatic, Jules. I made it home, didn't I?"

"I guess you did. But I'm worried. What happens if a snowstorm comes, and you don't have anywhere to go?"

"I have a tent and the right equipment to keep me warm. Sure, don't people climb Mount Everest every day and they have to sleep up there? If they can do it then I can do this. There's been a sighting of this rare wolf pack, and I know that it will be my payday if I can get some pictures of them up close." I grab Jules' hand. "I'm going to be okay. I’ll have a satellite phone with me so if something happens, I can call for help. Does that make you feel better?"

"I guess. I don't want to lose you." We hug each other.

"I'll be fine." I grab my drink and pass her drink to her. "Now, let's give a toast. To rare wolf packs." Jules says it too and we drink our drinks.

"When are you going?"

"Tomorrow I'm going to start the journey and then I'll be walking the mountains in two days."

"Then we need to get drunk tonight." Jules is a party girl. I like a drink now and again, but I don't tend to go out much. I know how important this is to Jules. She always needs reassurance and if that makes her happy, then I’m happy to give it to her.

After waking with a hangover,I went to the local cafe and ordered a full breakfast. I needed the energy and the fuel to get started on my journey.

I've finally arrived in the mountains, and they look beautiful. I get out of my car and take some pictures of the mountain ranges. So breathtaking. I get paid for my photos. They’re used as stock photos, and I get a small fee when they’re downloadedor I also write articles for the news. If it's something good, then I'll write the article attached to the photo and send it off to my sources. They then bid on how much they want to pay for the photo and article. My life as a digital nomad is amazing. But I always like to go home in between escapades.

The serene beauty of the mountain range is a disguise and I'm not naïve enough to not know that as I venture deeper into the wilderness that danger will be around every corner. I’ve been going to a high altitude gym for the last six months to make sure I can deal with the change in oxygen levels. It wasn't easy, let me tell you. But as the months went on, it became second nature, and I know I’ll need all that training when I get further up the mountains.

I know you're asking if it's worth it for a pack of wild wolves. Hell, yeah it is. This could be my payday. National Geographic will pay a fortune for these pictures. No one has ever photographed them, but some people have reported seeing them. Now, I know it could be a load of nonsense, but I will not risk the chance that someone else gets the scoop. Hell, no.

I leave my car and grab all my equipment. I have one huge rucksack with everything I need for a three to four day hike. It's amazing how much stuff you can fit into a rucksack these days. I've been doing weights at the gym so that it won't be difficult to carry the rucksack, but I know it's not the same as walking in the woods and the rugged terrain, but this ain't my first rodeo.

After about two hours, I can feel the cold coming in. Looking up to the sky, the first dark clouds are rolling in over the mountains. It's beautiful and I stop to take some photos of the cloud formation.

While walking and taking photos, I trip on a root of a tree and go down like a big grizzly bear. "Fuck," I scream, and it echoes through the woods.

I rub my ankle. It's a little sore, but it's nothing I can't manage. Thank God for my hiking boots. They have reinforced sides, so they’ll protect my ankles.

I get up and keep walking as it gets darker and darker. When the light fades, the forest gets much darker. Thankfully, I have a torch on my hat. I look like my dad when he was doing DIY, but if it keeps me safe, I don't care what I look like.

I need to look for a place to camp tonight. I need an opening in the forest where I can pitch my tent for the night. Yes, I know there will be bears. Yes, I know there are wolves— I’m hunting them duh. But I also know that I might be on my lonesome up here.

As I walk further into the forest, I hear an animal cry out. I stand still. Is it going to attack me? Has it smelled me? I inch further and further into the darkness and turn off my light, just in case it's the wolves. I grab my camera, ready to take the photo that I need. But it's not wolves. No, it's much worse. It's a group of men who are harming the animals. I get down on the ground behind a tree and look at what’s happening. I turn my camera into night mode so when I take a photo, it won't flash and give me away.

My breathing is rushed, and I admit my adrenaline is spiking right now. What should I do? The reporter in me dives into action, taking photo after photo of the group who seem to be poaching the wild animals. This is totally illegal, and I know I’ll send these photos to the police as well as National Geographic. They hear me move and look toward me, but it's so dark where I am they can't see me. While the main guy is looking at me, I take a picture of his face. Just in case something happens to me, and to the police. After he turns back around, I check the camera and when I zoom in on the guy, I see it’s Viktor Olov. He's a poacher, and I’ve had the displeasure of meeting him a few times. The last time was in Kenya when he told me that thenext time he sees me, he's going to kill me. So, I know I need to get away from here without being spotted by Viktor or his gang.

I slowly crawl along the dirt-ridden forest floor to try to get away. But then the reporter in me realizes I could get some superb photographs of what they’re doing and I stop, readjust my camera, and take some more photos. They’re hunting wildlife and carrying them down the mountain to sell. Luckily, they don't have the rare wolves, and I hope to god they don't find them.

Just as I'm backing off, I snap a twig and they all turn to face my direction. I'm certain they can hear my heart beating. It's so fucking loud. They raise their guns and point them at me. But I know they can't see me as it's too dark here. I slowly move on the spot to find some stones and, without being seen, I throw a stone in a different direction. They turn the guns to that part of the forest. I throw another one.

"Go that way and see what it is. Whatever it is just kill it and bring it back. We need to get these bears back down the mountain before we move further north to find the wolves," Viktor says.

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