Page 193 of Three Reckless Words

I’m too old for this crap.

Or is it too young?

As the forest wakes up with ominous night sounds, I pause and think.

I am definitely toosomethingfor this adventure.

Too alive, maybe.

Too sheltered.

Definitely too soft.

My stomach cramps again, even worse this time. I heave from the sensation, bending over to cough up stomach bile into the brush next to me.

I haven’t eaten since last night, honestly.

There’s nothing left for me to throw up.

One more mistake among many.

I never should’ve left my nice, comfy sleeping bag and gottenmorelost.

Instead of staying put and letting myself dehydrate like a normal person while I waited for another hiker to stumble across me, I just had to get thirsty. Then I had to go and drink from that little stream.

It looked clear enough, but what do I know?

Not much, apparently.

Now, my entire body rebels, determined to speed up my doom by dehydration.

God, this really might be the end.

I need to focus, though.

Just sit down. Relax. Breathe.

Doubled over, I walk over to the tree that scraped me and slump down against its trunk.

Civilization feels like a far-off dream. Did it ever exist at all?

I can’t remember what sleeping in a real bed feels like.

All I know is dizziness and pain and the never-ending chirps and humming of the forest.

My legs ache, demanding water and electrolytes, reminding me that all I’ve done today is float around in circles.

But… but if I stop now, if I shut my eyes too long and drift off, I’ll never find my way out.

Ihaveto keep going.

Keep moving.

Keep—

My fingers dig into moss and I blink, trying to process the info relayed by my own senses.

Somehow, I’ve gonesidewayswithout noticing, and now my nose is about two inches from the ground.

---