We flick on our flashlights, and I grab the extra lantern in the middle. Mark’s the first out. Lightning lights up the sky to the west. This looks bad. Thankfully though, we’re heading east. The wind is still gnarly, but the rain let up for the moment. I send up a silent prayer as we take off jogging, pointing our flashlights down so we don’t trip on rocks or sticks.
Trystan is leading the group. With his skills from his time in the service, this is his moment, and fuck am I glad to have him leading. I follow, looking around at our surroundings for any sort of area that might help give us extra cover. Nothing. We are roughly two miles from where our truck is located. On a great day, it’s nothing, but in the middle of a storm that’s more than likely about to start drowning us again at any moment, it’s daunting. Shit might be about ready to get real again, real quick. I don’t even want to think about lightning or hail right now. When our feet hit the actual trail, we’re able to pick up our pace since there’s less rocks in this section.
Yelling over the wind, Trystan tells us that we need to cover this ground quickly. He doesn’t need to say it twice. We all sense how dangerous this could potentially get. Especially when we have to trek over the rocky area that cuts through the trail. That’s about a half mile of rocky terrain near a ravine area that we’ll have to cross before we come back near the trail again. I’d say we’ve got roughly another half mile until we get there. The minutes pass by like an eternity. My heart hammers in my chest as the rain starts to pick back up. We’re almost to the rocks. When the lightning flashes, I can see it.
“Shit!” Mark screeches as I hear him slip and fall in a patch of mud that I barely managed to miss. He hops right back up, grasping the flashlight after dropping it. At least that didn’t happen on the rocks or he might’ve screwed up an ankle. The complications of the rain picking up and what lies ahead have me pretty nervous.
“Okay, everyone, watch your step, but move as quickly as is safely possible! The trail should pick up relatively straight from here once we cross! Don’t forget how close the drop off into the ravine is when we have to climb! Fuck, guys, I trained with some of this type of shit, but I’m freaking out! We don’t have much wiggle room when we get there on a good day!”
If Trystan is scared, damn… I just can’t even think about it right now. We have no choice. Conditions are worsening by the minute.
“Stay close together!” Lightning cracks again overhead, sending chills down my spine. Wind is whipping through the treetops around us, branches groaning from the force. I’ve always loved storms, but this…this terrifies me. I look back at Mark, and his fear is just as tangible.
We take off slowly over the rocks, training the lights at our feet and aiming to step on the larger, rougher rocks. While they’re just as dangerous if we fall, they have better grip for our shoes. I’m regretting not having a pair of boots this time. Trystan was the only one who wore his.
Damn, this rain is cold. I didn’t notice it as much when we were running, but it’s registering now. Less than a mile to go. This is taking for-fucking-ever to get through. I’ve lightly lost footing three times now, almost pissing myself each time, and I would imagine the other guys are slipping too.
By the time we start the incline, the rain is pelting hard against our backs, coming at us at a funny angle with the wind. I don’t like it one bit. The only thing I’m thankful for is that it’s notdirected at our faces, but the way it’s running over the rocks... Damn. Some of them are loose and scatter. If any of us puts our feet in the wrong spot, they may slide out from under us. We’re thinking alike because Trystan yells, “Watch for the loose ones!”
Looking up ahead, I see the scary part. I actually laugh out loud nervously. Trystan yells back, “Yeah, I’m not looking forward to this either!”
“Next year, we’re looking at a different place or getting a cabin!”
Right as we start near the edge of the ravine, thunder rumbles the area so hard, it shakes the ground. I know that’s not reality, but it feels like it. The sky really opens up, rain and hail dumping on us. We all scream a collective, “FUCK!” and lift our bags overhead to try to block whatever possible, but it feels like a shit ton of marbles are scattering around our feet, making everything that much more dangerous. I guarantee our tent is a hot mess now, if it’s even still there. Right now, though, I just need to concentrate on not slipping near the edge and not falling and hitting my head or breaking an ankle. Twentyish more feet til we’re away from the ravine. We’ve got this.
A blast of wind hits us so hard, I have to crouch to get my bearings. That’s when I hear Trystan scream and feel rocks shift beneath my feet. My stomach bottoms out, and I have only a split-second to think before yelling, “Mark, get back!”
I hear Mark’s muffled yell for us, but I’m honestly so caught up in the moment, I can’t comprehend much else other than sheer terror as the immediate area of rocks beneath our feet give way, and Trystan and I fall into the ravine. I grip my bag and flashlight for dear life and pray.
???
Sydney
Voicemail… that’s all I get. I’ve called Colin. I’ve called Trystan. I’ve called Mark. No answers from any of them. I was able to get a hold of Brynleigh, and she’s on her way over now. The supercell that cropped up out of nowhere hit near where the guys went on their trip. I knew they had shitty cell service out there, but damnit, this is terrifying. When the emergency alerts started going off on my phone, Holly and I sat up and panicked. We got bad storms here too, but nothing like what the guys did. There will be plenty of limbs to pick up in the yard, but no tornadoes touched down here.
“I’m here!” Brynleigh hollers as she opens the door and drops her stuff on the entry table.
“In here!” Holly and I shout in unison, watching a little light bounce along the floor until Brynleigh comes into view. She is using her phone’s flashlight.
“I can’t reach any of the guys either! There are trees down all over town. Nobody has power. I even saw some roof damage about a mile from here. Oooh, fire…” Brynleigh ambles over and rubs her hands together with an audible sigh before climbing into the oversized chair across from us.
“I hope they were able to get out of there in time,” Holly mumbles, biting at her thumbnail.
“They would’ve called by now if they were already safe. I mean, cell towers could be down in places, but I feel like somehow, we would’ve heard something by now if they were in a good spot. At the very least, Colin would’ve called to see if you were okay,” Brynleigh answers, looking over at me with worried eyes that seem to realize what she said does nothing to make any of us feel better. “Not to mention, their storm hit before oursdid…” She trails off, looking into the crackling embers but not really seeing them. Her usual, bubbly attitude is gone, a ghost of worry shadowing her face. She looks to be a mess about Mark. Even worried with no makeup on, she’s still strikingly beautiful.
Headlights flash through the living room front windows. Not a minute later, Ava is storming in.
“Ugh! You’re out of power too! Any news on the guys? Hi, Bryn! Oooh, fire.” We giggle again at the similar sentiment as Ava rushes over to the fire to warm up as well.
Buzz.
Jane: You guys good? Out of power too? I just texted Ava, but she didn’t answer.
Me: She just strolled in my door. She likely hasn’t seen it yet. She’s out of power. We’re good. Limbs down, no power as well, but I have a fire going. Garrett getting yours up and running? Brynleigh also just got here. None of us can reach any of the guys.
Jane: Oh, fuck. I didn’t even think of them. Fuck, fuck, fuck! Do you think they’re okay? Those storms practically came out of nowhere, and they have the worst signal in that park… I’m sorry, I know that’s not helping. I’ll be there in a little bit.
Me: Bring chocolate if you have any.