Walking on the rocky path to white water rafting, Sarah Beth was trying hard to not lose her balance. Everywhere she walked, rocks randomly protruding from the earth. “It’s so hot!” she complained, finding it hard to breathe the humid thin air. Missing her footing, she tripped and started tumbling down a rocky hill.
“Help!” she shrieked as she rolled over and over. Finally she came to a halt.
“I’m on my way Sarah Beth,” said Charlie as he started rushing down the side of the hill. When he got there, he reached out his hand for her to grasp, but she slapped it away. He said, “I’m here to help you. Here lean on me,” he insisted. “I’ll be your crutch. I know you think of me as a crybaby, but I will protect you. I like you Sarah Beth.”
Sarah Beth was surprised by Charlie’s actions and words. With big eyes, she stared at him silently as she brushed herself off. Scrapes covered her legs and arms. She grabbed her throbbing head. Her vision was a little blurry as she looked around. It seemed like the trees were engulfing the area around her.
C.J. came up with an alcohol rub. Sarah Beth snatched it from her, and she started to clean the dirt off herself. Afterwards, C.J., with an uneasy feeling in her gut, suggested that they go back to the bunkhouse; certain things would get much worse before they got better.
Charlie didn’t leave Sarah Beth’s side. He again spoke, “Come on Sarah Beth, can’t you see I’m the only one who can help you right now?”
She pushed Charlie away and called for Jorgina who stood at the top of the slope. The path was so rocky she had given up wearing heels and was barefoot. Gingerly, she tiptoed down the slope being careful to not twist her ankle or step on any sharp twigs. Pausing, she told Sarah Beth she didn’t think she could walk any farther because her feet were in extreme pain. Even though Cindi told her twice to not wear the heels, Jorgina was never going to admit that she was wrong.
Stubbornly, Sarah Beth tried to stand on her own but tripped and twisted her ankle. She heard someone at the top of the slope laughing and applauding her misfortune, but she didn’t care enough to look up to see who it was.
Cindi hiked down and looked at her ankle. She pulled a walkie-talkie out of her backpack and began signaling for help. When she turned around, she saw Jorgina sliding down the rocky terrain. She was crying too. When she stopped, she carefully tried to pull pine needles and fragments of rocks out of her feet. Cindi knew she must be in pain and remembered the warning she had given to her, but she decided not to say, “I told you so.”
The rest of the group came down to check on Sarah Beth. Cody was also injured and asked if anyone had any disinfectant because he had scratches on his bare chest.
Luna told him he could wear her change of clothes, even though they were too tight and too small for him, but at least it covered him up. Eugene was reciting how to care for scratches and pretending he was an ER doctor. Jacob didn’t say much, but he didn’t seem too sympathetic to all those who were injured. He and C.J. offered to assist anyone who needed help climbing back to the top of the hill.
“Hang in there guys, we’re getting close to a base camp that has supplies, cots, food, and medicine waiting for us. Keep on walking and don’t fall behind,” said Cindi. “We are almost there.”
“Are we still going white water rafting?” asked Jacob.
“No, I think we all need to rest. We will spend the night at the base camp and stay there until we are all ready to move on,” Cindi said.
When everyone saw a tarp covering on the ground, they were relieved because under it was tents, and all the supplies they needed. Cindi, C.J., and Jacob collapsed like rag dolls because they had been taking care and shouldering most of the weight of those who were hurt.
“All who are able, need to help me get these tents assembled. We need to set up camp before it gets dark. It will be much harder to do in the dark,” said Cindi.
Jacob, C. J. Luna, Maria, Eugene, and Luna helped while the others nursed their injuries and rested.