Our second night out was like the first. After hiking seven miles, we set up camp on the side of another photogenic lake. The air was brisk, the mosquitoes few, and the scenery stunning.

The light was fading, and the sun was glowing on the side of the mountains abundant with colors. No one really knows relaxation until they have hiked for seven miles with a forty pound backpack on their back, and then get to rest.

“What a day” Lenora said with a grin, taking my hand.

“This is why I always loved hiking in the wilderness” I responded with a smile, as we sat together watching the light give way to a star filled night sky. After watching the stars for about half an hour, we left for the tent to sleep.

…and… were rudely awoken sometime in the middle of the night by the rain pounding on our tent.

“It’s going to be alright,” I said in the dark, (something I hear guys in successful relationships say) as Lenora woke, with what I assume was a look of worry on her face. “It is just another lightning storm. I’ve camped out through a couple of ‘em before. It’ll blow over just fine” I re-assured her, squeezing her hand.

Flash.

The flash of light momentarily unveiled the terror in her face, as she clung to me for protection.

BANG!

The thunder came almost immediately after the flash. The torrential rainfall continued, pounding our small tent.

I woke up groggy and un-rested, with Lenora laying there still sleeping. As I poked my head around, I noticed puddles. Puddles inside the tent. Puddles, that after inspection, seem to have made a soggy mess out of our clothing, save for what we were wearing. “This will be an interesting day” I mumbled to myself.

After Lenora woke up, we packed up our belongings, dredging through the smell of wet clothes, and sullen thoughts. The forecast had called for showers nearby, but nothing like this thunderstorm. I’m guessing the tent manufacturer certified the tent as “waterproof” with the condition of a light Seattle rain, not a torrential downpour, I thought glumly as I packed my saturated clothing.

Squish… Squeak… Went our boots as we walked out of camp. Lenora wasn’t looking as enthusiastic as yesterday, and didn’t say much. Our backpacks were a good three pounds heavier, due to the added water content. Not fun.

“Um….” Lenora said, as the first word from either of us in over an hour, “What is that noise?”

As we came closer, the noise became louder. With the fog obscuring the environment, we didn’t see it until we were but three hundred yards away, but there it was.

“Well s***,” Lenora said matter-of-factly, as both our eyes focused on the once small stream in front of us, now grown into more of a small river.

“AAAcke!” She yelled, as the mud she was standing on gave way, leaving her plummeting down the wet, slippery hill towards the water.

I panicked. What else is there to do? I started running after her, in a foolhardy attempt to stop her some way.

She screamed as she hit the rocks by the edge of the water, her momentum flipping her over backward towards the water.

My heart stopped.

This was the end.

Being two days walk from our car, help was far away. It was cold. Hypothermia sets in quickly. First goes judgment, then motor control, then… I don’t want to think about it.

My future life with her flashed before my eyes. I saw what could have been, what I thought could be. I saw a family, a house, and children playing in fields; but mostly, I saw Lenora.

The freeze-frame of my thoughts turned into a freeze-frame of real life. Lenora had stopped mid flip, and lay limp with the right half of her body submerged in the freezing water. I continued my run downwards towards her.

As I reached the bottom, I sprang upon the rocks, threw off my pack, grabbed her, and pulled. But with no avail. Her backpack straps which had saved her from plummeting into the water, were now inhibiting me from pulling her out of the water. Her straps had been wedged deeply into a crack in the rock, pinning her tightly.

Then I saw the crimson. It flowed over the shale, which had just made contact with her now limp body. It flowed like the river Jordan, swift and holy. With every heartbeat, her life blood left her body, flowing into the swift cold current. I wanted to cry, but there was no time for crying now. Time was against me.

I pulled out my hiking knife.

I slashed at the straps restraining Lenora to the rock, sawing frantically through the hefty straps. My hands almost immediately became numb in freezing water. But I didn’t care—this was a life or death situation.

I broke through her left strap, and

Breathing hard, I slowly broke every sinew of the strap, breaking Lenora free. I was overjoyed, but she still appeared to be unconscious and bleeding from the head. I half carried, half dragged her over the rock, and out of the water. She was very cold. I was scared.

“Heeeeeelp!” I screamed, in hopes anyone nearby would come to my aid.

I lay Lenora down, with her head in my lab, and started wrapping her with clothing trying to keep her warm, and the blood from flowing. I became delusional, I could see no way out. I began to cry, as I wrapped her head in my shirt…



I jerked upright, cold sweat smelling up my sleeping bag. The rain was pounding on the tent. Lenora was right beside me. Save, sound, and sleeping. She rolled over, and I saw her beautiful un-marred face, and I smiled. No amount of rain in the world could ruin my day now, knowing that Learner was still by my side.

The rest of the trip was quite un-eventful, though still somewhat wet. We continued on, with a beaming smile upon my face.