Canyon's Edge
It was day three on what was suppose to be the trip of a lifetime. We had lost all hope night was fast approaching and there was no way out. We barely had enough food and water for 24hrs. Sally was trying to pull herself together she didn't want the group to see her break down. She didn't want to be seen as the weak link, she didn't want to be a target...of any kind. So she decided to take a walk to scout the surrounding area.
The worst thing they could do now is lose hope. Hope was all they had and they needed every ounce of it to survive this. They already lost Ben they cant afford to lose anyone else. Sally told herself as she broke down against a tree finally letting all the tears pour out. As Sally labored her breathing and regained her composure she heard it.
It was fast and getting louder the harder she strained to hear. She took a deep breath and had to make an important choice go get the rest of the group or go investigate by herself she wasn't sure how ready she was to face the group again. She couldn't look at their faces knowing what they did to her sweet Benjamin.
Despite knowing she could get herself lost and be the next casualty on this horrible trip Sally decided to forge ahead on her own and followed the sound. It got louder the closer she got she could feel the temperature change as she came out of the clearing to a rushing waterfall. It was huge and deep, the water was consistent with white Rapids or worse. Her hope was deflated again as she knew this was just another dead end but they had water and maybe if there could figure out a way just maybe they could find some fish.
As Sally sat down near the edge of the river careful not to be close enough she could get swept up in the Rapids she found a spot to rinse her feet and cool them. Her shoes were stained with blood at this point. Her feet were caked with blood the water felt so good rushing over her feet briefly turning pink as it passes quickly over her feet.
It was as she was getting ready to head back that Sally noticed the sun reflecting off something under a bush. It almost blinded her when she got up. She went to investigate finding an old plastic water bottle in some debris under a nearby bush. It was far to old and gross to use to drink from and she still had her personal water bottle. One of the few things she still had left. She also had a piece of paper and a pen. She decided that though it was a long shot Sally tried to clean the bottle up a bit well keeping it dry. She then put a note in the bottle and sent it down the waterfall. She decided not to tell the group. She didn't want to get their hopes up and still wasn't convinced Ben's death was completely accidental.
Sally returned to the group. They made a fire and their best attempt at shelter. They had to stick together for warmth but not one slept well you could cut the tension in the air with a knife.
It was dark, darker than most of them had ever experienced. For the most part the group was attempting to sleep when they heard the sounds of the chopper over head. There was a loudspeaker "this is search and rescue you have been found rescuers will come for you in the morning.'' They were safe, you could see everyone trying to piece together what was happening and there was a sense of relief. But an error of tension because they all still had to survive till morning.
Though they rejoiced they knew they would have to explain Ben when they returned. Everyone knew they left as a group, his family was bound to ask questions. They all desperately wanted to believe it was an accident but none of them felt confident their voice wouldn't crack when questioned. No one in the group believed it was an accident but out of fear they'd never say it out loud. No one wanted to be next….
It was as she was getting ready to head back that Sally noticed the sun reflecting off something under a bush. It almost blinded her when she got up. She went to investigate finding an old plastic water bottle in some debris under a nearby bush. It was far to old and gross to use to drink from and she still had her personal water bottle. One of the few things she still had left. She also had a piece of paper and a pen. She decided that though it was a long shot Sally tried to clean the bottle up a bit well keeping it dry. She then put a note in the bottle and sent it down the waterfall. She decided not to tell the group. She didn't want to get their hopes up and still wasn't convinced Ben's death was completely accidental. Sally returned to the group. They made a fire and their best attempt at shelter. They had to stick together for warmth but not one slept well you could cut the tension in the air with a knife. It was dark, darker than most of them had ever experienced. For the most part the group was attempting to sleep when they heard the sounds of the chopper over head. There was a loudspeaker "this is search and rescue you have been found rescuers will come for you in the morning.'' They were safe, you could see everyone trying to piece together what was happening and there was a sense of relief. But an error of tension because they all still had to survive till morning. Though they rejoiced they knew they would have to explain Ben when they returned. Everyone knew they left as a group, his family was bound to ask questions. They all desperately wanted to believe it was an accident but none of them felt confident their voice wouldn't crack when questioned. No one in the group believed it was an accident but out of fear they'd never say it out loud. No one wanted to be next….
They would never forget that night...